The city is incredible calm: just few people are walking around! Usually when there isn't school, almost all the young Inklings, including myself, pass several hours playing Turf War matches or Ranked Battles. Honestly, I don't spend my time lurking around Regular Turf War battles anymore… my perfect fighting skills can only be expressed around pro matches.

Since the Turf War Station is closed, I thought to see everyone still rioting around or doing something else… instead, it seems like today there's school… … could this be related to my test? I don't see how it would-AH! … I think I found the answer.

Th-that pool I wanted to check… is full of Inklings! Of every age too! Despite the largeness of the pool, there isn't enough space even for a little kid! … this could be a problem… well, I'm almost near the main entrance. Let's ask to the old horseshoe crab…

"Good morning." I said.

"Zzzzz…"

… is he SLEEPING?! ON THE JOB?! How could he take his role, so lightly?! I knocked on the desk.

"Excuse me?"

"Zzzz… r-ronf…"

"EXCUSE ME?!"

"Aaaaaah!" He falls down from his chair, backwards.

Sigh…

"Ohi ohi, my back…" He stands up. "… oh? Visitors…?"

"Yes, although there is only one visitor, mister…"

"Ah, I see…" He adjusted his glasses. "So, you want to enter?"

"Yes. How much is"

"No no, I can't let you in."

"… because there's not enough space?"

"Bingo! I'm terribly sorry, miss…"

"But why so many people entered in this pool?"

"Oh… didn't you see that sign over there?"

The crab pointed at the sign located to my right.

The Squid Sisters will perform live in Jumpin' Fishin' Pool, at 18:30! Enter now for the price of 1 coin each person, to stay all day AND have lunch for free! What are you waiting for? Call your friends and family and dive inside our pool of fun!

…

"Pretty crazy, isn't? The Squid Sisters never came out here to perform one of their concerts! Also, can you see those slides over there?" He points in another direction.

I can see some large slides: young people do seem to enjoy them.

"They arrived this same night! I couldn't believe such remodernation took place in such little time! Did the owners asked help from professionals, in your opinion?"

More like, the stupidest thing I ever seen in my life! I can't believe they are wasting a lot of money, just to test my skills… but I have to admit it: they manage to "secure" the pool, more than a criminal organization ever could.

"It could be. The pool is greatly improved, since last time."

"Yes! There is even guards walking around and keeping an eye on our clients!"

I assume those guards don't want me inside… it looks like I have to sneak in.

"I see. Well, is there any way to enter? Can I wait for a bit?"

"Uhm… listen, if you are here to watch the Squid Sisters, then come back here at 18:20 PM. You see… everyone is not just here, because of their presence: did you hear about the rumor?"

"No…"

"No, eh? Well… apparently, the two idols are going to sing their newest songs, right here! In world premier!"

Th-their newest songs?! Oh no… no one will ever come out from the pool! Those two are legendary: even elders wouldn't miss the chance to listen their newest hit! People would die to assist such memorable event!

"I'm sure you can see them from behind the fence. I heard they will bring chairs to let the others enjoying the concert."

That's useless! I'm sure that the time limit is only extended before lunch break! I can't waste my time, any longer…

"Isn't there at least a way to… just relax on the deckchair?"

The man shakes his head.

"Nope! You can't enter inside, girl. I'm sorry…"

… this will bring me nowhere. I really have to sneak inside… that's what they wanted me to do.

"Ok… guess I'll come back home. Thanks for all the information, mister."

"Any time!"

I walked away: the situation is much harder than I thought… and now, how I'm suppose to get inside?! I can't just jump that fence: the guards would see me easily. They would kick me out or even arrest me… hmm… how about an alternative way to get inside?

I wonder if something like that does exist… … actually, even if I manage to get inside, another problem would rise up: what I'm going to do, if guards decide to check on me? Or even worse… I'd be able to find a deckchair for me, to sit down?

Hmm… before I go… I should go back and ask another thing at that old man…

"Excuse me?"

"Zzzzz…"

N-NOT AGAIN!

"Eh…? Oh…! It's you again! Can I help you?"

"Yes, I almost forgot. You see… I… I'm doing a school research about water-related attractions."

"Yes?"

"Since this pool is considered one, even thanks to the newest slides, could you please explain to me the check system?"

"The check system…?"

"Ehm… if someone goes out of the pool, for just a moment…"

"Ah, that! Well, they receive a special card like this one!"

The old man picks up a plastic card and shows it to me: it has the logo of the pool company.

"I see… can I have it, as an example?"

"You want one?" He's thinking about it. "I don't know…"

"It would give me a lot of credit…"

"… hmmmm…"

"… so I can receive a scholarship…"

"… hhhmmmmmmm…"

"… and have a prestigious career…"

"… hhhhhmmmmmmmmm…"

"… and have a happy family…"

"A happy family? Oh… well, that's something actually nice." He smiles.

It's not just nice: it's perfect.

"Uhm… you see… I can't really give you this card, like this… …" He's looking to his left and to his right. "But maybe I can do a little exception. You may didn't have the possibility to enter inside… but at least, you aren't going home, with the pockets empty."

He passes the card to me: I grab it and put inside my pocket.

"Thank you, mister. Anything else I should know about this card?"

"Ooooh, nothing too complicated to understand! Usually I write the client's name, surname and phone number on it and the user can go in and out, without any problems!"

"Ok. I have everything now. Thanks again: have a nice day."

"Ok! Bye bye!"

I waved my hand at him and walked away. It may not be much, but this card is going to help me a lot. I just need to write my name, surname and phone number: the guards would never suspect on me, once I show it compiled.

However, if I appear with my ordinary clothes… they will still catch me. I have to get a swimsuit, sandals, a bag… in other words, everything related to disguise myself as your average beach Inkling. All I have to do is to go back into my apartment and… … oh… OH NO!

My student apartment?! It doesn't have anything useful inside! My equipment is inside my mother's house… which means, it'll take several hours to go back and forth. Not to mention, my mom will probably inquire me… s-she'll find out about my trial and I'll fail it!

No! I have to use another way… which is… … to buy the equipment. All right, then: I'm going to the Booyah Base and start some quick shopping! I'm getting worried about the time… let's dash there: it shouldn't be too far away!