"It's better to have a daughter like her than a son like you. I... I wish you were never born."
"But Mother, it's my fault..."
"What?"
"Stop lying...."
"Eren... Eren..." Mikasa's voice broke through his thoughts, sharp and grounding. He sat slumped beneath a towering tree, his gear strapped snugly around his waist. Her voice softened as she drew closer, her gaze sharpening in the dim moonlight.
His turquoise eyes met her charcoal-blues, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The faint silver glow illuminated the small traces of transparent on his pale cheeks, remnants of emotions he couldn't quite shake. Mikasa's brow furrowed slightly, concern etched into her features as she knelt beside him.
Eren blinked, his thoughts still foggy, tethered to the dream he had moments ago. Slowly, his vision cleared, focusing on Mikasa, her face framed by the gentle glow of the moonlight filtering through the branches. She reached out, shaking him lightly.
He exhaled, pulling himself back to reality just as a blue screen materialized before him.
———————————————
Bonus Mission:
Training With Mikasa Ackerman
Completion: (0/1)
Status: Pending
Rewards:
ODM Gear Mastery: Level 11
Blade Mastery: Level 9
Chameleon: Level 6
Fire Surge: Level 7
200 System points
———————————————
"Right..." Eren muttered under his breath, the weight of the task helping him snap back to focus. Rising to his feet, his gaze drifted toward the shadowy forest ahead.
"Hey, Eren, are you..." Mikasa began, her voice tentative as she raised a hand toward him.
"Took you long enough, Ackerman," he said, cutting her off before she could finish.
Her hand faltered, and she hesitated before lowering it, offering a soft apology. "I had to cut some potatoes for tomorrow's breakfast," she explained.
"Kay, then. Let's start," Eren said, his tone brisk. Without waiting, he fired his hooks into a nearby tree, the gear hissing as it propelled him upward. Gas whooshed as he gained height, his movements fluid and deliberate.
Mikasa followed, mirroring his actions. She shot her hooks and swung through the trees, her form graceful but determined, striving to replicate Eren's precision.
"Efficiency matters more than anything on a battlefield," Eren's earlier words echoed in her mind. She adjusted her technique, relying more on the ropes to maintain her momentum and conserve gas, rather than expending it for speed.
Above the treetops, the moonlight painted the forest in hues of silver and shadow. The faint rustle of leaves and the soft hiss of gas filled the air as they moved. Mikasa's focus sharpened, her movements becoming smoother with every swing.
Eren glanced back, a faint glimmer of approval crossing his otherwise stoic face before he disappeared deeper into the night, his form blending seamlessly with the forest.
Without warning, he fired his hooks toward a distant tree at an impossible angle. His body twisted mid-air, using the force of the gas sparingly to propel himself upward before letting gravity take over. Mikasa's eyes widened briefly before narrowing in determination.
She followed, her hooks finding purchase as she mimicked the complex maneuver. Her muscles burned with the effort, but she pressed on, her focus unwavering. Each swing became a test of endurance, skill, and precision.
Eren landed smoothly on a rocky outcrop overlooking the cliff, the wind tugging at his hair and cloak. Mikasa landed moments later, her chest rising and falling as she steadied her breath.
Eren glanced at her for a brief second, his turquoise eyes catching the faint glint of moonlight before he spoke, his voice calm and measured. "Maneuvering in the dark is harder," he began, his gaze shifting back to the dense forest ahead. "It forces you to rely on instinct, sharpens your reaction time. If you can shoot your hooks without overthinking, it'll save you precious seconds when it matters."
She glanced at him, her gaze steady, and nodded with determination before turning back to the training grounds. Without hesitation, Mikasa leapt into action, her movements fluid yet precise. Eren sat down on the cold surface of the cliff, his posture relaxed, though his turquoise eyes followed her every move.
Despite the dullness in his gaze, there was a flicker of something beneath the surface—admiration, perhaps. Her quick adaptability caught his attention. She wasn't an exact mirror of him, but her ability to replicate his techniques in her own way was remarkable.
Time passed, the distant sounds of gas bursts and grappling hooks filling the crisp night air. Eren silently observed as Mikasa refined her technique, her movements growing more efficient. He noticed her careful use of gas, conserving it while using the momentum of her swings to her advantage.
Her placement improved with each attempt, her trajectory more precise, her landings smoother. It didn't take long for Eren to conclude what he already suspected: no one in the Cadet Corps came close to her level of maneuvering—except for him.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips before he closed his eyes, leaning back slightly. His moment of calm was short-lived, however, as a familiar hum echoed in his mind.
A blue screen materialized before him, glowing softly in the dim light.
———————————————
Bonus Mission:
Training With Mikasa Ackerman
Completion: (1/1)
Status: Complete
Rewards:
ODM Gear Mastery: Level 11
Blade Mastery: Level 9
Chameleon: Level 6
Fire Surge: Level 7
200 System points
———————————————
Eren sighed, his gaze dropping to Mikasa as she continued her swift and calculated movements under the faint moonlight. Her motions were almost a blur to anyone else, but to him, they were predictable, every swing and landing easily mapped out in his mind. Her charcoal-blue eyes shone with unwavering focus, catching the pale light as she moved.
"That's enough for today, Ackerman," Eren called, his voice measured—neither loud nor soft, but steady enough to reach her ears amidst the whirring of her gear.
Mikasa halted mid-air and shot her grappling hooks toward the tree near him. With precision, she landed silently beside him, her breaths shallow yet rhythmic, mist escaping with every exhale in the chilled air. Her chest rose and fell steadily, but her posture remained upright, her gaze fixed forward.
