OMG. I CAN'T BELIEVE I WROTE ANOTHER CHAPTER ON THE SAME NIGHT. /my studies...nuuuuuuuuu! Anyways, I was just too excited about this so I couldn't stop myself. I FINALLY reached a developping point. Gah, it felt like it took forever, yet I also felt like I advanced it too quickly. ;;;;;; Please please please review and let me know what you think. Is the plot going too fast to the point where it sounds unrealistic?
I still have a few chapters to go before getting to a resolve, so please don't get bored yet, ok? TT^TT P.S: This chapter still starts on the same day as the past 3 chapters...meaning, on a Saturday night, after the 'date'. And a whole week passes from the 3rd scene and onwards (I changed this to make events slightly more realistic. OTL I'm sorry if this caused any confusion!).
-Shiragami
"Eeeeeeeeeeeren…" Armin called out from a gloomy corner.
Just out of the shower, the boy who got called froze upon hearing his name in such a creepy manner.
"Y-Yes, Armin?"
Truth to be told, the moment Eren unlocked the entrance door, he dropped all his gifts from Levi on his bed and proceeded to ignore Armin completely. As far as locking the washroom door when he was about to shower, so the blonde wouldn't corner him, like a predator to its prey.
Why am I avoiding Armin, you ask? Apart from making a huge deal about Levi this afternoon upon seeing the real man in flesh, Eren was certain that he would attempt to squeeze out all the detail of today's event, from the 'privileged' boy who got to spend a day with one of the most powerful men in Wall Maria.
However, he knew he couldn't keep on pretending to ignore his best friend, and it would just get worse as it dragged on, so there they were, now sitting cross-legged under the kotatsu. Eren tried to distract himself by drying his hair with a towel, but Armin wasn't going to let him.
Secretly, as if he was doing some illegal tradings, Armin passed him a magazine. Raising an eyebrow, Eren looked at the flashy 'book', then back to Armin. The shorter one just flicked his chin at him. Taking the flick as a cue, Eren flipped through the center of their attention. As expected though, Armin would read such educational paper prints. I bet he has these issues monthly subscribed.
As he flipped through uncaringly, one specific section caught his eyes, it was a two page filler of a picture of Levi, looking as displeased as usual. Turning to the next page, it was a whole page of words, all words. To help him understand better, Eren read the topic header and chocked on his own spit.
"Q&As from the most wanted man in Wall Maria, Mr. Levi Ackerman!"
Armin watched his best friend in amusement, he knew his instinct was never wrong. Patting Eren on the back, he retreated to their shared bedroom, leaving the confused brunette alone in privacy.
"I am going to spare the interrogations for now, why don't you get to know and become more friendly with Mr. Ackerman?" What surprised Eren the most though, was the fact that Armin would even try and attempt a smug face.
…
Reading nervously under the kotatsu, his heart skipped faster and faster with each question and answer. Even Eren himself, knew that he wasn't very bright, and was very slow to catch up on things…but this was way beyond his capabilities. How was I supposed to know the importance of his position? I mean, I guess Armin told me about him having the 'largest company in Wall Maria' or something, but…How was I supposed to know the measures of these things?! Eren wanted to beat himself up for treating Levi like another average human being, up until now.
Absorbing new information with every new line he read, he stopped and blushed at the next question.
"Q: Mr. Ackerman, can you please describe your ideal type for your fans?"
"A: Innocent and well mannered. Preferably someone shorter."
"Q: Hahahaha, I can see why, Mr. Ackerman!"
Eren twitched at the interrogator's rude remark, how dare he make fun of Levi's height? Though he can't lie to himself, seeing Levi for the first time, he thought that the older man was short too. But that's besides the point!...So he's into someone shorter, huh…No matter how you look at me, I am taller and a male to boot…and my manners defenestrated itself at the dessert house today...
Wait. Why am I comparing myself to his ideal? Huh? NO. NO MIND, WHERE ARE YOU GOING! WE ARE FRIENDS!
The confused boy pulled on his hair. Armin peaked from behind their bedroom door and giggled mischievously (Armin's always be peekin'). His theory was showing some satisfying results.
Groaning in frustration, Eren kept on reading with curiosity about Levi. The man just suddenly appeared into his life and left a very deep impression. Eren thought that even if this was the last time they met, he didn't think that he would ever forget Levi. He just came on too strong.
"Q: Mr. Ackerman, can you please reveal your monthly income? I am sure all the viewer and fans are dying to know!"
