Chapter 41:

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Everything went so fast.

From the approval of their proposed final club activity in which Hanji cannot stand not to inform her club mates and immediately called for a meeting in the afternoon and had everybody got so excited. After succeeded in informing her club and gaining positive response from them that it would successful, Hanji has nothing else to be more than happy with.

Everything has been going for her for the rest of the week, spending more time with Erwin during lunch times, getting back on track on her missed and current exams, quizzes and activities and planning for her club's activity. Despite the fact that there are still rumors about her, the latest ones includes Erwin being her new and rebound for Levi or revenge for Levi, like some would call it, she still felt incredibly protected with Erwin. There were still people who believed in her and thought of no evil against her.

Ad she felt bad about dragging Erwin along with her shittiness.

Except for the fact that suddenly, Levi has come to tell her that he is still alive.

Levi: Hey.

Levi: Hanji.

Levi: I hope we can talk.

Levi: You know where and how to reach me.

Levi: Let me at least explain.

Levi: Please Hanji.

Levi: I know why ur not texting back. I understand you but I hope you would give me the chance to explain myself.

He had begun to text her after a long timeof not doing so and it made him feel nervous as fuck. Somehow, Hanji is partly relieved that he is easy to ignore because he does not text her all the time, usually at most is twice a day like he usually does before but still enough to make her think and remember him once in a while.

As for Levi, such move to be done is surely new and took him lot of strength to do so. Not because he did not want to but because he is scared that he might say the wrong term of words or scare her off even more, or make her sad or angry or anything shitty that she is not fond of.

And he is careful not to do anything like that again.

He can't stand losing everybody that he has in his life because they are already very limited that his fingers could count right away and yet he still kept losing and losing them, and he is already feeling tired of it.

No matter what their memories were, he still won't accept that easily to just lose Hanji and forget everything that they shared together. Somehow, as much as he wanted to just simply forget everything that has something to do with her, he still finds it difficult to do so. He thought that it would be that easy, but it was terribly not as he thought it would be.

He then decided to show a bit of effort, even if the problem is he doesn't know how but to start to text her, and of course she would not reply. He knows that she would not give a shit over his text messages, but at least, he hopes, enough to let her know and give her an idea that he still gives a shit on her and on whatever they had together.

But hell, seeing her with Erwin with that huge ass smile on her face and a different kind of smile rang a bell on him. It's not like he cares but despite telling himself, he just can't feel happy for her unlike to her other friends or clubmates. He wanted to deny this and get rid of the feeling within him but despite his efforts to do so, it is still not effective.

Or maybe he is just getting new to that blondie president, and he is not comfortable with him being her friend. Some kind of a gut feel, he guessed.

Yet, despite his first effort to go and be near and talk to her, she immediately shoved him away. Every time she would see him, she would walk away and leave even if she has tons of things with her she would find a way. Even if they see each other in the school hallways, she would not look at him or if she does, her eyes would immediately look away. As much as she does not like his presence, she is also making him feel like he is some fucking unseen wind in the air.

He didn't like it, not even a single bit of that feeling. Hanji had always been his confidante and his major supporter. She was the only one different from anyone in the school and made him feel that he is still worthy of being a friend despite of what he is. She made him feel and treated that he is not a walking vibrator, but a person who has shitty problems and living the life like anybody else.

Despite her craziness and their opposites, they had become inseparable and somehow like magnets, opposites but attracts on one another, inseparable but strong with one another. Because of that, he feels that losing their friendship is one fucking hell to do. If he finds some relationship easy and needs to get rid of, with Hanji it is not.

And yet, he can't do anything.

Two weeks had already passed after Hanji's return, he still had not made any progress of at least talking to her. What makes it worse is that he is out ideas that would seem to be effective to get back the way things are before between them.

He didn't like the thought of bribing her with anything she is fond of as it made him feel cheap.

And just like his weakened penis at night, he slumber into disgrace.

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Hanji is both excited and anxious of what is to happen of their most awaited final club activity for the year.

She is way more than relieved that her officers and the astronomy club's officers were able to fully prepare and execute their respective duties for the said activity while the other members of both club also did their roles and helped in their own means.

Hanji had been extra grateful to Erwin since he had been the reason why the access for the school bus and approval of the activity by the principal has been granted is all because of his doing. Honestly enough, without him, Hanji would not think that their activity is going to be approved most especially that their club moderator does not care much about such activities.

Everything went fast afterwards and not long after, it was already the day that Hanji and her club had prepared for. She cannot even concentrate and kept on blubbering when her parents drop her off at school but still lend some ear on her. She bid a sweet farewell afterwards to her parents and went on directly to their meeting place not soon after their bus arrived.

