White Hoodie (An AruAni AU)

Chapter 1: Reminisce

Armin's POV

"To introduce ourselves, we are a special brand of a police force, not your regular type of police catching thieves or pickpocketing. We specialise in countering terrorism, not just in Shingashina, but the whole of Paradis. Beside me are the newer members of the Paradis Special Duties Unit (PSDU), Mr Levi Ackerman, the existing vice-captain, Mr Eren Yeager, Ms Mikasa Ackerman, the second female member of the unit, Mr Jean Kirstein, Mr Connie Springer and lastly the new captain of PSDU and your former alumni, Mr Armin Arlert."

The students of Shingashina Primary School then gave us a round of applause, some of them embracing our warm entrance to my former school. The commissioner of the Paradis Police Force, Erwin Smith, was invited to share a talk about life in the special duties unit and how we carried out our jobs. 

After a good 10 years of my service in the police force, where I got promoted to become a member of the PSDU, here I am standing in front of my fellow juniors with pride and honour.

"The following slides show our success in several operations we carried out against the terrorist groups in the world. And one of our most successful ones is the mass shooting in Trost Church back in 2018, where Mr Yeager, Mr Arlert and Mr Ackerman successfully responded in the shooting carried out by several members of Muskan, together with several of the Trost police members, we managed to prevent many casualties and save the lives of hundreds of people."

It was then followed by a standing ovation from the students and teachers below the stage with them hollering "Sasageyo!", as we clenched our fist and hit it hard on our chest.

"With that, I shall present to you your former alumni, the new captain of PSDU, Mr Armin Arlert!"

Ah, it's my turn now? Gosh, my palms are sweating so badly! Why do I still have stage fright till now?

"Hey, Armin."

It was Eren letting out a slight grin.

"I know! I'm trying to get a grip of myself."

"If the kids down there know you have stage fright, they're gonna laugh at you man."

"Don't be so loud!"

I quickly rubbed off my sweat as Sir Erwin passed me the microphone. Taking a deep breath, I began my slides...

"Good morning f-fellow students."

Calm down Armin, don't stumble your words! 

"I'm Armin Arlert, and I am a former student of Shingashina Primary School. Well, to introduce myself, I wasn't the bravest of the men before I first enlisted into Shingashina Police Force. Having a timid demeanour, I was often bullied by the bigger boys there."

As I showed a picture of my younger self, I wasn't surprised to see the crowd appalled about my skinny appearance and unkempt hair, which even I found disgraceful.

"Well, I'm not ashamed of who I was back then. Instead of self demoralising myself, I looked at the bright side of things and stood up against those pathetic bullies and here we are, the new captain of PSDU ready to serve Paradis Island. It's all thanks to my friends and family for making me who I am..."

~~

The sharing went much longer than expected, and I didn't realise that I had spoken for about 30 minutes despite the stage fright I had. Even as a courageous member of the special unit, it couldn't take away one of my biggest fears.

Exiting the stage, I decided to take a stroll around the school for a while as the rest of my colleagues were taking a quick bite in the school canteen.

Walking past my old classroom, it was now way more developed; the straight-backed wooden chairs are now replaced with brand new delicately modernist chairs; along the walls were posters and diagrams that used to be prohibited back in my time, and now there's even an aircon comfortably installed at the top of the wall. The classroom had the usual smell but was fresher.

"Class A1, it sure does brings back a lot of memories here."

"Why are you talking to yourself?"

That voice gave me a quick shriek as I saw Eren tucking his hands into his pocket, glancing at me with his teal orbs.

"Eren!" I gasped.

"I presume this is your old classroom?"

"Y-yeah, it is."

"Hmm."

We both just stared at the empty classroom until Eren interrupted the serenity: "Hey, I can't believe you were the type who gets picked on. Look at you now, all lean and muscular."

"Thanks, although I'm not as big sized as commander Erwin."

"He's just built differently. Anyways, what inspired you to become the person you are today? Any specific mentions?"

I thought for a moment. I do.

One girl from my class, stood up to me whenever the big bullies confront me. Up till now, I can remember her face, her appearance, her name...

"Hello?"

"Ah yes, sorry." I cleared my throat. "Why the sudden curiosity?"

"Before becoming part of PSDU, did you know I was a crybaby?"

"You? The tough boy Eren Yeager who claimed to be the most fearsome man in Paradis! No freaking way-"

"I know right." He let out a small chuckle before continuing: "Well, there was Mikasa who always encourage me to never give up and strive for the best. She was always there when I needed help, and when I was in trouble. Without her, I won't be the Eren Yeager you knew. Her dream was to follow wherever I want to go, to protect me dearly. Sometimes it's annoying as I'm not his brother or something, but I truly understand why she wants to go this far for me."

"Damn, Mikasa loves you very much. The two of you just got engaged right?"

"Yup. We're gonna get married in a few months."

"I'll be your best men."

"Of course, and coming back to the topic. Who's your special personage?"

I paused for a moment.

"Well, she's a girl too. And just like Mikasa, maybe even better, cheerful, kind and amiable. Back when I was young I was the lonely and lost kid and she was the golden medallion in the sky who would stretch out her rays to keep me warm. During recess where I'll be ostracised by the other boys, she will join me and we'll share stories. And she became my best friend, every day after school she'll be the only person I hang out with, and my parents were finally over the moon to see me finally making a friend."

"She's exactly like Mikasa! Although I had friends back then unlike you."

"Stop teasing."

"Alright, Captain!"

I rolled my eyes with annoyance.

This Eren...

"So, how's the girl? What's she doing now?"

"That..." 

"What's wrong?"

"Her parents were killed in a plane crash when I was in 3rd grade, and her uncle brought her out of Shingashina to study elsewhere."

"Oh gosh, my condolences to her."

"Yeah, and she smiled disappeared afterwards. That bright and affectionate smile turned into darkness... till now I don't know her whereabouts. I did try to find her whenever I had my duties outside of Shingashina, but to no avail."

"I hope she's doing fine though."

"Me too, I still can remember everything about her. The white hoodie which she cherished so much since it was a present from her Dad. She had plenty of sets of it, and it was always the same outfit every day in school."

"What's her name?"

Her name is simple and sweet.

"Annie. Annie Leonhart."