Damn—killing god!
Zeke's heart lurched. Don't even wash the vegetables—find a place to hide, now!
Carla froze in panic, looking like a guilty child caught sneaking sweets. "I clearly told them there were no guests at home…" she whispered.
"Only a fool would believe that," Zeke muttered sharply, though not in anger. "Without seeing for themselves, soldiers will never let go of a clue. We have to hide first!"
The living room erupted into chaos. Reiner and the others scrambled desperately, searching for cover.
Zeke spotted Reiner trying to squeeze under the table and immediately grabbed his legs, dragging him back out. "Hey! What are you doing? That short guy's coming—he'll spot you instantly! If you're going to hide, hide somewhere high!"
"Oh!" Reiner blinked, realization dawning. With help from Eren and Mikasa, the four warriors clambered up and tucked themselves along the beams overhead, holding their breath.
A sharp voice pierced through the wooden door.
"Is anyone home? If you don't open up, I'll kick it in."
Impatience dripped from every syllable. Levi.
"That hooligan! Zeke cursed inwardly. How can a soldier act like a common thug?"
"I'm coming!" Carla called, rushing out of the kitchen and wiping her hands on her apron. As she neared the door, she glanced up, checking to make sure Zeke and the others were hidden securely in the rafters. Only then did she take Eren and Mikasa by the hand and open the door.
Outside stood three soldiers, young and sharp-eyed. At their head was a man with pale skin, sharp features, and an aura colder than steel.
"Everyone said we don't have any guests!" Carla protested, but Levi brushed her aside and walked in without hesitation.
This man carried himself less like a soldier and more like a gang leader—ruthless, uncompromising, eyes sharp enough to cut glass.
He swept his gaze around the room.
The fire burned steadily on the stove.
Fresh vegetables, washed and laid out, waited to be cooked. Yet no extra guests were in sight.
Then his eyes landed on the candy jar sitting openly on the table. His brows furrowed.
"Brother, do you want some candy too?"
The voice was cheerful, innocent.
Eren stood with the jar clutched in his small hands, already holding a candy out toward Levi.
Levi: "…"
A vein bulged on his temple.
"Who are you calling 'brother,' brat?" he growled, teeth gritted. At twenty-seven, he was old enough to be this kid's father.
"I'm calling you!" Eren said brightly, his grin wide.
"Everyone gets a share. If you want to eat, you can have one too!"
The boy's tone was pure, but the way he added the word "too" somehow made it worse.
Levi's foot twitched. It itched.
He was two seconds away from punting this child across the room.
But before he could, the lid on the pot rattled violently—clang! Steam hissed.
"Sorry, please move aside!" Carla rushed past to rescue her boiling soup.
Levi pinched the bridge of his nose, staring wordlessly into the kitchen.
"…There are only two children at home, yet you're preparing this much food?" Isabel asked curiously, frowning at the spread.
Before she could say more, Levi cut her off. "Enough, Isabel."
"?" Isabel blinked.
"There's no one we're looking for here. Don't disturb the host's dinner," Levi said firmly. "We'll return tomorrow morning to search for those little brats running around."
"Ah?" Isabel looked baffled, but Levi was already turning for the door. She had no choice but to follow.
As they stepped outside, Isabel's curiosity bubbled over. "Why didn't we search properly? There's definitely someone inside!
Even that jar of candy—it doesn't look like something from Shiganshina!"
Levi gave her a flat look.
"The 'hero' just wants to eat with his family tonight. Let him. That much we can grant."
"Ohh, so that's it!" Isabel's eyes lit up as she and Fran nodded in understanding.
But before Levi could lead them farther, a small hand shot out from behind the doorframe.
"Brother, do you really not want candy? It's delicious!"
Levi froze. Slowly, he turned his head. Eren stood there, candy jar in hand, holding another sweet out to him.
"You little brat!" Levi's restraint finally snapped. His foot twitched again, itching worse than ever.
"Calm down!" Fran quickly threw his arms around Levi, half-laughing, half-panicked. "He's just a child!"
Levi's glare could have frozen stone. "Who hasn't been a child before? So what if he's a kid—does that mean he can disrespect adults? Giving me candy—what does he think I am?"
"Okay, okay, okay!" Isabel rushed forward, snatching the candy from Eren's hand before Levi could explode. She crouched, patting the boy's head with a gentle smile. "Thank you. We'll accept your candy. Tomorrow, we'll come play with you again."
Then, without giving Levi time to argue, she grabbed his arm and tugged him firmly down the street.
If they stayed another minute, Levi really would draw his blades.
Their voices faded around the corner. Isabel's exasperated scolding was the last thing to linger in the air:
"Captain, don't get angry every time a child gives you candy! It's just a kid this time—be gentle, for once!"
Back inside, Eren hugged the jar against his chest, staring after them with a pout.
"I wanted to trade candy for their 3D maneuver gear," he mumbled, "just to touch it…"
Zeke, still hiding in the rafters, pressed a palm over his face. This kid…