Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A boy wearing just a white collared shirt and blue tie, and pants & shoes, was running to the school. ‘I OVERSLEPT!’ He scolded himself as he ran though street to street, and corner to corner while put on the school's uniform, mainly the sweater since he had forgotten to bring his jacket. But that was fine, it wasn't required anyways for this season.

While he was busy putting on his arm though one of the sleeves, he turned another corner sharply and-

“Ugh.”

“Agh!” Goggles took some steps back as he felt another person's body dump into his. He poked his head out the the sweater and looked to see who it was.

It was a boy with yellow-green (some could say lime) colored "hair", wearing the same uniform as him (albeit more complete, and having an additional small pin on the jacket). He had his hands in his pockets as he glared at Goggles.

“Hiya!” Goggles smiled. “You're a student of IPHS too?”

The yellow-green inkling didn't answer or even greet Googles, choosing to sigh and turn back from where he came from. “You're late to orientation.”

Goggles finished putting on the sweater and cought up to the cold boy. “Hey! Don't ignore me!” He jumped the other as they fell to the ground with a loud hit.

The other stood up rubbed his head, standing up and grabbing Goggles by the collar of his shirt. As tempting was it was to hit the blue inkling, the other held back and started walking back to the school—forcing Goggles to match his pace as they walked to the school.

When the two got there the gate was just barely open, the other boy pushed though the small gap left for him and the childish first yeat that he had to deal with. He closed the gate afterwards, getting some security guy to do his job and guard it, and ordered Goggles to follow him around the school to the gymnasium; where student orientation was taking place.

They walked around the school. Goggles kept getting distracted by all the flowers they passed and needing the yellow-green boy to remind him to not pluck the flowers. Anytime the inkling wasn't yelling at him, it was always silent. 

“Hey, what's your name?” Goggles decided to break it, and asked the other.

“Rider.” The yellow-green inkling answered.

“What year?”

“Second.”

“Ooooo, I'm Goggles. A first year!” Goggles pointed at himself, momentarily stopping, before running back up to Rider who only hummed in agreement. “Do you know where my friends are at?” Goggles asked him.

“Are they also first years?”

Goggles hummed.

“Then they're probably at the gymnasium.” Rider checked his phone to look at the time. “I can't believe I had to be the one to deal with this...” He muttered to himself.

“Did you say something?”

“Just hurry up.” Rider told Goggles and paused, realizing that Goggles wasn't next to him. He turned his head around. “AND DON'T PICK THE FLOWERS!” He yelled at Goggles who froze, his hand reaching out to a lily.

“But they're so pretty!”

“Still doesn't mean you can just casually touch them!”

::

Goggles heard someone talking though speakers once they neared the gymnasium. He watched as Rider opened one of the pair of doors and happily pushed Goggles inside the building.

“Find a place to sit. There's tons of chairs, you're sure to find one.” Rider grinned as he closed the door, finally, the blue Inkling wasn't his problem anymore.

Goggles looked around the place. There were so many Inklings, some even looking at him, here! He couldn't wait to meet everyone as the year went on!

His phone buzzed. He unlocked the screen and saw it was one of his friends who messaged him.

\(^›^)/: «I see youuuuuu!!!»

*Attached photo*

Specs: «ABOUT TIME! DO YOU KNOW HOW STRESSFUL IT WAS TO WAIT FOR YOU?!»

Headphones: «We have a seat for you! Bobble Hat's photo should help you find us.»

Goggles proceeded to go around the whole place like a lost puppy. He kept looking at the images and looking back the the wave of inklings sitting. It shouldn't be too hard to find 3 blue haired inklings just like himself, right?

Headphones: «Right, Goggles is awful at directions. Someone go get him before he embarrasses himself more (even if he doesn't feel it). Not it»

Goggles felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw his friend smiling. “Bobble Hat!”

“Hiya Goggles!” She grabbed his hand and pointed to the others, “This way!, before leading him to the others and seating down.  

“Hey guys!” He greeted the others who were looking down from second-hand embarrassment as the inklings around them looked at the cheerfully loud boy.

“Lower voice a bit.” Glasses said in a hushed voice. “Why are you so late?”

“Haha.. I didn't hear my alarm so I overslept.” He scratched the back of his neck and grinned, earning a tired sigh from the other who went back to watching the old inkling in the front of them all as they went on about the importance of school.

Goggles eyes were drawn to the four inkling who stood behind the older. Thier uniform was the same for the most part, only the jacket and pants they had on was white rather then the usual navy blue everyone else had to wear. One of them was even wearing a gasmask! How cool is that!

::

“So we all have the same homeroom.” Glasses stated in amazement rather then confusion as he read everyone's schedule as they all walked out of the gymnasium. “That's good at least.” He nodded and handed everyone thier papers back. “Lets head to class right away and settle our seating arrangements then!”

3 of the 4 members started to navigate the halls and floors.

But the last member appeared to already be lost before he even got inside, finding himself in the same spot that was full of flowers Rider tried so hard to prevent him from taking.

Goggles stared in awe at them like before. He looked from his left and right to make sure no one was there before getting closer. He looked around around and reaching out for one of them.

A hand grabbed the back of his collar (of the shirt) and pulled him back. “Oh come on!” Goggles complained as he was dragged back and eventually let go of, his head hitting the floor. Why was it so hard to get a hold of one of the fascinating flowers?

“Why am I not surprised.” The familiar voice of a yellow-green inkling boy sighed at looked down ar Goggles.

“Hiya Rider!” Googles looked up at the boy with a smile.

“How long are you going to keep this up for?” Rider crossed his arms and frowned down at him.

“For as long as I don't have one!” Goggles answered honestly.

Rider rubbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. A sudden idea pop up in his head and he covered his mouth. Just barely smiling to himself, he gave up.  “Wait for me after school near the entrance of the school. I'll let you pick a flower then.”

Goggles looked at Rider with happiness. “Thanks Rider!” He got up from the floor to hug the boy, somehow knocking the two of them down.

“Get off!” Rider tried pushing the first year away. “And get to your class already!”

*Click*

“Oh, that?” Goggles smiled, still having a strong hold on Rider and refusing to let go. “I got lost trying to get there!”

“Uuuugggghhhhh...Fine, get off me and I'll take you to your class.” Rider stopped fighting and just waited for the other who listened and stood up. “What class?” He asked.

“Here!” Goggles took out his schedule and handed it to Rider.

“Alright. Follow me, and don't go wondering around.” As Rider began walking, he frowned as Goggles took his hand into his own, telling him to "Lead the way!"

*Click*

“Let go of me.” Rider demanded.

“You said you didn't want me to get lost!” Goggles reminded him of what he said a few seconds back. “I won't get lost this way. And I'm not letting go!” He looked determined about this.

Rider sighed. “Whatever.”

As the two boys walked into the school. A pink Inkling rested his hand as he watched though the windows above them. “Wow~ I didn't know Rider had skills like that!” He said as he checked something on his phone. “Army! Look!” He showed an orange tentacled boy, who looked up from the book he was reading, two photos he took of Rider and a blue inkling boy laying on the ground and holding hands. “I'm thinking we help them date!”

Army frowned. “Is that not the blue inkling who was late for orientation? The one who was walking around for 10 minutes before someone else had to guide him to a seat?”Army's face told the other all he needed to know. He disapproved of the very idea of someone with awful time management and lack of navigation skills dating someone who was on par with their skill level. “Also, Rider is a second year, that kid is a first.” 

The pink Inkling sarcastically slapped a hand on their forehead and shook his head. “Of course the weakest member of th-.”

“Hey!” Army slammed down the book and shouted. “I am not-”

“Shuuuut upp!” A kid wearing a gasmask complained. “You're booooth annooooyinggg... I wannaaa sleeeep...” He put his head back down and dozed off.

“I apologize Mask.” Army calmed and picked up his book again.

“I'm sticking to my plan.” The boy who started all of this continued. “I mean, Rider went to look for that kid cause his friends asked me to. I think destiny is telling me something here!”

“What if Rider doesn't like him?”

“Too bad then~” He grinned, staring at Army who tired his hardest to focus on his book, and ignoring the pink Inkling. “Once I sent my eyes on something, don't expect me to give up.”

“You shouldn't play with others lives.”

“I play with yours all the time.” He reminded the drill sergeant who frowned and gripped his book harder, not even bothering to respond to the pink Inkling anymore.

Not that he needed to, as the pink Inkling opened the door of the room they were in and waved goodbye. “Loosen up a little, oh weakest member of the S4~” He closed the door and walked off.

With a new found goal, the pink Inkling took out his phone and checked his notifications. ‘Hmmm, hosting a party tomorrow doesn't seem that bad.’

Chapter Text

“Goggles, I swear! If you sleep again I will smack you with this paper!” Glasses waved a piece of rolled up paper in front of the sleepy boy's face.

“Wha..?” Goggles smiled lazily. 

“This is going to be an issue isn't it?” Headphones sweat as she watched. “You kept sleeping class after class” She sighed. “Well, at least that was our last block for the day. Let's go-”

“IT'S THE END OF THE DAY?!” Goggles's eyes looked ready to pop out. “WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?” He grabbed his bookbag and zoomed out of the classroom while his friends watched in surprise.

“Look! Goggles woke up!” Bobble exclaimed.

Goggles rushed though the hallways, ignoring most of the other inklings who moved away from the speedy boy, if they could. But an one orange inkling seemed very adamant on telling him what sounded like, "no running in the hallway!" but he must've just misheard.

After all, this was important!

Goggles saw Rider with his arms crossed and leaning on the wall next to the school's entrance doors. “Rider!” He raised his hands up and jumped the yellow-green boy onto the floor with yet another loud thump.

Rider groaned as he felt Goggles's weight on top of him. ‘Is this going to happen everytime we meet?’ He honestly didn't know how many more hits to the head he can take before it actually starts to hurt. “Get off of me already.” He shoved the smiling Goggles off and rubbed the dirt that got on his uniform off before standing up. “Come on.” He doesn't wait for Goggles as he leads them somewhere.

Goggles noticed that Rider was going somewhere else, instead of where they were before. “Hey Rider, aren't the flowers that way?” He pointed behind to the opposite direction; the area they were at earlier in the day.

