"So, let me get this straight." Erwin rests his chin on both of his hands as he intensely stared at Eren's uncomfortable figure. "Annie escaped her crystal, you tried to stop her, but she flipped you over with just her bare hands, then she escaped before you could do anything, Levi is pissed so he wants to go out and murder her?"

Eren nodded vigorously.

Erwin blinked before leaning back on his chair.

"Why do I feel like parts of that is a lie?" he sighed.

Eren shifted uncomfortably in his spot, looking down at the floor before taking a deep breath and looking right at Erwin's blank façade.

"Because a part of that is a lie…" he said a bit too quietly. "I…I let Annie go, sir." He managed to make out. "I don't know why, but I just let her walk off…"

Silence.

Then another deep sigh from Erwin as he massaged his temples.

"Does Levi know?"

"Yes, sir." Eren said almost sheepishly.

"Eren…maybe it is wise if you don't go with Levi and the others."

Eren gritted his teeth at these words, clenching his hands into fists.

"B-But sir! This time…this time for sure, I won't just let her go! I definitely will capture her and make her suffer all the punishments that she deserves!" he exclaimed sternly.

Erwin stared at him before getting up from his seat.

"Eren, I don't think you understand." He said. "If I were someone else, you would've been accused of treason for letting the female titan escape. What you did will be a secret between you, me, and Levi. Understand? We can't risk you going out and intentionally let her escape again."

"But sir-!"

"Eren." Erwin's tone made him flinch. "I heard that you and the female titan were very close during your trainee days." He said. "And that she taught you many things such as close combat skills, am I right?"

Eren swallowed a lump from his throat and nodded slowly.

"If that's the case then you will have trouble fighting her." He said, walking past Eren and opening the door. "You are human after all. Humans normally let their emotions get the best of them. She must be your first betrayal, yes?" he said, not looking back at Eren's furious expression. "I've had plenty of betrayals in my experience…so I understand how you feel, but, Eren…" Erwin patted him on the shoulder before walking out of his office. "This is for the sake of humanity."

And with that, he closed the door shut behind him.

Eren kept his stare glued to the floor before gradually raising his head.

Anger bubbled up within him as he glared at the empty chair in front of him.

They were underestimating him.

All of them.

Every single one of them.

Levi, Erwin, and maybe even Annie.

The thought of them looking down on him like that made Eren burn with anger.

He grew. He grew into something more than a reckless child.

H's grown, he knows he has. He'll prove it. Not just through small sparring lessons but with his survival skills. Maybe even with words.

He whirled around on his heel and wrenched the door open.

His eyes widened as he became face to face with Armin and Mikasa.

"Eren…" Mikasa said softly.

"Don't tell me…" Eren groaned. "You guys heard everything, didn't you?"

Armin nodded slowly without saying a word.

"That Annie escaped and that Levi heichou is looking for her?" Eren sighed.

They both said nothing for a few moments before Armin decided to break the ice.

"E-Eren, I knew that Annie escaped. It was sort of obvious after you went to go see her." He smiled nervously before quickly replacing it with a frown. "But the reason why we're here is to stop you."

"Stop me? From doing what?" Eren blinked, crossing his arms.

"Knowing you, Eren-" Armin started.

"I won't let you go after her." Mikasa cut in, her eyes cold and empty as she grabbed Eren by the shoulders. "I won't let you. She'll capture you again and…" she trailed off before tightening her grip.

"Ow, Mikasa! Let go of me!" Eren snapped, shrugging her off. "I won't go after her, okay!"

"Liar." She whispered. "We know you, Eren. You'll definitely try to get her yourself."

Eren bit his lip, refusing to meet their worried gaze. Then his anger returned, this time bigger than before.

"I can't believe you guys." He hissed. "Why are all of you underestimating me? I'm not a little kid anymore! I can do this! I'm a soldier! A soldier of humanity! I'm stronger now!" he snapped.

"Eren, we know you're strong, but this one…this one is too risky." Armin quickly said, trying to ease his anger.

"How? How is this too risky?!"

"Eren…" Armin stopped himself, trying to find the right words.

"Your emotions." Mikasa said, not caring whether her tone was harsh or not.

"This again…?" Eren groaned. "I have myself under control now! I was just in shock before, but this time I can do it! You guys have to trust me!"

Armin opened his mouth but Mikasa beat him to it again.

"I still won't let you." She said softly, grabbing his hand. "Please, Eren…" she whispered. "Carla…she asked me to protect you and that's what I'm trying to do. So I need you to cooperate with me. If you go after Annie then the risk of you being captured is high. So please…" she almost begged, squeezing his hand.

Eren stared at her then averted his attention to Armin who also looked concerned but hopeful.

Sighing angrily, Eren held Mikasa's hand back and gave her a small smile.

"Alright…" he mumbled. "Alright, alright…fine. I'll stay. I won't go after her…"

Mikasa didn't seem convinced, neither did Armin.

"I'm serious!" Eren snapped. "I won't go after her, okay! I'll stay here with you guys."

"Promise me." Mikasa said. "Promise us that you won't go."

Eren bit his lip, not daring to look at her straight in the eye.

"Eren…" her voice almost sounded desperate.

"Fine." He sighed, shaking her hand away. "I promise."