Das Licht Der Hoffnung In Der Dunkelheit Der Verzweiflung

欲望の闇の光

The Light Of Hope In The Darkness Of Despair

"Hey, Mop-Top!" Shadis approached a preteen Armin.

"Sir!" Armin saluted the man, his appearance hasn't changed all that much, except for the fact that he no longer had a baby face.

He wasn't the only one that's gone through some changes. Mikasa had kept her hair long just like he promised Eren she would. It reached her mid back, but she would tie it in a ponytail every once in a while whenever it got in her way.

Another noticeable change was Eren, his hair had grown down to his neck, and he'd grown a few inches taller. Armin suspected the reason why Eren wanted to grow his hair out, but decided to leave it to his thoughts for now.

"What do they call you, maggot?" Shadis demanded.

"Armin Arlelt, from Shiganshina, sir!" Armin answered.

"Wow, seriously? Why would your parents curse you with such a dumb name?" Shadis questioned.

Unbothered, Armin answered, "It was my grandfather, sir!"

"Cadet Arlelt! Why is a runt like you here?" Shadis questioned.

"To help humanity overcome the Titans!" Armin answered, honestly.

"That is delightful to hear! You're gonna be a great light snack for them!" Shadis demeaned, before touching the top of the boy's head, "Row three, about face, runt!"

Armin had no words, but wasn't intimidated by Shadis in the least. Compared to Eren and Erena's teacher—this man couldn't scare him no matter how hard he tried.

"What do you call yourself?" Shadis got in the face of a boy with short blonde hair.

"Sir! My name is Thomas Wagner, I'm from the Trost District!" Thomas answered.

"I can't hear you!"

"I'm from Trost, sir, my name—"

"Don't care, next!" Shadis walks away from Thomas without so much as sparring him another glance, leaving the boy stunned.

The man then turned his attention towards a girl with black hair, tied in two pigtails, "Is a pathetic worm like you the best Karaness has to offer?"

"Sir! I'm afraid that's the case, sir!" She yelled, fearfully.

Armin felt kind of sorry for the recruits that had to get yelled at by Shadis. He noticed the instructor was skipping those who held their ground and didn't look intimidated in the least—with Eren and Mikasa being amongst the standouts. His eyes wandered over the rest of the faces and landed on a short girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes. What interested him however, was that she seemed to be smiling in Eren's direction.

Strange, do they know each other? That can't be, right?

All he knows is it's a good thing Mikasa wasn't paying much attention to anyone else, thankfully.

"What do we have here?" Shadis got in the face of another cadet.

"Jean Kirschtein, sir. From the Trost District!" Jean has short, light ash-brown hair with the sides and back trimmed shorter; making them a darker hue. He has small, intense light-brown eyes.

"And why're you here, cadet?"

Jean, for a moment was surprised by the sudden question but answered with a confident smile, "To join the Military Police, sir. The best of the best."

'They say honesty is the best policy,' Armin thinks.

"That's nice. You want to live in the interior, do you?" Shadis questioned.

"Yes!" Jean grinned, only for it to be brutally wiped from his face as Shadis unapologetically slammed his forehead into Jean's. The sudden impact was enough to bring Jean to his knees, cradling his forehead to make the stinging pain go away.

"No one told you to sit, recruit!" Shadis said, "If you can't handle this, Kirschtein, then forget about joining the Military Police!" He states, moving onto the next cadet.

"What the hell is wrong with your face, you smiling idiot?" Shadis got in another boy's face.

"Marco Bodt at your service, sir, from Jinae." Marco introduced himself. He was of average height with a broad, muscular build. He had short, parted black hair, freckles, and light brown eyes, "South side of Wall Rose. I am to join the Military Police and give life and limb in service to the king!"

At his declaration, Eren closed his eyes, something Armin noticed.

"Well then. That makes you an idealistic fool. And a rube." Shadis said, unimpressed, "You want to know the truth?"

Marco got very nervous when the man got real close to his face, "The only use the king has for your life and limbs are as Titan fodder." He moves away from a stunned and shocked Marco.

"Hey, Cue-ball. You're up next!" Shadis announced.

"Oh, me? Sir! Conny Springer, from Ragako village, sir!" Connie was so nervous he made the wrong salute, which got Shadis's attention.