Once they got inside the bus, she and the president of the astronomy club immediately announced head count and double checked who were the ones left to be waited. Fortunately, every club member is already present and are already on their seats. Hanji then sat comfortable by one of the seats by the front part of the bus that she had occupied for herself.

Somehow, there is a heavy sigh that she had manage to let out of her system. She did not want to admit it but she feels sad that there is not blonde anywhere inside the bus. She does not fully understand yet as to why she had been always longing for his presence, but she does. Somehow, Hanji still feels scared of a new attachment that she could probably develop and would feel hurt badly again if things go shitty as hell.

Hanji felt an incredible ass after what she had with Levi, even if it was just a couple of months everything felt big and important for her. She endured all of the harsh words and thoughts that had circulated when she began her friendship with him because she wanted to make him feel special and wanted. But things had gotten into worse that she did not even expected to happen, nor even wanted to happen in the first place.

Learning that trusting others is not an easy game, as well as just making someone feel taken care of is absolutely not as easy as it sounds. Despite her good intention, maybe these kind of intentions does not end well and would be taken for granted as well. Even if she should still not feel bad over it since she gave her best and her all, it still hurt like hell.

And somehow, she is hoping that her new found friendship with Erwin would not turn out sour just like with Levi's.

She has been betting everything on that, and she feels that Erwin is different than that of Levi. Almost everyday that she would be with Erwin, she would always persuade herself that Erwin is nothing like Levi. Even if it does help her feel convinced, there is still a lingering unsure feeling that is tormenting her whenever she looks deeply within the shady blue eyes of Erwin.

Somehow, she hopes that he won't end up like Levi leaving her hanging in the air and making her life miserable.

The negative thoughts came to an end so abruptly when the leading man of her thoughts came to ascend on the bus and looked inside the bus, then those dreamy blue eyes came to land on her. He smiled and waved and Hanji immediately did the same.

"Erwin!" She squealed in excitement, overcome with surprise. "You're here! Come and sit with me!" she offered and Erwin accepted her offer after seeing that there seemed to be a good spot for him to sit since everybody is already comfortable sitting together with their peers.

"Hope you don't mind Hanji" he said as he places his things on top where the bag area is located and sat beside her.

"Not at all" she responded with delight. "I didn't know that you're actually going to be here!"

Erwin was happy to see Hanji's eyes twinkling with delight. He is happy that he could make her smile as he knew that he had helped her out from the painful recent unwanted situation that she just had and as she came back to school, he knows that she is in deep adjustment and having someone to believe in her and make her smile and happy is one way of helping her out, he is sure.

"I wanted to be particular with the activities that you do in your club." He said honestly, even if it would take time from more important things that he should be doing. Still however, he would consider this as an early vacation and carefree leisure time as he firmly believes in the saying, all work and no play makes Jack a mere boy. He guesses it will not hurt and that it would make Hanji happy as well too as she is asking him nonstop ever since their proposal for the activity was approved by the principal.

"That's nice to hear" Hanji says on his response "that you are interested to find out more on what our club has to offer. I am pretty sure that you won't regret joining us for two days because you will definitely learn and have fun a lot."

Erwin smiled at the reassurance of her voice and can't wait to look forward to what is to become. He may feel unsure of him being there but ironically, he also feel somewhat excited of what they are to do.

-x-

It was a lot of fun indeed.

Two days and an overnight with the biology and astronomy club is indeed a surprisingly rewarding adventure. Erwin was left without any form of regret on his decision on coming along with them and his gut feel was right. He may feel unsure but he did indeed had more than fun, but shared the same accomplishment with the members of the both clubs.

The blonde shared the same amount of excitement over the bonding that they had, despite being told to be treated like one of the V.I.P. in the group. Everyone talked and had fun with him with ease and no hesitation, which he really enjoyed. As the president of the student body, there are a lot of other students who were reluctant on talking to him, most especially if they are going to need his help.

Starting from the bus ride, which was pretty much laid back and surprisingly entertaining due to the clubs' cheer fight and sang adventure songs together. Hanji has maintained being a leader herself and laughed all the time, her presence truly a remarkable leader full of fun.

Afterwards, from the moment they arrived into the place, everybody has been led by their respective leaders and immediately started building up their tents and their camp sites. Hanji had exchange of duty with the astronomy club's president, busily roaming around and checking whether everybody is busy and doing what they are needed to do.