The only thing to leave Riders mouth was, “If you're going to get something, make sure it's the best you can get.” He smirked proudly at himself, although Goggles couldn't see it, as he led him to the schools garden.

Goggles eyes widened as saw the beautiful garden “Woah!”

“Pick whichever, just hide it in your sweater or something.” Rider crossed his arms and watched the excited boy look from bush to bush, having on the biggest smile on as he looked at a blue rose that matched his hair, making up his mind with a nod, he plucked it off and walked over to Rider. “Alright then, put it away and-”

Goggles ran to him, getting up close, and causing the yellow-green inkling to back up a few steps from surprise. “Wha-?”

He reached up to Rider's tied back tentacles and put the rose in between them, nodding to himself proudly. “It looks good on you!”

Rider looked at him with utter confusion.

“I want is to see you smile!” Goggles, apparently knowing the question in his mind already, answered. “Everytime we meet, you always have a grumpy face on.”

Rider took the rose off his head and hid it in one of the pockets his school jacket provided and shook his head. “Well that's one way waste your time.” He fixed the collar of his shirt. “Come on, we're leaving before someone realizes we're here.” He grabbed Goggles by his sweater and led them back out of the garden before letting go.

“Don't get lost—and get to school on time tomorrow.” Rider walked off to exit though the school gates.

Goggles waved goodbye to him and turned turned on his phone to see some notifications on his friends.

Specs: «Hey Goggles where did you go?»

Sent 38 minutes ago

Specs: «Goggles, it's been 5 minutes now.»

Sent 33 minutes ago

Headphones: «Anyone find him yet?»

Sent 22 minutes ago

\(^›^)/: «Nope!»

Sent 21 minutes ago

Specs: «Nothing here.»

Sent 21 minutes ago

Specs: «Goggles were are you? And what was up with suddenly leaving the class? You're lucky that you didn't run out while class was going on.»

Sent 19 minutes ago

“Oops!” He scratched his back and laughed. “Guess I forgot to tell them. I hope they haven't left yet.” He walked back to the schools entrance as he texted his friends.

Goggles: «Sorry guys! I was meeting up with Rider again»

\(^›^)/: «Hooray!»

Specs: «The guy from before? Why's that? Also, WHERE ARE YOU WE'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER THE PLACE FOR YOU!»

Goggles: «Outside»

Headphones: «Ah, no wonder we never found him.»

Specs: «...Sigh»

Goggles: «Near the school's entrance now»

Headphones: «We'll see you there then!»

True to their word, Bobble, Headphones, and Glasses met Goggles by the doors. After Headphones and Glasses scolded the boy, they left the school and walked home together.

They talked about the classes and how exciting this year could be. In 3 months, they'll get to play real turf war battles! Not to mention the school's sports day will be held near the end of June as well! “Who knows? Maybe we might be able to participate in it as a team!”

“It'd be nice, but we'd just lose to everyone...” Glasses sarcastically laughed.

“As long as we have fun, it won't matter!” Goggles told the group who agreed with high energy.

They dropped off Bobble at her house, then went to Headphones's house and  goodbye. The next person on the list was Goggles since he was awful with directions.

“Hey Goggles,” Glasses suddenly spoke as he looked back on the thier text messages. “You never answered the first half of my question.” 

“Huh?”

Showing his phone screen to Goggles, Glasses pointed. “Why were you outside? It looked like you were in a rush to get there too.”

“Oh! I wanted a flower!”

“THAT'S WHY?!” Glasses felt his eyes pop out. “We looked all over the school for you! Knowing you, I was already thinking the worse had happened!” The image of a smiling Goggles being held for ransom by a group of delinquents at the back of the school hidden by the shade popped up in Glasses's head.

“Haha, I'm not going to get into that much trouble so calm down Specs!”

“That's not reassuring.” Glasses sighed and fixed the position of his glasses. “But I hope your right.”

When the two got to Goggles's house, his grandma was walking outside and thanked Glasses for bringing him back safely. She hugged her grandchild and then proceeded scolded him for forgetting his lunchbox. “Ah! I thought I forgot something!” Goggles said in realization as his grandma specifically brought his favorite picked plums that always helped him stay wake though out the day.

“I should get home now, see you tomorrow Goggles.” Glasses said goodbye to the two and left to go home.

“Bye bye Specs!” Goggles didn't stop waving until Glasses was completely gone.

::

Rider went into his room and changed into a red shirt, black shorts, and boots, taking the blue rose out of the school uniform and dumping it into the trashcan.

He's never really been interested in plants, let alone how to take care of one that has been plucked off it's stem.

That rose was going to die in a matter of days anyways, that was why he even let Goggles take one. So he could imagine (or even see) how the always happy first-year would act to throwing it away.

Yelp, it's not his problem to deal with anymore.

He grabbed the black inky rider jacket laying on his bed and walked back into the streets of inkopolis plaza to check out what the stores had today. Although he doubts they'll have something that fits his style.

Chapter Text

“Goggles!” His grandma loudly knocked on the room to his room to wake him up. “It's time to wake up and get ready for school!”

Goggles wasn't much of a morning person. He groaned in his bed while his bed sheets were wrapped all around him as if he was a burrito. 

Unrolling himself, and falling onto the floor as a bonus, he faintly heard his alarm clock in his ears before it became more clear. It's amazing how some blankets are enough to block the noise completely (for him at least). 

“I'll be right there!” He let his grandma know that he was now awake.

She smiled and nodded to herself. “When your ready, go downstairs and have some cereal. And your lunchbox is already on the table!” She turned and walked downstairs.

Goggles got up and stopped the ringing alarm clock. Walking over to his closet, he grabbed his school uniform (including it's blazer) and changed into it before walking downstairs and giving his grandma a hug before sitting down and eating some Coconut Cereal that had a red crab on the cover of the box.

He checked his phone and opened the group chat.

Specs: «I'll be over in 8 minutes ok? To make sure you're awake this time @ Goggles.»

Sent 4 minutes ago

Goggles: «Ok!»

He finished up his cereal and washed his bowl. He grabbed the lunchbox on the table and put it in his bookbag. “I'll be outside, grandma. Specs is going to pick me up.”

“That boy is such a gentleman.” She said to herself in the living room and sighed, she could only imagine what chaos her boy causes for others. “Alright! Have a good day at school!”

“I will.” He closed the door and proceeded to sit on the front porch, waiting for his friend.

~

His eyes lit up as he saw the familiar boy with retro glasses. He got up and started to run towards him. “Hiya Specs!”

“Good morning Goggles!” Glasses greeted him back and stopped his walking, watching as Goggles slowed as well to be beside him. “I'm surprised you woke up on time! Perhaps today is a very lucky day.”

“Oooo,” Goggles looked up at the sky. “Should we get lottery tickets?”

Glasses laughed. “I doubt we're that lucky.” He clapped his hands together. “Now then, let's go get Headphones and Bobble!”

“Yeah!”

::

“Maybe we should try to make some friends in class...” Headphones muttered to herself as she looked around the classroom. The few Inklings with them seemed to be looking down at thier desks, minding thier own business.

She looked over to Glasses, about to tell him her idea, when she noticed that he was already busy trying to stop Goggles and Bobble from pressing their faces against the window's glass. After sighing to herself, she got up from her desk and decided to think about who to talk to.

In the end, she decided on the person closet to them already, a boy who sat one row the right and a few seats behind their own. 

“Hello.” She smiled and reached her hand to hopefully shake his. “My names Headphones.”

“Ah—” He looked up from his phone and with a surprised expression. Well, as surprised as having half of your face covered shows. “H-hi!” He hurried to put his phone down and seemed momentarily confused on which hand to use to accept the handshake. “I'm Sleath—Gah! Stealth! I'm Stealth!” He eventually settled for both.

Headphones chuckled. “Nice to meet you Stealth. I hope we can be friends!”

“Y-yeah!”

Headphones had a small conversation with Stealth, who was visible shacking and stuttered a lot but seemingly enjoying the chat. As more inklings filled the room and took their seats, Headphones went back to her friend group who was less chaotic then before.

“Hey Headphones, where did you go?” Glasses asked her.

“I was making a friend.”

Goggles gasped and leaned over his desk. “You're not replacing us right?!”

She smiled and shook her head. “Of course not. Someone has to be responsible for you three.”

Glasses's eyes popped out of his glasses and shouted, “Me included?!”

“Yes, you too Specs.” She added bluntly, watching as Goggles and Bobble laughed. They waited for the bell to ring, marking the start of class.

::

“Yippie! It's lunchtime!” Bobble cheered and turned her chair to face Goggles, much to the fear to Headphones and Glasses, as 4th period ended. Their teacher who was still in the room huffed, leaving the classroom to prepare for their next class. 

She dug in her bookbag for her lunchbox, smiling when she found it and took it out to slam on Goggles desk.

“Bobble! Be careful with these desks!” Specs said in a panic.

“Oops!” She smiled as she apologized, changing the subject with the question of, “What did you guys bring?” They all took out their lunchbox's and started chatting about what they brought. An outsider could most likely hear Goggles going on about "Onigiri", and "Pick plums!", his grandma made for him.

Most inklings left the class to go to the cafeteria, but two who sat next to each other kept glancing at a particular boy who Headphones had spoken to before school started. 

The one with a bamboo hat studied the boy as he kept to himself while eating. “He seems nice enough.” She stood up and looked at the girl beside her. “Come on.” They both got up with their lunchboxes and walked over to the unaware boy. “Hey.”

Stealth froze for a moment before he looked up, seeing a girl with a bamboo hat and the other having a hair pin of the school.

“Can we eat with you?” The bamboo hat inkling asked with a straight face.

“Huh? S-sure, if you want!” He moved his lunch more to his side to make room for them.

“Thanks.”

The girls sat around Stealths desk and started eating in silence. The entire time Stealth was nervous, and for good reason too. It was only the second day of school and he could have 3 friends already? The idea got him excited, happy even, real friends...

“You're Stealth right?” the girl with the pin in her tentacles asked. 

“Y-yeah! How'd you...”

“We heard you introduce yourself to that blue inkling.” The other answered his question. “You weren't the quietest.”

Stealth felt embarrassed by that. “Sorry... I can't control my volume when I talk.”

“That's fine, don't worry.” The inkling with a pin in her hair told him. “My name is School Uniform, but call me Blazer. It's less confusing.” She looked at her friend and waited for her to also introduce herself.

