Moblit loved this life more than his previous one.

For one thing, there were no titans—that comprised ninety-nine percent of the reason why he preferred this one more than the last. The second reason was that whatever prejudice the world used to have against Eldians was nonexistent in this life, which was understandable because again, titans did not exist, and for someone like Moblit, a world with no titans was practically paradise.

Moblit didn't actually live long enough to know of the hate against Eldians, but Hange and Levi had relayed to him everything he missed in the past life—civilization beyond the walls, the history of Eldia and Marley, the war that had taken place, and the tragedy of the rumbling.

Long story short, the alliance had managed to stop the rumbling, and temporary peace reigned over the world for a time, with both sides of the war suffering heavy casualties, to be imprinted onto history records for the whole world to remember—at least, in that part of the universe.

After listening to the entire story, Moblit had reached to the conclusion that him dying at the battle at Shiganshina was far better than having to go through whatever hell that took place after.

It was a fair trade, he thought. Especially since he got reincarnated in this life, where he could get to wake up every day with no thoughts of wondering whether he would still be alive to see the next sunrise.

Just like the others, Moblit got his memories years after his birth. It was around his college years, he tried to recall. Up until then, he didn't know a thing about his past life (he never once paused to even think about the existence of past lives) until he ran into Hange in one of his lectures for a minor subject he had to take. Perhaps it was meeting a significant figure from his past that triggered it, but he recalled in that encounter how his memories flowed back in a span of what felt like five seconds, and he'd felt like throwing up at the overwhelming sensation. Hange, who already had her memories returned at the time, had dropped her water bottle and shrieked so loudly it echoed across the lecture hall and caused heads to turn. He remembered she had launched herself at him with the force of a bear and crushed him with a hug, blubbering through tears of joy.

Yes, Moblit definitely loved this life a lot more. No deaths, no pain, no stress from having to watch over his energetic squad leader, and most of all—no titans.

After graduating college, he managed to sign up for a part-time job in the city's public library to save up finances before he can finally land a permanent job in his course. He majored in accounting, and he was searching up available job positions in some nearby companies.

"Moblit, we have new staff today. Can you show them around? I have something to check with the supplier for the next batch of books," his employer called from near the back of the library.

Moblit raised his head from sifting through the books in the box by his feet and affirmed his employer's request, before he dusted his hands and straightened out the wrinkles in his collar. He stepped out of the shelves and into the space of the library. It was spacious; high ceilings stretched overhead, large glass-panned windows were etched by the cream walls and tables were arranged sporadically across the marbled floor. At the far side of the room stood rows of shelves. There was also a second floor where the kids' corner was located, built in a circular structure with a spacious hole at the center that overlooked the first floor. It was still about an hour till open hours, so there were only library staff around the place.

Moblit made his way towards the front desk by the entrance to the library, where he could see the desk clerk making conversation with a woman with dark hair held up with a clip—whom Moblit assumed was the new staff. He hoped it was someone with a pleasant personality, he really did not want to work with someone with an attitude.

The woman slightly turned her face, attention still fixed on the desk clerk, but allowing Moblit ample view to her side profile.

Moblit froze in his tracks.

Mind short-circuiting, he could feel his fingers twitch, eyes snapping wide as saucers and jaw hanging as he identified who she was. Of course he would, he had literally worked with her for years in the past life, occasionally taking orders, and had seen her fight on titan territory together with captain Levi and section commander Mike—their most formidable battle trio, and the second-in-command of the Survey Corps who also happened to be his commander's long-time friend and childhood sweetheart.

"Serge—"

Moblit clamped his lips together, cutting his habit of calling her by her position. She isn't a Sergeant Major in this life, he reminded himself. That is, unless she landed herself a job in the military, which Moblit thought to be impossible given the circumstances. Besides, he doubted any of them from the past life who got reincarnated would engage in military-related jobs considering the hell they went through in the past life. At least for Moblit, he'd do everything he could in his ability to stay away from the military and anything that remotely resembled a long blade. Heck, he even gets nauseous every time he sees a box cutter, for pete's sake. The blasted thing resembled their titan-slaying weapons far too much for his liking.