Shadis didn't hesitate to grab both sides of the boy's head before lifting him in the air like he weighed nothing, "You have backwards, Conny Springer. That was the first thing you were taught. This salute represents the resolve in your heart to fight those bent on the systematic destruction of our people!" All around them, some cadets looked even more terrified, "Is your heart on your right side?"

CHEW

At the sound of chewing, everything went dead silent. Some of the cadets present starred at the person responsible for the new sudden tension in the air. It was a girl a little away from Connie, munching down on a potato. What made the scene even more bizarre was that she ate it so nonchalantly, seemingly unaware of her surroundings.

Shadis unceremoniously drops Connie to the ground, "Hey, you there. What do you think you're doing?"

The girl in question seemed to be under the impression that he was talking to someone else and kept munching on her potato.

"You are officially on my shit list!" Shadis yelled in her face, "Just who in the hell are you?!" He demanded.

Swallowing the food in her mouth she saluted with the potato and answered, "Sasha Beaus from Dauper village, at your service. Reporting for duty, sir!"

"Sasha Braun's, huh? And what is that you're clutching in your hand?" Shadis questioned, although he already knows what it is.

"A steamed potato! It sat there in the mess hall begging to be eaten. Sir!" Sasha answered.

"The theft, I understand. But here? Why eat it here of all places?" He didn't sound angry, just confused.

Once again, Sasha answered, "It looked quite delicious. And it was getting cold. So I gave it shelter in my stomach, sir."

Shadis looked even more confused by her answer, "Why? I can't comprehend. Why would you eat that potato?"

Sasha just gave him this look, "Are you asking me why people eat potatoes? I'm surprised you don't know, sir."

Those gathered gave her looks of both disbelief and shock. Eren closed his eyes, Connie looked at her with his mouth a gape, same with Armin. Sasha meanwhile was still unaware of the tension she just caused.

Oblivious to her current situation, she broke off a piece of the potato and handed it out to Shadis with reluctance, "Here sir. Have half."

Shadis looked stunned by the gesture and took the barely half potato, "Have half?" Really?"

She gives him a nervous grin.

"There she goes, but man, I thought Shadis was gonna kill Potato Girl." Connie said as he, Marco, Mina, Armin, and Eren watch Sasha run around the training grounds. After her little stunt, Shadis told the girl to do laps around the training area.

Eren watched her run, "Interesting first day. What bothered her the most wasn't being told to run till sunset, but losing meal privileges for the next five days."

"If I recall she said she was from Dauper. I think that's a small hunting village up in the mountains." Connie comments.

Armin notices some wagons in the distance, "Hey, what's that?"

"They're dropouts. They'd prefer to work in the fields." Mina answered.

"What? But, it's only the first day." Armin said, surprised that so many were leaving.

"Guess Shadis has an impressive way of intimidating people with just his words." Eren comments.

"Says you," Armin said to him, "Didn't see him yelling in your face."

"It wouldn't have bothered me if he did." Eren stated, bluntly.

Armin sighed, "Right, what was I thinking…"

Mina turns to them, "Hey, that reminds me Eren, where are you from?"

"Shiganshina, the same as Armin." Eren answered, placing a hand on Armin's shoulder.

Armin smiled, "Don't forget about Mikasa."

"Of course not."

Connie and Marco give them both nervous expressions, "Oh, wow. That means…" he trailed off.

"You saw it. You were there that day." Connie said, looking excited.

Marco looked at him, "Quiet!" He tried to shush the boy from saying anything more.

The other boy didn't seem to get the hint, however, "The Colossal one? Did you see him?"

Nervously, Marco looked back over towards Eren and Armin.

Armin felt a little uncomfortable about the sudden topic change, Eren had his gaze firmly on the orange colored sky, "We did…" was all he said before he turned around and walked inside the eating area, but Connie was persistent and wanted more information—despite Marco's insistence that he stop.

It got even worse when they were inside. Surrounding the two were the various cadets who wanted to know the details about what happened. Eren skillfully ignored them while eating his soup, leaving poor Armin to answer their questions. Yes, the Colossal Titan kicked a hole into the wall, yes the Rogue Titan came to their aid by controlling the other titans, defeating the Armored Titan, and sealing the breach.

Connie leaned forward, "Wow, I can't believe you guys saw all that. Hey, Eren what were you doing? Armin said you ran off in the direction of your house, but what were you doing though?"