"A: Sorry, this is something I cannot reveal in order to protect my company's privacy."
"Q: Even just a rough estimate?"
"A: That's right, even just an estimate. My apologies."
Hmm…I guess he could potentially be the richest man in Wall Rosa…but how rich is 'richest'?
Growing up poor, Eren never knew of the possibilities, more specifically, he couldn't imagine them. For him, even money of a day's worth of meal was a lot. Unfortunately, before he could even look at the total of all the clothes Levi bought for him earlier today, the elite had already crumpled and stuffed the receipt in his pockets. Sighing, the brunette could only guess that they must've worth at least three years of constant labor to afford all those clothes, judging from the price of that one coat he inquired. Feeling bad, he thought about sharing them with Armin, I'll ask him later if he wants to wear some of them…
That night, he read and reread the Q&As, just so he wouldn't forget about the details. He even took note of Levi's profile. December 25th..huh? Eren even thought of what to give for him on Christmas, which was also his birthday. It was coming up too soon though, the month of December already started and he hasn't saved up much money. He couldn't purchase anything expensive. And even if he did, he was absolutely positive that Levi already possessed it, or possessed something even fancier.
He couldn't sleep that night, it was all too much of a shock to him. He was half shocked at himself for encountering someone so amazing, half confused on why Levi would be interested in someone like him. He tried not to toss and turn too much, as Armin was already asleep on the other bed across his own.
Little did he know, Armin was still wide awake, smiling to himself that Eren finally met someone unique and dependable in this world. After the tragedy that fell upon his childhood friend, he never once saw Eren lower his guards. There were always things on his mind, things he had to worry about constantly. Even with 'friends', Eren never fully trusted any of them. He always put on a friendly front, but he never tried to get close to anyone...he was afraid of getting hurt again.
Armin also reflected upon their encounters earlier today, and from the way Levi acted, something was definitely up. He wasn't sure what kind of business the elite wanted with his best friend, but he felt that someone as important as the President of Survey Corporation, wouldn't get involved with a full-timer young adult for no apparent reason. He was testing his theory, he was willing to give his best friend a push. And the moment he sees a few results that could prove his entire theory wrong, Armin would be there to drag Eren out of the mess before he breaks down again.
…
"Hanji, just SHUT the FUCK UP."
"Oh come on, I did all the other half of your homework for you last Saturday, and I just get yelled at? This is too much, Levi!"
"Yeah? Well I don't need to hear you yap about it all week, do I? I said thanks, didn't I? And it's PRESIDENT Ackerman to you."
"…Here they go again…" whispered an employees, behind their president's office door.
"Mr. Hanji sure is brave, going up against President Ackerman like that…" said another employee, making a few photocopies of a document.
"I heard that Mr. Hanji and President Ackerman were roommates back in university." whispered someone, poking his head over a cubicle.
"Ehh-?! No way, so they are friends? President Ackerman actually has a FRIEND?!" exclaimed his fellow cubicle neighbor.
"SHHHHHHH- YOU'RE TOO LOUD GOD DAMMIT!"
With a slam of the door, the entire floor fell into silence as Levi stormed out of his office, leaving Hanji behind. All the workers on that floor almost had a heart attack at the sudden entrance of their president, especially right after whispering about him behind his back.
Taking a break in the smoking area, Levi lit a cigarette and switched open his phone. Levi wasn't a smoker, he found it strange how he wasn't getting addicted to it like everyone else who tried smoking. Sometimes he just lit one to relieve his headache, some other times he just lit one so his lips wouldn't feel cold.
Browsing through his contact list (most of them being annoying-busybody-pig-presidents of other companies who just wouldn't leave him alone), he didn't even realize that he didn't have the boy's phone number, due to his hectic schedules. Feeling another wave of headache coming through, he sighed loudly. Feeling restless once more that he couldn't text Eren, nor call him to hear his sweet voice. He was a whole week deprived of 'Eren'.
Damn it, when will be the next time I'll have a free day again? He counted the dates in his head, his entire schedule was mapped inside his brain. There was one free day in four days, and another one in twenty days. And today was the 14th of December already…Can't have him for Christmas, huh…
Squashing the cigarette butt on a tray, he marched back in his office, expecting to find Hanji there. He wanted to discuss about his schedule with him once more, before noticing that the little shit head wasn't in anymore. About to blow up, the president once more scared all his employees by slamming the door shut with incredible force, almost cracking the walls.
