Chapter 5
For the past couple of days, something was bothering Eren. He wasn't sure what. Everything seemed fairly normal. Their training was moving without a hitch. Everyone was working hard. There was something off with Mikasa. She seemed different. Especially after telling her to cut her hair.
It was as if she was different. Well, not in an overprotective kind of way, at least. It was still getting on his nerves. He hated being treated like a kid. Even more by her. Whenever he was looking at her now, Eren had that fuzzy feeling in his stomach. He didn't dislike it, but it was something unfamiliar to him. Knowing that he had to talk to someone, Eren decided to ask Finn and Armin about his dilemma.
„There is something off with her, I'm telling you." -Eren said with a tired sigh. It's as if they were not listening to him.
„I mean…I don't see anything wrong with Mikasa." -Finn said, trying to understand what Eren was talking about.'What with him today?'
„Yeah. There is nothing wrong with Mikasa." -Armin nodded.
„Gah! There is nothing wrong with her!" -Eren exclaimed with annoyance."It's just…like there is a weird aura around her."
„Aura? What are you talking about?" -Finn asked, bewildered.'What is he on about?'
„Eren, We really don't get it." – Armin said with a sigh."Try to be more specific."
„Eh, I don't know. When I look at her I feel fuzzy…" -Eren admitted and scratched the back of his head.
Finn and Armin gave each other a look.
'Hold on, you don't mean to tell me…' -Armin said with his eyes.
'No way! It's Eren We're talking about…' -Finn replied, his eyes squinting.
„What? Why are you looking at each other like that?" -Eren asked confused."You know something, don't you?"
„Eh? No, it's nothing…" -Armin said with a nervous chuckle.
„Yeah, it's just your imagination." -Finn added with a smile.
„I feel like you two are hiding something." -Eren said tiredly.
„Ereh!" -They all turned to see Mikasa running toward.
'There it is…This weird feeling.' -Eren thought as Mikasa approached them.
„What is it?" -He asked, trying not to look her in the eyes.
„We need to get to the training ground." -She informed."Are you okay? Is something wrong?"
„No, I'm fine! Let's just go!" -He said and ran past her. Sighing, she went after him.
After they were gone, Finn and Armin looked at each other.
„I hope We're thinking the same thing." -Finn said, and Armin nodded.
„I don't really believe, you know." -Armin admitted with a smile."I think Eren is finally growing up!"
„Hey now, don't jinx it." -Finn said jokingly."Still, I thought that Mikasa would confess first before Eren even started to have some feelings toward her."
„Yeah, maybe this will change his mind about joining the Survey Corp." -Armin said hopefully.
„I wouldn't bet on it." -Finn said sadly."Not even this would change his mind." -Armin's hopeful smile faded.
„Yeah, you're right. Once Eren's makes his mind, there is nothing stopping him." -Armin said, and Finn nodded."Wait, weren't you suppose to be on the kitchen duty with Annie today?"
„Shit…I forgot!" -Finn cursed under his nose."Sorry Armin, I gotta go!" -With those words, he was gone.
„Times are changing…" -Armin commented with a small smile.
Finally making his way to the Mess Hall, Finn let out a massive sigh of relief. There was still more than enough time to cook something up. After opening the backdoor, he slowly made his way toward the kitchen. But something stopped him.
„What's that smell?" -Finn wondered out loud. He had to pitch his nose to block off the smell."It's coming from the kitchen."
Making sure not to make any sound, Finn peaked into the kitchen. His eyes widened, seeing Annie with an apron, standing before a boiling pot. The smell hit him again. Now he knew what was it. It was whatever was in that pot.
Taking a deep breath, Finn entered the kitchen.
„You're late." -Annie said casually. She turned her head to face him."What's your excuse?"
„Sorry, Eren held me back." -He apologized, causing her eyes to roll."It was something to do with Mikasa."
„Really? That's your excuse for leaving me with this?" -Annie pointed at the pot. He carefully walked to see what was in it. Whatever it was reminded Finn a stew. But stews are not usually green."What? It's a stew…"
'It looks grim…' -He thought with a gulp.'I guess she can't cook. But I can see she was trying…'
„Something wrong?" -She asked, eyeing him.
„Oh? No, it's all good." -He replied with a weak smile.'Shit. We can't serve this to the Cadets.'
„I'm still not sure if I should add more ingredients." -Annie said, and Finn mentally cursed."I have little confidence in cooking, but I was told to keep practicing."
„I see…" -Was all that Finn could muster.
„How about you try it?" -She asked with a boring expression. Without even getting an answer, Annie poured some of the stew into a bowl. She then passes the bowl to him."Here…"
'Is this a payback, I wonder…' -Finn thought, looking at the suspicious stew.
He glanced at Annie, who was looking away from him. It was hard to tell what was going through her head right now. But looking at the stew, no matter how bad it looked, Finn knew that Annie put a lot of effort into making it.
