Coroyakuza

Thirty Two|| Yet You Still Taunt Me

Callie glared at her reflection in her mirror. Her lifted shirt revealed her scorned tattoo that DJ Octavio had given to her a few years back. She scowled at it. "I hate you," she stated under her breath. She traced it with her finger. Tears formed in her eyes. "It's been four years, yet you still taunt me," she mumbled, digging her nails into her hip. "Why can't you just leave me alone?" She dropped her shirt down. She exited the Cuttlefish Cabin and walked over to Octavio's snow globe. She crossed her arms and frowned at the octarian in front of her. "What did you and 8 talk about?" she asked. "And why would I tell you that?" he asked back. "Answer the question," she said sternly. "She just wanted to know where you kept all your hero weapons is all," Octavio said smugly. "Did you tell her?" she interrogated. "Maybe." The inkling furrowed her eyebrows in frustration. "You are so annoying," she mumbled, walking away.

She entered the Cuttlefish Cabin again and looked under the floorboard where they kept all of their hero weapons. Sure enough, a few were missing. "Coddammit," she muttered, closing the floorboard. "Callie? What are you doing?" Marie asked. "8 stole 3's hero weapons," she groaned. "Let her keep it," the green inkling said, sitting down on the couch. "The poor girl lost the love of her life after all," she added. "Jeez, she's falling apart without 3," Callie said, sitting next to her cousin on the couch. "She can get through this," Marie said, she really wanted to believe that. "What about you?" the pink inkling asked. "What do you mean?" Callie rolled her eyes. "Don't pretend I don't know, Marie. You really liked 3, did you not?" The shorter girl scoffed, "Of course I liked 3, Cal. She was annoying and stubborn but she was still a friend."

And she wasn't lying. Marie and 3's relationship had ups and downs, most of which were downs but that didn't mean Marie didn't care about the agent. She actually enjoyed 3's presence quite a bit even if the feeling wasn't mutual. She hated the fact that she said those awful things to 3 and those were the last things she ever said to the inkling. To think what she said had actually happened though, she was rather shocked. She was close to blaming herself for jinxing 3's chances.

"Am I interrupting something?" Agent 4 stood at the doorway. "What? No, why would you be?" Marie asked. "Because, uh, you're crying, boss," the agent informed awkwardly. Callie looked at Marie's face. "You are," she mumbled, wiping her cousin's tears. "E-Excuse me," Marie muttered, getting up and going outside. "Fuck," she ran her hands down her face and groaned.

"Bad day?" Hachi, who had been sitting outside smoking a cigarette, turned to his boss with a concerned look. "It's been a great day, actually. Why are you here? You usually come after the sun sets. It's only 5," Marie said, sitting down next to him. He offered her a cigarette and a lighter, which she took. "There's not much going on today. My fuck buddy stopped hanging out at my place," he explained. "What's up with you though? Your eyes are all glossy, you been crying?" he asked. "I'm fine. Really, it's—" she choked on a small sob, covering her mouth to muffle the ugly noises escaping her mouth. Hachi sighed and wrapped an arm around her. "This is about 3, huh," he stated. "Yeah. It kinda just hit me," Marie mumbled, wiping the falling tears from her cheeks. "That's rough, boss. Damn, she coulda been my sister-in-law," Hachi sighed.

Callie walked outside and sighed. "Hachi, you taking any outcalls today?" she asked, refusing to make eye contact with her upset cousin. If she said anything, Marie would probably do something pretty malicious in return. "Yep," Hachi replied. "How's she doing?" Callie asked, a somber smile on her face. "Honestly... She could be better. She hasn't taken a shower in a while and her face is always so red. It's really concerning," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Poor girl. Where's she gonna stay?" Callie asked. "She isn't entirely sure yet. I offered to let her stay with me but she refused," he explained. The phone started ringing from inside and the pink inkling sighed. "I better go take that," she muttered.

