Larry and Diana arrived at a set of wooden double doors. Diana turned towards Larry with excitement. “Are you ready?! This will be great! I can’t believe I’m going on my first date.”
A lifeless Larry followed behind Diana. “Yeah… A first date.”
“Did you miss me?”
Larry perked up as he turned to see Maximum with a soda in his hands. “You came, does that mean-”
“Enjoy love birds, I just wanted to watch in case something interesting happened. Also, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with the stalker.”
Larry remained motionless as Maximum opened the theater doors and walked by. The joy still etched onto his face. Diana grabbed Larry and pulled him in afterwards.
After a couple of minutes, another figure swiftly entered and shut the door behind it.
***
**Slurp Slurp**
“SHHH!”
“Hey Larry, who do you think that guy is shushing?” Maximum continued to drink his soda over the movie. Larry remained lifeless, while Diana was hooked on every word of the movie. [I wonder if that person is going to leave yet. This is one of the most boring movies I have ever watched.]
Minutes passed and eventually Maximum looked over his shoulder to see a young girl abruptly hide behind one of the upper seats. “Haa. Maybe I should have dealt with them earlier.” Maximum got up and started heading towards the back of the theater. “I’ll be back in a second.”
Diana grabbed Larry’s hand after Maximum left. “So? Do you have a girlfriend? I know I might have been jumping to conclusions but-”
“I’m after Max.”
Diana froze for a second. “Ah, you mean you were talking to him about going to the mov-”
Larry locked eyes with Diana. “I meant in a romantic endeavor.”
Diana flinched. “Right, but he’s, well... You know.”
“A guy.”
Diana could feel the awkward tension in the air. “I mean, his reputation.”
“I think I should go.” Larry got up and left the theater.
Maximum returned shortly after. “Where is my mon- friend off to?”
Diana glared at Maximum. The hate was more than evident. “Well, I needed to talk with him, and the movie is shit so I’m out.” Maximum left with his hands on the back of his neck.
***
“Haa.” Diana looked up at the ceiling as she recalled what happened.
A green-haired girl popped up next to Diana with a cat-like face and eyes. Her eyes were a mesmerizing sahe ofgreen., with a glow within them. “So, did you break up with your boyfriend?”
Diana looked at her and gave a somber smile. “We aren’t compatible.” Diana slumped forward.
“Is that so? Well, you shouldn’t give up. As long as you put your mind to it, you can do anything. Love is blind and concurs all.”
Diana started to perk up as she steeled her newfound resolve. “Yeah, so what if he likes someone else.”
“Right, you can win him over. Prove you’re better!” Tiffany continued to cheer Diana on while nodding along. Disgruntled voices started to rise throughout the theater.
“Be quiet!”
“Who cares if we just met today!” Diana continued, but the girl paused without giving any feedback. “And so, what if he might be gay. I’m sure that can be fixed.” The girl’s eyes widened as she processed what Diana was saying. “Although there are alternative solutions. However…”
The green haired girl inched back as she looked around anxiously. “Hey, what did you mean by you just-”
“True love only happens once! Who cares about something as obscure as gender!”
“SHUT UP!”
The green haired girl was starting to sweat. “Um, that might be an issue of sex, but I think we should talk about the just meeting part?”
“That’s fine. I’m quite confident in my skills in bed!”
“CAN SOMEONE GET THEM OUT OF HERE!!!”
Angry voices started to drown out the movie as Diana continued. “It doesn’t matter if he’s a top or a bottom I’ll treat him well regardless and fill the role needed!”
The green haired girl resembled a tomato as the surrounding eyes bore into her. “Maybe you shouldn’t talk about such matters in public? This is already extremely uncomfortable.”
Diana looked at the girl and nodded. “You’re right, Larry might be a bit shy about his feelings.”
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“Perhaps we should continue this elsewhere. Or never.” Diana didn’t quite catch the last part.
Diana extended her hand. “The name is Diana.”
“Tiffany. Although the stares are starting to become a bit much.” The two shook hands. “Also, I think you should get to know Larry a bit better before you declare your… undying love for him.” Tiffany was well beyond her limit.
Diana laughed and started smiling. “Love strikes both hard and fast. You either strike back or get beat!”
Tiffany started rubbing the back of her head. “That’s… an interesting philosophy.”
***
“Good times. Me Tiffany really bonded during the rest of the movie. She was also supportive of my cause.”
D was wide eyed. “I don’t think that was the case. Also… You stayed?!”
Diana shrugged. “In retrospect, I should have gone after Larry, but that’s in the past. The movie was ok at best.”
“Wait, now I have another question. You described yourself as a bombshell, so care to explain how you ended up like this.” D gestured at the epitome of muscles before him.
Diana put their hand towards her mouth and gave a slight chuckle. “A lady needs her secrets.”
D looked at Diana and nodded as if understanding. “I don’t care, I need answers! Tell me!”
Diana flashed a bright smile. “No.”
“Oh, talking about the day we met?” Maximum weaseled between D and Diana as he pulled out his phone. “You know, I only wanted to use them to alleviate my boredom.” He then showed D a photo of the group of four holding a trophy on a stage. “It was a whim, but it was actually fun… While it lasted.” Maximum stared at the picture for a minute before putting his phone away. “Besi-”
“Why is your phone different?” Bart appeared in front of D and the others stroking a non-existent beard. “It looks newer.” Bart was still eating a bowl of Ramen, likely a second helping at this point.