As instincts overran his entire body, he slid back to the row of shelves, away from sight and leaned against the frame, gathering his thoughts. He closed his eyes.

Maybe his eyes were just playing tricks on him, he thought. Moblit peeked past the shelves and squinted his eyes at the woman. Maybe it wasn't really her, maybe his eyes just thought it was her because he only caught a split-second glimpse—

No.

It's really her. He gulped, nervous sweat trickling down his forehead. He leaned back into the shelf frame and took a deep breath. It's really Isanna-san. She's.. really here.

Among all the higher-ups in the past life, she was the only one Moblit had yet to meet again in this life. Even his former commander, Erwin Smith, who was working as a history professor in one of the academies in the city, had been searching for her through every possible means through the years—with no such luck. His former superior Levi had made a half-hearted comment that 'maybe she didn't get reincarnated', which had earned him a disapproving look from Erwin.

But now, she was here. Isanna Herrmann, in the flesh. In front of Moblit.

After gathering back his wits, he took out his smartphone and dialed Hange's number.

───

Erwin adjusted the pair of reading glasses that were sitting atop his nose as he thumbed through the lesson material that he was to teach in his next class. Seated in his teacher's desk, he was surrounded with a buzz of conversations from his colleagues, either gossiping or chatting about the most mundane subjects. He even heard a fellow teacher talking about how two of his students had begun dating—a conversation that Erwin automatically tuned out of his hearing as he focused on the guide in his hand.

"Break a leg," he heard someone say followed by a light clink as he saw a cup of tea being placed on his desk, where a neat array of papers, books, and pens were methodically arranged.

Erwin lifted his gaze to see one of his co-workers, who also happened to be one of his old friends in the past life—Adrian Schulz. He'd been in the Training Corps together with Erwin and the rest of his friends, and they'd all enlisted in the Scouts together after graduation. When they first met in this life, it had been around three or four years ago, on Adrian's first day at work as a math teacher.

Erwin nodded with a mumble of a 'Thank you' as he picked the ceramic cup by the handle and lifted it to his lips, allowing its rim to rest on his mouth for a while as he gauged its temperature. His eyes remained fixed on his book.

At his apparent gesture to continue working, Adrian shook his head and sat on his desk, which happened to be right next to Erwin's. "Workaholic," he muttered, turning around in his swivel chair. "By the way, the other teachers plan on eating out later. You coming?"

Erwin thumbed over to the next page. "I'll have to decline on that offer. I have a work quota to finish by the end of the day."

"Quota?" Adrian scoffed. "You work in a school, not a business corporate."

Erwin was about to reply that he had four homerooms with quizzes to check, three homerooms with individual assignments, and about fifteen late turn-ins when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

He reached for his phone, about to turn it off when his eyes registered Hange's name and mobile number flashing on his screen.

After three seconds, Erwin gestured for Adrian that he should take the call, before he swiped the 'accept' icon and raised the phone to his ears.

["ERWIN!"]

Hange's breathy, hurried voice pierced through his eardrums, and it took Erwin by surprise as he couldn't even decipher her jumbled words.

["Moblit—today he—at the public library—he saw—earlier today he—"]

"Hange," Erwin said, slightly pulling the phone away from his ear to save his poor eardrums. "Calm down. What's the problem?"

From the other end of the line, he could hear her take in a deep breath, and the next words she yelled made Erwin feel his own heart stop.

["He saw her!"]

Under normal circumstances, Erwin would ask who this 'her' was, but judging by Hange's tone and inability to suppress her excitement, Erwin knew there was only one person she was referring to.

It was as if his mind went blank. Scratch that—it did go blank. Erwin could feel his own eyes widening, and he faintly realized that he had his own lips parted in surprise. His grip over his phone tightened, and his next class which was in about ten minutes suddenly dropped down his priority list.

