In the Upper Echelon, Kintsugi and Comtalc were known as the Dolphin Brothers because they're both admired and celebrated, especially by the women. Furthermore, they've almost plundered the pearls of the female trainees in the academy, meaning they've had their way with many of them.
Seeing the two ex-teammates rekindling their friendship, Lotuslush couldn't help but let out a soft cackle. During their trainee days, she had witnessed how the two would fight and reconcile, and seeing them again on this occasion brought back memories. But when Kintsugi saw her state, she composed herself and started to act poignantly.
"Come here. I know you need a hug from both Comtalc and me."
Lotuslush shot a glare, but Kintsugi snatched her arms. She turned flustered as the two smooth-talking professionals boxed her in, surrounded by their coworkers.
It seemed that they were just waiting for Kintsugi, and after the greetings, they took their seats at a large banquet table.
On the planet Diamandis 308, the inhabitants here are lustrous and made of glass, paste, or gem quartz. The servers, who were half-human and had rhinestone skin, arrived. They brought the appetizer.
Everyone was curious about the other details of Kintsugi's life, and although they knew he wasn't fond of sharing his personal life, they still pressed him. Fortunately, Kintsugi didn't get annoyed by their persistence.
"I'm a florist," he replied when Meng Jiang asked him about his profession. Some were surprised by his revelation, while others were puzzled because the word was alien to them.
"I sell flowers," he added. His male companions, who were masochistic and hypermasculine, burst out laughing.
"I thought that kind of work was only for women," Meng Jiang said, who had become a predominant emperor in five years. He tried to hold back his laughter, but Kintsugi still noticed it.
"In that world, there's something called equality. Regardless of who you are, when it comes to a profession, there's no choosing based on gender. I'm a florist in the morning, a househusband at night, and a full-time husband every day. Being a florist or a full-time husband doesn't diminish my masculinity, especially as a Cyberclassical Cutthroat."
"Perhaps delicate professions or fragile tasks don't diminish masculinity, but they'll ruin your reputation."
"Meng Jiang, shut up," Lotuslush rebuked. "That's why you're always ranked low because you're all talk and lack substance."
"Lotuslush, let Meng Jiang share his perspective. His opinion is irrelevant anyway, and I have high standards when it comes to offensive things."
Meng Jiang, the long-haired Cyberclassical Cutthroat, is also known to be rivalrous, but he's only third to Comtalc and Kintsugi in that regard. He's harboring envy and nursing anger, and now that he knows Kintsugi wasn't downtrodden by his commentary, his ego is bruised.
Kintsugi and Meng Jiang sat at opposite ends of the table. Meng Jiang took his dagger and threw it in Kintsugi's direction. Kintsugi caught the dagger, and as he gripped the blade, blood flowed from his palm. Meng Jiang's brow furrowed, while Kintsugi's gaze remained direct and intense.
They clashed above the table. While the others sipped their soup in their respective seats, the two of them were fist-fighting on top of the table. Even though the table shook, the others just casually continued eating.
The scent of their Musk was intense, and Kintsugi managed to land a hit on Meng Jiang's cheek. Meng Jiang's jaw was dislocated, but it eventually restored itself. Kintsugi's lip bled. Meng Jiang's nose burst. This was a battle of strength and the potency of Musk.
Each of them withdrew swords from their panels. Kintsugi had a Zweihänder, while Meng Jiang had a Katana. While their companions let them engage in a sword fight, one of the restaurant staff were worried about the significant damage the two were causing.
"Those diners are really bizarre," said the restaurant manager, without any concern in his voice. "They paid with a large chest full of Earth stones, and even if our establishment gets damaged, it's more than enough to start over, and besides, this restaurant needed major renovations anyway."
The manager even ordered his staff to serve the dessert at the table, and speaking of tables, the one the two were standing on was incredibly sturdy.
Among the seven professionals seated with Comtalc, only he was focused on the battle between the two, while the others were focused on their own activities. They knew who would ultimately emerge victorious.
In the end, Kintsugi lowered his sword, but it didn't mean he was a defeatist. This caused his companions to look at him. He calmly stepped down from the table and sat in his chair.
"Are you disrespecting me?" Meng Jiang asked, seething with anger, his sword still pointed at Kintsugi.
"You're already winning," Kintsugi replied simply.
Comtalc smirked at Meng Jiang's reaction.
"Guys, before we have another argument here, why not try my stuff that's popular in my world?" Magalang interrupted, pulling out an attache case and placing it on the table. He opened it, revealing glittering blue substances neatly packed inside.
"And what's the specific name of that powder?" Antonof asked curiously.
"It's called Boomslang," Magalang replied. "If you inhale this powder, it will not only give you euphoria but also nostalgia and a kaleidoscope of carnal desires. It's a bestseller, and it's what established my underground empire."
