He didn't expect that his hesitation in expressing his feelings caused Mikasa so much pain. Liking someone whose attitude was unclear was a torment Mikasa had endured silently for years.
"Eren, don't you like Mikasa?"
Ryo Carter asked bluntly, trying to bring the two closer. Anyone with eyes could see the bond they shared, but Eren's obliviousness was unfair to Mikasa.
"I... uh..."
Eren was completely caught off guard. The question was too direct, and he had no idea how to answer.
Could he say he didn't like her? Absolutely not. Mikasa was dear to him, but Eren wasn't ready for such commitments. His mind was filled with thoughts of vengeance against the Titans, and he couldn't entertain romantic feelings until his mission was complete.
Ryo smiled. "Your hesitation says everything. If you didn't care about her, you would have rejected the idea outright."
He then turned to Mikasa. "You see Eren as family, right?"
Mikasa nodded silently. From the moment Eren saved her from human traffickers after her parents were murdered, she had seen him as her closest person.
"To be precise," Ryo continued with a knowing grin, "he's not just family to you. He's your pillar of support and... your love, isn't he?"
Mikasa's eyes widened, her usual stoic expression faltering. She looked at Ryo, stunned by how accurately he'd described her feelings.
Ryo turned to Krista and said, "Krista, let's give them some space to talk. They need a moment."
Grinning, he helped Krista to another table, leaving Mikasa and Eren sitting in awkward silence.
Eren stared at Mikasa, his mouth opening and closing without forming words. He knew how Mikasa felt about him, but he had never allowed himself to address it. Meanwhile, Mikasa sat quietly, her hands clasped together, unsure of what to say.
Ryo smiled to himself. He had done his part. What happened next depended on them.
---
Krista's leg injury wasn't as severe as initially feared, but she still required a week of rest and care. During that time, Ryo had diligently attended to her, ensuring she was comfortable. However, by the time she recovered, Ryo found himself in a strange predicament.
He was no longer training with the rest of the recruits.
---
"Instructor, why am I being separated from the other trainees?"
Ryo stood in Instructor Keith's office, visibly frustrated. His training schedule had been completely different from his peers for weeks. He'd been assigned one-on-one sessions in combat, three-dimensional maneuvering, and mock battles against Titans. While the intense regimen had dramatically improved his skills, it had also distanced him from his friends and Krista.
Keith glanced up from the papers he was reviewing. "Sit down, Ryo."
Ryo complied, noticing the unexpected warmth in the instructor's tone. Keith's demeanor had drastically shifted since Ryo's arrival. The fierce, drill-sergeant-like man who used to berate recruits had softened when dealing with him.
"Instructor, I'd like to return to the main training group."
Keith leaned back in his chair, studying Ryo for a moment. "Tell me something, Ryo. Would you rather go to the front lines to fight Titans, or would you prefer to work behind Wall Sina, protecting someone critical to humanity's future?"
Ryo blinked in confusion. "Behind Wall Sina? Protect someone?"
Keith chuckled. "That's right. While soldiers are always needed on the front lines, there's another kind of soldier humanity needs even more—someone capable of protecting high-ranking leaders and ensuring their survival. Do you understand what I mean?"
Ryo stared at him, piecing together the implications. If the enemy was the Titans, who required no stealth or sabotage tactics, the only explanation was that Keith wanted him to guard someone important.
"Why me?" Ryo finally asked.
Keith smiled. "You'll understand soon enough. But for now, just focus on your training. Whether you fight on the front lines or guard humanity's future leaders, your strength and skill will determine your path."
Ryo clenched his fists. Whatever path lay ahead, he wouldn't let anyone down—especially not Krista.