Fang and Buster

Feng and Buster were sitting on a bench in Brawl City Park. With a smile, Buster was showing Feng a new trick with his film strip—a slow-motion effect right in mid-air. But Feng looked distant.

Buster:
— Well? Did you see it? I've been practicing for a week just to surprise you! Now we can film our fights and make some awesome clips!

Feng:
— Yeah, cool... But you know, Buster, I feel like we're heading in different directions.

Buster (stunned):
— What do you mean? We're a team! We've always been together!

Feng (sighs, avoiding eye contact):
— I just feel like I need something new. Edgar offered me a spot on his team. There are more prospects there, more attention.

Buster (voice trembling):
— But... we're friends. Isn't that more important?

Feng (stands up, turns away):
— Sorry, Buster. I've already decided.

He walked away without looking back. Buster remained alone, holding the film strip, which slowly unspooled and fell to the ground.

A week passed. Buster avoided group practices, wandered the streets, and remembered how he and Feng used to laugh and support each other.
Entering the cafe they used to frequent, he heard the waiter's question:
Waiter:
— The usual, Buster?
Buster nodded, but immediately realized—there is no more "usual." He ordered a coffee, looked out the window, and saw Feng with Edgar: they were laughing. Buster turned away, feeling a lump in his throat, left the money on the table, and walked out without touching his coffee.
In the evening, he sat on a roof with a photo in his hands—it showed him and Feng with their arms around each other after winning a tournament.
Buster (whispering):
— Why? Was I not good enough?..
He squeezed the photo, smoothed it out, and put it in his pocket.
Buster (determinedly):
— No. I won't hate him. I'll just... miss him.
Meanwhile, Feng was training with Edgar.
Edgar:
— Slow. Too predictable.
Feng (smiling tensely):
— Yeah, you're right. I'll try again...
Edgar (dodges and scoffs):
— Boring. You're too formulaic. At least Buster knew how to surprise people.
Those words stung Feng. He remembered Buster's support: "Come on, it'll be better next time :)"