"Any response?" one student asks waiting out in the hallway.

Their friend shakes her head with dejection after leaving the room, "She won't even leave the room. She's got the blanket covering her face."

"I can't blame them…" one guy said passing by after overhearing them around the corner and making an inference on the subject-a can of juice in his hand that indicated he was at a vending machine; "They fought the hardest out of us and well, you know…"

The girls nodded with disappointment unable to forget the outcome of the game yesterday. From the dull grey overhead of the dense clouds shrouding the sunlight in cover to the mild drizzle occurring in pockets of the area, today marks a new day where the hope of Squidcom died and gave everyone a chance to process the run made up to this point. The stinging defeat still fresh in the minds of the students, who felt their special moment dashed by the likes of a familiar rival who they hated to even stomach the sight of now after yet another defeat, however also left in the aftermath of the intense battle between the two rivals was an extensive highlight reel of unforgettable moments as many critics alike agreed that the run of Squidcom and Special Forces was a treat to behold: One team shocked the world in an upset victory that many hail as the match of the tournament in Beacon Hills versus Squidcom, the return of Jin also making a huge highlight of the tournament as the reinvented inkling took a team of first years to a final on his own. An arrival into the competitive world on the big stage, the country got to see the emergence of two young teams that will surely take the world by storm in the summer. As for the rest of the field, many still believed in the likes of Yermozani and Beacon Hills, feeling as though Yermozani played their hearts out led by undoubtedly one of the brightest rising stars of Inkopolis, and for Beacon Hills, they faced a shocking opponent that took them to 5 games and stole a series. That wasn't all. Even though Squidcom saw defeat, many critics and journalists had their eyes on them and made their case that if there is any team outside the safe 120 teams-and not the remaining 8 that occupy a slot to make up the 128 teams-then surely Squidcom should be considered a candidate to get a bid for the summer. Even if they lost a painful series, they captivated the hearts of their nation. For Squid Academy's students, they had mixed feelings about the defeat now that they had a night to sleep on it: one side felt frustration and heartbreak for once again coming up short in these tournaments and to the same type of opponent as seen in the previous years with the nagging thought of if there had been any true improvement; was it worth having the Elites retire for this? Another side felt optimistic despite the despair, feeling as though they got over an early hump by displaying the capabilities of their young team-one able to beat the top teams in the country in their first ever tournament outside the rank wars. Regardless of their approach, both sides shared the general consensus: disappointment. After seeing a squad perform better than the Elites did at that time, students and fans alike couldn't help but wonder what a Cinderella story this run could've been if they went to the finals and even knocked off yet another giant, their hopes of seeing an unprecedented final of two newcomer teams dashed.

A rest day in the tournament on the eve of the finals, it was a period of reflection for the eliminated teams who didn't have to burden themselves by watching the competition for the day and instead could spend it as they pleased. Beacon Hills took the opportunity to better their core and improve their physicality and mentality with intentions to spend the day doing intense workouts. An antithesis of the giants were Janice and her Fangs, who planned to spend their day enjoying the sight of Giande and enjoy what they missed because of the tournament. One team, however, was stuck in the middle as it was their first time ever being in such a spot. Staring at the feed from the previous game, Azule's glassy eyes didn't blink as he watched on like a statue; Reice, Jory, and the other guys hanging out in the room didn't know how to cheer him up since they could only imagine what must be going on in his after such an effort wasted. Though Reice and Jory were frustrated themselves and spent their night crying themselves to sleep, they almost lost all feelings of guilt for themselves once they saw how hard it hit Azule as he didn't even speak to them nor look in their direction.

"You saw this coming, didn't you?" Pearl nudges Sky on the arm joining her for company in watching the view of Giande from the rooftop nearby the pool.

The pain expressed on her face as she reluctantly nods almost sends a shiver through Pearl's body at how unsightly she looked, "It was in the first game of that semifinal that I knew the way this would end. From the moment Special Forces showed such intensity, I knew our little cubs didn't stand a chance in a serious fight. Even then, I still wanted to believe…" She almost chokes on her words trying to hold back tears, making an angry face looking down; "Is this how it feels to see a child off into the real world knowing the perils that await them? All throughout that game, I knew the result and still rooted them on to somehow defy expectations. To pull off another miraculous victory like they did against Beacon Hills, and continue their dreamlike run."

