My Soulmate

Chapter 19 - Bold Move

Tuesday, April 22nd, XXXX - 12:50pm

"Well?! What do you have to say for yourself?!" Bertholdt asked angrily. 

Armin sighed, averted his gaze to his feet for a quick moment, then back to Bertholdt. 

"I'm surprised it took you this long to find out..." Armin nonchalantly said, earning gasps from everyone at the table. 

"Woah, wait a minute..." Sasha started. 

"This has been going on for a while?" Mikasa finished the question. 

"It just happened...And, I'd be lying if I said I didn't reciprocate Annie's feelings towards me. I love Annie." Armin boldly stated. "And I was there for her when she confided in be about your toxic and negligent behavior towards her."

"The fuck are you going on about!? I love her, too! And I did what I could to be there!!" Bertholdt argued. 

"It really isn't that hard to be with someone. All she wanted was your company and you couldn't even provide that. Annie gave you so many chances, too. And all you ever did was let her down." Armin clapped back. 

"When...?" Bertholdt asked. 

"When?" 

"When did I let her down! Just when exactly did she run and give herself to you?!"

Armin sighed, thinking. "It was the 14th...that night when we were studying, I let her express herself and let go of everything she had been bottling up inside."

~~~~~~~~~~Le Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday, April 14th, XXXX - 7:20pm

Location: Local Cafe

Armin checked the time on his phone and sighed. "I hope she's still coming. Maybe something came up and it's slowing her down." He thought. 

Armin sat patiently at the cafe. The same cafe that Levi proposed to (Y/n) at. It was without doubt that that event enchanted the building. Armin had noticed that more and more couples are seen there now more than lonely individuals who did their work there. 

Of course, Armin at that moment, stood out like a weed. 

It was only then, for that small moment, that he considered himself. Mikasa and Eren secretly hooked up, Jean had been playing the field, Ymir has Christa, even (Y/n) got married for Pete's sakes. He knew he wasn't the only single guy out of all his friends but, it would be nice to have someone... 

Guessing he never really bothered with love was because of his undesirable need to achieve. Something to make his parents proud. Even after they've passed. 

It then dawned on him. The words Armin's mother spoke to him. 

"Armin, I thought of something important that you should take into consideration. I know your father and I have always said to be and overachiever, no matter the task. But...what is living if you don't live for yourself? You're going to make mistakes here and there. I mean, you're only so young in this world. Don't forget to experience the greater treasures in life." His mother spoke.

"Like what?" Armin's innocent, adolescent voice inquired. 

"Well, off the top of my head...indulge yourself with love. Whether it's from friends, or...a woman."

"A woman?" 

"Yes. Love is the one thing in this world that's helped humans survive throughout all the ages. I've no doubt you'll one day experience that yourself. You have a good heart on you, son."