Key:

Narration/Action

"Dialogue"

Thoughts

Flashback

Kayabe was in Jinae, a town behind Trost, he was going to visit his ex. He knocked on the door of his former abode.

There was an answer, "Aki, what are you doing here?"

"Why can't I come see my favorite person?"

"Cut the crap, Aki." she rolled her eyes.

He was let in, took off his shoes. Kayaba sat in the living room sitting on the couch.

"Can't we go back to the old days, dear?"

"Want a drink?" she called out to him from afar, ignoring him on purpose.

"Sure I'll have my usual." he decided to entertain her. After a few minutes he almost dropped his cup when trying to put his coffee on the table.

"AKI!" Rinko shouted "Are you ok?"

"Uh yes."

"No you're not."

"Hmm?"

"Your arm."

"What about it?" he tried to play dumb, but failed.

"It's injured isn't it?"

"Whaat, no nope, I am perfectly fine."

She immediately ripped off his trench coat and saw a big gash on his arm. It was just a scratch but it hurt like hell.

"Jeez, let me get my medical stuff."

Kayaba was lost in thought. Reminiscing about the old days. Rinko was busy rubbing ointment on his scab.

"How did you get this, I thought you didn't fight."

He chuckled, "What kind of commander would I be If I didn't fight with my soldiers?" he went on "Sure I rarely fight but that's because I trust my comrades to complete the task successfully, but I guess It was different this time."

"Different how?"

"A new recruit who recently joined-"

"Oh Aki talking about a new recruit, you must really like him if he forced you to fight…" she then grabbed a gauze, cut it and wrapped it around his arm "...Let me guess he was about to die and you couldn't bear to stand to see him die?" She looked up and saw Kayaba asleep.

Well it would be rude of me to kick him out…and he's had a long day…

She put a blanket on him looking at his face and kissed his forehead, turned off the lights and headed for her bedroom. Why did I do that..?

Kazuto was now scared he didn't even know if his aunt survived so he went to the shelter. Survivors were directed there during the practice drill they conducted back then. He went to line up to speak to the supervisor.

"..yep she should be in the dorms."

Kazuto was next in line. He was nervous. What if he got the answer he didn't want to hear? He went up to the woman who was the supervisor.

"Hello, who are you looking for?"

At that moment Kazuto wanted to jump out of the line. Maybe it was better if he didn't know what happened to his aunt. He took a deep breath. Now or never. "I am looking for a M-midori Kirigaya."

"Hmm..." She started flipping through her clipboard.

So many goddamn pages. It was mind numbing to him. The only sound he was able to register was pages flipping. The supervisor went through the last page and looked at Kazuto with an unreadable expression.

"I'm sorry but her name isn't on this list…"

"NO..no..no look again you must've made a mistake…" he suddenly lost balance and was forced into a squatting stance. Holding his head and clutching on his hair, just trying his hardest not to break down in public.

A woman was calling out to the panicking boy on his knees.

"...azuto!" She went up to him and knelt down touching his forehead "She's alive please follow me, whenever you are ready.

He seemed to realize who this woman was and felt even more dread inside. What should I tell Noriko?

He got up and walked with her "Where's my Aunt?"

"At the Hospital, luckily she just lost an arm."

"Luckily?" He was lost making a confused face scratching the back of his head.

"Well I heard she encountered a titan, so in that situation she was lucky to only lose an arm, a soldier saved her in the nick of time thank the lord."

"Oh, I'll have to thank them later..." Kazuto then seemed to realize something he forgot about her "...Where's Sugha?"

"She is at the hospital waiting for you…" Kazuto had made a confused face.

"Was she hurt as well?"

"No, she was in school when the district was breached thank god." Kazuto sighed in relief. They were now walking down an empty street. He then remembered what he had to tell her… How the fuck do I tell a mother she lost her only child because of me…?

He then stopped…

Noriko turned her head around once she realized that the boy was no longer next to her. "Kazuto…?"

He closed his eyes with a pained expression. "Ms. Suzuki...Sa-" She went up to him and put her fingers "I know…I was informed by a scout earlier…" She unconsciously shed a tear in her right eye. "..I don't blame you nor should you blame yourself." They both walked in silence until they reached the hospital room.

As they entered the room Kazuto was immediately punched in the face by a teared up Koichi.

"KAZUTO!"

"WHY…?" He was full on crying. "...YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT MY DAUGHTER!" He was about to go in for another swing but was shoulder locked from behind by Minetaka. "LET ME GO TAKA!" Kazuto was frozen on the floor. Sugha sat down on the chair.

