Levi leaned against the doorway, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he looked at Eren, his lips curling into a teasing smile. "You really are so cute," he said, his tone dripping with playful arrogance. His eyes danced with a mixture of mischief and something deeper—something that made Eren's heart skip a beat without warning.
Mona, sitting at the dining table with her morning tea, smiled warmly at the scene. Her voice was soft, yet carried a hint of warning. "Levi, don't bother Eren," she chided, though the corners of her eyes betrayed her amusement.
Zack, sitting beside her, looked tense but hopeful. His hands fiddled nervously with the edges of his breakfast napkin. "Eren… can you really take over our company?" His voice trembled slightly under the weight of expectation. "The entire company is in your hands now. You studied in London… you know business. Please, Eren. Our company needs you. Only you can save it."
Eren took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slowly as he steadied himself. He met both of his parents' gazes, determination shining like a newly forged blade in his emerald eyes. "Mama, Dad… I will do my best. No matter what happens, I will make the company as strong as it was before. I won't let you down."
Levi's eyes lit up, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. He raised an imaginary glass, voice playful yet sincere. "That's it, Eren. I believe in you. And that… that happiness… cheers!"
Night – Eren's Room
Moonlight filtered through the curtains, painting the room in soft silver. A gentle knock echoed against the wooden door.
"Eren, are you awake?" Levi's teasing voice called from outside.
Eren blinked sleepily and opened the door. "Levi… what's the matter?"
Levi leaned in, a mischievous grin plastered across his face. "Eren… why are you always angry?"
Eren furrowed his brow, confusion clouding his features. "When do I ever get angry?"
Levi stepped closer, pointing a finger playfully at him. "Look at you… still angry?"
Eren waved his hand dismissively. "No! I… I'm not angry."
Levi smirked, circling him like a predator with a teasing edge. "Then how can I believe that you're not?"
Eren blinked, cheeks flushing slightly. "Levi… tell me. How can I prove it?"
Before Eren could comprehend, Levi lunged forward, pulling him close. Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling in the fragile space between them.
"Then… will you kiss me?" Levi whispered, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Panic flooded Eren. His heart raced as his mind scrambled. "What… what do you mean?"
Levi's hand tightened slightly, his lips brushing Eren's in a playful yet firm bite. "Eren… you are mine," he said softly but firmly.
Eren's mind whirled. What just happened? Did… did we just…?
Levi leaned closer, laughing softly, mischief and dominance blending in his tone. "Our first kiss… Eren. Our very first."
And just as quickly, Levi pulled back, leaving Eren standing frozen, cheeks blazing, heartbeat racing as if it would leap out of his chest.
The Next Morning
The sun spilled golden light across the dining table where Mona and Zack sat with quiet anticipation.
"Eren… what did you think? You will become an assistant in our company, right?" Mona asked, her tone gentle but probing.
Eren straightened his posture, nervous yet calm, and spoke with quiet confidence. "Mama… Dad… I studied business in London. The first step is to fix the weak points in our company. That's the priority."
Mona blinked, slightly surprised by his precision. "I don't understand, Eren…"
Eren opened the folders his father had given him yesterday, pointing at graphs and spreadsheets with a confident hand. "Mom, Dad… the stocks that are falling? It's because we invested too much in low-profit areas. That's why our losses are so high."
Zack and Mona exchanged glances, impressed despite themselves.
Eren continued, his voice steady and commanding. "First, we withdraw the excess investments from these areas. Then, we partner with Mrs. Mia's company. Her company is thriving, and a partnership will secure immediate profit. For the other investments, we withdraw 80% and leave 20% intact."
Zack's eyes softened in relief. "Eren… if we do that, everything will stabilize."
Eren shook his head softly. "No, Dad… we shouldn't withdraw everything. Partial withdrawal keeps us flexible. The 80% reinvested in Mrs. Mia's company will generate faster, higher returns."
Zack nodded approvingly. "Alright, Eren. Tomorrow we'll prepare proposals for Mrs. Mia's company."
Eren's tone sharpened, serious. "But Dad… it must be the best proposal. Not ordinary. The Master… he won't settle for anything less than perfection."
Mona's gaze softened, though worry lingered in her eyes. "Eren… can you prepare it?"
"I can, Mom… but I can't do it alone. I need a partner," he admitted.
At that moment, Levi strolled into the room with his signature grin, leaning lazily against the doorway. "If you need a partner, it's me! Mom, Dad… I'll help Eren!"
Eren's eyes widened in panic. "No… not you!"
Levi laughed, indifferent. "Why not? What's the problem with me? I know plenty about business too. Remember yesterday?"
Eren's cheeks burned as he glared at him. Mona and Zack shared a glance, puzzled.
"What happened?" they asked in unison.
Levi leaned closer to Eren, whispering with mock innocence. "Tell me, Eren… what happened yesterday?"
Eren stammered, flushing crimson. "Nothing… Levi just came to get his phone from my room. That's all."
Levi smirked, voice teasing. "Actually… I came to get the phone… but maybe I got distracted," he said, laughing softly.
His eyes darted to the clock. "Oh! My goodness. Six o'clock already! Big Chashma Sir will kill me if I'm late. Eren… you don't have to go to university."
Eren shook his head. "No, Levi… I have to go."
Levi patted him on the head, voice softening. "Did you take your medicine?"
Eren's eyes widened. "Oh no… I forgot!"
Levi groaned dramatically. "Stupid Eren… take it quickly, hurry up!"
University Gate
Levi peered cautiously over the wall, voice low. "Oh no… look! Sir Big Chashma is here!"
Eren panicked. "Levi… what should we do?"
Levi held his hand confidently. "Don't worry, I know what to do. Trust me."
He revealed a hidden secret: a concealed door embedded in the wall, perfectly camouflaged.
Eren's eyes widened in astonishment. "Levi… how is this possible?"
Levi smiled mysteriously. "Don't ask questions. If anyone sees us… it's trouble."
A young man emerged from inside. "Levi… who's this?"
"This is my cutie little brother," Levi said, laughing.
The boy's eyes sparkled mischievously. "By the way, your younger brother is really cute. What's your name, cutie?"
Eren blushed. "I'm… Eren."
"From now on… I'll call you Cutie," the boy teased.
Levi's jaw tightened, irritation flickering across his face, but he said nothing.
Classroom – A Grade vs B Grade
War leaned over, explaining softly. "Our class is divided into A and B. They're rivals… sworn enemies. A grade is our section—Levi, Ren, Rongwon, Yuri, War… and now you, Eren. B grade… the strongest students of the university's elite. Their leader is Teng Sun Moon."
Eren's face paled slightly as the tension settled around him.
Suddenly, the leader entered, piercing blue eyes locking on Eren. "Who is this?" he asked Nova, his right-hand student.
Nova smirked. "This is A grade… the new student, Eren Yeager."
Sun Moon's smile was polite, but darkness lingered beneath it. "Welcome, Eren Yeager. Unfortunately… you've chosen our enemies' section."
Eren swallowed hard, heart pounding. The lines had been drawn. He had just stepped into a storm that would test him in ways he hadn't imagined.
The battle for respect, power, and survival had begun.