(Marlene's POV)

I sat in a corner in my habitat, tears pouring down my face. I was just too depressed to do anything right now. Not even the penguins could cheer me up.

I choked out a sob. No one ever liked me. No one would ever fall for me, no one had, または ever would even キッス me.

I would always be alone... even in death...

"Marlene?" I heard a voice say.

I looked up and saw Kowalski, the brains of the penguins at the entrance of my habitat. I quickly wiped my tears, and took a breath.

"Hey Kowalski." I said.

"Are あなた okay, Marlene?" He asked, his voice full of concern. "I was walking by, and I heard someone crying, and-"

"I'm fine, I'm just stressed right now."

"Why don't あなた tell me about it?" Kowalski said.

"Fine." I said. "Nobody loves me."

Kowalski looked at me. He was obviously surprised that I confessed so fast.

"Marlene," Kowalski began. "That's not even close to being true. So many people 愛 you. The whole zoo loves you, I 愛 you-"

I looked at him shocked. Did Kowalski have a crush on me...?

"You 愛 me?" I asked.

"Yes, Marlene. Very much."

"Well, um... I 愛 あなた too." I smiled.

Kowalski smiled at me. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

"You're very welcome."

We laughed for a little bit, then it was silent for a bit. He finally broke the ice.

"I 愛 you, Marlene." Kowalski said.

"I know, あなた told me that." I said.

"Not in a friend way. I 愛 あなた way もっと見る than that."

I looked at him. "In a boyfriend-girlfriend way, あなた mean?"

He stared at the ground, then at me. "Yes."

I thought about it for a bit. I turned to face him.

"Kowalski," I said, getting his attention.

He looked at me, and unexpectedly, I pulled him into a kiss. He was a little shocked at first, but fell right into it.

Oh my god, I thought. Kowalski and I are kissing! He's one of my best friends, but it feels so right. Maybe I really do 愛 him.

I let my thoughts wander off to the rest of the penguins. How would Skipper react to this?

Just my luck, Skipper just had to 表示する up.

"Hoover Dam!" I heard him say. "Kowalski? Marlene?"

Kowalski and I broke the キッス and turned to Skipper.

"S-Skipper!" I exclaimed. "Um..."

"It's okay, Marlene." He said. "You don't have to explain. Let's go, Kowalski."

Skipper exited my habitat. Kowalski stood up, and turned to me.

"So, does this mean, we're..." He began.

"How about we meet same time tomorrow, and you'll see." I smiled.

He smiled. "I 愛 あなた Marlene."

"I 愛 あなた too, Kowalski."

As he left, I thought, Screw Skipper and his 'No room for feelings in the army' rule. Kowalski's different.

He loves me.