"Covering the bodies of those who didn't make it." He answered, bluntly.

At his answer, the mood shifted. No longer were they curious to know what else happened that day and instead started to feel bad about asking them something so personal.

"Oh...sorry." Connie at least had the decency to look bad and apologize.

Eren finished his soup, "Next time, be more tactful with your words." He said, looking Connie in the eye.

"Right…" Connie bowed his head, looking down.

Wanting to change the mood a little, Marco decided to ask both Eren and Armin something, "By the way, where do you guys plan on joining after you graduate?"

"Oh, that'd be the Scouts." Armin answered casually.

"Really? You guys want to join the Scouts?" Marco wasn't expecting that, "But...why?"

Eren answered this time, "To be prepared. The Colossal and Armored Titan are still out there, they'll come back. This is the calm before the storm."

His words seemed to resonate with some of the cadets. Now that they thought about it, the Scouts still haven't found any whereabouts as to the location of the two titans, both had simply vanished into thin air. But the looming threat of them returning seemed to dawn on them.

Will they really come back and finish what they started?

An arrogant snort got their attention, "Pretty little words there, but seriously, you wanna join the suicide squad? Guess that makes you a "Suicidal Blockhead."

"Jean!" Marco admonished.

Armin frowned at his words, but didn't say anything as he knew that it would be a waste of time.

Eren looks him dead in the eye, his expression changing, eyes looking dead, "You think the interior is safe, don't you? If you really believe that, then you really are a fool."

Jean sneered at him, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"The world we live in is a cruel one," Eren continued, "There's no such thing as a "safe place." That's something only fools like you continue to believe. To remain blissfully ignorant and naive of the world around you leaves you open for a sudden attack. The inhabitants of Shiganshina learned that the hard way."

Everyone shivered at his cold and blunt words, what unsettled them even more was the dead look in his eyes.

"You want to join the Military Police because you believe them to be the best, but the sad reality is—they're just a bunch of blind fools pledging loyalty to a monarch who sees them as nothing more than tools to be used and discarded." Eren continued.

Marco looked to be visibly stuck by his words, while Jean looked pissed. The rest of the cadets around them were looking very uncomfortable, which showed on their faces.

Having said his peace, Eren gets up from the table, "Armin, I'm heading back to the dorms first."

"Oh, okay…" Armin said.

The cadets move out of his way, parting like the Red Sea. Eren either didn't seem to notice or just didn't care about the sudden tension both he and Jean created. He walks past Jean without so much as sparing him a glance, making it clear he had nothing more to say.

Jean however wasn't done just yet.

"You arrogant bastard—!" Jean stretched his arm out to grab hold of the front of Eren's shirt, but soon found himself off the ground for a moment before landing hard on his back, "Gh—!"

"Jean!" Marco goes over to him, checking to see if he had hit his head.

Grunting, Jean slowly sits up off the wooden floor, "What the hell was that…?" It all happened so fast he didn't have time to react properly. His gaze moves up to see Eren looking down at him with those same dead eyes.

"Stand up." Eren ordered.

Jean was confused by the sudden command, "What…?"

"Is that all it takes to make you lose your nerve?" He questioned, unimpressed, "Don't bother joining the Military Police then. Save yourself the trouble." Saying his piece, he left the eating area.

No one said a word even after Eren left, but Connie didn't stay silent for long, "That was...so badass." Surprisingly, a few agreed with him.

Everyone else may have thought so, but Armin was more worried about Eren's sudden personality shift. In the past, Eren had his moments, but what happened with Jean just now was different.

'What was that just now?'

Marco helped Jean up, "Are you okay?"

Jean glared at the door, "Bastard…"

"To be fair Jean, you did start it after all. Eren wasn't the one who said something incredibly rude, you did." Marco reminds him.

"What? Why am I getting a lecture? He's the one who flipped me on my back!" Jean complained.

"Yes, but you're also the one who came at him aggressively first," Marco counters, "Eren had the right to defend himself."

Jean looked like he wanted to say something else, but felt the words die in his mouth as Mikasa walked past him, her long black hair getting his attention. Marco sees where his attention is and shakes his head with a sigh.

"Umm, excuse me?" Jean calls out to her just as she was a few feet from the door.

Mikasa stops and turns to him, making his cheeks turn pink, "I—uh. I just wanted—I mean." He kept stuttering like a fool, but Mikasa was patient and waited for him to speak.

