Chapter Two: Live and Love

Agent Four's sweat poured onto his sweater bead by bead. As much as his sweater was designed to collect sweat, they darken quickly. Agent Four leaned on the walls of the entrance of the Battle Lobby. Leaning on his right leg are his pair of Hero Dualies. Although he cannot have his real Hero Dualies, the replicas can do well. Agent Four thinks that they have the same properties, and it would make sense, since both the replica and the real dualies have the same creator. He chugged half a large cup of the Splash Mob branded drink that Crusty Sean sells.

"Hey champ, catch," a fimiliar voice rung in Agent Four's ears.

Agent Four, without effort, caught the bottle that was flung at him. His right hand placed the cup beside his pair of dualies before looking at the bottle. The bottle reads "for champ." However, the sticky note fell and lead to an unlabelled generic bottle.

"Sorry Four, I had to be quick about throwing it together. I know you were going to throw yourself into another match," Marie apologized, scratching the back of her head.

Agent Four chuckled, "you know me too well, and it's fine Marie, I appreciate anything."

Marie leaned on the wall beside Agent Four. She turned to him, which made her happy, seeing him chug the bottle. In a blink, Marie thought of a mischievous plan. She began laughing silently but maniacally. This caught the attention of Agent Four, more off guard than anything, who innocently started to laugh with Marie, not knowing anything. Marie began laughing louder and louder. The surrounding inklings looked at Marie. Everyone was shocked, they thought how wonderful it was to be so close to Marie, but also how horrifying it is to see her the way she is now.

"Marie," Agent Four calmly whispered to Marie, trying to get her to explain what she's doing.

Finally, Marie can commence her evil plan, "You fell for it you young inkling! You drank all of it! And now, you shall see yourself fall in pain and in agony."

Agent Four laughed and giggled, "Marie, you look really adorable trying to look evil."

Marie laughed, knocking her out of character. Both shared a dose of laughter and fun. For Marie, she laughed at Agent Four's statement, even though she has heard him say those words multiple times. For Agent Four, he laughed because he just found Marie in her evil character so adorably funny.

"Woah, what are you going to do to me," Agent Four jokingly laughed.

"I will take your body as mine, young inkling," Marie attempted to respond in her evil voice, but failing.

"Calm down there Marie, were you brainwashed like Callie," he laughed out, "oh no, I guess I'll have to save you!"

Both laughed and laughed, despite the public reaction. The surrounding and passing inklings' only thoughts are; what is going on, and, who is this guy and why is he with Marie?

Marie placed a hand on Agent Four's shoulder, still breathing trying to recover from the laughter. Agent Four's breath heaved, having to recover from the previous match and the most recent bundle of laughter. Marie looked at Agent Four, which, in only a few seconds, he looked back, locking eyes.

Marie gulped. In an attempt to stop any awkwardness from ensuing, she lightly squeezed Agent Four's shoulder, "Kick their butts champ, I'll watch you climb to X rank. I know you can do it. Do it for me!"

Agent Four, in a quick move, smiled and winked while picking up his gear, "I'll climb to X. For you Marie."

Marie waved away Agent Four before he disappeared behind the double doors. She blushed while thinking about the last few words both exchanged.

"Do it for me," Marie whispered to herself.

Marie has always supported Agent Four and his endeavours to climb the ranks. She watched him push through and struggle. From the long and weighed climb to A, to the celebration of finally reaching S, she saw him enter all levels in his mind. Marie always thought of the final win that brought Agent Four to S, which is where he is right now, however, she will always remember the moment he fell from A all the way back to B. She sighed in knowing full well that she has helped Agent Four in every battle he has been through. Marie has helped him so much, that she took her hours upon hours of watching matches and making them into useful information that Agent Four can use. From timings to heat spots, she could be considered a mentor or coach to Agent Four, at least in terms of Ranked Battles.

