One year ago
Right after training, when everyone was exhausted, I took a glance at Krista and Ymir. Hmm… they've grown closer, I thought aloud without realizing it.
"Who?" Armin asked.
"Nothing, Armin," I replied. He eyed me suspiciously. From the side, Eren spoke up as well.
"I've gotta admit it—you're really skilled, Leo. How were you able to pull that off?"
"Yeah, it's hard to do," Mikasa added. "But you can do it too if you train really hard."
"Wait, really?" Connie butted in.
"I doubt it," Jean said. "I think only Leo can pull off movements like that."
Not only had my relationship with Mikasa improved—my friendships with the others had gotten better too. Hmm… Mikasa. The Ackerman bloodline really is mysterious. Even so, she still has a soft spot for Eren. At this rate, I might fail to recruit her. What a troublesome thing… sigh.
"That's the third sigh you've let out today," Mikasa said. "Either it's a curse or a blessing."
Just then, I noticed Ymir leaving on her own. I told the others I was going out to get some fresh air. The opportunity had come.
"I'm heading out for some fresh air. See you guys later."
"Oh—yeah," Armin replied.
"What's that all about?" Jean said out loud, while the others didn't think much of it.
I followed Ymir, and it seemed she had already noticed. She stopped near a tree by the sparring grounds.
"I've noticed you watching me lately," she said, giving me a cold glare. "What do you want?"
"Well, well… am I really that obvious?" I asked with a small chuckle.
"You think this is funny?" she replied, anger creeping into her voice.
"You should calm that tone of yours," I said evenly. "You wouldn't want to be exposed."
Silence fell between us.
A few seconds later, she scoffed. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm out of here."
She turned and tried to leave.
"Stop—unless you want it leaked, shifter."
She froze mid-step. Slowly, she turned back toward me.
"You… how?" she said through gritted teeth, her hand instinctively moving toward her pocket.
I spoke quickly. "You should already know that without transforming, you're no match for me."
I met her gaze. "I'm here to propose a cooperation."
"Cooperation?" she asked. "What kind?"
I sat down on the balcony and motioned for her to sit as well.
"How many of you do you think there are?" I asked.
She looked confused, so I continued.
"Of course not. There are a few of you who can transform. Do you really think you're special? You were just lucky—you happened to encounter one of them."
"Them?" she said. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"The ones responsible for destroying the walls," I said calmly. "They come from the same place you did, don't they?"
"You—who are you, really?" she demanded. "How do you know this? No… could it be—"
She stared into my eyes, but I quickly shut down her suspicion.
"No. I'm not like you. You probably remember what happened after you ate, right?"
"So that's how it is," she said, realization dawning on her face.
"So what do you want from this cooperation?" she asked.
I looked at her and replied, "I need your help capturing the others like you—and bringing them under control."
"So you sensed that power," she said slowly. "You want to control them."
"Correct," I replied. "And another reason is that I'm preparing for the enemy—if they decide to attack the island."
"I figured," she said. "But what do I get out of it?"
"I can help you conceal yourself," I answered. "And I can help you grow stronger."
She hesitated. I noticed immediately, so I added, "I'll also help you protect Krista."
She sighed. "Alright."
We shook hands.
"So," she asked, "do you know where the others are? I mean the ones like me."
"Oh, of course," I said before she could answer. "You know them personally."
"What?" Ymir said, shock written all over her face.
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