"Come to think of it, how long has it been since we met?"
Bai Yu sat on a mountaintop overlooking a vast stretch of scenery below. He set a case of liquor on the ground and gazed at the distant horizon, murmuring the question almost to himself.
He seemed a little dazed.
"Eight years."
Ming spoke softly. He had been eleven when he joined the Cadets, though he had lied about his age. Five years later came the retaking of Wall Maria, followed by half a year spent clearing the island, a year and a half of technological development, and his transformation into a Titan a year ago.
"I'm suddenly feeling a little nostalgic. Time really does fly."
Bai Yu smiled softly and looked back at Ming. The sight of his wine-red eyes lifted his spirits considerably.
"I was only about twelve when I first joined the Survey Corps. Now eight years have already passed."
As it happened, Ming was a year younger than Bai Yu, but a year older than Xiate.
Bai Yu sat down on the grass. Although autumn had already arrived, the sunshine was lovely that day. The faint chill only made it more pleasant; it was nothing like the cold of winter.
He slowly opened the bottle in his hand and offered it to Ming.
Ming tilted his head slightly, then glanced at the case beside Bai Yu before accepting the bottle.
"Mm. Thank you, Bai Yu."
His clear, even voice lifted Bai Yu's spirits further. Delighted, Bai Yu instinctively reached out and patted his head.
Ming's hair was silky and wonderfully pleasant to the touch.
Ming took a small sip of liquor. Bai Yu's figure was reflected in his eyes, but they remained as tranquil as a still lake.
Over all those years, everyone's appearance