Pearl pats her on the back, "Hey now, don't say that. There were no miracles in the run of theirs. They earned it. And for this loss in the semis, it brought them-and us-back to reality. We're still not ready yet. Even with a crazy team of first years, they still fell short of glory because of their inexperience. That'll be fixed when they enter their second year."

Her sigh was more at the hopelessness than it was irritation but nonetheless it conveyed a message of sorts as she looked over to her friend, "But Pearl…"

"I understand you're hurting because that's your little brother and his team, but you know this will only make them stronger. After all, he's your brother, right?"

Sky shakes her head and gives a smile, "Honestly, there are times I'm reminded how irreplaceable you are."

"I know right? I should get more exposure."

The rooftop turned into a temporary hangout spot for all the students who wanted to congregate in the unique setting, or relax at the poolside and enjoy the scent of the water while listening to some music, and get a view of Giande from a high setting that surely would make a lovely header for their social media pages. On the opposite side from where Pearl and Sky were standing is a lounging area with some comfortable seats that compliment an outdoor sofa in between that faced the pool, the glass coffee table decorated with fancy drinks belonging to some of the students sitting together there. Aaron, Austin, and Apollo of the Elites were joined by Parker of Kidvel and Fuchsia of Squidcom. The subject of their conversation revolved around plans for the final tomorrow. Aaron insisted that they should all attend as a group and use it as an opportunity to get some scouting done in preparation for next winter since the third years would've graduated by the time the new semester begins. This meant that this was the last chance for the Elites to help their juniors before officially retiring. Parker and Fuchsia agreed with the idea and helped in coordinating along with Aaron, who presented the idea. Since it was still fresh in the minds of everyone, not many of the students wanted to attend the final, nor did anyone from Squidcom either, preferring to keep to themselves for the day and cope with the loss in their own way. From Fuchsia's perspective on how to best help the team in a time like this, doing what she knew best was to attend and gain information that might prove useful in the long run. After agreeing to leave early to get good seats for the event, they all turned their attention to the elephant in the room: Where to go from here?

Aaron's serious gaze was set on Fuchsia like a senior about to share wisdom with his junior in preparation of the future, "Even though the season is over and we'll miss Nationals and the Grand Slams, there's still much to do as the representatives of Squid Academy."

"Yeah, during the offseason is where the real growth begins." Parker nods shaking his head in sync; "It'll be packed in the summer, but this is where local battles will be effective. Even salmon run shifts will get more intense because of the hot season."

"More importantly, there's also the friendly match invitations you'll receive. Usually we get at least a couple invitations to play these games and participate in small camps with several teams. This summer will probably be eventful since you got plenty of coverage at the rank wars and invitationals, so use it to your advantage to undergo as much growth as possible."

Fuchsia appreciated the thought and took it into consideration. After all, she already somewhat moved on from the heartbreak of the loss and instead looked to the future and how to handle obstacles that came next which included shifting the mindset of her teammates and getting them out of the gutter. Even though they lost, in her eyes she saw the potential in her team behind the brunt force they displayed in their defiant run against the best Inkopolis had to offer. If anything, she felt so inspired by their performance that more than anything, she wanted them back on the turf fighting even stronger opponents to prepare for the next season. But where she had that optimism and unwavering faith in her teammates, she knew it might not work both ways.

Fuchsia's face is as stone cold as the glass she held in her hand, "Honestly, this defeat hasn't settled in yet. I mean, I know we lost, but is this really the end of our season? Aren't we jumping the gun a little bit? I read earlier that-"

"If you perform well enough in the semis, you might get selected for Nationals as one of the last picks. Something like that, right?" Aaron narrowed his eyes, disappointment visible as he leans into the sofa crossing his arms; "I hope you didn't inform the others prior to the game?" Fuchsia's irises trembled with silence as she slowly shook her head in denial, though Aaron knew it was a lie. "You're not wrong for wanting to cling onto that shred of hope. It's the way we thought we'd make it to Nationals during our tenure, but we never got a chance. Even if we made it to semis and fell short in the spring, it wasn't enough to give consideration."

