"No! That's… our food!" Armin reached out to snatch it back.
Gale turned swiftly and avoided letting Armin take the bread from him. "But you and that girl still have bread. Why do you want another one?"
"Eren… Eren doesn't have one yet!" Armin replied, a little frightened by Gale's appearance, whose hair was disheveled so he wouldn't be recognized.
"Eren…? Ah, him?" Gale pointed at Eren, who was still dazed from Mikasa's blow, and said with a fake smile, "Don't you get it? This guy has already fallen into depression. Living alone is painful for him, so he has no appetite."
"He's gone crazy. I just heard him yelling about killing titans and stuff like that. He doesn't understand the situation. What good does it do him to run back to Wall Maria right now? The titans will simply thank him for being a free lunch."
"He doesn't want to live anymore, right? Let me guess: his family was devoured by titans, so he thinks life has no meaning. As his friends, you should respect his decision. At least let him die with them. As for this bread, I'll gladly accept it on behalf of whoever eats it. Thank him for feeding those of us who still want to live."
"No… no way!" Eren roared, clenching his teeth as he struggled to his feet.
"Isn't that so?" Gale looked at him calmly and said, "Then why don't you eat? You know that without bread, no one survives. You know that right now you're nothing but food for titans."
"I…" Eren was left speechless. He lowered his head and hugged his legs helplessly.
Weak, miserable, and powerless—those three words described him perfectly.
"Eren, take some." Mikasa crouched down and broke her bread in half, then said, "Let's share."
"No…" Eren refused Mikasa's kindness and said to her, "He's right. Right now, I can't do anything."
"Just because you can't now doesn't mean you won't be able to later." Gale turned around and waved the bread he had taken. "I won't give this back. If you don't want to live, then don't eat. It's a pity you won't see the day when I conquer the titans."
Gale bit into the piece of bread that had fallen on the ground, swallowing it along with dirt.
Eren watched Gale's back as he walked away, then leaned on himself to stand up.
"Here… eat a little." Mikasa offered him her half.
Eren was silent for a moment and then nodded. "Thank you, Mikasa."
"And Armin… I'm sorry. I was too impulsive."
"It's okay, Eren." Armin smiled when he felt the sincerity of the apology, then said, "I have another piece. Let's eat together, the three of us."
"That guy is right. Just because we can't now doesn't mean we won't be able to later." Eren's gaze hardened and he swore, "I'll keep living until all the titans are driven out."
"But… that guy… he's special…" Armin looked in the direction Gale had gone and said, "He looks like he's our age, but when he said he would conquer the titans, it didn't sound like bragging. He's a refugee like us, but… he doesn't seem afraid."
"Does anyone know him?" Eren asked curiously.
Mikasa and Armin shook their heads.
…
The next day, all the refugees gathered together.
"Now we will announce the decision of the central government."
A man holding documents climbed onto a box and read aloud, "Starting today, human activity will be limited to the interior of Wall Rose. In addition, due to the food shortage, those who come from Wall Maria must head to designated areas to reclaim land, plant crops, and establish new villages."
"The government will provide basic tools and seeds, and will send soldiers to clear wild animals that might cause problems. That's all for now. Let's do what we can."
When he finished, an uproar broke out.
But the soldiers did not allow questions and began escorting the refugees outward.
After half a day of marching, Gale and the others arrived at an abandoned farm.
There were remnants of buildings, but the walls were corroded and the wind came in from everywhere.
They said there were tools, but there were only a few rusty hoes, saws, and buckets.
The rest would have to be made by them.
The soldiers were not there to protect them, but to watch them and prevent escapes.
"Spring isn't over yet. Work hard and you'll have food in the fall."
After saying that, they left.
The refugees looked at one another in confusion.
Some gathered mushrooms and berries; others even ate insects and rats.
Most wandered around searching for food.
Unlike them, Gale didn't waste any time. He had grown up on farms, so he went straight to secure a room near the water.
It was in poor condition, so no one would argue with a child over it. It had once been a shed: there were whetstones, saws, and an old stove.
His home in this place was acceptable.
While he was cleaning, three people approached.
Mikasa, Eren, and Armin.
Eren stepped forward first, but Armin grabbed him and said, "That guy is scary…"
"No, Armin. I have to go."
"Mikasa, stop him!"
"Wherever Eren goes, I go."
Gale set down the bricks when he saw them.
"Did you come to cause trouble?" Gale asked calmly.
"What's your name?" Eren asked, puffing out his chest with a serious look.
"Gale." Gale replied, his hand close to his waist where he hid his spark pistol.
He licked his lips, wondering if his attitude had raised suspicion, but what came next surprised him.
"Gale, listen!" Eren declared loudly. "I'll be the one who conquers the titans!"
Gale froze for a moment and then burst out laughing. "What? You just came to say that? Hahaha."
"What are you laughing at?!" Eren frowned, clearly annoyed.
"Nothing." Gale waved his hand and asked him, "Better tell me—do you already know where you'll sleep?"
"That's none of your business."
"If you haven't found a place, look at that room." Gale pointed to a house near his own. "It has a stove, a workbench, and space for three people. It's close to the water. If you clean it up and cover the roof with straw, you can live there and we'll be neighbors."
After saying that, Gale looked around and whispered, "I worked on farms. I know where it's comfortable, and that place is one of the best."
Armin looked at Eren and then said, "Thank you, Gale."
"It's just a suggestion." Gale went back to what he was doing and said, "We've survived too much already to die easily."
The trio went to check the room.
Gale watched them.
"They're still just kids."
Maybe he didn't need to be so cautious. Besides, they knew Hannes well; he could use that connection to get closer to him.