Life is ever filled with surprises.

Ever since she chose to stay in the Empire, Helena had already learned many surprising things; she was glad most of them were of a pleasant sort.

And while Kido announcing they were going to meet Mikasa that night was already surprising enough, meeting her in person after so long proved even more so.

Seated across them in that fancy restaurant, Mikasa was enjoying a generous helping of food; not even once did she exercise restraint—it contrasted sharply with her otherwise elegant clothing and what Helena knew of her.

But what surprised her most was that Kido and Mikasa seemed to be closer than he had ever indicated. Shaking off the feeling of being out of place building up within her, she, too, brought a morsel into her mouth.

"So, how's the food, Mikasa-dono?" Kido, sitting beside her, inquired. Helena noted he seemed proud and eager as he asked the question—like a child asking their parents if they did well on something.

Mikasa dabbed her mouth on a napkin, then turned to the asker, amused.

"And here I thought it's obvious," she said, looking at the empty plates sprawled before her. Kido laughed at that.

"It's only polite to ask," he said. "In any case, I'm happy you found it to your liking. I know this place will suit your taste."

"Well, I'm no picky gourmet; any chance I can get something other than rations is always welcome," Mikasa replied, glancing at Helena and the ring on her finger. It was something simple, yet she couldn't be happier looking at it.

"So, Helena-chan, I hope you will feel at home here despite our history."

Helena, who was about to take another bite, paused. Her surprise only lasted a moment, turning into a small smile afterward. Mikasa's sincerity deserved one.

"Thank you, Mikasa-san," she bowed her head. She already did feel at home, thanks to her and her newfound friends.

"You know, I'm happy for you two. May you two be happy for years to come," Mikasa chuckled as Helena began to blush and covered most of her face with her sleeve.

"Ahaha, Mikasa-san, you sound like a mother," Helena said, her nervous laugh muffled by her garment. Kido set his chopsticks down and gave the girl a tender look. She wasn't too far from the truth.

"She's a mother to everyone under her. A stern but fair and caring mother," he spoke, glancing at a Mikasa. She was red-faced, not too different from Helena now.

"Seriously, my boy, that's embarrassing," she admonished but laughed afterward. "Well then, if I'm a mother, certainly I'm entitled to be proud of you both," she continued. Helena had never heard her speak in such a manner before, and she bowed her head again.

"Proud of me?" she, bewildered, mumbled into the table.

"Oh, of course. You see, you might not be part of the Imperial Navy, but I do keep watch over you all the same," Mikasa briefly turned from the stunned Helena to Kido. "You are strong, Helena-chan, more than you think."

"That's what I've been telling her all these times," Kido chimed in, and Helena's blush deepened.

"But then again, even the strongest still need someone to support them," Mikasa glanced at Kido again. "I'm glad you saved her."

"...It's all thanks to you. You understand me better than anyone else, Mikasa-dono."

"Oh yes. You've been my Admiral's longtime aide, after all. And that's why I could not stand seeing you look so distressed at that time."

"You still had me demoted after that," Kido pointed out, though he wasn't bitter about it. He never did.

"Oh please, you took it well, my boy," Mikasa smirked, one cheek resting on her open palm. "When you find what you've been looking for all your life, a demotion is trivial."

"I know," Kido reached for Helena's hand to hold it; as he did, she looked up and smiled.

"It's getting too sentimental around here," Mikasa breathed a contented sigh as she watched the pair before drinking the sake from her cup. "Finish your plate, you two. Wasting food is not acceptable in this country."

There was something in the words that had Kido laughing. A pleasant reminder.

"Yes, mother," he replied without hesitation. Helena stared at him. He laughed once again after that. She turned to Mikasa, appreciating how gentle she looked at the moment.

She hesitated no more.

"Yes, mother."