Levi glanced at Sasha tied to the pillar, then crouched down and untied the rope.
"Thank you, Captain!" Sasha thanked him repeatedly, then turned to leave.
"Hold it. Stay and clean up," Levi said flatly.
"Huh?" Sasha's face fell, and she stayed behind, looking miserable.
On the street outside Survey Corps Headquarters.
The four of them found some steps and sat down.
"Four months went by in a flash, but it feels like it's been ages," Chen Si said with a sigh.
"Yeah. Four months ago, we were here thinking about joining the military. Who would've thought we'd not only join the Survey Corps, but also retake Trost District?" Armin said happily.
"Yeah, it's been a long time. I used to think about unrealistic things, like why I couldn't have the same incredible strength as Chen Si or the captain. I was jealous back then. But even you and the captain couldn't accomplish anything alone, right? So as long as we work together, we can be even stronger. Maybe that's why everyone is different," Eren said.
"Yeah, that must be it." Hearing that, Armin felt more certain of his own role and gained confidence.
"Eren, you've grown up," Chen Si said earnestly.
"Have I? You always sound like an adult sometimes, Chen Si. But you really are a lot more mature than us. I often feel lost, wondering what our future will be like.
"Last time, Chris told me I only felt uncertain about my future because I was still young, and that I wouldn't feel that way once I was old. I can't know what fate has in store for us, but as long as we do the best we can, that should be enough, right?" Eren said.
Listening to Eren, Chen Si fell into thought.
*Fate... was