(As Long as We're Together) Everything's Gonna Be Okay

And the Hits Keep Coming

"Mimi?" Mr. L greets her as whoever she's talking to takes his leave. "Everything okay?"

"Oh me?" She smiles. "Sure, I'm all aces. We were talking about you, actually."

"Oh really?" Luigi smiles back. "All good things, I hope."

"Nuh uh uh." Mimi wags a finger. "Fishing for compliments is my deal."

"Heh, you're right." Mr. L agrees. "All you have to go on is all the ways I annoyed you while Bleck was dead set on destroying the world. Or how I double crossed you all."

"That's not what I said at all!" Mimi stomps her foot.

"Oh yeah? Then what?"

"I said that was my thing!" Mimi reminds him. "And just for that, I'm not gonna tell you. Your ego's already out of whack, I'm not gonna inflate it until it pops."

"Alright, how about this?" Mr. L offers. "Wanna go play some tennis? Apparently the Mushroom Kingdom has some really impressive equipment. You'll love it."

Mario's just walking through Toad Town when he spots Nastasia, and goes straight towards her, fists clenched.

"Nice to see you're doing well." He says without greeting her. "Sorry I can't say the same. Wasn't that long ago I almost killed my brother and all."

"You did." She says in a bored tone. "And you still saved him. Sorry that didn't bring his memory back."

"I'll bet you are." Mario rolls his eyes. "Heard he's been living his best life since he moved to Boo Woods. Guess when Bleck's minions are the only people you know, it's basically a no brainer."

"I suppose it is." Nastasia agrees. "We've all become closer friends."

"Wonderful, just wonderful." Mario huffs. "And you know what? Luigi no longer has anything to do with our company, so whatever he decides to do on that front, you can be his partner."

"Mario, please." Nastasia begs. "I never planned on any of this."

"You mean you changed your mind too late." Mario corrects. " I'm the one who lost everything. You don't get to say the same. And honestly, I've only just begun to wonder why I keep insisting on seeing the good in anyone anymore. No one is ever who we thought. Not even people you've known your whole life."

"I used to agree with you." Nastasia replies.

"You changed your mind?" Mario asks.

"I have. Neither Lord Blumiere and Lady Timpani were who they used to be, but against all odds, they found each other again and their undying love is what ultimately saved the world."

"Hey there." Mr. L greets the Toad at the desk. "Me and my friend here want to rent some rackets and some time on a court."

"Oh no problem, Luigi!" the Toad smiles. "A court just opened up; I can put you down for an hour."

"Sweet." Mr. L replies, ignoring the name. "Let's go."

"Is there anything I can say to get you to realize I've changed?" Nastasia asks.

Mario sighs, "Not unless you can think of a way to get Luigi's memory back. I want to believe you."

"As do I." Nastasia says.

"Well, I'll let you think on that. I'm gonna go track down Luigi. Spending so much time alone in Boo Woods can't be good for him."

"Sounds like he's still finding his footing."

Mario shrugs. "I suppose. But he's always loved that house, I'm just glad he didn't go to another world entirely. Maybe the house will trigger something."

With that, the two part ways, nodding their goodbyes as Mario starts for Boo Woods.

"Hey, check this out!" Mr. L calls, gearing up his racket for a Power Shot, then hitting the ball square on.

"Whoa!" Mimi shrieks as she runs out of the way and drops her racket. "You almost hit me!"

"Hey, Luigi!" A Toad calls. "Your time's almost up, and someone's ready to take your place!"

"Want to keep going?" Mr. L calls to Mimi. "I'm just getting warmed up."
"Luigi?" Mario appears out of nowhere, fully adorned in his tennis uniform.

"Oh. Mario." Mr. L kicks himself.

Upon seeing Mimi on the other end, Mario demands, "What is she doing here?"

"Um, I ran into her and invited her to play a few games with me..." Mr. L mumbles. "Didn't know you were gonna be here."

"Could've told me you were bringing a plus one." Mario says in a strained patience.

"Didn't realize I was only allowed to be here with you." Mr. L huffs. "I take it you only came because you knew I was here?"

"Yeah, because, silly me, I thought when I stopped by your house and saw your tennis uniform gone, maybe a part of you was ready to start exploring some of our old haunts. But no, I can't be that lucky."

"Wait, I--" Mimi tries to speak up, but Mario snaps at her, "You shut up." Then he turns back to Mr. L. "It's become very clear that all you care about is replacing everything from our life with your new solo one."

"Mario, come on, I---"

"No, don't bother." Mario stops him. "Really, don't. I understand everything perfectly. Nastasia was surprisingly polite about how close you all became when you kicked yourself to the curb."

Mimi opens her mouth, but again, Mario snaps, "I told you to shut up. My brother has made it clear he wants nothing to do with me, and the feeling has just become mutual. Do what you want. I'm done."

After Mario storms off, Mr. L goes over to Mimi, "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's not like he's wrong." Mimi comes over to the same side of the court. "I think we've played enough."

"Oh!" Mr. L says, surprised. "Okay. Maybe we can meet up again, play something in your world next time?"

Mimi looks like she wants to say no, but Mr. L begs, "Pleeeeeease? I want to have one good day with no interruptions."

"Alright, you sold me." Mimi relents.

"Great. I'll see you off, then?" Mr. L offers, while Mimi nods, then teleports herself away.

At an arcade, Mario's sitting at a machine when he hears,

"Hey, need a player 2?"

"No thanks, I--" But when he turns and sees it's a kid Toad, looking hopeful, he moves over.

"Sure, why not?"