VI

Going to school nowadays was most... troublesome. What kept him going was his grandfather's smile and his expectations on his performance at school, but truly he would've preferred staying in bed. Armin didn't have a lot of friends. He wasn't a social butterfly and unfortunately, his love for books didn't help him getting along with others. Most people didn't even know who Annie Leonhart was. It was a shame, for she was an exceptional writer, yet she had built her reputation with her last published book, The Girl in the Crystal Cage. Her books were what he talked about the most.

However, with Eren, it was natural. He could talk about books, but also about school without giving a nerd vibe. Eren would inform him about sports and trivia facts that everyone seemed to know except for him. With Eren, he felt normal and people didn't bother him. Without Eren, he was back to being the freak loving books and he could hear snickers in his back.

"Oi, Mushroom, did your bodyguard let you down? It was about time."

Funny thing how Eren, no matter how impetuous and idealist he was, could get along with almost everyone. Armin didn't look down and kept on walking, refusing to yield. He was friends with Eren since he was quite young, but most people didn't know that. Most people thought he had latched himself on Eren just like a parasite, burdening him. It hurt to hear the thoughts spoken aloud when he sometimes himself pondered on them.

"Mushroom, are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"

Armin clenched his teeth together, jaw locked. No, he wouldn't give them the satisfaction to– He gasped as he felt himself tripping. He only had the time to throw his hands in front of him to cushion his fall, but he winced as his body hit the ground. He could feel moisture in his eyes and he angrily wiped it, ashamed of his own weakness. A small crowd had gathered around, silent witnesses observing with glassy eyes and sleeping minds. Armin kneeled on the ground, noticing his bag was lying nearby with some of its content strewn in the dirt. Leonhart's book was peeking from inside his schoolbag, the black and white cover thankfully immaculate.

"He can't even walk properly. How pathetic. Look at this." His eyes widened when the novel was picked up by the hands of someone clearly brutal and surely illiterate – someone who didn't deserve touching such a masterpiece of literature.

"Give it back!" Armin shouted, scrambling to his feet.

The boy sneered as he held the book out of his reach. "Why would I do that, uh?"

"Because you don't want me to kick your ass." The familiar voice shook Armin to the core and he turned around, seeing a fuming Eren with a peculiar white eyepatch concealing on his left eye. "Give it back to Armin now."

It was common knowledge at Shiganshina Academy that an angry Eren was extremely dangerous. Whispers rippled from the crowd, sentences such as 'I bet five hundred yen on Jaeger' or 'Oh man, shit's going down' erupting. As much as Armin was relieved to see his friend well and back, he didn't want him to fight his battle. Hopefully, the brute merely sniggered and tossed the book away. Armin caught it just in time, patting the cover, and Eren bent down to pick up his bag. The crowd was visibly disappointed in the lack of action and broke apart, people going their own way. As soon as they were alone, Armin beamed at his friend.

"Eren, you have no idea how happy I am to see you."

"I'm glad to see you too," he answered but his voice seemed strained. Now that he had his full attention, Armin noticed how Eren's ears were tinged red – something was going on.

"So, what happened when you were gone? Are you alright?" Armin asked smoothly.

"I'm fine."

But the smile he was offering him was fake. His eyes — well, eye, really — were devoid of any light. His white eyepatch was unsettling. Such a pale shade didn't fit Eren's light tan and made his chestnut hair seemed darker than usual. His remaining eye, however, was a tempestuous ocean.

"What about your eye? What happened?"

"Oh, nothing serious. Are you still up for that autograph thing?"

Armin wasn't a fool. He knew fairly well that it was his friend's way to change topics. He didn't push but filed it in his mind for later.

"You mean, you don't mind?" He asked, looking down his copy of The Girl in the Crystal Cage.

"I don't. In fact, I, uhm, found someone who'd like to come as well. Is it okay if he tags along?"

"He likes Annie Leonhart too? Oh, that's just brilliant."

As much as Armin was genuine in his feelings, he wondered if he should feel menaced by this new friend who could steal his place as Eren's best friend. He brushed away the thought instantly. This was Eren. He was the boy who had grown into a young man, whom he had seen grown, whom he had grown alongside. He was the student who couldn't sit straight during the day, itching to run outside. He was his intelligent albeit a little disorganised friend, whom he helped finishing his homework. How could he have ever doubted him?

Eren, oblivious to his internal monologue, looked like he had been punched in the face.

"So... you're alright with it."

Armin frowned, puzzled. "Shouldn't I be? Is he—"

"He's not the nicest man, but he probably won't talk so that makes him tolerable."

He could only nod at Eren's contradictory speech. It didn't matter who he decided to bring, as long as he could see Annie Leonhart. He had dreamed many times about meeting her. He hoped he would make a good impression. He hoped he could express to her just how much her books were masterpieces. Yet he knew that he'd mostly end up gaping like a fish in front of her, as red as a beet, with Eren nudging at him to say something. Maybe he could count on Eren's friend to tell her how wonderful she was.

Eren's friend was not what he had expected. Then again, he didn't quite know what kind of people Eren hung out with, but he didn't feel like this man fit the description. He was a man sculpted from stone with a snow-kissed skin. Dark wisps of hair fell on his forehead yet not low enough as to hide his eyes of steel. He was dressed with a fashion that Armin failed to understand. He was clad in a black trench coach, a cravat tied around his neck. His hands were gloved in white.

"Armin, this is Levi. Levi, this—"

"I'm not deaf, brat."

