Chapter 4: Translucent Temptation

It was golden week. A one week holiday, a few days after Mikasa's collapse, a few weeks after the Sports Festival. Mikasa had finally completed all assigned work, orginally Gunther's or hers, they were all done. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she was back to going home at 4 in the afternoon. The rest of the day would be the same like it was a month ago—just fussing about Eren. It seemed like her whole life was thrown off after joining the Student Council, but now it was back on track. However, something still remained amiss. It was that tight clenching and contraction of the heart whenever she seemed to pass the Vice President by.

Mikasa lay flat out on her bed, a hand stuffed underneath her pillow. She stared at the badly maintained ceiling. Supposedly white, but over the years had turned into a cream colour with yellow tint. There was some cracking in the paint and those pieces threatened to fall off as they dangled at the corner of the room.

We need to get some repainting and renovation done, Mikasa thought as she rolled over on her side but soon sighed when she remembered the mere three digit number that remained in her bank account. As time passed her funds were decreasing, all the money she got from financial aid from her school to insurance from the death of her adoptive parents was soon going to run out at the rate they were going.

Maybe i should get a part-time job, she nuzzled her face into her pillow, taking a whiff of the shampoo she used that lingered on her pillow while trying to banish all the negative effects their poverty would have on her beloved Eren. He wasn't well aware of their financial crisis, and Mikasa had decided to keep it that way. She didn't need him worrying about something he probably wouldn't be able to change, nor did she need him to create a mess out of the situation, like he usually did. The only other person who shared this secret was Armin. Because he was smart enough to educe it. Armin Arlert himself was an orphan, and after his grandfather had passed away the boy found himself without a guardian. However, a nice couple had decided to take him in not long after his guardian's passing when he was still young.

For Mikasa and Eren, they just lived by themselves. The two of them alone, unsupported by any adult. It was a miracle how the two of them could get by each day up until now. Of course, it was the present situation that Mikasa had found problems beginning to arise.

The heavy thud of footsteps on the wooden stairs penetrated through the thin walls. They quickened as they reached the footstep of Mikasa's door. The door flung open with a little creak as Eren mouthed the words "For you" before passing her their home phone.

Mikasa got upright on her bed. She nodded to Eren and watched him leave as she brought the big phone up to her ear. She sat quietly for a while in anticipation. The phone calls that came through the home phone for her were usually from the school concerning Eren's behaviour and the disciplinary action that was going to be taken against him. "Hello?"

The voice wasn't cold and rough like the principal's that Mikasa was expecting, rather, it was a sweet female voice. One belonging to her upperclassman.

"Hello? Is this Mikasa?" Petra asked in reply to the girl.

"Yes, speaking."

"Oh hey! This is Pretra!"

"Good afternoon. You could have called me on my mobile phone," Mikasa tried to tell her Petra after reaffirming her identity.

"I don't have your cell's number so i checked the school records to find your home number. Why don't you give me your mobile number now, then?" the girl on the other line suggested.

Mikasa rattled off a list of numbers.

She could hear a muffled voice shouting those numbers again, but to a different audience.

"Uhm, Petra?" Mikasa asked after hearing that odd noise.

"Yes?"

"Who are you with?"

"I'm with everyone from the Student Council! Sorry, i gave them all your number in case we needed to contact you, i hope that's okay. I actually called today to invite you to our annual council retreat we usually have during golden week. Sorry for the late notice! It's just that with everything that's happening it kind of slipped our minds and now we're stuck with this impromptu retreat. It's tomorrow, for three days and two nights, i hope you haven't made any other plans."

After taking in all the details, Mikasa pondered for a while. No plans...but there was a huge hole in her pocket. Money was always a problem.

"Sorry, about the expense-"

"It's already paid for by the school. Just come." Levi answered the phone this time. It was unimpassioned and very blunt, like the usual. Apparently Levi had snatched the phone out of Petra's hand as Petra pined for her cellphone in the background.

"Levi," Mikasa acknowledged.

"You're coming tomorrow, Ackerman. Meet at the train station near the school at 8 in the morning tomorrow. No excuses."

That was all he said before she heard the flat beep of the phone, leaving her unable to protest any further. Mikasa gave another huge sigh, although more like a groan this time, as she dropped the arm that was holding the phone to her ear to the side and flopped flat on the bed again. Despite being made out of thin and cheap cotton, her pillow still cushioned the impactful force of Mikasa's body. Her black hair was spread out in all directions across her pillow as she thought to herself, a retreat...with the Student Council, huh? She stared at the ceiling once again, this time noticing more dints.

