After graduation, we cadets were temporarily assigned to the Garrison Regiment for deployment. Tomorrow, we would officially join the Scout Regiment — the final step toward the future we'd chosen.
Our first station was the Trost District on Wall Rose — a city structured strikingly similar to Shiganshina on Wall Maria. Both were outer bulges of their respective walls. Technically, Wall Rose was originally considered an interior wall and its districts weren't classified by exposure. But after the fall of Wall Maria, Wall Rose became the front line — and Trost, a sacrificial district, a lure for Titans to concentrate attacks so the stationed regiments could better engage and repel them.
Before taking up our posts, we chose to stroll through the streets of Trost and get a feel for the area.
"They're here! It's the main force of the Scout Regiment!"
As luck would have it, the elite squad recently assembled by the Survey Corps had just returned from an expedition outside the walls.
During our years of training, the 13th Commander of the Survey Corps had taken office — a man named Erwin Smith.
The people of Trost welcomed them with admiration and cheer. Unlike the past, the citizens now carried higher expectations for the Scouts.
"Commander Erwin! Drive those Titans away!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"Look! It's Captain Levi!" another pointed toward the rear of the procession — a man on horseback, cold and unreadable, shifting his gaze away with an air of aloof disdain.
"They say Captain Levi alone is worth an entire brigade in combat strength!"
A brigade — roughly 4,000 soldiers. That was the scale of power people attributed to him now.
"So different from five years ago," Eren said beside me, his voice filled with hope. "The Survey Corps finally has people worth looking up to."
"Yeah, everyone's in much higher spirits now. It's been five years without any major disasters," said Hannah, one of our fellow graduates.
"And the fixed artillery has been upgraded too. That Colossal Titan probably won't be showing up again," added her boyfriend, Franz.
"You two sound ridiculous," Eren snapped. "What kind of idiotic couple talk is that?"
"Oh my… did he just say we make a good couple?" Hannah blushed, whispering shyly.
"Too hasty, aren't you Eren?" Franz smirked.
Apparently, Eren's scolding had the opposite effect. They were thrilled he'd called them a "couple," and now they were blushing in front of him like lovebirds.
I turned my eyes away from the sappy duo and scanned the crowd — and that's when I saw a familiar face begin to emerge.
"Yo! You lot!"
Hannes.
It had been a long time since we last saw him. The man who once failed to save Eren's mother… was alive and well.
"Hannes-san!" Eren beamed, immediately calling out to him with joy.
"I heard you kids graduated yesterday. Can't believe the little brats turned into such impressive soldiers."
Hannes smiled, a mix of pride and nostalgia softening his features. But when his gaze met mine — and Eren's — a flicker of guilt crossed his face.
"You're one to talk. A drunk like you became a Garrison squad leader?" Eren teased, grinning.
"You brat," Hannes chuckled, flicking Eren's forehead playfully.
But then the mood shifted as Hannes grew serious.
"I'm sorry… for not being able to save your mother that day."
"That wasn't your fault, Hannes-san."
Eren's voice had changed. He wasn't that helpless boy from five years ago anymore. He had grown. He had learned.
"We're not ignorant anymore. We won't let that kind of tragedy happen again. We'll defeat the Titans."
His eyes were strong — unwavering — locked onto Hannes's.
Hannes froze, stunned by the unshakable determination in that gaze. This boy was now a soldier.
Then his eyes shifted to me.
He hadn't forgotten.
That day… the moment when I reached out — then hesitated. The moment I didn't grab his hand.
I exhaled slowly.
That familiar guilt still clung to him, even now.
I reached out gently and took his right hand.
Without a word, I placed it on top of my head.
Hannes stared, wide-eyed. His vision shimmered.
He understood.
This was forgiveness.
And so, with a trembling smile, he tousled my hair the way he used to — like back when I was just a little girl beneath the Yeagers' roof.
In silence, the moment passed.
Then we parted again.
Eren had to head to his assigned post: the outer wall of Trost, alongside Connie and the others, where they'd begin maintaining the fixed artillery stations.
None of us knew what was coming.
But the calm that lingered over the city…
Wouldn't last much longer.
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