While I was walking towards the Inklings, I can hear them talking about the Turf War Station: there must be someone behind the closed gates.
"Listen kids, could you please let me work in peace? I told you the other day: this problem doesn't depend on me or the other employees! We can't do anything about it, even if we want to." A male voice explains.
"Then, why are you still working inside the station?! Without players, there is nothing to do there!" A male Inkling asked.
"Well, ehm… n-now you are asking for confidential information! Sorry, I'm just doing my job."
They didn't take it well: everyone started shouting, kicking the gate or covering the employee with insults.
"STOP IT! OR ELSE I'LL CALL THE COPS!"
The crowd starts calming down.
"… good." He walks away.
The Inklings were groaning and leaving the entrance, coming in my direction. After all that verbal fighting, I hope they will listen to me.
"Excuse me?" I asked: some were passing me. "No no, wait! I mean you too!"
Ok, I got everyone's attention… still, they weren't looking enthusiastic.
"Yes?" A female Inkling with pink wristbands said.
"I'm here to show you shoes that you have never seen before."
After my announcement, I lifted my shoes one at the time. My peers took a great look at them.
"So, what do you think?"
"… you are a promoter, aren't you?" A male Inkling with glasses said.
"Correct." I nodded.
"Tsk, not another one…!" That girl wearing headphones was doing an annoyed grimace!
"Those shoes are kinda lame, honestly…" That boy wearing a black cap said.
"They are not. I like them." I said a lie.
I notice that two Inklings were walking away!
"Wait a minute, please! I didn't finish my explanation!" I stopped them.
"What explanation? Those footwear are too bland, in my opinion." A male Inkling wearing a Firefin shirt answered.
"Yep! Leave us alone!" A girl with visible contact lens lies her hands on her hips.
"You are jumping into a hasty conclusion. Those shoes are more than just fashion."
"Oh yeah? They make you jump as high as a seacricket?!" The boy with the Firefin shirt said with a grin.
My peers laughed at that. I… was smiling, actually.
"As a matter of fact… yes."
"Pffff! Really now…!"
"Then show us the awesomeness of those oh-so-fresh shoes!" The girl wearing contact lens challenged me.
"With pleasure."
I noticed that some Inklings were taking their smartphone: I suppose they think to record someone falling flat on the asphalt. Hmpf, what they are going to assist is the perfect exhibition.
"Give me some room: I'm going to perform a triple front flip."
The other Inklings chuckled at my announcement. I closed my eyes and start concentrating with my mind, controlling my breath. I was looking my triple front flip mentally, understanding the timing and the rotation… then, I re-opened my eyes and dashed ahead.
I jumped and grabbed my knees: I performed three front flips in the air. I landed on my feet and opened my arms. I turned towards my spectators: they were all left speechless. The silence was broken by their sudden applause.
Wow! Awesome!
Totally fresh!
You are amazing!
The shoes are real! I want them!
Hearing their positive opinions boosted my self-esteem. I was so happy that I could do a jump high enough to reach the clouds. However, since I had a time limit to respect, I walked towards the others to-ACK! Th-they quickly run after me!
Please, tell us more about the footwear!
I'm sorry for judging you!
Can you be my friend?!
Some took my hands for a handshake and other were bending down, looking at the shoes.
"Ok, ok! Please, be quiet for a moment!"
Some Inklings obeyed me, while an Inkling inside the crowd was shushing loudly to make everyone else silent.
"… all right. As you just saw, those shoes grant you the power to jump very high and become more agile in the air."
Their eyes were sparkling.
"If you want to support them, please scan the Squid logo you see on my shoes with your Shrimp Kicks app."
My peers either nodded or said "Yes!". Two Inklings go near my footwear and pointed the logo with their smartphone. Behind them, a small line was formed.
"Thank you for your help. It means a lot for me."
It truly does: despite the fact they are only 12, I'm half-way through my quick job. 8 more and I can request the sandals.
BLAM!
What the?! Everyone turned their back: two male adults Inklings were pointing their guns towards the crowd. The situation degenerated: my peers screamed loudly, asking for help. OW! Th-they knocked me down unintentionally while escaping!
I quickly got up: the two men were walking in my direction, cocking their guns. I-I slowly walked backwards… and suddenly, I ran away too!
"HELP! HELP!" I shouted.
BLAM! BLAM!
I jumped a small wall, but they did the same without losing time! They keep shooting at me… w-who are they?! Why they were chasing me?! I took a look behind: the men were getting closer! All right, time to use a diversion.
I took a small ball from my right pocket and threw it to them: I hit my targets and a thick cloud appeared on them, blocking their view. Because of that, they slowed down trying to get rid of the small fog. This was my chance to stop those crooks once and for all.
I kicked both, making them fall down. I kicked away one of their guns and took the other. As the men got up, I was aiming at their heads. They quickly raised their hands.
"Now, I want answers. What do you want from me?"
They looked at each.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!"
The men walked backwards, then they escaped. I lowered my gun, looking at the two cowards running away from a fragile girl like me.
"… hmpf." I took a look at my weapon: it seems to be a
BLAM!
ACK! Someone shot it away! … wh-what the?! Three adult Inklings appeared out of nowhere: the female was the one shooting away my weapon! I… I-I need to stay calm… very… calm… just walk slowly and take a
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
NO, THEY ARE ALREADY SHOOTING! I MUST EVADE THEM!
BLAM! BLAM!
I run as fast as I can. They kept shooting with the same weapon and only now I noticed that I had only one Foggy Ball. CURSES! I have to make sure that their Ink projectiles don't hit me! At all! Their guns are extremely dangerous: those are the infamous MK-Splat Gunner, also known as The Gun.
Unlike Turf War weapons, this gun has a limited amount of shots but is able to damage greatly their targets. Their victims regenerate as usual, but they need tempestive medical cures or else… no, I don't want to think about it! I have to concentrate and find a way to survive.
I turned quickly to my left, hoping to
NO! IT'S A DEAD-END ALLEY!
I watched my back: th-the three Inklings were walking towards me! Al-all right… I-I'm going to climb this wall.
DRAT! I SLIPPED DOWN!
Th-they were getting closer and pointed their guns at me.
I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes… s-seeing my entire life mentally. No… I-I don't want to go away… I
SPLAT!
…
BLAM! BLAM!
… huh…? … is that… a Squid?
He's making groans… … wait… that voice… HUNLEY?!
He's fighting against two Inklings in his Squid form! I could see a gun dropped on the ground, covered partially with green ink.
I quickly took a bunch of candies. Where is it… where is it… oh, there it is! The Inkgreen Gum! I put it in my mouth and chew it rapidly.
Hunley body-slammed a crook with his head on his stomach: he fell down, crying in pain. I took his gun and pointed at the other man. I had to make sure to aim at his gun and not at Hunley… …
BLAM!
Perfect shot: his gun flew away! Now disarmed, the man tried to fight Hunley with his fists. My friend jumps on him, while spinning: his attack splatted the criminal in one hit and made him fly away as a little Squid!
The other one was recovering… and I quickly pointed my gun at the man. Surprisingly, he ran past me and Hunley without taking any of the two guns laying on the ground.
"MIRII, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?!" He turns into his other self, hugging me.
"… yes… I'm fine…" I smiled. "Thank you, Hunley…"
"I heard your screams before! Who were those people?!" He… s-starts caressing m-me…
"I-I don't know… but now they are gone… forever…" … I-I lied my head on his s-shoulder…
…
*music starts playing*
… my smartphone…? Who is calling me…?
… Private…