Back in Paradis (1)

Mina's POV

Coming home from an expedition is a disaster.

Instead of a warm welcome, the people's gazes are furiously staring at us, probably wishing for everyone in the Survey Corps to become corpses instead. 

How nice of them to think like so. 

Thankfully, due to my stubbornness, my horse was given back to me minutes after Captain Levi took me away from my impending death, with the condition that I wouldn't disobey any orders from now on.

"…"

I won't lie; that will be hard to follow. 

And it's not like I'll die! It's just that… it'll be a bit troublesome to go back to my original schedule. Yes, that's about it.

Anyway!

The citizens continue to mumble as the wounded march their way in, their eyes dead and broken. If not for the captain, I would have looked like that as well. Ymir would probably tell me phrases like, 'How embarrassing, young Yeager.' or 'Eager for some touch? How hopeless!'

Yeah.

Screw that ancient being.

"Captain Levi!" A man, probably in his 40s, walked up to him and said, "My daughter is in your squad." I paled. "I'm Petra's father." 

My eyes wandered to the captain's back, wishing nothing more than to pat it. We continue to listen to Petra's father as he talks about wanting to see him while telling him about Petra's letter. I couldn't help but smile after hearing from him that Petra wanted to devote herself entirely to her captain, obviously telling her father what she felt as a young maiden in love. 

My heart could only wail as the idea of seeing them happy would never happen. She has lost the chance to acquire such a thing, happiness, that is. Petra… wherever you are, please don't worry. In addition to Eren and Mikasa's safety, I swear to protect him as well. 

Here, I devote my heart because it's the least… that I could do. 

The expenses and casualties from the expedition were more than enough to discredit the faction that had supported the Survey Corps. As those responsible, including Commander Erwin, were summoned to the capital, it was decided that Eren would be handed over. 

***

Informing the Survey Corps of who killed Sawney and Bean a month ago would have prevented the whole massacre that the female titan had committed. It was a shortcut that I thought of taking, but I instantly rejected it. The only reason why I didn't pull Armin immediately to credit my ideas is that prioritizing the flow of events as it should be in every world is important. 

Like how Eren was given time to practice, how the female titan first appeared, how the commander learned about the different variations for every intelligent titan, and how the other soldiers would mature after experiencing an expedition.

All of this is for their sake, and it won't be right for me to take whatever development they'll experience. Besides, it's not like I'll forever live in this world. My mission is simply to eradicate the devil that continues to make this world cruel, not knowing when and how death will claim me once more.

Also, changing too many scenarios would make the devil aware of my actions, Ymir once said to me, ultimately leading to my impending death. As for this threat, however, I could care less about that part. What's important is for Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and others to grow, as it will help them make wise decisions in the future.

I hope.

Goodness, Ymir, just thinking about it makes my head hurt. 

At long last, this time, once everything has been set in place, ignorance shall become unessential. This time, with my own will and power, I will fight. 

Now that Armin has a general idea of who is collaborating with Annie and how Eren has become a valuable asset for the scout regiment, their safety within this wall is secured, accomplishing my first goal. By experiencing this expedition once more, I have successfully acquired the requirements for my next plan to take place. 

Their deaths will not be in vain; I tell myself as I walk in an empty hallway here in our headquarters. Upon seeing an open door with a certain noise coming out from it, I decided to slow down in an attempt to hide the fact that I was currently present. 

One that I greatly failed in doing just when Captain Hange walks out from it, eventually seeing my hunched figure. 

I squeaked as a grin started to form on my captain's face. "Oh? What do we have here?" 

Placing my index finger on my lips, I pleaded. "C-captain!" 

Her smile only widened as she stepped forward and grabbed my arm, an act that I had failed to predict. What the fuck, Yeager! Stop being so careless! 

"We have a visitor!" She steps back inside the room as I force myself to stand behind her back. "Huh? Stop hiding behind me and properly show yourself." 

With one last pull from this energetic captain of mine, my eyes widened upon seeing Eld and Gunther, alive and well, both of which are resting in their separate beds. Eld was busy stuffing himself with bread while Gunther was drinking tea. When their gazes saw my figure, I paled, not knowing how to greet them. 

