Is it really necessary? Again, instead of the training we need with ODM equipment, we are dealing with loaded weapons. The rifle in my hands is really long and big, but its weapon power will not be enough for a long time, it is meaningless against Titans.

Moreover, this shit is simply not able to charge properly..!

While I was thinking about it, I still couldn't load the weapon, which was also damn heavy and uncomfortable. Why did they even come up with such crap, which is of no use?!

– Can I help you?

– I almost got over it..!

In fact, this is not the case at all. I'm far from finished, but it would be terrible to embarrass myself now, because this girl has been watching me for the last minute. I wonder what she found in me that now looks in my direction? Is it because I helped her not so long ago? Or does she find it funny how I fail after failure?

– Just a little more..!

– Give it to me, Eren.

She came close to me and snatched the rifle from my hands, loading it literally in three seconds, and then returned it to me. It was so unusual, but now my task has been completed.

– Where did you learn this?

– Isn't it worth thanking the kind girl first before asking?

Together we headed towards the shooting range to try out the weapon in practice after that. Hell, I've never fired a rifle, but I've heard that these things have a lot of recoil, so it's worth standing on the ground harder.

– Thank you for helping me, Pieck. So what?

Still, she was right. Gratitude is really necessary to a certain extent, although, of course, she should also focus a little less on something like this, since these thoughts only distract.

– Well, my father had military comrades who instructed me on the right path for some time. You know, after the fall of the wall, it seems like something necessary…

– Really… Pieck, your skills could really be useful to humanity to fight titans! Perhaps you would like to come with me to Survey Corps?

It wasn't a crazy suggestion, in fact it's just one of three possible options for cadets, but many people consider something like this to be nonsense. After all, people train here only to go deeper behind the walls and feel safe, although I don't think it will last long.

That's why we need more people and resources. We cannot allow the lives of the dead scouts to be in vain as a result. The Titans didn't come out of nowhere, they definitely appeared somehow, since they managed to exterminate humanity outside the walls. People just weren't ready, but now the situation will change. We will regain the lands stolen from us five years ago, and then we will return to exploring the outside world.

Soon we will find out where the Titans came from, and then we will destroy them all to a single one.

– Oh, with you? Is this a date offer or something like that?

– Ah... amm… I'm not…

My tongue treacherously began to slur at this moment, when Pieck expressed something similar to me. From her calmly satisfied expression on her face, it is quite difficult for me to come to the conclusion that she is joking or really talking about eom seriously. Is this what girls with such training are constantly thinking about? Dating, really? No, it can't be true.

Although even so, my thoughts were not at the moment able to reason with my hot-tempered heart. However, I usually have such an active heartbeat at other times, for example, when I enthusiastically remember and tell someone about my life goal or when I have nightmares, but definitely not like now…

– Hehe, don't worry, Eren. Don't blush like that.

She smiled at me, and I could only turn away slightly so that she wouldn't see my face. Wow, this girl really said something so extravagant. I should better keep my emotions under control.

– Aren't we late?

I tried to get away from talking about something so incomprehensible to me, but Pieck didn't look confused. Did she seem to expect this from me? She's really perceptive, isn't she?

– Well, we obviously finished one of the first. Look, there's an instructor shouting at this crowd because they still haven't figured it out.

Really. Most of the cadets were still busy doing the same thing as I was before, and some didn't even come close to this phase. In fact, it was difficult for them to hold weapons in their hands. But I'm glad the instructor didn't notice how Pieck helped me, otherwise it would have been bad for both of us.

And those who have passed this small selection ... well, there are very few of them. Reiner, Berthold, Sasha, Marko, and no one else, except for me and Pieck. Yeah, it looks pretty pathetic, even to me. I wonder how I would have gotten out if this girl hadn't helped me?

– Ha, it looks like no one can master this terrible weapon. Just the six of us.

