"Eren, once the battle starts you have to be careful. Don't act on impulse. When the fighting begins, come to my side. I'll protect you," Mikasa said worriedly as she cautioned Eren.
"Huh? What are you talking about? We're not even in the same squad, are we?" Eren replied, unconvinced.
"Eren! Mikasa!" A woman suddenly came running from the distance.
"Mom!" Eren was startled.
"Auntie, it's very dangerous here. Why didn't you evacuate to the rear?" Mikasa asked anxiously.
"Mom, how did you get in here? Why didn't you leave with the other residents?!" Eren shouted, both anxious and angry.
"Eren, Mikasa, I asked someone to help me get in. I brought some medicines your father left behind. In an emergency, they could save lives. There are painkillers too. And Chen Si—I heard he was injured. He must urgently need this medicine! I have to deliver it to him right away." Carla's concern for the three children overwhelmed her reason.
"Mom! Chen Si was sent to the command post. He's not seriously hurt. You're just causing more trouble by coming here! You—" Eren was at a loss for words.
Mikasa shook her head, stopping Eren from continuing.
Carla knew she should evacuate, but she was too worried—especially after seeing Chen Si fight the Colossal Titan. Her heart had been in her throat the entire time.
"Cadet Ackerman!" At that moment, Ian from the Garrison's elite squad approached.
"Sir, sir. Mikasa is just a girl. Can she be spared from dangerous missions?" Carla pleaded.
"Ma'am, orders from above assign Cadet Ackerman to the rearguard unit responsible for civilian evacuation. You needn't worry. And please leave this area immediately," Ian said firmly.
"I believe my abilities are better suited for the vanguard," Mikasa insisted, unable to stop worrying about Eren. She remembered Carla's words and her duty to protect her family.
"I don't care what you think. I care what I think. You will follow orders," Ian interrupted mercilessly.
"It's too late for evacuation. The civilians need more elite soldiers around them—every single one counts," he added.
"Mom! Just go!" Eren urged.
Ian was about to order someone to escort Carla away.
"I'll take Auntie," Mikasa said.
Ian nodded and turned to leave.
"Eren, which unit are you assigned to?" Carla asked anxiously.
"The vanguard," Eren answered quietly.
"What? I'll go find that officer and see if he can—"
"Mom! Stop making a scene! This concerns the survival of humanity. We can't just think about ourselves anymore!" Eren said before turning and striding away.
"Eren! You have to live!" Carla cried out in anguish, tears streaming down her face.
Mikasa watched Eren worriedly. But when she thought of Chen Si, she gritted her teeth and led Carla away.
After Mikasa and the others left, Chen Si arrived at the supply station.
There were not many people left there. After refilling the gas in his ODM gear, Chen Si noticed a familiar figure.
"Edward, how are you feeling? Are you any better?" Krista asked, flustered. She had been preparing to head to the front lines, but when she saw a classmate crying and vomiting from fear, her kind heart couldn't bear to leave him.
"Krista, we're all going to die. What should I do? I haven't even married or had children yet—I'm going to die in a Titan's mouth!" Edward sobbed, tears and mucus running everywhere.
Chen Si thought for a moment. Edward? Never heard of him. Probably some background nobody with no achievements and little popularity.
"N-no, we won't die, Edward. Humanity will win! We won't die!" Krista encouraged him, waving her small pink fists.
"Krista, I've never even had a girlfriend before dying. Can you grant me one wish?" Edward looked at her hopefully, a faint possessiveness flashing in his eyes.
"What wish? Tell me, Edward. I'll try my best to fulfill it," Krista said earnestly, blinking her big eyes.
"Could you… maybe… k-kiss me…" Edward stammered.
Before he could finish, a large fist struck him squarely on the head.
"Ow!" Edward cried out, clutching his head.
"It's just a light punch! Krista, Edward usually likes being lightly punched! I'll do it for you," Chen Si said, covering Edward's mouth with one hand while forcefully pushing the swelling on his head back down with the other.
Chen Si flashed Edward a cruel smile, frightening him into silence. When he turned back to Historia, his expression shifted into a gentle spring breeze.
Historia stared at Chen Si's warm smile, momentarily dazed.
"What's wrong, little angel? Am I too handsome? Stunned?" Chen Si teased, lightly tapping her nose.
"N-no! I was just thinking… wasn't that punch a bit too hard?" Krista glanced at the miserable Edward, feeling a little sorry for him.
"Oh, that?" Chen Si smiled and gave Edward a heavy slap on the back. Edward felt as though he'd been struck by a hammer. Blood nearly rose to his throat—but he swallowed it back down.
Seeing Chen Si's terrifying expression, Edward instinctively held everything in.
"Back when we trained together, Edward liked this kind of force. He said it helps him improve. Isn't that right, Edward?" Chen Si smiled innocently again.
"Y-yes! I love being hit hard by Chief Chen Si!" Edward nodded frantically.
"Is that so…" Historia gave Edward a strange look. Well, everyone has their own little quirks.
Kind-hearted Krista quickly accepted the "fact" that Edward was a masochist.
Feeling her gaze, Edward couldn't stay another second and fled in embarrassment.
"Haven't seen you all day. Miss me, Your Majesty?" Chen Si said with a mischievous grin.
"Chen Si! Stop making fun of me!" Krista puffed her cheeks in protest.
Chen Si stepped closer and leaned down, whispering into Historia's ear.
"In my eyes, you're the noblest queen. Besides, a queen and a commoner—how thrilling."
Krista's face flushed red, as if steam from a Titan were rising from her head.