That same night, after having his final conversation with Robert, Gale woke up after receiving a visit from Eren, who informed him about what the Marleyan Warriors were doing.
"Speaking of the future, Eren, you'll turn sixteen next year, right?" Gale stood up, organized his files, and prepared to leave work.
"If we start counting from the year 845, it has been five years since you inherited the Attack Titan from Grisha Yeager."
"Yeah…" Eren looked at the palm of his hand. "Eldians can only live for thirteen years after inheriting the power of the Titans. I only have eight years left."
"Have you considered marriage?" Gale placed the organized documents into the drawer, turned around, and looked at Eren's serious face.
"According to the island's laws, sixteen-year-old boys and girls can register for marriage at the government center. Have you thought about such an important matter in your life?"
At the main entrance, Mikasa, who was standing guard, overheard this conversation, and her ears twitched involuntarily while her eyes sharpened.
As a member of the Ackerman clan who had awakened her powers, she possessed formidable strength and therefore became a member of the guard, responsible for protecting the life and safety of Eren Yeager, the holder of the Founding Power.
Eren instantly blushed and stammered, "Y-you… what are you saying, Gale? At a time like this… who has the energy to think about personal feelings…?"
"It is precisely because your time is running out that you should value the people around you even more, don't you think? You deserve it, you've already sacrificed enough." Gale spoke solemnly.
His expression was serious, as though he were discussing something extremely important with Eren.
"The period of stability is probably only two years away. According to our information and deductions, the Middle Eastern Allied Forces will begin a war with Marley within six months at most."
"Once the war begins, we won't be able to stay out of it; sooner or later we'll become involved."
"By then, it'll be too late for regrets."
"Although as an outsider I shouldn't interfere in the personal relationship between you and Mikasa, we all grew up together after all."
"If you're going to get married, this is the only time you can do it. I'm not joking. You're no longer children. Both of you should think carefully about it and enjoy the little time you have so that you can be happy."
Eren fell silent after hearing those words.
He was no longer that absentminded young boy; his many experiences had matured him.
Ever since reuniting with Mikasa at the shipyard, he had gradually begun to understand his own feelings.
But he never had the courage to take that step. He did not have many years left to live; only eight remained.
He felt that he should make Mikasa forget him, but… he also felt selfish.
He wanted Mikasa to remain by his side forever, to remember him eternally, even after his death, hoping she would remember him for at least ten years.
The thought of Mikasa falling in love with another man was unbearable; it felt as though his heart were being crushed.
"This isn't only about you. Regardless of your decision, I think the two of you should have a serious conversation and not selfishly impose your feelings on each other."
"I'm leaving now, see you later." Gale patted Eren on the shoulder, glanced at Mikasa, and then gestured to the guards to leave the office, giving Eren and Mikasa some space.
Eren felt somewhat afraid to look at Mikasa's face.
Mikasa opened her mouth as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
The atmosphere between them suddenly became awkward.
"Come on, Eren." Mikasa suggested accompanying Eren back to his room.
Eren and Mikasa walked side by side through the hallway where the soldiers stood guard, Gale's words echoing in their minds.
As they continued walking, Eren took a deep breath and looked up. "Mikasa… what do you think of me?"
"Eren… you are…" Mikasa's eyes darted around quickly. "You are someone important to me…"
"Mikasa… is it because I saved you when we were little that you've been taking care of me all this time?" Eren looked directly at Mikasa. "Is it to repay a debt of gratitude? To thank me?"
Mikasa lowered her head and pressed her lips together. "I'm very grateful that Eren saved me from the murderer."
"Is that true…?" Eren lowered his head.
He looked like a deflated balloon, apathetic and discouraged.
"That day, before Eren appeared, I was terrified…" Mikasa said softly, her face slightly red. "My parents were murdered by evil slave traders, and they planned to sell me as a slave. I was trembling with fear, but… Eren, you came."
"You saved me. I'm very grateful to you, thank you for wrapping that scarf around my neck."
"Mmm…" Eren responded dejectedly.
Suddenly, silence reigned between them once more.
Mikasa and Eren walked to the dormitory door without saying another word.
"I'll leave you here, Mikasa." Eren opened the dormitory door.
Mikasa looked at his face, clenched her teeth, and asked, "Eren, do you really only have eight years left to live? How did you come to that conclusion? Is it possible that… all of it is false…?"
"It's true…" Eren said quietly and explained, "The Founding Titan Ymir died in her thirteenth year after making a pact with the 'Devil of the Earth,' so every Titan who has held that power since then has only had a lifespan of thirteen years."
"This is a fate that not even the Founding Titan can change. But don't worry, Mikasa. You didn't inherit the power of the Titans, so it won't affect you."
"Don't worry too much about me. Just remember to come visit me every year after my death. That would make me very happy…" Eren forced a smile.
Even in this life, his fate had already been written in ink.
"No…" Mikasa tightly gripped the hem of her clothes.
"Ah…" Eren opened his mouth in shock, and his fake smile instantly froze.
He felt heartbroken upon hearing that. He never imagined that Mikasa would not even visit his grave. Did he truly occupy such a low place in Mikasa's heart?
And what about all that ambiguity from before? Was it all simply repaying a debt of gratitude?
Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming urge to lock himself in his room, bury his head in his pillow, and cry miserably.
But at that very moment, Mikasa hugged him, pressing her chest against his.
"No… Eren… don't leave me…" Mikasa shed tears, warm tears that soaked Eren's clothes.
"I… want to stay by your side forever, I want to see you every day, why, why do you have to die…?" Mikasa hugged Eren tightly, but unlike the embrace they shared two years earlier at the shipyard, Eren had grown much taller now, even taller than Mikasa.
He felt somewhat bewildered, sighed, and gently patted Mikasa's back to comfort her.
After a long while, Mikasa finally calmed down.
Eren gently wiped away her tears and told her what he had been thinking for a very long time: "Mikasa… what would you do if I told you that I want to marry you?"
"Do you like me? I mean the kind of feelings that exist between a man and a woman." Mikasa did not answer with words; her face turned as red as a tomato.
At that moment, she did not know what to say, so she expressed what she wanted to say through her actions.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
From afar, Gale heard everything clearly, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Well, at least I've fulfilled one of my purposes…"