"She honestly was unsure of herself," Edric recounts, looking to the two squid sisters as they ate his cookies from the little jar. "I don't know. Maybe all this team and brand stuff are getting to her."

"…you are either the densest human ever or just…" Marie starts, biting into a cookie as they sat in a private makeup room for them.

"Too nice? Yeah. Heard that from Lucky loads of times. I can't help it. You guys deserve all the nice things I say and do," Edric admits smiling, trying to relax against the couch.

Callie hums happily while biting into her cookie. "And this is a plus. Cooking? Not bad. But yes. Can't even be a little angry at her, huh?"

Edric smiles. "Why would I want to do that? As I said before, she is one of the best things to ever happen to me. You two take second. Sorry," he apologizes with a wave of his hand. "And I don't want to lose that over some petty things such as spending time together. Seen and known too many relationships that ended like that. Also, is it weird we are now doing photoshoots together?" Edric asks.

"Not really. Besides, you were doing it at the tournament wins in the beginning. This is no different," Marie points out.

"Besides that," Callie starts and takes another bite that made her moan happily. "You consider spending time together petty? Then what's serious for you?"

Edric sighs and hangs his head. "Caveira getting hurt or losing her. That…would do it."

"Well, she won't obviously have that happen. She's a good fighter," Marie points out.

"Anyways, it is a bit weird to me to do these sponsorship deals? Though getting these new Red Sea Slugs is nice," Edric says, looking at his new shoes.

"Oh, you are being fresh. And no. Tons of players go through this, but mostly teams as a whole," Marie explains.

"So how is your grandfather? Anything new?" Edric asks.

"Still watching that old DJ for anything funny. If you are hoping for agent missions, there isn't thankfully," Callie says smiling.

"Does he feed the DJ?" Edric asks as he walks over to the two.

"Sometimes. He is forgettable," Marie says smirking. "Why? You thinking of making a visit?"

"No. Just a thought," Edric says before giving both a peck on the cheek.

Callie squeaks blushing hard while Marie simply blushes and smiles. "Let's get to that photoshoot," Marie says getting up.

"You heard her Callie," Edric says.

"Right…" Callie stutters and gets up, stuffing her face of the cookie before following them. "Let's get this over with."

"That was a long thing," Edric says as Marie let him out of the bag in their suite.

"And now you can rest on our couch again…thought you would enjoy Lucky's company back home," Marie wonders as he changes back to an inkling and lays down on it. "Too hyper or what?"

"Sugar rush. I learned it's best to let it burn out of her. So…gotten boring without us around?" Edric asks, looking up to her.

Marie sighs and hangs her head. "Regretfully. You guys are so busy, it almost feels like before we met you."

"You know, you could sleep in my bed. I am willing to share," Callie says.

"I will say it before and I will say it again. I don't want to impose," Edric says lifting a hand and pointing at her.

"It's not imposing at all," Callie says smiling.

Edric groans. "I'm fine on the couch girls. It's not that bad. Besides, I don't think your beds will fit me anyway."

Callie grabs his arm. "Come on. You know I will end up sleeping in your hair on you anyways. Why not cut out the walking?" Callie asks.

Edric raises an eyebrow at her. "Cause…I'm with Caveira right now? And plus, you can grab a snack on the way. I believe you two sometimes grab a chocolate salmon egg at night."

"Oh no," Marie says as Callie's eyes start to widen.

"What?" Edric asks looking to her. "What's going on anyway? You are kinda clingy."

"You said three words that should never be said together near Callie," Marie informs.

Edric sits up and looks to Callie gripping his arm tightly. "Seriously? She is that addicted?"

"Yes. Now there are two ways to get her to let go now. First, give her one, which we do not have in the building and, if she gets out, she will cause chaos looking for them. Or you can just tough out her hanging onto you till she comes out of this state," Marie says.

