Retrieving ?Eremika

Mikasa's P.O.V.
Students trickled into the classroom, filling the vacant spots, sounds of laughter bursting from all corners. I closed my eyes to seal myself away from this boisterous room of joy. Laughter had usually sounded pleasant, yet it was simply a din now, causing my ears to ring. I tipped my head back against the wall, swallowing back the salty tears. There was a subtle vibration from within the walls. It resonated, shaking the room. The volume of students' chattering decreased, yet some remained unaware. My eyes snapped open, darting around to absorb my surroundings. My grip on the edge of my chair tightened, every part of my instincts hollering at me to move.

A figure loomed before me, hand outstretched. "Mikasa, we have to go, the titans are here. Come with me to join the Survey Corps," Eren pleaded with a note of distress in his tone of voice. He was struggling for air, short of breath after blindly dashing to the classroom.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I murmured with my eyes shut so I would not have to see his reaction, which pierced my heart. I heard his hand fell to his side. I would've joined the Survey Corps if it weren't for what he did earlier.

"M-Mikasa? Why? This is not the time for this, Mikasa, we have to go," he urged, kneeling before my desk. A flame in my heart kindled. What was he playing at?

"I have to fight now. I'll be at the bell tower with Levi's squad. You know where to find me if you need me," Eren's hand reached for mine and gave it reassuring squeeze. Levi? Nothing was making any sense. When I did not return his affection, he sighed, bounding to his feet.

"I don't need you, Eren," I whispered, instantly regretting what I said. He inhaled a rattled breath and left. A rumble sounded from the depths of the earth. The rest of the class had thronged to the door, clambering over desks and chairs to escape.

Jean and Krista, appearing out of nowhere, grabbed me by the hand, guiding me out with the crowd.
End of Mikasa's P.O.V.

Eren's P.O.V.
She must had spotted me with Annie. There was no other explanation for her actions. I had an overwhelming amount of explaining to do. I jogged to Levi, who had been waiting by the gates, unperturbed by the wave of students scrambling out.

"Heads up, Yeager, and hurry," He gestured for me to follow him, as we meandered through the chaos, "our squad has gathered already at the bell tower the last time I checked. You're going to be late."

Regardless of the hectic plight I was in, I searched around the crowd, hoping to see Mikasa. There was no sign of her anywhere. Levi's squad was indeed, situated on the terracotta roof of the bell tower, overlooking the rubble of Trost District. Hanji was pointing my direction, alerting the others of our arrival. My head weighed a hundred tonnes. Every cell in my body was barking at me to leave my comrades and protect Mikasa.

"You're finally here. Let's go northwards," Petra enthusiastically stated, punching the air. Levi's squad began to take flight in their 3DMG, in an organised form, like mechanical bees in the sky. My phobia for 3DMG still hadn't settled properly, after last time. There was Mikasa in my life now, I did not want to risk losing my current memories, or worst, my life.

An omen foreshadowed that this was not going to end well.
End of Eren's P.O.V.

Mikasa's P.O.V.
Krista and Jean did not follow the flow towards the gates. Instead, they led me to a less densely populated area to meet up with Ymir, Bertoldt, Reiner and Armin. This had been Armin's suggestion to avoid crowded places as they attracted Titans to attack them. I was keen to return home to tend to my aunt, whose safety was my priority, yet Krista beckoned me to stay, as I had 'elite fightings skills'.

Their rendezvous was a block away from the school, in a derelict store, glass shards strewn on the ground, the darkness inside framed by the ragged window frame. We peeped in furtively, "Armin?"

Ymir stumbled out to greet Krista, motioning for us to enter the forsaken building. I felt my heart flutter with relief as I saw the familiar faces encircle me. The room was pitch dark, other than the flickering kerosene lamp sitting idly on the wooden table. From the shadows, a figure emerged. It was Leonhardt, who casted me a shocked look as I stepped in. My brows knitted in confusion. What was she doing here?

"Mikasa!" Armin smiled, showing teeth, "where's Eren?"

"Don't ask," I tried to avoid Annie's gaze. I thought everyone would have known that Eren went to battle against the Titans. A soft thought touched my mind. Perhaps I was the only one he had told about his walk of life. No one appeared to have any knowledge of him being enrolled in the Survey Corps.

A sudden realisation dawned upon me as I jerked my head up. He was involved, at this moment, in a war against Titans. No one would know the outcome of their confrontation. The possibility of him dying flashed briefly in my head as I recalled what I last said to him. I don't need you, Eren. They could be the final words I would ever say to him. A minor part of me still hovered over the fact that he kissed Annie, yet I felt a hysterical urge to fight alongside him, and just be with him. What have I done?

"You know, Mikasa, Eren probably has heaps to tell you right now," Armin ripped through my tapestry of thoughts, "where is he?"

I shook my head frantically, staring at the patterns on the rug beneath our feet. A somber moment passed between us. "What is it that he wishes to tell me?" I braced myself for a soul-shattering response.

"I don't think I should tell you. You'll have to find him," he muttered, unwittingly reaching behind him for Annie's hand. She walked forwards, facing me directly.

"Mikasa, just go search for him now," Annie offered, and she tilted her head sideways to nudge Armin's shoulder with her nose. The boy flushed, raising his arm to embrace the girl, who sank into him willingly.

What? Armin and Annie? What about Eren, Annie?

Despite seeing this unworldly scene, I took off onto the boulevard, orientating myself in the correct direction to the Main Street. I wondered what Eren had to say to me. I gathered from our brutal conversation before he left that he would be with Levi's squad. Levi's involvement in this sounded absolutely absurd. Curiosity propelled me along the broken grounds of Trost District, towards the bell tower to meet Eren.
End of Mikasa's P.O.V.