"I've never seen anyone like you before. I mean, uh," He dips his head down a little, "I'm—I'm sorry. You have really beautiful black hair."

"Thank you." Mikasa thanks, blankly, walking out the door.

Jean watches her leave for a moment before running after her, looking outside to try and find her—only to freeze when he sees her walking side by side with Eren.

"I'm alright." He said.

Mikasa didn't look very convinced, "I'm just a little worried because that wasn't like you at all."

"Yeah...I don't know what happened, it felt like me talking, but my mouth was moving all on its own." He explained.

"Eren…" Mikasa started to say, but was distracted by Eren touching the back of her head.

"Your hair really has gotten long. Make sure you tie it up or it'll get caught in something." He tells her.

Mikasa touches a strand of her hair, "Okay, I'll tie it up."

Jean watches the exchange, his eyes shadowed but his expression was dumbfounded. Connie walked behind him, humming a random tune. Jean then proceeds to wipe something on the back of his shirt, startling him.

"What the hell? Leave my clothes alone, dammit!" Connie exclaimed, touching the back of his shirt with both hands, "What did you wipe on me?"

"Don't worry," Jean said with a dry expression, "Just my trust."

"Huh?" Connie questioned.

"It's aptitude test time, so listen up!" Shadis said, "There is no place for you here if you cannot perform! Fail and be shipped to the fields."

Today they were testing their balance before they got to use their ODM gear. So far everyone was able to keep their balance perfectly without struggle, while those did struggle to keep their balance.

Just as Eren was about to go next, he noticed something was off. Shadis saw that he was just staring and went over to him, "Yeager, what the hell are you doing just standing there?"

Instead of answering, Eren gestured for one of the cadets to come over and use his gear. Confused, the cadet to use it...only for him to be flipped upside down. This got everyone's attention, including Shadis. Now he understands.

"I see, your gear's defective. Go get another one from the supply closet, and good eye. Most soldiers wouldn't have noticed right away." Shadis complimented.

"Ah." Eren said, walking in the direction of the equipment room. As he was leaving though, the other cadets were whispering how impressive it was that he was able to notice something was wrong with his equipment.

Coming back, Eren displayed perfect balance much like Mikasa and wasn't even struggling. He calmly moved a little while suspected in mid air.

Shadis nodded, "Very good."

Eren got down with a small sigh, "That was amazing." Armin complimented as he walked over, "How did you know there was something wrong with your gear?" Not even Armin would have noticed it right away.

Green eyes moved over to the bald headed instructor, "Just a hunch." He said.

Armin didn't seem to get it, but let it go as he deemed it not a big deal.

"All right! For those of you who were able to stay balanced good for you, but as for the rest of you? Start heading out to the fields." Shadis said, "Time to start the ODM practice runs! Move your asses!"

Each cadet received their own ODM gear. The tools given to them were Hand grips, Piston-shot grapple-hooks, Gas-powered mechanism, and Iron wire propeller with plug-in blades. The cadets were shown how to properly put it on and how to place their blades in the hand grip. They were then told how to use it, and once the explanation was over and down with it was time to use them for real.

Armin was surprised he hadn't slammed into a tree yet, and had somehow miraculously managed to not do too bad. Landing on a tree branch, he observed how his friends were doing. Mikasa wasn't having any trouble, of course, while Eren was also soaring through the air like he was a natural. Right, Armin has to make sure not to fall too far behind, then.

Next upon the agenda was hand to hand combat.

Fighting was not one of Armin's strong suits, but luckily he got paired up with Marco. Both boys were okay with this arrangement. Mikasa was paired up with a tall boy with short black hair named Bertholdt, while Eren was paired up with Jean. There was still a little tension after last night, but it was purely on Jean's side as Eren had nothing against the other boy.

"Begin!"

Armin and Marco tried to throw the other down, and by some miracle—Armin managed to flip the other boy on his back. There were no hard feelings as Marco complimented Armin.

Bertholdt was sent sliding at them on his back as Mikasa showed him no mercy. The poor boy groaned as he slowly sat up, rubbing his back to get the stinging pain to stop.

Armin sweat dropped, "That's Mikasa for you. She can be pretty ruthless without even realizing it."

"Wow, she's really strong, huh? But so is Eren." Marco comments.

