For the One I Love || Hanji x Female Reader

Chapter Eight: Guessing Game

By the time that I decided to return, Mikasa and Sasha were already looking for me, making me feel even more guilty than I already was. Sasha quickly enveloped me in a hug when she finally spotted me, while the others loosely surrounded us, concern etched on their faces.

"Where have you been, [Y/N]? We've been looking for you everywhere!" Sasha exclaimed as she released me and peered closely at my face.

"Have you been crying?" Mikasa asked, most likely noticing the fact that my eyes looked puffy, despite my best efforts to get them back to normal.

I contemplated lying, but seeing them worry about me so much stopped me from doing so. I already felt guilty as it is, I don't need anything more to bother my conscience.

"Something just happened. It's nothing major though so you don't have to worry about anything!" I told them, stuttering a bit, as I did my best to convince them.

They obviously didn't believe me, their faces said that enough.

"[Y/N], we all noticed that you were almost smiles a while ago with Squad Leader Hanji, but then after, you dashed off," Christa said, her bright blue eyes filled with concern.

Almost everyone nodded, giving me no choice but to tell them what really happened, although it was extremely embarrassing.

"Squad Leader Hanji told me that they must have been drunk, which is why they did all that a while ago," I started, gauging their reactions while suppressing my own.

It ranged from surprised to bewildered, and I couldn't blame them. Even I had the same exact reaction just a few moments ago.

"That's why after the dance, I ran out and went to the garden nearby to get some air. I didn't want anyone to see me like that. But then Captain Levi found me and promptly told me that they were lying and that they didn't drink even a drop of alcohol tonight," I continued as I nervously fiddled with my fingers.

Sasha put her arm around me as she smiled brightly and stated, "Squad leader Hanji's been missing after the dance as well, [Y/N]. But what Captain Levi said was true, we didn't see them drink tonight."

Connie smiled suggestively before saying, "Hmm, what does this mean, indeed?"

"Connie! It obviously doesn't mean anything!" I told him in rebuttal as I playfully hit his shoulder.

"They wouldn't just lie to you if it were nothing, [Y/N]," Mikasa said, defending Connie. Eren and the others nodded in agreement.

"If I may, [Y/N], could it be that they also like you as well?" Armin asked with a small smile, and Ymir gave me a thumbs up, agreeing with what he just said.

"I don't think so!" I answered, my voice a bit louder than expected. I quickly covered my mouth, suddenly embarrassed about my outburst.

Armin gently shook his head before arguing, "Think about it, [Y/N], why would Squad Leader Hanji lie about it? They could've easily told you that they wanted to get you out of the situation as your senior. Why would they tell you that they were drunk?"

"Because my question must have surprised them," I told him flatly.

"Yes, they were so surprised that they couldn't think of any logical reason to say to you," he retorted with a slight smirk on his face.

I was about to say something but Moblit arrived and walked to our little group huddle in the corner and informed us that we will be departing in a few minutes, as per Commander Erwin's orders.

Which means I'll be 'trapped' in the coach with Captain Levi and Squad Leader Hanji once more.

I visibly panicked, begging the others to let me ride with them instead, to which all of them declined.

"This is clearly your time to make up!" Sasha exclaimed as she held my hand in hers in a comforting manner.

_

I felt absolutely betrayed. And by Captain Levi, nonetheless.

In case everyone's wondering why, it's because he opted to ride with Commander Erwin, saying that he still had some topics to discuss with him. Which left me alone with Squad Leader Hanji, who, once more, seemed to be interested in the view outside the carriage window as they did on our way to the capital.

I sighed before finally breaking the ice as I asked in a soft tone, "How's your hangover, Squad Leader?"

Despite already knowing the truth, I wanted to know how far they'd go to cover up their lie. I was at least determined to know their motive for it before we arrive at the headquarters.

"I lied," Hanji bluntly said, making my eyes widen in surprise.

I thought that they would at least carry on with the ruse until we reach the headquarters.

"And now you're probably wondering why I did that," Hanji added, slightly glancing in my direction.

"I am."

I heard them sigh before they stood up and opted to sit down beside me. I scooted over a little to give them some space, before turning slightly to face them.

"If I'm allowed to be frank, I was jealous. I didn't like the idea of someone else touching you that way," Hanji muttered quietly, looking at me directly as if trapping me in their gaze.

I felt my breath hitch slightly, before nervously asking them, "You were jealous? But it was just a dance." I chose to look down on the floor, not knowing what to say and how to react to what Hanji just said.

And I was also busy trying to connect the dots in my head, fervently hoping that I was right.

The coach jolted suddenly, briefly throwing me in Hanji's direction. They caught me effortlessly, but didn't let me go even after a few seconds. Hanji held me in their arms and I felt them nuzzle my hair briefly, setting my face aflame.

"Squad Leader Hanji, what are you-"

"I thought that we've settled this matter. But to refresh your memory, just call me Hanji," they said, and somehow it felt different from the times Hanji has talked to me before. This time, their voice seemed on the edge, and with a dangerous glint into it.

"Hanji," I managed to whisper after a few moments of silence, and when I looked up at them, a small smile played on their lips.

"That Garrison fellow wasn't the only person that I was jealous of, [Y/N], as much as it feels weird to ask you this...did Levi talk to you after we danced?" Hanji asked me as they peered closer to my face.

I merely nodded, doing my best to avert my eyes from them, though they wouldn't let me. Hanji glanced at the window one more time, and I saw that we were nearing the headquarters already. And I still didn't get my answer.

I was about to open my mouth to ask Hanji, but they beat me to it, pulling the curtain over the small window as they did.

"As much as I'd like to explain, I was told that actions speak louder than words," Hanji said in a low tone before they tilted my face slightly and captured my lips in theirs.