243 Martial beauty (2/2)

Steaks!

Cigars!

Stick shift!

Explosions!

Acting in The Expendables!

…

Pitbulls!

Fighting!

Barbecue!

Mountains!

Riverboat gambling trips!

…

Ben was in the zone—the man-zone, and he was ready to man up!

Now, as he watched the instructor teach the moves, his enthusiasm and focus reached new levels, helping him absorb everything to the minutest detail.

A while later...the lesson ended and all the white belts began to pair off. It was time for open grappling practice so they could attempt the moves on each other, and the most popular choice for partner was clear to everyone—Ben!

A dozen students approached him with smiles on their faces. Yet, they could only curse under their breath when they saw Ben shake hands with the first one to arrive, who also showed the kindest smile.

Soon, everyone got into their positions of facing each other with kneeling stances, and a moment later, they began. That's when Ben watched the smile drop off the face of his partner…who pounced!

Within seconds, outmatched in technique, Ben was on his back in a passive position, pressed by the body-weight of his opponent, who was also cranking his neck. With a solemn expression, the student whispered a sweet lullaby into Ben's ear. ”Tell me, newbie…”

”What?” Ben's struggled to respond with his face squished against the mat.

”I want the truth!”

”W-What truth?!?”

The student brought his face right up against Ben's, until their cheeks were touching...as they both faced the direction...of Valentina the instructor. ”Were the nips hard or soft…”

…

”D-don't know!” Ben shouted.

”Wrong answer!” The student then cranked harder on Ben's neck, forcing him to slap his hand on the mat, tapping out! Ben lost!

A few minutes later, the student gave Ben a respectful bow before walking away. At this point, Ben's cheeks were rosy from being pressed against the mat the whole time. With fearful eyes, he gazed at the student leave as if watching the exit of a devil...

Soon, a different white belt sat across from Ben as they switched partners for the next round of practice. This one's face was simple and straightforward; the type you knew you could trust at a glance. Seeing that, Ben asked him, ”Who was that evil guy I just rolled with? Did he murder his parents or something? He was so vicious!”

Ben's new partner raised his eyebrows. ”Corey? He's the nicest guy here. He's a priest.”

…

With an expression of horror, Ben turned his head and looked at Corey's back. 'Every day, you stray further from God...'

...

Then, the time for them to start training came again, which is when Ben's partner's simple and kind face, morphed into a demonic snarl!

Not long after…that face was pressed against Ben's, as his arms wrapped around Ben's neck in a choke from behind. ”Tell me and I'll give you a painless death...”

The trustworthy simple man increased the pressure, whispering sweet nothings into Ben's ear, whose face was turning blue. ”Were the nips big or small…”

...

*Gurg!* Ben couldn't answer, because there was no air to speak! 'I just wanted a cantaloupe!'

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