**Chapter 5: A Femboy?**
A week had passed since Mikasa and I were taken in by the Yeager family, and it had been a week marked by repetitive cycles of comforting Mikasa, reading, and, well, comforting Mikasa once more. It was almost comical how the routine had settled into my life. If you had asked me before if I thought I'd be spending a week like this, I would have laughed it off and spat on you. Yet here I was, entrenched in an unexpected role that had begun to shape my daily existence.
Mikasa had made noticeable progress in the past week. The days of her clinging to me incessantly were gradually easing. Now, she could manage to leave my side for about five minutes before her instinctual need for comfort brought her back. While this improvement was a relief, it didn't change the fact that her persistent presence was occasionally overwhelming. It seemed that wherever I went, Mikasa followed, whether it was to the comfort room or the bathroom. And yes, in this small world of ours, those two were one room and the same. Every time I turned around, there she was, shadowing my every move.
I pondered the peculiar situation and sighed in resignation. I had considered asking her to give me a bit of space, but Mikasa wasn't exactly the type to heed such requests. Her attachment was a product of her trauma and her need for security, and who was I to deny her that? Despite the slight discomfort, I couldn't deny the growing bond we were forming. Or at least, I was beginning to question whether I was becoming fond of her. But no, that was impossible. In the span of a single week? It seemed way too fast, too abrupt, I ain't an easy guy!
During this period, I had delved into the books Mr. Grisha had provided. Unfortunately, the revelations about the walls were sparse. The prevailing belief among the people was that the walls were divine constructs, created by God to shield humanity from the Titans. Such a notion was comforting for the others but I differ, it was also fundamentally flawed. The records offered no concrete information about the construction of the walls or their origins. The lack of documentation only fueled the speculative theory that the walls were a divine intervention, a tale perpetuated by ignorance and fear.
The more I read, the more I was convinced that something mysterious lay within these walls. How could they possibly have enough time to build such a large Walls that at most is as large as a small Country? I understand why they would think that it is God's work but... I don't believe that. Something created this world, something unnatural at that. The collective belief that humanity outside the walls did not exist was equally dubious. The world was vast, and for all humanity to have been extinguished beyond the walls seemed highly implausible. Mineta's past comments had only intensified my skepticism.
The idea that humanity had vanished outside the walls was hard to swallow. Did the inhabitants have any actual confirmation of this? Had they verified that no other human settlements existed beyond their enclosed world? As far as I knew, there were no records of such confirmation. It was more likely that humanity persisted outside the walls, potentially in a situation comparable to or even more advanced than ours. Mineta's words had reinforced my belief that the outside world might still be home to other human societies.
Ms. Carla had mentioned that the Scouts, those who ventured beyond the walls, were not particularly well-regarded. They were seen as a burden, with their expeditions resulting in more casualties and losses. The general sentiment was that the taxes paid by the people merely served to fatten the Titans, while the Scouts continued to sacrifice their lives in futile attempts to uncover the truth about the outside world.
It was evident that fear of the unknown was driving the negative perception of the Scouts. People were quick to dismiss what they didn't understand, and the outside world was the epitome of the unknown. Still, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration at how the fear of the unknown was stifling progress and understanding.
The only clue I had was the lack of history. Precisely, when the first king of the Walls, King Fritz reigned. The lack of writings and history about that time is very fishy. Something is telling me that something happened during that timespam.
With all these questions in mind, I had three primary concerns:
1. What materials were the walls made of? I mean it doesn't seem to be just a normal type of concrete that you can see everywhere...
2. How did the Titans come into existence?
3. Who was responsible for the creation of the walls and Titans, and what power did they wield to be able to do that?
If the Titans were merely the result of mutations or natural occurrences, it would be easier to grasp. However, the walls were evidently a product of some deliberate action to protect the people in this Walls, and understanding their origins was very crucial. Perhaps finding out about that will give me a hint of what Titans truly are. There had to be an explanation for their existence, and I was determined to uncover it.
And... The other shifters Mineta spoke off... They must be from the outside world if my speculations are correct... After all there will be no merit of destroying their home if they are from here...
As I pondered these questions, I was interrupted by Mikasa entering our room. Yes, we were still sharing a bed, because Mikasa would and never will let me separate myself from her.
She looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and purpose. "What's wrong? I know it hasn't been five minutes yet, so why are you back so soon?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as she climbed onto the bed and sat beside me quietly.
Despite my internal exasperation, Her small form nestled into my side was a constant reminder of the fragile bond we were forming. Mikasa then spoke, breaking the silence.
"Ms. Carla asked me to tell you that Eren's friend will be coming to dine with us later this evening," she explained, her voice muffled slightly as she rested her head on my shoulder.
I sighed inwardly. So, Eren's friend was arriving. Eren had often spoken about this friend, describing how his dreams of the outside world were influenced by him. The idea of meeting this friend was interesting. I glanced at Mikasa, who had developed a small smile as I patted her head gently.
"I see. Thank you, Mikasa," I said, appreciating her effort to relay the message.
After a few moments of silence, I decided to break the quiet. "Have you gotten used to living with the Yeagers?" I asked as she sat in front of me, facing me while I continued to pat her head.
Mikasa considered the question before responding with a nod. "They are very kind people," she said, her small smile revealing a hint of genuine affection.
I couldn't help but smile slightly at her response. It was clear that the Yeagers had made a positive impression on her. "I see," I said, my lips curving unconsciously.
A few more moments passed as I continued to comfort Mikasa. Eventually, I decided it was time to help out around the house. "Let's go meet Ms. Carla. She might need us to help out with the preparations for dinner," I suggested, and Mikasa nodded in agreement.
We made our way downstairs, where Ms. Carla greeted us warmly. "Hello, you two. Here to help out around the house again?" she asked with a smile.
We both nodded, and Ms. Carla's expression softened with gratitude. "Thank you. If only Eren were as helpful as you two. All he does is play and get into trouble. But I suppose that's a sign he's living a normal life," she said with a mixture of exasperation and affection.
Ms. Carla then turned her attention to me. "I know Mikasa already told you, but Eren's friend, Armin Arlelt, will be joining us for dinner. I thought you should know, in case you wanted to make his acquaintance."
I nodded in acknowledgment. Befriending someone seemed like a good idea, especially given the circumstances. The prospect of making new connections was appealing, and it would be interesting to learn more about Eren's friend.
As we assisted Ms. Carla with the chores, I couldn't help but notice that Mr. Grisha and Eren were absent. I asked Ms. Carla about their whereabouts.
"Eren is out playing with Armin, and Mr. Grisha is down in the basement," she replied with a hint of amusement.
The basement again. I couldn't help but find it odd that Mr. Grisha kept his activities confined to the basement. The secrecy surrounding it piqued my curiosity. Was he hiding something significant down there? My mind began to entertain speculative thoughts, perhaps a diary detailing unsavory secrets, or something more intriguing.
My inner musings were interrupted as Ms. Carla continued to prepare dinner. Mr. Grisha emerged from the basement, looking somewhat weary but content, and took a seat with a book. Eren, on the other hand, was still out with his friend.
As we continued with our tasks, I noticed Mikasa working diligently beside me. Despite her previous attachment issues, she had adapted well and seemed to be finding a sense of purpose in contributing to the household. It was heartening to see her adjust to this new life.
Soon, the time for dinner arrived. Ms. Carla had prepared a delightful meal, and we awaited Eren and his friend. The doorbell rang, and Eren's voice was heard outside. Mikasa and I went to answer the door.
Eren stood there with a boy, or rather, a girl with a strikingly feminine appearance. The girl had a blonde bob haircut and light blue eyes that reflected the colors of the sea. My eyes widened in confusion as I looked at Eren.
"Eren, who's this girl? And where's your friend Armin?" I inquired, a hint of skepticism in my voice.
Eren looked back at me with a confused expression. "This is Armin," he said, introducing his friend with a matter-of-fact tone.
Is this guy blind? This blonde is clearly a girl no matter how you look at it, her movements is even like how girls act.
My confusion deepened. "But this Armin is a boy, right? This person clearly is a girl no matter how you spin it," I insisted, standing my ground.
The girl, looked slightly hurt by my comment as if an invisible punch hit her. Eren's confusion was evident as he looked at me with equal parts bewilderment and exasperation.
"This is Armin, and he is a boy!" Eren insisted, his frustration palpable.
I froze, my mind struggling to reconcile the information. A femboy in real life, an actual embodiment of a myth I had only heard about in those accursed books Mineta nagged me to read.