"Where?" he asked when he finally found his voice back. Even then he could still feel a surge of anxiety. Was it anxiety? Excitement? "Where did you say he saw her?"

["In the public library! Isn't it, like, a fifteen-minute drive from your school?"]

Erwin glanced down at his wristwatch. Five if I make it count.

He could feel it in his chest—this bubbling eagerness to see her. Too long. It had been too long since the last time he saw her. He'd been waiting too long to meet her again. Was it fifteen years? He regained his memories of the past life when he was in high school, and ever since then the idea of reuniting with her once more had been a wish he so longed to see fulfilled.

Because, in this life, he could actually, finally, love her freely. No drawbacks. No shackle of being an iron commander. No fear of death.

They had been robbed of their future in the past life, their love toyed with fate. Now, he could make their dreams a reality. He could finally make her happy. He will, and there was nothing else in the world Erwin wanted more than the chance to love her again.

["Oh, but.. I don't think you should meet her now."]

Erwin frowned. "What do you mean?"

Hange couldn't possibly expect him to pass up this opportunity, not when he'd been waiting for so long. For Erwin to wait even a second longer—that would be absolute torture, and Hange should know that.

There was a pause, and some shuffling from the other end.

["Well.. you see, Moblit talked to her and.. uh.."]

At that point, Erwin didn't need Hange to continue.

The bubble of anticipation in his chest deflated.

Oh.

"She.. doesn't remember?" Erwin said, more of a disappointed whisper.

[".. I'm sorry, Erwin. But hey!"] Hange's voice rose, an attempt Erwin suspected as her way of cheering him up. ["What matters is that she's here, right? You guys can just make new memories together again. This time, happy ones."]

A flash of the last charge he had led in the past flashed in his memories. The screams, the flying shredded rocks, blood spurting in the air, pillars of smoke signals jetting upwards—her, lying in a pool of blood soaking the grass beneath, the warmth in her hand fading as death took her away right in front of him.

Even until now, the scene haunted Erwin in his nightmares, and he always got a sickening twist in the pit of his stomach every time he remembered it. He didn't care one ounce about the part of him dying—no, he didn't care about that at all. It was Isanna dying in his grasp that always had him waking up, gasping in cold shivers in the dead of night, alone in his apartment.

And every time that happened, Erwin always dreaded the possibility of it being his last memory of her.

Now, reincarnated in another life, and finding out that she was also here, gave him newfound hope—only for that hope to be extinguished after finding out she had zero memories of their past lives, of him.

His call with Hange ended, and he decided to wait until the end of the day to go see Isanna. At least by then, he'll be much calmer.

Erwin palmed his face, suppressing a sigh. In the background he could make out the school bell ringing that signaled the start of next period.

"You guys can just make new memories together again. This time, happy ones."

Essentially, Hange was right. The most important thing right now was that Isanna was here. Erwin decided to focus on that one good thing. Even if she doesn't remember him, they could always just make new memories. Starting anew—the idea wasn't so bad the longer he mulled it over. So long as she was here, they could do things all over again. Erwin Smith was a patient man, and he could extend his patience for an eternity for her if needed.

After all, had he not been patient, he wouldn't have survived this long in this life without her.

And, maybe Isanna just needed a trigger to bring her memories back. Based on what Erwin gathered from his own experience and the experiences of others, one could get it back when they go through something similar in the past life—a déjà vu, of some sorts, or if they see something or someone similar in the past. It didn't happen to everyone he knew, but it would be a good start. Of course, he would never actually put her through similar events in their past, but maybe, just maybe, some time down the line, she'll remember. Preferably on her own.

Little did Erwin know, Isanna having no recollection of their past was the least of his problems.

───

Just as 5 PM struck, Erwin cleared his desk and called it a day, which had come as a shocker to the other teachers.

Everyone in his workplace knew Erwin Smith as a workaholic who was glued to his desk like moths to a flame. If he wasn't teaching in class, he would be working on the next week's agenda and learning targets. The others thought he just really liked to teach, especially after hearing from the students that he was most likely, if not, the best history teacher they've been under since not one student in his class ever sleeps. And for a subject like history, that was actually a remarkable feat.