Thinking about it, I have a feeling that Sasha, Reiner, Berthold and Marko have also received at least some military training. Well, at least Reiner looks that way in this regard, but the others don't quite. Well, Sasha is definitely from a hunting village, as she herself said, so maybe that's where she was taught to handle weapons? Although I've never heard of hunters having single-shot military rifles. On the other hand, I've never been interested in hunters, so I can't be so sure about anything. Berthold doesn't seem weak, but he doesn't look prepared enough either. Well, he and Reiner spend a lot of time together, so maybe that's the answer to the mystery. And Marco... it seems that he was going to devote himself entirely to the king, and without second thoughts. It's even commendable, to be honest, although I won't say that I like the idea of losing such a soldier loyal to his principles. Oh, if he had a craving for exploring the world and fighting titans.

– Hm, don't forget that cute aunt Pieck helped you. And this is your gratitude, scoundrel?

– Yes, yes, I am grateful to you, Pieck-sama.

– Well, then fulfill my every wish.

– No way.

– Damn, and I was hoping…

She puffed out her cheeks and pretended to turn away from me. I could say that she was not offended at all, but just demonstratively portrays something like that. Well, it's probably just a trait of her character. This is not something that can be changed, and probably not necessary.

– Actually, I haven't decided where I want to go yet. But maybe the military police would be a good option for me.

And yet she returned to our old topic. Am I disappointed? Well, it seems a little, although such an outcome was indeed expected. After all, I haven't seen anyone yet who would like to join the most dangerous corps of all.

Yes, I have seen people there come from expeditions with a lot of injuries, and their mental state is under great pressure. Even the commander of scouts burst into tears in front of my eyes a few years ago, and then said a lot of things that could shake any faith in all sorts of expeditions to the lands of the Titans.

But if I had to express my opinion on this, then he probably turned out to be just a weakling. I don't know how he became a commander at that time, but this is clearly an unsuitable position for him, since he gives up so easily. He should have controlled himself better and at least tried to raise the morale of his comrades, as well as save face in the eyes of the public.

Probably because of people like him, people are afraid to join Survey Corps.

– Hey, Eren, did you listen at all to what I said?

– Yeah… I'm sorry, what did you say?

– I said that I would most likely join the military police. Were you so shocked by this?

– Seriously..? you have such abilities and knowledge, and you want to spend it on something like that…

Still, I shouldn't be an idiot right now. Indeed, if we want to return the lands and deal with titans, then my desire alone will not be enough. Maybe I should win someone over to my side?

It's simple, you just need to find weaknesses in everyone and use it in favor of argumentation of the activities of scouts. So, what are the weaknesses of those I know..? Connie is shortsighted… Well, I don't know how this will help in the fight against the Titans, rather, on the contrary, it will only get worse. Krista is lonely, or at least she seems to be. Um... can she be sent on solo missions..? No, it sounds like nonsense. Hmm... Sasha loves food too much… Well, maybe she could eat titans like they eat humans.…

No, in short, it's pointless, I don't know what to do with it.

– Yes, it probably looks pathetic on your part, I understand. But believe me, I have a long-standing desire that I can fulfill only in this way.

– And what is it?

If she really has some important desire, then it will be impossible to convince her. For example, Marco sincerely wants to serve the monarchy inside the walls, to be near the king not because of honor, but because of duty. This is commendable and quite difficult at the same time. Moreover, it will be quite difficult to force him to abandon such a goal.

– Mm... well, it's my secret, but…

Suddenly she took a light step towards me, and her lips were already near my ear. I could feel her warm breath perfectly with the lobe of my left ear. Because of all this, my heart sped up its rhythm dramatically. Why is this girl so carefree?! And why am I so sensitive myself? Pieck, what the hell are you doing, everyone will see us?!

– Maybe I could tell you this if you... um, let me think…

She spoke so slowly and softly, as if stretching out her own pleasure. I didn't even notice at first, but my breathing almost froze, and my body seemed to be numb. And why do I react this way in the first place..? Is it because her warm breath tickles my ear or because her dark hair lightly touches my face, letting me feel their unusual silkiness and softness..?

– Maybe a date? What do you say?

– Eh, a date?!

