SMG4: The Royal

Chapter 27: Dr. Maruki and SMG3

When you wake up, you see that your phone was flashing, indicating that a new message had come through. Taking it off the charger, you see that you had... plenty of messages. All of them from your friends and family back home.

Hope began to rise as maybe they were starting to get over their anger just enough to check up on you. But all that hope faded away when you began to read up on the messages.

'Your father's business is stuck in a rut because of what you did! I hope you are proud of yourself!'

'Your mother keeps getting stressed out at work because no one leaves her alone about how much of a trouble maker you are!'

'Our school has lost all its credibility and prestige because we had a criminal like you!'

No matter how hard you tried, you couldn't stop the tear that fell down your cheek. Thankfully, no one was around to see you cry.

Until the door opened.

Morgana: Y/n, are you okay?

You quickly looked away and rubbed your eyes.

Y/n: Y-yeah, just yawned is all and my eyes watered up. That's all.

Morgana didn't buy it. He heard the crack in your voice, and you knew it. However, he thankfully dropped the it and jumped up onto the bed.

Morgana: Where's Meggy at?

Y/n: She went back to Inkopolis real quick to sign up for the next Splatfest.

Morgana: Then it looks like we have some time. That new doctor has been looking for you. Maruki I think his name was.

Y/n: Oh, the new counselor? What does he want from me?

Morgana: Probably to talk to you like he has with everyone else. SMG4 said that it has to do with Kamoshida.

Y/n: Alright, let me get dressed.

Morgana nods and hops off the bed and goes out the door. You then go and get dressed into some casual clothes and head out the door.

Going through the castle hallways, you were greeted by some of the staff, some of them still grateful for seeing you stand up to Kamoshida.

After making your way through the castle, you finally came to your destination. You gently knock on the door and after a moment, Dr. Maruki opens it.

Maruki: Ah, you must be Y/n. I've been waiting for a chance to speak with you.

Y/n: Sorry, I slept in a bit today.

Maruki: Oh, don't worry about it. Come on in. I have snacks.

You enter the room with Maruki and sit across from him. He asked you to tell him about how you ended up here. So, you explained everything to Maruki. From your home town, school, part time job. Then, the assault charge.

Maruki: I see. Then you dropped out and while looking for a place to work, found this place. Well, a better question is, how are you holding up? It must be difficult having to go through all this at such a young age.

Y/n: I'm... doing better. Besides, now I have a group of friends and a girlfriend to help me through this.

Maruki: That's good. Now, on to my reasoning of wanting to talk to you. What went on between you and Kamoshida? After all, you weren't even here for a week and people have said that you and Kamoshida were at each other's throats.

Y/n: That's because he was trying to touch Meggy. She was the first person to give me a chance, and I just couldn't let that happen. (Plus, I already knew what kind of person he was.)

Maruki: I see... so instead of conforming to Kamoshida's assault like everyone else did, you actually stood up against him. I find that truly admirable. I'm sorry, that was pretty weird coming from someone you just met.

Y/n: But you're right.

Suddenly, an alarm goes off from Maruki's phone.

Maruki: Ah, seems times up. But before you leave Y/n, I have a proposition for you.

Y/n: Alright.

Maruki: You see, I'm doing research alongside my counseling, something more... psychological based. I was wondering if you would like to help me. If I get far enough with it, I might be able to help more people. So, how bout it?

You think about it, and decide to agree. After he thanked you, and gave you some snacks, you headed down to the main foyer.

Once you made it down to the foyer, you saw everyone standing in front of another group. You walk up to Meggy, who hears you coming.

Y/n: Am I missing something here? Who's the guy who looks like SMG4?

Meggy: Not really. And that is SMG3, SMG4's rival.

You scan the group and see a few people, as well as Belle, and a... watermelon?

Y/n: Is... that a watermelon with your beanie and headphones?

Meggy: *Sighs* Yes...

Belle looks over to you and waves.

Belle: Hey there, fancy meeting you here.

Y/n: Well, I do live here.

SMG3: Belle, you know this criminal?

You freeze up and your eyes widen. Meggy turns her head over to SMG3, a neutral look on her face, but the lookin her eyes showed her true emotion. The whole group stepped away from SMG3.

Meggy: What did you just call him?

SMG3: A criminal. Yeah, I know what you are. The news reached here just this morning. So, how does it feel having a criminal living with you?

SMG4: Hm... which one? You fail to realize that everyone in this castle is guilty of something.

Meggy: I'm guilty of graffiti apparently.

Saiko: Assault.

Mario: Stealing food.

Bob: AnD i'M gUiLtY oF-

Everyone: No one wants to know what you're guilty of!

Bob: Oh...

SMG3: Well... I... whatever! And Belle, we have enough problems to deal with as it is with you-know-who.

That got your attention. But before you could ask, SMG3 turned back to SMG4.

SMG3: Look, I know that we have been enemies for a very long time but... could we borrow some money?

SMG4: What the- why?!

SMG3: Because we are in a tight spot okay! And besides, you destroyed a lot of my stuff, you owe me.

SMG4: Uggh... fine, how much?

He struggled to think of an exact amount, so Belle cuts in.

Belle: About... $300,000...?

As SMG4 screamed and everyone's jaws dropped, you began to think.

Y/n: (None of this sits right. If SMG3 really is rivals with SMG4, then why come to him for money. And that mention of a you-know-who.)

You walk over to Luigi and whisper in his ear.

Y/n: Listen, I want you to search around the web about people dealing with money issues. Banks, anything. Maybe even loan sharks.

With a small nod from Luigi, you walk over and grab Meggy's hand, then you walk over and tell Belle to come with you.

Y/n: I'm borrowing Belle for a moment.

SMG3: ...What the fuck?

You then head out the door and towards the city.