"C'mon Reice, there's more to this than you're telling us." Marigold said with a pouting face, upset that Reice wasn't being honest with them.

"It's the truth. What would I have to hide about?" Reice responded, calling out Marigold's reasoning.

"Because you have that same odor you had back when you tried to make moves on big sis Sally." Canary answered innocently; Reice stopped and blushed for a moment before looking at them as though they were strangers with his eyebrows slanted and his eyelids half open, narrowing his stare at them.

"No need to bring that stuff up!" he said, embarrassed at himself for his awkward feelings and actions as he turned back around and continued forward. Poor guy had been through enough, and now his sisters wouldn't let him live it down.

"Oh?" Both the girls go with a darkened expression, mischievous grins on both as they snicker immediately afterwards like salmonids about to steal golden eggs.

"So, you're over Sally? Well, this new girl must be a mighty one to end your sibling complex." Marigold sneered.

"I'd prefer you to not address that in public..." Reice said in a hushed tone, trying to remind them that they were walking in public after catching a few befuddled reactions from people passing by who heard the sisters; all three of them were dressed in winter fashion with the sisters wearing fluffy coats and boots while Reice wore a thick jacket and sweatpants.

"I wanna visit Sally now that we're talking about her…" Marigold said in a tease, knowing her brother's complex and insecurities.

"Quit it…" Reice hissed as he imagined a sadistic smile on Sally's face who'd make him suffer for his immaturity in how he handled his feelings.

Canary stops in her tracks, her sudden halt of movements kicking some snow just a few inches after. Perplexed by a sudden realization, she held he hands in her head-shocked. "New Year's Eve is tomorrow...what are we going to do to celebrate?" She said, tugging on her brother's sleeve seeking his guidance.

Reice scratches the back of his head. Usually it wasn't his kind of thing to celebrate holidays and festivities unless Sally was involved since she was the more active of the two when it came to these types of things. Walking in a thinking pose, he slams his fist on the palm of his other hand once an idea hatches from his head. "What about going downtown for the fireworks festival?"

Both girls repel from him with disgusted expressions as though he had some sort of germs, "Ehhhhhhh? That'd mean we have to dress traditionally!" they said in unison, opposed to the idea of wearing a yukata.

Reice shook his head, "No, you don't need to dress in traditional garments if you don't want to. You guys look cute in your casual outfits anyways."

"What are you, creep?" Marigold sneered, thinking Reice had other thoughts on his mind.

"I don't remember leaving you guys like this the last time I saw you…" he said under his breath with a sigh, ignoring his sister's attempt to irritate him. Some odd minutes later, the trio of siblings arrive at Inkopolis Square, heading to the galleria to get the latest of fashion on the market. Entering the Galleria and making their first stop at Ye Olde Cloth Shoppe. Upon entering, they're greeted by a girl wearing choco layered long sleeve shirt, her eye contacts shining in excitement to greet yet another customer after having a successful day previously. But once Reice recognized the girl, and she recognized him, they both shrieked at the top of their lungs in fright for a solid dozens of seconds, catching the attention of everyone in the store and in the plaza, their shrieks echoing outside. AHHHHHH!?

"K-Kosami…!?" Reice said, holding his head squatting in surprise.

"R-Reice...?!" Kosami responded, holding her chest as though her heart was about to burst from the sudden encounter.

"What are you doing here!?" they said simultaneously while pointing a finger at the other.

"Do you...work here?" Reice asked, completely surprised to run into her; Kosami's eyes swirled in shock, teetering from side to side struggling to keep her balance, feeling like she was about to pass out from the shock and embarrassment.

"Y-yes!" she said with a red face, steam shooting from her head as her brain worked overtime trying to figure out what to do next.

"Ah, cool. I never thought of you as the type to work in retail, but hey, do your best." he said in a calm tone, regaining his composure; Kosami was still struggling to keep herself together.

"How long have you been working here?" Canary asked politely.

"You seem like another girl for that harem of Reice's friend." Marigold said plainly slouching her shoulders and crossing her arms, unimpressed.

"Harem?" Reice and Kosami yell at the same time in shock at the kid's comment; Just at that moment, Azule came through the front door with food in his hand. He had gone on lunch break and brought food back from downtown. Marigold notices, "Speak of the devil, here comes the king."

