The Bonds of Blood" [Fem OC X AOT]

Chapter 4: Rise

"I'm going to my dorm now. Goodnight," Yoshi said softly to the sleeping Rae as he carefully lifted her and placed her in her bed. He tucked her in, ensuring she was comfortable before turning to leave.

As Yoshi made his way towards his own dorm, he spotted Eren and Mikasa walking together. The moon cast a gentle glow over the scene, illuminating Mikasa's newly cropped hair.

"Mikasa, you cut your hair?" Yoshi asked, noticing the change in her appearance.

"Yes, I did. It was getting in the way of my training," Mikasa replied, her voice steady and composed.

"It looks good on you," Yoshi complimented her with a warm smile. "Rae's gonna freak out when she sees your new look," he added, imagining his sister's excited reaction.

Mikasa's lips curved into a small smile at the thought. "Yes," she agreed softly, already anticipating Rae's enthusiastic response.

"Yoshi, let's go to our dorm," Eren called out impatiently, interrupting their conversation.

"Right," Yoshi nodded, tearing his gaze away from Mikasa. "Mikasa, Rae's sleeping, so please take care of her for the night," he requested, a note of concern in his voice.

"Got it," Mikasa replied with a reassuring nod.

With a final farewell, Yoshi joined Eren as they headed towards the boys' dormitory.

~

The next day dawned with anticipation as the cadets prepared for their aptitude test for the ODM gear. Rae felt surprisingly optimistic about the challenge ahead, buoyed by a sense of determination to prove herself.

"Rae, wake up or you're going to be late," Mikasa's voice cut through the stillness of the room, accompanied by a gentle shake.

"Yeah... I'm awake," Rae murmured sleepily, her words muffled by the drowsiness that still clung to her.

"No, you're not," Mikasa replied with a hint of exasperation, her patience wearing thin. Without hesitation, she delivered a swift punch to Rae's head.

"OWW!!" Rae's cry of pain echoed through the room, startling the rest of the occupants from their slumber. Even Sasha, who had been sleeping soundly, was jolted awake by Rae's loud scream.

"You're so mean, Mikasa," Rae whined, rubbing the sore spot on her head with a pout.

As Rae sat up in bed, she took stock of her surroundings. She realized she was in a bunk bed, with Christa and Ymir exiting the room together. Her gaze fell to the occupant of the lower bunk-a familiar blonde girl, the same one she had been staring at yesterday.

The blonde girl also noticed Rae's presence and stared back at her, her expression expectant, as if waiting for Rae to recognize her or perhaps even initiate a conversation.

"Get ready," Mikasa's voice broke through the momentary silence, bringing Rae back to the task at hand.

"I'll be ready in no time," Rae replied with determination, her gaze lingering on the blonde girl for a moment longer before she climbed down from her bunk and made her way to the washroom to freshen up for the day ahead.

As she splashed cold water on her face, Rae couldn't shake the feeling of curiosity about the blonde girl below her bunk. Who was she? Why did she seem familiar? These questions swirled in her mind as she hurriedly washed up, eager to start the day and face the challenges that awaited her.