Attack On Titan: Hope

The mess hall buzzed with vibrant energy, voices carrying over one another as freshly graduated cadets celebrated their triumphs and exchanged plans for their futures. Discussions about regiments dominated the air, each cadet speculating or sharing their choices with pride or trepidation.

Reiner, Bertholdt, Porco, and Marcel had all committed to the Scouts, a decision that sparked whispers among the crowd. Pieck and Annie, meanwhile, had chosen the MPs—a choice that suited their quieter but no less formidable strengths. Christa, however, sat withdrawn, her face clouded with inner turmoil, detached from the lively atmosphere around her.

But the biggest shock of the evening wasn't in the predictable paths of most cadets—it was Eren and Mikasa's decision to join the Scouts.

Some cadets whispered they were out of their minds, chasing certain death beyond the walls. Jean, especially, was vocal, urging Mikasa to reconsider and join the MPs with him. Others quietly nursed feelings of envy or disdain, particularly toward Eren, whose unshakable resolve and aloof demeanor left an impression that couldn't be ignored.

---

The moonlight stretched long shadows across the training camp, bathing the alleyways in a pale, otherworldly glow. Eren sat on the staircase, his posture casual but his gaze sharp, reflecting the silvery light. Beside him, Christa sat hunched, her knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped protectively around them.

Her golden hair glimmered faintly in the moonlight, but her usual radiance was nowhere to be found. "Sorry... I... I did my best... I don't know how I ranked so... so low," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Eren exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable as he tilted his head to glance at her from the corner of his eye. Her words stirred something within him—an impulse to speak the harsh truth rather than offer hollow comfort.

"Your biggest mistake," he began, his tone steady and cold, "was your confidence. You thought you'd achieved perfection. But no one ever stops growing, Christa. Comfort became your ally, but it's your worst enemy."

Her shoulders began to shake, and tears welled in her eyes before spilling down her cheeks. Eren's words cut deeply—not out of cruelty, but because they bore the weight of undeniable truth. Without warning, she leaned into him, her head resting against his chest, arms wrapping tightly around him as she sobbed.

---

[Affection Level +1: Current Affection Level – 18.]

[Increase detected...]

---

Eren's gaze flicked briefly to the blue screen that hovered in his vision, the notification pulsing faintly before fading into the night. One hand instinctively settled on Christa's waist while the other brushed through her soft, golden locks.

After a moment, Christa pulled back, her tear-streaked face tilted up to meet his. Her azure eyes, glassy with emotion, locked onto his unyielding emerald ones. She cupped his cheeks, her trembling hands warm against his cool skin.

"I... I'll train harder from now on... I promise, Eren," she said, her voice laced with determination.

He didn't react, his expression remaining a cold, blank canvas devoid of emotion.

Her lips quivered as she pressed her face to his chest again, her arms tightening around him. "Just... just don't leave me," she whispered, her voice fragile and uncertain, as if fearing the answer.

Her thoughts swirled with regret, bitterness, and the realization of defeat. She had lost their wager—her deal with Mikasa. The bet was simple: whoever ranked lower would step away from Eren.

For three years, Christa had poured her soul into training under Eren's guidance. She was confident in her victory, certain that Mikasa, with only three months of Eren's part-time training, stood no chance. But Mikasa had shattered those expectations, her sheer determination pushing her beyond her limits.

Christa had not only lost the bet but also her chance to remain by Eren's side. She had promised Mikasa full honesty—every detail she had about discovering Eren at the refugee camp. Now, it was a debt she could not escape.

Eren, however, didn't acknowledge her words. His emerald eyes stared past her, fixed on the vast, starry expanse above. His mind wandered elsewhere, the weight of her emotions seemingly a distant echo in his thoughts.

The quiet hum of footsteps interrupted the moment, drawing both Eren and Christa's attention to the source. Mikasa and Armin emerged from the shadows, the moonlight catching the edges of their figures.

"Yo, Eren! Congrats!" Armin greeted warmly, a broad smile lighting up his face. Eren, as usual, merely nodded, shifting slightly to acknowledge them.

Christa's gaze hardened as she locked eyes with Mikasa. The tension was palpable, with Mikasa's glare returning the sentiment, her dark eyes narrowing as they flicked toward Christa's proximity to Eren.

"Can we sit beside you?" Armin asked politely, already knowing the answer.

Eren scooted a little to the side, making room. Armin, ever the strategist, slyly ensured Mikasa sat directly next to Eren. A subtle flush crept up Eren's cheeks as Mikasa settled in, her presence now closer than expected. Armin took the far end of the stairs, a small, knowing grin playing on his lips.

"C... Congratulations, Ereh," Mikasa murmured, tugging her scarf higher until it covered half her face.

"Hm... You too," Eren muttered back, his focus drifting to the faintly glowing screen in front of him.

An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment until Mikasa, visibly mustering her courage, broke it. "E... Ereh... You're joining the Scouts, right?" Her tone was hesitant, uncertain.

Eren nodded without looking up. "And you? You still sticking with the Scouts?"

Mikasa's response was immediate and enthusiastic. "Yeah."

Eren tilted his head, his green eyes narrowing slightly. "You sure?"

Her gaze softened as she looked toward the vast expanse of the star-filled sky. A faint smile tugged at her lips, her voice quieter now. "Back then... in the forest when Eren asked me what I truly wanted... I searched and searched, kept asking myself that night... And now I know the answer to it."

She hesitated, her fingers fidgeting against her sides, glancing briefly at Eren before looking away again.

Armin's smile grew, while Christa's glare intensified, but neither could interrupt the moment.

Eren turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting hers from the corner of his eye.

"I... I want to stay by Eren's side," Mikasa confessed, her voice trembling as she pulled her scarf up further, seeking its comfort like a shield.

Eren blinked, his expression unmoving. "That all?" he asked in his usual stoic tone.

She gulped, nodding. "Um..."

He sighed, leaning back to glance at the dark, endless sky. "Idiot," he muttered softly, his hand reaching out to rest on her head. He patted her hair gently, a rare, subtle gesture of approval.

Mikasa's hand shot up, gripping his wrist tightly, refusing to let him pull away. She wanted to freeze the moment, to prolong this fleeting happiness that warmed her in ways she couldn't put into words.

The quiet intimacy wasn't lost on Armin and Christa. Armin glanced sideways at Eren, noticing the subtle transformation in his demeanor over the last few months. The ever-cold exterior had cracked just slightly, revealing a gentler side.

Eren's features softened, his lips curving faintly into a smile as his gaze lingered on Mikasa. The warmth in his expression, though fleeting, left an undeniable impression.

Armin's thoughts churned, one of Eren's past remarks resurfacing and echoing in his mind. It struck him how much his friend had changed—not in his strength or resolve, but in the way he connected to those around him.

"It's not that I don't know how to smile, there is always a reason to it. I haven't found one yet."