Marie dropped her finished cigarette on the ground and stepped on the bud. "Is 3 getting a funeral?" she asked. Hachi stared at the sky. It was slowly turning pink. "No," he stated. Marie nodded in thought.

"I can arrange that."

•

8 had absolutely nothing to do now that 3 was gone. Whenever 3 was out working late, all 8 ever did was clean, cook, and wait for her to come back home. Honestly, it was really boring. But now, 8 didn't have to clean or cook or wait. All she had to do was sit. She already packed everything for when she had to move out. Where she was going to go, she didn't figure that out yet. Maybe with Marina? Or Callie and Marie? Maybe even Hachi if she grew desperate. The last thing she wanted to do was join the prostitution business again, that was just too much for her. Especially with the information that Hachi had told her about when 3 was a prostitute.

On this particular evening, 8 was sitting on her couch, chin resting on her knees as she stared blankly at the black TV screen. She only got up to use the bathroom or to eat, both of which she rarely ever did anymore. Her plan was to stay there all day until a knock from her door foiled those plans. She let out a small groan before getting up and opening the door. "Pearl? What are you doing here?" the octoling blushed in embarrassment; she looked messy and disheveled. "Sorry for coming without notice. I just need to talk to you," the shorter girl said, a rather blank look on her face. "Oh. Yeah, that's fine. Come on in," she offered, opening the door for the Oyabun. "Thank you," she said. "Take a seat. Do you want anything to drink? Tea? Water?" 8 offered, walking over to the refrigerator. "Got any apple juice?" Pearl asked as she sat down on the couch, looking at all the packed boxes. "Yeah, apple juice coming right up," 8 said.

"So uh. I won't be staying for long and I'm sorry for taking up your time but I figured you might want to hear this," Pearl started, taking a deep breath. "Don't worry, I wasn't really doing anything before you arrived anyway," 8 reassured as she poured the apple juice into a cup. "This might be the last time you see me, 8. I'm going away for a while," Pearl muttered as the octoling gave her the cup of apple juice. She took a thoughtful sip as the taller girl sat down next to her. "What's that mean? Where are you going?" 8 asked. "That's classified, but you'll find out very soon. I promise," Pearl reassured. "Pearl, you're not making any sense. Just tell me," the octoling ushered, completely confused. "I'm just not going to be around anymore, okay? And I need you to take care of Marina. Listen, you are very important to me. I see you as my own kid sometimes. You're amazing. And you're smart, talented, beautiful, you deserve so much in this world. And that's why I'm going away. Please take care of my Marina for me. I'm begging."

8 frowned. "Please just tell me Pearl. You know you can tell me anything." Tears approached the young octoling's eyes. "Don't cry, Nana," the inkling gave her a sad smile. "San didn't tell me anything, Pearl. She didn't bother telling me what was going on. And I lost her. I don't want to lose you too," she cried. "This is just a little more complicated, okay?" The Oyabun looked away in guilt. "Then explain everything," 8 insisted. "I'm pretty sure you'll hurt even more if I tell you. I'm just getting you prepared for the future, kid," Pearl chugged the rest of the apple juice before standing up. "Sorry for leaving so soon, it hasn't even been ten minutes, ha," she chuckled to herself as she made her way towards the door. "No, I deserve some answers!" 8 cried. "You'll get your answers soon. Later, Nana."

And just like that she was gone. Where she was headed, 8 didn't know. Everything Pearl was saying was just so vague, it left her in complete and utter confusion. What was that about?

What was Pearl gonna do? Was she moving away? Going on a long business trip? Was she moving in to bigger and better things than Inkopolis? Was she going into hiding? 8 couldn't think of any logical answer. She just knew Pearl gave her a job. To take care of Marina for her. And everyone knows, whatever the Oyabun says, goes. She had to do it. She wouldn't die or anything if she didn't but still. Pearl and Marina meant a lot to 8. Those two plus Hachi were the only ones keeping her alive at this point, since 3 died. 8 didn't want to think about the possibilities.

So she sat and waited for the answers she desperately wanted.