"Kosami, they didn't have the milkshake you were looking for, so I got you strawberry inste-"

Looking up, Azule and Reice's eyes met. Kosami felt she was to pass out, as the worst possible scenario came true, which was for Azule and Reice to meet each other face to face. Azule had been avoiding Reice because everytime Azule thought of Reice, his face began to tense up. The boys look at each other for a solid minute, the awkward silence between them mixed with the growing tension from their bodies.

"Azule."

"Scumbag."

S-scumbag…!? Reice thought in his mind, feeling Azule's comment pierce his chest like an arrow.

"Heh heh, just kidding. What are you doing here?" Azule said with a beaming smile closing his eyes, his smile masked by the presence of a demon on his shoulders as his lips curled upward and he tilted his head to the side, holding his and Kosami's lunch with extra force.

"Uh...I came shopping with my sisters." Reice struggled to look him in the face. He felt guilty now that he thought about it.

"Oh? You're right, I can see the resemblance…"-he hands Kosami the food and squats to me the sisters- "I'm not sure if we've properly met, but I'm Azule. A friend of your brother."

Canary hid behind Marigold, "H-he's terrifying…"

Marigold crosses her arms, "Some friend you are to call him a scumbag."

You called me a creep earlier, you're just as guilty! Reice yelled in his mind.

Azule opened his eyes, "Let's just say there's some hard feelings between us now. Hopefully that'll dissolve." shifting his focus to Reice, who was still stunned by the comment.

After moment of awkward silence, Reice excuses himself and his sisters in preference to avoid a confrontation. As they left the store, Marigold and Canary asked him repeatedly why he didn't work things out right then and there instead of letting it continue to drag. The sisters were aware of the situation after overhearing Sally's conversation with him during one of the days she came to visit them randomly. But little did they know that, Reice had no answer. Reice didn't know how patch up his mistakes. With the year ending, he needed to figure out a way to make sure the upcoming year would put these problems behind and set focus to greater challenges ahead.

It's night time in Octo Valley, with the entire community abuzz for an upcoming new year filled with plenty of hope. After passionate rallies from celebrity octolings and even a surprise visit from Marina, one half of the legendary duo known as Off the Hook, who did an exclusive solo set for everyone to kick off the countdown. Shiva had already given a message to the people of Octo Valley about her plans for the new year, adding fuel to the enthusiasm as the fireworks neared for the new year. Fuchsia would be spending old year's day and New Year's Day with her family, preferring to kick off the new year by showing her stripes as an octoling as celebrating in her community, with her community. Sitting on the balcony of her home, overlooking the town from her seat, she reminisces on the year and thinks back to what an adventure she's already had. In the short span of one year, she found a group of friends she shared a bond with, grew more as an octoling-understanding herself better through both strengths and defeats, and she even fell in love, her heart belonging to a certain blue haired-blue eyed inkling who stole her heart from back in their initial encounter when they played a game of basketball. So many warm, overwhelming thoughts of joy crowded her mind as the countdown to the new year began. The chants down the valley amplifying from where she sat.

"Seize the moment…"

10…

At a nearby park close to the metropolitan downtown of Inkopolis, Sally relaxes by the pond under a bright street lamp; a sweet and peaceful melody strummed from the chords of her ukulele as she gently resonates her soul with the song. Surrounded by the dusk darkness, the tune of the ukulele brought a myriad of purple, blue, yellow and pink colors to her feet that represented her emotions and state of mind, her song serving as her recap of the year. Thinking about her teammates, friends, family...she dedicated this song to them in hopes of a successful new year. Rocking from side to side, her hands danced to the chords-her fingers coming to life and moving automatically while she tapped her feet, bobbing her head and giving a soft smile. Whether in an empty music room on the piano, or in a secluded area of the park the night before, Sally always allowed music to be her mode of tranquility and peace. For the new year, she made it her mission to not only become a talented producer for her career in the music industry, but to also become the producer and composer for her team as the creator of opportunities for Squidcom. Sally understood the heavy burden of roel she'd carry for the upcoming campaign. Strumming away the failures and mistakes of last year, the song became polished as she swayed head to the countdown.

