[translation: @yusenki | editing: @leviskinnyjeans]

[source: x]

Note: This AU smartpass story was specially chosen to be publicly published on the AU smartpass official website.

Someone once said that a dream is the reflection of the heart. Either to make oneself at ease by forgetting everyday cruelties, or perhaps to fall into an abyss that is harsher than reality. This evening the slumber that is going to be unfold is…



The cadets have just finished their training and return toward the barracks.

“The Garrison is over there. What are they doing?”

“They must be those who are off-duty tomorrow. They must be going out for drinks, right?”

Connie is the one who noticed those seniors who are far away from him. Reiner, who is beside him, is the one who pointed out where the seniors are going in Trost district.

“Hmm, how nice.”

While Connie is still looking at the seniors, Armin calmly speaks.

Actually we can dine-in at bars too, you know. In the past, there was a cadet who eventually married with a lady from a bar.

“How come you know such a rumor?”

By chance—I heard it when the instructor was gossiping.

“Hey, it’s not like that you know,” Jean suddenly cuts in.

“How should I say— isn’t it fun to have a drink after work ends? Right, Reiner?”

“Ah, maybe that’s true.”

On that day, the topic at the boys’ barrack is liquor.

In the past, the Garrison and MP used to drink plenty of liquor. Recently, we don’t see it often.

“It’s because of decreased portion in mankind’s territory. There is less land to grow ingredients and grain.”

As Eren and Armin say that, Connie replies in a jealous tone.

“But since it’s rare to get an off-day, of course it would be nice to go for a drink.”

As soon as Jean laughs, Marco smiles.

“But what will happen if everyone drinks as much as they like? I am interested to find out. If it’s Bertholdt, his drunken behavior might be unexpected—he might become talkative.”

After Marco finishes his words, the boy who has been silently listening, flusters and disapproves.

“Eh?! I- I won’t! Maybe.”

Everyone laughs at his reaction.

“Right, when we all become old men, let’s meet-up and have a drink! I will treat that guy who is in hurry to die (Eren), if he joins the MP. That is if he’s still alive by then~”

“Even without anyone treating me, I will earn more than Jean because I will exterminate all of the titans.”

“Hey, stop fighting.” Marco comes in between them. Everyone laughs.

“Even though our paths might be different in future…I wish that we will all stay alive and gather again.”

“Yea, sounds good.”

Reiner happily continues the conversation.

—–

“Oi, give us one more bottle!”

The bar looks dim and hazy. Reiner is clamorously drinking (hobnobbing) with the fellow batch cadets. Everyone at once starts to cheer.

“Ok! Jean, sing~!”

“Ha! Don’t cower after listening to my beautiful voice, ok!?”

Red-faced, Jean sings with extremely good voice.

“Oi, Eren! Next turn is you! Transform into a titan!”

“Alright! Eh, is it alright to do it here?!”

Eren, who is shoulder to shoulder with drunken Connie, is suddenly taken aback and stops.

Reiner is having fun and becomes more cheerful.

Suddenly he says,“Oh? That kind of trick. We can also…”

After he says that, he looks for his friend from the same village as him.

“You can’t…”

An ice cold hand catches Reiner’s arm that is holding up the mug. That hand belongs to Bertholdt, who looks pale.

“As for us”

“Bertholdt?”

“We can’t drink this.”

—–

Reiner hastily opens his eyes wide.

It is the middle of the night… The dawn is still far.

“Ugh…”

He hears groans coming out from Bertholdt, who sleeps near to him. He (Bert), who has bad sleeping posture, lets out suffering sounds.

“Sor…Sorry…”

“…!”

Toward his delirious mumbling, Reiner slightly trembles.

Right… we

Slowly, he lifts his body up. He watches his fellow batch cadets’ sleeping forms.

We can’t envision their future…

His eyes harbor sharp lights within.

“I am sorry…”

However, it’s like wanting to shake away the bond, which wants to cling on him. Reiner shakes his head and he falls into deep slumber.