But on this particular day, everyone in the teachers' office watched, Adrian included, as Erwin cleared his desk with quick hands and stood, bidding everyone a goodbye with a well-mannered nod, then marched out of the office in what seemed like rushed strides.

"That's new," someone said moments after Erwin left. "Never seen Erwin leave before 6 PM before."

The others nodded to themselves, wondering what could have made the blond leave earlier than his usual time.

Erwin padded down the school hallways, suit briefcase in one hand and his phone in the other as he unlocked it and dialed Moblit's number. He passed by a few students who lumbered around the corridors, returning their greetings with a nod and a smile, bidding them a safe trip home. He failed to notice some of the female students' hushed whisperings and giddy smiles as he walked by.

"He's the ideal man ever," one of them sighed with a dreamy smile as she watched Erwin exit out of the school building. "Tall, blond, handsome, a well-mannered gentleman, and earns well. Every day I thank my mom for sending me to this school."

Her friend eyed her weirdly. "He's like, fifteen years older than you."

"I like 'em old."

Her friend gave her a look of disappointment.

"I'm kidding!" She rolled her eyes. "I'm not going after him, duh—but it's not wrong to appreciate a perfect man, right? They don't make men like him anymore."

Her friend sighed but inwardly agreed.

After his call with Moblit, Erwin slipped his phone back to his pockets and took out his keys just as he arrived at the parking lot. He unlocked his black Mercedes-Benz and got in the driver's seat, placing his suitcase on the passenger's seat before pulling the seatbelt over him.

He gripped the steering wheel with tight hands, gaze steadied in front as he tried to calm the erratic beating in his chest. When was the last time he'd been this nervous?

Him, Erwin Smith, former commander of the Survey Corps (in his past life), always undaunted in the face of death and dangers and titans, the same man who had literally managed to outthrow a century-old monarchy with one fucking arm to boot—nervous at the prospect of meeting a woman?

Hilarious. Just utterly hilarious. Then again, she wasn't just any woman. This was the same woman he'd vowed his life and heart to, both in the past and in his present.

He glanced at his wristwatch. The public library closed at 7 PM, so he had plenty of time. He leaned back and pulled down the visor to look at the mirror and see if he looked presentable. He wore his usual work clothes—a casual suit with a black tie, his hair had been neatly combed, and he didn't look like he just pulled an all-nighter checking ten homerooms worth of papers.

He looked decent, he thought.

Ridiculous. Since when was I the type to fuss over appearances?

Erwin scoffed through his nose, putting the mirror back to its original position. He inserted his key and ignited the car, whirring it to life. After pulling down the handbrake, he stepped on the gas and rode out of his usual parking lot, and in seconds, was out in the highway.

Rush hour was hell. Honking cars, pedestrians and traffic enforcers clogged the downtown city. Erwin leaned one elbow on the car door panel, holding the side of his face while he kept one hand on the steering wheel, his eyes staring straight at the traffic lights as if his glare could somehow make it turn green faster.

A million thoughts ran through him. What should he say when he meets her? Would she even talk to him? Granted she doesn't remember, so it was all up to Erwin to initiate a conversation. But how? The classic 'ask her for her number'? 'Hello, may I take you out for dinner?'

Erwin Smith was a man of many things, but a natural flirt was not one of them. He's had a number of women hit on him, and even a few men, but he never once returned their gestures nor showed interest. And unlike in the past, he did not meet Isanna as a child, and that discrepancy changed a lot of things.

Now, he was meeting her as a full-fledged adult, ready to act on his feelings and not waste time (something his past self was unable to).

When he finally pulled into the parking space near the library, Erwin realized he had no plan whatsoever—which was rare for someone as meticulous as him. Mike used to say he'd gotten a lot more lenient and calmer in this life. Understandable. Because in this life, he wasn't a commander leading a group of soldiers under his banner. He was just Erwin Smith, history teacher at Saint Joseph's Academy, 31-year-old bachelor. Fellow teachers at his workplace often told him it was high time for him to settle down, and with a man like him, they said there was a considerably long queue of women who would be more than willing to marry him, but Erwin didn't want just any woman. He wanted her.

