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Hinami forced herself to linger in the woods just a little longer. Where was he? Her best friend Armin Arlert had promised to meet her here half an hour earlier. The cool breeze swept up Hinami's light brown hair, and it made the branches on the trees sway in synchrony. Now she gazed at the mass of gigantic trees in awe. So this is what a real forest looks like. Hinami had never been in one before, which is precisely why she was standing there stiffly. She'd never seen trees this tall, and much in number. She fought the urge to wander into the forest by herself, but Armin had wanted her to wait for him. They hung out every week or so like this.

Late. Hinami remembered a week earlier how she had waited too long for Armin, and her aunt had hit her for coming home late. She shuddered at the flashback. Suddenly Hinami heard a branch snap and she spun around to see him there, and her blue eyes lit up. "Armin, finally!" Hinami shouted and dashed to him with her arms open like she hadn't seen him in months.

"Oh!" Armin let out as she caught him in the hug. Then his arms fell to his sides, and he gave an apologetic smile."Sorry I'm late." Hinami took a step back from the blond."You came all the way from Trost. I didn't expect you to be early!"

Armin reached into his blue coat pocket and took out an object. He beamed as he displayed the cover to his friend. Always fascinated about books. "It's a guide about forests like this one! Come on!"

...

It came to be a spectacle that the youngsters had imagined before. Sunlight shown through the gaps in the leaves, and many animals emerged from behind the trees. The two were able to identify many of the odd plants, but were simply stupefied by the wild animals. "Could that be a..'squirrel'..?" Armin suggested as they did double takes between the rough sketch and the small specimen. They quickly gave up and continued their trudge through the forest.

Armin slumped down under the shade of a giant tree."Phew..Let's take a rest here, Hinami!" he invited.

"Tired already?" Hinami placed her hands on her hips disapprovingly. Armin yanked her down with a chuckle. Beside him, Hinami absently observed an insect they'd previously identified as a "ladybug". Armin watched his friend and gulped, uncertain of how to tell her. It would sound abrupt, and he was nervous himself. Armin decided to not beat around the bush.

"I'm gonna enlist in a few months." he said quietly, keeping his eyes on hers.

Hinami suddenly jolted from her spot. The insect she was watching opened it's wings and flew off. "Why? Armin!?" she cried with her fists clenched, demanding an answer.

This is what he expected would happen. She continued to demand for an explanation, startling Armin to his feet. He furrowed his brow. "I have to do this!" Hinami noticed that he looked passionate about it, like in the same manner he was passionate about books and the outside world.

Even so, she thought he was being unfair. "But why do you wanna enlist!? You can get killed!" she cried.

Armin hesitated before he said,"Titans are why my parents are dead." That wasn't entirely true, and he knew it. His parents were forced outside the walls. "And...and I vowed to enlist with two other friends. I can't get left behind again..." Armin murmured.

Hinami tried to comprehend his reasoning, but was struggling. "Why do you want to leave?" She thought,"Aren't we friends?" Then Hinami realized - Armin was her only friend remaining, after Pete and Venia had been forced outside the walls a year ago. The thought of being left alone again saddened her. She wouldn't want to have adventures if there was no one to share it with.

Armin gave her a quizzical look when she grabbed his sleeve. "I'll enlist with you!" Hinami exclaimed. "If I have to lose another friend, then so be it," echoed in her mind.

Armin grinned widely, almost relieved another friend was going to risk their life alongside him. Most of all, he couldn't wait to introduce Eren and Mikasa to the girl he'd grown so familiar with.