One Month Later…
Snow blanketed the ground. Michael wore a thick coat, boots, a warm hat, and a scarf that day. He exited the house. He would never tire of the feeling of a nice winter morning. He went out to the Plaza. Heading to the café, he found Junko sitting at the counter. She was wearing a hoodie and sipping from a cup of cappuccino. He took a seat next to her.
"Yo." He greeted.
"Hey."
"D'you know where the others are?"
"Randy, Shell, Ange, and Micheline are all hanging out at Booyah Base. Micheline wants to get back into Turf Wars after being gone from them for so long, so they took her out shopping."
"Cool." He'd go visit them later.
Michael glanced around the place, there were Inklings and Octarians alike socializing. After the team returned from the Presidio, Michael, Callie, Marie, and Cuttlefish all did their best to help bring peace between the Inklings and Octarians. Although the official business was still pretty rocky, most Inklings welcomed the Octarians. They integrated well into Inkling culture, despite the words of protestors. It warmed Michael to see two previous mortal enemies become so friendly with each other.
Michael ordered a Latte. He and Junko sat in silence for a moment before she spoke up.
"Hey, I just wanted to say… I haven't thanked you yet so, thank you for helping the Octarians out."
Michael chuckled. "Heh, no thanks necessary. I was just doing my job."
"Oh don't give me that, I know you." She replied, grinning. "And hey, as extra thanks…" She leaned in close and gave Michael a quick peck on the cheek.
Michael's face turned red and he looked at her, surprised. Junko simply giggled in response. She left her seat, taking her coffee with her.
"I'll catch you later, yeah?"
Michael's face turned back to its original color, with a bit of red left over. "Yeah." He smiled.
He used up the next few minutes finishing his coffee. He paid, and left. He came across his friends heading towards the Tower.
"Yo! Mike!" Randy called him over. "Hey, we were all planning to hit up some Turf War, wanna join in?"
Michael looked to the rest of his friends. Angela, Shelly, Junko, and Micheline.
"Yeah, of course."
"Alright!" Randy said, fist-bumping Michael. The team walked into the tower.
"Hey, Mikey, whaddya think of my new weapon?" Angela held up the gun in question.
Michael laughed. "It just looks like a regular old .52 Gal."
"It's ain't just any 52 Gal! It's a 52 Gal Deco! It's got Seekers and an Inkstrike."
"Cool."
He looked to his sister. She had gotten a new weapon. It was a Dual Squelcher.
"Hey, nice new weapon, sis."
"Thanks. Shelly bought it for me." Micheline's voice had changed over the past few months. It had grown softer. It was back to what Michael remembered it being all that time ago.
"Y'all ready to go?" Angela asked.
"Yep! Let's get into those Turf Wars." Michael said.
The six of them entered the tower.
Michael looked back before entering the tower. The sky was clear of clouds at the moment.
He never understood why, but now, the sun seemed to shine brighter than ever before.
THE END.