“The name's Bamboo.”

Stealth forced a nervous laugh and joked. “Who ever would have guessed.”

Blazer chuckled. “I know right?”

The silence that was once there disappeared as they got to learn more about each other. When they finished their own lunches, Bamboo asked Stealth, “Can we eat with you again tomorrow?”

Stealth happily agreed, having a smile on his face with caused Bamboo to also faintly do the same. They exchanged their contact information with him and put the seats they borrowed back where they were before.

“Lets hang out after school some day Stealth.” Blazer told him before following Bamboo back to their own desks before 5th period began.

“Yeah...” He whispered to himself. Today seems to be a lucky day.

Chapter Text

An Inkling hummed to himself as he texted and walked though the hallway.

“OMG wait! You're Aloha!” Someone in front of him blushed and took out their phone. “Can I snap a pic with you?”

He smirked and leaned in, worsening their blush. He couldn't remember seeing them before, they're probably a first year fangirl. “Only if I can take one of the beauty in front of me~”

Oh, if the fan wasn't a blushing mess before, they were now.

Aloha put his hand on their shoulder and hugged them close, taking the phone from their hand, raising it up high, and taking the picture.

He gave their phone back and put more distance from them. “Now then, it's your turn darling~” He raised a camera that hung from his neck and looked for the best angle to capture thier image, letting them look at it afterwards.

“Omg, it's amazing! Thanks Aloha!” They ran away, hugging their phone closely. 

“Upload the pic later!” He shouted loud enough for them to hear.

Aloha checked the time. “Ah, I'm late now, hope thier still there.” He went back to humming as he walked, now looking closely at the photo.

“Geez, their makeup skills are awful.” Aloha can name at least one person who's makeup is always perfect, and this fan wasn't him.

~

Aloha got to a classroom and looked inside, not seeing the people he was looking for. “Ugh, great... now where could they have gone?”

“Is that Aloha?” Another, this time for sure, first year nervously looked at her friend group and pointed at Aloha.

“ALOHA?! OMG!!!”

The group ran up to him, making him take a few steps back. 

“Can we, like, get some pics with you?”

Aloha hide his disinterested expression and smiled. “Who am I to deny you lovely people~” His eyes moved to look at one of the girls already taking pictures of him before he had even agreed. “Although... It's only fair I take some pictures of you angels in return~”

::

Aloha sat on the first floor stair case. “Annoying, Picky, Rude, Unskilled.” He gave nicknames to the 4 Inkling fans he had in his digital camera and munched on some chocolate Picky gave him.

Like, who would say no to free gifts? Certainly not Aloha.

“It's a shame they only have pretty faces...” He sighed and closed his eyes. A sudden weight grew on his shoulder.

“What are you looking at?”

Aloha's eyes widened and he stood up quickly. “The heck?!” He held the camera close to his chest and stared at the Inkling he's been looking for this whole time—slowly rolling off the stairs...

“Where the heck have you been! Been looking for ya this whole time!” Aloha shouted at the blue Inkling with goggles on his head.

“Is there a reason you've been looking for Goggles?” A girl—who Aloha failed to notice behind him—asked him.

Aloha looked behind him and saw 3 more blue Inklings. One with glasses, another with a bobble hat, and the last who had spoken to him wore headphones.

He quickly smiled at them all. “Aloha to you all! You tots remember me right?”

The group looked at one another confused and shook their heads from side to side.

“Really?!” Aloha was shocked. “It's been like a day since you three talked to me! You know? "Hey, can you keep an eye out for our friend? His name is Goggles and he's running late." Does that not ring any bells?!”

“Ah!” Glasses remembered walking up to Aloha and asking him to look for Goggles, who was running late.

“You need me?” Goggles smiled curiously.

“Yup!” Aloha took out a paper and handed it to them. “Wanna come to a party I'm hosting tomorrow night? Your friends can also go if they want.”

“Oooo, a party!” Bobble grabbed the paper and...looked(?) at it, showing Headphones who leaned over see.

Headphones looked over at Glasses who just shrugged, confused. “I don't see why not.”

“Yay!” Goggles and Bobble cheered.

“Awesome!” Aloha made a thumbs up. “I'll see you all then!”

“Wait! Really quickly,” Headphones called out to him before he left. “What's your name?”

Aloha felt insulted. “Seriously!? Did my, "Aloha to you all.", not hint it enough?” He flicked the tentacles that rested on his side and closed his eyes. “The name's Aloha! Secretary of the Student Council, and leader of the Photography Club!”

“You're a student council member?!” Headphones and Glasses said in surprise.

“Mhm!” He waved goodbye to them. “Peace out! I still have some invitations to hand out!”

Aloha rushed outside of the school and towards the running track where he knew a certain orange tentacled boy was.

“Army~!” He called out to the familiar orange drill sergeant as he neared.

Army was already dreading whatever Aloha was about to say. He ordered the new trainees to run a few laps and turned to Aloha, begrudgingly greeting the party animal and crossing his arms. “Good Evening Aloha. Make this quick.”

“You're lucky it is! Wanna come to a party I'm hosting tomorrow?”

“I am uninterested in attending such an event.” Army turned away from him.

“Awww, but that guy Rider is totes into is going to be there! I even went though the trouble of giving you a chance to meet him...”

“As I brought up yesterday, you have no confirmation that Rider is even interested in that boy!”

“Rider told me himself!”

Army glanced at Aloha with a frown, seeming more angry then before. “What.”

“Mhm!” Aloha lied straight out of his teeth. “I spoke to him today, and he was all like, "Hmph! I guess he's a little cute." It's true!”

“...Are you lying?”

“You can ask Rider if you want~” Aloha smirked. “But he might flip out when he learns you don't approve. Just saying~ It's safer to observe than to ruin what little friendship you have.”

“...Tch.” Army looked at the track. “Forge! Sailor twins! Come over here!”

“Understood!” The 3 inklings hurried to Army and stood in a horizontal line, feet apart and putting their hands behind their backs and greeting him.

“Aloha has invited us to a party.”

“Hey wait, I only invited y-Hmh! Aloha's mouth was covered by the shorter drill sergeant who continued.

“We will be attending this event. Should you find a boy with blue tentacles wearing goggles, please write down any information about him that could be of use. Understood?”

“Understood!”

Army coughed into his elbow and held it there. “...Make sure to have fun as well. It is a party after all. You may go back to what you were doing before!” He let go of Aloha's mouth as they left and cleaned his hand to his best abilities. “If that is all Aloha, I will excuse myself now.” Army walked away from Aloha to continue training some trainees.

Aloha sighed at the boring sight, never understood the obsession with military training.

Now alone, he grinned to himself and cheered. His plan was coming along nicely. Tomorrow night was going to be the first official step in his plan.

And Army plays the biggest part of it.

Chapter Text

The sky was orange as the sun set.

“Woah!” Goggles and Bobble awed at the sight in front of them.

Aloha sat on a padded beach chair. He lifted up his golf visor and grinned at them. “What up y'all!” Behind him, the most popular resort itself (and frequently used for turf battles) stood. Maihi-Maihi Resort. “Gald you could make it!”

“How expensive was it to reserve this place?!” Glasses asked, his eyes wide as Aloha stood up from the chair and walked over to them.

“Not much actually, since I work closely with this place.” Aloha held up the camera around his neck as a reminder. “That, and the owner's daughter is a fan of mine.”

“That's so cool!” Goggles admired.

“I know right! But moving on...” He clasped his hands together and swiftly got behind them all. “Get to socializing! Almost everyone here is a first year like y'all!” He started pushing them forward. “There's going to be a show on the big stage once it's night!”

Bobble happily grabbed Headphone's wrist and ran on ahead while Goggles did the same with Glasses, claiming he "smelled something good!" and left Aloha to nod proudly to himself.

“Oh Army~” He sang out loud enough for the person he was addressing to hear. “Your beret is poking out.”

The drill sergeant faintly jumped from the potted plant he hid behind, quickly standing up and fixing his special forces beret and huffing out a breath. Army frowned as the corner of his eye looked towards the direction his target of observation ran off to.

"Smelled something good."

Army will have to note down the kids sensitivity of smell. He began to walk to the food court.

“Geez, not even a hello?” Aloha huffed, feeling insulted.

::

Bobble and Goggles splitted ways, with the former taking Headphones to a game of volleyball and staying here to play, and the ladder dragging Glasses to wherever the mouth watering smell was coming from.

“Specs, look!” Goggles let go of Glasses's wrist and and pointed at the tables of food in front of them. 

Glasses acknowledged what Goggles said but was far more focused on adjusting his glasses that were about to fall off, and Goggles used this time to grab a plate and began picking out something to munch on.

He was about to grab the last slice of strawberry cake there when—

Another hand seemed to have the same idea. Both stopped and looked at each other, Goggles looked at the other curiously.

“Oh.” A purple Inkling spoke up and look at everything else expect for Goggles. His purple eyes landed back on the slice of cake, the conflict in his mind speaking louder then the words that never left his bandana-covered mouth. Ultimately, he took his hand away. “I'll... grab something else.”

Goggles watched quietly as the other started moving away completely.

“Why don't we split it?” He recommended. “Things taste better when their shared! My friends taught me that!”

The purple inkling paused. “. . . .'d be nice.”

“Yeah!” Goggles smiled widely and waited for the other to walk back to cut the slice in too.

The two places their own slices on their own plates and began eating. When Goggles finished his at an alarming rate, his eyes widened at the realization that the other had already finished.

“Wow! That was quick! How'd you do that?”

“Practice.”

“Thats so cool!”

“...Thanks.”

Glasses finished fixing his glasses. What was only meant to be a quick adjustment, turned into him noticing just how dirty the lenses had gotten and using his shirt to clean it.

He looked at Goggles, talking to someone with a skull bandana and lacking any eyebrows. He'd question it, but would that come off as rude?

Best not to risk it.

“Hey Goggles, are you done eating yet?”

“Yeah! I'm full!”

Glasses smiled and pointed behind himself. “Then we should head back to Headphones and Bobble, I promised thier parents to make sure nothing bad happens while we're out late.”

A lightbulb lit up above Goggles's head. “Oh! Just like how you promised my grandma!”

