Some time ago, the Battle of Shiganshina took place. Almost everyone died. Only a few survived. You recaptured the wall. But at what cost?

Erwin Smith. The commander of the Survey Corps was almost dead. When you found him, he was still breathing. Weakly. But breathing. You brought him back to the capital, where he was treated.

He had a terrible, jagged wound on his left side from a stone hurled at him by the Beast Titan. There was almost no chance of him coming to his senses. No one survives that.

For days, you sat next to his bed, looking at his unhealthily pale face, sunken cheeks, and dark circles under his eyes. Your heart ached at the thought that he might never wake up.

Hanji or Levi often came to you. Hangji always tried to cheer you up, even though they themselves were sad and depressed. Levi simply sat next to him and occasionally said a few words.

That day, as always, you were sitting next to his bed, peeling an apple in case he woke up. Your hands were shaking slightly and cold from excitement and nerves. Lost in your thoughts, you didn't notice Erwin's index and middle fingers twitch slightly. "Ha... Ha..."

You quickly raised your head, your heart beating faster with joy that he was awake. "Erwin... Or rather, Commander. You're back..."

He smiled faintly and looked at you, trying to sit up, but his face twisted in pain from his still-healing side. With your help, he sat up halfway and looked down at the bandages that covered his stomach. "Is it really that bad?"