The room's furnishings were neat, warm, and inviting.
The soft carpet and the burning fireplace all brimmed with the feeling of home.
Mikasa had the two of them sit down on the sofa in the living room.
Then she turned and walked into the kitchen, deftly brewing three steaming cups of black tea.
When she returned with the tray and handed the cups to Eren and Armin one by one, wisps of rising steam spread between the three of them.
The fragrance of tea filled the air, blurring their view of one another, making this reunion that crossed life and death, so long-awaited it felt like another lifetime, seem real and beautiful.
They sat around the coffee table, and even time itself seemed to slow at that moment.
Mikasa held the steaming cup in both hands, feeling the real warmth seep into her palms.
She lowered her head slightly, her gaze resting on the clear tea in the cup, and fell silent in thought for a moment.
Over these past few years.
There had been too much she wanted to say, too much longing she wanted to pour out.
But now that the two most important people in her life were truly sitting right in front of her.
For a moment, she did not know where to begin.
"Eren, Armin."
Mikasa murmured softly, raising her clear eyes as her gaze moved over those familiar faces, her voice filled with emotion and confusion.
"So much has happened. Where... should we even start?"
Seeing her like this, the smile at the corners of Armin's mouth grew even gentler.
He held the teacup in his hands, savoring this rare peace and warmth.
His azure eyes were full of tolerance and encouragement.
"Then why don't we..."
Armin smiled at Mikasa and suggested softly, "talk