"They've been like that since we were little." Armin said.

Bertholdt stands up, "So, has Eren always been blunt? Last night was surprising."

"Not always," Armin said, shaking his head, "I'm not sure what last night was, but he's normally not like that. I think Jean's words may have triggered something."

"I'm sorry about that." Marco apologized.

"Oh, you don't have to—" Armin started to say, only for his words to be cut off when he heard a loud grunt of pain. Turning towards the common, he saw Jean was sprawled out on his back, again.

Marco smiled, nervously, "Eren might be a little ruthless himself." He said, feeling bad for Jean. That was the second time Eren had flipped Jean onto his back without hesitation.

"He does have his moments." Armin admits.

Next on the list was doing some exercises, like sit ups, push-ups, and running. Soon the day was over and day became night. Boys and girls went to the dorms to just talk and hang out.

Connie puts his shirt on, "Man, who would have thought we'd be doing all that today. My arms are killing me."

"I'm a little sore myself, but that's what we signed up for when we joined the Cadet Corps." Armin said.

"Yeah, yeah…" Connie grumbled, "Hey, Eren—uh, dude why aren't you wearing a shirt?" Out of all the boys in the room the only one not wearing a shirt was Eren.

"Because I don't sleep with one on." Eren answered.

"Huh?" Connie didn't understand his answer.

Armin decided to elaborate, "Eren has a high body temperature, so sometimes he, uh...likes to sleep without any clothes on." He blushed a little saying the last part.

As one, all the boys stare at Eren, who feels their stares but doesn't really seem to care as his back was still turned to them.

Jean gives Eren a dry look, "Disgusting."

Eren ignores him.

"Eren, just to be sure you're not planning on…" Armin started.

"I'll keep my pants on," Eren said as he fully turns to look at Armin, "Having my shirt off is more than enough." As he was talking to Armin though, the rest of the boy's noticed something about their bunk mates body.

"Holy shit, you're freaking ripped!" Connie exclaimed.

"Huh?" Eren blinked, confused why anyone would be impressed by his muscles.

A tall boy with short blonde hair looked impressed, "Wouldn't have really noticed had you not taken your shirt off."

Jean proceeded to punch the dorm room walls, startling some in the room. Jealous, much?

"If you say so," Eren gets in his bed, "I'm going to sleep."

"Wait, don't sleep just yet," Thomas stopped Eren from going to sleep, "I was thinking all of us could get to know each other by telling us something about ourselves."

Marco smiled, "Sounds like a good idea."

"I'm in!" Connie said, raising his hand.

Reiner crossed his arms, "Telling something about ourselves would help us get along better. You in, Bertholdt?"

"Oh, sure." Bertholdt said.

Marco looks at Jean, "What about you, Jean?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Jean sulked, coming over.

Thomas addressed both Armin and Eren, "You guys in?"

Armin didn't really mind, but Eren isn't very talkative—especially around people he doesn't know very well. Turning his head slightly in Eren's direction he decided to ask, "Eren, are you okay with it?"

Eren had his bare back facing them as he lay in his bed. Everyone was quiet, eagerly waiting for his answer. After about 2 minutes, Eren spoke, "Yeah."

And that was that.

A similar event was taking place in the girls dorm. Mina had suggested they all get to know each other, the only ones who opted out were Annie and Ymir. Neither had any interest.

"Okay, I'll go first." Mina volunteered, "My name is Mina Carolina from Wall Rose—Calaneth District. My hobbies are cooking and arranging flowers."

"Those sound like nice hobbies to have." Hanna smiled.

"Thanks."

"Okay, my turn!" Sasha went next, "Nice to meet you all, I'm Sasha Blouse from Wall Rose—Dauper village!"

"Yeah, we got that already, Potato Girl." Ymir said, rolling her eyes.

"Ymir!" Krista frowned at her rude comment.

The freckled faced girl merely shrugged her shoulders, uncaring.

"What I love most in the world is...MEAT!" She declared, raising both hands in the air, stars in her eyes.

"Surprise, surprise." Ymir says, sarcastically.

"Potato girl…" Annie mumbled.

Mikasa said nothing.

"Um, who wants to go next?" Mina questioned.

"I'll go next then," Krista said, raising her hand, "Hi, I'm Krista Lenz. I'm from Wall Sina, and I live in a rather small village. Let's see, if anything, I'd say that my most favorite hobby is learning new things."