“No, it looks… Actually, it does look newer, but it is an older model. And before you ask, I got it in the city.” Maximum pushed Bart away and moved towards one of the exits. “I recommend you watch your ba-” Maximum paused for a moment as he rummaged through his pocket. He pulled out his phone and started smiling. “You know what. I think that could work.”
Diana grabbed D and forced him to face them. “Do not agree to wh- ugh.” Diana took a flying kick to the face as they collapsed to the ground. Maximum flashed a smile as his eyes twinkled with light. Euro signs were nearly visible.
Bart whispered into D’s ear. “I’m willing to bet he is up to no good.”
“So, how about you enter into the new tournament that is being hosted by the student council. They will be holding some matches for the freshmen.” Maximum started rubbing his hands together. “I’m sure we can all benefit from this.”
Diana got up in protest. “You just want the reward.”
“Of course I do.” Maximum stared them dead in the eye without moving an inch. “What is wrong with that?”
“What is wrong with that?” Diana covered their face for a second before looking at Maximum. “Why would you get any of the prize money from a group of freshmen?”
Maximum smiled and used his thumb to hit his chest. “Because I said so.”
Everyone looked at him for a minute with scrutinizing gazes. Diana chose to break the silence. “So, you expect money for no reason.”
“YES!”
“Your confidence is unwarranted. You are an alcoholic who should be locked behind bars for a number of war crimes and violations of human rights in general.”
“Hm.” Maximum started to shoot glances around the room while humming to himself. “You make a semi-convincing point. However… I didn’t ask. So, who is up for drinks. Your treats of course!”
“Hmm.” Bart nodded to himself. “So, you want to buy us drinks? Apologies, but I don’t drink. I appreciate the thought though.”
Maximum turned to look at Bart. “No, you are going to buy ME drinks. I’m broke.”
D joined the conversation. “Why would give you money for anything.”
Maximum paused and started contemplating again. “I could train you to fight. I will only charge about 80% of your prize money…. Plus, a bit of your current cash.”
D let out a sigh. “I would rather not. Bart, let’s go.”
Maximum jumped in front of D with a pleading look plastering his face. His eyes were shifting around as if he were looking for something. “You can’t leave I ne- you need this. Yes, without my help, you will lose.”
D was extremely skeptical. “I never even agreed to participate.”
Bart jumped on D’s declaration. “Ooh. That could be fun. Besides, it will allow my best buds to grow closer. We could even have Rose cheer us on from the sidelines.”
Bart flashed D puppy dog eyes filled with stars. D tried his best to resist, but he ultimately gave in. “Fine, we will participate in this tournament, but I’m not paying for your services.”
Maximum looked offended, but he continued nonetheless. “Look, I’m willing to ask for 50%, but I think my services will be valued, since I’m the strongest person in the school.”
The silence was overwhelming.
Maximum looked at Diana with a pleading look. “Please. You know I’m the best!”
Diana shrugged. “I haven’t seen you exert yourself even once. It’s hard to believe you. You also lie. A lot.”
“How cruel!” Maximum fell to his knees. “I just want a bit of money for booze, women, and maybe a bit of gambling.”
Diana sighed. “You were saying your true intentions.”
“Ahh!” Maximum turned white as he robotically turned towards D.
D returned Maximum’s look with a cold stare of his own. “I don’t think I should except your training.”
“NOOOOOOO!” Maximum faceplanted with an audible thud. “I just wanted a bit of Booz money. How else will I pay for it.”
“Maybe get a job you laz-” Diana was interrupted by an overexcited Maximum shooting to his feet.
“Welp! Let’s get started with your training. We won’t win without putting in the effort.”
D looked at Bart. “Do you recall agreeing to him?”
Bart gave a response with a slightly confused look. “I don’t seem to recall that.” Bart tilted his head to the side as he looked over Maximum with a scrutinizing gaze. “However, his confidence leads me to question if I did.”
Maximum chimed in with a straight face. “You did.” Bart continued to stare at Maximum, but eventually broke under Maximum’s unwavering gaze.
“Sorry D. It looks like I already agreed. There is nothing we can do about it. The guide-”
“He is lying!” D jumped in but was met with Maximum’s response.
“No. I recall you agreeing earlier. It would be uncool to go back on your word.”
Bart sighed. “He speaks the truth. The guides confirm the claim, it would be ‘uncool’ otherwise.”
D looked towards Diana, but they already gave in and started walking away. [What the heck is going on here.]
“So, about training. If you want, we could start tomorrow morning.”
D’s eye started to twitch. “We only have two members so far.”
Maximum looked at the ground for a second before locking eyes with D. “Fair point. However, that sounds like an ish-YOU.” Maximum snapped his fingers and gave finger guns as he started to leave the arena. “See you tomorrow, 4:00pm. Find two more members by then. Or better yet. I’ll do the scouting.”
Both Maximum and Diana were gone now. D looked at Bart. They both started talking at the same time.
“This is going to be awful.”
“This is going to be great.”
They looked at one another. D started first. “Why do I feel like you are messing with me?”
“What do you mean?” Bart gave a cute look and stuck out his tongue.
***
D and Bart were walking down a hallway. A man in a skull mask peeked out from around a corner. “Tch. So that’s the bastard.” The skull masked man walked behind Bart and D silently. His green hair was flowing as his eyes flashed with an ominous green glow.