"Remember to turn off your lights when not in use, don't waste electricity. Also, if you run out of food, don't survive on instant noodles, go to Armin-"

"I got it, i got it," Eren urged Mikasa out of the door with his palms placed on her back. "No imperishable food for more than one meal a day, right?"

"Good," Mikasa nodded and brought her red scarf slightly higher to her chin.

"It's only two whole days, i'm sure i can take care of myself. It's about time i test out my independence anyway," Eren flashed his adopted sister a smile to reassure her worrisome spirit. "Now go and have fun!"

She waved to him as she walked down the pavement to the train station, turning back every few steps to see Eren waiting at the door and waving back every time she turned around, as if to tell her to quickly head to the train station. The fifth time she turned around, only the wooden door remained to stare back at her.

Mikasa looked around to see whether any of her companions for this trip had yet to arrive. She searched for the phone that was kept in the pocket of her school skirt and unlocked it with the swiping motion of her finger. Right when she was about to press the name 'Petra Ral' in her call history, that voice called out to her.

From across the station was a girl with medium length hair falling slightly above her shoulders waving in a big motion. Petra smiled and shouted out 'Mikasa' several times but remained stranded at her position as the swarm of busy office workers acted as a barricade against her. Mikasa adjusted the straps of the heavy backpack on her shoulders which contained her clothing and necessities before attempting to cross the stream of eager salary men. She stepped into the crowd, already feeling the hustle and bustle, being pushed from left to right. Forcefully pushing her way through, she advanced further. Though unable to walk in a straight line, she could see the faces of a Petra in anticipation, a preoccupied Hanji, a serious Erwin, and a stoic Levi that was staring into the distance, coming closer. Reaching the last few steps, she stretched out her arm to secure a safe spot outside the traffic. A rough and big hand strongly, but gently, took hers to pull her out of the crowd once and for all. Mikasa stumbled outward to face the Vice President who had his grip on her. Her heart clenched.

His eyes stared into hers, so much so it actually seemed alluring. Unlike the cold fish look he gave everyone else, Mikasa wondered if it was only her that received this intense stare. Or maybe somebody else had seen it before, somebody like...Petra.

"Mikasa!" The girl herself, Petra called out to break their eye contact. Mikasa felt the grip on her slowly loosen and the surprisingly large and manly hands leave hers bare. Although she could still very much feel the warmth of where his hands once were tingle her palm and fingertips. She curled her fingers into a ball.

Levi's head was already turned away in its original position—away from her. He stared indifferently at the station signs, like everything that just happened didn't. Mikasa shook her head as if literally shaking off the thoughts, she was probably reading too much into it.

"Glad to see you here! It was tough getting through this massive hoard of people, huh?"

"Yeah..." Mikasa mumbled into her scarf, shoving those fists into the front pockets of her blazer.

"YO!" The one and only Hanji popped out from behind Petra to give Mikasa a very unsuccessful shock. "Time check everybody, 9:04. The train ride is in 5 minutes, come on let's hurry!" The bespectacled brunette pushed everyone along, being noisy while she was at it.

"You were four minutes late," Levi nit-picked at her punctuality as the two of them walked behind the rest.

Mikasa apologised, a tone drenched in sarcasm without even flinching. "Sorry, sir. A whole four minutes, i sincerely apologise for my tardiness."

"Yeah, sure," Levi mirrored her tone, also unflinching. "you're darn lucky i saved you from that human-eating crowd before they swallowed you for good."

"...Thanks. For that."

At the unexpected thank you that didn't carry Mikasa's usual hint of sarcasm, Levi felt his eyebrows rise. He lowered his gaze to the side, opposite of her.

"...Nothing much." He said in a softer voice.

"Come on, you two!" Hanji turned back to yell at the pair which lagged behind. Levi quickened up his pace, walking pass Mikasa as he grabbed Hanji by the mouth and asked her to shut up.

"So..." Petra, forever playing the role of the silence breaker and conversation maker, tried to do her job.

The seating position was as such:

Hanji and Mikasa on one end facing Petra and Levi on the other respectively. The President Erwin sat behind the two-seater of both Hanji and Mikasa, alone, though continuing to do some paper work in order to make the retreat possible.

