"Eren, let's go."
Yago called out to Eren, carrying a backpack that was clearly much larger than everyone else's. Armin and Mikasa were also standing beside him with their own packs.
"Coming." Eren hurried out. Since it was a picnic, there was no need to wear uniforms.
After the four of them gathered, they prepared to set off. Carla and Lucia followed behind, reminding them from time to time,
"Eren, take good care of Mikasa."
Eren: "I know, Mom, you're so naggy!"
On the road, Armin seemed to be holding something back the entire time. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
"Yago, why do you keep staring at me?" Ever since before they set off, Armin had noticed Yago constantly looking at him, to the point that Armin was getting goosebumps all over.
Yago rubbed his nose and said, "Armin, don't you think your hair's gotten a bit long?"
"Hair? Huh, now that you mention it, it does seem a bit long. But what about it?" Armin touched his hair, which had already fallen to his shoulders.
"Hehe, long-haired Armin looks a lot like Historia." Yago teased. Indeed, everyone usually wore training uniforms and didn't notice, but now that they were in casual clothes, it suddenly became obvious—wow, why does Armin look so delicate and refined?
What does Historia represent? Among the 104th Training Corps, she was absolutely the dream goddess of most of the boys: a cute face, a gentle personality. Not only men—even some girls couldn't resist her charm. Yes, including that Ymir who clung to Historia all day.
Now Yago and Ymir couldn't stand each other—one thought the other was a bad sort lusting after Historia's beauty, while the other thought the opposite was a weirdo with peculiar tastes.
Armin was stunned. "Huh? What do you mean?? Are you making fun of me?"
Yago: "No, no, I'm just saying you look good."
Armin: "But I'm a guy! Eren, what are you laughing at?"
Eren: "Huh? I—I—I'm not! It's just that what Yago said kind of makes sense."
Armin: "You're all too much! Mikasa, look at them."
Mikasa spoke calmly and unhurriedly.
"Actually, Armin not only looks like a girl, his personality is very similar too."
Armin: "..... Don't stop me, I'm getting a haircut like Connie's! Waaaah."
After soothing Armin's wounded heart, the group arrived at the market. Passing through it, they were almost at the forest. Yes, the picnic was in the forest.
...
"That person—isn't that Annie?" Eren suddenly spoke up, pointing at a solitary figure by the edge of the market.
Yago looked over. A few strands of blonde hair hung down from beneath a hood, and with Yago's excellent eyesight, he could clearly see the face under it—it was Annie.
Annie was squatting on the ground, gently stroking a small cat with her right hand. Who knew where the cat had come from.
Eren: "Annie? That cold, icy girl—she doesn't seem very easy to get along with."
Armin: "Yeah, it seems like usually only Yago talks to her more. Huh, where's Yago?"
Naturally, Yago had already walked over toward Annie. For some reason, whenever he saw Annie's lonely figure, his heart would ache faintly.
Annie gently stroked the cat. Out of consideration for this human's bread, the cat was quite cooperative, lying on the ground and letting itself be petted—it felt pretty comfortable.
But Annie's eyes were somewhat unfocused. If Yago saw her like this, he would immediately know—Annie was spacing out. Indeed, Annie had infiltrated Wall Sheena yesterday, but unfortunately, she had gained nothing at all. Marley's mission still had no clues whatsoever.
...
If she joined the Military Police in the future, would she have more chances to come into contact with the king inside the walls?
"Such a fat cat—wonder how it'd taste?" A strange voice startled both Annie and the cat. How awful—who would've thought these humans were after its body! Luckily, this kitty was quick-witted!
The cat bolted away in an instant.
Annie frowned and turned around. The voice was familiar. Sure enough, it was Yago, wearing a mischievous grin. Annie's furrowed brows unconsciously smoothed out.
Yago: "What are you doing here all by yourself?"
"Nothing, just walking around," Annie replied flatly.
Yago: "Got anything to do this afternoon?"
Annie thought about it. With her current identity and skills, she still couldn't investigate much. She couldn't exactly barge straight into the king's palace. So she shook her head.
"Then that's perfect. Come on, let's go have a picnic together." As he spoke, Yago took Annie by the hand with an unquestionable air and pulled her along. The movement was smooth, as if it had happened many times before—though Yago himself didn't notice.
Annie could only follow passively. It was the same last time on the back mountain. She asked herself—why didn't she refuse? Wasn't it good that he had lost his memories, that he could have a new life of his own? And she—she was a devil.
Even as Annie roared in her heart, when she looked at Yago, she couldn't bear it. Truly, she couldn't.
"Yago, if only I hadn't been chosen as a warrior, if you hadn't met with misfortune—how wonderful that would be." Annie gazed at Yago's profile, thinking quietly.
Armin and Eren were both shocked to see Annie really being dragged over by Yago. Only Mikasa looked somewhat displeased, because Eren had glanced at Annie a few extra times earlier.
Still, the three of them welcomed Annie's arrival. After all, they were comrades.
...
When they reached the edge of the forest, Yago greeted the Garrison soldiers stationed there. Coincidentally, the one on duty today was the freckled Garrison soldier from last time. The soldier naturally recognized Yago as well and reminded them not to go too deep—there might be ferocious beasts inside.
Even without the warning, aside from hunters, who would run into the depths of the forest for no reason? Of course, Yago that day was an exception—purely for experimenting with Titan power.
At the forest's edge, they found an open clearing and started their picnic. In such a warm scene, Annie seemed a bit stiff. Whether it was Mikasa's meticulous care for Eren or Armin's slightly shy greetings, everything made Annie uncomfortable. Only when she looked at Yago—so carefree and open—did Annie feel a trace of reality.
Before long, the sky had already begun to darken. Annie sat on a rock, quietly watching the sunset.
"What are you thinking about?" Yago sat down beside her. Annie glanced at him but didn't speak.
Yago: "I'm telling you, Annie, don't always be so aloof. If you keep this up, you'll lose me as a friend."
"Friend?" Annie murmured the word.
Yago continued on his own. "You might think it's unbelievable, but when I see you, I get this especially familiar feeling, like we've known each other for a long time. Of course, I don't mean that kind of thing. I just think you should smile more, Annie—don't always be so serious..."
Yago rambled on like an old mother. Annie pulled her hood back up. Listening to those familiar words, she smiled faintly.
Suddenly, Annie's hood was yanked down hard, even undoing her bun, and her blonde hair spilled free.
"It's not cold—why are you wearing a hood? Uh..." Yago froze mid-sentence. Annie's slightly messy hair, and her blue eyes tinged with shyness and anger, left Yago completely transfixed.
"Sin, sin—Yago, how can you stare at a little girl like that?" Yago snapped back to his senses and hurriedly repented in his heart. But before him, a pale, slender fist came crashing toward his chest with unstoppable force.