A Few Things About a Picnic

"Eren, let's go."

Yago called to Eren, carrying a backpack noticeably larger than everyone else's. Armin and Mikasa stood beside him with packs of their own.

"Coming!" Eren hurried outside. Since they were going on a picnic, there was no need to wear their uniforms.

Once the four of them had gathered, they were ready to set off. Carla and Lucia kept calling reminders after them. "Eren, take good care of Mikasa."

"I know! Mom, you nag too much!" Eren replied.

As they walked, Armin seemed to be holding something in. Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore. "Yago, why do you keep looking at me?" Even before they had left, Armin had noticed Yago staring at him, and it was giving him goosebumps.

Yago rubbed his nose. "Armin, don't you think your hair's a little long?"

"My hair? Huh, now that you mention it, it does seem a bit long. But what about it?" Armin touched his hair, which already reached his shoulders.

"Hehe, with long hair, you look a lot like Christa," Yago teased. It was true. Usually, everyone wore their Training Corps uniforms, so he hadn't noticed, but now that Armin was in casual clothes, it suddenly stood out. Wow, how had Armin turned out so pretty?

What did Christa mean to them? Among the 104th cadets, she was absolutely the girl of most of the boys' dreams. With her adorable face and gentle personality, she was irresistible not just to the boys, but even to certain girls. Yes, that meant Ymir, who spent all day clinging to Christa.

Yago and Ymir couldn't stand each other these days. One thought the other was a creep lusting after Christa's beauty, while the other thought she was a weirdo with unusual tastes.

Armin was dumbfounded. "Huh? What do you mean? Are you making fun of me?"

"No, no, I'm just saying you're good-looking," Yago said.

"But I'm a boy! Eren, what are you laughing at?" Armin demanded.

"Huh? I-I-I'm not! It's just that Yago has a point," Eren said.

"You're both so mean! Mikasa, look at them," Armin complained.

Mikasa remained composed and spoke calmly. "Actually, Armin doesn't just look like a girl. His personality is a lot like one too."

"...Don't stop me. I'm getting my hair cut like Connie's! Boo-hoo!" Armin cried.

After soothing Armin's wounded feelings, the group reached the market. Once they passed through it, they would be almost at the forest. Yes, they were going for a picnic in the forest.

"Isn't that Annie?" Eren suddenly asked, pointing at a lone figure at the edge of the market.

Yago looked over. A few strands of blond hair hung beneath her hood, and his excellent eyesight let him make out the face underneath clearly. It was Annie.

Annie was crouching on the ground, gently stroking a kitten with her right hand. Who knew where it had come from?

"Annie? That icy girl doesn't seem very easy to get along with," Eren said.

"Yeah, it seems like Yago's the only one who talks to her much. Wait, where's Yago?" Armin asked.

Naturally, Yago had gone over to Annie. He didn't know why, but seeing her all alone always made his heart ache faintly.

Annie gently stroked the kitten. For the sake of the bread this human had given it, the kitten was being quite accommodating, lying on the ground and letting her pet it. It felt pretty nice, too.

But Annie's eyes were somewhat vacant. If Yago had seen them, he would have known at once that she was lost in thought. She had slipped into Wall Sina just yesterday, but unfortunately, she hadn't found anything yet. She still had no leads at all on her mission from Marley.

If she joined the Military Police Brigade later, she should have more chances to get close to the King inside the walls, shouldn't she?

"What a fat cat. I wonder how its meat tastes?" The unfamiliar voice startled both Annie and the kitten. How awful! So these humans were after my body all along! Good thing I'm quick on my paws!

The kitten fled in fright.

Annie frowned and turned around. The voice sounded familiar, and sure enough, there was Yago, wearing a mischievous grin. Without her realizing it, her frown eased.

"What are you doing here all alone?" Yago asked.

"Nothing. Just walking around," Annie replied flatly.

"Do you have anything else to do this afternoon?" Yago asked.

Annie considered it. With her current identity and abilities, she wasn't going to uncover anything for now. She couldn't exactly barge straight into the King's palace, could she? So she shook her head.

"Perfect, then. Come on, join us for a picnic." As he spoke, Yago took Annie by the hand and pulled her along, leaving no room for argument. The movement was smooth, as though he had done it countless times before, but Yago didn't notice.

Annie could only follow him. It had been the same last time on Back Mountain. Why won't I refuse? she asked herself. Isn't it good that he's lost his memories? He can have a new life of his own. But I... I'm a devil.

Despite the cries raging in Annie's heart, when she looked at Yago, she couldn't bear to let go. She truly couldn't.

Yago, if only I hadn't been chosen as a Warrior, and nothing had happened to you. How wonderful that would have been, Annie thought wistfully as she watched his profile.

Armin and Eren were both stunned to see that Yago really had brought Annie over. Only Mikasa looked a little annoyed, because Eren had glanced at Annie a few times too many.

Still, all three welcomed Annie. They were comrades, after all.

When they reached the edge of the forest, Yago greeted the Garrison soldiers. By coincidence, the freckled soldier from the other day was on duty. Of course, he recognized Yago too, and warned them not to venture too deep, since there might be wild beasts there.

Even without his warning, who besides hunters would go into the depths of the forest for no reason? Of course, Yago's visit the other day had been an exception. He had only gone there to test his titan power.

They found a clearing at the forest's edge and began their picnic. Annie seemed a little stiff in such a warm, friendly setting. Whether it was Mikasa's meticulous care for Eren or Armin's somewhat shy greeting, everything felt unfamiliar to her. Only when she looked at Yago and his carefree manner did things feel a little more real.

Before long, the sky had begun to dim. Annie sat on a rock, quietly watching the sunset.

"What are you thinking about?" Yago sat beside her. Annie glanced at him without speaking. "Come on, Annie, don't be so cold all the time. Keep this up, and you'll lose me as a friend."

"A friend?" Annie murmured. Yago went on by himself. "You might find this hard to believe, but whenever I see you, I get this really familiar feeling, like we've known each other for ages. Of course, that's not what I mean. I just think you should smile more, Annie. Don't be so serious all the time..."

Yago fussed over her like a mother hen. Annie pulled up her hood and listened to those familiar words, a faint smile forming on her lips.

Suddenly, Annie's hood was yanked down, undoing her bun in the process and sending her blond hair tumbling loose.

"It's not cold. Why are you wearing your hood? Uh..." Yago froze before he could finish. Annie's slightly tousled hair and her blue eyes, tinged with embarrassed anger, left him entranced for a moment.

Shame on you, Yago. How can you stare at a young girl like that? Coming to his senses, Yago hastily repented inwardly, but a fair, delicate fist was already hurtling toward his chest with unstoppable force.