Attack on Reality

Trust your gut

"How are they going to have time to binge-watch all that? Do some of them not have jobs," Armin muttered to himself as he hung up his jacket in his room. He himself worked as an editor and writer for a science magazine. His room was flooded with pictures of nature and printouts from various parts of magazine articles that were filled with his personal notes.

He lay on his bed and sighed. "How the hell am I going to prove anything? I know it sounds so ridiculous but I refuse to believe this attack on titan thing is a coincidence." He looked at the time and sighed. It was 3 am when he got home from that stupid binge of season 1. "I guess I should go to bed, then worry later." He told himself and turned off the lights.

*
The next morning, someone knocked on Armin's door. "It's probably Hange. Hmm though I never asked them to come over. Oh well, I guess that's just Hange."

To his surprise, the person behind his door was "Annie!" Armin, caught by surprise, quickly shook off his shock and smiled. "What are you doing here Annie?"
"I thought about what you said yesterday. And you're right. Something is wrong." Annie walked right inside. Armin just stood there and let her walk in, still shocked that Annie would come abruptly to his home.
Annie found a comfortable seat in the living room and looked back at Armin "So? What are you waiting for? Tell me your brilliant plan."

*

- Mikasa's phone -

11:00
Mikasa: Shouldn't we say something to Armin?

Eren: Like, help him?

Mikasa: Yeah somehow?

Eren: He won't respond to any of my texts. He doesn't think we are genuine and that we are just reaching out because we feel bad.

Mikasa: I still think we should try. I think I'll send a text to him. Just to let him know that if he needs me, I can come help.

Eren: Do you believe him?

Mikasa: That our resemblance to the AOT characters isn't a coincidence?
Eren: uh huh.

Mikasa: I don't know. But I do feel a strong connection to this character of mine.

Eren: Me too. When my "mom" died. I felt like someone physically punched me in the stomach.

Mikasa: Can it be because they just remind us of ourselves so much?

Eren: Probably... You're coming to the season 2 and 3 binge later?

Mikasa: I can't miss it. But after this binge I really need to reply to my clients.

Eren: Yeah I bet they would never guess that their personal trainer is being a weeb and not sick with the flu.

Mikasa: Yeah right. See you soon.

Eren: See you.

*
"You don't have a plan?" Annie arched an eyebrow in disbelief. Armin looked down and sighed. "I'm working on it. My gut tells me something is off. Maybe we should read the manga, take notes of the character's behavior or clues. Hange can binge with the rest and help us compare between manga and anime."
"We don't know what we are looking for?"
"No. We have to count on our gut to look for information."
"Sounds like it's gonna take some time. I'll make us some tea"
"No Annie, let me" Armin walked to the kitchen to prepare tea and biscuits for Annie and him.
"I must say, It really surprised me to see you today. We don't talk that much and you can seem to be uhm, a little cold" he said.
Annie didn't reply.

"Sorry I didn't mean to offend you." Armin cringed at himself. "uhhm.. So do you like black tea or green tea?"
"I'm surprised that I'm the only one who showed up today. Your brilliance should not be questioned, Armin"

Armin froze. He felt warmth in his cheeks and hoped that his feelings weren't too visible. He didn't want to be a fool. What did she mean by that? Was it a friendly remark or flirting? No, how was it flirting? Or..how was it not? How can he concentrate when it is only the two of them together? No Armin, don't be a fool, you have been under more stressful circumstances. How can a person's presence be enough to distract you? Maybe it's because you are so in-

The water kettle whistled.

Armin came back to the present.

"And green tea, please."