"Become the anchor…"

9...

At the school dorms camping out at Friya and Brittany's was Tangie. On a night where she'd love to be with Cobalt watching the fireworks, she instead chose to be indoors with two friends she enjoyed being around despite not sharing the same team as hers. Watching the countdown of live TV, Tangie felt companionship in sitting around the TV eating food and sharing memories for the new year, making her vows for the upcoming year along with her friends. Legs crossed and sitting in a bean bag chair with a cup of juice in her hands, Tangie's orange hair swished from side to side with enthusiasm as she beamed with excitement for the new year. This year had been so impactful in many ways that trying to recollect all of them would be an overload. From reuniting with childhood friends in Azule, Kosami, and Sky, to making new friends in Reice, Violet, and Fuchsia. To feeling an even stronger connection with Cobalt, whom she loved unconditionally. This year gave her many positives, but also many scares, worries, and disappointments. From being kidnapped by gangsters, to seeing her close friend in coma and have amnesia, to seeing her teammates give their all and still lose, to succumbing to her own defeat...Tangie learned many lessons over those experiences and decided that she wouldn't look back, only forward and headstrong.

"Always stay upbeat…"

8...

At the Inkopolis Square after finishing her shift for the day, Kosami decided to come back to the square by herself and enjoy the wonders of the big city. This year was an abstract one for her, having started off having an abusive stepfather and living far away from where she did, now she found herself free from his grasp and surrounded by a promising group of friends. Watching the countdown from the giant clock displayed on one of the towers nearby, the mixture of cheering bystanders and children alike waiting for the stroke of midnight only made her even more excited for the new year. She wasn't sure what would come of the new year, but as long as she was with Squidcom, she'd be content.

"Don't be afraid to step outside the comfort zone…"

7...

In the heart of Downtown Inkopolis at the "real" Inkopolis square of the nation were the trio of Reice, Marigold, and Canary watching the pre-celebration and enjoying the all-star lineup of performances from many veteran groups and even a guest performance from MC Queen Pearl of Off the Hook, and the legendary Squid Sisters as the closing acts. Seeing his little sisters jump up and down with excitement at the performing artists helped him realize that this year was long year filled with many regrets and awkward moments, but in those times, he had great ones too, and all thanks to the group known as Squidcom. Being one of the original four who started Squidcom along with Violet, Sally, and Azule, seeing the growth of the team was the most important thing to him. Anything for the team, that's what he believed most. But the mistakes he made cause ripples and holes in the team's chemistry and his friendships with everyone, especially Azule and Violet. He couldn't wait for the end of this year of mistakes and turn it around in the new year. His mind was made up. He had his resolution for the new year: Strengthen the bond of Squidcom.

"A second chance I won't let be wasted…"

6...

Also, in the heart of Inkopolis square in Downtown Inkopolis was Violet, who chose to go out and enjoy the chilly weather for a change. Holding the necklace in her hand that was a gift from Reice when they were children, she thinks back to the many key moments she experienced in the year, remembering the ache in her heart she felt whenever she was with Azule, falling in and out of love with him-or so she thought, being confessed to by Reice, participating in Rank Wars and carrying a handicapped all the way to the playoffs, witnessing Azule take a bullet to the head for her. So many unforgettable moments helped in shaping her to the person was currently. But amidst all the drama and issues currently going on within the team, she knew something needed to change. Decked in her winter clothing, she covers part of her face with her scarf and looks up to the cloudless night sky lit up by the Inkopolis skyline.

"I'm not satisfied, there's room for improvement…"

5...

Sitting in a fancy restaurant dining with Parker, Pastelle enjoys a lively conversation while waiting for the food and a new year. Her year was filled with many defeats in sports, but many victories in life. Ever since crossing path with Azule and Squidcom, she found herself to change into a different person completely. Being able to see her cherished friend Fuchsia slowly grow up and become a strong person like her elder sister was the sweetest moment Pastelle could think of, the bond she built with Azule felt empowering and endearing since his presence filled the hole left by the death of her younger brother. Her rivalry with Sky still as competitive as ever, but through this past year, Pastelle equipped herself with new weapons to brace for the new year.

