[DISCONTINUED] Entangled in the Strings of Fate ~ Attack on Titan (Levi x OC)

03. Greetings and Farewell

"She won't get hurt." Farlan sudden statement sounded so firm. "Firstly, we're gonna find out who that man is."

Isabel and Levi arched their brows. "...You're not really thinking of accepting it, are you?" Isabel glared at him.

"Aside from the golds, being able to live on the capital... only someone noble would be able to offer us lives we could never imagine before," Farlan glanced back.

"...If we do obtain those documents, his next target will probably be us," Levi commented.

"Probably," Farlan emphasized. "We'll get those documents, but our target is 'that man'. Once they're in our possession, we can use them to treathen him."

"A bunch of low class thugs threatening those pigs?" Levi was still having his doubts.

"C'mon, this could be our only chance to get out from this dump and find a nice place to live outside," Farlan gestured his hands. "And also..."

"Also?"

"...we could threaten him to let Aile join us to the surface."

Isabel and Levi didn't reply. Eventually Levi opened his mouth.

"...Fine. We'll go with your plan, Farlan."

-End of flashback-

"Here you go, guys!"

The three widened their eyes at the dish in front of them. It was just a plain big-sized omelette, but it was enough to make Farlan gulped, Isabel drooled, and Levi stared at it with his eyes wide opened.

Aile cut the omelette into four even slices and put each of it on Isabel's, Farlan's, Levi's, and her plate.

"A-Aile, you sure we can eat this?" Farlan looked at Aile while trying his best to resist a drool. The aroma was just too appetizing.

"Of course!" Aile smiled cheerfully. "But it's not so fresh anymore, so... sorry," she suddenly looked a little depressed.

"No, no! This is perfect!" Isabel's eyes were twinkling as she looked at Aile. Drools were streaming down from her mouth.

"Wipe those disgusting drools away from your disgusting face, Isabel!" Levi looked disgustedly at Isabel. Isabel immediately wiped her mouth using her right sleeve. "Sorry, aniki!"

Aile laughed when Levi's face turned into even more loathed look. "Let's dig in!"

The four each took a bite. "...This is delish!!" Isabel's cheeks blushed lightly as soon as the omelette entered her mouth.

"True... It's so fluffy..." Farlan commented with a smile. He closed his eyes as he enjoyed the meal.

"I could eat this everyday and not get bored!" Isabel said before chowing down the whole omelette.

"Isabel, for something as tasty as this you should took your time to really savor it," Farlan glanced at Isabel before putting a small slice into his mouth.

"Bhwat if itz ghetz chold it whontz whe ghood anyhwore," Isabel said with full mouth. Farlan scoffed. "Zip your mouth while eating, idiot."

"Thanks! You really flatter me..." Aile sheepishly said. "Hey Levi, what about you? You haven't said a word..." Aile looked at Levi who was sitting next to her left.

"Huh?" Levi looked back at her.

"...Not bad, I suppose..." Levi said plainly as he glanced back at the omelette. "...what are you guys staring at?"

The three did stare dumbfoundedly at him. Since Aile and Farlan just kept staring in silence, Isabel gulped down before deciding to be the one to answer. "Aniki... you are crying,"

Levi blinked, raised his hand to touch his cheek, and he could feel something wet on his cheek. "You are right, huh..."

"What was that, Levi? Getting emotional just by eating a slice of omelette?" Aile's face slightly blushed as she teased him.

"It's settled! Aile's omelette is the best!" Isabel chirped happily.

Aile chuckled nervously. "I'll make sure to make it for you guys again some time!"

The atmosphere instantly fell heavy. No one reacted, the three just looked at their plates silently.

Aile, who noticed the awkwardness, cocked her head in wonder. "Hey... what's wrong, guys?"

"Say, Aile..." Farlan began. "What is it?" Aile looked expectantly at him, waiting for him to continue.

Farlan glanced at her, but then he just looked back at his half-emptied plate. "No... nothing important."

"Aile!" Isabel suddenly exclaimed as she stood up. Aile looked confusedly at her. "Yes?"

"It's a promise! Don't you dare forget it!" Isabel's green orbs were visibly glistening.

Was it too hard for them to say goodbye?

Aile stared back into Isabel's eyes. "...Yes. You have my word." She finally said with gentle smile.

But of course, that wasn't their last meeting.

"We are going, Aile." Levi glanced at her before leading his friends out of the store. Aile nodded. "Thanks for today!" She smiled genuinely at them.

The strings of fate would eventually brought them together, and ultimately reuniting them.

The three briefly glanced back at her, before they pulled the trigger of their 3DMG.

...once again.

And lost between the buildings.

----------------

Aile watched as the three departed. Once she had lost sight of them, she silently flipped the open sign of her store over then went inside.

Aile closed the door and slid down, her back was pressed against the door. She pulled her legs closer to her chest and hugged them. She slowly reached her skirt pocket, and took out the same silver watch that had brought the four of them together.

She clicked the button. The watch opened, showing its ticking hands below its cracked glass.

"...How strange," she stared blankly at the watch. "You are just a small pocket watch that actually only worth of six silver coins... yet all the memories you brought to me are so priceless."

The sound of the ticking watch reverberated in the silent room. A warm liquid slowly fell from the corner of Aile's brown eyes.

Aile clutched the watch tightly in her hand. "...Tomorrow is the day," she whispered to herself. She then wiped her tears before standing and walked to the inner room. Soon she came back with a long cloak veiling her short stature.

Aile opened the store door and locked it. She briefly glanced at her store before putting on the hood.

"...see ya. Thanks for everything."

Aile turned, tossing the key away, and soon lost into the darkness.