"I'm not about to let you abuse my nephew for no reason." Koichi struggled to break free but could not because of Mintaka's superior strength. The more he tried the more resistance he got. Mintaka motioned for Noriko to get Kazuto out of there. Once they left he let go.

He turned around "TAKA!" Midori stirred in her sleep mumbling "Shut up you damn drunks…" both of them realized that they almost woke up a sleeping woman and were glad she wasn't awoken. Minetaka then dragged him outside and into an unoccupied hospital room. Sugha was glued to her seat and didn't know how to react to the scene that unfolded before her eyes.

Both men were now standing across from each other.

"You do not punch my nephew." Mintaka looked and pointed at him sternly

"Why why did my daughter have to die and not your nephew? I mean she was ranked higher than him in the cadet corps." He said to Mintaka with anger. In response he chucked.

"It's not about rank that ensures your survival."

"Then what ensures it…Captain?" he said with aggressiveness in his voice.

"And what makes you think I know…?"

"I don't know, but you keep spouting some wise ass nonsense during work…" He wiped his tears and looked at him again "..thought you would know."

Mintaka just chuckled "What time did your daughter get back from training?" Koichi wore a confused face at this question.

"Around five, which was the usual time for them why?"

"Kazuto didn't come home till nine at least that's what I heard from my wife."

Koichi widened his eyes. What the hell was he doing for three hours?

"You must be thinking the same thing I was when I first heard this. I thought to myself really hard about what he was doing. Then I realized what could a teenager obsessed with revenge do? So I put myself back in the past and figured it out."

"Which was…?"

Kazuto was standing outside staring at the river next to Noriko.

"It's all my fault.." he muttered to himself repeatedly but somehow the woman next to him heard it.

"Kazuto stop this, It isn't your fault."

"But it is." He rebuked.

"Sachi wouldn't want you to do this to yourself, she said you were a good partner."

"Tell me what kind of lover lets the other die?"

She grabbed both sides of his face forcefully turning his face towards her.

"She would always talk about how happy you made her, before she really wasn't confident in herself but you changed her. I just want to say thank you, even if I only saw it for only a little bit."

He looked off in the distance holding his tears in. They later went back to the hospital Noriko and her husband went home for obvious reasons. Midori woke up later and heard the sad news.

"Auntie who saved you?"

"I honestly forgot his name but I know he was a commander, why?"

Kikuoka? No It can't be he wasn't even there when it happened so it has to be him."No reason, just wanted to know." Why couldn't it have been any other soldier?

"Well you and Sugha should get home."

"No, I can sleep on the chair Sugu can sleep on the couch."

Midori was too tired to argue and let them stay.

Kazuto woke up the next day, he didn't see Sugu so he assumed that she went to school. Sitting up on the reclinable chair and stretching and yawning. He fully opened his eyes and saw Midori staring at him.

"Morning Auntie."

"Hello, Kazuto.." she smiled briskly "...I heard about Sachi."

He looked towards the window. "Do you blame me too…?" Kazuto said in a low voice but she heard it.

"No, I am here if you just wanna talk about it, I am here with all ears."

"Thanks…" He smiled and turned his head towards her and made eye contact with her "...but I'm fine."

She could tell he was lying due to his facial expression but she didn't want to push him and have the opposite effect on him. "Ok, but if you need anything don't be afraid to ask." Kazuto was about to leave when he finally thought of something to ask that's been on his mind.

"Oh I wanted to know…" He looked at his aunt who was intently listening but stopped abruptly.

"What's the matter?"

"Promise you won't laugh..?"

"Promise."

"Can you teach me how to…cook..?" he looked up and she widened her eyes Kazuto looked down "I mean…wanted to take burden off you since…never mind it's stupid."

Midori chuckled a little. "Of course I can, and I was laughing because you are so cute." Awkward teenagers.. Kazuto's face flushed a bit as he looked the other way. "You can ask me anything, don't be afraid to ask if you're embarrassed ok?"

"Your uncle wanted to see you, he's outside."

"Ok."

He put on his trench coat and left the hospital. Before he could speak with his uncle they were both mandated to...cleanup duty.

"I'm sorry…" He kept muttering over and over.

"Oi, Kazu the best thing we could do for them is put them to rest…" Koichiro muttered next to him.

They had to cremate most of their comrades, since they didn't have enough land; most of the cemetery was reserved for nobility. Kazuto couldn't even give his squadmates a proper burial. He couldn't give her a proper send off because his squad died on the other side of the boulder.

