Recap:

"Captain WAIT!" yelled Jack.

I jerked my head to my right as Levi stabbed a blade to the left of my head, cutting deep into the wood. I spied his other weapon swinging towards my neck so I slid my right sword upwards, pressing the cold metal to his neck as he closed the distance.

"Corporal!" screamed Linda.

We both froze, less than a metre away from each other, breathing heavily, with a sword teasing each other's necks. Our eyes locked and despite fighting fiercely, I recognized relief flooding his gaze. To be honest, mine probably looked the same, as I grew acutely aware of the sharp blade centimetres from my skin.

"Cap't! It's fine! We're fine with Hazura coming back!" The entire squad rushed towards us, almost stumbling onto the branch.

"Just please don't kill each other!" Brian wailed, his eyes wide with regret.

I chuckled at the comment and Levi rolled his eyes.

"I was never going to kill her, Brian. Don't be stupid." Levi pulled away, straightening his posture, shooting Brian an exasperated look. I also straightened, making a face, with my free hand reaching up and rubbing my neck. I swear Levi was this close to cutting me.

"However, are you sure Hazura coming back won't affect anything? After all, this was your suggestion." Levi directed this to the entire group, hands folded across his chest once he sheathed his blades away. The group swapped glances with each other and I joined Levi, standing by his side.

"Honestly, we were just a little mad that she left us out of nowhere." Steve confessed, averting his eyes from me. "We thought channelling our anger into this would make us feel better."

"Instead, we feel worse." Linda added quietly, fiddling with her fingers.

"You also got owned." I stated, smiling gently. "I'm sorry, it was my fault I left so suddenly. But I did feel that I had no choice at the time. I had to go."

The group began murmuring among themselves.

"You always had a choice." Breathed Levi as he turned his back to the squad to casually walk past me. I raised my eyebrow.

"You know what my choices were. You would have done the same thing."

"Would I?"

I scoffed. "You and I are more alike than you think."

"That's unfortunate."

"You little piece of-"

"Please Captain, having Hazura back would be good for everyone, not just our group. Even if you two don't get along, think of the advantages the Corps would have taking her back." Brian added. My ears perked up at the second claim.

"We don't get along?" Then my mind clicked as I thought back to Levi's approach to me when he didn't know the truth. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

"You were a bit of a jerk."

"I had every right to be jerk, I thought you left because you couldn't handle being in the same team as me. What a stupid reason to leave the Corps, especially one with your ability." Levi scoffed, his hands moving to rest against his 3DMG.

My mouth twitched into a smile. "What a high compliment, Corporal."

His fingers twitched. "Don't let it go to your ego, Hazura."

Sophie watched us silently. "I take it you two are now on good terms again?"

Levi and I exchanged looks, which seemed to be answer enough.

"Then why did you go so seriously against her?"

Levi scowled at the question. "It would have been a waste of time if I went easy on her in the first place. Like any other officer, she has to prove that she belongs in the Special Operations."

"And has she?"

The forest fell silent, almost in anticipation for the answer. I myself held my breath, on the off chance I couldn't return to the elite. However, Levi didn't answer straight away, returning with another question.

"How do you feel about Hazura returning as second-in-command?"

We all breathed out in relief, with smiles taking over the group. I turned my gaze towards Jack, apprehensive. After all, he had moved up to second once I had left. He caught my eye and shook his head, chuckling to himself.

"Are you all right with this-" I gasped as Jack unexpectedly tossed the notepad over to me.

"No more paperwork for me." Jack laughed and slapped a hi-five with Brian. I smiled in relief and grasped the notes tightly.

"I won't let you down." Moving my gaze over the squad, my heart swelled.

Now I was truly at home.

After that training session, we split up to clean up before dinner and agreed to meet again in the Mess Hall. Levi assured that he would get to the official paperwork first thing tomorrow morning and I showered peacefully at the thought. I would return back to where I belonged. However, that thought was easily dashed as soon as I stepped back into the dining hall. As if by some invisible cue, all eyes turned to me and the sound of eating ceased.

Now, I like to think of myself as a confident person but even the strongest can begin to cower under the stares of tens of people. As my gaze involuntarily began to drop, a hand suddenly dropped onto my right shoulder and gave me a gentle squeeze. My gaze shot to my right and met with Erwin's. The Commander and my friend gave me a subtle nod, triggering a smile out of me.

You belong here as much as the next person.

He left after making sure I got the message, joining other higher ranking officers at another table.

"Rina! There you are! Hope you weren't waiting too long." Sophie yelled out at me as she arrived, hooking an arm casually around my neck. I shook my head silently in answer.

"Stop blocking the doorway, you two, let's go eat. I don't know about you but I'm starving after that ass-whooping." Brian stretched his arms as he strolled past us, heading to a table already occupied by Linda and Jack. He then noticed the silence and the multiple stares at our direction. His arms dropped and he raised an eyebrow at the Hall.

"What are you all staring at?"