Titans Rule, a Levi Ackerman x Fem OC story.

(23) Failed experiments.

~Amelia~

The following day, I was in the kitchen helping Connie prepare lunch. Eren was cleaning frantically, insisting that Levi would have our heads if the place was too messy. He was right, but no one seemed to take him seriously. Jean, Mikasa, Armin, Sasha, and the blonde girl, who I learned was Krista but now goes by Historia, had just returned from their morning chores. Armin struggled to carry a considerable pail of milk, and I couldn't help but snort at the sight.

Levi and Hange were absent. They had left earlier that morning, stating they would return by lunchtime, which was approaching. I, however, was focused on peeling potatoes. It was a monotonous task and seemed to be all I did around here. In this world, we had potatoes with every meal. I wasn't complaining; it wasn't as if I could simply go to the supermarket and buy something different.

With a sigh, I finished preparing the potatoes. Levi and I had sparred for a good couple of hours last night. His injury had healed nicely, so he returned to his old self. As a result, I was covered in bruises and ached all over today.

"Hey, everyone!" Eren shouted, dressed in his cleaning clothes and wielding a broom like a frustrated housewife. "Take your shoes off before you come in!"

"What? Can't you see we're carrying stuff? I'll take them off once I set everything down," Jean complained as he laid the sack of potatoes he was holding on the side.

Eren stepped closer to him, desperation in his eyes. "Do you really think that attitude will please Captain Levi? If I hadn't made your bed this—"

"Quit nagging! Who do you think you are, my mother?" Jean raged at him, spit flying out of his mouth.

"Guys, stop fighting!" I scolded. As the oldest one present, I was responsible for keeping the peace while Levi and Hange were away.

Both of their heads turned toward me. "He started it!" they shouted in unison, accusing each other with pointed fingers.

"Honestly, I don't care who started it. But, Jean, I'm on Eren's side this time. The captain will punish you if you leave even a speck of dust behind," I warned him, grabbing my knife again and cutting the potatoes into smaller chunks.

"See," Eren teased him, "you should listen to her, or you'll regret it!"

"Ugh, whatever," Jean admitted his defeat.

"We're back," Mikasa called out as she entered the door with Historia.

Mikasa was carrying an axe, whereas Historia held a chopped wood pile.

"Wait, were you just chopping wood?" Armin went over to them, a worried expression on his face.

"Gotta keep in shape," Mikasa replied nonchalantly.

"Mikasa, you're injured. You need to rest," I scolded her. "No more chopping wood; otherwise, I'll tell the captain."

Mikasa looked blank. "Don't try to stop her. She won't even listen to me," Eren explained. "I even saw her doing sit-ups in her room earlier!"

"You perv!" Jean screeched at Eren.

A glum expression took over Sasha's face. "It almost feels like we're back in the cadet corps."

"Yeah..." Armin's eyebrows also furrowed. "Why do you think we were chosen to be in Levi's squad? Protecting Eren and Historia is such an important mission..."

Suddenly, they all turned to look at me. "Don't look at me," I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air. "I'm in the dark as much as you are."

"Sasha, what did I just see you put in your bag?" Armin asked, disappointment tinging his voice.