…
Eren was on cleaning duty on a Monday afternoon as usual when he heard the entrance door chime. He was about to greet his customer, as he would to anyone who came through that pair of doors, but he did not expect to see a familiar face.
"Good afternoon, Eren Jaeger."
The brunette could only blink blankly at the tall blonde.
"H-How did you know my name?" he asked.
"President Ackerman told me a lot of about you."
Eren nodded and blushed a little at his explanation. He couldn't help but to subconsciously pay attention to everything that had the name 'Levi Ackerman' in it.
"My name is Erwin Smith, I know this is sudden, but I will be your new manager from today onwards. I would be happy if you could come to my office after your shifts. Also, please pass this announcement around, and let all the present workers know that I need to see them as well. Do not worry about those who are not working today, I will contact personally."
With that brief introduction, he gracefully walked towards Weilman's office, deep within the back of the shop. It was no wonder that Weilman didn't come in this morning, despite being a Monday, but why would that old man let someone buy his shop?
…
10 pm, the needle landed. It was finally time for Eren, Oluo and Mike to go see Erwin. Not even changing out of their uniform, they directed themselves towards the office at the back, Weilman's gold plaque was already gone. Three knocks, and Erwin gave them permission to come in. Eren was the one to open the door ever so timidly. He knew this man was with Levi last week in this cafe, so that must've meant that he worked under Levi. They wore similar suits after all.
"Good evening, gentlemen, as much as I would like to send you home right away, I need to let all the employees know what is happening, and what is going to happen." he explained. "Your previous owner, Kitz Weilman, retired after Survey Corporation bought this shop from his hands."
Oluo clasped both of his hands over his mouth, yet his loud gasp could still be heard.
"I am one of many capable subordinates for this position under Levi Ackerman, the President of Survey Corporation. However, I was the only one left in charge of this business because Weilman has never expanded this name into branches." The three employees just listened in shock, even for Eren, because he never knew Levi and Mr. Smith came to this cafe because they already knew that they would acquired this store. "With this said, do expect future branches to slowly appear in other parts of the Wall, and expect your wages to go up as well. Your previous owner paid minimum wage despite owning such a fancy and high in demand store, courtesy to the employees." Erwn shook his head.
Oluo and Mike just stared at each other in disbelief before grinning at each other. Eren simply looked at Erwin, eyes full of questions. The elite seemed to have noticed the light in Eren's eyes, so after dismissing the other two workers, he asked the boy to sit down and talk about it.
"Sorry, I'm keeping you here so late, Mr. Smith…" Feeling quite guilty, Eren took a seat in the fancy armchair that replaced Weilman's cheap looking ones.
"Don't be, President Ackerman will not let me live in peace if he heard I mistreated you." Erwin gave out a small laugh.
There! That was the question he wanted to ask, he wanted to know this ever since Levi came to his apartment that afternoon.
"Mr. Smith, what does Le- I MEAN, umm, President Ackerman has anything to do with me? It is not my intention to sound like I'm bragging, but I heard that the President is a very important and busy person, so why did he drive me home two Fridays ago like it was nobody's business, and came looking for me the very next day?" Eren's voice was full of suspicion and worry, for the first time, he was afraid of a response that could potentially break his heart...Break my heart? What would? And why would it break my heart? What does anything have to do with me?
Erwin could tell that Eren didn't even figure out his own thoughts yet, there was no way he would confide anything when the boy himself didn't even know why he was asking such questions.
"I am sorry, Eren Jaeger, things like this are better for you to figure out yourself, or ask President Ackerman directly. I am sure both of you would be happier if you solved this between the two of you, and not use an outsider like me to bring the two of you on the same path."
Mind clouded with questions. He shows up one day out of nowhere, barges into my life out of nowhere, claims that he knows me much more than I think he does…. the puzzle pieces just doesn't seem to fit…Am I forgetting something very important? Even though they only saw each other for two days, and knew each other for a few more, it just didn't make any sense for Levi to have anything to do with the brunette. They lived in different worlds, the gap was too great for one to come across the other.
Suddenly remembering something Levi has said before.
"It's important, I have something I need to talk to you about."
That's right! The day he came to Eren's apartment, he said that. What was the important thing? They ended up enjoying their time too well, that neither of them remembered to bring it up again.
Getting up from his seat all too suddenly, he asked Erwin one last question.
"Mr. Smith, may I please have President Ackerman's address?!"
DUN DUN DUN.
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