I Love You... In Every Universe (AOT Alternative Universe)

102. Towards the Tree on That Hill

AUTHOR'S POV:

The two children walked in silence after Mieko got the old memories.

They soon passed by a small natural pond.

Mieko looked down at the pond to see her reflection. "Edric..."

"Hmm?" Edric said.

Mieko looked at him. "What are we... going to do once we find Eren Yeager's grave?"

Edric looked at her and grinned. "What do you think we're gonna do? We'll dig open his grave, pull out his skeletal remains and take home his skull." He bit his lips to surpass his laughter.

Mieko's eyes widened. "B-But..." She shook her head. "What if we get cursed?" She asked, scared.

Edric chuckled. "What worse could happen? The return of Titans?"

Mieko smacked his back. "Don't jinx it! What if it comes true?"

Edric chuckled and looked ahead. "Then... We all will die."

"Just like that?" Mieko said. "Edric, you're scaring me." She looked away. "I'm afraid you might get me killed someday."

Edric looked at her with wide eyes. "No! I won't let that happen, I promise!"

Mieko looked at him and giggled. "Who knows."

"So you don't believe me anymore?" Edric asked and playfully pouted. "I see." He looked away.

Mieko seemed to not take his joke. She got scared and quickly grabbed Edric's shoulders and turned him towards her. "No no! I trust you, Edric! I was just joking! Sorry!"

Edric chuckled, making Mieko confused.

Mieko tilted her head. "Huh?"

"Oh. I was joking too." Edric said and laughed again.

Mieko blushed in embarrassment. She smacked Edric's head. "You idiot! I got scared!"

"Scared of?" Edric asked, confused.

Mieko looked away. "Scared of losing my only friend."

Edric smiled and wrapped his arm around Mieko. "Don't worry. I won't leave your side."

Mieko looked at him, blushing. "Th-thank you..."

Edric chuckled and poked Mieko's cheek. "You're so-"

Suddenly, out of nowhere, two wild dogs approached them, growling.

Mieko gasped and stepped back behind Edric.

Edric pushed her further behind him. Then he leaned his bicycle on a tree and picked up a stick from the ground.

Mieko clutched the back of Edric's shirt and squeezed her eyes shut, trembling. "Edric! D-Do something!"

Edric held the stick before him, clenching his teeth.

The dogs slowly approached them, growling.

Edric furrowed his eyebrows. "Stay away from us!" He yelled at the top of his lung.

Suddenly, many birds flew away and the dogs stopped in their tracks as if they sensed something.

"You bastards! I'll kill you!" Edric yelled.

The dogs whimpered and ran away in fear.

Edric let out a breath and threw the stick away. "It's alright now. Don't worry."

Mieko slowly opened her eyes and looked around. "Th-They are gone?"

Edric turned around. "Yeah."

Mieko hugged him tightly. "Thank you."