Xiate

Xiate followed Bai Yu down the hillside and through the streets. As they rounded a corner, three young figures came into view, and Bai Yu narrowed his eyes slightly.

Not far away, at a street corner, stood a girl wearing a red scarf, a blond boy, and the doctor's son, who was talking to the blond boy. They were the protagonists of this world.

A touch of emotion stirred in Bai Yu's heart, and he raised a hand in greeting. He got along quite well with them. The doctor had often helped his grandfather and the two siblings in the past, so their families had always been close.

That was why they often came to talk to Bai Yu about all sorts of things, including the world beyond the walls. Although he was about their age, they always felt, for some reason, that he knew a great deal. All three liked his personality, too, and they could be considered good friends.

Bai Yu had also driven off Armin's bullies many times.

"Eren, Mikasa, Armin."

At the sound of Bai Yu's voice, the three, who had been arguing about something, turned their heads in pleased surprise and hurried over.

"Bai Yu."

Looking at Mikasa, who was a little taller than him, Bai Yu couldn't help feeling dejected. Why was I growing so slowly? Of course, he was only joking.

"Did you go up the mountain to gather firewood for your parents?"

"Yes."

Mikasa nodded gently, while Eren excitedly addressed Bai Yu.

"Hey, did you see? The Survey Corps went beyond the walls on another Expedition Beyond the Walls today!"

Seeing Eren's excited expression, Bai Yu didn't know what to say for a moment. Although he knew what was going on in this world, if he spoke about it, not only would people take him for a lunatic, but the Military Police might come knocking the very next day.

He sighed softly and could only offer a few comforting words.

"Yeah. Let's hope they return victorious."

Mikasa glanced sideways at Eren. Her expression was as calm as ever, but Bai Yu could see the worry in her eyes. Armin gazed hopefully toward the world beyond the walls, as though imagining something.

Just then, Xiate poked Bai Yu in the back and spoke.

"Bai Yu, if we don't go home soon, we won't have time to make dinner."

Bai Yu smiled and said goodbye to the three.

"She's right. It's getting late. You should head home early, too. Don't make Doctor Jaeger and the others worry."

"Okay. Goodbye, Bai Yu."

As Bai Yu and Xiate gradually put some distance between themselves and Eren's group, Xiate spoke with a slight frown.

"Eren said he wants to become a soldier in that Survey Corps or whatever. Isn't he afraid he'll worry Doctor Jaeger and the others?"

Walking ahead of her, Bai Yu picked up an earbud and put it in his ear, smiling as he replied.

"That's just how Eren is. Doctor Jaeger and the others probably won't be able to stop him."

His words made Xiate turn a serious gaze toward her brother. She spoke cautiously.

"Bai Yu, you... you don't want to join that Survey Corps or anything, do you?"

Bai Yu paused briefly. Instead of answering directly, he asked a question of his own.

"Why do you think I'd want to join the Survey Corps?"

Xiate turned her head slightly.

"I just... I just get that feeling. You seem to feel differently about the Survey Corps."

Bai Yu couldn't help chuckling. He reached out and patted the girl's head.

"At least for now, I have no plans to do that. Even if I became a soldier, wouldn't joining the Garrison Regiment be easier? You know me, Xiate. I don't like anything that troublesome, though I do admire the soldiers of the Survey Corps."

Only after hearing Bai Yu's answer did Xiate relax.

That's right. My brother hates hassle.

That was what she thought to herself.

She slapped away Bai Yu's hand on her head and gave a soft huff, then quickly took a couple of steps forward to walk ahead of him.

Watching Xiate hurry toward home, Bai Yu spoke helplessly.

"Slow down."

"If I go any slower, your little sister will starve to death."

Her tone was flat.

Despite her words, Xiate stole a glance behind her and gradually slowed down. Having moved ahead of him, she slowly drifted back to Bai Yu's side, her eyes flicking toward him from time to time.

Night fell, and after washing up, Bai Yu let out a huge yawn. For some reason, he tended to be rather sleepy even on an ordinary day.

Rubbing his eyes, he pushed open the door to his room, only to find Xiate sitting on his bed with a pillow in her arms, quietly watching him.

"I'm going to sleep with my big brother tonight."

Bai Yu's hand froze for a moment. Then he rubbed his eyes hard and muttered.

"I'm hearing things. Looks like I haven't been getting enough rest lately."

He closed the door, then opened it again a few seconds later. Xiate was still sitting on the bed. Sounding rather drained, Bai Yu asked.

"Oh, Xiate. What's the matter?"

"Mm. I'm going to sleep with Bai Yu tonight."

Bai Yu couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. Ah, just as I thought. How could Xiate possibly call me her big brother? He hadn't heard her address him that way in years.

As for Xiate sleeping with him, he didn't think much of it. Back when their grandfather was still around, the two of them had slept together anyway. After their grandfather passed away, they eventually had separate rooms, but Xiate still often came over to sleep with him.

After all, they only had each other to rely on, especially as far as Xiate was concerned.

He tried to pat her head, only for her to slap his hand away without mercy again.

Not cute at all.

Bai Yu couldn't help pursing his lips.

He blew out the candle and got into bed. Within three seconds, his breathing had become steady. Watching Bai Yu fall asleep almost instantly, Xiate nestled into his arms and buried her head against his chest, a reassured smile curling her lips.

As for Bai Yu, his body was asleep, but his consciousness was not.

A system panel appeared in his mind.

[Today's tasks]

[Training grounds]

[Inventory]

[Other]

There was nothing else. The interface was extremely simple, and the "Other" button was grayed out and couldn't be clicked.

The inventory could only hold items rewarded by the system, such as those books and this earbud.

Without dwelling on it any further, Bai Yu immersed his consciousness in the training grounds...