NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Chapter 24
Ryo never expected that his hesitation in expressing his feelings would cause Mikasa so much pain. It was an unbearable experience to like someone whose feelings toward you were unclear. For Mikasa, Eren was more than family—he was her entire world. Yet, his indecision kept her in a perpetual state of uncertainty.
"Eren, don't you like Mikasa?" Ryo asked, leaning casually against the table with a faint smirk. His question was straightforward, almost too direct for someone as oblivious as Eren.
Eren froze, his mind racing for an answer. "I… uh…" he stammered, his usual fiery confidence nowhere to be found.
Ryo shook his head, clicking his tongue in mock disappointment. "You're hopeless, Eren. Anyone with eyes can see it. Mikasa's feelings for you are written all over her face, but you… you're just dragging your feet."
Eren's face flushed red, both from embarrassment and frustration. "That's not it! I just—"
"Hesitation means you're considering it," Ryo interrupted with a knowing grin. "Otherwise, with your personality, you'd have shut this down already."
Eren clenched his fists, his thoughts a tangled mess. He cared for Mikasa—deeply. But the burden of his dream, of wiping out the Titans and reclaiming humanity's freedom, loomed over him like a shadow. How could he think about love when he hadn't even accomplished his goal yet?
Ryo studied him for a moment before shifting his attention to Mikasa, whose expression was carefully guarded. "Mikasa, you consider Eren your family, right?"
Mikasa's dark eyes flickered toward Eren before she nodded. "Yes. Ever since he saved me, I've seen him as… someone irreplaceable."
"To be precise," Ryo continued, his voice softening, "he's not just family to you, is he? He's the pillar of your life, your anchor, and—if I'm not mistaken—your lover."
Mikasa stiffened, her cheeks turning crimson. She glanced at Eren, who looked equally flustered, before quickly lowering her gaze. Ryo's words struck too close to home, exposing emotions she had tried to bury.
Eren shifted uncomfortably, his lips parting as if to say something, but no words came out.
Seeing the tension reach its peak, Ryo smirked and turned to Krista, who had been quietly observing the scene. "Krista, let's leave these two to sort things out. Come on, let's grab some food. They could use some privacy."
Krista blinked in surprise but nodded, following Ryo as he led her out of the room.
Ryo paused at the door, throwing one last glance over his shoulder. "Eren, don't be an idiot. If you care about Mikasa, stop making her wait."
With that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him.
The room fell into silence, broken only by the faint hum of the wind outside. Eren and Mikasa sat across from each other, neither daring to speak at first.
"Eren…" Mikasa finally murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eren looked up, his emerald eyes meeting hers. There was hesitation in his gaze, but also a flicker of something else—determination.
"Mikasa, I…" He swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "I don't want to lose you. You're… more important to me than anyone else."
Mikasa's breath caught, her hands clenching tightly in her lap. She wanted to believe him, to hold onto those words. But Eren's indecision still lingered, like a wall between them.
"Then stop pushing me away," she said softly. "You don't have to say anything now, but… don't make me wait forever, Eren."
Eren nodded, his jaw set. He didn't have the courage to say more, but in his heart, he knew Ryo was right. He couldn't keep running from his feelings—or from Mikasa.
---
Outside the room, Ryo chuckled to himself. "I swear, those two are hopeless."
Krista glanced at him curiously. "Do you think they'll figure it out?"
Ryo shrugged. "Eventually. Eren's thick-headed, but he's not a complete idiot. And Mikasa? She's too stubborn to give up on him."
Krista smiled faintly. "You seem to know a lot about relationships, Ryo."
Ryo laughed. "Not really. I just know how to push people in the right direction. The rest is up to them."