The sun cast long shadows over the training yard as Keith Shadis' whistle shrilled again.
Alex—Gojo in a child's body,
—stood near the edge, arms crossed, casually observing the cadets.
And then he spotted her.
Sasha Blouse
Her red, sweat-streaked face was fixed in grim determination as she ran lap after lap. Her uniform was streaked with dirt, her small frame moving tirelessly.
Ah… the potato punishment, Alex remembered. Shadis had caught her eating during the ceremony and ordered her to do laps until exhaustion. Judging by the way she staggered, she was near collapse.
He jogged to keep pace with her, careful not to appear too conspicuous.
"Hey," he said casually. "Slow down a little. It's a marathon, not a sprint."
Sasha blinked, confused, but she adjusted her pace just slightly, unaware of how much Alex's timing and advice helped her. No powers, no flashy tricks—just subtle guidance.
"Thanks…" she gasped. "I… I think I can keep going."
Alex grinned, waving a hand. "See? Told you. Not rocket science. Just a little brainpower. Mostly mine, of course."
When the laps ended, Ymir and Historia approached from the other side of the yard. Krista—quiet, petite, hesitant—offered a small loaf of bread she had brought for Sasha. Ymir, taller and confident, walked beside her, observing the scene.
Sasha, exhausted and ravenous, snatched the bread from Krista's hands and devoured it greedily. Crumbs fell across her uniform as she chewed.
Alex tilted his head, amused. This girl… insane. Must have stamina of a Titan—or at least a very dedicated potato enthusiast.
Historia, short and careful, glanced nervously at Sasha. Ymir, taller and sly, grinned confidently.
Alex grinned back. "Nice to meet you both. I'm Alex Satoru. And yes, I occasionally rescue potato girls from laps to the brink of death. Free service today. Lucky you."
Ymir's sharp grin widened. "You're… confident for someone your size."
Alex shrugged, letting his white hair fall lazily over one eye. "Size is overrated. Personality—that's where the real fun begins."
Historia glanced at Alex and then at Sasha. "Why… are you helping her?"
Alex smirked. "Care? Maybe. Entertainment? Definitely. Potato girl running herself to exhaustion? Not on my watch. Someone's gotta make sure she survives so the rest of us can enjoy the show."
Ymir chuckled. "You're… weird. But I like weird."
Sasha wiped her face, cheeks still pink, managing a tired smile. "Thanks…"
Alex winked. "Crazy is just another word for efficient. You'll survive today, and maybe you'll thank me tomorrow."
A sharp whistle pierced the air. Shadis barked: "TRAINEE EVALUATION! Everyone inside—NOW! And yes—Sasha Blouse, don't think you can slow down!"
Alex grinned, jogging alongside Sasha as they moved toward the training hall. He kept a careful eye on both Historia and Ymir.
As they neared the training hall, Sasha's pace faltered. Her legs wobbled, and before anyone could react, she collapsed—landing squarely in Historia's lap.
"Ah! Sasha!" Historia gasped, gently catching her. Her small hands steadied the exhausted girl, brushing crumbs off her uniform.
The moment Sasha's tiny frame slumped completely, her eyes rolling back slightly, Alex's instincts—half-Gojo, half-Alex—kicked in instantly.
"Nope," he muttered, dropping any pretense of subtlety. Before Ymir could step forward, Alex had scooped Sasha into a perfect princess carry. Her small, exhausted body rested against his chest, her head tucked under his chin, crumbs spilling onto his uniform.
"Hey, hey, easy there, potato girl," he said lightly, adjusting her so she wasn't squirming. "Let's get you out of the danger zone before someone else yells at you… or before you turn into a crispy, baked potato."
Historia gasped, reaching out as if to help, but Alex waved her off. "Chill, shortie. I got this. You just… keep being cute and gentle, it suits you."
Historia's cheeks flushed red, but she nodded obediently. Her hands hovered near Sasha, steadying the tiny loaf of bread that had gone forgotten. "Alex… thank you… I think she would've… fallen harder."
Alex smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Don't thank me yet. I'm not even done entertaining myself."
Ymir stepped forward, her taller frame moving alongside them. Her eyes scanned Alex carrying Sasha carefully, then flicked down to Sasha's limp form. "You… plan to walk all the way there like that?"
"Of course," Alex said with a grin, lightly jogging toward the infirmary. "Princess carry style. Efficient, stylish… and yes, slightly heroic."
