Clumsy

Chapter 6

It was set. Team Pink had confirmed eagerly, ready to whoop (I/N) team'
s derriere (pardonnez mon français) as they thought this an easy win.

"Hey, (Y/N). You all set for the battle tomorrow~🎵?" Aloha skipped over to her in the square, after his battle against Rider's team.

"I'm ready. Ready to win!" She winked, walking over to a disappointed Bamboo-Hat. Bamboo had a few drops of rosy-pink ink on her, so (Y/N) assumed the battle didn't go in her favour.

"I swear, Aloha is less S+ rank, more S+ hacker! I don't get how those pansies beat us!!" Her friend shook with rage, a deep frown etched into her forehead. Her bamboo hat lay askew and her tentacles were frazzled. Her eyes, however, blazed with extreme saltiness.

"Way to make me feel better, salty. Don't forget, I'm next!" (Y/N) chuckled warily at her friends' reaction, now slightly nervous about the next day.

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The following morning, (Y/N) shot out of bed before the first ring of her alarm, quickly shovelling down seacakes and brushing her fangs. This came as a shock to even herself, as usually her alarm screamed itself hoarse for half of the morning.

'Today will be a good day' She promised herself in the mirror, finger-gunning to her reflection and grabbing her (F/W) before heading out the door. On her way out, the glass door at the entry of her apartment block decided to give her a wake-up shock.

And that'll be a bruise.

Her (F/G) scuffed across the pavement as she neared Deca Tower. Since the day was forecast to be hot, she was sporting a pair of loose shorts and (S/G), with a backwards cap (if the sun got in her eyes, she could always turn it around).

Groaning, she realised that she'd woken up too early. There was virtualy no one in the square save for a half-dead looking inkling, and the morning rays were just beginning to filter through the jungle of buildings. She didn't have enough time to go home, but she still had ages until the battle. Though, she could socialise and prove her friends wrong about her lateness.

"Welp, I may as well wait."
She mumbled to herself, scanning for a café open at this early hour. Giving up, she brushed the dew from an outside chair near where Crusty Sean usually parks his van and sat down.

Her (F/W) sat on her table unevenly, next to her inkphone and a sleeping spider.

"Hey there, lil' guy," She sighed quietly,
"Having a good sleep?"

Silence.

"I thought so.".

(Y/N) spent the next 45 minutes playing squid jump, occasionally commentating to her spider friend. By 8.15 the sun was beating down on her, small beads of perspiration forming on her forehead.

Too engrossed in her game, she barely noticed someone sitting across from her. Hearing her talk to a spider.

"I don't know if I should interrupt, but good morning anyway sweetcheeks~"

His sudden voice startled (Y/N), making her jump a few feet.

"Aloha! I didn't realise you were here!" Cheeks (I/C) not only from the heat but the embarrassment of someone hearing her talk to a spider.
"Meet Wallace. He's an excellent listener."

"I would've thought so, being how much you've been nattering to him~" Aloha winked, his rosy eyes glistening.

It was only then (Y/N) took in his features, fully, and my gosh did he look nice this morning-

She mentally slapped herself.

But he did, his side-cut tentacles hidden beneath his visor, a few loose tentacles swaying in the heady breeze. His loose aloha shirt was unbuttoned one, the skin of his neck and chest disappearing under the cheerful shirt.

"Whatcha thinking about~🎵?" (Y/N) was snapped from her thoughts, and smirked.

She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by both of the two's teammates waving them over into the Deca Tower. Time had obviously gotten away from them.

"Don't make that face." (Y/N) scowled as she walked past Tenta-Brella who was giggling. There wasn't much room to imagine what she was giggling about.

Army, Skull and an inkling in a gas mask approached Aloha's team, and (Y/N) could see them get into a huddle and whisper to each other. When they broke apart, the inkling in the gas mask smacked Aloha over the head. 'I wonder what they were saying...'

Army, Skull and Mask walked up to Aloha in the hopes of giving him a pep talk (and a bit of banter), to up his game. After Army had lost to the (I/C) team, the S4's confidence and reputation had taken a knock. It was hard to regain their good reputation after the battle against Emperor's team, and they weren't prepared to also have to do this after (Y/N)'s team, too.

"I'd offer my manual, but you seem competent. Enough." Army pulled them into a huddle outside of the lobby.

"Thanks?" Aloha said, unsure if he was being complimented or insulted.

"Give them what they can't beat: sub-weapon heeeeell~" Mask suggested.

"Just do what you're doin', your team usually wipes the turf anyway. With the exception of my team, 'of course." Skull stated plainly.

"Yeah, you are totally right. We especially wipe the turf with Subweapon Smell's team~🎵" Aloha snickered into his hand before Mask smacked him over the head. All of a sudden, he felt eyes on him. Looking up, Aloha caught (Y/N)'s gaze and flushed pink, rubbing the back of his head. Both inklings looked away, embarrassed.

The rest of the S4 were confused by Aloha's sudden mood change, and Army and Skull decided not to question it. Mask, however, was curious.

Following Aloha's stare to an (I/C) inkling girl, he chuckled knowingly. Mask knew what that was about now.
As Army and Skull left, Mask whispered to Aloha:
"Squid, you've got it baaaaad~" before disappearing, so that the battle could finally commence.