Chapter 7: Meeting Armin!

The next morning, Adam and Mikasa were already preparing to train. They walked to an open field near the wall, a place where people rarely walked.

Adam stretched his body. "Okay, today we'll start serious training."

Mikasa looked at him eagerly. "What should we do?"

Adam smiled. "First, we have to improve our body strength. Without a strong physique, we won't survive in this world."

Mikasa nodded, and Adam started showing her the basic exercises-push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and running.

They practiced for several hours, until Mikasa finally started to get tired.

"Hah... hah..." Mikasa gasped for air.

Adam sat next to her and offered her some water. "Drink first. Don't push yourself too hard."

Mikasa accepted and drank slowly.

Adam looked up at the sky. "We still have a long way to go."

After training, they walked home along a small road near the river harbor.

It was then that Adam saw a blond boy surrounded by several other older children.

Adam heard their voices.

"Hey, you're always talking nonsense! Is Titan out there? You think we'll believe you?"

"If you keep talking nonsense, we'll kick your ass!"

Adam immediately understood the situation.

"Bullying again? This world is really cruel to kids who are different."

Mikasa saw it too and turned to Adam.

Without saying anything, Adam walked over.

He stopped behind the children and crossed his arms.

"Hey, hey. Don't you guys get tired of bullying people?" he said casually.

The boys turned their heads in annoyance. "You! Why are you interfering?"

Adam smiled. "Because I like making your lives harder."

Mikasa stood next to Adam, looking at them with a cold stare.

The boys looked at each other and finally left in annoyance.

The blond boy was still sitting on the ground, looking a little shocked.

Adam reached out a hand. "Hey, are you okay?"

The boy looked at him before smiling a little and accepting his hand. "Thanks... My name is Armin."

Adam smiled. "I'm Adam, and this is Mikasa."

Armin looked at them curiously.

"You were talking about Titan, weren't you?" asked Adam.

Armin nodded. "Yeah... I read about the outside world. A lot of people say I'm weird because of that."

Adam smiled. (So, this is Armin. The smart boy who wants to see the outside world)

"You don't think I'm weird?" asked Armin.

Adam chuckled. "Not at all. I'm just curious about everything you know."

Armin's eyes lit up. "Really? I can tell you a lot!"

Adam smiled. (Looks like I just made an interesting new friend.)

Mikasa was silent, but Adam could see that she was accepting Armin well.

After Adam's encounter with Armin, the four of them-Adam, Mikasa, Eren, and Armin-started to meet frequently. Armin often talked about the outside world, the books he read, and his thoughts on life within the walls.

A few days later, Adam returned to the village where he first met Christa for work.

As he was lifting sacks of grain in the fields, he noticed a blonde girl sitting under a tree, watching the other children play.

"Christa?"

Adam walked over casually.

"Hey, angel girl. Long time no see," he said with a teasing smile.

Christa looked over with dilated eyes, then smiled shyly. "Adam!"

Adam sat down next to her. "What are you doing here all alone?"

Christa looked down slightly. "I was just watching them play... I don't really play with other kids that much."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Still an outcast?"

Krista smiled a little, but didn't answer.

Adam sighed. "Look, if they don't want to play with you, it's not your fault. You don't have to force yourself to be liked by everyone."

Christa looked at him with surprised eyes, then smiled slightly. "You always talk like an adult, Adam."

Adam chuckled. "More like someone who already knows how the world works."

Krista stared at him for a moment before saying softly, "Thank you... for defending me that time."

Adam smiled and ruffled his hair. "Of course. I wouldn't just leave my friend behind."

Krista's eyes lit up slightly, and she nodded slowly.

Adam hadn't realized yet... that Krista's heart was beginning to tremble a little at this.