“Exactly!” He motioned for Goggles to follow him, remembering the path to the volleyball game the other two were at.

Goggles looked at his new purple Inkling friend with a grin. “I'll see you later, Bandana!”

“. . . .not my name.”

“Then what is?”

“S-”

“SKULL?!” Army accidentally shouted out in a high pitch, unlike his usual tone. His orange eyes were wide as he pointed accusingly at the purple inkling. “Why are you here of all places?!”

“Aloha promised sweets.”

Army's eyebrow twitched as he frowned. “That party animal! To think he would use such a weakness to get our—to get you—to come to such an event!” He grabbed his beret and held it tightly. “And where is everyone else?! Where is Aviator?”

“Lost him. He'll be fine on his own for a bit.”

“It is not him I am worried about! It is you that—” Army froze.

“That what?” Skull narrowed his eyes and wished to hear the ending of what Army paused on. Not out of anger, but to the shorter drill sergeant, it sure felt like it.

Army shut up and looked around with a panicked expression as he looked for a way to change the topic. Thankfully his original target of observation was still here (even if that meant he was watching in on this conversation along with his friend). “You two!” He pointed at Goggles and Glasses.

Glasses jumped nervously at the aggressive nature of whoever this was while Goggles only smiled and wondered what he needed them for.

“State your names, and any other title people might address you as!” Army pulled out one of his manuals and flipped to an empty page as he waited with a pen.

“I'm Goggles!” Goggles pulled Glasses close to him by his arm. “And this is Specs, aka Glasses!”

“Goggles. . . .Blue tentacles, along with his 3 teammates. . . .Estimated to be around 5ft tall. . . .Unique gearset: Pilot Goggles, created by the Forge company. He has excellent taste, I'll hand him that. . . .and has a keen sense of smell. . . .”

Glasses sweat as he watched the other ramble.

As if Skull could read his mind, he looked at Glasses and Goggles. “Army's often like this.”

The 3 of them waited for Army to finish whatever he needed to write down, with Skull grabbing wrapped candy's from the tables behind them and offering some to Goggles who accepted.

Army huffed as he finished.

“Waa that all that you needed?” Goggles asked. He was happy to answer anything else Army may want to know. 

“I have plenty, however!—” Army looked at Skull before staring at Goggles directly. “—I request I ask you those at a much later time. For now, answer me this one. What is your connection with Rider?”

“We're best friends!” Goggles confidently answered, something Army didn't take to well.

So not only were they friends...They were best friends?! Outrageous! How could this kid—who has only known Rider for 3 days—possibly be closer to Rider then Army. Someone who Rider has known, and shared classes, for 2 years now?!?!

Perhaps it truly meant that Rider—!

Army gasped and looked down at his manual, whispering something even he couldn't hear. Something he never thought he'd ever have say. “Aloha might be right for once...”

He needs to do something about this.

Army frowned and ran off.

The whole interaction was concerning to Glasses. Just what did Goggles get himself into? He wanted to know these answers but he also had more important things to do. “Goggles, we really should go towards Headphones and Bobble. It'll get dark soon.”

“Awww,” Goggles whined at the thought of leaving all of the yummy food here but recovered with a smile. “Alright then! We'll see you later Skull!”

“Bye.” Skull gave them a small wave as the two blue Inkling left. Just like Glasses, he took wondered what that whole interaction was about.

...Maybe he should attend their meetings more often...

::

Glasses and Goggles found the Volleyball match as a part of the small crowd that formed on the sidelines.

Another pink Inkling with the same color as Aloha held a digital camera and worked to get the best shots of the game.

Even if they were losing, Headphones and Bobble had the brightest smiles out of everyone playing.

::

As the sun set down on the horizon, and the moon made itself known, Aloha checked the stage to see if everything was ready for the music performance.

He just barely caught the sight of Army leaving the party, and he scolded himself. 

Great. There isn't any way to bend Army's thinking now to fit his goal now. The most he could do is hope that Army fell into the trap. Knowing that drill sergeant, he'd get annoyed by Goggles's presence alone. 

Aloha let out a long and annoyed sigh.

“Woah! What's brought the host of this party so down?” One of the signers asked.

“Just Army being Army.”

She gets out a small laughed. “Oh drill sergeant in-training, Army. Gramps is glad "kids like him still exist" you know.”

“Ha! As if. The best Army is good for is money and useless training for the military we haven't needed since that war something something years ago.” Aloha remarked.

“At least he isn't some spoiled rich kid.” The inkling girl pointed out.

“I guess.”

Chapter Text

“Blazer I d-don't dance.” Stealth told Blazer as she took Bamboo and him to area where Inkling were dancing to the music

“Then I can teach here!”

“But—!”

Bamboo put a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe not now Blazer. If he doesn't know how to, then you can teach him another day.”

“Aw....” Blazer let go of hoodie. Her grin came back as she took a stronger hold on Bamboo. “In that case, wait here Stealth!”

“Wha-Hey!” Bamboo was quickly dragged forward as Blazer had her follow her lead.

Stealth let out a reliefed breath. Trying to keep friends really is difficult.

It's fine, just don't disappoint them all they won't have a reason to leave you here! You got this, Stealth!

He went back to watching Bamboo fail to understand Blazer. Some times the two of them would laugh as they performed the wrong moves.

It must be nice.

After enough laughs, they headed back to Stealth.

“We were great right?” Blazer held a thumps up as she grinned.

Stealth smiled, holding in his laugh. “Yeah!”

“Just you wait Stealth! One of these days, I'm going to teach you how to dance so couldn't have to wait here!” Blazer announced as she ignored how Stealth froze.

Bamboo nodded. “Good luck Stealth.” The hint of a smile formed.

They followed Blazer as she used this time to make friends with other first year students. Sometimes she would pull Bamboo or Stealth near and tell them to introduce themselves.

Bamboo did a much better job of course, just saying her name and answering a few questions the others might have. 

While Stealth...

“Come on Stealth! Introduce yourself!”

“R-right! Wait...you already—I mean— I'm Stealth! Mice to meet you!” He felt his face go red of embarrassment thinking he failed.

The others grinned and laughed at his energy. “You've got a strong voice Stealth! You could join the music club with that volume!”

“Ah, I'm not interested in clubs. B-but thanks!”

...Stealth was good enough.

Stealth groaned once they left the group of Inklings. “Your not interested in joining a club?” Blazer leaned her head as she asked him. 

“No...” He lied. “Not really.”

Two knights fought against each other. A classic story of two friends who now fought to take the others life, by orders of their own king, in one grand fight before the play ended.

“That's a shame.” Blazer sighed and looked at Bamboo, forgetting to look ahead. “What about you Bamboo? Have you seen any cool clubs yet? I'm leaning towards the Newspaper Club!”

“The Gardening club seems nice.”

“Ooo! I can see you enjoying tha—!” Blazer dumped into someone's back.

“Seriously! I spilled my drink cause of you!” They frowned and pinched the part that was stain to keep it away from their skin.

Stealth internally panicked even if it wasn't his fault. 

“Sorry!” Blazer apologized. “I wasn't looking where I was going!”

They stared at Blazer and scoffed at her clothes. “What type of person wears their uniform to a party? You got nothing else to wear, or what?”

“Hey!” She crossed her arms and squinted her eyes at them. “I like the uniform, that's why!”

The other laughed. “You like it so much you don't change out of it? All I'm hearing is you don't have anything else to wear.” They held the cup in their hand harder and rudely threw the rest at Blazer's sweater.

Her eyes widened as the apple juice sunk into her sweater.

“Buy something else for once, you'll thank me later.” They dropped the cup and started to walk away.

Bamboo grabbed thier shoulder and tightened her grip on it. “Apologize to her, right, now.” Her head was leaned enough to have her Bamboo Hat hide all but her mouth.

“Let go of me.” They demanded.

“The school gave us our uniforms. You can buy another shirt for all I care, but you can't buy another school sweater.” She lifted her head. Her usual cold eyes showed nothing but anger. “Apologize and hope this stain doesn't last or else you'll regret it.”

“How dare you threaten me!” They slapped her hand away. “You can give her your's if it means so much.”

“APOLOGIZE TO HER OR ELSE!” Bamboo yelled for the first time.

Stealth sweat. It's only been 3 days (counting today) since he's known Bamboo, and she's always been cold yet caring to Blazer and him. To see her this angry....

“THAT'S ENOUGH!” A louder voice froze them all. Black boots hit the ground as they neared. Those Yellow-green eyes of his stared at Bamboo and the other. “Step away from each other.”

Bamboo pressed her mouth together and looked at the floor, hiding her eyes once more, and listened to his order while clinching her fists.

“Not even the second week has passed and you already want to kill each other.” Rider crossed his hands and frowned at the two.

::

(A while back)

Aloha was double checking the lighting when on of his friends messaged him.

TurtlesLoveMe: «'loha! I spotted drama happen'n near the left middle area!»

DiscoBallDancer: «Leave it to me! I'll tell Rider to deal with it! Stay there and give me the deets later! K?»

TurtlesLoveMs: «K!»

 ::

(Back to current time)

“Run along now,” He waved his hand to shoo the other Inkling away. The other happily walked away. “and you,” He looked at Bamboo. “Try not to kill them next time I'm not here.”

“Right.” The anger that was there left Bamboo.

The yellow-green Inkling turned his head to the pink Inkling with a straw hat as she finished recording and set her phone in her pocket.

“Why'd you cause a scene for a sweater.” He inquired to know.

“It belongs to my older sister.” Blazer piped up. “I lost mine before school started...and she gave me her old one.”

Ah, sentimental value.

Rider thought for a moment. He was going to say that the sweater could be washed, but if it's an older design, predating the ones their current Treasurer came up with, he doesn't know if it would easily wash.

But it would be better to reassure the kid rather then tell them it's a lost cause. He's not a monster. Some morals have to be in place. “You should leave and wash it before it drys then.”

Blazer felt sad. She would be leaving before the party ended in that case. She looked at Bamboo for an idea of what she should do.

The said Inkling nodded slowly. The yellow-green Inkling was right, they should leave and stay home for the rest of the day. “Let's go, come on Stealth.”

Stealth jumped, he didn't even realize he was spacing out. “R-right!”

Useless as always, Stealth.

Bamboo took Blazer by the wrist and the 3 walked away.

