The Shards of War: Ascension and Secrets

Chapter 3

Matsu and Blaze arrived at her apartment building, a simple and unassuming structure nestled among others in the neighborhood. Blaze hesitated at the door, searching for her keys in her bag. "Here we are," she said, finally finding her keys and unlocking the door. She stepped inside and held the door open for Matsu. Matsu entered with a smile, taking in the cozy surroundings of Blaze's apartment. "Nice place," he commented. "You've got a good sense of homey decor." Blaze blushed a little, grateful for the compliment. "Thanks, Matsu. It's not much, but it's mine."As they settled in, Blaze offered Matsu a seat on her modest couch. "Make yourself at home. Can I get you something to drink?" Matsu accepted the invitation and sat down. "Sure, water would be great." Blaze nodded and headed to the kitchen to fetch some water. The atmosphere was comfortable, and the two friends enjoyed each other's company as they chatted about various topics, letting the stresses of the day melt away in the warmth of friendship.

Then Matsu asked something that made Blaze stop in her tracks, "So how long have you been living here three?" Three walks over with the water hands it to matsu, sits down and sighs looking away from matsu as she tells him, "I've been here since we first met..." Matsu accepted the glass of water, took a sip, and looked at Three with a curious expression. "Since we first met?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow. Three nodded, her gaze still averted. "Yeah, shortly after we became friends." Matsu was thoughtful for a moment, remembering how he had met Three during one of his tactical takedown matches. "I never knew you've been living here all this time," he admitted. "You never mentioned it before." Three finally turned to look at him, her orange red eyes meeting his. "I guess I never really had a reason to bring it up," she said, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "But now you know." Matsu smiled warmly. "Well, I'm glad you told me. It's nice to know that you've always been nearby." He leaned back on the couch, sipping his water. "So, what's it like living in this neighborhood?" Three relaxed a little, grateful that Matsu didn't press her further. She started telling him about her experiences in the neighborhood, and they continued to chat, enjoying the comfort of their friendship in Three's cozy apartment.

Matsu then asked Three if she's ready to tell him about her parents, and she doesn't say anything but nods. Matsu could see the hesitation in Three's eyes, and he reached out to gently squeeze her hand. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready," he reassured her. "But whenever you are, I'm here to listen." Three managed a small smile, appreciating his understanding. She took a deep breath and began to share her story, the pain of her past, and the loss of her parents. Matsu listened attentively, offering comfort and support whenever she needed it, as they sat in her apartment, the weight of her memories slowly lifting from her shoulders. Three continued her explanation, her voice tinged with bitterness as she recounted the strained relationship with her parents. "They were always traditional, and they couldn't accept that I had my own dreams and wanted to make my own choices. When they tried to force me into that marriage, it was like they didn't care about me at all, just their reputation and their own ideals." Three continued with a heavy heart, "My parents were... they didn't approve of my friends, especially you, Matsu. As you know, they were really racist, and when they found out I was playing Tactical Takedown, they thought it was just a waste of time. They couldn't understand why I'd want to spend time with people they didn't consider 'our kind.' It was... it was the last straw for me."

Matsu listened with empathy, squeezing her hand a little tighter to show his support. "I'm really sorry you had to go through that, Three," he said softly. "But I'm glad you found a place where you can be yourself, away from their judgment. You're strong for standing up for what you believe in." Three nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you, Matsu. It means a lot to me that you understand." She wiped away a tear that had escaped. "I'm just grateful I have friends like you and your sisters. You've all been like a second family to me." Matsu smiled warmly. "Well, you're part of our family now, Three. And we'll always have your back, no matter what." Matsu wrapped his arms around Three in a comforting hug, holding her close. "You don't have to thank me, Three," he said sincerely. "Friends look out for each other, and I'm grateful to have you as my friend too." Three tightened the embrace, her voice wavering with emotion. "Thank you, Matsu. You're the best friend I've ever had." They stayed in the embrace for a moment longer, finding solace in each other's presence, knowing that they could rely on one another no matter what challenges life threw their way.