Splatoon: Love Between Species

Chapter 52: Calamari Lodge

Within the Octagon, Leon stood in front of his grandmother with Mellow by his side, crossing her arms as the old Octo raised an eyebrow.

Gramps: another case....

Leon:.....g-grandfather.....please.....I know that this is a rare occurrence, but I want to get her back!

Gramps: a shift of "Dual edge"......I'm not so positive if this octoling is willing to give her back to you......

"Dual Edge" is a specific form of infection that takes a physical form from the ink in the bodies of Inklings specifically. With the exposure of Octoling DNA into any open wound or injury to an Inkling, a fusion will begin inside of their body, which kills off slight bits of inkling DNA and they begin a slow process of mutation.

Gramps: you have to properly assure on which one is more willing to stay....that is a decision that they have to choose.

Leon.......w-what?.....

Gramps: I told you this whole process before......I taught you how to deal with the issue, Leon.....on your own.....yet you ask me for a solution......

Leon:......I.....I know........

Leon looked away in shame and embarrassment, but his grandfather simply shook his head and lifted his cane, gently poking Leon's stomach to grab his attention once again, giving him a small smile.

Gramps: I understand that this is difficult.......you most likely didn't have the courage to speak the truth.......but that's okay......

Leon:.....

Gramps: amusement and atmosphere is what she needs...places....old objects from her past......or a group that makes them feel a deep emotion from either their Inkling or Octoling self........this is a process of recollection to her body, mind, and who she WANTS to be........once that choice is made.....

Leon:.........one stays......

Gramps:......and one dies.....

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The next day after the incident with his grandfather, Leon sat in the café alongside every singe one of his friends, folding his hands on the table as Gabby typed on a laptop that rested on the counter, grumbling to herself in annoyance.....

Leon turned to see Mellow sitting directly next to him with a miserable expression on her face......Coraline flashed before his eyes, and he began to sweat from nervousness, clearing his throat before properly trying to speak to her.

Leon: s-so.........how do you like the café-

Mellow: it's horrible......

Leon:....

Mellow: *glares* I can't believe she's in love with......you......and you had the audacity to drag me here.....

Leon: oh....

Cynthia: sheesh....you're a mean bitch, aren't ya?....

Mellow: I was not speaking to you....this is none of your business.

Gabby: this is her café, so it is her business.....

Otto: if it's none of our business, then why are you saying this out loud, dipshit? Whispering is a thing, have you heard of it?

Cynthia: *shrugs* listen bud, our friend is merged with you right now. We don't wanna start trouble, we just need you to work with us a bit.

Mellow:....do you even understan-

Just as Mellow began to stand up from the table, a hand grasped firmly onto her arm from behind. She turned her head to immediately see Erida staring down at her, noticing her pitch black eyes with white irises striking deep into her.....