The pink Inkling with the recording skipped over to him with a smile. “Meanie Rider saves da day!”

“Quit it with that name, Straw.” He glared at her, something that didn't seem to work as she laughed.

Within the crowd that was now dispersing, an Inkling ran up behind Rider and jumped him to the ground. “Rider!”

“Stop it with that already!” Rider didn't need to see to know it was Goggles, someone he was lucky enough to avoid almost long enough for this annoying party to end. “Get off!”

As Rider struggled with Goggles, The pink Inkling watched in amazement and snapped some pictures. So this was the guy Aloha was telling them about!

Goggles got up and waited for Rider to do the same. “I lost my friends and heard your voice, so I followed it!” He laughed and scratched his neck.

“Right.” Rider sighed. “Let's get you back with them so you'll stop annoying me.”

“Thanks Rider!” Goggles followed and grabbed his wrist.

*Snap*

“'loha's going to love these pics!” The pink Inkling whispered to herself as they left.

::

“Goggles!” Bobble ran up to him with a smile and open arms to hug. “You goof!”

“Sorry guys!” Goggles laughed and let go of Rider to hug her. “I got lost!”

Headphones and Glasses hurried to him and yelled in unison. “We know!!!”

“Who's this?” Bobble looked at a yellow-green Inkling next to Goggles.

Goggles smiled and directed his arms to Rider. “This is Rider! We're best friends!”

Rider frowned at the last line.

“So that's Rider...” Glasses sweat as he looked at the clearly mad Inkling. So much for being shy... Goggles's first description of they guy was completely off!

Rider figured it was time to leave.

A hand grabbed his and pulled him along. “Let's take Rider with us!” He told his friends, two of which were unsure while Bobble agreed. 

Rider couldn't pull his arm away, the grip Goggles had on him was too strong yet it didn't hurt at the same time. “To where!” He demanded to know.

“Aloha said there was going to be a show once it's night!” Bobble happily answered him. “We're getting there before others!”

Huh, Aloha never told Rider that...

Goggles gasp as he realized something. “Rider! I thought you were a second year!”

“I am!” He quickly answered. “Aloha invited a selected few of us because he could.”

“Oooo! How many?”

“As if I know!” Rider huffed and put his hands on his hips once Goggles let go.

The lights to the stage suddenly turned on, the colors coming from them were pink as Aloha ran to the mic in the middle, ignore the one of his left and right.

“Aloha to you all!” He raised his hand into the air, grinning. The attention of everyone was drawn to him with most fans of his chanting his name and taking photos while he posed. “I hope you've all been partying to your best, but the party is almost over!”

Some aws of disappointment were heard.

“Hey now! I don't make the rules,” Aloha put his hands on the same level as his head. “maybe a few—But before we send you off, I've got one finale show for you lovely fans~” He began walking backwards and away from the center.

A large stage lights changed to green and went to the right while another stayed pink and went to the left.

“Our lovely third year announcers, the stars of the school, and granddaughters to our principal—”

An Inkling with long black tentacles that turned pink near the ends ran over to the right mic, while her cousin was still walking over.

“—The Squid Sisters!” Aloha raised arm at them as the crowd went wide. “Your welcome~” He disappeared backstage.

The two greeted the excited audience of first years. Callie, the inking with black hair that easy styled into a bow, and her cousin Marie, who had white hair that also formed a bow. A song started as the two started to dance and sing.

“How come everyone else seems to know these two?” Glasses wondered outloud as he looked at the people now around them. Even Rider seemed to be surprised.

“Either your dumb, lived under a rock, didn't research the school your entering properly, or don't have social media.”

“I'm three of those!” Goggles smiled.

::

Blazer opened the door to her house and invited Bamboo and Stealth in. The air around them was silent, all disappointed at themselves for thier own reasons.

Her older sister was in the kitchen when she heard the front door. “Blaze, your back!” She put on a timer and walked out of the kitchen. “I'm still making dinner so you'll have to wait for a bit. How was....”

Her eyes widened when she saw her younger sister holding her sweater in her arms. Blazer's eyes were red and puffy.

She's been crying.

Her older sister gave her a hug. “Bamboo, what happened?”

“...I apologize...We dumped into someone and Blazer apologized, but they threw what was left in the drink at her–at your–sweater.”

“Oh, Blaze...” She pet her sisters hair gave a reassuring smile. “We can just wash it.”

“But what if—*Hic*—it doesn't!”

“Blaze, I've owned that sweater for years, trust me, there's nothing to worry about.” She took the sweater from Blazer's hands and made her look at her. “Play with your friends while I finish making dinner. You don't have anything to worry about, I promise.”

Stealth looked at the door. “I should go...”

“Your walking home?” Her older sister asked him. “It's completely dark by now. You should text one of your parental guardian to pick you up.”

You'd be leaving them, Stealth.

Friends are there for each other.

“...I'll text my dad then.”

Blazer smiled a bit and took Bamboo and Stealth to her room. A place Bamboo was all too familiar with as she sat down on a cushion on the floor and faced the T.V.

“Blazer and me have sleepovers often.” Bamboo tried to start the conversation, something she isn't use to. “We always tried to sneak downstairs and steal ice cream from the freezer when we were younger.”

Blazer chuckled a bit, tired as she rubbed her eyes. “You always covered me with the blacket whenever we were caught.”

“I've never been in a sleepover.” Stealth looked at the floor.

“We should have one some day.” Bamboo stated. “The last time Blazer and I have had one was years ago.”

Blazer's eyes widened. “You said we were too old for them now.”

Bamboo pulled her hat down to hide her face. “Y-yes...but I suppose we could make an expectation.” She was glad the two couldn't see her embarrassed face.

That caused Blazer to smile again although it was less energetic as it was in the evening, it was great to see her feel better. She turned on the T.V. and grabbed a pair of controls. “I don't have a third controller but...”

“I'll watch.” Bamboo lifted her hat and smiled at Blazer.

By the time dinner was ready, Blazer and the other 2 were much happier, creaking jokes while Stealth's father drove over to pick him up.

Chapter Text

Perhaps it was the party on Saturday, but the day following that was uneventful and Monday rolled around before others realized it.

Army took his usual morning walk around and within the school. How early was it? One would assume it was 5a.m., seeing as how the sun was only just now raising from the horizon.

Someone ran up from behind him and jumped up with their hands opened up in what was meant to be a backwards hug, but turned into them falling face first once Army moved aside.

“Owwww...” Aloha rubbed his cheek.

“Good morning Aloha.” The drill sergeant greeted him plainly as he looked down at the party animal. “What business do you have with me as of this moment?”

“You know, "What's up" works too...” Aloha muttered just loud enough as he stood up and stretched his arms. “Anyways! I've got two things to say today!”

“Then make it quick.” Army crossed his arms.

Aloha took out his phone and scrolled though his messages. “Found it!” He clicked on a video Straw sent him after the party ended. “It's one of those reports you deal with all the time.” He handed the phone to Army to grab.

It wasn't anything new, just your average almost fights that Army usually dealt with expect Rider was the one to deal with it this time.

But what caught Army's attention was the why that started this in the first place; A sweater that a girl wore.

That was an older design, one that they stopped creating in order to obtain a more updated look.

Still, the importance of it being the school's original uniform meant a lot to Army.

And this imbecile really just spilled juice on it! The design could be ruined and—

“Army,” Aloha brought his attention back. “You're buying me a new phone if you break this one.” he gave the drill sergeant a closed-eyes smile. “And I know which model I want~!”

He hadn't realize just how hard he was gripping the innocent phone. “Tch.” Army mentality noted the appearance of the idiot and turned the phone off to hand back to Aloha. He then took of his planner and a pen to mark down a date to settle this case on.

“He is very loud. I have met one of his friends called Glasses, who can also go by Specs, but I still need to obtain more information on him.”

To think that Rider of all people would be interested in him...Perhaps Army didn't know the other as well as he thought he did. No matter, Army will write this new information down!

While he took out a manual from one of his pockets and wrote, he continued. “I have not seen his eating etiquettes, and it is far too early in the school year to know where his grades stand. But orientation did inform me that he does not have a good sense of direction. If he wishes to be with Rider, I can start by shaping him into the best!”

Aloha let the words flow from his head. He didn't care much for what Army has to say. It didn't fit what he had in mind.

Yeah, shaping Goggles into what Army thinks is "Rider's Ideal" would still wind up with the two getting which is Aloha's main plan—but what's the fun that? Where the challenge, the action! Dare he even say...darma.

He smiled at Army. “That's a great plan!” He praised the drill sergeant who had a surprised face. It wasn't everyday that Aloha went along or even agreed with his idea.

The day he truly means it still has yet to come.

“Although...” He continued. “I think you should use this as an opportunity instead.”

“...Elaborate.”

“That military training ya do has bad rep. Most students with brains wouldn't even consider joining such a useless program. So how about you challenge Goggles—a 'friendly practice'—to show everyone just how great that program is?”

Army thought about it. Was there really a negative connotation of uselessness? Why was he not made aware of it if it was?

It would explain as to why there were less trainees then last year. Back when he had joined, there were plenty.

Though most left halfway though the year.

“How would it boost the program?” He muttered.

Huh, so that's why Aloha's club took off.

Army frowned, not of anger, but from deeply thinking. “To use someone's loss for my gain... That is not right, it—” Aloha stopped Army from continuing. The happy expression he had before was gone, replaced with an annoyed looked.

He smiled again. “You know, the others have talk about you.” Army's eyes widened. “You already know they hate you, oh weakest member, but know that if you win I'll happily let you upgrade to Secretary of the Student Council. The title of weakest member would be passed down to me. Isn't that wonderful?”

Aloha moved away from the frozen drill sergeant. “I better hear some news by this evening, don't let us down Army~” He turned around with the most innocent grin on his face and walked away. Yes, this method was much simpler, but where's the fun that?

Army stood there, his expression unreadable. He pressed his lip tightly. He really shouldn't, he knew this. The morals that fought a losing battle against his pride failed to stop him from taking his phone out and calling someone.

“Good morning Army.” Forge, his teammate, answered the call almost instantly. “Is something the matter?”

“Get me all the information on a boy named Goggles, along with his...friends. Write down all of it and don't leave a single piece out.”