"Don't count me out, I'll be better than ever…"

4…

A new haircut, a new attitude. The brazenly spicy Sky Royale who usually had the brightest of smiles on her face, she's the pulse of the Elites and the "Queen Bee" of Squid Academy. But after suffering the heartbreaking defeat in the final, a new sense of maturity and wisdom emerged as she learned from the mistakes of that match. Over and over the images right before her defeat replayed in her mind every day, unable to forget both parts of that day…

Sighing heavily, she gently sits on her couch and leans back, grabbing her remote control and turning on the TV. Watching the countdown show for the new year, she spaces out-thinking about how everyone else is doing and reminiscing on the year, enjoying both the sour and the spoils. Feeling the chill on her arms from wearing a mahogany brown sleeveless turtleneck sweater, she rubs her cold arms changing her view from the TV to the carpet floor, thinking about the upcoming competitions and her impending retirement. Pain coursing through her body emotionally, troubled at the thought of relinquishing a title she held a couple years and saying sayonara to a sport she felt ran in her blood. Remembering the bold statements her brother made at orientation, and the impressive talent of fellow first year Todd, she calmly sighed with a warm smile. Thankful to have served a purpose at Squid Academy. Now she had a new role to fill as their mentor and lend them all the knowledge possible before the very next Rank Wars approaches.

"Change is coming. Prepare yourselves, first years..."

3…

Eating a sweet dessert that he acquired during his trip to the city, Cobalt sits atop the roof of the boy's dorm. Admiring the colorful skyline of the metropolis not too far from where he sat, he bows his head solemnly as he takes out his sheathed carbon black blade. Placing the blade before him and closing his eyes, he crosses his legs into a style of meditation and inhales a full amount of the cold, moist air. Opening his ruby red eyes, he stared down at the family treasure.

"It was not too long ago, although it may feel so, that I lost you...father..." disturbed by his own comment, he frowns-grimacing at the thought of feeling alone with no reliable source of blood of his own. "Every year that goes by, I keep you both in my thoughts. I think about the principles and parables you taught me, and how crucial they are to my current living...This year has been kinder to me than previous ones. I've reunited with comrades I thought I lost when I left. I've made new friends on my adventures. I believe that if you were here today, you'd love to meet them."-forcing himself to keep his eyes closed, he grits his teeth while exhaling through his nose- "Tangelina is also doing fine. I know there are differences between our families, but I'm sure you both would love to see how she has grown. She's still as playful as ever, and she's still a kind soul…" choking up, streams of tears fall down his cheeks as the loving memories of his deceased parents appeared in his mind. Forced to grow up and take responsibility, Cobalt cherished the minimal time he had with his parents. It hurt having to think about it but he knew that in life, everyone has to die at some point. Whether by their own hands, the hands of another, or through nature, death was inevitable. Wiping away his tears and squinting his eyebrows to focus, he continued. "The family selection is coming upon the horizon and I have decided to take participation. I know this goes against what you would want, since you planned to abolish the selection. But fear not in heaven my father...I will end it all, because…" Cobalt opens his eyes, conviction emanating as he grasps his blade, standing up to look up to the heavens...and taking a bite out of his dessert...

"I have something to protect…pleasche whatsch ober me..."

2…

Laying down in his bed, Azule looks over to where Todd and Reice slept, then looking above to Cobalt's bed. Being the only one in the room, silence served as his entertainment. Recollection of the dark experiences that'd no longer hold a grasp onto him, the friends he made from seemingly no effort as though it was all just meant to be. The adventures he went on and the drama he encountered along the way. Feeling like the main protagonist, he couldn't help but smirk at the life he'd been blessed with. Thankful to have the wonderful people in his life, this upcoming year he wanted to dedicate to their successes instead of his. Without this team, no…this family. Azule would be nothing. Sitting forward with a grin, he looks at his feet wiggling in anxiousness.

"Our rise is just beginning…"

1...

For a new year, all thoughts were the same collectively. Everyone wanted blessings for the new year and positivity to fill the air. It'd take a lot of collective work and communication, but the goal of making the National tournament was still within reach; Squidcom just needed to overcome the challenges in their way. As all of them close their eyes as the clock strikes midnight, their wish resonates as one...

"To a new year filled with good fortune...and our rise! Happy New Year!"