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"Rise and shine Shizue!"

A very familiar girl with strawberry-blonde hair stood in the doorway, heavy dark circles were visible under her tired eyes, and if she didn't live in this high-end penthouse, you would mistake her for a homeless person. Levi was frozen from where he stood, shocked. And he wasn't the only one.

"Shizue-san?" Mikasa spoke in awe and confusion.

"Vice-captain!!" Both Sasha and Connie threw themselves at her without thinking twice. The girl was least enthusiastic about that.

"What the hell?!" Shizue was irritated as she swat them away. "Are you fucking out of your minds?"

"I don't understand, you guys know each other?"

"No/Yes!" They answered in unison which confused the soldiers. No one could possibly mistake her for anyone else since she has the exact same features as their vice-captain, what's more is earlier Gojo just called her Shizue. It's definitely her.

The girl on the other hand finally composed herself together when she was greeted by the sight of several strangers she swore she'd never seen before. All, except one.

She saw a familiar looking ravenette man, though no matter how hard she racked her brain, Shizue couldn't recall where she saw him.

"Look why don't we go inside and talk? Let's go you guys." Gojo happily pushed Jean and the others inside Shizue's home, without her permission.

"Yeah sure come in, and why don't you take all my stuff while you're at it."

All of them, maybe aside for Annie and Pieck, was familiar with Shizue Yamada. They could tell everything was different. And even Reiner who only got a limited time working with her could tell that. Shizue was the most bright person they've ever met, she took her job seriously but that didn't made her busy from getting to know their new squad. Jean, Connie, and Sasha were particularly her favorite, she didn't say that out loud though. That's why they had trouble recognizing this person in front of them.

A lot of things about her, changed. Including the way she lived. Though no one was more glad to find put she's alive and well, he couldn't ignore the fact that her living quarters is a big mess. Dishes occupied the sink including the stove, there were only a few furniture and her laundry took up most of the space of her living room, and her dining table had a vase with a single wilted flower and ash trays.

Shizue let out an annoyed grunt. "So you're dumping them on me?"

"Come on Shizue, they have no where else to go and this world is very different from theirs. Do you really want that to be in your conscience?"

A certain ravenette man stood in front of her, the one who had stitches across his face. He was intently looking at her, but did not say a word. Levi only watched sternly as everything played out. Armin on the other hand was one step away from having a heart attack.

"I honestly don't care because it sounds to me that THIS is gonna cost money." Shizue fired back.

"Shizue you're a millionaire-"

"Money doesn't grow on trees Satoru-"

"Fine I'll pay you!"

"You better."

"As soon as I get my card from Shoko." Shizue furrowed her brows at Satoru who held an idiotic smile. "I lost a bet and-"

"I don't care."

"alright,"

Armin suddenly clears his throat trying to catch their attention to which he turns to Shizue, or at least, the new her. "Shizue-san we're really sorry for barging in like this, but we've encountered something unexplainable which is why we ended up here. We know absolutely nothing about this place and Gojo-san offered to help. But I promise you we can work for our stay, just until we figure things out."

Shizue was silent and let his words sink in. She only only think one thing.

He looks like a damn angel.

"And who are you?" She ask, caughting his off-guard.

"It's Armin,"

Sasha frowned. "Shizue-san, do you really....not know us?"

"Let's see," This made Shizue pause for a moment, rubbing index finger against her chin. Connie and Sasha leaned closer in anticipation.

Levi sensed she's gonna say something very unhelpful.

"I wouldn't be asking if I knew."

Levi was right.

---

Shizue's day always consists of three things, coffee, thirty minutes of staring at the abyss, and a cigarette. She always felt something was missing, it was as if there was a big part of her life that was taken from her. Shizue tried figuring it out but it always hits a dead end.

Lately, everything felt so glum and lifeless. She wanted to retire, but she's also thinking about Satoru. Though he didn't need her, he's the strongest after all, Shizue didn't want him to think she's abandoning him. She just wanted to disappear.

That was until, this happened.

Shizue knows for a fact, she'd never met nor seen him once in her life. She would've remembered, but it was as if she felt like she had known him for eternity.

"can we talk?" The man finally spoke. Shizue nodded, as she was curious who this guy was.

The others were busy cleaning as the two headed out for some privacy. Levi looked like he was struggling to utter words, no one could blame him. He has never been good with emotions, but this is the one thing he can never screw up again.

"Look, I don't know why you couldn't remember anything but-"

"We knew each other," Shizue cut him off, making his eyes widen.

"You remember?"

"I don't know... was I right?" She ask, clueless.

"Shizue."

"I don't know alright? I just felt it--I know it doesn't make sense we only just met but-"

Shizue suddenly felt something heavy on top of her head, stopping her from speaking any further. "Its alright,"

It has always been his mannerism to pat her head  whenever she mumbles. "You don't have to explain yourself. Not one of us knows what the hell is going on here." Shizue just looks down and nodded.

From what she saw, Levi didn't seem the kind of guy to be...considerate. He was scary truly, but it wasn't because of his scars, its because he has this very intimidating aura.

"Levi," Shizue met his alluring dark grey orbs. A smile formed within her lips and nods.

"I'd tell you my name but, I guess you already knew that. Satoru is very chatty." She said. Levi strongly agreed.