My surprise was mixed with an odd sense of fascination. "A femboy...? No, I'm sorry about earlier, Armin. I didn't realize Eren's friend would look like... this," I said, attempting to apologize for my mistake.
Armin, though visibly affected, managed a shy smile. "It's fine. I often get mistaken for a girl..." he said softly.
I extended my hand, trying to make amends. "I'm August Siegmund, and this is Mikasa Ackerman. Nice to meet you, Armin."
Armin nodded politely, his shy demeanor gradually giving way to a more comfortable posture. "Nice to meet you both."
I led Armin inside, where we joined Ms. Carla, who was finishing up with dinner preparations. The warm atmosphere of the Yeager home was a stark contrast to the complexities of the outside world.
As we settled at the table, Armin's enthusiasm about his book became evident. He eagerly opened it and began to describe the illustrations. "This is a picture of the sea," he said, pointing to an image of a vast, saltwater expanse. "Even if all the merchants take saltwater from it, the sea remains unaffected by it."
He continued to describe other images, including a fiery pit and a land of ice, with a sense of wonder that was infectious. Eren's eyes sparkled with excitement and intrigue, and Mikasa appeared intrigued as well. Ms. Carla smiled warmly at Armin's enthusiasm as she ate.
I observed Mr. Grisha's reaction from the corner of my eye. Though subtle, there was a flicker of discomfort on his face. It was a minuscule change, but it was there. It struck me as peculiar that someone so calm and composed would show any sign of unease over a book of illustrations.
Hmm...
I began to question the validity of the book. How could the descriptions be so accurate if no one had never ventured outside the walls too far? This raised two possibilities: either the author had come from beyond the walls or the government was concealing information about the outside world. I leaned toward the former scenario but was wary of jumping to conclusions.
About Grisha's seemingly growing discormfort though...
Gears in my mind started working thinking of possible reasons of his discomfort.
Perhaps he is also intrigued about the outside world? Or perhaps... He knows something about it?
Hmm... I would have to investigate in the future.
Deciding to gather information I turned to Armin and showed a fake smile, "The outside world seems very interesting... I would love to meet its author one day!"
Armin brightened up at my words "I also want to meet the author of this book! But the person who drew and wrote this book didn't write it's name down so the person who wrote this is unknown..."
Eren perked up at this "Huh? Why would this person do that?" He said before continuing to look at the drawings in the book
Hidding their identity huh? Well, the person who wrote this could have written this decades ago and have already died so pursuing this matter is pointless now, doesn't mean I would stop investigating though.
I then showed a fake dissatisfaction to Armin regarding the author not writing their name down and then continued on with the talk outside the Walls
Dinner proceeded pleasantly, with Armin's enthusiasm serving as a distraction from my thoughts. Mikasa, despite her usual tendency to cling, managed to eat independently but still preferred me to feed her. It was a peculiar habit that I had grown accustomed to, albeit with a hint of resignation.
Eren teased Mikasa about her preference for being spoiled, which elicited a shy smile from Armin. The evening passed with lively conversation and shared laughter. When it was time for Armin to leave, he thanked us for the hospitality and bid us farewell.
Mikasa and I took on the task of washing the dishes together. As we worked, I reflected on the events of the evening and the insights I had gained. The questions about the walls, Titans, and the true nature of the world outside remained unanswered, but the pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place.
After finishing the dishes, we headed to our room. Mikasa lay on my arm as we prepared for bed. I broke the silence with a question about Eren's friend. "So, what did you think of Eren's friend?"
Mikasa looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "He seems intelligent and kind. I'd like to be friends with him," she said, her voice carrying a hint of sincerity.
I patted her head gently, pleased by her assessment. "Then you should make an effort to talk to him next time you see him."
Mikasa nodded, adjusting herself comfortably on my arm. We exchanged goodnights, and she snuggled closer, burying her face against my chest. I hugged her tightly, savoring the comfort of the moment.
As I drifted off to sleep, my mind remained occupied with thoughts of Grisha, Armin, and the secrets hidden within the walls. Tomorrow, I resolved to inquire about Grisha's past, either during his absence or while he was in the basement.
And the best way to investigate about Grisha is to ask none other than his wife.
With these thoughts in mind, I closed my eyes and let the comforting embrace of sleep envelop me.