Was She... A Traitor? | Levi X OC

Chapter 16: A Quiet Night of Truths

Authors Note: Long chapter ahead, second-last chapter before the 57th Expedition outside the walls!!

It had been five long months since the squad began their relentless practice of the Electrified Tree Net Trap. Five months of grueling training, sweat, and blood, to a success. And now, today was the last day before the 57th Expedition outside the walls. For Levi, the time had flown by quicker than he expected, and the weight of the upcoming mission pressed heavily on his mind.

But something else had changed over these past few months, something Levi hadn't anticipated. He felt different—off-balance, in a way that had nothing to do with the looming expedition. It wasn't fear or dread, but something far more complicated. Every time his gaze landed on Kat, there was a shift inside him, a subtle tug that threw him out of his usual, controlled state of mind. He dismissed it at first, telling himself it was nothing. Yet, it lingered.

And now, as the day drew to a close, he found himself practicing his sword slashing in an attempt to clear his mind. The sharp, precise movements of his blades were familiar, grounding. But even that wasn't enough to push away the nagging feeling that had been growing inside him.

Kat approached quietly, her steps barely audible on the grass. She watched him for a while, admiring the effortless way he moved, every swing of his swords clean and precise. He was her mentor, she couldn't help but feel a bit in awe of him.

"Heichou," she called softly, breaking the rhythm of his slashes.

Levi paused mid-swing, turning his head slightly toward her. "What is it?"

"I was wondering... could you teach me something? Something that only you're good at."

Levi arched a brow, sheathing his blades as he faced her fully. "You want to learn from me?"

Kat nodded, a bit shy under his intense gaze. "Yes. I want to improve my technique, and there's no one better to teach me than you."

He stood there for a moment, his expression unreadable as usual, before finally giving a slight nod. "Fine. There's something most people overlook when using blades. Precision, control. Anyone can hack away at something, but it's the ones who control their movements that make the difference."

Levi picked up a spare pair of blades and handed them to her. He moved behind her, positioning his hands on hers and hers on the hilts, his touch light but firm. The closeness caught Kat off guard, her heart skipping a beat as he adjusted her posture. "Relax your shoulders," Levi murmured in that low, quiet voice of his, the heat of his breath near her ear sending a slight shiver through her.

Kat swallowed and tried to focus on his instructions rather than the sudden awareness of how close he was. "Feel the weight of the blades, but don't let them control you. You control the blades," he continued, his hands briefly resting on hers to guide her movements.

She followed his instructions, trying to mimic the fluidity of his motions. Levi stepped closer, his chest nearly brushing her back. "You're stiff," he pointed out, his voice a little softer now. "Loosen up, let the blades move with you."

Kat nodded, adjusting her stance. She swung again, this time smoother, more controlled. Levi stepped back slightly, watching her closely. She could feel his eyes on her, and for some reason, it made her nervous in a way she hadn't expected.

After a few more attempts, Levi gave a rare nod of approval. "Done. You are better now"

Kat smiled, feeling a surge of pride, but her eyes quickly shifted to a dark spot on Levi's shirt. "Matte... Heichou, your wound," she said, her voice filled with concern.

Levi glanced down at the bloodstain from his old injury. "It's fine. Nothing to worry about."

But Kat wasn't convinced. "No, we need to change the dressing. It'll get worse if you don't take care of it," she insisted.