He glanced out the windshield and towards the large infrastructure. The public library was built like a dome, larger and definitely grander than your typical public library. Apparently, it was funded by a rich corporate business that had felt particularly generous on a random day thirty years ago.

After a mental count of up to three, Erwin turned the car off and got out. He locked the doors and headed to the entrance, stepped up the front stairs, and walked through the doors. The entrance led to a short corridor which opened towards the library at the other end.

Erwin had been to the public library before, occasionally with Mike, occasionally with Hange. It was a good place to hang out whenever he wanted a change of scenery from home to work on some school agenda.

Since it was nearing closing hours, the number of people occupying the tables were sparse. The air conditioners were still on, blowing a chilling air throughout the floor. Erwin swept a cursory gaze around the dome space, trying to pinpoint the familiar bob of auburn hair of Moblit's. Maybe he's at the staff room.

He reached for his phone in his back pocket and made sure to turn it silent, before he dialed Moblit's number again. He placed the phone near his ear and listened as it rang and rang and rang, the impatience ebbing deeper the longer he waited. He looked around, keeping an eye out.

According to Moblit, she was going to be working here, although whether it was permanent or short-term, he wasn't sure.

Come on, he thought, pushing his tongue against the inside of his cheek as he glanced down at his wristwatch once more. He was walking near the row of shelves, discretely checking each table to see if he could pinpoint the familiar face of his lover in the past life.

He was so preoccupied with the ringing phone in his hand and checking the tables that he barely registered the shuffle of footsteps that was nearing him as he passed by the next aisle.

By the time he realized, it was already too late and the person bumped into him, the tall pile of cardboard boxes in their hold crashing to the floor.

"Ack—!" a voice cried.

Erwin barely flinched at the shove and immediately lowered his phone, turning around to apologize and help them when he felt the wind get knocked out of him. Figuratively.

"Crap," the person gasped, kneeling down to start picking up the books that had spilled from the boxes. "I'm so sorry—I didn't see you there, uh.. are you okay, sir?"

Erwin faintly heard the sound of the other end of the call picking up, and a 'Hello?' from Moblit (long overdue), but without thinking much of it, he ended the call, never taking his eyes away from the person.

It was a woman, clad in smart casual outfit consisting of a cream-colored button-up loose sweater paired with light wash jeans and a long coat. She had her dark hair pinned up with a hair pin, and was in the middle of picking up her second book from the pile of box that she'd dropped when she bumped into him.

Erwin felt himself swallow a heavy gulp.

Ever since he received the call from Hange, there was a still small voice inside that told him maybe Moblit just got the wrong person and that he shouldn't get his hopes up. He'd told himself to refrain from investing in too much expectancy.

But it turned out there was no need for him to be so cautious.

It's her.

Erwin was now a hundred-percent certain. There was no way he could be mistaken, not when she was right in front of him. How could he ever forget the face of the woman he loved?

She looked just the same. Not that he expected her to look any different, but—wait—did she get prettier? Or maybe Erwin just missed her that much—what was he even thinking?

He couldn't believe he was actually.. nervous? Him, of all people?

"Uh.. are you okay?"

Erwin finally snapped out of it. He tucked his phone away and crouched to help her. "Yes, I'm alright," he managed to say without his voice shaking. "I apologize. For bumping into you."

"Don't worry about it," she chuckled lightheartedly, and Erwin swore his own chest swelled with unexplainable joy at the sound of it. How long has it been since I've last heard your laugh? "It was my fault. Should've just moved the boxes one at a time.. Oh, it's alright. You don't have to pick them up, I can—"

She reached over to take the book from his grasp, but Erwin placed a hand over hers. 

"Please. Allow me." 

When she lifted her gaze and locked eyes with him again, it felt like some invisible force planted him firmly on his spot, freezing him in place, and their position gave him a close-up of her face.