Petra continued to make little fumbles over her words while subconsciously playing games with her fingers. It was quite obvious to everyone she was nervous about sitting next to Levi—her crush. On the other hand, both Levi and Mikasa sat opposite each other with unreadable expressions, as stiff as statues. Hanji simply sat with an intent look through her goggles, seemingly content with the awkward yet interesting situation.

"It seems they have a beverage making section at the back of the carriage," Petra was finally able to get out of her throat, inaudibly sighing in relief afterwards.

"That's nice," Hanji replied. The other two didn't even stir. After a few seconds, which could have been considered a slow reaction, Mikasa got up from her seat with the support of the arm rest.

"I'll be getting some coffee, do yo guys need anything?" She asked.

"Black, please!" Hanji ordered cheerfully.

"Tea would be nice."

"I'll help you," Levi himself got up from his seat.

"That's alright," Mikasa waved him off, already heading to the back of the train. That was a futile attempt, however, as Levi followed straight behind, walking briskly and completely ignoring her declination of help.

"You wouldn't be able to carry so many cups, and the last thing i need is a fellow member making a mess in public."

"I said it's-" The train shook. Mikasa's sentence was cut off as she was thrown off balance and stumbled forward to be caught by Levi. Her knees were bent in no avail to help her balance, causing her head to bump into Levi's chest despite their height difference. Her hands grabbed the lapels of his blazer tightly. The vice president had his arms on her upper arms, steadying her. He pulled her back, but before entirely having done so, a hushed whisper went into her ear. "I swear, if you ever fall again, i'm not going to catch you."

A slight tint of pink flushed Mikasa's cheeks for a brief moment before she fiercely fought it down again.

"Sorry," she mumbled before tearing herself from his grip and turning a heel.

Mikasa cursed in her mind as she strode towards the end of the carriage.

Stupid train, stupid legs.

In the first place, she had got up to get some time away from Levi, not to spend special bonding time over making beverages with him or fall helplessly into his arms. Her heartbeat all this while had been quicker than normal, and the reason why was unbeknownst to her. It was probably due to the way he had 'sexually harassed' her that day in the infirmary that made the girl a little flustered, albeit this made Mikasa frown at how petty she was. Something that meant nothing to him should mean nothing to her. Walking away from Levi was to at least prove that he wasn't the cause of her palpitations... hopefully. Of course, these plans were all defect as Mikasa circled the stirrer in the caramel coloured coffee next to the man himself.

That drink was hers, and she grabbed a new cup to make her senior's requested black coffee.

"You-"

Mikasa tensed up. What now?

"Your hair's in the way. It's annoying."

Levi reached out his hand as his fingers extended to sweep the strands of hair that covered her face to the back of her ear. She could feel the lines on his fingers brush against her temple and along the tip of her right ear. However, those fingers didn't stop there. They went back up to her cheek as they traced along the red streak that sliced her face. The broken shards of the tea cup had left their mark on her.

"Looks like it'll leave a scar." His eyes were focused on that red line that looked so out of place on her snow-white skin, her pretty face.

"That's nothing. It'll heal," Mikasa replied, gently knocking away his hand from her face. She picked up her two cups of coffee before escaping his further touch. She kind of hated how everywhere he laid his hand upon, the warmth and tingling sensation lingered for longer that it should have.

"This. Is. AMAZING!" Hanji exclaimed as she swished open the pair of wooden windows to reveal the seaside view. The salty breeze entered through the window opening to cooly blow on Mikasa's face. It looked like turquoise silk in a ripple effect, spread out vastly as the sun shone to refract it's rays on the water surface. She closed her eyes to surrender to the serenity of the ocean.

That didn't last long as President Erwin made an announcement.

"This is the girls' room, the guys will be staying in the room next to this on the right. Concerning today's activities... It's now 2 p.m., settling time is until 2:30. After that we'll have our late lunch and discuss the Student Council matters all the way till 5. Then it's free time until dinner at 7:00. We'll be making our own food so we'll send two people out to get the ingredients at the supermarket a distance away. Any questions?"

Everyone shook their head upon Erwin's clear instructions.

"Very well," he took his leave with Levi following after him.

"Hey girls! Why don't we go explore the seaside?" Hanji erupted again after the door shut behind them.

"Sounds good," Petra agreed as she placed her luggage beside her bed.

"Mikasa?"