"Or three…" Edric starts before grabbing Callie and pulls her onto the couch and kisses her, making a loud squeak escape her and a sudden unclench of her hand on his arm. "There," he says smiling as he pulls his head back to see the blushing face. "That was easy. Not that I want to do that again. Caveira would kill me," he mutters the last part to the side.

Callie says nothing as she grabs and holds onto him tightly, this time around his chest.

"I made it worse…didn't I?" Edric asks, giving a few pats to Callie's head.

"Maybe. Never seen her do this before," Marie says.

"At least now I can rest…and get my sleep early," Edric states smiling and lays back down onto the couch. "Been a long enough day."

'Yeah, definitely dense,' Marie thinks walking away.

"By the way…is something really troubling Caveira or am I just worrying so much?" Edric asks, rubbing Callie's back as she snuggles up tighter around him now.

"Worrying too much," Marie says heading to the shower.

Edric hums and looks down to Callie while she nuzzles his chest. "And you? Doubt you can be this clingy for no reason. Is there something you ain't telling me?" he asks, letting his hand slide down her tentacle.

Callie didn't seem to hear him and Edric just waited until Marie came back in pajamas now to get a bottle of milk. "So what was with your comment about you already being with Caveira?" she asks as Edric had Callie's tentacles wrapped around him.

"I thought that would be obvious. I did tell you how humans find each other for love and that. Me saying 'I am with her' just means I am dating her or can be married if you know they are," Edric explains.

"Yeah, so what is the problem?" Marie asks.

Edric shrugs. "It would feel like I am betraying her. Plus…I am still bothered just by sleeping here and then sleeping in either of your beds. As I said, I don't want to impose. Even if you say I won't."

"Is this a human thing?" Marie asks.

"Some humans have humility, others don't. And those that don't try to really overtake when offered stuff is the best kind of person you can meet. Means they learned enough hardships and understand others," Edric rambles off, not feeling Callie picking her head up to look at him.

"We inklings don't usually mind if our male sleeps with another female as long as they take responsibility for squishies," Marie informs.

A quick squeak escapes him and he picks his head up to look at her. "I'm sorry…?"

"We are always looking towards the next fresh thing. So if both partners find they no longer feel the same, they move on. As such, males can wind up sleeping with multiple girls," Marie says.

Edric slowly puts his head down and stares up at the ceiling while Marie and Callie both look down at him. "It's…only one for you…isn't it?" Callie asks, seeing the look in his eyes.

"Females are usually called the homemakers of our species for a reason. How can a mom take care of her squishie when she is constantly looking for another male?" Marie informs.

"Kinda why I have so many little siblings," Callie admits.

Edric stares straight past them as he seems to be in deep thought. "…you think Caveira is happy enough?"

"Maybe if she got to spend a bit more time with you. Actually, come to think of it, she was asking Ms. S if she knew of any good managers she could contact. Could she be looking for help?" Marie thinks aloud.

Callie looks at him in worry as he turns his head to look at the couch fully now. "Um…Edric…?"

"Would you be fine if she comes over to hang out and sleep here?" Edric asks.

"Hey. It's me," Marie says talking into her squidphone.

"Edric…was the reason you were trying to stay happy was that…you didn't want to lose her forever?" Callie whispers while lying down on him.

"I…actually feared it all before. Getting with Caveira…I was running through my head that day in fact. Who was good enough for me? At least someone to spend my life with. I…never thought it was this carefree. You guys…you guys are always way too happy," Edric admits. "I…I don't think any human will ever get to your level of culture and understanding…present company included," Eddic sniffs and Callie looks not so surprised as tears start to well up in his eyes.

"Yeah…Edric is here. Could you come over…we need to have a talk…it's about our culture and something, he didn't understand. Yes, it is that important…ok. I will tell the guards to expect you and please try and hide who you are. I think the press is out there," Marie says on the phone before hanging up as she gets up and goes to the landline. "Hey…expect company…she is ok. She is the one who handles our schedule…we need to talk to her and she will be here all night…right? Thanks," Marie says on the landline before hanging up as well.

