I Shall Be Happy

(3rd person's POV)

(7 days after the Fall of Wall Maria)

Inside a refugee camp, a boy was running excitedly toward his group's tent. Behind him, there was also a young girl running not too far behind.

"GUYS!!! I got good news!"

Once the people inside the tent heard that they turned to look at the boy.

"What is it Thana-kun? Where have you been the entire day?" A beautiful middle-aged woman spoke up. Her expression told the boy that she was quite tired. A prolonged period of starvation had slowly exhausted her. Not only that, but the constant stare of l.u.s.t by the guards in her surroundings also started to wear her down. This mostly happened when she's usually with few people around, or alone since almost all men have to do construction work in the day. Still, this only lasted a couple of days in the beginning as, the day after she tells her group about her problems, no one harassed her anymore.

"I got us a house!"

"A house? How the hell did you get a house after only leaving for a day?"

"Someone gave it to m-"

What the boy intended to say was that because he looked so strong, a rich person begged him to become his bodyguard for a day in exchange for a house.

The actual story was that when the boy found a group of corrupted merchants, he hypnotized them into thinking that they're good people. He then told them to only do good deeds for the people and give him a house. All of this happened within a day, with half of the time spent on furnishing the house.

Knowing that the boy was dead set on telling his version of the story. The girl then hurriedly interrupted him.

"We saved a rich person and in return, they gave us a small house."

"""HUH?/What?/IMPOSSIBLE!""" Different reactions within the tent sounded out, audibly confused by the weird story that was just told.

[SEE? told you, Mikasa. If I tell them my story, they would have believed me immediately.]

The boy proudly said telepathically to Mikasa with a smirk on his face, totally oblivious to the weird stare she gave him.

Although there were definitely a lot of flaws within the story, but they still wanted to make sure if it was the truth.

"Look at this certificate, it's the proof(ノ*゜▽゜*)"

"Hmm... It does seem to be legit."

The blonde man, seeing his daughter's face telling him something, suddenly realize that the boy must have probably done something to get the house. He laughed it out as this is not the first time the boy has done such a thing.

The woman also seemed to grasp what was happening, but besides those two, nobody understood what was going on.

---------------------------------

(Annie's POV)

The group of people that I have been together with these last few days, have been treating me very nicely, especially the Ackermann husband and wife.

Although in the beginning, I was wary that these people were just another fake that's trying to use me. But contrary to my expectations, they were very nice people. My instinct tells me that all of their actions were genuine. It made me quite relieved but I was also feeling guilty since I'm just using them to live more comfortably. It's a rare emotion for me, which I never thought I would experience such a thing again.

The only one who has a hostile intention toward me was Athanatos, who, from my perspective, resembled that of a predator waiting to kill his prey. I have a feeling that he's going to confront me soon.

---------------------------------

Once I arrived at the house, I stared at it blankly. It was actually quite a good house, bigger than I have imagined. Although it's not at the point of a rich house, it was surely not something that laymen like us could ever afford.

It was a two-story house, about 6 meters wide and 9 meters long. The size of the house is not that great, but with the addition of the 2nd story, it made a big difference. From the look of the house, there should be at least more than 3 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. As the price of a house has increased tremendously, this shouldn't have been something that can just be given away normally.

"Welcome to our new home!"

Even though I knew that word the boy spoken wasn't meant for me, I couldn't help but think I have finally got a place that I can call home. A place where there are people caring about me, even if we have just met. The first place, that I belonged to.

I started to sob quietly, but it couldn't escape the eyes of the people around me.

The woman, whose name was Mikan, walked up and started to hug me. She had a motherly look on her, something that I have also never experience with. The people around me also had a similar expression, as if I was a part of them, an important family member. Even Athanatos, who never cared about me was visibly surprise at my crying and his hostile look lessen a little.

"It's alright Annie... Don't be afraid anymore. You're home now."