Jean squinted at the scene, still trying to make sense of what just happened. "Did Kaito just... fly?"
Connie shook his head, as if trying to clear his vision. "I need whatever he's been drinking."
Christa, with a bemused smile, added, "That was... unexpected. Let's just hope he hasn't found a new way to mess with gravity or something."
At the top of the wall, Sasha and Kaito found themselves in a small clearing overlooking the settlement. The air was crisp, and the moon cast a gentle glow on the surroundings. Kaito, with a smirk on his face, decided to break the silence.
"So, what do you think of the view, my potato?" he teased, looking out over the expanse.
Sasha, still catching her breath, shot him a playful glare. "You seriously need to work on your landing technique. That was not fun."
Kaito chuckled, "Oh, come on! It was a shortcut. Admit it; you enjoyed the ride."
"I did not!" Sasha crossed her arms, feigning annoyance.
As their banter continued, Kaito's expression shifted. In a sudden, unexpected move, he closed the distance between them and planted a deep kiss on Sasha's lips. The world seemed to pause for a moment, and Sasha, caught off guard, blushed intensely.
The kiss caught Sasha by complete surprise. At first, there was a moment of resistance, her eyes widening with shock. Time seemed to slow down as she tried to make sense of the sudden shift in dynamics. Kaito's lips were warm and gentle, creating a soft contrast to the cool night air.
As the seconds passed, Sasha felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through her. It was a mixture of confusion, curiosity, and a hint of something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Kaito's hand rested lightly on her cheek, his touch tender yet assertive. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in that suspended moment.
When the kiss finally ended, Sasha stood there, slightly breathless, her mind racing to catch up with what had just happened. Her cheeks were flushed, and she could feel the fluttering of her heart. Kaito, with a subtle smile, seemed to have added a new layer to their friendship, leaving Sasha in a state of both bewilderment and a strangely comforting warmth.
Kaito pulled back, a sly grin on his face. "Now that's a proper way to end an argument, don't you think?"
Sasha, still in a daze, stammered, "Wh-what was that for?"
Kaito winked, "A kiss for the brave girl who carried me through the air. Consider it a reward."
Sasha, her cheeks flushed, could only mutter, "Reward, huh?"
The sudden clang of Connie dropping his sword drew their attention. Sasha's head snapped in their direction, her eyes widening in surprise.
Kaito maintained his composure, greeting the duo with a nonchalant wave. "Hola, boys! How was your day? You two seem a bit tired and all."
Connie and Reiner exchanged bewildered glances. Reiner, attempting to diffuse the tension, scratched his head and awkwardly chuckled, "Uh, our day was just peachy. You know, the usual—fighting for our lives, questioning our existence, and all that fun stuff."
Connie, still recovering from the shock, mumbled, "Did I miss the memo on the whole kissing part of surviving titan encounters?"
Kaito, with a cheeky grin, replied, "Ah, you know, just some impromptu first aid for the injured soldier here." He gestured towards himself with a mock-serious expression.
Sasha, caught between disbelief and a brewing storm, could only sputter, "I... you... what the hell, Kaito!"
...
As the wooden elevator creaked its way up the wall, Jean, Connie, Reiner, and Christa stepped onto the top, their eyes scanning the surroundings. To their surprise, only Kaito was there, casually leaning against the wall with a mischievous grin on his face.
Kaito, noticing their arrival, winked at Connie and Reiner, a silent understanding passing between them. The two men nodded subtly, agreeing to keep what they had witnessed earlier to themselves.
Jean, his brow furrowed in confusion, approached Kaito. "Alright, spill it. What the hell happened just now? How did you and Sasha manage to soar through the air like that?"
Christa chimed in, her voice laced with concern, "And where is Sasha? Is she okay?"
Kaito, maintaining his nonchalant demeanor, shrugged. "Ah, don't worry about it. Our ODM gear malfunctioned and started releasing way too much gas. That's why we went flying like a couple of drunk birds." He paused, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "As for Sasha, she went back down to get her gear checked out. Didn't want to risk another unexpected flight, you know?"
Jean and Christa exchanged skeptical glances, not entirely convinced by Kaito's explanation. However, given the chaos of the recent battle and the strange events they had witnessed, they decided to let it slide for now.
"Alright, if you say so," Jean conceded, his tone still carrying a hint of suspicion. "We should head down and regroup with the others. There's a lot to discuss and plan."
The group nodded in agreement and began making their way towards the wooden elevator. Connie, walking alongside Kaito, nudged him with his elbow. "Hey, aren't you coming with us?"
Kaito, his gaze fixed on the horizon, shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll stay up here for a bit. Need to catch my breath and rest these weary bones."
Connie, always one for a joke, grinned. "Just don't go dying on us while sitting here, tragically watching the sunset like some hero in a story."
Christa, overhearing the comment, swiftly smacked Connie on the back of his head. "Don't say things like that!" she admonished, her voice filled with genuine concern. Turning to Kaito, she added, "But seriously, Kaito, make sure to get yourself checked out soon. We don't want your injuries getting worse or any infections setting in."
Kaito, touched by their concern, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I've survived worse than a few scratches and bruises."
As the group stepped into the elevator, Kaito waved them off, his expression a mix of gratitude and something unreadable. Just as the elevator began its descent, a soft "Thank you, guys" reached their ears, carried by the gentle breeze.
Jean, unable to resist the opportunity for a sarcastic remark, called out, "Oh, so this guy knows how to say thank you? Will wonders never cease?"
Laughter echoed through the air as the elevator descended, leaving Kaito alone atop the wall. His gaze, however, was no longer on the horizon. Instead, his attention was focused on the interior of the wall, where three distinct figures stood before a battalion of soldiers, their guns aimed menacingly at them.
Kaito's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with thoughts and possibilities. As the sun began its slow descent, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, Kaito knew that the true battle was far from over. The secrets within the walls, the truth behind the Titans, and the fate of humanity all hung in the balance, waiting for the next move in this dangerous game of survival.