Shiganshina District.
The Jaeger home smelled of simmering stew.
Carla stood in the kitchen, apron wrung nervously in her hands, staring at the scene in front of her.
One big stranger. Five kids.
Population explosion.
"I'm sorry, Mom!" Eren burst out, face scrunched in guilt. "It's all because this gorilla of a man held us hostage. Otherwise I'd never bring a stranger home while Dad was away! I'm sorry~!"
He clutched her skirt like the very picture of a well-behaved son.
Zeke's heart melted instantly. His eyes curved into a doting auntie-smile. So sensible! Protecting his mother when Dad isn't around… Eren, you're too precious!
Behind him, the three Warrior recruits exchanged dead-eyed stares.
Reiner muttered darkly, "Captain, are you for real? The brat's not protecting his mom, he's regretting dragging a pervert home."
Bertolt whispered, horrified, "He literally just called you a pervert, Captain. And you're… glowing about it?"
"…It's over," Reiner sighed. "The captain can't even hear us anymore."
Only Annie cut cleanly through the delusion: "Captain. That brat saw through you. Should we silence him?"
"No!" Zeke snapped back, horrified. "That's Grisha's son!"
Annie's eyes narrowed. "Isn't he also your brother?"
"Yes!"
"Then why don't you admit it?"
"Because—because we have to keep our cover!" Zeke hissed. "Father's been undercover here for thirteen years. Nobody knows about his other son."
"Ohhh." The three nodded. Finally, something made sense.
But the tension in the room didn't vanish.
Across from them, Mikasa glared with quiet, lethal focus. And even the three Warriors couldn't shake the sense of being targeted by her killing intent.
What the hell is wrong with these kids…? Zeke thought miserably. So much bloodlust at their age? This is exhausting.
…
Carla at last stepped forward, shielding Eren and Mikasa behind her. Her voice was polite but firm.
"Sir, I appreciate you escorting the children home. But…" her eyes narrowed, "isn't it wrong to bully them along the way?"
"Me?!" Zeke's jaw dropped. He jabbed a finger at his head. "Auntie, look! Your son hit me with firewood!"
Carla gasped, fingertips brushing the swollen lump. "Oh no… such a big bump—!"
Eren flinched, guilt flashing across his face.
"And this!" Zeke yanked at his shirt. Children's shoe-prints dotted his torso. "All from your adopted daughter! Do you know how hard Ackerman's feet kick?!"
Mikasa's composure cracked for a moment.
Carla faltered, torn between scolding her children and staring at this overgrown manchild whining in her kitchen.
"I didn't do anything!" Zeke cried, nearly tearing up. "But your kids almost killed me!"
Carla's cheeks heated with embarrassment. She turned sternly on her son. "Eren—!"
"He kissed me!" Eren exploded, face red with rage.
"I kissed you, yes! Because I'm your brother! What's wrong with a brother kissing his younger brother?!"
"…Brother?" Carla froze.
Eren's eyes bulged. "Mom, don't believe him! He's lying! He's just pretending to be Dad's relative to trick us while Dad's gone—he's planning something!"
Zeke stared, stunned. Wait.
Reiner told me he was simple-minded. Strong-limbed. Always rushing forward like an idiot. How is he this sharp?
Reiner, you bastard. Another false report!)
"Hold it—hold it!" Carla raised her voice, overwhelmed. "Everyone stop. Just… explain. Who exactly are you?"
Zeke straightened, forcing his most serious expression.
"I'm Grisha's distant relative," he declared. "By blood, that makes me Eren's cousin. So of course, as an older brother, I'm entitled to a brotherly kiss, isn't that reasonable?"
"Mom! Don't fall for it!" Eren shouted. "How could Dad have Western relatives?!"
"Because I look like my mother, idiot!" Zeke snapped, exasperated.
"I don't care! There's no way you're related to us!"
Mikasa stepped forward, voice cold. "He's right, Auntie. Be cautious.
Uncle's not here. Who knows what strangers might try to do? Especially men who sneak in pretending to be family."
Carla's arms tightened around the children. Her gaze sharpened on Zeke.
"…You say you're Grisha's kin," she said slowly. "Then show me. Do you have any proof?"