OP— 16

Title: Bros:Hoes

"Ah, how wonderful this location is, I finally realize," Mana whispered in a poetic tone while revealing an extremely humbled expression. The scent of various snacks seemed to settle against the floor while the loud whirring noise of multiple milkshakes being prepared filled the surrounding alongside the loud, idle chatter of many disciples.

"The… canteen…" Dharma gulped.

"Hmm? You won't get good shit if you don't hurry up," Rogue called as he leaned by the counter, ordering something while presenting his disciple id.

"You guys can open a tab using sect id cards. The total amount you spend in the canteen is added to the next year's fees but… if you both can pass the tests set-up by your masters, you'll gain discipleship next year, too."

"Oh, about that. Since you're doing another year, doesn't this mean that Master Black Heart is eating a loss covering your fees again?" Dharma inquired curiously while Mana already had his name added into the canteen's record before ordering himself two bottles of cold drink and a bowl of fried egg shell noodles.

"It's never this easy with our masters. Since I'm staying in the first year, Master said that he won't teach me further runes and will increase my test in quantity," with a grim expression, Rogue shook his head, "I still don't know what that means? But… he's still deciding and it cannot be anything good."

"It'll be fine," Mana shrugged as he looked towards Rogue, "And I don't think our masters are that bad. Green Heart is actually nice to me."

Smirking knowingly, Dharma and Rogue looked at each other before mockingly glancing at Mana.

'Fool, that's just the trap. Once you get beaten up, there's no going back! One reason is all it takes to anger the might and warm the palms of our masters!'

Of course, the two came to a silent agreement of Mana finding this out by himself.

"Anyway! Next is our practical lessons!" Rogue chuckled, his gaze turning a little cruel, "Be prepared to get wrecked again!" He smirked while taking one of the bottles from Mana.

"Ah, add that bottle in the tab of Mr. Rodger Growsky," Mana directed at the counter while Rogue grumbled. After picking his bowl of noodles, Mana and Dharma followed Rogue.

"Not ordering anything?" He looked back at Dharma.

"We're not allowed to order anything from the Canteen," Dharma shrugged before pointing at Rogue, "He's in for another session of enlightenment by Master Black Heart."

"Heh, I'll get by. My skin has grown tough by all the beating," Rogue chuckled as the realization of his day's doom had ruined his mood to a certain extent.

At this moment, the trio's attention was caught by a large man walking towards them.

"Rogue…" the blue-eyed, blonde hunk looked deeply into Rogue's eyes.

"This just supports my hypothesis of Rogue being gay…" Mana whispered to Dharma as he nodded with a serious expression.

"Oh, it's just you? How's the bachelor life treating you?" Rogue mocked.

"Did these two break-up last year?" Dharma inquired with a whisper.

"It's a possibility," Mana gulped, observing the situation.

"Aaah," growling, Rogue pointed at the hunk, "This guy's the one I was talking about yesterday. The one I hospitalized and then Shera ditching him for some doctor!"

Being publicly humiliated did not bring any change in the man's expression. After all, he didn't have to wear the green hat. His ex had the sensibility of breaking up before moving on, although, it was quite hurtful that she moved on within hours.

"Shera? Who's he?" Mana inquired, his words making Rogue and the hunk smirk slightly.

"Not ‘he’. She's the redheaded skank who interrupted our spar yesterday."

Understanding dawned over Mana's and Dharma's expression while the hunk continued.

"Why?"

"Why? Why am I drinking cola? Or Why am I letting you yap? Or why are all of us here? The last one seems a bit too philosophical," Rogue pulled a Klyde.

"Why did you stay behind?"

Sighing lightly, Rogue walked past the hunk.

Meanwhile, Mana walked forward and inquired.

"Your name?"

"Zack."

"Oh… alright. Then, Zack. Rogue is drinking Cola because he is thirsty. He let you talk because we all have nothing better to do and the last question really seemed a little too philosophical. As for why he stayed back, he's proven himself to be an idiot." Smiling kindly, Mana walked away with his bowl of noodles, leaving Dharma alone.

"The one who answered your questions… is also kind of an idiot," Dharma nodded before taking his leave.

When the trio found a corner table with a good view of the ground with some second-year disciples playing Basketball, Dharma looked towards Rogue curiously.

"So, you're never going to tell us why you stayed back in first-year? You did ace the examination, right?"

Mockingly smirking at Dharma, Rogue took a sip from his bottle.

"Wouldn't you like to know, weather boy! I know that Blaze and Bronze are in cahoots with each other! Aside from my master, I won't let anybody know about my reasons, hmph!"

Snorting, Rogue began drinking again.

"Oh? I didn't know Red and Yellow Hearts were partners. Doesn't that leaves Green, Pink, and Violet Hearts to themselves?" Mana inquired, gulping his noodles with a pleased expression.

Meanwhile, enviously looking towards Mana, Dharma slowly opened his tiffin box to pick out a dry sandwich again.

'Yeah, this feels dry when nobody else is accompanying me to eat it!'

"It doesn't work like that," Rogue shook his head.

"Red and Yellow Hearts are in-laws. It is due to their families that they must join hands every now and then, it also helps that those two were classmates and good friends. Meanwhile, my master and White Heart are siblings. White Heart is the younger one. Meanwhile, the other heart masters are not related to each other so they usually keep to themselves."

"Well," Interjecting, Dharma continued, "Master did not ask me to inquire about you. Just a bit curious why you will let go of higher education."

"Education… is overrated," Rogue said grimly.

"True dat."

Mana nodded.

"Hey, is it just me or is it really quiet…" Rogue suddenly changed the subject.

Realization struck Mana and Dharma.

"Hina."

"Mina."

They both spoke simultaneously.

"Oof, it must be hard for you. Finally found a pair of crazy twins only for them to abandon you…"

"Are you kidding?" Dharma heaved a sigh of relief.

"And they found us. Who cares if they have something else to do?" Mana shrugged.

With a shit-eating grin, Rogue quickly pushed his hand in his pocket.

"I've been waiting for this my entire adult life!" Saying that, he placed a UNO reverse card in front of the duo.

"Oh, and my humble display of 'F' to the both of you…" Seeing Rogue's stare, Mana and Dharma realized that it was the same look the two presented yesterday when the twins were behind…

'Oh…'

Slowly turning around, both of them saw Hina and Mina holding a tray with their lunch on it while their cold gazes fell on the duo.

"Let's go, Hina. I think we misjudged our friendship…"

Silently nodding, Hina followed her elder twin.

"Good God," Rogue gasped with a chuckle, "Congrats! Your cherry for enemy creation has finally popped!"

"Mana… I feel the shift in force…" Dharma whispered while Mana shrugged and stood up.

"Just watch and learn."

With a somber expression, Mana stood up with his bowl in his hand and walked towards the twin's table.

Dharma and Rogue looked towards each other before looking towards Hina and Mina.

Seeing that the duo was listening to Mana with a cold expression, Rogue felt something strange the moment Mana turned and pointed towards him.

Finally, the twin's expression softened but Mina still glared towards Dharma and then smiled sweetly at Mana, speaking something with Hina nodding, a giggle escaping the younger twin's lips.

Finally, what appalled Rogue and Dharma was the fact that Mana easily sat down in between the duo.

"These bros ain't loyal…" Dharma whispered.

"There really is a shift in the force. Hoes before bros…" Rogue gulped, still feeling a little ominous when he thought of the moment where Mana pointed towards him.