Xiate followed behind White Fish as they walked down from the hillside, passing through street after street. In the blink of an eye, three young figures appeared ahead. White Fish narrowed his eyes slightly.
At the corner not far away stood a young girl wearing a red scarf, a blonde boy, and the son of a doctor who was talking to the blonde boy. They were the protagonists of this world.
White Fish felt a slight sense of emotion in his heart and reached out to wave at them. His relationship with them was quite good because the doctor had often helped White Fish's grandfather and the two of them in the past; the two families had always been close.
Consequently, they would often come to talk to White Fish about various things, including matters beyond the walls. Although White Fish was about the same age as them, for some reason, they always felt he knew a great deal. Moreover, none of the three disliked his personality, so they could be considered good friends.
Furthermore, White Fish had helped Armin drive away those who bullied him many times.
"Eren, Mikasa, Armin."
Hearing White Fish's voice, the three of them, who had been arguing about something, turned around in surprise and hurried over.
"White Fish."
Looking at Mikasa, who was a bit taller than himself, White Fish couldn't help but feel a bit dejected. Why was he growing so slowly? Of course, he was just joking.
"Helping your parents gather firewood on the mountain?"
"Yeah."
Mikasa nodded gently, while Eren, standing beside her, spoke to White Fish with excitement.
"Hey, did you see? The Survey Corps went outside the walls for an Expedition Beyond the Walls today!"
Seeing Eren's excited expression, White Fish didn't know what to say for a moment. Although he knew the truth of this world, if he spoke it aloud, people would call him a madman, and the Military Police Brigade might even come knocking the next day.
Sighing softly, he could only offer a word of comfort.
"Yeah, I hope they return in triumph."
Beside them, Mikasa shifted her gaze slightly to look at Eren, her expression remaining calm, but White Fish could see the worry deep in her eyes. Armin looked toward the outside of the walls with anticipation, seemingly imagining something.
Just then, Xiate, who was behind White Fish, poked him in the back and spoke up.
"White Fish, if we don't go home now, there won't be enough time to cook dinner."
White Fish smiled immediately and bid farewell to the three in front of him.
"True, it's getting late. Go back early; don't make Doctor Jaeger and the others worry."
"Okay, see you later, White Fish."
As White Fish and Xiate gradually moved away from Eren and the others, Xiate spoke with a slight frown.
"Eren said he wants to become a soldier in that Survey Corps or whatever. Isn't he afraid of making Doctor Jaeger and the others worry?"
Walking ahead, White Fish took an earphone and plugged it into his ear, smiling as he spoke.
"That's just Eren's personality. Doctor Jaeger and the others probably won't be able to stop him anyway."
These words made Xiate look seriously at her brother beside her, and she spoke somewhat cautiously.
"White Fish, you... you wouldn't want to join that Survey Corps or anything, would you?"
White Fish was slightly stunned. He didn't answer directly but asked back instead.
"Why do you think I'd want to join the Survey Corps?"
Xiate turned her head slightly.
"It's just... just a feeling. You seem to have a different feeling about the Survey Corps."
White Fish laughed in spite of himself and reached out to pat the girl's head.
"At least for now, I have no such intention. Even if I were to become a soldier, wouldn't it be easier to join the Garrison Regiment? Xiate, you know me; I don't like troublesome things, even though I do admire the soldiers of the Survey Corps."
This answer finally put Xiate's mind at ease.
That's right, her older brother hated trouble.
She thought to herself.
She swatted away White Fish's hand from her head, gave a light huff, and quickly took two steps forward to lead the way.
Watching Xiate hurry home, White Fish spoke helplessly.
"Walk a bit slower."
"If I go any slower, your sister is going to starve to death," she replied flatly.
Even though she said that, Xiate quietly glanced back, and her pace gradually slowed. From walking ahead, she eventually fell back beside White Fish, her eyes drifting toward him from time to time.
...
As night fell, after washing up, White Fish gave a large yawn. For some reason, he was always a bit prone to sleepiness during the day.
Rubbing his eyes, he pushed open his bedroom door, only to see Xiate sitting on the bed clutching a pillow, her eyes fixed quietly on him.
"I'm sleeping with Brother today."
For a moment, White Fish's hand paused. He then rubbed his eyes vigorously, muttering to himself.
"I'm hearing things. I must not have rested well lately."
He closed the door and opened it again a few seconds later, only to see Xiate still sitting on the bed. White Fish asked somewhat tiredly.
"Ah, Xiate, what's wrong?"
"Mhm, I'm sleeping with White Fish today."
White Fish couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. Ah, as expected? How could Xiate call him 'Brother'? He hadn't heard that address in years.
As for Xiate sleeping with him, he didn't feel much about it. After all, back when it was just them and their grandfather, the two of them slept together. After their grandfather passed away, they had two rooms, but Xiate still frequently ran over to sleep with him.
After all, they only had each other to depend on, especially for Xiate.
He wanted to rub her head, but his hand was ruthlessly swatted away again.
Not cute at all.
White Fish curled his lip.
He blew out the candle. The moment he hit the bed, his breathing became steady in less than three seconds. Seeing White Fish fall asleep instantly, Xiate proactively snuggled into his arms, burying her head in his chest, a smile of peace touching the corners of her mouth.
As for White Fish, while his body was asleep, his consciousness was not.
A system panel appeared in his mind.
[Daily Tasks]
[Training Ground]
[Inventory]
[Other]
There was nothing else. It was a very simple interface, and the 'Other' button was grayed out and unclickable.
The inventory could only hold items rewarded by the system, such as those books and the earphones.
Thinking no more, White Fish sank his consciousness into the Training Ground...