Erwin wanted to kiss her.

Thankfully, he had enough restraint. The last thing he wanted was to get arrested for sexual harassment, and right after their reunion, too.

She pulled her hand back and gave him a smile and a 'thank you', before resuming to pick up the other books. Erwin could only wonder what was going on in her mind at that very moment, because for him, his was going absolutely haywire.

She tucked a stray lock behind her ear, the gesture only making him fix a prolonged stare at the way it provided him an enticing view of the base of her neck curving into her collarbone, where a necklace with a green gem hung over it. His eyes trailed back to her face and as she was facing half-way away from him, Erwin swore time seemed to have slowed down when he took in her features; the way her long eyelashes fluttered down with every blink, the bridge of her nose that looked just the same as in the past, her plump lips which he assumed had some lip balm over it and—

Wall Sina.

Beautiful, was all he could think. She was still as beautiful. Time has not changed you.

When all the books were returned to their rightful spot, they finally stood and dusted themselves.

She cleared her throat after a moment of silence, and awkwardly laughed.

"So, uh.. oh, right. Where are my manners? Sorry for the late introduction."

She held out a hand, pairing it with a genuine smile.

"Isanna Herrmann, and you are?"

Her introduction further solidified the fact of her zero recollection, and Erwin would be lying if he said he didn't feel a sinking disappointment.

New memories, a second voice inside him said. Just make new memories. Start all over again.

With grounded resolve, Erwin clasped his hand around her smaller one, resisting the urge to just pull her in a hug.

"Erwin Smith," he finally said.

This was a new life, he thought. It was only right they start all over again—as long as it was with her, Erwin would be more than willing to redo and experience everything for a second time around.

Isanna smiled at him, and it made Erwin think that he made the right choice after all. She's much brighter, he noticed. The past life shrouded her with nothing but pain and misery, none of it she deserved, so to see her genuinely smiling with not an ounce of bitterness made Erwin feel better. Maybe her not remembering has its advantages.

Erwin was about to open up a new conversation when—

"Isanna."

Came a third, unfamiliar voice.

Erwin turned to the direction the same time Isanna did, and when his eyes landed on a man striding over towards them with a relaxed gait, Erwin could feel his own brow twitching.

Who?

It was a man in messy platinum blond hair and glasses, as well as a beard growing around his chin. He was dressed in a simple black button-up with the first two buttons undone, jeans, and he had two hands shoved casually into his pockets.

He moved in a casual stride, but the hairs on Erwin's skin were all alert.

And when the library lights reflecting off his glasses faded and showed a pair of pale blue eyes fixed straight at him, Erwin straightened at the shared eye contact.

"Zeke," Erwin heard Isanna say, and he looked at her just in time to see her direct a smile at the newcomer. "How did the interview go?"

Zeke, she'd said. The name was familiar to Erwin, but where did he..?

"Perfect," the man called 'Zeke' said in a tone that exuded confidence. "I'm reporting in tomorrow."

Then he watched as this 'Zeke' guy turned to face him, and for some reason, Erwin did not like the look he was giving him.

"And who's this?" Zeke said, not taking his eyes off him. Erwin returned his gaze with an equal amount of stoniness.

"Oh," Isanna remembered and turned to Erwin. "We just met, actually. This is Erwin. Erwin, Zeke."

As Erwin stared at the other blond, the name finally clicked.

He felt his blood drop a few temperatures down.

Hange and Levi had relayed everything that he'd missed in the past life—one of it being the identity of the man who had been the ringleader of the opposite side during the battle at Shiganshina. Zeke Yeager, half-brother of Eren Yeager, the first born of Grisha, War Chief of Marley, and above all—

The beast titan.

This was the man who eradicated his entire squadron that horrid day, the man who stole his dreams from him, the man who killed him and his lover.

And, as if the universe had brought Erwin back to life just to mock him for the second time around, Isanna just had to be the one to deliver the final devastating blow.

"Zeke Yeager," she said, "my fiancé."