"So.." His eyes darted towards the girl as she spoke. "How do we know each other?"

Levi avoided her gaze, shoving his hands to his pockets. A series of events flashes within his mind, they loved each other, yet the cruel fate of their world and their duties has made it very impossible to call it that. And now they're here, and she's doesn't remember a thing.

"We were comrades," He simply said. Everything may be different now, but Levi was willing to live with that. He's a patient man after all.

---

There were only a limited guest rooms in her apartment so being the owner of the building, Shizue opened the room beside hers. And now Jean, Connie, Sasha, and Levi were the ones stuck with her.

On the second day, Levi had made it clear to the squad to work their place here and most importantly, keep the place spotless.

It was midnight when Levi was on his way to the bathroom and he heard the door from the veranda open. Shizue pulls out a chair and lights a cigarette. It worries him to think he does this every single day.

At 5 in the morning, Shizue was still asleep but the people in all both apartments were up already, cleaning and preparing for the day. The squad were stopped from what they were doing when they heard someone knock on their door.

Who else in this world would need anything from Shizue at this hour? Was it Gojo?

Jean looks at Levi. "Should we open it Captain?" He thought for a second. Whoever was at the other side of the door, even if they tried something he'd be enough kill it.

Or something less harsh.

Levi gave him his approval. Jean opened the door and what greeted him shocked everyone.

"Jean?! You guys?!"

There stood a familiar brunette with glasses, holding bags full of groceries. They couldn't be any more excited to see them.

"Hanji-san!"

They couldn't believe that not one but two of the members of the scouts were there with them, and they were alive.

After their little reunion, it was finally Levi's turn to ask questions. "So you remember us,"

Reiner and Jean helped them putting the bags on the dining.

"Of course I did midget I missed you guys!" They exclaimed while wrapping their arms around Mikasa and Sasha.

"What are you doing here? I mean I am glad that you're here but if you're here then that inly means you died --oh my god YOU ALL DIED?! EVEN YOU LEVI-"

"STOP." He couldn't help but raise his voice. "Shizue's still asleep."

Armin steps in to explain everything to their former commander. "It's a long story but, we just found ourselves trasported in this wolrd and then we met Gojo-san who brought us here."

"It was that damn mist." Annie scoffed that caught Hanji's attention.

"Mist?"

"We currently do not know anything about it." Pieck says. "But Shizue-san did give us a few books that could explain our situation. So far, we couldn't find anything."

Connie looked confused. "Wait, she did? When?"

"Idiot."

"Enough of that. Your turn. What the hell is this place?" Levi asked impatiently.

"Well I don't exactly know what to tell you but, it is like an imitation of our world but different in some kind of ways." They answered.

"Different how?" Mikasa asked, which made Hanji scratch their nape.

"Shizue died right, and I did too. So my conclusion was everyone who died in our world was once again born in this earth. Could be they're in different country, or city, but now that you're all here ... I'm not so sure."  They let Hanji's words sink in, though it wasn't easy. They were grateful that they had somewhere to live but, they still have responsibilities in their world and now, it was as if Hanji was saying they're in the after life.

"I need to sit down." Says Jean, followed by Connie and Reiner. Sasha went to the fridge.

"I need food. All these information are making me snacky." Armin was quick to stop her from it.

"Sasha! We can't take all of Shizue-san's food!"

"But she said it was okay!"

Hanji watched silently as the squad bickered, it reminded them of the old days. Because even if they already had a life on this earth, there's no denying that they missed their old life, no matter how cruel it was.

Their eyes landed on a certain ravenette who came silent.

"You want to know why I can remember you all and she doesn't?" They guessed. While Hanji was right, that is exactly the thing that was bugging Levi's mind, he could only respond with a slight grunt.

"Well, it's different for some people I guess. I bumped into Commander Nile about a month ago, and he didn't even recognize me. Sorry, Levi." The brunette gave their friend a pat on their shoulder.

"It's fine." He said, and a small smile formed in his lips. "I'm just glad you're doing well, and she's with you."

"Of course! Once our path crossed, I could never let her getaway from me." Hanji was late to sense Levi's glare.

"I-I didn't mean it like that!" They defended. "It was hard you know, I'm sure you already saw the drastic change she went through."

"Yes, we did." The two let out a sigh.

"I had to come here every chance I have. That girl does not know how to take care of her self Levi!" They spoke in distress. The man just shook his head.

"She doesn't even bother to buy food,  are you aware that she owns this building?"

"Ye-"

"Exactly! She's that rich! But once her fridge runs out of food, Shizue just sists there and starve!" Hanji let out an exasperated breath after finally venting to Levi.

The man couldn't say he wasn't concerned, just how long was she living like this? What if Hanji wasn't there to take care of her? And She lives alone foe godsake, what if she gets sick?

Hanji smacked his back harshly. "I'm glad you're here Levi!"

"Tch. Whatever four-eyes."

Everything was red. It was the last thing she ever saw. Or at least, that's the thing that scarred her memory. The shots fired, it was noisy, everything hurts. Pain travelled through her body, her hand reaches up to her abdomen, and there was it. It stained her hands. Blood.

Blood.

Blood.

Blood.