„What? You're not going to eat it?" -She asked, staring at the stew in the pot."You don't have to try it if it's impossible." -Without hesitation, Finn took a full spoon of the stew into his mouth. Annie's eyes widened. Finn almost gagged."Hey…If it's bad, hurry up and spit it out."
„No, it's alright." -Finn said with a forced smile. He wasn't quite sure what did Annie put into the stew. It was a mix of different herbs and spices. She had no idea what she was doing. But he couldn't say that to her."You put in a lot of effort and did your best to make it, so I'm going to eat it."
She stared at him blankly. Why would he eat that? She knew it was terrible. Annie had no experience in cooking at all. Was he just pitying her or something?
Eventually, he ate the whole thing. He had a grim expression afterward.
„You really ate it all." -She said, hiding her surprise.
„It had a unique flavor." -He commented, trying to compliment her.
„Thanks…" -She said quietly. Finn manages to give her a reassuring smile."But I know it was bad. We can't serve this to the rest." -She grabbed two towels and lift the pot."I'm going to throw it out."
„Oh, okay." -Finn said while rubbing the back of his head.
Annie quickly left the kitchen and went to get rid of the stew. Her lips were quivering as her cheeks flushed red.
Remembering Finn's words, she thought."Why are my cheeks so warm? Why am I flustered about it? Whatever I just hope he knows how to cook…'
After coming back, Annie saw Finn going through the cupboards.
„Any idea what should We do?" -Annie asked, and Finn scratched his head.
„I have an idea, seeing as they're so many tomatoes." -Finn said, pointing at the crate next to Annie. She glanced at it and indeed there were a lot of tomatoes."Let's make noodles and tomato sauce."
„Noodles? Tomato sauce? So you know how to cook then." -Annie stated, and Finn nodded.
„Thanks to Grandfather. It was his only hobby besides hunting and training." -Finn explained with a warm smile."Let's do it."
„I don't know how to do it." -She deadpanned.
„I'll show you, so don't worry." -Finn said and grabbed few items."I'll show you how to make noodles. It's super easy, you know."
After getting everything set, Finn explained to her how to make noodles. Though it was simple, Annie found it quite hard.
„Here, let me show you." -Finn said and grabbed her hand. He then showed her the motion on how to mix eggs with flower."Little by little, add flour and once it gets sticky, you can knead it."
„I didn't say you can touch me." -She said, and Finn's turned red.
„Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to." -He apologized and took his hand back.
„It's alright. Just be mindful next time." -She said with a shrug."I think I get it now. How long do I have to knead it for?"
„Few minutes. It's a lot of dough, so you can take your time." -He explained with a smile. His cheeks were still red though."After that, you can put it to rest."
„So, you're going to make a sauce?" -Annie asked, earning a nod from Finn."How long will it take?"
„Not too long. I have more than enough time." -Finn said and immediately began cutting the onions. It took about a second before his eyes teared up."I hate cutting onions."
„I can tell…" -She said while kneading the dough.' It's not that bad…'
„See? You're doing it." -He complimented with a smile. Despite her best efforts, a small smile appeared on her face."If it's not a problem, would you cut garlic for me?"
„Sure." -She replied with a shrug.
After a while, Annie couldn't help but admire how the sauce smell. It was coming quite nicely. As she was trying her best to cut the dough into noodles, Finn called her.
„Here." -Finn suddenly said and showed the spoon with the sauce. She looked at him first and then at the spoon.
„Are you trying to spoon-feed me?" -She deadpanned. Finn's cheeks flushed again. He gave her the spoon and looked away. She tasted it and her eyes widened for a moment."It's good…"
„Really? Maybe I should add something?" -He asked, and Annie thought for a moment.
„I don't know…Something spicy?" -She offered, and Finn pondered the idea.
„Yeah, sounds good. How about you try?" -He asked, but Annie didn't seem too eager.
„I don't know. I might ruin it." -She said, and Finn shook his head.
„Don't worry. I'm here, so I can tell you when to stop." -Annie let out a sigh. Sometimes he was impossible to deal with. After adding a little spice, Annie and Finn tasted the sauce."It's good! See?"
„I guess it's not bad…" -She said with not much conviction.
„Well, it's ready." -Finn concluded."It's almost time. Can you go and ring the bell?"
„Sure." -She nodded and left the kitchen.'I don't know why, but this whole cooking thing isn't so bad…'
After ringing the bell for dinner, all the Cadets of 104th squad came to the Mess Hall. The first person to make it was Sasha. She almost went through the doors and was waiting for the food. She never smells anything this good in her life.
„Hey, do you smell that?" -Connie asked.
„Yeah. It's good." -Jean agreed with a grin."Finally, something normal to eat."
„I can see that Finn is showing off, again." -Eren said with a small sigh.
„It's been a while since We had anything made by him." -Mikasa agreed with a smile.
