The smell of frying oil hung in the air like a second atmosphere.
Fry Shack was half-empty, with just a few late diners and the constant hiss of grease. The boys sat in their usual booth near the window, the same spot where too many half-serious conversations had taken place.
Tanaka had a milkshake in front of him; he was banned from the tournament and can never participate again but not from fast food.
Kieran poked absently at his chips.
Brock slowly ate away at his burger while Roy, as always, sat quietly, hands folded, eyes half-lidded because he was tired from the day.
"So," Tanaka said, slurping loudly, "second to last match to the quarter finals. You nervous yet, champ?"
Kieran didn't look up. "Not really."
"Liar," Brock muttered. "You've been staring at that fry for five minutes now."
Kieran sighed. "I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"About how I'm supposed to hit someone whose Soul Art literally bends gravity."
That got their attention.
"Ah, Aurelian Veyl," Brock said, grimacing. "Last year's champion. Undefeated since his debut.
Tanaka tilted his head. "Magnitude, right? The one where he distorts mass?"
"Yeah," Brock said. "He can make you feel like you're sinking into the floor or make his sword weigh nothing. It's…"
"Cheating," Tanaka finished.
Roy smirked faintly. "Efficient."
Kieran leaned back, exhaling. "Doesn't matter. Everyone's got a weakness."
"Do you know what his is?" Roy asked.
Kieran shook his head. "Not yet, at least."
Tanaka pointed his straw at him like a weapon. "You better figure it out before he turns you into a pancake."
"Thanks for the faith, mate." Kieran said dryly.
"Hey, I'm your number one supporter. Just a realistic one."
The table fell quiet again for a moment. The hum of conversation and the soft thump of pop music filled the background.
Then Brock spoke, lowering his voice. "You still haven't used your Soul Art yet, right?"
Kieran paused mid-bite. "No."
"Are you planning to?"
"Maybe."
Tanaka leaned forward, eyes glinting with curiosity. "You know we still don't know what your soul art is. Why the mystery? What is it… Is it something dramatic? Explosions, maybe? Or could it be mind control? Has to be instant ramen summoning, right?"
Kieran smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yes," Tanaka said without hesitation.
Roy leaned back in his seat. "Keeping it hidden isn't a bad move. The less people know, the harder it is to counter. But…"
"But?"
Roy's gaze met his. "If you hold back too long, you'll lose before you realise you should've used it."
Kieran nodded slowly. "I know."
Tanaka twirled his straw in the empty cup. "So what's the plan then, O Mysterious One?"
"Simple," Kieran said. "Win."
Brock groaned. "Yeah, that is a good one, mate, but what really is your plan?"
"It's all I've got," Kieran replied, smirking faintly.
Roy's voice came quieter this time, almost thoughtful. "You're not afraid of him."
"Of Veyl?" Kieran shrugged. "He's just a guy with better marketing."
Tanaka snorted. "You say that like you're not about to fight the poster boy for the tournament."
For a while, they just sat there, four idiots in a cheap booth, talking like the world wasn't watching.
Outside, rain started to fall, soft against the glass. The light from the streetlamps blurred into gold streaks on the window.
Then, out of nowhere, Tanaka proposed the question.
"Hey guys. What is your type of woman?"
Everyone was slightly stunned from the randomness of the question, but it was a serious question in all honesty so they started thinking.
And Roy started the train.
"Well, I already have my whole ideal woman in mind," he mentioned.
Curiosity crept into the other three minds. Roy, out of everyone, has a type, and simultaneously they all thought that they needed to know.
"Well, what is your type then?" Brock asked.
"My type… is a mature woman, like a few years older than me. I want her to be a strong woman that could carry me place to place, so I don't have to ever walk again."
They all were surprised by what Roy was saying. To them, he sounds pathetic.
"Okay and what about her face or figure?" replied Kieran with a face that was awestruck from what the guy in front of him was saying.
"Hmm, a captivating face to my eyes only. I don't really mind her hair, but I prefer women with short hair, so I guess we can go with short hair. Broad shoulders, toned arms, a body that's been through training, discipline, and real effort, like me."
"You are not that big, bro; you are 5'8 max," commented Kieran, standing at 6 feet tall.
Roy eyed him down and then skipped over his comment since he knew he wasn't lying.
"And for her personality? I want her to be principled. Someone who doesn't sugarcoat anything. Someone who'll call me out when I'm wrong, push me to be better, and expect the same in return."
The table went quiet.
Rain tapped against the window like fingertips.
Tanaka finally broke the silence. "So basically… you want a terrifyingly hot, morally uncompromising, buff older woman that has a big ass who could suplex you through this table."
Roy didn't blink. "Bingo."
Brock shook his head. "Man… your standards are insane."
Roy closed his eyes again, leaning back. "Ay, if I'm going to fall for someone, she shouldn't be forgettable."
The boys exchanged looks.
Tanaka sipped his milkshake.