"Although the difference is that you all played with dominance in the rank wars and pulled off an upset victory on one of the favorites and nearly beat another in back to back games. If there is any chance to get some luck, it would be now."

"I still wouldn't advise you to get your hopes up."

Fuchsia's concentrated gaze turned serious as she recalled the conditions in her mind and carefully analyzed the possibilities that worked in her favor and what would work against them. Her presence turning distant as her mind left the planet the deeper she sank in her thoughts, she returns once a familiar friend wraps their arms tightly around her neck from behind, her energetic aura brightening the mood among the group-her cheek rubbing furiously with plenty of affection. "After being so far apart for so long, I'm finally reunited with my soul mate! Did you miss me, Fuchsia?" Fuchsia's face lit up like a light as her complexion turned red with embarrassment, especially since Pastelle's boyfriend was sitting right next to her. Flustered to the max, she's unable to wrestle out of Pastelle's grasp finding it even tougher to escape the more she tried to resist, all while Pastelle hummed a marriage tune joking about marrying her to become a princess of Octo Valley.

"Come on, stop teasing her like that." Parker said with a chuckle.

On command, she let go and pinched his cheek instead. "Don't ruin my moment!" she said almost hissing like a snake, but in a playful manner. Fuchsia began giggling once she saw how wide Parker's face stretched, which made him and everyone else at the table feel relieved to see that she could laugh. They knew better than anyone how painful it must feel being in her position and how hard she must be trying to show her strength. They admired that stubbornness masked as determination, switching gears to prevent the jovial mood from being tarnished. Meanwhile, for the other members of Squidcom, they passed time differently. Jory and Reice headed out with some of the people in their class to go sing some karaoke downtown, also in the city was Kosami doing some souvenir shopping and sightseeing with some friends from her other classes. Violet stayed indoors to do some research for the story she was working on, and Azule was still holed up in his room watching games from other tournaments happening around the continent as well. While the students of Squid Academy were doing their own preparations for the final, so were the other teams that met elimination in the invitationals. No one wanted to miss this moment after all the sacrifices made. As teams made their preparations for the final to conclude scouting and return home after the closing ceremony, the two finalists were utilizing their rest days in different ways: On the side of the Special Forces, 18 and 12 took the chance to actually rest the entire day and gather their strength while Kary stayed with Jin for the most part of the day discussing different strategies and weapon choices to run while also going over film of the Inkstinct to mark notes on key mannerisms and play calling. For the Inkstinct, they were unified and taking the day to hold a meeting in preparation for their big day, but all throughout the day, the usual energetic Kippy instead wore a vicious glare with her frustrations aimed at Special Forces, who not only eliminated Janice and her Fangs, but Azule and Squidcom as well. Denying her the opportunity to face her friend, or to face her idol, she had more than enough resolve to crush them-in fact, she wanted nothing more than to run them over. An alarming aura she released without awareness, she alarmed her teammates with her obvious agitation. With time waiting on no one, a new day arrives.

The crowd at the Rellan gym was at its highest attendance for the final. All the teams that were eliminated were in attendance for the game except for Squidcom, who instead were represented by Fuchsia, Bianca and the many other seniors of Squid Academy. A wave of Gold on one side and a wave of Green opposite, the overhead sight resembling a bobbling clash of royalty against nature: the well established and polished Special Forces against the raw talent of Kalebrough. Both teams went through their introductions to outstanding reactions, but one player stood out as her name was called. Her signature facemask that she always donned in her matches was nowhere to be seen, and her beanie replaced by a green bandana instead. The caramel skin of her face shines like glitter as her green hair dances with each step she takes, wearing an angry face as she clutches a pair of weapons in her hands-one that prompts an uproar among the masses who were stunned for multitudes of reasons. From her choice of a different weapon to her appearance, she had everyone talking as her green eyes wander looking for her target of the day; A cold sweat runs down the cheek of Jin as he lifts his chin to maintain his resolve, already feeling a little uneasy after sensing the overwhelming ferocity oozing from the gaze of Kippy as she prepares to do her recon on the maps that'll be in play today. Recon for today's match caught the eyes of many seasoned spectators, who saw it as a chance for players to practice using weapons and even showcase some intimidation. Once all teams were done doing recon, the battle began. Hyped by many to potentially be a game that could change the scene of Inkopolis with its storytelling of the two competing teams, many people in the media had their eyes on the probable matchup of Kippy and Jin-the two aces of their squads. Also making the rounds on the trending news for the matchup was the likelihood of Kary putting up another major performance like she did in the semis, and of the chance that Kappa might step up to the plate after being relatively quiet throughout the tournament so far; after much waiting and endurance through pre-game traditions for the final, the first game began.

