Chapter 43 - Cheer up (1/2)
”...”
”Cheer up, Eren. Sometimes there are just people who are blessed. And those who aren't. Sadly you're the latter. But imagine this. Even if you don't have the talent, what if you can make it up with your hard work? Isn't that more amazing?”
”...”
”Stop sulking, bro. You're like 12 years old and as big as a man. Why are you acting like somebody killed your wife or something.”
”...I don't even have a girlfriend...”
”What are you mumbling about? Come on! Speak up! Like a man!”
”...”
”What? What's with those eyes? Look at Armin. Even though you're better than him physically, at least he doesn't let it get to his head.”
”...”
”...Maybe not”
On a separate table, Armin was speaking with swag in front of a big audience. Unlike Eren, who likes flaunting to others, his calm personality was a clear contrast. It made others feel at ease since he doesn't make them feel inferior. Plus, everybody enjoyed the story of his hot-blooded training.
During the ODM test, he was the most impressive after Athanatos, with Historia, came in a close third place.
That was the official ranking. But the truth is, Mikasa and Annie didn't even try. They were just simply suspended at a standstill. This feat was actually very tough to replicate, even for Armin, but others didn't see how impressive it was since they were blinded by Athanatos', Armin's, and Historia's performance.
Though, at first, everyone wanted to approach Athanatos for his secret.
But all he replied was:
'Cuz I'm a genius.'
Coupled with his boasting attitude and the fact that he is currently sitting with three beautiful girls, while actively flirting with two, everybody felt it too awkward to continues.
So that's why nobody is paying attention to Eren, except for a couple of gloatings from time to time.
”Well, anyway, my point is: it takes time to develop skills. You can't just simply expect always succeed on your first try. So now that you failed, try to do better next time. If you fail again, try again. Are you just going to give up? What about your dream of joining the Survey Corps? Are you chickening out now?”
”No... You're right. I have been letting my confidence getting into my head. This arrogant attitude is what is preventing me from becoming stronger. Yes... Thank you, Thana-kun, for telling me this.”
”Ur— *nom* —saying— *nom*—, sumthin??”
”...” Eren was utterly speechless. Just when he had finally got out of depression, nobody cares.
”Eat this Thana-kun...”
”Thanks, Mikasa”
*nom*, *nom*, *nom*
”Eat some meat too.”
”Thanks, Annie...”
”I SMELLED MEAT!!!”
A beast has finally awoken.
”AHHHHH!!! MEAT!!”
Like a hunting dog, Sasha was slowly making her way to Athanatos' table by sniffing the smell.
”Hey, wait a minute. Didn't I tell you to hide the meat, Annie?”
”... Really?” Annie was playing dumb while twiddling her thumbs. Looking at Mikasa happily feeding Athanatos, she decided to take out some homemade meats from her pocket dimension pouch that was given to her by Athanatos a while ago. Though she broke the rule, it was a small price to pay as long as her Thana-kun enjoy the meal.
”...”
”<(￣︶￣)>” Annie just shrugged with a smile on a face.
”... Quick, give me all the meat.”
So, like any rational human being, Athanatos got rid of his problem by passing it onto someone. And that someone was Eren...
”Hey, Eren... Catch!”
While Eren was baffled by the whole event, he was caught off guard when an entire plate full of meat was thrown onto his face with an inhumane speed.
It was impossible to dodge.
”GRRRRRRRRR!!!”
And what followed was...
”STOP BITING!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!”