"Yeah," Mikasa gave a slight upward turn of her lips as she, too, put her haversack down at the bottom of the bed that was next to Hanji's and opposite Petra's.

There was no swimsuit fiesta, nor was there a sandy beach. Only a seawall stood there to deflect the waves back into the ocean and prevent further erosion of the coast.

It wasn't your typical seaside holiday with girls in bikinis and shirtless guys, but the massive body of water was peaceful nonetheless. Hanji sat on the metre high wall that was built above the coastal protection measure. She breathed in deeply and exhaled with a loud 'Ah'.

Petra giggled at her senior's over exaggeratedness, following her actions. "Come on Mikasa!" Petra motioned her over with her hand.

The three girls sat by the waters edge in silence, just bathing in the afternoon sun and ocean breeze.

After their meal and discussion, all five of the Student Council members continued to sit around to decide who to appoint as the ingredient buyer.

It didn't take any begging or persuasion at all to get Levi to stand up from his seat. "I'll do it. Wouldn't trust any of you to pick out the right ingredients anyway."

Petra's eyes followed the movement of the short man heading towards the door. "Um, i-i'll do-" she began to raise her hand timidly, only to be interrupted.

"I'll go too," Mikasa stood up without hesitation, her face as emotionless as ever. She had seen Petra attempt to raise up her hand, but needed to use this chance for herself to once and for all prove Levi wasn't the cause of her quickened heart beat. Sorry, Petra, Mikasa apologised in her head.

"Ackerman, hurry up," the irascible man motioned her over with an irritated look in his eyes.

Once they had walked out of the resort and started on their journey to the supermarket that was two kilometres worth of walking, Levi passed her the shopping list.

"We're making curry tonight?" She asked after analysing the ingredient list.

He nodded.

Heart rate at normal...check. She was off to a good start.

Mikasa tightened the grip on the white plastic bag she held. Stepping out with Levi who also held a bag in his hands, they looked up at the darkened sky above them. Grey clouds loomed over them, threatening to send raindrops down. Mikasa adjusted her red scarf all the way to her mouth.

"We should hurry," Levi said as he walked forward in a swift manner. Both of them knew, of course, the long journey back wasn't going to be over without the interjection of rain.

Thunder rumbled. Mikasa felt the kiss of a raindrop on the tip of her nose. It started to drizzle. None of them made conversation at the obvious fact, only trying to quicken their footsteps.

"Damn it." Mikasa could hear her upperclassman curse as the rain just got heavier. The slight drizzle escalated to a heavy downpour, the tar on the road they were walking on becoming drenched into a deep grey hue. The water that soaked Mikasa from head to toe plastered her head to her scalp, her shirt to her skin. Lighting soon made it's way to the centre stage, more rolling thunder coming in swiftly in the wake of the flash of lightning.

"Come on, we need to run and find shelter, it's getting dangerous." Levi tried shouting over the rampaging storm. They both took to their heals in search of some form of shelter.

Fortunately for them, they found a small wooden shed based practically out of nowhere, in the middle of the deserted stretch. It lay on the side of the road, now seemingly like a house on water as the field of grass was flooded.

Levi hurriedly opened the door, roughly using his shoulder to barge the unmoving door open. They both entered to finally escape the persistent pelting of rain on the top of their heads.

In addition to the blockage of the sun, the shed itself only had a dim yellow light which illuminated from a small lamp above them. The place was small to begin with, but boxes that took up majority of the space only left Mikasa and Levi an area that could barely fit six people tightly packed together.

They both placed their bags down on the wooden floor boards, a sigh escaping each of their lips. Levi cursed, muttering to himself something about spoiling the vegetables and meat. Mikasa, on the other hand, cringed at the water bed that formed in her sneakers, making it disgustingly mushy and squishy every time she took a step. The floor was soaked with her wet shoes, as she continued to march around on the spot, thinking that would get rid of the discomfort she felt in her soles.

"Bloody rain-" Mikasa murmured before she clumsily slipped on a small puddle, which sent her body tumbling backwards towards the wall of the shed.

"Oi-" she heard a voice calling after her. Feeling an arm behind her head, cushioning it, she opened her shut eyes to see a Levi glaring at her. Water dripped from his bangs.

She was flat on her butt, her hands placed on the ground at her sides. Her head didn't hurt thanks to Levi, but her behind sure did.