The first game taking place in the gym was Clam Blitz and the story early on was of the breakout performance of Kippy, who took her splat dualies to work by opening the game with a double splat on the very first encounter by taking down the number brothers 18 and 12, who actually initiated the encounter by trying to get the jump on her, only to have their actions haunt them as she swiftly halved the force of Special Forces. Things weren't pretty for the other members of Special Forces, their struggles apparent while facing an overwhelming push from Zepp and the rest of the Inkstinct, who left it up to Kippy to handle the other pair while they committed to the objective. The first half of the game almost exclusively belonged to the Inkstinct after putting in work with Kippy's strength, her presence and unfortunate reality for Special Forces. After taking consecutive punches from her, Jin and his squad had to face the music and realize that their path to the championship would have to go through a vicious first year; even as one of the kings of the country, it meant nothing in the face of an equal opponent like the Inkstinct. Over in an instant by knockout, the Inkstinct struck first by winning the first game. Waves of awed fans react to the surprising result with many finding it difficult to believe that not only did Special Forces lose the first game, but they also lost by knockout in a blowout fashion. In the stands watching the game live and lined up together in a row, Squid Academy's own were watching with intent analyzing the performance of the teams, especially Fuschia, who was writing everything down in her notepad. As someone who watched her dear friends get beat at the hands of Special Forces, she expected Special Forces to put up a better fight or else it'd be an insult to her team.

Pastelle tapped her on the shoulder, "You can put away that vicious glare, Fuchsia. You're intimidating the others nearby." bringing it to Fuchsia's attention that she was making her anger too apparent. Pastelle understood Fuchsia's displeasure, only imagining how it would feel to be denied a spot in the finals by a team that was now getting a dose of their own karma. Would she feel happy to see them suffer? Or upset that they couldn't even hold their end of the bargain and win the tournament and not bring shame to their defeat?

The stage for the second game is set. This time, Kippy quelled her rage thanks to the steam she blew off in the opening game of the series. Her vigor was unmatched from start to finish, but she knew better than anyone that she shouldn't underestimate Special Forces-they'll be ready to counter her in no time. It was in that situation that her teammates would play a far bigger role than previously. They had to protect her hot streak at all costs. She squats and puts two fingers to the ground, her focused gaze cast at the turf ahead-some sweat forming on her forehead and dripping down the sides of her face near the ears the sight gave chills to her teammates, who felt like they were watching their little sister grow up right before their eyes.

My lungs are on fire, my heart's beating like a drum-my ears hurt too. I don't know what kind of colors my eyes look right now, but all I see is red. Kippy puts her hand to her chest and closes her eyes giving a warm smile; I never would've been in this situation if it wasn't for the scorching sensation you triggered in my heart with your play, Azule. Even if I can't face you in the final, I'll fight like you're here. Please, watch this game and be captivated! She opens her eyes, her conviction shining through as she remembered that fateful day where she bumped into him at the supermarket. It was a moment she never forgot, and one she also regretted not saying more. Surprised and nervous, she forgot he was the same inkling that served as her inspiration. Brought back to the present thanks to a tap on the shoulder by her brother, she returned in time to hear the captain's orders for tackling game 2.