"I don't think I will ever understand you, no matter how hard I try," Edric sniffs and keeps rubbing at his eyes. "Dang it…" he groans, looking at his wet arm.

"You were torturing yourself by just trying to stick to Caveira in this point, you never thought of another?" Marie asks, walking back over.

Edric sighs and sits up. "I honestly saw you as actual sisters of mine. X was more like the tough kid I hang out with. And Lucky…more like the aunt on a candy sugar rush. But Caveira…" he tries to describe but comes up with nothing.

"You don't have to fake being happy all the time just because of that," Callie points out. "And you have noticed it…didn't you? Her not being as happy as well?"

"So she is," Edric sighs and rubs his head. "I just thought I wasn't doing well enough or the job was getting in the way."

"I am going to make some tea for this," Marie informs.

Edric groans and hangs his head. "I'm an idiot…aren't I?" he berates himself, looking to the tentacle still wrapped around his arm before it slowly unwraps and let's go.

"No…we should have thought of this when we learned you were really human. We just didn't think about it as…well, it's such a common thing to be taught as a squishie," Callie says, trying to comfort him.

"Heh…and we taught our kids that treat everyone you love as your last. Humans mate for life. You might only have one lover. Having more than one will get you hated…so many…" Edric sighs and grabs a pillow and buries his head in it on his lap. "She's isn't a bad girlfriend…I am a bad boyfriend," he says muffled through it.

"No. You are not," Callie says, actually angrily hearing that.

Marie clicks her teeth at her and Callie sighs and tries to calm down once she heard that tone. "It has to be. I should have learned everything about how you guys handle love first before I even tried. It's my fault," Edric admits, keeping his head in the pillow.

"No, it's not…we have assumed too much is all," Callie says before turning into a squid and move up to beside his face.

Edric gives a small chuckle. "You are still cute as a squid," he chuckles, reaching up and petting her head. "So warm…"

Callie affectionately leans on him and tries hugging his head.

Edric laughs a bit more. "Callie…you are too small…" he laughs a few times, giving some scratches to her back now.

Soon there was a knock at the door and Marie went and opened it. Caveira was there wearing a disguise that she quickly started to remove. Though, when she saw Edric and his wet face and arms, she starts to freeze up when Marie closes the door behind her and both of them stares at her. "Well…I am here…" she says a bit shakily.

"Caveira…are you happy?" Edric asks muffled through the pillow and she felt the hard stares from the two girls.

Caveira looks between the two before sighing. "I…" she tries to start, but she couldn't come up with the right words.

Edric sighs. "I knew it…I was being horrible."

That sent alarm bells ringing in Caveira's head as she wonders if the two girls brought pyrotechnics to their home on account of the fires appearing behind them. "Wha…what do you mean?"

"This is him…forcing himself to be happy the whole time for you," she says after swallowing her anger and tears. "Because humans take love one at a time and try to stick with it as best they could. He already gave up so much just trying to make it all work…he ran himself into this," Callie explains, rubbing his back as Edric stood still with his head in the pillow. "He never knew how we handle it."

"…I blame both of you for not explaining this," Caveira informs.

"It never came up. And he never did ask about it when he started to question about you," Marie points out. "He just went with what he knew. His human knowledge."

"…did you make a move on him?" Caveira asks looking at Callie now as Marie drinks the tea she made.

Callie blinks before looking down and sighing. "I think…I offered him my bed and then I…got a bit too clingy I guess."

Edric reaches out and slowly grabs Caveira's hand. "What did I do wrong?" he asks still in the pillow.

Caveira sighs. "Edric, look at me," she instructs.

Edric slowly picks his head up as they all were a little surprised at how red his eyes were. "Please just tell me…I don't want this to happen again…"

"You did nothing wrong," she says before kissing his forehead and turning into a squid to snuggle his face.

Edric slowly blinks and slowly gives a small smile. "That's…that's a bit funny," he tries to laugh off, but it was coming out broken. "So…how…do we handle this?"