Her eyes drifted to the body that was hovering above her. A well toned body that was translucent through the soaked white shirt. The material that stuck seductively close to his skin revealed the fine muscle lines that shaped his body. His short stature impressively had muscular pecs and a six pack to make up for it. Water that ran down the sides of his face and down his chin dropped on her, causing Mikasa to blink reflexively.

Her eyes made their way back to the man's face. The man's eyes that still seemed to be glaring at her. She stared back at him, unnerved as usual, though her heartbeat had unknowingly started to increase again.

"I told you, didn't i?" He broke the silence just like he broke her fall. "You fall one more damn time and i wasn't going to catch you. Seems like i did though."

"So what now?" she asked softly, almost in a whisper as her back touched the wall of the shed.

"I don't know," he said in a voice that volume rivalled hers, leaning in closer. "punishment?"

A gale of wind howling like a banshee accompanied the torrential rain outside. A strike of lightning that sent light bursting through the cracks in the old shed. The perfect setting for a horror movie, although the situation at hand was completely different.

Levi had removed his hand from underneath Mikasa's head. He traced his fingers along her cheek and wiped the drops of water that trickled down like tears off her face. She could feel his hot breath on her temple, contradicting the chilly whether. That hot breath travelled towards her ear. For a second, that warmth of Levi momentarily stopped as he held his breath.

"Strip."

Although not visible under the dim lighting, Mikasa's face had turned a scarlet shade to join her nose that had become red due to the cold.

"What the hell are you-" she replied agitatedly after regaining some sense of what was happening.

Levi pulled away and stood up from his kneeling position. "-You're going to catch a cold if you remain in those wet clothes. Take them off," he ordered without a hint of embarrassment at the meaning behind his words. He himself started to undo the buttons on his shirt.

"I'm perfectly fine," she argued, accompanied by a sneeze which caused that argument to become invalid.

Levi stared at her. Even without the ability to make out what his exact expression was, Mikasa knew he was giving her the 'don't be stupid' look. The girl clicked her tongue in realising the man was right. She faced the wall, away from Levi to copy his actions in unbuttoning her shirt.

"It's fine. I won't look," Mikasa heard him say as she reached her last button.

The girl peeled the shirt that stuck to her skin off her body, scrunching it together and wringing the water out. A large amount of water dripped to the grounds to soak the floor boards even more. She heard Levi doing the same from the other end that wasn't far away at all.

Mikasa looked over her shoulder. Even if he wasn't looking, she was. Now from her position she could see his back and those very muscles he had exercised during the archery competition.

"What is it?" He asked, his face not even turning.

"What's what?" She flung her head back to face the wall, a tad bit startled.

"You were looking."

"No, i wasn't," she blatantly denied.

"Didn't know you were such a pervert, Ackerman."

"Oh yeah, coming from the guy who asked me to strip."

"You still have that stupid scarf on?" Levi ridiculed her over-attachment to the red scarf she always wore.

"You said you wouldn't look!" Mikasa turned around to scold the man, realising that was a mistake. She turned back around.

"Take that red scarf off. It's only going to make things worse."

"No."

"It's just a damn scarf, Ackerman."

"Yeah it is, so it doesn't matter whether i take it off."

"Give it here." Levi reached out his hand to grab it forcefully.

"Shit you-" Mikasa cursed when she felt the woollen material slowly unravelling around her neck. "Damn it, Levi!" She yelled to get back her precious item, their bare skin brushing against each other several times. Levi nimbly evaded her attacks and kept it out of her reach.

She was furiously shooting daggers straight through him. Her breath short, due to the thin air and lack of oxygen. And her face to him seemed very... red.

He sighed audibly before giving up. "Alright, let me just wring it first, okay?" He squeezed the water out as he threw it back at Ackerman. "There."

Mikasa didn't say anything. She sat down, hugging the scarf to her chest.

Levi sat down as well; beside her. Both their legs were up to their chins for the lack of space.

"Sorry," he decided to apologise. He watched the rain fall through the gaps that had been eaten away by termites.

There was still no reply from the girl.

"Are you still angry?" He turned his head towards Mikasa who had her head completely buried in he knees.

She didn't want to let him see her crimson face. The heart that was banging loudly against her chest, she didn't want to let him hear that either.

"Nn," she let out a half-hearted sound to tell him no. She felt that big hand rest on the top of her wet head, patting it once.

"Good."

Once the rain had let up about an hour later, the two had made their silent trip back to the resort.

"Oh dear, are you guys alright?" Hanji questioned them as soon as they entered the room.

