Tatsu returned to the Sword Field with a bag of bakery leftovers he got for half price. He took one look at the scene in front of him and immediately lost hope in humanity.
The swordsman was still swinging.Fridge Sama was still dodging.Nothing had changed.It was like someone pressed the replay button on a very boring fight.
Tatsu stood there silently for a moment.He took a bite of his bread.
"Seriously. You two are still going at it."
The swordsman yelled mid swing."I will land a hit today."
Fridge Sama replied without looking at him."No, you will not."
Another swing.Another effortless dodge.Fridge Sama might as well have been checking his imaginary phone.
Tatsu plopped down on a wooden stump and chewed slowly."At this point I think I work harder lifting bricks than you do fighting."
"I am fighting," the swordsman snapped between breaths.
"You are exercising," Tatsu corrected. "He is ignoring you."
Fridge Sama drifted back a step, hands behind his back, expression blank."I am not ignoring him. I am simply uninterested."
"Same thing," Tatsu said.
The swordsman faltered, confused, exhausted, and possibly regretting waking up today.
Tatsu sighed and stood up."Alright, I am checking out. This is too slow. I need to go to work."
He turned to Fridge Sama."I will be back in a few hours. Do not break anything. Or anyone."
Fridge Sama answered simply,"I cannot promise that."
"That is the problem," Tatsu muttered as he walked away.
Tatsu worked his shift, hauled heavy materials, got yelled at by his supervisor, earned almost nothing, and questioned the meaning of life.Standard day.
When he finished, he jogged back to the Sword Field.
Just as he feared.They were still fighting.
Except at this point, the swordsman was dragging his sword more than swinging it.His face was pale.His soul was half gone.
Fridge Sama looked exactly the same as before.
Tatsu sighed. "This is sad. You two look like a time loop malfunction."
Fridge Sama turned his head slightly."You returned."
"Yes," Tatsu said. "You remember I exist. Congratulations."
"You left without permission."
Tatsu stared at him."I had a job."
"You abandoned me," Fridge Sama said, voice as flat as frozen water.
Tatsu rubbed his forehead."Oh my god. You cannot possibly be serious."
"I am always serious," Fridge Sama replied.
"No, you are dramatic," Tatsu shot back. "There is a difference."
Fridge Sama crossed his arms."You left. Therefore I am disappointed."
"Why are you emotionally needy," Tatsu asked. "You literally slept in a fridge for who knows how long."
"That was voluntary solitude," Fridge Sama said. "This is betrayal."
Tatsu choked."How. When. Why. What betrayal."
The swordsman collapsed onto his knees, panting."I have achieved nothing today."
"Same," Tatsu replied sympathetically.
Fridge Sama gave the swordsman a single nod."You have tenacity."
The swordsman bowed weakly."And you have terrifying reflexes."
"Thank you," Fridge Sama said.
"You two are weird," Tatsu muttered.
Fridge Sama finally relaxed and walked toward Tatsu."You owe me grape soda."
"That again," Tatsu said."Yes," Fridge Sama answered calmly.
Tatsu sighed in defeat."Fine. I will buy the soda."
Fridge Sama nodded, satisfied.
But before they could leave, a cold breeze swept across the Sword Field.
It was not natural wind.Not magic from the swordsman.Something else.
Fridge Sama stopped walking.
Tatsu felt it a moment later, a prickling sensation up his spine.
"Hey," he whispered. "Something is wrong."
Fridge Sama looked toward the tree line.His expression hardened, not dramatic, not playful, just sharp.
A figure stood between the training poles.Still.Silent.Watching.
Tatsu swallowed."Friend or enemy."
Fridge Sama answered quietly,
"Neither."
The figure took one step forward.The entire field seemed to tighten.
Tatsu felt his heart thump.
"What does that mean," he asked.
Fridge Sama's gaze remained locked on the figure.
"It means," he said softly, "that trouble has finally arrived."