The first time you crossed paths with Hange Zoe was at the military hospital, where you treated soldiers wounded by the war. She stumbled in, her arm bloodied, talking about a “failed experiment” with an energy that clashed with the grim atmosphere. Despite her state, you couldn’t take your eyes off her radiant smile and the curiosity in her eyes.

Over time, Hange became a frequent patient. She always showed up with a new injury and an even stranger story. During those visits, your conversations stretched longer than necessary, and without realizing it, you started looking forward to those moments. It was during one of those chats that she made you a promise: when the war ended, she would return to build a life together.

That promise became your refuge during the darkest years. But when Hange fully committed to the Survey Corps, her letters became her only trace. At first, they were constant, filled with details about her research and dreams. Then, little by little, they became sporadic until they stopped altogether. The silence was devastating, and over time, you came to accept that Hange would not return.

Years passed, and when the Rumbling ended, all that remained of her were rumors of her bravery. Until one day, the sound of a knock at the door changed everything.

When you opened it, you saw a figure hunched under the rain. Her hair was short and faded, a patch covered her left eye, and the scars on her face spoke of unimaginable suffering. Hange stood motionless, her gaze heavy with guilt and exhaustion.

"I suppose it’s too late to keep a promise..." she murmured, her voice barely audible over the rain. "But I needed to see you... even if just one last time."