Chapter Ten:

Meeting Up With Boopkins and Team Blue


"Ooooh, baby. There is so much time for us to share all the love.

"In my heart, I'll forever cherish you as my shining dove.

"We'll be together, to provide comfort on the days when we cry.

"In a time for sharing all the love, we will fly high..."

The disc spun on the track and the song played over the radio alongside the many romantic tracks that had been put on, the sound accompanied the scent of wax candlelight, as Makerboy leaned atop the bed, gently caressing Saiko's face as he made out with her. Saiko reached up, with an arm around the Inkling's neck, and she stroked his shoulder gently.

It had been less than a day since the anime girl had returned to normal, and they were more than happy to spend a couple days together. They'd made love, showered, eaten dinner, and made more love.

And nothing kept them from engaging in intimacy right now, with the romantic songs and the candles, while they shared the love burning inside their hearts. Hot damn. Makerboy couldn't get enough of his waifu, even Saiko was unable to get her eye off her Inkling boyfriend's handsomeness.

Right now, all that Makerboy was wearing were black Octo-Boots, shorts, and a belt as if he was cosplaying as some sort of movie action hero. And Saiko, well, she'd donned a college outfit as though she were roleplaying a student. Makerboy loved it, and he'd taken several photos of her in the costume.

"You arms are so smooth and strong..." Saiko commented in a sultry manner, stroking Makerboy's arm in a seductive manner.

"And your curves are so curvy." Makerboy replied, gently grasping Saiko's hips.

The anime girl cupped his cheeks, reeling him in for another kiss, as "Share All The Love" continued to play, and they rolled over, switching positions with Saiko laying atop him as she kissed him hard. Makerboy's eyes closed, and he kissed her harder, as his hands began to sink into the belt of Saiko's tight jeans.

Just then, the squid phone laying on Saiko's bedroom desk began to buzz. Makerboy and Saiko pulled back, even as the latter had her arms looped around the shirtless squid's neck. Makerboy picked up the phone and tapped the answer button.

"Hey-lo." Makerboy said into his phone as Saiko started to caress his shoulders.

"Hey, Makerboy." The caller said on the other end.

Makerboy's eyes lit up, he recognized that voice. "Hey, Boopkins!" The Inkling exclaimed, "How's it going there, little buddy?"

"I've been doing fine since we last saw each other." Boopkins replied on the other end, "What about you? I heard that you managed to remove that Octoling curse from Saiko recently, that makes me so happy for you, Makerboy. I've been enjoying anime and manga, and JubJub's doing fine. Say, you want to hang out today?"

"I'd love to hang out with one of my best friends." Makerboy nodded, he put down the phone and looked at Saiko, "You wanna hang out with Boopkins?"

"That would be very nice." The anime girl whispered.

"Me and Saiko would love to hang out with you, Boopkins." The Inkling told the aquatic weeb on the phone.

"Really? That's great!" Boopkins quipped happily, "In fact, I was just hanging out with Bobble Hat, Specs and Headphones in the Plaza, they both would like to hang out with you too, Makerboy."

"Whoa-ho. We're hanging out with Team Blue?!" Makerboy grinned, "Count me in."

"Hi, Makerboy." Bobble Hat's voice bubbled on the other line, "See you soon."

"Is Goggles gonna be there too?" The green Inkling then asked.

"Actually, now that you mention it, I think he will..." Boopkins spoke up again, "...but we haven't seen him for a while, and Specs doesn't even know what he's doing."

"I'm sure he's okay. See ya soon, Boopkins."

"Bye, Makerboy." Fishy Boopkins quipped, "Can't wait to see you."

The phone call ended. Makerboy set down the phone and put it in his pocket, then he turned around and kissed Saiko. The anime girl smiled, and the two of them decided it was time to get going, they would have more fun together later. Makerboy turned off the record and Saiko snuffed out the candles, then the Inkling slipped on his red sweater.

Saiko changed out of her college uniform and put her trademark outfit back on. After she'd changed, the pink-haired waifu kissed her squid-shifting boyfriend and they left the house, heading to Inkopolis Plaza to meet up with Boopkins and Team Blue.

It had been quite a while since any of them had set foot in the plaza and, when they arrived, it still looked amazing. Makerboy pulled out his phone and instructed Saiko to stand in the middle of the plaza, then the squid snapped the photo showing the anime girl with the majestic Inkopolis Tower standing tall behind her, a perfect snapshot.

Just then, Makerboy noticed the two trucks with the symbol of the Squid Sisters on each of them in the streets, then he saw a couple of Jellyfish wearing shirts of different colors with one depicting a genie emerging from a bottle while another depicted a pirate stealing treasure.

"Hey, wait a second." He remarked, "I just remembered something, Saiko."