Since it was the final, all the games would take place at the gym. Only thing to change would be the game modes, which the staff at the park prepared in time using technology similar to that of shifty station to make the transition during games much smoother. In the time it took the map to readjust everything to suit the game mode, the teams used that time to get their rest and plan their next move. Once game 2 got started, the audience became lively yet again after chatter dominated the atmosphere in the building. Many people expected Special Forces to answer the challenge the Inkstinct presented in the first game. The mode for this game would be Splat Zones, a mode both sides were confident in. As the game began, the tone was established early on that this would be a vicious battle. Kippy led the attack like she did in Clam Blitz by playing with an unmatched aggression, one that could only be battled by the experience of Jin, who actively intercepted her each time she tried to roll around chipping away at the zone whenever the possession went to the team in gold. Green surrounded the gold zone, but the sight was anything short of dominance on the part of Special Forces, who took the reigns by striking first and organizing a proper defense against the likes of the Inkstinct. For those watching in the stands, this was a textbook defense on the part of the Special Forces, quickly learning their lesson from the first defeat to take her into account and mount the highest pressure by sending their best player to handle her. For the rest of the field, it was a slug-fest of a battle that became highly favorable for the close ranged Special Forces to continually pick off the Inkstinct who played in a scattered formation rather than an organized attack.

"You won't stop them at that rate…" Azule mumbled watching the game with dull eyes, only light in the room coming from his phone broadcasting the game; even though he lost, he still wanted to see the fate that awaited to the final pair of teams in their fight for the shield. "To beat Jin and his squad, the main cannon has to be the priority. In this case, Kippy is the spearhead and the only one capable of wounding Jin." he said as though referencing his failure to defeat Jin, but in a way he was correct. Special Forces were playing with such comfort despite being down in the series. Organized on their defense and entertaining any of the concentrated attacks from the Inkstinct by actively shutting down whenever possible, the team in gold did well to make sure not a speck of green ink found residence in their golden zone. To the neutral eyes of some spectators, this was the best result as it ensured a competitive series. The fans of Special Forces were also starting to find their voice after being stunned to silence in the first game, but the voice of the Inkstinct remained the most dominant as the fans from Kalebrough made it clear they would enjoy this moment to its fullest since it was their first time in the spring final. That resilience resonated with their squad in black and green, who in turn answered by adjusting their play while also dialing up to another level. Kippy flipped the switch and returned to the same force she was in the first game, however there was a big difference. Jin answered back. Unlike in the first game where she overwhelmed the first years and surprised Jin with her slick moves, he knew how to respond to her heightened play. An even battle that saw the entire zone up for grabs thanks to the efforts of Kippy, it was the first step to the eventual comeback of the Inkstinct, who went on to take possession of the tower and then overtake Special Forces in yet another knockout victory. A shocking sight to behold for anybody who expected a tied series, no one imagined a possibility where Jin and his team would be down by a couple games and facing possible elimination; everyone but Fuchsia, who was nearly steamed like a vegetable watching the game. She had a sneaky feeling something like this might happen. The more she watched the game, the stronger her belief that they should've been in the final instead-if only they didn't lose the third game in that series that spelled the end for them.

"What should we do, captain?"

"We've already made it this far. Your position isn't in jeopardy."

"Even so, do you still want to push forward? We can save-"

"If your plan is telling me to give up and let them win, then you really don't know me. There's nothing I hate more than an underclassmen trying to show off. We're bringing the fight to them and taking it one game at a time. We'll win this next game and extend from there."

It's just like you to say that they thought, finding confidence in his words.

The third game in the series brings forth an unforeseen narrative of Special Forces down 2-0 in the series and on the verge of elimination to the Inkstinct, who are making their first appearance in the spring final. A test of wills, both sides are prepared to put their bodies on the line for this turf war battle. A game mode that felt as easy as bread and butter, neither side wanted to waste this opportunity to score an easy victory. At the start of the game, Special Forces had hit the floor running and wrestled to gain an early lead with some momentum, but the teamwork of the Inkstinct prevented that from amounting to much as they worked to counter the team in gold on every front. Kippy showed more of her explosive play but was met by the same intensity from Jin, who wouldn't have any more of her dominant performances. Kary stayed true to her role as the most annoying member of the Special Forces as she continued to pose a problem for them, Virgil struggled to mark her and only got bailed out by Zepp, who juggled handling her and 18, and 12. Kappa tried his best to aid them by marking turf while also having a hand in containing the number siblings. Nearly every encounter saw a death from both sides that threw the teams into a critical moment for taking advantage. The lead changed back and forth several times as the match raged on, and for a majority of this period, it was up in the air who would win the game. Special Forces were playing their best game with Jin showing the brilliance he showed in the winter, but on the other side saw Kippy and even Kappa come alive to make matters worse for Jin and his squad. Only a few seconds remain in the match and yet the score was much the same: Special Forces kept a small lead thanks to Jin taking down Virgil and weakening the defense by going after Kappa to lessen the pressure, but at the same time, Kippy returned fire by going after 18, and 12 after having already splatted Kary.

