Time flies. Under the eager anticipation of all the people of Paradis Island, and with the full support of the newly formed parliament, the Survey Corps swept through the interior of Wall Maria with thunderous force, clearing out every last Titan. With that, all the land humanity had once lost was completely reclaimed.
Using the Shiganshina District as a springboard, Survey Corps Commander Erwin had already set his sights on the vast lands beyond Wall Maria.
Today's Shiganshina District could already be considered a massive military camp. Aside from the several hundred members of the Survey Corps, there were also several thousand soldiers from other corps. This was the place where humanity drew its sword against the Titans beyond the island.
There were rumors that Commander Pixis would become the joint chairman of the Military Council, and that Commander Erwin would soon be promoted to Southern District Commander. Then who would inherit the position of Survey Corps Commander? Would it be the Survey Corps' strongest combatant, Captain Levi? No one knew the answers yet.
...
Morning sunlight crept through the window, casting its glow across Yago's face. The warmth made his eyelids twitch, and he soon opened his eyes.
Just as Yago was about to get up, his body suddenly stiffened on the bed, because a fair, tender arm was draped across his neck, and his stomach was pinned down by someone's leg.
Feeling the gentle, steady breathing of the girl so close at hand, he turned his head and saw Annie's serene sleeping face. Yago's entire body and mind relaxed. He gently brushed aside a strand of blond hair hanging beside Annie's nose.
Then, with the utmost care, Yago moved Annie's arm and leg away. He quietly got out of bed, tucked the blanket securely around Annie, and then, sporting two huge dark circles under his eyes, went downstairs.
On the table downstairs was the breakfast Lucia had already prepared. Still wearing her apron, Lucia saw Yago tiptoeing down the stairs and revealed a faint smile.
Heaven bear witness—under Lucia's old-motherly anticipation and constant persuasion, just last night Annie had shyly hugged her blanket and taken the initiative to walk into Yago's room.
"Is Annie not awake yet? Did you bully Annie, Yago?" Lucia asked while cleaning, watching Yago chew on his bread.
Yago: "She's not yet. I have to go out for a bit later. If Annie gets up, Mom, remember to tell her."
Lucia stopped what she was doing and said reproachfully,
"You just got together with Annie, why are you so busy every day? When other kids were your age, their mothers were already grandmothers!"
Faced with his mother's dissatisfaction, Yago could only scratch his head awkwardly. If he said that after sleeping together with Annie last night he hadn't done anything at all, Lucia the old mother would probably raise the broom in her hand and put on a show of 'benevolent mother, filial son.'
But this really couldn't be blamed on Yago. When Annie came hugging her blanket to his bedside last night, Yago had been completely dumbfounded. The two of them just stared at each other wide-eyed for a long while, until Yago finally took the initiative to pull Annie over, and only then did they both fall asleep.
With such a perfect moment, such a beauty lying beside him, could Yago really not want to do anything? Of course he wanted to! If he didn't, he wouldn't be a man!
But once asleep, Annie was like a timid little rabbit. The slightest movement from Yago made her tense. Seeing Annie's pitiful little eyes under the moonlight, and hearing her say,
"Yago, could you not be in such a hurry? I… I'm scared,"
There was no choice. Yago could only grit his teeth and close his eyes, forcing himself to sleep no matter what thoughts churned inside him. They were already sleeping together—wasn't that kind of day still far off? Yago could only comfort himself like that.
But in the middle of the night, Yago broke down, because he hadn't expected Annie to make small movements in her sleep. The sleeping Annie clung to him like an octopus, as if treating Yago as some kind of big teddy bear.
What does it feel like for a hot-blooded young man to be held while sleeping by a youthful, beautiful girl in the middle of the night?
Yago swore that he had never suffered so much. Beastly instincts and rationality fought a frenzied battle inside him—should he become a beast, or be less than a beast?
In the end, the remnants of his reason made Yago close his eyes, which was also why, when he got up early in the morning, there were two large, round dark circles under his eyes.
"Yago, you're already an adult. Some things need to be handled maturely. You must be considerate and patient with girls. Annie is such a good girl—why aren't you cherishing her properly?" Lucia the old mother switched into nagging mode.
Yago's scalp tingled from listening. He hurriedly swallowed his bread, then fled out the door as if escaping.
"Sigh." Lucia let out a breath. The child had grown up—she couldn't control him anymore.
...
Not long after, Annie, her hair slightly tousled, also came downstairs. Lucia hurried over to greet her, asking after her health and warmth, and the breakfast on the table suddenly became much more lavish than what Yago had eaten earlier.
"Thank you, Auntie Lucia~" Annie said sweetly. If Yago were here, he would definitely be astonished that Annie could have such a well-behaved, adorable voice, and even more astonished at the abundance of the breakfast Lucia the old mother had prepared for Annie.
But what Lucia was thinking was that Annie's body was so delicate—she must have been very tired last night, so of course she needed proper nourishment. There was even a pot of old hen soup in the kitchen that had been simmering since last night.
"Auntie Lucia, where's Yago?" Annie asked.
Lucia smiled and said, "That brat said he had something to do early this morning and went out. Oh right, Annie, if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, you must tell Auntie. You young kids can't be too impulsive—Yago, that brat, is far too clueless."
Seeing the meaningful smile on Lucia's face, Annie was a bit confused, but then seemed to understand something. Her face gradually flushed slightly red.
Lucia also smiled knowingly. The children really had grown up.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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