"The fact there's a Splatfest going on and we aren't competing?" The anime girl asked.

"Not just ANY Splatfest, its the Genie vs. Pirate Splatfest." Makerboy quipped, "I forgot it was happening. I heard it started two days ago, and..." He pulled out his phone and turned on the text message window, the green Inkling pulled up a message board that had the name "Shantae" involved.

"Shantae's competing in it." Makerboy finished, gesturing to a conversation where the half-genie said that she was competing in the event.

"I'm sure we'll catch the results." Saiko patted Makerboy on the shoulder, "And I know she's on Team Genie. Its okay, sweetie. Not everyone has to compete in a Splatfest or watch an event like it, you were busy saving Jim and taking care of me. At least you care about Shantae too, I'm rooting for her too. Right now, let's go see some friends, okay?"

Makerboy kissed Saiko's hand, then he and the anime girl glanced at the crowd of Inklings and Jellyfish in the Splatfest shirts, either dancing or chatting with one another. Then, they looked up at the jumbotron, which often showed footage of a Turf War event. The third match hadn't started yet, everyone was likely getting ready for it.

The green-haired squid and his attractive girlfriend walked through the plaza, looking for their friends. Makerboy texted Boopkins, asking him where he and the others were.

'At Spyke's shop, chatting with Spike.' Boopkins texted back.

"They're at Spyke's." Makerboy told Saiko.

With the knowledge of where they were, the couple headed off to the alley where Spyke's store was and made sure to be careful not to walk into security. Makerboy and Saiko walked into the alleyway and found a squat bipedal blue-haired fish creature with weeb shoes accompanied by three blue Inklings as they were sitting with a couple Sea Snails.

"Hey, guys!" Boopkins exclaimed happily, "Thanks for joining us?"

"Boopkins!" Makerboy ran up and hugged the little sea creature happily. Saiko joined in, forming a group hug that made the anime fan pretty happy.

"What's up, you two?" Specs said, he was a blue Inkling with glasses.

"Heeeeyyyyy, buddy!" A happy Makerboy placed Boopkins on his shoulder, then he fist-bumped Specs in a playful manner.

"Fancy seeing you today."

Spyke the Urchin was close by, sitting on a blanket as a Sea Snail sat next to him. Makerboy waved to the humanoid urchin salesman, and Spyke smiled at the green-haired Inkling in a friendly manner.

"How's business?" Makerboy asked the urchin.

"Not too bad, the Sea Snails still make money." Spyke replied.

"Hi." Bobble Hat said, she was recognizable with her gray-white bobble hat and ever-happy smile and she was wearing a green sweater along with black shorts. Makerboy hugged her and the smiling squid hugged him back. The shoulder-perched Boopkins smiled as he watched the exchange.

"And how have you been, Saiko?" Headphones asked Makerboy's girlfriend.

"Perfectly fine." Saiko nodded her head, "I can rest with that transformation curse lifted, thanks to my boyfriend getting me a sweet charm."

"Hey there, guys. Sorry, I'm late!"

Goggles had finally showed up. Makerboy, Boopkins and the others turned to see the pilot goggles-wearing squid and were surprised to see him wearing an aviator's outfit.

"Whoa, dude." Makerboy quipped, "Where did you get that costume? Did you volunteer for the air-force or are you taking up a modeling gig that we don't know about? Outfit still looks good on you though.

"Oh, this thing." Goggles chuckled, "I bought this from an Octoling merchant the other day, it actually fits."

"At least you didn't show up in your squid suit." Specs told him with a sarcastic chuckle.

"Where were you?" Boopkins inquired.

"Sorry about that..." Goggles chuckled, "I, uh, crashed for a nap. Bad case of insomnia for the last few days, I think I'll be fine. Just gotta not be so super active and my sleeping patterns will be a-okay."

"We're just happy to see you." Bobble Hat said positively.

"Be careful with what you do in the day, man." Makerboy quipped, patting his friend on the shoulder.

"I'll be okay." Goggles hugged the green-haired Inkling, "Thanks for the concern."

"So, where do you guys wanna go since we're together now?" Saiko asked, "You wanna go somewhere else other than a back alley store?"

"I wouldn't mind a change of location." Boopkins and Specs replied.

"How about we visit the mall?" Makerboy suggested.

"That sounds sweet." Headphones nodded.

"Been a while since we were there." Goggles said, "Good suggestion, dude."

"Yeah." Bobble Hat quipped.

Unbeknownst to the group, a dark figure was watching them from a distance on a rooftop as a shadowy aura surrounded the entity. Beneath the shadow of its hood, purple eyes flashed ominously. And then, the figure morphed into a bird and flew off before vanishing into thin air...