Once Again

Last night I'd just discovered that Eren lives next door in the apartment.

Work started again in the office floor and I was passing out manuscirpts to editors as usual.

Neither Eren and I saying a word to each other until he said something.

"Uh, [f/n]? Can you get me some coffee?" He asked. I tensed up.

Here he is trying to break the tension with a command.

"H-how about get it yourself..."

"Then I'll tell Connie about the letter" he added. I recoiled.

"N-nevermind I'll do it" I said, scurrying to the breakroom.

Now he's using the letter to blackmail me. I sighed, preparing the coffee machine.

That's when Sasha and Hanji entered the breakroom. Sasha grinned at me.

"So" she cooed, poking my arm "Did Levi said anything about your letter?" she giggled like a school girl.

I tensed. I shouldn't tell them about Eren getting the letter instead. I shook my head abruptly.

"N-nah, he didn't say anything about it" I managed a dry smile "I-it's better that way! I-I mean, at least he didn't made it embarrassing between us!" I said, trying to act enthusiastic.

Hanji laughed "Yeah, Levi's face didn't changed a bit" she tried to mock his poker face, furrowing her eyebrows and twisting her lips into a scowl

"His face is still like this" she claimed. Me and Sasha laughed along.

"Or..." Sasha trailed off, shooting me a mischievous but suspecting look.

"Did you not really placed the letter in his bag?" she said. I tensed but I waved it off with my hand dismissively.

"W-whaaaat? No way, Sasha. I do my dare fair and square" I said.

Even though it failed and backfired two times.

Sasha bursted out laughing "Just kidding, [f/n], well you did the dare, congratulations" she shook my hand like the thing I did was a deal to be settled. But that didn't calmed me down.

Beep.

The coffee maker finished and I poured some coffee in a paper cup for Eren. The coffee scent calmed me down somehow.

"Well, I gotta go" I chuckled nervously, holding the cup with a tissue so I wouldn't get burned "See ya' later!"

Sasha chuckled "Yeah, see ya'!"

Hanji checked her wrist-watch "Oh, I almost forgot, there's a meeting for the editors. Keep working today, alright?" she waved at us before leaving the breakroom.

I left the breakroom and went back to Eren. I handed him the coffee.

"Here's your coffee" I said and he stared at it. I could still feel the tension between us. About the letter, but more about the apartment thing.

Knowing your standing beside your neighbor in a different place? Much worse you work in the same company? And going home in the same apartment? Isn't that awkward?

"Did you put sugar or creamer in it?"

"Huh? T-then you should've said that earlier! You do it!"

"Hey Connie!-"

"Okay okay! I'll go!"

Eren bursted laughing at my reaction. I blinked, tilting my head then I slowly thought of it.

Is he doing this to put away the awkwardness between us?

***

After the meeting of the editors, Hanji gathered us up in the common room for the interns.

"So, this month, we'll be releasing one of our magazines. But we're having a crisis on our short story page" she sighed.

I adjusted on my seat beside Eren, listening as Hanji continued.

"Our recent writer retired last month so our spot for the author is vacant" She said "She wrote many inspirational short stories that gave advice to our readers"

Silent murmurs filled the room until Hanji talked again.

"And so, I'm asking for your help to look for any available authors. Erwin and the others are already working on it" she said "But, please, if you know one, tell us"

I already had an author in mind. I read her books and they were wonderful with heart-wrenching quotes and the ending will leave you in tears. Despite that, it gives good advice.

If I remembered it right, the author's name was Kira Kasuka. I knew her through my mom, since they were good friends until Kira isolated herself.

Kira wrote wonderful books until she stopped. The reason was unknown. I also heard she left the company she worked for and shut herself in her house.

But still I thought about her, maybe there's someway to convince her.

After the small meeting, I approached Hanji.

"Hanji-san, are you familiar with Kasuka Kira?" I asked. Hanji blinked and thought for a while.

"Hm, yeah, I heard her name and about her books. Why?" she tilted her head.

"I..." It seemed impossible but "I think I'll ask her" this seemed to surprise her.

"But, [f/n], I heard rumours that said she gave up on writing" Hanji said, exaperated.

I gathered up my determination. I love Kira's books. They were amazing. And I want to see it again.

"I'll find a way to convince her!" I said, though that'll be hard to do.

"Do you even know where she lives? That'll be not easy for you, [f/n], are you sure about this?" Hanji raised an eyebrow.

"I read her books, they were wonderful. My mom knows where she lives if I could just go there and talk to her...maybe it would work! I'll take whatever consequence!" I said, feeling the determination growing in me.

Hanji seemed impressed by this when she put on a faint smile. She placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Well, [f/n], I'm counting on you"