There Is Freedom Here

Chapter 5: Soy Sauce and Chopsticks

You were exhausted.

Just having finished your final class for the week, you opened the front door with a yawn and tears pricking your eyes. Your bag landed on the floor and your shoes were slid off next to it.

Eren was on the couch, eating a waffle while reading an article. You assumed it would be about universes, shifting realities, and everything in between. He focused on the article and paid you no mind as you took a seat next to him on the couch. Glimpsing at the page, you confirmed that you were right. It was another article about the multiverse.

After he shut the computer off, he leaned back on the couch and sighed. You plucked your phone from your jean pocket and did the usual. 

"It's hopeless. There is nothing about getting back to my universe."

You chewed on your lip nervously. "I'm sorry, Eren. I don't know what to say. I really can't think of anything else that would help you get back." Your voice was soft and braided with pity. Taking a small glance at the man, you saw him picking at the pair of jeans you had given him. 

"I don't want to say this... but what if you never find a way to get back?"

Eren paused for a moment, making it quite noticeable that he was glaring at you while you stared at him. 

"The fact that I'm here is enough evidence that there should be a way back."

"So you're just going to sit here every day researching?" 

Eren quirked an eyebrow, wondering just what you were trying to get at.  

"That is the most I can do, so yes." 

"I mean, you could research and I could teach you more about this world?" you murmured.

He knew what you were up to. 

You were preparing him for the harsh possibility of him never getting back to his world.

 He clicked his tongue, wondering why you would go out of your way to teach him about your world. It must've been the same answer to why you let him stay, he concluded.

"For starters, I'll buy you a beginner's English book. That shouldn't be too bad. If you do get back you can tell them all about English, too," you suggested with a hopeful smile. Eren stared at you, a flash of sadness apparent in his eyes for only a millisecond, and stood up. "I can teach you how to cook too. I'll let you walk Bubbles, do the laundry, and more!"

He didn't like your tone. You sounded almost happy about the situation. A tick formed on Eren's head. 

It seemed as if you wanted him to get stuck here.

"Why do you sound happy about the possibility of me being stuck here forever?" 

The reason why?

You didn't know. 

You pursed your lips and anxiously curled your toes.

He never considered the possibility, but what if you had brought him here? What if you had some sort of special ability that pulled him from his reality? This could all be a simulation of some sort and you were keeping him in the dark.

"I'm not happy about your situation, Eren. I'm simply offering to teach you about this world while you're in it."

"Learning how to cook or walking your dog would be a waste of time if I could be spending it researching."

You rubbed your temple, becoming a bit frustrated. "I'm just trying to make your situation a tad enjoyable. You'll go crazy if all you do is research."