Kazuto got up from his bench, scrunched his fist and punched the nearby building. He ended up bruising his own knuckles but was lost in thought. These titans take and take from us and for no apparent reason, I'll wipe em out, I swear. A man was in the alleyway nearby. He is perfect for this. Puffing a smoke and disappearing into the cold dark night.

Kazuto was on his way to the barracks which was shared between the scouts after he took a shower. He was stopped by his uncle.

"Yo champ."

"Yes, uncle?"

"Why not sleep at the hospital?"

"You and Sugu are staying and it seems crowded." He meant no harm in saying that even though it came off like that.

Taka just nodded slightly. "Tomorrow we meet at the training forest at 5:00 AM sharp." He slowly started walking away.

"And if I don't?"

"Prepared to get your ass rocked." he said then vanished

Well that was vague… He was now inside

"Hello, may I take your clothing?"

"Why?" He cautiously moved his bag away.

"I work here, my job is laundry duty."

"Oh.." That explains her maid-like outfit "...here" he gave it to her.

He went up to the reception desk "full name?"

"Kazuto Kirigaya." The barracks had a policy so that an unknown person doesn't get in and spend the night. She gave him the keys after she flipped through the clipboard.

He arrived at his room and saw Alice standing beside his door.

"I know you don't want to see me right now."

He was confused. "What?"

"I thought you would be mad after those inconsiderate words I said earlier."

"Hm?"

"I heard about Sachi-"

"Oh."

She apologized for how she acted earlier. Kazuto insisted it was alright considering the circumstances at the time. Alice kind of vented to him saying how it was unfair on how they are treating Eugeo despite what he did.

Kazuto was now on his bed and suddenly the exhaustion hit him and immediately knocked out from under the covers.

He woke up at 4:00 AM, now sitting upright on his bed looking at his study desk then turning his head right and spotting his laundry bag. They must have a master key. He assumed hopefully they didn't prick and prod as he slept shirtless. He took a quick shower and put on his uniform. Locked his room. Dumped his room key in the bucket in the front desk. He was on his way to meet his uncle.

He met his uncle at 4:55 AM

"Uncle?"

"Heyo champ, you're five minutes early."

"I guess, so what are we doing?"

"I'm going to teach you.." he made a dramatic pause "...a martial art!"

Kazuto sighed in dejection.

"Why the long face…?"

"I mean it's useless for a scout like me, I'd understand if I was an MP but I don't see how it would benefit me."

"Kazuto there's really nothing I can teach you ODM wise, you probably surpassed me on that."

"What makes you say that?"

He chuckled in response, "Kayaba was praising you on your performance at the bar last night."

So you went to the bar last night. "I don't deserve it."

"You don't." He didn't mean to sound rude but Kazuto was only doing his job as a scout.

"He said some interesting things while he was drunk."

"Like?"

"We've wasted enough time, let me tell you today's lesson I am going to teach you Judo."

"Judo?" Kazuto wore a confused expression sounds like an expensive drink at the bar

"It's a martial art style you may need in the future, let me explain the basics. Throwing, choking, armlocking." He also went into detail as he explained it more intricately.

"Sounds violent."

"Go to the other tree." Kazuto complied and walked to the opposite tree.

"Come at me, full speed."

"What?"

"You heard me." And so he ran at full speed. How do I throw him?

Before he knew it he was on the ground. Mintaka knelt and was shaking his head. "What happened champ?"

"Well I was thinkin-"

"Stop, that's your mistake. Do not think."

15 minutes later

Both men sat on the bench nearby huffing and puffing.

"You did good, champ."

"Thanks, can we try again?"

"No, I have to go back."

"Already?"

"Yep…"

"One question." His uncle nodded, motioning for him to go on.

"What's the point of teaching all this..." He was genuinely confused but sounded ungrateful. "...I mean I am thankful for this, but it seems like it won't help me in the future."

"Champ…" he lit a cigar "...I may not be around someday hell we may not be on the same side…"

"What makes you say that, will we be fighting each other? Aren't scouts and MP's on the same side?"

"On the surface yeah…" he whispered.

"Huh I didn't hear you?"

"Oh yeah my bad, anyways…"

Three days later

It's been three days since Kazuto learned from his Uncle. His Aunt was discharged so he was now eating healthier and was learning how to cook. He was currently trying to fuse judo and boxing as he was punching the bag.

