(honestly one of my fav panels i just have to say)

frenemies sounds perfect... lbr he'd def be intrigued by chuuya's questionableness...

ALSO RE: wrecking squid friend, maybe steinbeck has vague knowledge of chuuya messing with one of his (unnamed, but lbr it's probs lovecraft) pals... ? for whatever purpose, if that sounds doable