Ymir hummed at her answer, "So what's with you staring at Yeager during the first day?"

CRACK

"Huh, did you guys hear something?" Mina questioned.

"Sounded like something broke." Hanna comments.

Annie raised a brow in Mikasa's direction, knowing that it was her.

Mikasa for her part just sat there and listened to what the girl had to say.

"Saw you smile a little, too. You tryin' to find out something new about him, too?" Ymir continued to prod.

"N-No!" Krista denies, "I met him a few times when he was visiting Wall Sina! He'd always play and read with me whenever he visited, and I really enjoyed his company." Krista said with a smile.

"Awww." Mina and Hanna cooed.

"Huh, so you're saying he's nice? Never would have thought." Annie comments.

Ymir frowned though, "What's with that look? You like him or something?"

Mikasa glared this time.

Krista shook her head, "I do like him, but not in a romantic sense," She placed a finger to her chin, "Rather than see him as a romantic partner, it's more like...an older brother."

At her explanation, Mikasa calms down.

"What, so that's how you see it, huh?" Ymir smirked, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

Mina decided to choose someone else, "Well, why don't someone else go? Mikasa?"

The black haired girl stares at her for a few minutes before speaking, "Mikasa...Ackerman."

Connie bellowed out laughing, "For real?! Bertholdt seriously sleeps like that?!" He fell back on a bunk bed, laughing like a fool.

The first person to start things off was Marco since he was the one to suggest it in the first place. Marco explained he wanted to join the Military Police so he could serve the King and change it from the inside. After him it was Jean, then Connie, Armin, Bertholdt, and now Reiner. The tall teen was in the middle of telling them about Bertholdt's sleeping habit and even showing them an example of his most weirdest sleeping position.

"Seriously, how can you sleep like that?" Jean had to ask.

"Does your back or limbs hurt?" Armin asked, concerned.

Bertholdt fidgeted in place as he moved his gaze downward, not saying a word. Probably too embarrassed to say anything.

"Okay, who wants to go next?" Thomas questioned, looking around the room.

Jean smirked, "Why not let the Suicidal Blockhead go next? I'm sure we're all eager to hear him say something about himself."

"Jean." Marco frowned.

Armin suppressed the urge to sigh, why does Jean insist on starting a fight with Eren? Well, at least his best friend shows no interest in wanting to pick a fight right back.

"You don't have to if you don't feel like it, Eren." Armin tells him.

"Are you sure he's not asleep? I mean, he's been quiet the whole time." Connie comments.

"I'm awake."

Connie yelped, "Shit! You scared the hell out of me!"

Eren said nothing.

Marco smiled nervously, "Eren do you want to go next?"

Some of them were curious to know a little bit more about Eren. All they really know is that he's from Shiganshina—the same place where Wall Maria was breached.

Other than that, they know nothing else.

Curiosity can be a dangerous thing.

"Eren Yeager from Wall Maria—Shiganshina District." He spoke.

They all waited for him to say something else, but the silence persisted.

'I guess that's all he feels like saying?' Armin smiles nervously, but it was so Eren though.

"That's it?" Jean snorts, crossing his arms, "Got nothing else to say?"

"..."

Armin stepped in, "Why don't you get some sleep, Eren. I can tell you're very tired."

"Ah…" He was out like a light.

"He's already asleep?!" Connie exclaimed.

Jean clicked his tongue, "Coward."

Armin closed his book, "If all of you want to know so much, I'll tell you some things about Eren."

Connie leaned in, "Well, don't leave us in suspense, tell us!"

So obvious.

"I met Eren when we were kids," Armin begins, "Back then, all of the other kids avoided me like the plague," He smiles, "Eren was different though."

"F—Freak!" The leader of the bullies yelled, running away with the rest.

Armin stares in awe at the mysterious boy he'd never seen before come to his aide. They were about the same age as him, only a few inches taller with short brown hair, red scarf wrapped around his neck.

"Why don't you fight back?" The boy suddenly asked.

"Eh?" Armin said.

The boy turns to face him with inquisitive green eyes, "I was watching. They pick on you because you won't fight back, so why don't you?"

Armin looks down with a frown on his face, "Because I don't run."

"Huh?"

The blonde elaborates, "I don't need to fight back, so long as I don't run away...I've won."