"Careful on the right, she's on the attack!" Jin warns 18, who is about to meet his end at Kippy's hands; 12 arrives in time to cover for him and force her to back track for just a moment. Only a handful of seconds remained and already they could feel their lead shrink.

Zepp smirked, "Unleash it, Kippy!" he shouted like a rockstar, followed by an array of missiles flying for Special Forces. Waiting for the final moments to give a dose of their own medicine, the Inkstinct were just biding their time by holding only two specials at a time while waiting for this moment and waiting to unleash the same attack that used to deny Squidcom a spot in the final. They were denying Special Forces any last hope to survive their wrath. As the missiles rain and splat them collectively, Kippy could feel her anger evaporate from her body like steam as she felt satisfaction in watching their final shrieks end in defeat while getting drowned in green ink.

Confetti rains in black and green to draw an end to the fierce battle between two kings of Inkopolis. A treat for those watching with the high stakes of positioning at Nationals also on the line, neither side failed to disappoint as they left everything on the turf in what some people referred to as a game of "Ecstasy of Green and Gold" that saw the legend of Jin personified in his most impressive match of the year fall just short of the brilliance of Kippy, who pulled off the impossible and swept them almost entirely on her own-leading all statistics for the match. Up on the podium in front of thousands of adoring fans, the champions of the spring are given a standing ovation from everyone in the gym. Joined by the representatives of the Inkopolis committee and the commissioner of Giande, the coveted shield was presented to the team. Zepp bows his head and likewise do the others follow, accepting the praise of the representatives who then hand the shield to Zepp for him to hoist proudly. With a built up hype holding the shield low, he raises it with a hop to the pumped up crowd who react with cheers all around, basking in the special moment; their first ever spring victory, the fans of Kalebrough wanted to let the moment last for as long as possible. Zepp looks over to Kippy and hands her the shield, a wide smile on his face encouraging her to accept it. After all, she was the sole reason the series ended in a sweep. At first she was hesitant with guilt since the victory didn't feel as sweet as it should be, a bit of a dull and hollow feeling in her chest as she takes the shield. Hoisting it up high, the response is deafening. A surreal sight to behold as thousands packing the gym shower her with praise, it leaves her feeling unsettled that so many people supported her with overwhelming love. On the inside, she felt like she didn't deserve it but she also knew it was wrong to think so negatively during a celebration. Closing her eyes and letting the confetti fall on her face, she recalls what led to her journey here.

It was on that day during the fall when you picked a fight with everyone. Despite having no prior experience in competing, you boldly predicted victory and waged war against all the teams in the country. I found it admirable that a first year would even pick a fight with his infamous sister who was right in his backyard of the challengers he had to face, but the brimming confidence you showed that day captivated me. It felt like my heart had been pierced by an arrow, and soon, I found myself trying my hardest to chase your shadow…

Joining the Kalebrough Inkstinct soon after, Kippy almost instantly made it into the starting roster after training camp and joined her brother on the starting squad, earning the respect of the other players who saw her as a prodigy. At the time, the rank wars were just beginning and she always tuned in to watch the replays on social media and streaming platforms whenever she could, soon finding herself becoming a fan of not only Azule, but of their lovable defender Reice, their cool sniper Violet, and of course, their energetic ace Sally. Her emotions lived and died by the week depending on how Squidcom did: she was sprightly when they won and gloomy when they lost, and she was heartbroken when Azule was pulled out of the competition for mysterious reasons. When the Second Rank Wars happened, she watched every game and grew excited by the week the more she watched Squidcom's win streak grow, entertaining the possibility of meeting them in the Spring if they won, and on the day that they declared their victory at the Invitationals, she felt her heart burst with enthusiasm. She wanted them in the final.