Forge looked at her phone, not understanding but not daring to ask why. “Understood.” She waited for Army to hang up the call.

Chapter Text

“Goggles, You did it!” Bobble cheered as the last class of the day ended. “You stayed awake!”

“Yeah!” Goggles proudly grinned. “Pickled plums are the best!” He held one up to her, inviting her to have it. Bobble took it and munched on the snack.

Headphones sighed and smiled tiredly. “That's good, but now I'm the one who's tired.”

“You can have one if you want!” Goggles offered her one as well, Headphones refused but thanked him either ways.

Glasses was organizing the papers that he had on his desk as he said, “That's our sign to head home.” Headphones nodded and got up from her seat to sketch.

The group also finished putting everything away and walked over to the sliding doors to leave the classroom. When they opened the doors and began walking in the hallway.

Other students were also in the hallway either because of the after school clubs or simply wanting to stay for a bit longer.

The speakers suddenly came on and they paused.

“Hey y'all,” Callie, a magenta and black tentacled squid, greeted from within the announcement room. “We've just received exciting news!” She read from the paper handed to her just now.

“Huh, I wonder what that might be.” Glasses mumbled out loud.

“Glasses,”

He jumped when he heard his own name.

“Bobble,”

Aloha grinned. “Oh my~”

“Headphones, and Goggles.”

Rider stared at the speaker in his class. He knew what was next. And seeing how annoying Goggles and his friends were, he wasn't all too surprised they managed to get into this situation. Though he did wonder who they managed to tick off to get them to—

“You have been challenged by second-year Amy! If you accept, head to the military training grounds. They'll be waiting. And to those who want to watch, please head to the roof for the best view! That's all, Staaay fresh!” Callie turned off the microphone and threw the paper away. “Come on Marie! We have to watch this!” Her cousin nodded and they headed to the roof.

Glasses was shaking. “H-huh?! What is this?!” He looked at the other students in the hall with them whispering as they hurried to where he assumed they were heading; the roof.

“We should go! It sounds like fun!” Goggles grabbed Glasses' wrist and pulled him.

Headphones grabbed Glasses' other wrist and pulled the other direction. “We should just go home! They said 'if you accept,' so we don't have to accept it at all!” They played tug of war with Glasses and Bobble laughed at how silly they were being.

“If you're smart, you'd know you can't refuse.” Rider's voice surprised the three of them.

“Rider!” Goggles let go and ran over to the Yellow-green Inkling who grabbed his head and stopped him.

“Don't. You. Dare.”

“How'd you find us here?” Headphones wondered.

He huffed. “I wasn't trying to. This is the fastest way to the roof.”

“You too?! And what do you mean we can't refuse?!” Glasses shouted.

Rider pushed Goggles back and kept a close eye on him in case he still tried to jump him. “You really don't get it, do you? Army just challenged you guys in front of the whole school. If you don't attend, you've already admitted defeat and the entire school knows your name now.” 

It was a dirty tactic. The fact that Army of all people used it…Just what is going on? What is Army thinking? Rider can hardly tell what that spoiled man-child is thinking anymore.

“So,” Headphones gulped. “We can't just leave…is that what you're saying?”

Rider nodded. “You should go before others think you've chickened out.” He continued to walk away.

“Then we have to go…” Headphones dreaded.

“Where exactly is this training ground?” Bobbles thought about it.

Aloha suddenly slammed himself into a row of lockers. He groaned, he really should stop running so quickly to the point he can't stop in time. He had clearly been running around looking for them.

He sighed and smiled excitingly once he found the 4 Blue Inklings. “Do you need help getting to the training ground!?”

“Yeah actually!” Goggles gave a thumbs up.

“Then follow me!”

“We really are doing this...” Glasses and Headphones mumbled as they followed Aloha.

::

Define Challenge.

As a verb: it means to invite someone, or to engage in a contest.

Inkopolis Plaza High School is no stranger to challenges. If you wanted something someone else had (as long as it wasn't a living being or caused physical harm), you could challenge them for it.

Of course, the person you're challenging could refuse, but depending on how you do it, they'll have to accept. No. Matter. What.

Should you win, not only would you get what you wanted, you would be the winner everyone loves.

But should you lose, you'll be declared a loser.

And no one likes a loser.

As son of the highest investors of the Forge company, Army knew the stakes were high for him. And those stakes were higher for Forge, the daughter of the Forge company itself.

Should they end up losing...

He reached inside of his blazer's pocket and pulled out a small round mirror, and used it to check his face paint. He stared at himself.

You will be fine.

They went over it during lunch. Although the plan was one a coward would use, he knew it would guarantee their win.

He was turned away from the school, with hands placed behind his back, hiding the number of students who were already on the roof and waiting. He was also waiting for the inevitable; the four Inklings he named "Blue Team" in his manual.

When he heard 5 pairs of shoes hitting the ground behind him, he waited for them to stop before looking over his shoulder. “Aloha, leave.”

“No.” The party animal and him shared a moment of silence. Army could hear the words Aloha wasn't saying out loud.

"I hope you lose."

We don't plan to.

“And they've accepted the challenge!” Callie announced with her handheld microphone. The Inklings on the roof cheered. “Before the game begins, let us know what you will be playing, Army!”

Army turned to face the students on the roof. He took a breathe in…“THE GAME, IS CAPTURE THE FLAG!” His voice reached the school clearly, as expected for a drill sergeant who's trained his voice.

“Oooo! Capture the flag! How exciting! Right Marie?”

“It'll test teamwork and agility, wouldn't that put Army and his friends at an advantage?”

“Now, now Marie, there's only one way to know for sure! May the team's head to their respective sides!”

Army looked at the Blue team and directed them to the right, with a flag that was the same color as their tentacles.

“Wait a minute…” Goggles moved to look at at Army closer. “Oh hey, you're the one we met at Aloha's party! So your name is Army? That's so cool! I hope we have fun!”

Army's eye twitched. Honestly, what purpose does something as absurd as, "having fun" have when winning is all that mattered?

“Want a pickled plum?” Goggles took one out from his pocket.

Army slapped his hand away. “No. Aloha, be useful and lead them away.” He began walking to his own teams orange flag.

“That was a perfectly good pickled plum…” Goggles stared at his fallen snack as if mourning a death. Headphones patted his back.

“Aloha, just what is happening right now?” Glasses practically begged Aloha for answers.

Aloha hummed to himself as he skipped over to the Blue Teams part of the ground. “No clue~ I told him about you guys and how cool you were, but because he hates little'o me, he hates you guys too…sorry.” He played innocent.

“He hates you? Why's that?” Headphones tilted her head slightly.

Hook, line, and sinker. Aloha grinned as she took the bait. “Army gets very jealous because I'm the secretary of the student council. If he rants about me, ignore him, it's nothing but lies.”

“Alright.”

Aloha finished leading them though the training ground and pointed at a hill being overshadowed by a tree. “I'll be watching from there, it's got the best in-person view. Cya!” He skipped away with a smile. “Oh! And one final thing! If you don't win, the school will hate you~!”

“WHAT?!” Headphones and Glasses yelled in sync.

“Before we begin, let's go over the rules of the game. Callie, go ahead.”

“

“The rules are simple! You and your teammates will try to reach the enemy team's flag, grab it, and take it back to your own base. But be careful! Leaving your own flag unprotected gives your enemy a chance to steal your's first! To add to the game, there are belts with pullable tags near your flag that you must attach to your waist. If your enemy pulls a tag off, you must drop the flag if you have it and return to your base before you can play again! You and your teammates can't pick up your own flag for 15 seconds after it's been dropped by the enemy. Me and Marie will tell you when you can pick up your flag.”

“Callie, you forgot the most important piece of information.” Marie looked at the confused expression on Callie and sighed. She took out her phone and typed something into it before tiredly waving it around. “You have 5 minutes. The match might end before that, but if not, whoever brought the opposing team's flag the closest to their own base is declared the winner. Overtime is only given in special situations.”

Bobble found the belts near the flag and handed one to each of her friends to put on.

“Now that both teams are ready…” Callie and Marie raised their opposite arm up.

“Specs, do you think Army has teammates?” Headphones whispered to Glasses.

“We're about to find out.” He rubbed the nervous sweat forming on his cheek. Was what Aloha said really true? Would they be hated? He didn't want them to have attention, but Glasses knew that being loved was better than being hated. He inhaled slowly and exhaled. 

“Begin!” The cousins dropped their hands to mark the start of the match.

The four friends, while not having any plan, began running to the middle.

Goggles ran ahead of the 3, while they had some time right now, the others took in the scenery.

The training ground was by no means simple. It felt like a hallway, forcing the two teams to encounter each other at some point, but it wasn't. There were hills which could prevent you from seeing what was beyond, only granting permission once you reached the top. 

The few trees in the front created faint shadows, and the bushes moving from the wind made her shiver. Not to mention how the number of trees, and therefore shade, increased the further back it was from the school. It was a place only those who were on said 

Bobble's closed eyes stayed glued to one of the hills. What she saw was well hidden, but very hard to ignore once one saw it. She investigated it while she could, and caught up to her friends shortly after.

“Is this really a training ground?” Headphones muttering to herself. She expected the place to be nothing more than a large empty dirt field, not something as grand as this. “It feels as if we're in a real battlezone…”

“A place where someone who knows the territory could appear from anywhere…” Glasses added on in his own amazement. “You think they added all this stuff? Everything seems too perfectly placed to be natural.”

“They must've.” Headphones looked over to the school where students observed. With the exception of a few trees, there wasn't anything blocking the views of the onlookers. “It's as if it was built with an audience in mind.”

Callie's booming voice got their attention. “Blue Team has reached the middle!”

“Nice!” Headphones cheered. She looked back at Bobble and Glasses, who were behind Goggles and her. “If it's only Army we're up against, then we can corner him in no time!”

An orange Inklings dropped from the tree Headphones was halfway done running under, and her way. The action caused the 4 friends to come to a halt in surprise. They weren't given any more time after that and the Inkling charged towards one of Headphones's tags, successfully grabbing it and raising it up into the air for clear view.

Glasses and Bobble were next after that. Two other Inkling who had snuck up on them from behind while they were distracted pulled one of their tags off and raised it into the air.

Army dropped down from another one of the trees and swiftly pulled Goggle's tag. “Predictable.” He raised the tag into the air.

