Disclaimer: I don't own one piece
Shakky's rip-off bar and restaurant, a common watering hole for all new world university goers. Now some would act suspicious or question why a business owner would clearly display the fact that there bar was a place that would clearly rob you of your money. However, most students didn't care as they came to this place for the calm laid back atmosphere even the servers were very hospitable-although a forewarning to all people who frequented this area should not make the error of confusing there polite disposition for anything else after all this is a place you came to relax and nothing more. This is ironic considering how some students in the university were known to be quite rowdy and rambucuous under different circumstances.
From the warm tan brown painted walls that gave the place a soothing ambiance to the hardwood floors and wooden tables. On this afternoon this is where the gang found themselves on this particular day in a more secluded booth on the second floor opposite a window overlooking the streets below. Now judging from the serious expressions had you would think that they were talking about a very serious matter at hand but...
'I'm telling you it's the truth.' Izou declared placing the ice tea he was holding up to this point back on the table.
'As much as I want to believe you it seems like it's full of loopholes, yoi.' Marco argued calmly while stirring his coffee.
'Kind of have to side with Marco on this one. Doesn't it sound kind of farfetched to you?' Jozu questioned before proceeding to take a sip of ice cold beer from his mug.
Leaning back in his chair Izou groaned in frustration and began to rub his forehead. Clearly he wasn't pleased 'it happened I'm telling you it is the truth.'
A faint chuckle from behind caused the gang to turn to face none other than the owner herself. A rumour circulated around her concerning what her real age was but whenever asked all she did was laugh or politely say that it was rude to ask about a woman's age. This time she chose to wear casual attire a black tank top with the shaky logo on the front and purple skin fitting jeans with a flowery pattern on the right leg that stretched from the knee down to the bottom. Her hair styled in the usual neat black bob a mischievous twinkle in her brown eyes. In her hand she held a cigarette a marginal distance from her mouth. She stood in a relaxed stance with a calm disposition emanating from her-this was none other than the owner herself.
'Been awhile since you guys last came I was beginning to think that you found another place.' Shakky teased. Pulling out seat from a nearby table she sat herself down 'so what is all the commotion I'm hearing.'
'Well actually it's about...' Izou started
'Shakky, I've been looking everywhere for you. I was wondering could I take the day off tomorrow I want to go help my sister I told she was planning on moving right?' a voice greeted. Turning their heads to see that is none other than Molly approaching the table wearing the uniform of the bar which consisted of a short sleeved white blouse, a black vest coat and a black knee-length mini skirt with a waist apron with the logo printed on the side. A tray balanced with a various assortment of foods balanced effortlessly on each hand.
'Sure but make sure to be back by Monday.' Shakky agreed reaching into her pocket she pulled out a packet of cigarettes and lit herself another before replacing back into her pocket 'guess I'll be going. It was nice catching up with you guys.' Standing she began to head for the stairs that led to the bottom a brief exchange between her and Molly transpired then she left completely.
'Finally now that you're here I can prove to pineapple head here that I'm right.' Izou exclaimed.
'About what exactly?' Molly asked in confusion glancing briefly between both Izou and Marco in which the latter just shrugged casually and went back to reading a paper.
'Are you and Ace in a sexual relationship?' Izou asked bluntly. They say that the best way to ask such questions is in a blunt manner no beating around the bush whatsoever. To say that she was shocked would be the biggest understatement of the millennia her mouth lay open as a jumble of incoherent words left her mouth. The trays in her hand lay forgotten.
'Earth to Molly.' Haruta called out while waving her hand in front of Molly's face turning to Izou 'I think you broke her.'
'It's just a simple yes or no question.' Izou huffed
'No that is the normal reaction you get when somebody asks you that question.' Marco thought while he calmly observed the situation.
Having found her voice Molly replied 'just give me one second' in a steady pace she walked to the nearest table and placed the trays before stumbling back to the table.
'What about the orders, yoi?' Marco asked
'They'll get them when they get them.' Replied in an indifferent tone a complete 180 compared to her previous mumbling glazed overlook.
'Um Izou what made you come to such a conclusion that would make you think Ace and I are doing that.' Molly questioned curiously an undertone of disgust when she said Ace's name.
'Well yesterday when I came over around in the afternoon I could hear some noises coming from the living room that sounded very suggestive between you and Ace. So not wanting to disturb you guys I left you two to continue your *ahem* thing and came back later.' Izou explained.
'Yesterday afternoon?' she muttered in confusion before her eyes brightened up and realisation and she planted her fist in her palm 'oh that we were just playing Mario Kart' replied simply before standing up and picking up the trays with the food which had become cold by now-but who cares?
'But that doesn't explain why Ace was only in his boxers and her in her undergarments?' Izou muttered in question.
'Think it was another crazy bet those two made against each other.' Jozu suggested
'Then it probably got out of hand and knowing those two over competitive blockheads they took it a step too far and cheating was involved.' Haruta continued before continuing to eat her parfait.
'So I wonder who lost the bet.' Izou questioned curiously while stirring his straw absentmindedly in his iced tea.
The sound of heavy footsteps alerted them of a third party craning their heads they all had a variety of expressions showcasing their innermost thought. Izou and Haruta by this point had burst into peals of mirth to the point that Haruta was leaning back in the booth. Even Marco and Jozu who were normally the mature ones of the group were chuckling at what they saw.
A clearly annoyed and embarrassed stood in front of them dressed in nothing but a grass skirt (thankfully wearing boxers and not gone commando) and a coconut bra. On his head he wore a black wig with a garish looking hibiscus as an accessory with some makeup on his face.
'Seems like we just found out who lost the bet.' Jozu commented who thankfully had stopped laughing at his friend.
'Looking good there Ace.' Haruta teased
'Shut up Jozu I didn't lose the bet I just let her beat me.' Ace retorted.
'Let me win please. You couldn't beat me if I was playing with my arms tied behind my back using my feet to control the controller flame-brain. Which I do recall did happen once.' A voice behind Ace stated who stepped beside him and used Ace's shoulder as a weight a smug grin on her face.
'You should give up, yoi. Just face the fact that you'll never be able beat her in a game of Mario Kart this is what 500th loss to her, yoi' Marco stated.
'500th game Ace you really suck.' Haruta stated.
'You should give up a fight you can't win. A wise man knows when to back away from a meaningless fight where they can see the inevitable outcome.' Jozu spoke sagely.
'You guys are mean.' Ace whined while pouting childishly.
'Sometimes the truth hurts flame brain.' Molly leered
Later on that night Ace found himself in his bedroom hunched over in serious concentration (a serious once in a blue moon moment) pouring over a thick manual. A crack of light from the door caused him to flinch instinctively at the sudden burst of light. That action did not go unnoticed as the person began to chuckle in amusement.
'Still trying to figure out a way to beat her.' the person at the door stated having seen his roommate do this before.
'Not a word Thatch. Just you wait I will beat her next time.' Ace growled.
Thatch just chuckled at his roommate's obsession 'the guy is more focussed on beating her in a game than on his actual classes.' He thought to himself before closing the door. Turning to head to his room his eyes widened marginally in surprise to see Molly sitting cross-legged on the couch a similar manual in hand while cradling a cup of coffee.
'Those two are seriously over-competitive' he thought to himself.
'Oh hey Thatch.' Molly greeted 'what are you doing up this late?'
'Shouldn't I be asking you that?' He retorted
'Touché.' She acknowledged before going back to her 'studying'
'Now if only they spent this much time studying as they did trying to beat each other in video games and sports.' Thatch thought to himself before entering his room.
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