"G-good," I panicked. "Good afternoon!" Someone behind me faked a cough, telling me that it was already evening. I blushed as embarrassment covered my entire face. "I-I mean… c-captain please stop laughing…" 

"Ahaha, Mina, that was so embarrassing!" 

I grimaced. So, stop embarrassing me even further, captain!

With a sigh, my thoughts eventually wandered off to observe the room where Eld and Gunther were placed, eyeing a few more other wounded soldiers a few feet away from us. Some of them are with their family, while most of them are alone, their eyes soulless and broken. It's not a new sight for me to witness since I was often stationed in such a place back in my original world. 

It's just… a relief, I suppose.

And I hate feeling such emotion. 

To rid myself of thinking about things like sentimentality, I hovered over Eld's wounded state, observing how it was starting to get infected. "You shouldn't move too much, Eld, and at least clean it twice daily. It'll get infected if preventive measures aren't properly taken." 

"You too, Gunther," I added as my eyes landed directly on his arm. But instead of getting a response, the two of them were silent, confusing me in the process. Just when I was about to open my mouth to ask what was wrong, Gunther slowly lifted his blanket and got off the bed. 

"Gunther?" 

"Are you not angry with me, Mina?" He suddenly asks, leaving me flabbergasted. "And shouldn't you be resting? Why are you here?" 

"Well…" Not knowing what to reply to his first statement, I decided to answer his second question. "Moblit told me where the wounded are resting, so I decided to visit. I may not be a doctor, but I have some basic knowledge about medicine and… stuff, Gunther? Why are you kneeling?!" 

Not only did my eyes widen from shock, but as soon as I tried to offer my hand, he spoke. "I'm sorry." 

"…" 

What?

I froze just when I placed my right knee on the ground. 

Did he just… apologize to me? 

"Why?" Before I could even understand the words that were coming out of my mouth, I continued. "You have nothing to apologize for." 

He chuckles, one that almost made my lips tremble from guilt. "I was wrong. In the end, you fulfilled your promise." As his earnest gaze connected with mine, he continued. "You brought everyone back. Thank you." 

"Ah…" I looked down, not wanting them to see whatever expression I was making. It was too much, far too much for an ignorant being like me to receive. But when I finally saw the object that he was giving back to me, more than anything, I wanted to scream. "My hair ties." 

"Don't worry. I made sure to wash it before giving it back to you." 

And here I thought it'd get broken or lost once I've given it away. Who knew that this man even had the thought of washing such a little object that could easily be replaced? However, these hair ties are something that continues to tell me every day whose body I am currently occupying. 

It's an object of immense value to me, so I couldn't stop myself from lifting my head to connect our gazes once more and finally giving him an earnest smile. It's been years since I've last done it, so it might have come out more awkwardly than I imagined it to be. "Thank you, Gunther. This means a lot to me." 

"…"

Hmm? 

Why is he not replying? 

Just when I was about to open my mouth and ask what was wrong, someone forcibly pulled my shoulder, and it collided with the body of the person who had just done it. As if sensing another déjà vu, my eyes landed on my captain, whose eyes were sparkling as brightly as the sun. I raised my eyebrows and asked, "Captain? What made you smile like that?" 

"You!" She energetically pulled my body from the ground and squealed. "How adorable can you get?! Come, let me tie your hair." 

I frowned. "Excuse me?" 

Me? Adorable?! 

However, just when I was about to process what had just happened fully, Captain Hange pushed my body to sit on the corner of Eld's bed, and she immediately hovered over my trembling figure. "C-captain, please don't do anything rash." 

She smiled, one that I am most accustomed to. "Did you say something, my dear soldier?" 

"Ahaha," But before I can even pull myself up, Eld leans over and mumbles. "I know how to braid. Want me to do it?" 

Gunther then steps in. He crosses his arms and zooms in closer to look at my hair. "Bangs would also look good on you. Oi Eld, do you have some scissors nearby?" 

"…"

Someone save me!

***