Marie felt that someone was watching her. Her instincts lead to the window of the live studio of "Off the Hook." Marie's face straightened as she saw Pearl and Marina sticking their heads on the glass to try and get a closer look on the moment that just occurred. Their faces glowed of an adorable young inkling being fascinated by whatever they were seeing. In a joking manner, Pearl took a piece of paper, and with a marker, drew 10/10 on it, and stuck it on the glass for Marie to see. Marie, giggled and waved her hand in the air as a disagreement or a disapproval move. Marina threw a thumbs up and laughed before her and Pearl retreated back to their seats to record another session for the next hour.

Marie walked back to her surprisingly humble home. No one would expect an acclaimed pop-star to live in a medium-sized home, with rooms for only four people. Of course, their home had more security technology than the average apartment. Marie unlocked the door to the house before stepping inside her comfort zone. She did not waste any time before she opened her television and turned to the live battles.

By then, Agent Four has already completed a battle and is in the middle of one. Marie took a seat at the nearest couch and sat straight up. She is so fascinated by Agent Four's agility and speed. He's not only quick and agile, but accurate and precise. Every burst bomb either dealt a large chunk of damage, or splated a key area in the map. Marie always wondered if his skill was talent, or training. She always thought it was more talent than skill, she had to have a reason to pick him over any inkling in the square. Another thing she always wondered, is why Agent Four always go for the Hero Dualies Replica. Marie is yet to find a strong answer, but she leans on the fact that the rolling the dualies offers due to their lightweight designs, compliment Agent Four's mix of agility and precision aim.

The Clam Blitz ended, and Marie confidentially turned to the kitchen to grab a drink. Without a thought, Marie congratulated Agent Four on his win in her head, before finally the television displayed a KO for Agent Four's Team.

"Good job champ, really proud of ya," Marie whispered to herself.

Marie always found "champ" to be a good new nickname. She can either make it into a friendly or romantic sounding word, that will still encourage Agent Four. Moreover, it's simple and is consisting of one syllable, great for Marie. However, Marie thinks she needs to find a better nickname that would reinforce how close both inklings are, while also bringing both every closer and closer. And then it hit her. She wants to be closer to Agent Four. She stopped drinking, before starring off into the window.

"Do I actually like him?" Marie quietly asked herself.

"Seems like you do," Callie answered, leaning on the wall that connects the living room and the dinning room, "it's quite obvious."

Marie, now knowing that Callie heard and knows everything, asks back, trying to find an answer, "but why can't I tell myself that? I always think I do, but I flip-flop back and forth."

"Marie, you're starting to sound stubborn like me," Callie exhaled, "you've already half admitted it to yourself, so what's stopping you from admitting you like him?"

Marie opens her mouth to answer, but she cannot find an answer. She thinks about the question hard. Marie about to suggest an answer, is interrupted by her trusted cousin, "Marie, you're still heart broken from that last relationship aren't you?"

Marie is left dumbfounded, she begins to wonder if that is the case. If she still is healing from the last relationship. Callie leads Marie to the two-seater couch where it is angled towards the television beside the larger couch Marie sat on.

Callie places a hand on Marie's shoulder, "I am not telling you to move on, nor should I. But, learn from me. Maybe your future someone is not of the same popularity or richness as you. Maybe look to the humble guy that's arguably been there more for you than me. We might not find out his real name-if he even has one, but I know he'll help you through this. I'm sure if you let him be the doctor, he'll take good care of you..."

Callie sits up before retreating back to her room. Marie hums to herself, figuring if every word Callie uttered was true. She runs her brain in circles, hoping to find a solid answer. Nothing. She, however, leans on the fact that maybe she has a lead. Maybe liking Agent Four could help.

Marie walks back to the dinning room table where she unconsciously placed her drink. She takes a sip, in the hopes of recovering from the sweat she drenched herself with. Marie exhales in a refreshed state before looking up at the television to see her potential doctor once again.