Salmon Run: Last Stand (A Splatoon 3 story)

Chapter 3: Preparing for Tomorrow

I exited the building. The sun now shone brighter that it dazzled me for a moment. My eyes adjusted to the sudden flash bang. I was sweating and too exhausted to walk back to the apartment. I had no other way of going back home. That was until I heard a familiar voice call out to me. I knew whose orange hair it was.

"Hello again," she said as she walked up to me. "Goodness, what happened to you?"

"It's difficult to explain right now."

"Well, there's a stand nearby. Let's get you a drink. You must be parched."

I was flustered by her kindness. "You don't have to do this for me."

"I'll do anything for my hero." She wraps my arm around her. "Come on now." She helps find me a seat at the food stand nearby. "Just wait here. I know just the thing to cheer you up." She ran off to place her order.

I'm glad she came. She seems trustworthy enough to keep this secret of mine. She returned with two drinks on a tray. "Here you go. Two Ink-Well Chillers for us."

I was surprised at her choice. "How did you know?"

"I've seen you drink them before you started a game. They're also my favourite too." She blushed at her confession.

"Well, thanks. I appreciate this. You really didn't have to do this for me."

"I wasn't going to leave you all dried up." She took her seat in front of me. "So, tell me. What happened?"

I explained to her my current situation. About how I lost everything from my last game, hoping to redeem myself somehow. She listened to me the whole time without interruption. I also told her about the offer from Platypus Bait and the bullion his mission carried. When I was finished, she looked at me and said, "Well, I'm so sorry to hear about it."

"It's fine. Luckily, I was able to prove myself to him, so now I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a tutorial mission. You think I made the right decision?"

She clasped my hand. "There's nothing else you could've done. Had you not taken it, you would've been on the streets all alone."

"I know. It's just ... I didn't ask for any of this."

She stared in my eyes doggedly. "You think Hook Line gave up when he got cornered and had to defend his zone from his opponents?"

"But that's a game-"

"You think Hook Line gave up the tower when his opponents bottlenecked a tight corner?"

"That's aside-"

"You think Hook Line threw away his clams when he was tight on ink, and only had one shot to land the winning score for his team?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"Stop pouting and listen up. You are capable of many things. Things that others would've considered impossible. You've exceeded their expectations of how to play Splat Games, including me. Don't beat yourself up because you've failed. Beat yourself up for not giving everything to fight for your life."

I chuckled a bit. "Wow, since when did you become my coach?"

She giggled softly at my comment. "Hook Line, you're a skilled player in these games. I would hate it if you gave up now."

"Well, thanks. I don't know how I could ever repay you for your kindness."

"Well, there is something you could help me with."

"What's that?"

"See, I was planning on staying here for a few weeks. But since every hotel I went into was booked, I need a place to stay."