Chapter 43: Pre-War

As Frey & Shira engaged in a break during training before the fight against Hagi's Group, Frey had a flashback to what they were like before.

"Sigh," as Frey sat against the floor and remembered the past.

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"Mr.F-rey why are you so angry?" He asked, my voice laced with apprehension.

I turned towards him, my eyes filled with weariness and guarded determination. "Because I must stay vigilant. I can trust no one but myself. Survival is our only priority."

He nodded, a flicker of doubt crossing his simple mind. "But how are we supposed to trust each other then?"

I offered myself a cold, cynical smile. "Trust is a luxury we can't afford, Shira. But for now, we have a common enemy. That's all that matters."

As Shira and I delved into our training, the air crackled with tension and unspoken desires.

Our movements were fluid, but the underlying current of suspicion never wavered. That was something I hated because again I had almost made another enemy.

"Mr.Frey, how do I improve my speed in combat?" he asked, his voice was so...apathetic as if even if I didn't answer he wouldn't care.

I paused, his gaze cold and calculating. "Speed alone won't save you. Focus on exploiting your opponent's weaknesses. Strike hard and fast when they least expect it."

"Okay then," he said with another dumb smile on his face.

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To be honest, I could never understand why I got along with Shira so well, despite not getting along with anyone else except the old man. Did I just feel lonely?

"Shira, let's practice once more," I suggested, my voice laced with a hint of vulnerability. "I can definitely expect my brother to be ready for us"

He nodded eagerly, sensing a shared desire for growth and survival, or maybe Shira was just dumb that way, I'd never know what goes in his mind.

As we got into another no-holds-barred 'practice' I got distracted once again and almost got turned into a donut again. "Wait!!!" to this day I'm thankful that Shira learned how to stop.

Days turned into weeks, and we fell into a rhythm of training, eating, and laughing together. My painful past seemed to fade into the background as we focused on the present. I liked hanging out with...did I just say 'Hanging out'? Wow, I'm turning into a normal child now.

As I noticed that Shira's English was much better and now he didn't struggle at saying, "Kagune", but what he said did get me thinking: "Fry, what if you used your feather as a fan because I'm sweaty..." though he called me...'Fry'.

I was lost in thought about how if I could use my feather to make a close combat weapon wouldn't that help me get close to my brother? It was worth a try and I was up for anything that could help me.

{A/N: Time to switch POV}

As we sparred in the training grounds, the sound of our ragged breaths and the clash of our Kagune echoed through the air. Frey fought with a determination born from a desire to overcome his brother's dominance.

I, too, yearned for victory, relishing the rush that came with each strike and dodge. But Frey was being a bit weird these days and almost got hit by my strike 3 times in a single minute.

"Frey, don't worry if you can't beat him I'll beat him up for you!," I declared, my voice filled with unwavering confidence. "We won't let him steal our food!."

He stared at me, with a weird look it was like when my sister looked at Marx, every time he got her some food.

He glanced at me, a mixture of hope and fear in his eyes. "I want to believe that, Shira. But he's stronger than me, and I'm terrified of what he's capable of."

I reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Frey's shoulder just like Sherry taught me. "We can definitely beat him after all, after going to get food he'll be defeated by our amazing teamwork!"

{This POV is shorter than the other ones but it's a new character k?}

As I wanted to get Frey a sandwich because he likes them with no crust and the filling has to be PB&J or else he just gives them to me, I wonder how he eats them if we only eat other ghouls or humans.

{A/N: He asks Sherry to grab the jar with the words PB&J that stand for...Palm, Brain and Jaw.}

*sigh*

A young adult whose backstory has yet to be told said: "How do I do this without affecting the operation?" as he wondered how he save everyone without costing someone else's life.

"Mr.Marx...I can't reach the jar and Sherry is taking another shower...can you please help me?"

{A/N: I feel like I should insert a picture here. Also, I'll stop adding my notes everywhere if you don't like them.}

"It's okay, little man the ever-amazing Marx is here!" as he got up and shook his feelings away.

(To be young must be nice...)

Marx who had an epiphany realized that the perfect pupil was here, "Shira, could you promise me something?" as he said what would act as a reel.

"Shira, promise me you'll keep Sherry safe," Marx implored, his voice tinged with desperation. "I can't bear to lose her too. She deserves a chance at happiness."

Shira nods, remembering that Sherry and him and Frey are similar and that's why he should protect them. "I promise, Marx. I'll always protect my sister!."

"Thanks, little man..." as he walked away with a thought buried in his heart: (That makes one of us...).

Meanwhile, Marx carried the weight of guilt and remorse on his shoulders. His sense of responsibility for Sherry consumed him, driving him to protect her at any cost. The ghosts of his past haunted his every step, reminding him of his perceived failures.