“WOW! It's a total Wipeout!” Callie announced with amazement. “How did Orange Team get there? I didn't see them once!” She grabbed her cousin's shoulders and shook them, jokingly demanding for answers.

“No clue.” Marie nonchalantly said.

Army plucked the dirt off his blazer's sleeve up while Blue Team couldn't do anything, and glazed at Goggles with disapproving eyes. As if an unspoken command was said, Orange Team let go of the tags in their hands and sprinted off to obtain Blue Team's flag, which they—Oh so graciously—left undefended by coming here.

The 4 friends stared on, seemingly unaware of the fact they should be stopping them. 

This annoyed Rider. He was furious, and being right next to Callie, grabbed her microphone. “WHAT ARE YOU STANDING AROUND FOR?! ARE YOU TRYING TO LET HIM WIN?!”

They didn't need to be told twice, hurried to chase after the opposing team.

Rider gave Callie her microphone back, feeling satisfied as he crossed his arms and watched again as if nothing happened—As if there weren't people who were currently staring at him from behind. Why wouldn't they? The Rider they knew never spoke to "no-names", i.e. everyone.

But Rider's desire to see the drill-sergeant in-training lose in the very challenge he started was greater than anything else. While he highly doubted Blue Team would win, they are his highest bet of making Army fall. Now that he could no longer do it.

All he could do is watch now. Watch as Army was the first to reach Blue Team's flag, and watch as Blue Team finally caught up and stepped close enough to be considered "back at base" and were allowed to play again, and watch as Marie annoyed it.

Army frowned. His teammates stood in front of him, acting as a wall of defense as they readied themselves. “One of you is missing.” He stated.

Headphones jumped, and quickly counted heads. It was true, only 2 of her friends were with her. “Where's Goggles?!”

“H-huh?! He was with us just a second ago?” Glasses flat out panicked as he called out for Goggles.

“It doesn't matter where Goggles is at anymore.” Army muttered to himself. Goggles could be at Orange Team's base, looking and reaching out for the flag, running back to his teammates with it believing they could win, but none of it would matter.

Because Army pulled his tag off, 

And Goggles never returned to his own base.

Yes, everything is perfect.

Army, flag in hand, ordered his final command to his teammates. “Keep them busy.”

“Understood.” Forge, the Inkling who first jumped out of the trees and blocked Headphones's way, started running towards Glasses who in return ran the fastest he had ever gone. What a shame he couldn't realize he was going in a circle.

1 down, 3 to go.

With that clearing, Army sprinted off back to Orange Team's base.

Headphones began chasing after him. Even if he was quicker, she had to do something. They passed through the trees and each time Army took a sharp turn, she mimicked it until—

“Headphones' tag has been pulled!”

“Huh?! Who—” She looked beside her at the Orange Inkling girl who she didn't notice was following her.

“The name's Sailor White, call me Sailor-W!” She saluted Headphones with a smile. “You should head back to your base now.”

“...Thanks?” Headphones stared at the surprisingly friendly Inkling. She took one look at where they were and froze.

“Let me guess, you're lost?” Sailor-W asked her, knowing the answer already but waited for Headphones to nod. “Yeah,” She chuckled, “I remember when I got lost here too. But we're actually lucky, I heard this place used to look like a jungle no one looked after. It's thanks to Army that the school could afford it's improvement.”

Headphones's grew curious about what Sailor-W meant by that, and asked to know more. And each time she received an answer, she only grew more curious like a plant who couldn't get enough water.

2 down, 2 to go.

Bobble ran into the trees as the remaining member of Orange Team followed behind.

::

“So like, where is Goggles?” Callie looked around.

Marie was using her binoculars to zoom in closer to the training ground. She sighed when she couldn't find the blue Inkling.

Rider rubbed the bridge of his nose. He turned away from the Training ground. “I'm going home.” It was clear that Army would win this match like the match before it.

And the other matches before that.

Callie moved her microphone away from herself. “Awww, why not stay? With that little sunt you did you're basically another announcer!”

“That's your responsibility, not mine.” 

“Oh come on,” She leaned on the rails and rested her head on one of her hands. “Just stay a bit longer, we only have 2 or so minutes left.” She smiled and poked his cheek, much to his disliking. “You know you want to~”

“...” Rider glanced back at the training ground. He sighed, annoyed that Callie was right, and decided to stay.

“Ah, Look Callie,” Callie and Rider looked over to where Marie was pointing at. “I found Goggles.”

“Wow! This is the most excited I've heard you being all day!” Callie brought her microphone closer again before speaking to Goggles. “Yo! Goggles! You need to head back to your base in order to be able to grab Orange Team's flag!”

“I got lost!!!” Goggles cried out even though Callie, Marie, or Rider couldn't hear him. 

How did Goggles get here? Easy answer, he lost sight of his friends and ended up running in the other direction, somehow managing to stay hidden from those watching.

“I should not have expected any better from you.” Army hopped down from a tree just and walked over towards him, stopping a few feet in front of Goggles.

“And where did you go?!” Callie asked the drill-sergeant in-training who plucked off more recent dirt he had gained on his blazer.

Army never answered Callie, he seemed…tired. “3 minutes, and 23 seconds have passed.” He told Goggles while he looked at his dirted wrist watch. Goggles swore Army looked hurt, but by what? He didn't know. “Could you answer a question I have, Goggles?”

“Sure!” The Blue Inkling nodded and smiled.

“...What did you do differently?”

Goggles tilted his head, still with that dumb smile. Army knew he didn't understand.

Army messed with his beret, and when he wasn't it would be his sleeve. “Rider. You claimed you were his "friend". I took it seriously–I have to of course–but I still doubted it was the truth.” He looked up at the school, where Rider was standing and watching them. “But…why did Rider tell you win? I'm his friend, he should be telling that to me. Me, not you. Not to a first-year. Not to some no-name. It's me he should be cheering for!” Army took a breath. “...What did you do differently.”

Goggles was quiet for once. No smile, no goofy face. Even he could tell that something was wrong with Army. It was only thanks to Army's self discipline that he could control the tears forming in his eyes. But even his training had limits, and it was running out.

“I didn't do anything.” Goggles answered honestly. “The first time we met, I knocked him to the ground out of habit. He wasn't very happy.” Goggles chuckled at the memory. “I don't know if Rider thinks of me as a friend, but I consider him my friend. So, he is my friend. Even if he might not think the same.”

Something in Army changed. He looked at Goggles with a hint of hope in his eyes. He quickly blinked and carefully cleaned his lower eyelid, barely touching his eye mask. He smiled faintly. “For a fool who gets lost so often, never once would I have thought I would be so grateful to hear—”

“Yo! Army! Are you going to end the match or what?” Callie interrupted what Army was saying.

Army was pulled back from his vulnerable state and coughed into his sleeve, moving his hands to fix his tie underneath his school sweater. “Right, I apologize for acting out of line.” He started walking, ready to end the game.

“Army,” Goggles spoke to him while Army walked to his base. “Feeling sad isn't acting out of line. And I'm sure Rider considers you a friend!”

Oh, that made Army stop all right. The drill-sergeant looked over his left shoulder to Goggles, as if he said something Army couldn't understand. Yet, Army smiled, and Goggles smiled back.

“Army's tag has been pulled!”

Army felt time freeze as he slowly registered and turned to look at the Blue Inkling with closed eyes on his right, holding his tag into the air. His base was right in front of him, and he hadn't stepped onto it.

::

(A while back)

“Tag! You're it!” Bobble said as she tagged Sailor-B's shoulder and turned to run away from him.

Sailor-B turned around to chase after Bobble. The two laughed as they went back and forth on who was the tagger and who was the runner.

One of them was bound to get tired eventually. 

“You…you have a…a lot of energy, Bobble…” Sailor-B leaned on one of the trees while he caught his breath. He went back to chasing Bobble when he was finished breathing, but she was long gone by then. “Bobble! Where… were'd ya go?” He ran around to find her, and eventually left the area, believing she was up ahead.

3 down, 1 to go.

Bobble poked her head out from the tree she hid behind and watched as Sailor-B ran off. She got up and looked around, she knew where she was.

This is where they were before, with that hill.

…That hill…

Bobble walked towards it and crouched down to the grass. What she saw was well hidden, but very hard to ignore once one saw it. She pushed through a bush and crawled forward.

Into the tunnel that was hidden.

Into the tunnel only those who knew the area would know about.

From within the dark tunnel she crawled through, she heard one of the announcers. “Yo! Goggles! You need to head back to your base in order to be able to grab Orange Team's flag!”

She smiled, as if she hasn't been all day. “So he's at their base! Alrighty Goggles, wait for me.” She went through the tunnel, and stared at the light at the end.

Unlike Goggles,

Bobble still had her tag on.

::

(Current)

“Bobble?!” Goggles smiled at his friend who smiled back. She was covered in dirt, and her uniform was messy from the tunnel.

“Silly Goggles! You got lost again! This is Orange Team's base, not ours!”

“Sorry!” He apologized to her. “But wow! You were so quick! I didn't even see you!”

“Did you forget I did track in middle school?”

“Ah! I forgot that too!”

The two friends talked. It seemed as if they forgot about Army, who staring at Goggles, eyed-wided.

They distracted you.

Goggles distracted you.

“Liar.” He muttered in disbelief. “You lair.” Army tightened his fist and felt himself frown in frustration. Goggles didn't mean any of what he said! He was just distracting him!

That lair only wants to see you lose.

I don't plan to.

“YOU LAIR! YOU'RE JUST LIKE ALOHA! TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU!” Army saw red and yelled at Goggles. “WAS IT FUN?! ENTERTAINING?!” He was laughing at himself while Bobble went to get Orange Team's flag right behind him.

“HURRY UP AND HEAD TO YOUR BASE!” Rider yelled at them to move. Callie and Marie were too absorbed in what was happening to speak (even if they couldn't hear what Army was saying),  so he had to instead.

The two blue Inklings agreed with Rider, but only one of them was terrified of the drill-sergeant in front of him. Bobble still smiled, even in this situation. They started running back to their base.

“GET BACK HERE, YOU LAIR!” They didn't expect Army to run after them. He had dropped Blue Team's flag right next to his base.