Erwin took note that Hanji is not just a responsible leader but also appreciative of what she does. She never failed to flash a smile on her subordinates as she tells them of what is needed to be done by each of them and what is to happen for the rest of their activity. She did not seemed to be bothered of what she looks like (because he could say that she is in need to take a bath already and to comb her hair even once) and seemed to give a positive aura on everybody and a good mood as well.

With her in charge, she is enough to lead everything to success and that if ever there is a an episode of failure, she would immediately sought for a way.

Erwin suddenly felt the end of his lips turned down. He hopes that he is the same as Hanji, who is giving the same amount of radiance of success and confidence amongst her subordinates. He then can't help himself thinking whether he is also making himself trusted to everyone in the student body. He wanted nothing but to be of help to everyone, make sure he is doing his job as the student body leader and be as close as possible to them and the younger ones as well, in a sense that he is no alien to them or them to him, that he is dependable and not to be feared.

(Took this part from the chibi SNK since he did everything to be close to the younger recruits of the corps xD)

"Something bothering you Erwin?" Hanji asked in a confused tone. She saw him staring on his feet, looking rather doomed.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked again.

"Nothing" Erwin turned to smile at her. He did not notice that he was already having his own world as he further think things though. Somehow, he reminds himself that what he is thinking is not even worth it since it won't do anything good for him.

"If you say so" Hanji replied instead of pushing him to tell her what he really is thinking.

"Don't worry about it." He followed up and Hanji slightly nodded at that, taking his arm and gave it a slight squeeze. It made him slightly surprised but as he saw Hanji looking rather innocent and just playful, he thought not to make a big fuss over it.

"If you don't have any problems then, then let's go join the others and have fun!" she declared as she brought her right hand up into the air and he smiled, a low laugh escaping his throat as a sign of agreement.

As she had promised, the activities were fun. Erwin thought that it would take him at least one activity to have fun since he is not usually much into science but more of a history kind of guy, and yet he found himself sharing the same amount of laughter on each activity that took until the late of night.

After having the tents all set up and ready, where in some of the members helped him with his and looked shy and find it amusing, they all then took enough time to prepare meals and eat together on banana leaves which the biology club claimed to be clean and can be used as a plate instead of disposable ones and eat using hands.* It was his first boodle fight and it was fun, eating together rather messy but not one even cared about finesse, just plainly comfortable with each other even if they are new to one another.

He then finds himself being on the same boat. At first, it was pretty obvious how others seemed to be intimidated by him since he is the president of the student council and is largely being looked upon into and respected, most of the found the strength to be comfortable around him.

Not long after they ate all together, the biology club lead the other club into capturing fireflies and have them placed inside their own made lamps made out of thin Japanese papers, which are gave quite a good amount of visible lights. They all vowed to let them go after stargazing which was then lead by the Astronomy Club. Hanji first taught Erwin how to properly use the telescope that the club brought, enough for three to four persons to share. It wasn't easy as he thought but still managed to see the beauty beyond the night sky.

He rarely tried camping ever in his life, only once or twice when he was young and camped together and now could hardly remember the feeling of enjoyment of it. Somehow he is already reliving that moment that he never even thought he would even do once again. Despite the new feeling and adjustment that he needs to endure throughout the night, he somehow managed to find enjoyment over it. How he no longer needed to poop on a real toilet but a make shift one, have a different and not typical fancy dinner that used to have, which was cooked on a bon fire and sleep outside the comforts of his room and just on a limited space of his tent.

Enjoyment struck him hard as everything was both new but fun to him. As he woke up from early in the morning, he had the chance to swim on the river and even helped catch fish for lunch, which Hanji told them that urine helps attract fishes so someone needs to urinate. The young lass, a member of the astronomy club suddenly became embarrassed after hearing that they needed to pee in order to catch a fish, despite being too excited when she volunteered to help catch fishes for lunch and after hearing Erwin is going to be part of the group who are going to help catch for lunch.

Nevertheless, the fish that they caught did not taste fishy or like anyone's urine. They managed to have another boodle fight, by not around a bonfire unlike dinner and had some fun games with rewards for the winners before going home.

The bus trip was great, random conversations were shared until they reached the school gates. It was a great afternoon as they arrived at the school, only them being there. It was fulfilling as they set foot on the school grounds and exchanged farewells.

Erwin went home wearing a goofy smile on his face, determined to keep the times he shared with the new people he had been with that created a different warmth on his heart he knows he would keep.

-x-

Author's notes:

Also, some us here in the Philippines also use banana leaves when eating. It is so refreshing and is good for the environment instead of using disposable plates.

And thank you for the following people adding me or this story to their favorite and or following:

Ayato Sakamaki2
Chiryome
Zandruky
leannt112
xXTheLegendXx/
Nayfa
peaweenie

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