This victory is for you… she thought looking up to the sky with a warm smile, thankful to have had them as her role models and inspiration for this moment. Even if she didn't get her dream battle with them in the spring, she prayed that one day they'd get to face each other on an even bigger stage, one where the whole world could watch them.

"Wow, that game was...something."

"To think it ended in a sweep. Even the almighty Jin stood no match for plot armor. I never expected a first year to play with that intensity. Isn't she supposed to be shy?"

Fuchsia shook her head, "She played with vengeance. I don't know what her reasons were, but I felt a weird chill watching her." through Fuchsia's point of view, this final was a sour experience. During that game, she saw nothing but visions of what should've been her team in the final. In moments where Jin played too much isolation against the Inkstinct, she corrected it with the joint venture of Reice and Jory tag teaming the enemy. Azule dominating in similar fashion to how Kippy played, and Violet casting a haze of fear with her intimidating prowess on a charger weapon. Her thoughts filled with these comparisons were her only source of entertainment on the way back to the hotel as she zoned out from her upperclassmen, preferring to be alone knowing what awaited them tomorrow at the closing ceremony.

The site they were so close to headlining before falling short, Squidcom return to the grandiose gym to complete the closing ceremony for the tournament. A reminder of how far they reached in this tournament despite how little anyone saw them as a threat, the glares from some of the losing teams that got bounced out earlier as well as the approval from some of the strong teams like Yermozani and Squidops focus on Squidcom as the team of first years are the third to last team to be introduced. The cheers are overwhelming for them as they made their short trip to the same lane they stood for the opening ceremony, awaiting the final two teams. However, the top two weren't lined up with the rest and were instead placed before the others. As every school sang a minute long snippet of their school anthem, the tears poured for many players and fans of the other schools who realized their journey was over before it could even begin, while for others like the giants, it was a period of reflection for their emotions and strategies moving forward. And thus, the Spring Invitationals officially came to a close. Afterwards, teams were free to stay and congregate with each other or to leave, as well as fans who might've wanted to meet some of the players outside. For Azule and Squidcom, they were just about to make their exit when a cheerful inkling called out Azule's same with haste, hoping to catch him before he disappears forever. Violet, Reice, and Jory all wear their agitation as they hurry along to avoid the conversation and leave it to their captain, who looked the worst out of them.

"I'm glad I could see you again!" she blushed, catching her breath; "I really, really wanted to speak with you after the other day. Like, I didn't get a chance to really speak my mind since my teammates were there and it'd be embarrassing but-"

Azule's hazy eyes narrowed as he smiled warmly to mask the pain, "Congratulations on winning the tournament. You were amazing out there." he said with a dead tone, trying his hardest not to make it obvious that he didn't want to be there; unfortunately, Kippy took it the wrong way as she beamed thinking it was meant to continue the conversation.

The flustered Kippy quickly recovers herself, "W-well I-I mean...it was for you." Kippy smiled warmly, worsening Azule's mood as he felt she was being patronizing, despite her innocence growing more by the second.

"For me?" he asked in a false tone of surprise, a shard away from having his confidence obliterated completely.

Kippy felt more bravery now that they could talk alone despite the massive crowds surrounding them, "I know your team couldn't beat them, so we did it for you." she said, but what she meant to say was that she beat them up as payback for ruining the chance to face his team, butchering the well thought explanation she had in her head due to the anxiety of being so close to him without any restrictions. She blushes afterwards as Azule gives a blank stare, misinterpreting his silence for admiration, though in truth Azule was very irritated by her presence.

Azule forces a smile and closes his eyes with his head downwards to avoid her gaze, for he knew if he looked her in the eyes it'd be bad for his heart with his heart rate increasing from his underlying anger. He lowers his head and puts his hands in his pockets, "I appreciate the thought, but could you excuse me? My team is waiting for me." he said abruptly, leaving her immediately to his crew who watched on with disgust. Seeing the unwelcoming eyes of Squidcom, Kippy felt as though she might've messed up on the execution but hoped he understood what she meant. As Azule and his team make their silent exit refusing to take a last look at the Rellan Complex, a sense regret fills the hearts of the young team. The train ride home was a long and silent one, as Squid Academy's journey at the Spring reached its end, the summer looming near.