Eren tilted his head slightly, a flicker of curiosity crossing his eyes. "View stats," he thought, and in an instant, a blue screen materialized in his line of sight.
———————————
Name: Mikasa Ackerman
Age: 15
Status: Cadet (Level 8)
Attributes:
Strength: 43
Speed: 45
Intelligence: 29
Agility: 38
Health: 95/100
Endurance: 43/150
Skills:
Awakened Ackerman (Level 6)
Current Status:
[Heart Rate: 138, Blood Pressure: 151]
————————————
His eyes lowered slightly fixed at the detail that left him questioning....
————————————
Affection Level: MAX
————————————
"You can sit," he murmured, breaking the silence.
Mikasa nodded without hesitation and lowered herself onto the ground a few inches away from him. Eren leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as both of them stared up at the stars dotting the vast night sky. The quiet was soothing, punctuated only by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant hooting of an owl.
The stillness stretched until Mikasa moved, breaking the silence as she reached up to loosen the scarlet scarf wrapped around her neck. The faint wind tugged at her hair as she adjusted it, her movements deliberate yet unspoken.
"Hey, Eren, did you hear what they're saying about you?" Mikasa's voice was hesitant, like she was treading lightly on unfamiliar ground.
Eren exhaled, his breath forming mist in the cool night air, his eyes sharp and distant, cold as ice. "I don't need to..." His voice was quiet, but there was an underlying finality to it, an edge that made Mikasa bite her lip.
"Life is better when you don't care what others think about you..." He said the words with the weight of someone who had learned them the hard way.
Mikasa's eyes widened slightly, and she shifted uncomfortably, her fingers fidgeting nervously in her lap as she tried to catch her breath. "But... but sometimes... you have to mold yourself to fit in..." She stammered, unsure.
Eren glanced at her from the corner of his eye, noticing the way her words faltered. He could see the panic rising in her expression.
"You have just one life, Ackerman," he said, his voice low, deliberate. "Become what you want to be, not what others want or expect from you." His gaze was intense as he raised a finger, pressing it lightly against her heart. Her breath hitched slightly his placement catching her off guard.
He held it there for a moment, his eyes never leaving hers. "Same goes for you..."
She blinked, caught off guard by the force of his words, and Eren didn't stop. "Stop holding onto people just because you have history with them. Just forget them and move on. It's easier that way." His voice was firm, his finger still pressing against her chest as his words sank in deeper.
Her eyes widened slightly, his words slipping past the walls she'd built around herself, stirring something inside her. Eren's expression softened just enough for her to notice.
"This... Don't listen to this," he said quietly, finger pointing at her heart. "It'll just hold you back." His eyes stayed locked with hers, unwavering. His finger then slid upward, gently pressing against her forehead.
"Use this," he continued, his voice low but steady. "Think about what you truly want, not what you think I want. You're not a slave. You have a life. You're free."
"Eh?" Mikasa's heart raced, unsure of what to make of his words. They felt so... soft, like something only Eren Yeager would say. But the tone, the sincerity behind it, was unmistakable.
It was the kind of advice she'd never expect from someone Eren.... Eren Lenz.... Always bored, dull yet smart, strong and just perfect in his own way.
He pulled his hand away, but not before giving her a gentle pat on the head, as though reminding her to keep that spark alive. "Don't let your light die for someone like me or for someone who's long forgotten."
Her breath hitched, and her heart skipped a beat. Amidst the chaos of her emotions, something inside her shifted, her gaze softening as she smiled. She took his hand, clutching it by the wrist, and brought it gently down to her cheek. Her skin was warm and soft against the coldness of his palm, her touch almost shy but filled with an emotion she couldn't express with words.
"Ackerman..." Eren muttered, his voice a mix of surprise and confusion.
"Sorry... I can't do that... Because Eren anyone can make you smile, but not everyone can make you happy... And... And only Eren can make me happy." she whispered, a single tear slipping down her cheek. Before he could respond, she leaned in, pressing her lips—chapped and frosted from the cold—against his cheek.
Eren's icy, indifferent eyes widened in shock, his breath caught in his throat. The sensation of her lips against his skin made his heart race, his cheek flushing in an unfamiliar heat. For a brief moment, time seemed to freeze.
But then, she pulled away, and Eren's mind scrambled. "Ackerman... The hell..." he stammered, his face flushed red as his usual composure cracked.
Mikasa whimpered softly, pulling her scarf up to hide her own flushed face. "S... Sorry..."
"Ackerman, you can't go around throwing kisses on just anybody," Eren protested, his voice more panicked than he'd intended.
But Mikasa didn't falter. Her boldness against her abnoraml heart rate evident to both of them. She met his gaze with a look of determination and embarrassment, her voice softer now, but carrying more weight than ever. "E... Eren is not anybody... He's... He's everything."
Eren swallowed hard, his mind racing. Before he could respond, she was already up, dusting herself off. "A... Anyhow, let's head back now... I'm a bit sleepy and it's cold..." she said, her voice betraying the flurry of emotions swirling inside her.
Without another word, they both maneuvered through the quiet forest, each lost in their own thoughts.
After reaching their dorms Eren slept soundly that night, a deep, untroubled sleep, while Mikasa lay awake, her mind buzzing with excitement, joy, and a touch of embarrassment. "Shit... Shit... Shit, what... what would he think..." she whispered to herself, replaying the memory of his slightly reddened face and the softness in his eyes.
For just a moment, she felt as if she'd been sitting with Eren Yeager—not the soldier, not the warrior, but the boy who could make her heart beat in ways she didn't understand.