Until the end of time

○ o n e ○

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The following morning, Freya stood in line with Allen in the bustling cafeteria, waiting to order their breakfast. As Allen placed his order, a commotion erupted behind them, drawing their attention.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" a man shouted angrily.

"Hey! Stop it, Bazu!" another voice interjected, trying to calm the situation.

"SAY IT AGAIN!" Bazu, the angry man, shouted louder.

"Shut up, will ya," a low, stoic voice cut through the noise. Freya instantly recognized Kanda's cold tone.

A wave of irritation swept over her. "Hell, no. I'm not letting that bastard ruin my morning," she muttered under her breath. Turning to Allen, she quickly instructed, "Order a sunny-side-up with tomatoes for me. I'll be back." With that, she strode toward Kanda's table.

"You guys are ruining my appetite by sobbing and having a memorial for the dead behind me while I eat." Kanda spoke without flinching in his seat.

"Why you... how could you say something like that about our fallen comrade?" Bazu's face twisted with rage, he yelled, his voice breaking. "We, the finders, risking our lives supporting you exorcists, and yet... YOU'RE UPSET ABOUT LOSING YOUR APPETITE?!" Overcome with anger, Bazu lunged at Kanda, but the exorcist easily dodged the clumsy attack and grabbed him by the neck.

Kanda's expression turned mocking. "Supporting us? That's just wishful thinking. That's all you guys can do. You're rejects who didn't get chosen by the Innocence." His grip tightened around Bazu's throat. "If you want to survive, leave. There are tons of replacements for your puny life."

Freya stepped in, her voice sharp and commanding. "Cut it off, Kanda." She gripped his wrist, her tone brooking no argument.

Allen quickly joined in, trying to defuse the situation. "Freya's right, Kanda. That's enough."

Freya shot Allen a quick look. "Stay out of it, Allen." Turning back to Kanda, her eyes were fierce. "I've told you countless times that this is not how you treat people, no matter their role in the Order. Now, be a good boy and walk away so I can enjoy my breakfast." Her grip tightened on his wrist, forcing him to release Bazu. The skin under her hand began to bruise purple.

Kanda glared at her, seething. "Why do you always have to interfere in everything I do?"

"Because someone has to teach you how to live in a community, you arrogant jerk," Freya retorted, her voice cutting. "I'm the only one around here who can put up with your crappy attitude. Now, leave, or I'll make you, and it won't be pleasant." Her aura flared, glowing a familiar angry red.

Before the tension could escalate further, Reever's voice boomed across the room. "Allen! Freya! Kanda!" The trio turned to see him approaching, burdened with documents and accompanied by Lenalee. "Finish your meal and come to the command room! You have a mission!"

Freya sighed heavily, her frustration palpable as she released Kanda's wrist, the spot already showing signs of bruising. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving her breakfast and the tense confrontation behind. She couldn't help but think, Oh... for God's sake... why? as she made her way out of the cafeteria, her morning ruined.

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After Reever had managed to rouse Komui from his sleep, Freya, Kanda, and Allen gathered to receive the details of their upcoming mission. Komui, looking somewhat disheveled and weary, began apologetically, "My apologies. I pulled an all-nighter last night, so..." He trailed off, rubbing his eyes.

"So did I!" Reever interjected, clearly irritated, his expression mirroring his exhaustion.

"We don't have that much time. So, I want you to get going after I give you your brief. Make sure to read the details in the packet you're about to receive." Komui said as Reever handed them the documents. "I want you three to go as a team." he added.

At this, Freya and Kanda exchanged tense looks, a silent battle of wills that sent a palpable tension through the room. Allen, caught between them, felt a growing sense of discomfort, acutely aware that any wrong move or word might result in him getting caught in the crossfire.

Komui noticed their silent exchange and sighed, frustration evident in his voice. "REALLY? Freya! Kanda! Have you two had another conflict already?" His tone carried a scolding edge, causing both exorcists to tense up in their seats. "Well, too bad. I'm not having any of it. I'm tired of you two constantly fighting and bickering over trivial matters."

Freya, visibly agitated, retorted, "Komui! Let's be serious here! I'm the only one sane enough to deal with this prick without anyone getting killed, just because he's annoyed by everything and everyone. Do I really deserve this?"

Kanda scoffed at her complaint, his voice dripping with disdain. "You know you can just ignore it and mind your own business, you cursed thing."

Freya's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Kanda... what did I tell you yesterday...?"

Before Kanda could retort, he was interrupted by a swift blow to the head from a rolled-up chart, courtesy of Komui's younger sister. Freya received the same treatment, causing both exorcists to let out surprised grunts.

"Enough, you two!" Lenalee's voice cut through the tension, her tone firm and authoritative. The pair fell silent, cowed by her sudden outburst.

Komui cleared his throat, regaining the room's attention. "An Innocence has been located in southern Italy, and it's in danger of being taken by an Akuma. Your mission is to eliminate the enemy and retrieve the Innocence immediately." His voice was serious, emphasizing the urgency of the task.

With the briefing concluded, the trio quickly prepared themselves for departure. They made their way to the underground gateway, where Komui, along with a few others from the Order, saw them off. As they exchanged farewells, the atmosphere was tense but focused, each exorcist understanding the gravity of their mission ahead.