Even with the initial dramatic separation of branch paths, all four branches train and live on the same campus of the facility. While most of the training is done independently due to the vastly different nature of the branches, they told us that joint training will occasionally be done.
Despite the death threats I made, I invited Hallow to dinner, while a certain someone invited themselves...
"Ero ani!" With a wave, Toko skips towards us.
"You can just say made-up words in a suggestive tone and expect it to make sense."
She smirks, "Then perhaps I ought to communicate in a different way." She turns. "Eh? Whose prince charming?"
"This is Hallow. He's my teammate, you met him during bootcamp."
"Well, ain't you the textbook knight?"
"And you must be Coffin's friend, he said lots of good things about you."
"Aw, did he? But, we're a little more than friends."
"I don't even think I said your name once today."
"So, so, I never asked, what element do you have an affinity for? I'm sure we're twinning! We do share everything after al-."
"Artic."
"Eh..." She puts her hand on my shoulder with a look of pity. "You're a good man in a cruel world."
"What of you?"
"Iridescent."
I tilt my head. "Isn't that the really good one?"
Hallow's eyes widen. "That's the best one!"
"Yep, yep. You really do have the perfect sis. Guess I took all the good genes in the family."
"That's if we were actually related."
The waiter walks over, leading us to our booth.
Hallow attempts to sit next to me before Toko... kindly directs him to the other end, taking his spot.
"Are you guys ready to order?
"I'll take the triple chocolate pancakes! Coco, get the trench toast with bananas for me!"
Pushing her away with a sigh. "I'll just have a coffee."
"That's not what I told you to get!"
She lunges at me, grabbing my face with an annoyed expression.
Pushing her off me, she latches on like a monkey.
"Then I'll take the trench toast, I would be happy to share." Hallow smiles towards Toko.
The waiter nods and leaves with a bow.
"See! Even your teammate is nicer than you."
"Hallow, you just made a terrible mistake, by ordering her command, you forfeited your meal to the goddess of gluttony."
"It's quite alright, if it means making a lady happy, no price is too expensive."
"He even calls me a lady! Coco, take notes."
"Hmm? ...no ladies here," Pushing Toko off me, I sigh. "Just a chimp."
"Hey! I'm not a chimp."
"You sure jump like one."
"Well then, your- you're a turtle... a stupid turtle!"
"Damn... really got me with that one."
Hallow respectfully laughs. "You say you're not related, but you guys certainly fight like siblings."
Resting my head on my hand, I sigh. "It's fun to shoot a water gun at people, until you're the one getting sprayed."
Toko smirks. "Hehe, so perverse Coco, it's not my fault you get me so excit-."
"Not like that. I'm trying to say, things seem nice until you have them."
"Do you have any siblings?"
"Yep, just like you, I have a little sister."
I exhale in annoyance.
"But she is quite the angel." He gives a warm laugh. "I promised her I'd become a pro pioneer so she can brag to her friends. It sounded simple at first, but this might be a little more rocky of a journey than I'd initially planned."
"Aw, willing to go through all that effort for your sister. Coco, he's making you look bad."
I've given up on correcting the accusations.
After finishing dinner, we leave the restaurant.
Toko leans against me with a smirk. "Watch for the rose's thorns." With a jump, she skips away. "Anywho, leave your door unlocked tonight. Toodles, Coco!"
We begin to walk back to the dorms in silence.
"Hey, about yesterday..." Taking a deep breath, I attempt to sidestep the awkward air. "I'm not sure what I was saying. I think I was caught up in the shock of victory. But, I won't deny my actions, if anything, it felt like the true me. While I say this, it won't change the words that left my mouth, yet I do wish to remain friends."
Hallow momentarily doesn't say anything as we continue walking. "At first I was mad, but the more I think about it, the more I become jealous."
"Jealous?"
"Now that you know what I'm really like, you know how deceptive I am, a facade I use to gain what I want. You took my own strategy and used it against me, adapting to my style of warfare. I hated facing my own act. And even after that, you spoke your mind, you were able to take off the deceptive mask and still be you."
He scoffs as he scratches his head. "While I will admit it was kinda terrifying, I was jealous of your honesty to yourself."
I'm a little flabbergasted as I fail to form words.
"While our initial friendship may have been broken, it was built on lies and fake personas. So now that we truly know one another, I would be happy to be your friend, Coffin."
"That's inhumanely mature of you to forgive me like that. But it would be my pleasure." Putting out my hand, I smile.
"How about we fist bump? I have bad memories of shaking your hand. You know, betrayal and all that."
"Right."
"So, as a sign of friendship, can you set up a date between your sister and me?"
"Wow, well, you're certainly being more honest now."
"It's a gesture of good faith."
"...Right. Well, that's a no from me. It's my gesture of good faith; she's a bomb in a fridge, you never know what you're getting."