At his declaration, the mysterious boy moved to stand in front of him, "So, what's your name?"

Blue eyes were surprised by the sudden question, but answered, "Armin...Armin Arlelt."

Satisfied, the other boy held his hand out, "My names Eren Yeager."

Smiling a little, Armin takes hold of the outstretched hand, "Nice to meet you."

And that was how they met.

Armin smiles at the fond memory, "Eren was new to town and wasn't the type to just approach people, but for some reason he approached me. After that day, we were always together, reading books, walking around town, and just spending time over at his house. Those were fun times."

No one said a word as they let Armin speak about the Eren Yeager they know nothing about.

"I know Eren may come off as stoic at times, but in reality...he's the kindest person you'll ever meet." He said.

Connie grinned, "I'm convinced, still impressed by how ripped he is though."

"If you say Eren's a kind, then we believe you." Reiner said.

"Same." Bertholdt agreed.

Marco smiled, "Eren does seem like the reliable type of person, right Jean?"

Scoffing, Jean looked away, "Yeah, whatever."

Armin watched them for a moment, eyes diverting over to a fast asleep Eren. Wondering what he would say if he were awake right now.

Back with the girls, Mikasa had introduced herself and was about to turn in for the night, only for Mina to say something.

"Since you're from the District as Eren and Armin, that means you must have some stories, right?" She said.

Mikasa gives the girl a blank look that makes Mina feel a little uncomfortable, but decides to tell them a little something.

"I don't have any stories that would be of any interest to any of you." Mikasa said in a monotone voice.

"Oh, okay…" Mina deflated.

"What about that scarf around your neck?" Ymir questioned suddenly, "Must be a story behind that, right?"

"Ymir!" Krista hissed.

Wordlessly, Mikasa touched the red fabric around her neck. There really was a story behind it, but she would never stare it with anyone else. But there is one thing she will share…

"This scarf...it was given to me by Eren when we were kids." Mikasa revealed.

Ymir raised a brow, "For real? Never would have thought he'd be the type to give a girl anything really."

Krista whacked her in the back of the head for that, making Ymir wince a little.

"How sweet." Hanna smiled.

"It is." Mina agreed.

"Did he give you food, too?" Sasha questioned.

Ymir gives her a dry look, "I'm starting to think your brain is made out of a potato, Potato Girl." That might be the dumbest question Sasha's ever asked someone.

"You think?"

"Dumbass."

Ignoring them, Mikasa decides to reveal some more information, "Not just this, Eren would often make me things for my birthday."

Krista had a gleam in her eye, "He would personally make you things? Tell us one of them!"

Annie was ignoring all of them.

Mikasa decides to tell them of one time he made her something for her birthday.

"Eren?"

Mikasa had been trying to find him for about an hour now, but so far has had no such luck. Where was he?

After about another hour, Carla told her that he was in his room and probably waiting for her. Curious, Mikasa goes to his room and sure enough, there he was—but his back was turned to her.

"Eren, what are you doing?" She questioned, walking in.

Instead of answering her question, he turns her head slightly in her direction, "Mikasa, close your eyes."

"Eh, why?"

He didn't answer confused question and remained silent. Seeing he wasn't going to answer her, she decided to close her eyes like he asked. Why did Eren want her to close her eyes, she wondered? It was such a strange request and so unusual of him, but he must have his reasons.

She stilled when familiar warm hands moved a strand of her hair behind her ear and something being placed in her hair.

"You can open them now."

Opening her eyes she touched the side of her head and felt a strange object there. What is it?

"It's an embroidered hair ornament," Eren said, "For when you tie your hair up."

Mikasa continued to touch the interesting object placed in her hair, "Did you make it…?"

"Ah."

Her whole face lit up with joy as she hugged him for the thoughtful present he gave her. Getting this for a birthday present meant a lot to her for it reminds the girl of many times her mother would knit things whenever her birthday came up.

She loved her present.

Everyone starred as she finished her story.

"Eren may close himself off from people he doesn't know, but stay around him long enough and you'll see another side of him." Mikasa said with a small smile, hiding it behind her scarf. It didn't matter if everyone else didn't understand Eren—no one had to understand just how much she valued him in her life.

No matter what sort of person everyone else may think, she knew the real Eren and that's all that mattered in the end.

Nacht Der Jäger (Night Of Hunters)