Chapter 57: The Family Resemblance.

"I don't see the resemblance." Mikasa Ackerman says.

"Of course, there is a family resemblance." Hachiman insists. "Look, your Levi Heicho and I are related. Granted he and I are what the modern day genealogists are calling 'broader relations' thanks to the discovery of the newer world orders, but the fact of the matter is that we are related."

"I still don't see the family resemblance." Mikasa Ackerman stated.

"C'mon, it's obvious." He pointed at his eyes. "We have the same distinct, rotten dead fish looking eyes."

Mikasa Ackerman looked for a second. There was no humour in her voice when she said. "Your eyes do look like those of a dead fish."

"And so does Levi's." Hachiman argued.

"No." Mikasa was adamant. "Levi Heicho has eyes the same colour as ultrahard steel."

Hachiman made a face. "The way you said it makes it sound weird. Like you are in love with him or something, which is all kinds of gross. Aren't you guys related?"

Mikasa Ackerman sighed. "Just because we have the same last name doesn't make us related. There's another thing which proves you wrong. Your last name is not Ackerman, Hikigaya."

This time Hachiman Hikigaya sighed. "What part of broader relationships do you not understand? It's a new concept and granted, there are more than a few screw ups, but when we get down to it, the thing is really simple. There are multiple world orders which are distinguished by separate belief structures and power systems and in each world order we are related to someone through a bond of blood, soul and spirit."

Mikasa didn't quite believe him. Being related by blood was simple, but soul and spirit, those were another thing entirely. "You believe in fairy tales Hikigaya-kun."

Hachiman Hikigaya blushed out of embarrassment. "Look, I can prove it. I have this teacher. Her name is Shizuka Hiratsuka. And she explained this concept to me by taking her own broader relations as example." He started to count on his fingers. "Hiratsuka-sensei is related to Izumi Curtis who is an alchemist, Kenpachi Zaraki who is a shinigami, Matsudaira Katakuriko who is in charge of the Shinsengumi, Then there is Shizuo Heiwajima, Kamijou Touma, Saitama and who knows how many more."

Mikasa Ackerman blinks. "This Shizuka Hiratsuka person seems really complicated."

"You don't know the half of it, but we are getting off topic. I think we were discussing how your Levi Heicho and I are related." He raised an eyebrow. "Still don't believe me."

"I don't." Mikasa stated plainly.

"Why not? Even Komachi, my little sister blames him for her short height." He pointed at himself. "I mean look at me, I'm tall."

"You are about average." Mikasa pointed out.

Hachiman ignored this comment. "Look, you are making this more difficult than it is. I am related to your Levi Heicho and he did order me to show you around the campus. That makes me your superior in the chain of command, doesn't it?"

Mikasa was expressionless. She was also not impressed. "You are clearly no soldier, I can tell that."

"I'm a lone warrior who has survived hundreds of battles." Then, "When it comes to losing I'm the strongest."

Mikasa Ackerman thought this Hachiman Hikigaya person who may or may not be related to Levi Heicho was more stupid than Jean. How far the apple has fallen from the tree, she wondered. "That doesn't even make sense. I should know, I'm a survivor, and so is Levi Heicho."

"Are you sure you don't have a crush on him?" Hachiman asked. "You know he is a lot older than he looks. But what the hell, we leave in a modern, progressive society. A healthy age gap between two couples doesn't really make much of a difference."

Mikasa Ackerman missed her sword. She also missed the titans back at home.

"I'm not in love with Levi Heicho."

"Are you sure, because it would be okay. After all," he smiled. "You two are not related."

Mikasa Ackerman had a scarf. She could strangle him with her scarf.

"If you know what's best for you, you will stop bothering me, Hikigaya-san." Mikasa Ackerman warned.

Hachiman Hikigaya was unperturbed. "Oh, don't take that tone with me. You can't kill me. That would be disobeying direct orders of your precious Levi Heicho."

"I knew I should have questioned his orders when he specifically told me that under no specific terms were you to come under harm or be killed." Mikasa Ackerman looked like the face of death with her leaden eyes. She was pretty sure she scared a bunch of students in the back who had caught a glimpse of her deadly glare.

"Wow, you have the same look I have when they run out of Maxx Coffee in the vending machine."

A punch to his thorax. It wouldn't kill him, it also might not hurt him, much. Mikasa Ackerman weighed her options.

"Will you stop bugging me, if I did what you ask."

Hachiman Hikigaya smiled. "Of course, I promise." He pointed at their immediate surroundings. "You have to understand, the campus is having a festival and you know how popular maid cafes are."

"I don't." Mikasa bit out.

"Right" Hachiman gulped. "I forget maid cafes are only a thing popular in our country. But you will get the general idea. See, I belong to the service club and we offer help to those who need it. Now, Misaki -"

"My name is Mikasa."

Hachiman blinked. "I know it is. But I was talking about Misaki Ayuzawa. You see, she is doing a maid café for this event and unfortunately she is short on maids. The café has become really popular you see. Now, Yuigahama, Chitanada and even Tomoko have started helping out with the café but still they are a bit shorthanded. I can't obviously help, because hello, I'm a guy. But then, Levi-san shows up and brings you along and I get a bright idea."

"I'm a soldier." Mikasa Ackerman blushed and huffed. "I will not be-"

Hachiman Hikigaya had an evil grin on his face. "Yes you will."

Later, when Levi Ackerman and Hachiman Hikigaya found themselves at the most popular attraction of the Neo Tokyo Campus festival, the maid café, they were met with a heavenly sight – Mikasa Ackerman wearing a french maid outfit which consisted of a half sleeve blouse, that had front chest and back shirring irremovable patch, with a black miniskirt, lined, an under-bust white corset with lacing upfront and below there was a white apron with long waist belt, a pair of white bloomers, black chocker with white frills on the neck and a white hairdress.

Levi smiled as he sipped his tea in his peculiar way. "Looking good brat."

Hachiman Hikigaya smiled as well. "Really beautiful, Misaka-chan. If you plan to enroll in this campus, I'm pretty sure you can get part time work at some maid café. What do you think, Ayuzawa?"

Misaki Ayuzawa tried to play dumb. "I don't know what you mean, Hikigaya."

Meanwhile Mikasa Ackerman blushed. She really missed her blade. But this wasn't so bad. Perhaps, if she was after all, about to get enrolled here, maybe she should give this maid café thing a shot. But then again, what if she had to deal with customers like Hachiman Hikigaya, she wondered.

"Remember to eat the left over cakes and pastries when you are done." Hachiman said in a whisper.

Mikasa Ackerman nodded. That was the incentive which made her agree to do this in the first place. She had to admit the confectionaries of this country were a delight and especially those of this makeshift maid café. They all looked wonderful and she was certain they tasted great.

As for, Hachiman Hikigaya, he was perhaps okay.

Maybe now she did see the resemblance.

A/N: As of now this fic has 1800 reviews, which I think is perfect. This couldn't be possible without all your love and support. Thank you very much everyone. So, for the moment, I want to end it here.

As for the ideas I mentioned earlier, who knows, maybe I will write a separate fic.

Take care.

Won't betray your dreams.