"Magalang, aren't you ashamed to flaunt your illegal business in a fine dining restaurant?" Ivypom taunted. "Take that stuff away from our sight right this instant."
"We're Larkansas, and we all do illegal stuff, so there's no need to feel ashamed. And can you stop acting so demure and innocent when we all know you're a total bitch?" Magalang shot back. "You became an actress and suddenly you're acting all high and mighty."
Ivypom stood up, visibly gut-wrenched by Magalang's words. She excused herself and left, with Kintsugi following closely behind. Kintsugi didn't expect the woman he knew to be so sensitive. Although her movements seemed suspicious, he couldn't help but notice. When they reached a quiet and uncrowded area, Kintsugi suddenly heard Ivypom's frenzied laughter.
"You still care about me,' she said, her gaze locking onto Kintsugi's. Her eyes were seductive, matching the allure of her diaphanous black silk dress. She pressed her body against his, her fingers teasing the buttons of his enamel-white long-sleeved shirt. ''I missed squeezing your nipples."
Kintsugi just stood there, watching Ivypom's playful fingers. Kintsugi smoothly grasped Ivypom's hand and slowly pulled it away from him.
"You don't really have a problem," Kintsugi said, but Ivypom stopped him by kissing him. Kintsugi responded lukewarmly, almost devouring Ivypom's lips. Ivypom swallowed all the saliva that Kintsugi passed to her.
"It tastes like evaporated milk," Ivypom uttered as she moaned.
Kintsugi's belt was unfastened, and Ivypom's hands instinctively searched for what she had been looking for. Her fingers closed around a familiar shape, like gripping a sword handle, and Kintsugi even guided her in handling it properly. As she gasped for air, she withdrew a tape measure and measured the length of Kintsugi's built-in arsenal.
"Feed me, please," Ivypom requested, and Kintsugi didn't resist, immediately feeding her what she craved. Kintsugi slowly started grinding. Even if she choked on the pleasure, Ivypom continued slurping. The pleasure reached her esophagus.
From under the dress, Kintsugi inserted his head and offered kisses there. He extended his tongue to tease and tickle. But Ivypom was frustrated when Kintsugi left her hanging. Kintsugi suddenly pulled away his lips and walked away with a grin.
Due to the cliffhanger sensation, Ivypom leaned against a wall and slid down to the floor. To continue the unfinished romance, she fondled her own pearl.
Kintsugi returned to the dining table as if nothing had happened, while Ivypom followed him, looking spaced out and still savoring the aftertaste.
Meanwhile, when Lotuslush saw Kintsugi return, she suddenly excused herself and quickly headed to the revolving door. She left the restaurant.
"I'll just follow her," Antonof excused himself, having been concerned about Lotuslush earlier. She hadn't spoken to him.
"What's going on with those two?" he asked Comtalc.
"Love quarrel," his friend replied simply.
From a large dumpster box, it could be seen that Lotuslush was letting out a sigh. Behind her stood Antonof, looking at her with a sincere gaze. Lotuslush's face twisted in disgust when she saw her suitor.
"I came out because I couldn't stand your presence anymore, Antonof!"
Lotuslush's eyes narrowed, and she couldn't take it anymore. Despite Antonof's deep love for the woman, he still wanted to prove himself worthy of her heart. If possible, Antonof would devour Lotuslush. Their daggers skirmished. Lotuslush summoned spiky ice shards, and Antonof countered by summoning steel blocks to shield himself. Lotuslush cried out in pain as a large chromium hand grabbed her, gripping her tightly and restricting her movement. The giant hand crushed her until she lost consciousness. When the hand dematerialized, she fell, but Antonof caught her.
"Finally, you're behaving. But how can you be so cruel when I'm deeply in love with you? If you're always like this, I'll really disappear from your life. I'm gonna make you miss me so much that you'll be chanting spells to summon me, and let's see if I'll show up or your demons will appear instead," Antonof mumbled, planning to take Lotuslush to a penthouse.
Inside the restaurant, after sipping champagne, Meng Jiang excused himself without looking at Kintsugi and left. Soon, the other Larkansas followed suit. Only Kintsugi and Comtalc were left. Out in the parking lot, although Kintsugi had quit smoking, he lit a cigarette to keep his friend company, but didn't inhale it.
"I have a racing competition to attend on planet Cordova 11, want to watch me?"
"I don't have any missions, so I'll cheer for you."
From a planet where the inhabitants are all roadsters and the environment is full of race tracks, Kintsugi would be seen cheering for his homie from the spectators' area. When Comtalc won the race, aside from the trophy, one of his other rewards was to have a threesome with Kintsugi.