On the other side of the square.
Mikasa, who had been clutching the red scarf in a death grip, her whole body trembling violently, already had her vision blurred by tears.
She stood there in a daze, watching two figures so familiar they were carved into her soul slowly descend before her amid the snowflakes swirling through the sky.
Eren and Armin.
Only, the two before her had changed quite a bit from the way Mikasa remembered them.
Eren's build had grown even straighter and more imposing.
Draped over him was the purple Coat of Justice that marked an officer of the Underworld Army, along with a matching black suit.
It made him look steadier and more resolute than ever.
The extremism and hostility that had once lingered between his brows had long since faded with the years, replaced by the maturity of someone who had weathered the world.
And Armin, standing beside Eren, wore a crisp, well-fitted brownish-yellow suit.
He looked every inch the senior official.
In those azure eyes shone a gentleness deeper than before.
Looking at the lover she had longed for day and night, Mikasa's lips parted slightly, yet not a single sound came out.
Only scalding tears slid down her cheeks.
Eren quietly gazed at the woman before him, wearing that familiar red scarf, yet so much more grown than he remembered.
His expression and his heart could no longer remain calm.
Heavy bloodshot veins rose in his eyes.
Almost instinctively, he drew in a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions deep within his soul.
A thousand words finally became a hoarse whisper filled with deep affection:
"Long time no see, Mikasa."
Armin, standing at the side, did not speak and disturb them.
He only kept his gentle smile.
Silently watching these two close friends