The nine-year-old Armin Arlert sat under a tree, reading a book and munching on an apple, like he usually did.
On that day, he was reading a book about a boy who falls in love with a girl, and then they end up getting married and having kids. The book made Armin wonder why the boy would do that, because obviously girls were very gross and had cooties. At least, to Armin Arlert, they did.
Girls had cooties, according to Armin. Well, except for Mikasa Ackerman. Mikasa had just moved in with Armin's best friend, Eren, because she didn't have any parents. Even though Mikasa had been staying with the Jaeger family for over a week, Armin still hadn't mustered up the strength to talk to her; he was so shy. Every time he saw her, he would just get even more timid and avoid her, but her pretty black eyes always mesmerized him.
So, on that day, Armin thought about Mikasa, the only girl in the world who didn't have coodies. Eventually, the young boy nodded off to sleep, his book on his chest and his half eaten apple next to him.
When Armin finally woke up, the sky was a warm orange color, making Armin want to go to sleep again. But, just as his heavy-feeling eyes were closing, he heard a noise rustle next to him. Armin's eyes opened quickly as he turned to see whatever was making that noise, and he blushed and stuttered out, "Mi-mikasa!"
"Your name is Armin, right," she asked silently. Armin put an arm behind his head and awkwardly smiled while nodding.
"Armin Arlert," he said.
"That's a weird name," Mikasa said, causing little Armin to awkwardly laugh even more, even though that comment hurt his feelings a bit. "But I like it," she added.
Armin's cheeks warmed up even more. "Thanks," he said.
Mikasa then helped Armin up and smiled as she said, "You're the only boy I know who doesn't have cooties." The two laughed as they walked home, hand in hand.