"We female inklings can be a bit pushy, but it is ultimately up to the males to accept the advances or not. Personally surprised Lucky hasn't been pushier," Callie says.

"Wait? Lucky has a thing for me?! I thought that was her being her," Edric calls.

Marie smiles a little. 'Partially dense…but he's pretty smart,' she thinks leaning down to his height. "Edric…what do you want?"

"Me…?" he asks a little surprised and starts to have a distant look in his eyes as he thought about it. "I…I don't…" he tries to say, so many thoughts running through his head and he can't piece it together.

"Think about it. But for tonight, come with me. Callie, you said you offered to share your bed, right?" Caveira asks, her squeaky voice being very adorable.

"Oh. That's right. I never saw you like this," Edric realizes as he slowly smiles and hugs her. "You're so cute."

"For your question, yes," Callie informs.

"Then you don't mind if I join, right?" Caveira asks, patting Edric's head.

Callie smiles and changes back. "Yeah. I don't. Let's get him to sleep. It's already been a long day," she says helping Edric up and slowly walks him to her room.

"Tea?" Marie offers.

"Enjoy yourself," Caveira says still hugging Edric and passing by her.

Edric sniffs a little and keeps hugging her tightly as possible while he was slowly led into Callie's bed and lays down in it. "Thank you…" he whispers.

"It's alright," Callie says petting him.

'Crisis averted and we don't have to look for a new manager as well,' Marie thinks before frowning to herself. 'We should have done better to prepare him.'

Marie slowly mixes the tea in front of as she sat at the table. Her eyes constantly drifting towards the door every few seconds. Three more cups laid out before her ready to go. Only when she hears the door squeak, she looks up and sees Edric being the first one to step out. His eyes no longer as red but he didn't look at her yet until he takes his bracelet off.

"I'm sorry. It was a stupid thing I should have known."

"Sit and have a drink," Marie says, trying to settle him in as this was going to be a slightly embarrassing talk.

Edric slowly nods and sits opposite her. He then sees the cups before taking one and mixing in some things. "I…can't help but feel so stupid. It was such a nonsensical fact to you that I have should have caught on a long time ago."

"Well, to avoid this happening again, we are going to talk about that part in every detail!" Marie calls in the direction of Callie's room.

Edric looks a bit towards the door and hears some yelps coming from it and thumping. "So…where do we start?"

"We will start when those two stop hiding and come join us," Marie calls.

Edric looks at her as they waited for the two other girls to join them. He then looks to the door again as the two missing girls step out. Callie blushing blue still and Caveira rubbing her eyes, holding a frown. "You two…sleep okay?" he asks, nervousness in his voice.

"Good. Now, let us begin." Marie says pouring them all a cup of tea or, in Edric's case, a refill. "First off, you remember what we informed you last night of male inklings sleeping with more than one girl usually?" Marie questions.

"Yeah…?" Edric says slowly, little embarrassed at where this might be going.

"Caveira, do you have something to say?" Marie asks, eyeing the girl as if telling her to continue.

"It can't be expected, but the choice is yours. Those who are with the male are expected to help take care and raise the squishies," Caveira informs.

"I…got that. But I feel like I am still missing an important part of this," Edric notes as he looks at her.

"What is it that you feel is missing?" Marie asks.

"What about the girls? Don't they have a choice in this?" Edric asks, wondering about the opposite side if everything was flipped.

"They are the ones who usually start the process," Marie informs.

Caveira starts to blush while sipping her drink. "And there is no shame in it. You sleeping with Callie…I wouldn't mind that much," she says, though the last one sounds a bit forced. Her blush ever increasing.

Edric taps his cup for a while. "It just…doesn't feel right. Like I am…"

"Betraying me? Only if you end up ignoring me outright afterward. Every inkling has their own way of doing it. Mine is that particular way. But if you at least take care of the squishie, it will be fine," Caveira explains.

"…I don't know if I could give you one," Edric informs.