“Army! You can't—!” Rider paused. What was he to say? If he told Army to head back to his base in order to play again he might just take that final step onto his base and win.

Don't let him win.

Rider bit his tongue and gripped the rails tightly with his hands. “Come on, come on!” He muttered.

There was only 53 seconds left.

And Rider was growing nervous.

Especially because Army was catching up to them.

He was quicker, even if Bobble was in the track team in middle school, the training Army devoted to himself since he was younger was unmatched.

Army was just about to grab Bobble's tag.

Goggles pushed himself onto Army, making both of them fall onto the grass and roll.

Bobble got away.

Army pinned Goggles down and frowned as he trapped the other. His makeup was a mess; he was a mess. Black smudges were spread across his face and even made it seem as if his eye mask was also makeup.

“Rider has never thought of me as his friend.” Army started laughing again as tears dropped. “From the moment we met he never once did. So why are you the exception? Just what does Rider see in you–to the point he'd rather you win than me.”

Goggles looked Army.

His beret had fallen off.

And a lone–wavy–tentacle rested on his head.

He must've realized this, since Army was staring at his beret laying on the grass. He slowly reached out to grab it, and his breath froze. 

He looked up to the school.

But he couldn't see it, thanks to the tree with healthy leafs and branches that protected him from unwanted and curious eyes.

He exhaled again. And let go of Goggles to put on his beret. Army reached inside of his blazer's pocket and pulled out the small round, and broken, mirror. He stared at himself, and closed it again to curl up into a ball. “Just end this already. No one I consider my friends truly is. They hate me.”

Goggles could only sit up and look at Army. He reached out to Army, wanting to give him a hug.

4 down, 0 to go.

None of the members of Orange Team could stop Bobble as she reached her team's base.

“WOOOOO!” Rider cheered. 

“Wow! What a match!” Callie took back her microphone and cheered with nothing short of excitement.

Sailor-B was exhausted. He was sitting on the grass and using a tree as support. He closed his eyes, not wanting to face the others for failing them.

“Army's winning streak of 6…What a shame…” Marie clapped her hands. “But congrats to the winniners.”

Sailor-W's tag was pulled off while she was busy talking with Headphones. She only realized when Bobble passed her and she tried to do something, only for Headphones to wave the tag around in her hand with a smile.

“Hey! Rider! Where are you going?! Don't you want to say something, as our honorary announcer?!” Callie yelled to Rider who had already left to the staircase. “Is that a no?” She could hardly hear herself amongst the crowd cheering.

And as for Forge…she was the closest to stopping Bobble. Maybe if Glasses hadn't tripped her by grabbing onto her leg as a last ditch effort, she could have succeeded.

Glasses made sure to apologize to her afterwards.

Aloha smiled, and got up from where he was sitting to stretch his boneless limbs. To speak the truth, he wasn't watching. He could care less about what happened. All that mattered was who wins. “Oh Army~!” He set out to find the Orange drill-sergeant who must be furious and yelling right now.

Army shuttered when he heard Aloha looking for him. He only curled into himself more.

Goggles want to say something. “Army–”

“Just leave.” Army took off his blazer and staring at it before he started to wipe off most of his face paint. Part of his eye mask was wiped off, but it was nothing his broken mirror and the makeup pen he always carried couldn't fix. “You would make it harder for me if you chose to stay. I'm sure Rider is waiting for you.”

“Why would he be?” Goggles couldn't help but ask.

“He wanted you to win, and you did. He is waiting already. It is what I would do if my friend won.”

Goggles felt bad for Army. He remembered that he was only a first-year, while Army and Rider were second-years.

Army want to be Rider's friend.

But he's saying Rider hates him.

He's saying everyone hates him.

Goggles got up from the grass and gave Arny one final look. He softly smiled at Army. “You're my friend Army. And that's no lie, ok?”

Army didn't answer. Not even a nod or shake of the head. And Goggles left to met up with his 3 friends who were already gathered and waiting for him to go home.

It's been a tiring day.

But the day wasn't over for Army.

Chapter Text

Goggles smiled as he saw his friends, quickly, he began running to them.

“Goggles!” Glasses grabbed his shoulders and shook him back and forth as he yelled. “You seriously ended up in Orange Team's base without realizing we weren't with you?!”

“Sorry!” He apologized repeatedly. As his head swung, he caught sight of one Army's teammates as she began to walk away, most likely to find the other members of Orange Team who had yet to show up. 

Goggles wondered something about her…

“I want a slumber party!” Bobbles demanded with enthusiasm as she put her hands into the air.

“Yeah!” Headphones agreed, the rush of the match finally running out of her system and was slowly replaced with a feeling of tiredness. “We can go to my house, I'll text my family.” She pulled out her phone and began to message them.

Glasses eventually stopped shaking Goggles, and the group started to walk around the school in order to leave though the entrance gates.

They all looked up at the roof as they passed by it. It was hard for them not to look when so many Inklings seemed to be congratulating them.

“That's amazing! They beat Army!”

“What were their names again? Bobble, Goggles, and. . . .”

Glasses had a hard time walking normally with all the eyes on them. Goggles and Bobble grinned and waved at all the Inklings.

But despite Goggles' bad hearing, a few of the sentences said caught his attention.

“That'll show Army!”

“Hooray! Army lost!”

“Do you think Army will step down from. . . .” The sounds of all the students muffled that last sentence. Goggles was so focused on trying to hear anything else about Army that he failed to realize his friends were up ahead. When he realized, he quickly hurried back to them.

“What sort of movie should we watch?” Glasses asked, clearly enthusiastic but trying to hold back. But alas, he wasn't very good at hiding his emotions. Especially from his friends.

Headphones looked at him with a knowing smile. “Go wild, Specs.”

Glasses cheered to himself and took out his phone.

“You should've seen me Headphones!” Bobble raised her hands in the air. “I outran that orange Inkling like it was nothing!”

“Really?” Headphones turned to her with wide eyes, still walking. ”Sailor-W told me they train everyday after school. For you to out run one of them is impressive!”

Bobble grinned.

“Sailor-W? Was that the Inkling who was chasing after you, Headphones?”

Headphones looked at him with an accusing expression. “YOU KNEW?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!” 

“I WAS RUNNING FOR MY LIFE!” Glasses hurried to defend him. “Having someone run straight at me is terrifying.” He shivered to himself.

“But I do that all the time!” Goggles commented with a smile, recalling all the times he raced towards his jumpy friend.

“Exactly…” Glasses muttered.

Headphones chuckled at him. “So I'm guessing you didn't get the name of your pursuer?”

“I did, but only after the match ended. She helped me up because I was…being dragged on the grass trying to slow her. Her name's Forge.”

Bobble thought for a moment. “Hmm, I don't know the name of the Inkling I outran…Oh well!”

Headphones click her fingers as she remembers something. “Sailor-W said she was here with her brother, Sailor-B. That's probably who chased after you. Actually, now that we have the time, Sailor-W told me a lot of fun trivia during the match.”

“Like what?” Goggles asked curiously.

“Back then, the school's military program could barely find students who were interested in joining, and the only reason it's still around is because the principal was a former platoon captain. Army then took charge over the program, improved the school's funding to improve everything, AND expanded the training ground and recruited new members!”

“ALL OF THAT WAS ARMY'S WORK?!” Glasses questions as he points back to the training ground.

“It's a waste, that's what it is.” Rider glanced at them. He leaned on the gates of the school with his arms crossed.

“Rider!” Goggles looks at him with excitement. “You're really here!” He hurried to Rider, but it wouldn't be considered running.

The Yellow-green Inkling tilted his head and looked at Goggles strangely. “What's that supposed to mean? You were expecting me to be here?”

Goggles paused before chuckling to himself.

“I'm sure Rider is waiting for you. . . .It is what I would do if my friend won.”

Army was right…

He really was waiting for them.

“Hello again Rider!” Glasses greeted him. “What did you think of the match?”

Headphones laughed to herself. “Considering the fact he was yelling at us to win, and we did, the answer's pretty clear.”

Rider coughed, a hint of embarrassment formed on his cheeks. “Congrats on winning.” He stopped leaning on the gate and started walking home.

“Thanks!” Bobble happily answered.

Rider and the Blue Inklings started walking in different directions. Goggles looked towards Rider, and then to his friends, before quickly heading to Rider.

Goggles tilts his head to look at Rider's. “You know, I think Army is pretty cool!”

“He isn't.”

“But didn't he help improve the school? That's super impressive!”

“A person's achievements are one thing, but the person itself is another. Army's the living definition of that.”

Rider walked a bit longer hoping that Goggles would disappear. After realizing that Goggles was in fact, still following him, and probably staring straight at him (if Rider's senses are to be believed), he sighed and stopped.

The two look at each other for a moment. Goggles smiled innocently while Rider wore an unamused look, clearly not appreciating the company. “What do you want.”

“Sooo, how did you and Army first meet?” Goggles asked.

“We had the same homeroom once.”

“Oooo! Really? That must've been—!”

“A mistake.” Rider interrupted. “Meeting him is the worst thing that could've happened.” 

He glanced past Goggles and saw the distance that grew from the other Blue Inklings.

“Is th. . . !” Whatever Goggles was trying to say flew past Rider's ears as he turned Goggles around to face his friends. 

Goggles blinked twice trying to process what just happened. He looked at his friends and gasped. “WHEN DID THEY GET SO FAR?!” He raced back to his friends. 

Rider sighed in relief and turned away to continue walking home.

“See you tomorrow Rider!” He faintly heard behind him and groaned.

::

A movie played in the background as 3 Inklings slept comfortably on the large couch with piles of pillows and blankets.

For once, Goggles wasn't sleeping. He sat on the couch with his knees up to his chin, wrapped in a flower patterned blanket, not paying much attention to watching the movie.

"We had the same homeroom once."

He almost forgot that Rider and Army are both second-years, meaning they've known each for some time now.

Goggles put a hand on his chin. Not even a minute passed before he nodded to himself with a grin.

If Army wants a friend, he'd make sure to find—and or be—a friend! He'll start by getting to know Army, then learning more about Rider and his past. After that, he'll find a way to get them to be friends! Bada-Bing, bada-boom! Happy ending for all!

Satisfied with this plan, Goggles brought his blankets to wrap himself in better and closed his eyes. He listened to the movie playing as he drifted off to sleep.