Did I hear right? Did she just declare something like that as her wish? Stop, if she talks about it, while also doing such things, the more she helps me and looks at me all the time… Wait-wait! It is impossible that this is so..!

– Quiet, quiet, you don't want other boys to envy you, do you?

– Ah?

She pulled away from me a little and gently put her index finger to her lips, which I watched with a sinking heart. This girl, how the hell does she do it..? Why do I feel this way in the first place..? Next to Mikasa, I didn't have anything like that at all…

– So what? You will tell me about your aspirations, I will tell you about mine, and we will spend time together. As for me, this is a good chance to get to know each other better.

– Um... well…

I hesitated, not knowing what to say. After all, this is the first time I find myself in such a situation. If we talk about girls, I didn't have that much experience in dealing with them, especially at such a strange level. No, I should probably say that Pieck is the only one who is trying so hard to get close to me.

– Don't tell me I'm not pretty enough for you.

– No, you're also beautiful, but…

– Oh, thank you. I appreciate you noticing.

She smiled at me slyly, as if she had caught me on the hook of a fishing rod. Damn, I'm like a fish, and she's a professional fisherman, leading her beautiful game in relation to me. Considering the small river fish, I'm probably easy prey for her.

Hm, Mother always said that girls can be dangerous, but before that, in this regard, I perceived only Mikasa, who fought well. On the other hand, Pieck has completely different characteristics, why it could be called dangerous. Although, she probably knows how to fight too…

– So...?

– Okay, I agree…

I was careless and paid for it. Although in any case, the idea of something like a date with a beautiful girl does not sound bad, however, I can not afford to be distracted from my goal. First of all, I have training, and only then relationships with other people.

Nevertheless, I could get to know this girl better, so that it would be easier for me to understand her character. This can be useful in order to convince her one day and change her goals in life. After all, people like her can come in handy in the fight against the Titans.

– That's settled. Then let's go on our next day off, okay?

– Yeah…

But in any case, no matter how you look at it, it's still a complete defeat. Eren Yeager 0 : Pieck Finger 1.

With this feeling, we reached the shooting range, which we seemed to have been getting to for so long… I wonder how to shoot this thing..?

– So you're saying his name is Eren Yeager?

– That's what Pieck said.

Hah... it can't be... there's no way Pieck would just spend the resources she has just to be idle. The blonde girl sitting in front of me is also usually not in the mood to joke, so I just have no choice ... Was Grisha able to survive..?

– Did she say anything else? For example, who was his father.

I have heard from reports that the ship sent with the captured restorers has gone missing. The Marleys put it down to a storm passing in the sea near Paradise Island that day, but if the restorers are to blame for this... then they were able to escape and get behind those walls. If this is the case, then our warriors may face big problems.

– She said that he was a doctor, but she has not been able to find out anything else yet.

Impossible..! How so..?!

Let the emotions seethed in me, but I restrained them with a strong grip. I was trained, I was trained for this. Father, I cannot let you down and your instructions… If Grisha really survived, then his son is just another victim… That is, we are the same..?

– I think that the surname Yeager is not so rare. Although, of course, apart from you, I have not met anyone else with this.

The soldier behind my back was saying what he thought, and did not help the course of our conversation at all. Honestly, it would be great if he just took off and gave me time to think.…

– Annie, ask Pieck to find out more about this Eren Yeager. Who he is, where he comes from, how he lived and still lives.

– Is it that important?

– Probably not, but…

I winked at her gently, but she didn't show a single change on her face. Indeed, as Berthold said, insensitive, cold, but, sort of, insightful. At least, I can only hope so.

– Fine.

At that moment, I felt only gratitude to this girl. I need more information about my sudden relative, who was brainwashed just like me. We can only hope that Grisha's stupid ideas are not stuck in my brother's head too deeply.

Eren, you and I are alike, just victims of one insensitive bastard who calls himself a man. Believe me, I will make every conceivable effort to get you out of this Hell on Paradise Island. And then you can become part of our little family. I'm sure our grandparents will be very happy.