Ymir's lips twitched in the corner of a smile. "I'll walk with you. Just in case she tries anything… messy."
Alex chuckled. "Don't worry, tall one. I've got this. But feel free to hover like a protective shadow. Adds dramatic flair."
Historia glanced at Alex, worried but trusting. "She's so… small… and you're the same height…"
Alex tilted his head, letting his white hair fall into his face. "Height is overrated, shortie. Strategy, style, and charm—that's how you win. Also, princess carries are my specialty."
Sasha stirred slightly, letting out a small groan. "Mmm… thank… you…"
"See?" Alex whispered theatrically, "already making noises of gratitude. I'll accept gifts of bread and eternal loyalty later. Optional, of course."
Ymir rolled her eyes but stayed close, ready to step in if needed. "You're… ridiculous."
"Correct. Ridiculously efficient." Alex winked down at Sasha, who had already fallen asleep again in his arms, her tiny hands clutching crumbs like precious treasure. "Sleep tight, potato girl. You're officially rescued by yours truly. Don't worry, I'm adding a 'survival bonus' to your stats. You'll thank me later—or not. That's fine too."
Historia followed quietly, carrying Sasha's bread carefully, while Ymir matched Alex's pace. For a moment, the chaotic, playful energy of Alex's world met the serious, careful world of the cadets—and he loved every second of it.
Alex adjusted Sasha in his arms, making sure her tiny frame wasn't jostled too much. Her little hands still clutched the crumbs of the bread she'd barely finished, and she let out soft snores against his chest.
"Alright, potato girl," Alex muttered under his breath, "you're officially in my custody. Step aside, nurses—rescue Gojo is on duty." He smirked, striding confidently toward the infirmary.
Historia followed close behind, holding the remaining bread like it was a sacred artifact. "Alex… be careful…" she said softly.
"Relax, short one," he whispered back. "I'm not gonna let her end up like a fried potato on your watch—or mine. This is basic survival. And style points, obviously."
Ymir matched their pace, walking just slightly ahead so she could check their path. "Don't drop her," she said flatly, her tone calm but carrying a hint of warning.
Alex grinned. "I got this. But feel free to hover dramatically like the tall guardian you are. Adds tension."
As they approached the infirmary, a few cadets noticed the unusual procession. Jean's eyes widened. "What the—Alex? You're carrying Sasha?"
Alex glanced at him over his shoulder, smirking. "Yep. Consider it a free demonstration in survival strategy. Princess carry: 1, chaos: 0."
Eren's jaw tightened. "Seriously? You're… not even—ugh… never mind."
Mikasa gave Alex a sharp look but said nothing, arms crossed. Typical.
Inside the infirmary, Alex gently laid Sasha down on one of the beds, adjusting her so she wouldn't roll off. "There you go, princess potato. Nap time. You've earned it. Optional gratitude still pending, but I accept coins, bread, or eternal admiration."
Historia knelt beside the bed, brushing Sasha's hair gently. "Thank you… Alex… for helping her."
Alex shrugged, leaning against the bedpost casually. "Eh, I mean, someone had to prevent a food-fueled tragedy. Couldn't let the potato girl die before lunch. That'd be a scandal."
Ymir leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, still watching. "She's safe now. You did… well enough."
Alex grinned at her. "Well enough? I'd call it flawless execution. Maximum efficiency, zero casualties. And yes, minor chaos included as bonus."
Historia smiled softly at Alex, a little amused by his antics but clearly relieved. "She's… lucky to have you."
"Lucky?" Alex tilted his head, white hair falling over one eye. "Nah. She's entertaining. Survival is fun when someone keeps it spicy. And besides…"
He glanced down at Sasha's sleeping form. "Someone's gotta make sure she survives to annoy everyone tomorrow."
Ymir's lips twitched in a faint, reluctant smile. "You really are… ridiculous."
Alex winked. "Correct. And efficient. Chaos with style. Remember that."
Historia shook her head softly, glancing at both of them. "You really… are one of a kind, Alex."
Alex smirked, leaning back casually. "Of course. And don't worry—your tiny potato friend is in perfect hands. Now, short, tall, and I—dynamic trio activated. Let the chaos commence."
For the first time since arriving in this strange, deadly world, Alex felt… at home. Chaos, allies, potato girls… and endless entertainment. Perfect.
Alex grinned to himself. Short, kind, careful, and tall, watchful—perfect team. And me? Just here to keep things fun… and survive the chaos I call training.