Even his voice, condescending, was unlike any of Eren's friends. Friend was a huge term, for Eren's lips curled in a snarl and his eyebrows furrowed. Armin waved at Levi with a quivering smile before he led Eren away to the line of people standing in front of a library for the autographs.

"Eren, are you sure Levi is your friend? He looks rather... scary."

"Don't bother about him. Ignore him."

Armin would've liked to listen to his advice, but he felt bad ignoring Levi who was right behind them. Instead, he spun around and gave him his brightest smile, trying to find against the shaking of his hands, clasped in his back.

"Which of her books did you like the most?"

He didn't as much as twitch. "Books?"

"Yes... Her books. My favourite's The Girl in the Crystal Cage."

He looked away, head tilting. "Never heard about it."

"Ah? It's her most famous book. How have you heard about her then?"

Levi was about to answer when Eren growled loud enough for both of them to hear.

"Leave it there, Armin. He's a lost cause."

But it fell to deaf ears as the blond boy peered above the shoulders of people in front of them. "Guys, I can see her," he squeaked, holding his book closer to his heart.

He could see a glimpse of blond hair as pale as wheat but it didn't deter him. His heart was thumping as he grounded his teeth together as not to squeal. Then the line shifted and she came in their view. She looked apathetic, with her lips pursed, her blue eyes frigid as they were riveted to the book she was signing. Her hair was tied in a loose bun, locks falling in front of her right eye.

"She looks like an ice statue," Levi muttered behind him.

"Look who's talking," Eren snorted.

"At least I know for a positive fact that I am human, which I cannot say for you."

"Eren, if I faint will you still make her sign my book?" Armin inquired, eyes darting from the author and back to his friend frantically. The only thing keeping him from fidgeting was his book, which he held in a deathly grip. "Can you also tell her how I absolutely love her other works?"

"Hey, calm down, it's not like you're going to die. Just go with the flow."

"Go with the flow... Go with the flow... What if the flow makes me faint? What if—?"

"Listen brat, if you don't shut up, I'll make sure you do and you won't like it."

Eren whirled around with fury etched on his features. "I dare you to say that again, bastard."

"Who are you calling a bastard, monster?" Levi retorted, eyes flickering with the fire of hatred.

"Good afternoon. Whose book do I sign?"

Armin would've collapsed in both shame and agitation had it not been from Eren pushing him upright. Annie Leonhart was watching them with indifference, her pen immobile between her fingers. Armin unfroze at the sight, putting his edition in front of her.

"Uhm, it's mine. It's The Girl in the Crystal Cage."

"I know," she answered, opening the book. "I recognised the cover I have selected."

"O-Of course! My name is Armin. What is—? What am I saying, haha? I know what your name is. You're the great Annie Leonhart," he stuttered between nervous giggles.

She cocked an eyebrow, her hand about to write stilling. "I'm just Annie Leonhart."

"N-No, you're not. I mean, yes, you are, but you are great. It's not like everyone can write books as wonderfully as you can. Your stories are enthralling and once we pick up one of your novels, we can't put it back until we're finished. And it's a good thing, Miss Leonhart. It's a marvellous thing. You're my favourite author and I think you deserve more acknowledgement."

She blinked, and then pushed the book back to him. "Thank you for your support. It is most appreciated. Here is your copy."

Armin picked it up, tears of joy almost sprouting from his eyes. She had thanked him! She had signed his book! It had once been his treasure, but now he would worship this book that now held her precious signature. He was about to bow before leaving when he noticed her eyes had strayed in his back, taking in the two brooding men accompanying him. She seemed to be interested by Eren's eyepatch as it had her entire focus.

"Do you want me to a sign a copy as well?"

Her voice was colder, as if possible. While Eren's eye was wide in surprise, Levi's narrowed. Armin noted how his back stiffened the longer he was staring at her.

"We're fine without one."

"Alright. Be careful on your way home."

"You should be vigilant as well."

Then Levi grabbed them by the sleeves and dragged them away from her. While Armin found it that Eren's friend acted so rudely towards them and Annie Leonhart herself, he was still floating on his cloud. When they were far enough from the library, the blond bowed to them.

"Thank you for coming with me."

"I'm glad you saw her. I know just how much you gush about her and her books," Eren smiled.

"I'm not gushing," Armin protested, but his flushed cheeks were betraying him. He turned to Levi, uncertain. "I hoped you liked it as well."

"I did. It was informative."

There was a glint in his eyes he didn't like. Eren had noticed it too and didn't seem to like it. They exchanged a glance, but Levi had donned back his marble mask.

"What's the story of your book?"

It took Armin a few seconds to realise he was the one he was addressing himself to. "Uhm, it's in the year 850, in a world where humanity is confined in three cities surrounded by gigantic walls. The outside is full of Titans, which are humanoid creatures ranging from two to twenty meters that eat humans. It may seem farfetched at first but it's a good story."

"Did Leonhart inspire herself of her own life to write this?"

"It's more a fantastic type of work, but she may have projected phases of her life in the main character's story. From what I understood, the girl is not really trapped in a crystal cage. It's a metaphor. She's trapped in the world she's living to, which is as fragile and as clear as crystal. She can see the other side and is tempted to transcend the glass, but she can never go there without shattering the world she lives in. As twisted as it is, she doesn't want to break it. So she tries changing her own world drastically but they brand her as a foe."

Levi scowled, glaring at Eren. "I'll see you tomorrow after you're done with Hange."

Then he left them, not looking back to a baffled Armin and a glowering Eren.

Armin is such a cutie. Levi is mysterious. Eren is angry.

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