1-2 1-2 1-2 kick. He'd repeat that action to get it down, sometimes he relied heavily on Koichiro since Eugeo wasn't available. Suddenly he had a great idea. This would be more useful to him than me. He wondered why his uncle didn't teach Eugeo directly but he came to the conclusion that his availability was scarce.

"Yo Koich."

"Hm?"

"Wanna come to my house?"

"Ah…" He pondered Should I..?

"You can bring Itsuki to."

"Uh…"

"Oh is your family okay with this.." He didn't even stop to think. "..I mean we can do this another time, with your family's permission."

"I had plans with Itsuki afterwards but I can bring him."

"Ok..I'll let my Aunt know."

Koichiro was conflicted. Should he let Itsuki know?

"I'll come if i'm not interrupting."

"You won't."

"Bet."

Kazuto was now at his house, It smelled like heaven mmm He took in the scent. You could hear the banging of pots. Sugha was helping her cook.

"Is your friend coming?" Midori asked

"He said he was, anyways whatcha makin?"

"Fish tacos" she smirked as she turned her head to him.

30 mins later

"...Is he coming?"

"He said he would…"

"We made extras just in case"

Kazuto had a somber face; he was never one for making friends, besides Eugeo and Alice. They were about to eat and suddenly the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Kazuto had the most excited face as he hopped off his seat and went to get the door.

Midori couldn't help but think of that time when her husband tried to convince her "...at least if he joins he might make a fresh start and make new friends," as she was watching Kazuto and Koichiro interact.

"So how did you guys meet?"

"Bastard sat down and introduced himself to us and his friends." Kazuto said in a joking manner.

"Language young man." but she was ignored as they were both laughing with each other she just smiled at the scene.

4 days later, courtroom

"We are here to decide whether Scout Nakamo would remain with the Scouts or be handed to the Brigade." Tetsuhiro said in a loud voice.

"Will the Military Police share their stance?"

The Military Police Commander cleared his throat and spoke. "I want to dissect Nakamo and see what makes him tick..." Eugeo shivered inside at the comment Eugene made but was unphased on the outside. "...what we find could benefit humanity and we could possibly make more like him."

"Hm.." Tetsuhiro was confused how they could make more when they barely even know what his power is like. "...Will the scouts share their stance?"

A confident man walked like he was about to give the best performance ever. "We will use Nakamo's powers to reclaim Wall Maria…" Tetsuhiro had a question he was dying to ask "and if that fails..?"

"We will get back up and revise our plan."

There was an uproar from the nobility side.

"..WE CAN'T POSSIBLY TRUST A TITAN.."

"HE'S A SPY SENT TO TRICK US. OFF WITH HIS HEAD!"

Quinella chuckled at these insults mentally.

Many more insults were said.

"ORDER!" The CiC* shouted and the room was quiet.

"THIS WILL BE MY JUDGMENT, NAKAMO WILL REMAIN WITH THE SCOUTS SHALL THEY FAIL HE WILL BE ORDERED TO BE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY THE MILITARY POLICE."

"B-"

"AND THAT IS FINAL!" He banged his gavel on his desk.

Eugeo was then uncuffed by his jailors and returned to the scouts.

"Eugeo!" Alice immediately hugged him

"Woah c-can't breath." She let go..

I sure hope you know what you are doing Kayaba… Tetsuhiro sighed

Two hours before the trial two men were discussing the future of the scouting legion.

Kayaba took off his trench coat and wrapped it behind the chair, "So glad you have the time for this, Commander in Chief."

Tetsuhiro sighed, He only calls me by my title when he wants something. "Sit"

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he sat down and crossed his legs leaning back.

"You only call me by my title when you really want something..spill it."

"What, how preposterous..?" Kayaba pouted while he said it. "...I thought that we deeply respected each other."

Tetsuhiro gave him a death stare saying, Spill it or I'm gonna make Serlut the new commander.

"Ok ok.." Akihiko decided to get serious by sitting upright in his chair, uncrossing his legs.

"Go on.."

"I want to make a strike team composed of four elite members of my scouts, before you say anything. Yes, I have mulled over this since I was a Sergeant in the branch. They will be the first ones in and last ones out. Also, this team will be centered around Eugeo if you decide to let him stay with the scouts."

"Are you sure about this Kayaba?"

"Yes, this team is perfect."

After explaining the role of this team and convincing them to have exclusive uniforms Kayaba couldn't help but genuinely smile on the inside.

"Before you leave, I have a concern."

