Armin and Mikasa was panicking.
Panicking because of various reasons.
One of the reasons was that a horse in the stables was missing.
Another reason was because a 3D Maneuver Gear was also missing.
And Eren was nowhere to be seen.
"Mikasa, calm down, I'm sure he's nearby." Armin said quickly.
Mikasa didn't seem to hear him, she was too busy wrenching a closet open and peering through, almost as if she was expecting Eren to pop out and scream, "Surprise!"
"Armin," she said with a deadly tone. "Where did you last see him?"
"I-In the hallway down there…" he whispered. "He seemed to be angry because I told him not to leave and to keep his promise, but…"
Mikasa closed the door shut, gripping the handle tightly.
"He left without even looking back." He said quietly.
"Why didn't you stop him?" she said softly.
"…I thought he would keep his promise and just come back sooner or later. I guess…I guess I was expecting too much. I'm sorry."
Mikasa swallowed hard as she slowly raised her hand and rested it on her scarf, feeling the fabric with her fingers.
"I was expecting too much too…" her voice was muffled against the red threads.
"Mikasa…I really hate to admit it, but…but I think Eren went out to find Annie."
The black haired girl closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. Her expression was still stoic but Armin knew that her heart was slowly sinking into the abyss.
"Armin," she said. "…I…I have to go."
Before the blonde could protest, she walked away, her mouth still hidden behind her favorite scarf.
"Eren, what are you doing?" Armin groaned.
Armin stood there for a few moments, trying to decide what to do. Finally, he quickly ran after Mikasa, not caring if some of the other soldiers flashed him dirty looks.
"Mikasa!" he exclaimed, whipping his head around, trying to catch even a small glimpse of her. "Mikasa! Where are you!?"
Panting and ignoring the burning sensation that crawled up his thighs and lungs, Armin frantically looked around for his friend. And then, in the corner of his eye, he noticed a small closet. Its door was just slightly ajar and he could hear faint, very faint, sounds emanating from there.
"Mikasa?" Armin said softly, opening the door just enough for him to peer through.
From the thin line of light that poured through the small crevice, Armin could see the outline of his friend. She didn't turn to face him, instead she was staring at the scarlet scarf that was stretched out on her palms.
"Armin," she suddenly said, her tone light and soft. "I'm going out to look for him."
"H-Huh?!"
"Eren needs my help. I will go out to help him." She said, clenching the threads with her hands and biting her lip.
"…I don't think he would like that-"
"I don't care!" she snaps. "He…he needs my help. I'm going to go and look for him even if it means going against his wishes."
"Mikasa…" he said quietly.
"You don't have to come with me, Armin." She said, slowly turning to look at him. "I will go alone if I have to."
And with that, she got up from her seat and walked out of the dark closet, past a stunned Armin.
"W-Wait, Mikasa!" he exclaimed loud enough for her to stop. "I…I'll go with you. I may not have the physical abilities that matches yours or the skills that can be useful in battle but…but I'm still Eren's friend. I'll go and do what I can to help him."
Mikasa simply gives him a soft expression then nods.
"Yes…thank you, Armin." She said with a rare smile.