I Shall Be Happy

(Mikan's POV)

More than a year and a half after the Fall of Wall Maria. The first few days were very cruel to us. We were starved, abused by guards, and treated like baggage. Then once Thana-kun got us this house, all of those things stopped. We lived a decent life ever since. And food was now on our table daily.

Karl was also able to support the family. Shortly after we got the house, he was able to get a job as a construction worker, but not too long ago, he was promoted to the position of a manager. Grandfather Alert, Armin's grandfather, was not that much different. As a great scholar, he became a teacher at a nearby orphanage. That same orphanage also went through some changes. Before we got here, it was just a shabby. run-down place, but that's all changed after we got this house.

And recently, some more strange incidents happened, such as people who are known to be very corrupted suddenly have a change of heart. They donated their wealth to poor people and built many orphanages.

It was like something is helping us behind the scene. I have a great guess of who though... Fufufu

And now, it seemed that there's going to be a new member joining the family today.

The last one to join was Annie, who though was shy at first, managed to become a much livelier girl. I can still vividly remember that day. Just a few months after she joined the family, she decided to tell us who she was.

It turned out her original family abandoned her, leaving her to be waiting to get adopted. Then a man later adopted Annie and gave her the name Annie Leonheart. Though it was supposed to be a good thing, it was everything but. She was forced to become a tool for her dad. She didn't spare us any further details but she told us that she didn't care anymore. She finally got her own family now, a real family. That was when she broke down and cry.

We all hugged her for a good 30 minutes or so before she was finally able to calm down. Soon after that, we found out it was actually her birthday the day after. We threw a really big party and everyone was having the time of their life.

And soon, another child will join us. Thana-kun told me it was a young girl, which immediately got me feeling unsettled. He already had two girls following him, and one of them is my own daughter. Sigh*. Even though I know that currently none of them had feelings for each other, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Although the law didn't specifically ban polygamy, I hope that they wouldn't end up hurting each other if Thana-kun only picks one girl. That would hurt me greatly.

Now... let's cook up a welcoming feast for this new young lady

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(Historia's POV)

Right now I am walking to the devil's house.

No... rather than a devil, the face beneath their mask was just that of a normal kid, seemingly about my age. Without their costumes, they actually appeared to be quite harmless.

It was my very first time going outside of the farmhouse. There are things that I have never imagined to exist at all. Everything and I mean everything aroused my curiosity. It was my first time seeing a world of so many colors, so many people, and so many houses. It was quite a sight to behold

Still... that was all I felt. There was no feeling of excitement or feeling of exhilaration at all. Most of my feeling was locked away ever since my mom abandoned me. I have already learned not to expect things too much, or else I would be disappointed. Funny enough, I didn't want to mess things up and get sent back to the farm since this is my last chance.

At the very least... I wanted to see what these kids have in mind for me to experience.

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We arrived at a slightly big house after walking for a while. It was night time and with the addition of no light coming out from the house, everything was dark. For a moment, I regretted expecting something at all.

I think I'm going to die... I wonder what it feels like... once it's all over.

It's not like I'm afraid of death, so these people killing me would do me a favor. Well, at least things I hope things won't get too painful.

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Walking into the house, I can feel a cold breeze passing through my face. It gave me a slight chill in my spine. I can also sense a few more presences within the house. I wonder if these devils have families as well.

Please get this over with...

Then suddenly, a burst of light appeared, almost blinding her.

"Please don't hurt me..."

I mumbled silently while my eyes were still recovering from the intensity of the light.

"Hey, look up."

Then the boy gave a pat on my back, encouraging me to look at the scene in front of me.

I did. And for the first time in my life... Something... finally worked out.

"Ah..."

I was really dumbfounded by this strange development.

"Just take it slowly. C'mon. I will introduce you to everyone."

Then the boy introduced himself.

"My name is Athanatos Ackermann. You can call me Thana-kun. It's a nickname that my family called me with."

The next one to speak up was the two girls.

"Mikasa Ackermann. Thana-kun's best friend."

"My name is Annie Leonhart. Please to meet you."

After that, the others inside the house introduced themselves from left to right order.

"Welcome, dear. I'm Mikasa's mother, Mikan."

"And I'm her husband. You can call me Karl."

"I'm Alfred (A/N I made this up), but people called me Grandfather Alert."

"A-and I'm his grandson, Armin!"

"Eren Yeager. I'm going to join the Survey Corps. Nice to meet ya, Historia."

Everyone greeted me warmly, except for the last boy, who was now receiving the stares of everyone for ruining the mood.

I didn't care about that though. It was the first time someone has ever said that I was welcome. I didn't even know what they meant until a few moments later.

Everything felt so surreal. I wonder if it was just a dream, waiting for me to wake up from.

Is this what a family feels like? I was raised to think that I was unnecessary. An unwanted child. A curse...

But, these people didn't think so. So... are they my new family now?

Then a stream of tear fell from one of my eyes. My heart aches a little, but it's not painful. I like this feeling... it's warm.

"Now... Do you want to go back?"

The boy, no, Thana-kun spoke to me from the behind.

I turned back to see him with a wide smile on his face. The two girls, Annie and Mikasa also had a slight smile and warm look toward me.

"No..."

"C'mon. Speak up loudly, for everyone to hear. Tell them who you are."

Am I not a burden? Why are these people so kind to me? Do I even deserve to be happy?

"I... My name is Historia. I uhm... I used to work on a farm. I can also do househo-"

"That's not how you do an introduction, Historia. You have to make it memorable. C'mon. Do it again."

The boy interrupted me while I was introducing myself. I have never done an introduction before, so not wanting to mess up again. I tried to become more confident.

"I'm Historia. I'm thankful to be here."

Then the boy gave me a look, hinting that I was doing fine.

Then I went on.

"I'm glad to be here. And uhm... Please treat me well!!"

I did it.

"We look forward to have you as our new family member, Historia..." The woman walked up and hugged me tightly.

"Yes... thank you for having me here."

I don't want today to end.