„Yeah, I wonder what it is." -Armin said, and saw that there was a big line in front of them" Look at that!"
„I'm not surprised." -Eren said with shrug."All We had since coming here was that flavorless soup and bread."
„I'm honestly curious what this guy can't do…" -Reiner said out loud.
„Yeah, seems like a perfect guy." -Connie agreed with a tired sigh."Man, I look bad compare to him."
„You looked bad next to everybody." -Jean joked, causing Connie grit his teeth.
„What was that?!" -Connie snarled, gripping Jean's jacket.
„Hey!" -They heard Finn's voice."You won't get anything if you act like that!"
„Ah! Sorry!" -Jean and Connie said in synch.
Finn chuckled as Annie served another portion to a Cadet. She was surprised to see many smiles at once. She wasn't used to that kind of thing.
„You did a pretty good job." -Finn said, and Annie looked at him, confused.
„I didn't do anything." -She said, causing Finn to smile."What?"
„It would have taken me more to make it myself." -Finn said and served another plate."We did it together."
„I guess…" -She wasn't sure of her answer.
„Let's just serve everyone food, so We can eat as well." -Finn said, and Annie nodded."After that, We can go and hang out."
„Hang out?" -She asked surprised.
„Well, yeah." -Finn replied, blushing a little."You know, like training and stuff. We can do other stuff if you want."
„I don't know…." -She said while not looking at him.
„It's okay. I'm not forcing you." -Finn said calmly, though there was a bit of sadness in his voice.
After a bit of thinking, Annie said."I don't really have much else to do, so I guess We can 'hang out'." -She saw that Finn's expression quickly changed.'Why am I doing this? I shouldn't. I'm a lone wolf. So why am I agreeing to this?'
„So, after tonight's exercises?" -Finn asked, and Annie brushed the strand of her hair behind her ear.
„Sure…" -She said, making Finn smile. She had a sudden urge to cancel their meeting, but the look on his face stopped her.
„Ahh, that was a good meal." -Jean commented, put down his plate and taking a sip of water.
„Yeah, seriously…" -Connie agreed with a grin.
„We should ask Finn to be a permanent cook!" -Sasha said, drooling at the thought of good food.
„You're out luck then." -Eren said, finishing his meal."He's only going to be the cook for two weeks."
„Still, that's a good thing." -Sasha stated, smiling from ear to ear."We're gonna eat good!"
„Yeah! We gotta go and thank him for the meal." -Connie agreed.
Eren smiled at his new friend's antics. Glancing at Mikasa, he noticed that she has finished her meal. But there was a bit of sauce below her lower lip.
„Mikasa, you have a little bit of sauce on your face." -Eren said, and Mikasa looked at him.
Before Eren could tell her, he wipes it with his finger. Everyone around them was shocked at that. But before anyone could say anything, Eren licked the finger that he used to wipe the sauce. Mikasa blushed the deep shade of red.
„Ereh, wha…?" -Mikasa stuttered, feeling light-headed.
„What? Did I do something wrong?" -Eren asked, not understanding their reactions. He looked at Mikasa and felt fuzzy in his stomach again."There it is…She's being weird again…'
No, I think it's fine." -Armin said and everyone nodded."But maybe use a handkerchief next time?"
„Um, okay?" -Eren said, raising his eyebrow.'Did I really do something wrong?'
„Well, We should get ready for tonight's training." -Connie said and got up from his seat.
„Yeah, that's right." -Jean agreed, and Marco nodded."Let's just give the plates back and head out."
While everyone else picked their plate, Mikasa was glued to her seat. Eren looked at her and saw that her face was red.
„Mikasa, are you alright?" -Eren asked and waved his hand in front of her. No reaction. He decided to check if she has a fever."You're not sick, right?"
Upon touching her forehead, Mikasa's face became even redder than before. Eren was surprised that her forehead felt so hot. Mikasa was never sick before.
„Hey, Mikasa?" -He called with a worried voice."Can you hear me? I think you have a fever."
„I'm okay…" -She said quietly and got up. She wanted to pick her plate but was stopped by Eren. He took her plate and put it on top of his."Ereh?"
„You're not alright." -Eren said firmly."You're not a super-soldier. It's okay to feel down from time to time." -Mikasa looked away.'There it is again…Why does she look…pretty? What I am thinking? This is weird.'
„I'm not-" -Mikasa was cut by Eren.
„It's fine. I'll tell the Instructor that you're not feeling okay." -Eren said seriously. Everyone looked at the scene before them."Just go to the barracks and take it easy…Okay?"
„I, um, alright…" -Mikasa said shyly. She slowly turned around and left the Mess Hall.'Ereh…Why were you acting like this?'
„Why she didn't say anything?" -Eren wondered out loud. Armin let out a tired sigh.
'This will take a while. But it's a step…' -Armin thought and smiled.