Mikasa failed to cover up her little sneeze.

"I'm fine. But the girl's caught a bit of a cold," Levi apathetically replied.

"You guys were caught in the rain the entire time?" Petra asked worriedly as she fussed about their wet clothes and handed them towels.

"We took shelter in a shed on the way back. We're overall okay, can't say the same for the ingredients, though." Levi looked a tinge sorrowful at the pathetic state of vegetables, the most expression he could ever give—for the food.

"I'm sure we can still make it work," Erwin examined the contents, trying to remain positive about their dinner. "You two go wash up first, we'll prepare the meal."

The two of them obeyed orders as they left to wash themselves up.

Mikasa lay on the foreign bed. It was much more comfortable than the bed back at home. It was bouncy and had multiple layers of soft cotton, although it lacked that smell of shampoo that was comforting to the girl—the smell of home.

Her stomach growled a bit. Some of the ingredients were spoiled by the rain, so she couldn't eat a very large portion for dinner.

She looked out the window that was right beside her bed. The moonlight shone through the glass, refracting light into her eyes. She stretched her arm out and splayed her palm, as if capturing the luscious, full moon itself. The night had always been peaceful to Mikasa. When everything was quiet and still. When she didn't receive complaints about Eren's behaviour. When she didn't come home to a battered and injured Eren. Peace.

She inclined her neck, propping herself on her elbows to sit back upright. And from out that window and beneath the wisps of nebulous clouds floating in the night sky, she saw a figure sitting on the same metre high wall she sat on in the afternoon. Without thinking, she gently placed her feet on the cold floor and tiptoed to grab her scarf, not wanting to disturb the other two girls that lay fast asleep.

"What are you doing here?" Mikasa inquired as she approached Levi, swinging her legs onto the wall and sitting in the same position as he. The balmy sea breeze danced along the empty night streets. The chilly night air stung her cheeks pink, causing her to rub her numb fingers together and curl her toes into the comfort of her socks. Mikasa sneezed to show she hadn't fully recovered from the ordeal the two of them had gone through earlier in the day.

"I couldn't sleep." Levi looked down at the water's surface, his reflection slightly distorted in the calm waves.

"Me neither."

"You're sick, go back."

"No."

"You're as stubborn as they come," Levi sighed, but the small smile forming on his lips betrayed him.

The two of them alone. Honestly, Levi couldn't be happier despite his face not showing it. It was like he had lucked out recently, his memories were full of her. He wondered if he could continue being this happy on his own.

He felt a hand touching his hair and he instinctively grabbed the hand in his own. "What are you doing?"

"Oh. There was a... leaf." Mikasa pulled back her hand and rubbed the part he grabbed defensively. She averted her eyes to look at the waters.

"Hey-" His voice was interrupted by the vibration and ringtone of his phone that pierced through the silent night. "Sorry," he said as he got off the wall and walked towards the bushes a few metres away to answer his phone.

An unknown number. Levi's eyebrows shot downwards. Unknown number and disturbing their time together? What kind of jerk was this caller?

"Who is this?" He interrogated the mysterious person in a very straightforward manner, a twinge of irritation evident.

"Levi Levi, why so angsty?"

"...Auruo?"

"Bingo!"

"How did you get my number?" He questioned him sternly, albeit in a hushed whisper not wanting Mikasa to overhear.

"Things get around, Corporal."

"Don't call me that."

"Anyway, i have a job for you," Auruo

cheerfully continued, ignoring Levi's warnings entirely.

"I don't do jobs anymore. I quit, remember?"

"It's a direct request from Verman, Levi."

"Well then, you tell Verman that i'm not doing it. I'm done with this shit. I quit, i left, don't bother me anymore."

Auruo sighed on the other end of the line. A sigh of pity. "You know that won't happen, Levi. Once you're in, you're in. There's no getting out. For as long as you live, this life's just gonna keep haunting you. You can't ever escape it."

He was clenching his phone hard, his anger threatening to smash it against the floor. He turned his head back to Mikasa who sat silently at the water's edge.

"What do i have to do?"

There was no denying it. The reason to her heart palpitations, the reason to her reddened face, the reason as to why she reached out to touch his hair—the cause was all Levi. She couldn't carry on telling herself it wasn't, because time and time again the situation proved her hypothesis wrong. And now she was finally admitting it to herself.

She had fallen for Levi.