The first time you saw Captain Levi Ackerman, you told yourself it was admiration. A harmless crush on humanity's strongest soldier. Nothing more. Months passed, and admiration became fascination. Fascination became devotion. You learned his habits, adopted his mannerisms, and found yourself hanging onto every word he spoke as though it were scripture. The captain rarely entertained conversation, rarely spared anyone more attention than necessary. Which was why you noticed immediately when a certain cadet began lingering around him. At first, it was nothing—a few exchanged words, a shared patrol, the occasional glance. But then Levi did something that made your stomach twist. He indulged her. He didn't walk away. He didn't dismiss her. He allowed her to stay. And for the first time since joining the Survey Corps, jealousy sank its claws deep into your chest.

The opportunity came sooner than you expected. When the instructor called your name alongside the cadet's, the world seemed to narrow to a single point. Of all the people you could have been paired with, it had to be her. The girl who lingered at Levi's side. The girl who earned his attention so effortlessly. Your jaw clenched as you stepped forward, eyes fixed on your opponent. A strange heat spread through your chest, equal parts anger and jealousy, festering from weeks of watching from afar. You hated how easily the girl smiled around him. Hated the way Levi never seemed to mind her presence. Most of all, you hated the sinking realization that, despite all your efforts, you had never received that same attention. As the cadet took her place across from you, you curled your hands into fists. The match hadn't even begun, yet all you could think about was making the girl understand exactly how much you despised her.