Marie was about to speak before stopping to think for a few seconds. "We can ask Hai later. Maybe you might get lucky on that end. Or you could have fun without a lot of trouble," she adds on the end and that somehow made Callie blue in the face and Caveira blue with a smoldering anger. "Now, moving on, let's talk about very intimate things and such," Marie adds, making Caveira join Callie in doing it from embarrassment.

'If this keeps up, I may need to use the respawn generator of the building,' Callie thinks.

Edric also blushes a little, feeling like he may have some ideas. "What…do I need to expect?"

"For starters…" Marie started.

"I cannot believe you both actually respawned," Marie says as the two got back to the room, faces still blue.

Edric was just stuck staring at the air while slowly sipping his tea. He didn't even acknowledge the two sitting in their seats once again.

"Anything we missed girls?" Marie asks, smirking at the two again.

"O…one…what now?" Edric spoke up, turning his gaze back at her.

"Now we cook breakfast. Right, Callie and Caveira?" Marie asks.

Edric gulps nervously instead. "We are…just leaving it here?"

"You are now informed. Unless there is something you want to say," Marie informs.

Edric immediately tries to say something but couldn't come up with the first and hangs his head, looking to his sides at the two girls beside him.

"So girls, about breakfast?" Marie asks.

"Yeah. That sounds good," Caveira says.

"Then hop to it. You too Callie," Marie says.

Callie immediately runs off to the kitchen while Caveira slowly got out of her seat to do it, giving a look towards Edric in the meantime as she walks away. Marie smiles over to him now. "A decision?" she whispers, getting more tea in her cup and then his.

Edric nods slowly and shuts his eyes. "I…don't know what to do now."

Marie hums, drinking away. "You still have Caveira with you so you don't need to worry about that. Though Callie, you can wait to make your decision. But just enjoy whatever time you have with them. It makes them feel better too. And…if both are out, you can come to me and we can have a chat over tea," she offers, holding up her cup.

Edric slowly smiles. "It's a good tea."

"Thank you," Marie says walking over to him. "Now, no need to cry anymore or worry," Marie says before pulling his inkling form into a tight embrace.

Edric slowly smiles and buries his head into her neck. "So warm…"

"Now, I bet this whole ordeal has made you very hungry, right? Especially after not eating dinner last night?" Marie asks.

Edric lets out a choked chuckle into her shoulder. "I am an idiot, aren't I? Forgetting dinner?" he chuckles softly to himself.

"No," Marie simply states.

Edric sniffs and nuzzles against her. "Marie…can you come by my place once in a while if you can? I would really appreciate it."

"I will when I can," Marie says with an unseen smirk.

"Thank you. That makes me so happy…" Edric says nuzzling her.

"Alright, to the table. I will head into the kitchen to see how the pancakes are coming and, before you ask, that is the only thing Callie will make for breakfast," Marie explains how she knows what is being made.

Edric snarks and picks his head up to look at her. "Does she know any other recipe?" he almost chuckles out.

"She does…she just loves pancakes too much," Marie says.

Edric gives another snark, still holding onto her. "Maybe I should show her some human breakfast. Change her tune."

"Never!" Callie calls from the kitchen.

Both chuckle and giggle at the sound of her. "I will do it. Don't worry," Edric whispers directly into Marie's ear. "She will love my cooking."

"It is a way of life!" Callie calls.

"Very sharp ears," Marie informs.

"Let her hear. I will make her eat her words, literally," Edric says grinning now.

"Challenge accepted!" Callie calls.

"Who are you yelling at?" Caveira finally asks.

Edric smiles at Maire and sighs. "Thanks…for everything, you've done. I don't think a human will ever beat you in kindness and being this helpful."

"It's a gift," Marie says.

Edric hums a bit thoughtfully before leaning over and giving a kiss to her cheek. "Hope that's enough of a payment for now."

"Oh, you are cute," Marie says.

"Nope, I am adorable," Edric corrects with a joke.

Marie giggles and boops his nose which he does back the same way.