After the banquet, in a tower of the Training Corps camp.
Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie gathered together. Each wore a different expression; Annie, as always, remained calm and unreadable.
Breaking the silence, Reiner spoke first.
"After observing him for three years, I don't think Eren is as special as Kawa claimed. Aside from his extraordinary willpower, whether it's Chen Si, the top graduate, or Mikasa in second place, both are far stronger than Eren.
"So the only thing we've gained is confirmation that Kawa's intelligence isn't entirely reliable."
Reiner sighed heavily, clearly troubled.
Annie glanced at him. She did think Eren was somewhat unusual—but compared to Chen Si's uniqueness, Eren didn't stand out nearly as much. So she didn't argue.
Originally, Annie had been the one assigned to infiltrate Wall Sina for reconnaissance. But with the more experienced Pieck and the stealth-capable Kawa taking over that task, Annie had been replaced.
"What are we supposed to do?" Bertholdt clutched his head anxiously. "Marcel hasn't contacted us in three years. Once Miss Pieck finishes observing Wall Sina, she'll probably return to Marley. Then it'll just be the three of us?"
Reiner clenched his teeth.
"Marley has to stay on guard against the Mid-East Allied Forces at all times. Miss Pieck won't be here long. The Warrior Chief can't come either. We have to act soon. We must draw out the Founding Titan."
Annie nodded. She desperately needed to complete the mission and return home to see her father. Their lives were limited—of their thirteen years, five had already passed.
Elsewhere
On a street outside the Training Corps camp.
Chen Si stepped onto a set of stairs along the roadside, breathing in the cool night air to clear the scent of alcohol from his body. The faint glow of streetlamps lined the road, and above him the stars shone brilliantly.
He felt a pang of homesickness.
His life in his previous world hadn't been tragic. If he had never come to this world, he would have lived well enough.
In short—after food and drink, night fell, and the melancholy set in.
Mikasa quietly approached and sat beside him. Together they looked up at the star-filled sky. She gently rested her head on his shoulder.
Mikasa treasured the stillness of the night. She knew days like this would soon become rare. All she wanted was to stay by Chen Si's side.
"The air here is good," Chen Si murmured, gazing at the sky. "The stars are so clear."
"Couldn't you see stars like this where you're from, Brother?" Mikasa asked softly.
"The air in my hometown wasn't this clean. The stars weren't this bright."
He smiled faintly, feeling a swirl of emotions.
"Where is your hometown? You don't have to say," Mikasa asked gently. She had long wanted to know, but feared stirring painful memories.
Chen Si was silent for a long while. Then he pointed toward the sky.
"Very far away. About as far as those stars."
Mikasa stared at his face bathed in moonlight. She didn't fully understand—yet somehow, she felt she did.
"I want to see your hometown someday," she said wistfully.
Chen Si paused, then gave a faint, bitter smile.
"I hope so."
"We will. Together." Mikasa looked at him with unwavering resolve.
Chen Si met her eyes. Her delicate features, her small nose illuminated in the moonlight—she looked almost ethereal.
"Yeah. Together."
In truth, he didn't believe it was possible.
"Pinky promise." Mikasa held out her little finger.
Chen Si blinked in surprise.
"Forgot? You taught me that when we were little. You even said I could be your—"
"Pinky promise," Chen Si cut in quickly, hooking his finger with hers.
When he had first transmigrated, he used to tease Mikasa often, jokingly calling her his wife. But later, out of genuine care, he stayed by her side as an older brother figure.
As soon as their fingers hooked, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and leaned close to her ear, his breath warm.
"Mikasa… do you want to be your brother's wife? Aren't we crossing a line here?"
For a moment, Mikasa's usually calm face turned completely red. Very little could stir her emotions anymore—not after losing her family.
Except this shamelessly grinning "brother."
"N-No…" she muttered—only to regret it the instant the words left her mouth.
"Actually, compared to being your sister, I—"
"Chen Si! You were amazing! After what you said, that guy didn't even dare brag about joining the Military Police anymore! You're my idol!"
Eren suddenly burst in, cutting her off in his excitement.
Mikasa fell silent.
Chen Si sensed something but merely smiled faintly, pretending not to notice. Sometimes, unspoken ambiguity was sweeter left undefined.
"Yeah, Chen Si," Armin added, walking over with Eren. "Your speech really changed people's minds. I think more people will volunteer for the Survey Corps this year than ever before."
"Those who want to join will join. I just strengthened what was already in their hearts," Chen Si replied with a smile.
"I'm joining the Survey Corps too," Armin suddenly declared.
"Hey, Armin," Eren said, "with your academic scores, you're perfect for staff work in the rear."
"I won't hold anyone back. I want to fight alongside you," Armin said firmly.
"With me around, nothing's going to happen to you three. Just stick close to the top graduate and watch," Chen Si said arrogantly.
Neither Eren nor Armin took offense.
"That's not certain," Eren shot back, full of fighting spirit. "I'll kill more Titans than you."
"I won't lose easily either," Armin added.
"I'm joining the Survey Corps too," Mikasa said calmly.
"Mikasa! You're second in the class! The Military Police would value you highly," Eren protested.
"You're reckless. Brother is lazy. I have to go to make sure you're safe. And wherever Brother goes, I go." She glanced at Chen Si.
"I never said I needed protection," Eren muttered, turning away with a pout.
"I don't want to lose any more family. That includes you, Eren," Mikasa said quietly.
With Chen Si present, Eren felt more like a younger brother to her now.
Eren paused, deeply moved.
"I can't stand the thought of my Mikasa not sticking by me either," Chen Si said with a grin.
Mikasa, though accustomed to his teasing, still couldn't help the faint blush rising to her cheeks.