"Ask away."

"I do agree but the last member…"

"What about him?"

"I heard he just lost his whole squadron, are you sure about this?"

"If you'd seen what I've seen you wouldn't be questioning me."

Shigemura wanted to say something but he trusted Kayaba Immensely when it came to titans.

"...And now you know how to make rice and beans, Kazu!" Midori said while she was clapping.

"Calm down, you acted like I just graduated."

"What do you wanna learn next?"

"How to make fish."

"Ooo ok that's going to be fun."

He was now staring at the clock Shit. "I have to go, Kayaba is making an important announcement today." and he took a piece of bread and ran.

"Ok, have fun!" She knew that Kayaba was going to put him in a special squad and came over to discuss that with her the other day. She had her doubts but Kayaba assured that it was going to work out and managed to persuade her.

Kazuto lined up at the training forest next to Koichiro and Eiji.

"Yo, wasn't this like supposed to be our day off?" a soldier complained

"Shut up, We aren't even training." a more serious soldier said

"Permission to speak is now in effect!" Yelled Captain Serlut.

Kayaba appeared and stopped just ahead of Sortiliena putting his hands behind him at an at-east stance.

"Greetings soldiers you must be wondering why I asked you all to show up on your off day. I deeply apologize for that but I have an important announcement to make. I have decided to make a special squad called the Special Operation Squad or S.O.S for short they will also have new uniforms. They will consist of four members that I consider elite."

Eugeo and Tsuboi showed up but they had all black uniforms instead of the usual orange ones. The logo was gold and white instead of the default one. Both men stood behind Kayaba. All the men and women were in awe at the new design.

"Pretty hot."

"For real."

"When are tryouts?"

"There are none, all spots are hand picked by me. Which I have decided on our 3rd member is…"

Who could it be? That was the question on everyone's mind

"...Eiji Nochizawa."

Everyone was shocked that he was chosen but no one decided to speak up and applauded as he stepped onto the podium and received his new garments. Now who was the last member to be chosen?

Kazuto was in deep thought

Who was it gonna be…probably Koichiro, I mean he was number one and he did well when we were attacked…yeah it's gotta be him.

"OI Kazuto!" Koichiro yelled at him

"Hm what?"

Kazuto was pushed forward by him. As he looked forward he saw the commander make eye contact with him. Creepy, He felt uncomfortable hearing whispers of others behind as he was heading to the podium.

"Yo, wasn't his squad wiped out?"

It's all my fault.

He received his new uniform and was congratulated by his peers. Afterwords he changed and went to visit Akihiko. As he opened the door to his office Kayaba was engaged in a conversation with Commander Kikuoka.

"Oh I can come back at a later time?"

"No it's fine, What is it?"

"Why did you choose me?"

"As I said before I consider you elite."

He rolled his eyes..

Kikuoka left the room.

"You were chosen because you have the skill to back it up."

"What do you see in me?"

"I see a man and the man you will become."

"What?"

"You heard me, anything else?"

"No." Kazuto wore a confused face and just left his office.

Sejirou came back inside to his office.

"Aki, are you sure that was the right thing to tell him?"

"Ok I will tell you the real reason why I chose him."

He leaned forward and started to tell him why.

Kazuto was now learning how to cook fish. He was on his 3rd attempt while his aunt was a test taster.

"...Mmm." She closed her eyes and chewed slowly.

His voice gradually lowered when he said. "Do you like it?"

"Will serve this to Sugha for lunch and see her reaction."

"But I won't be here…for a month. Kayaba announced their plan and that they would be outside for a month due to the plan. People criticized his plan as soon as he made it public but he did not give a crap on public opinion.

"Oh right, remember what I told you when you were going to the cadet corps?"

He recalled that day…

"You promised you tried your best right?"

"Mhm, I did Aunt."

"Then that's all I need."

"Hm?" Young Kazuto was confused on why she reacted like that, especially when he failed a test.

"I will let you enlist-"

"YAYAYAYA" He was jumping for joy not realizing he interrupted his Aunt. Once he saw her face he closed his mouth and stopped jumping and stiffened.

She cleared her throat. "Anyways...I have one condition and that is to survive if you know you can't win then run it's better to lose then die.."

"But…"

"I would be VERY SAD if you died." She bent down to eye level with him and unconsciously let tears stream down her face while pulling him in for a hug.

Chapter 10 is finished, let's just say it's about to get interesting…Did you catch my gigguk reference last chapter? *CiC = Commander in chief

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