The Other World’s Animator

Mikasa was cutting through them with almost liberating ferocity, as if every strike were the only thing keeping the world from collapsing. But her gas ran out before her body could keep up, and the sudden loss of momentum tore her from the air, sending her crashing straight to the ground.

On the surface, she remained calm. Her expression did not tremble. Her eyes did not waver. But deep inside, something had already gone numb after Eren's death. Her reason still worked, dry and precise, and it was that reason that had made her call everyone to break through the titans' blockade and reach the building where they could refill their gas. That was the only path left to survival.

But did Mikasa still want to survive?

Lying on the ground, she stared at the broken blade in her hand. Not far away, a fifteen-meter titan was slowly walking toward her.

Fumika's heart tightened.

Mikasa, this isn't right.

Get up. Run.

The gas is gone, the maneuver gear is useless now, but at least try to struggle. What are you doing lying there, staring at the sky?

Don't tell me episode five killed Eren, and episode seven is going to kill Mikasa too.

Again… I've remembered this pain. Do I have to start all over again?

Mikasa remembered the time before she met Eren, that lonely, cold, painful existence, as if the entire world had been a house without light.

Her gaze remained calm as the titan drew closer.

One after another, her comrades also began falling midway, dropping onto rooftops after running out of gas, only to be found by the fifteen-meter titan.

To eat, or to be eaten.

That was the world.

This world is cruel.

Mikasa slid the broken blade back into its sheath.

Then, in her mind, she saw it again: that moment from her childhood when Eren saved her and wrapped a scarf around her neck.

And yet, this world is so beautiful.

The anime's background music shifted in an instant.

Fumika's eyes widened.

This world is cruel.

Yes. Humanity was surrounded by titans, devoured, crushed, reduced to fear.

Even so, there had once been someone in this world willing to risk his life to save her.

That was why this world was beautiful, too.

And now, that Eren - the boy who had fought so desperately for her when they were children, the boy who had killed for her - was dead.

At that moment, Fumika's eyes filled with tears.

Don't do this, Kantoku Sora. Don't let her die with him.

Even if Eren is dead, we fans could accept Mikasa as the protagonist.

The terrifying body of the titan reached Mikasa's side. Its massive hand, as large as a house, came down to seize her.

In the instant before those fingers could close around her completely, the broken blade at her waist flashed out of its sheath.

A cold gleam sliced through the air.

Three of the titan's fingers were severed at once.

Even so, the force of that gigantic hand sent her slamming violently into a wall.

"Huh…?"

Mikasa was confused.

Why had she resisted by instinct?

Why did I stand up? Why am I still trying to fight?

In that instant, Fumika felt her blood surge to her head. Her eyes stayed fixed on the screen, unable to move.

Mikasa was almost unbearably cool.

Even though I no longer have any reason to keep living… why am I…

Fight.

Eren's voice echoed in Mikasa's mind, bringing back the words he had once spoken to her.

Fight.

Fight.

Fight.

In Fumika's chest, an emotion too difficult to contain began to swell, compressed so tightly it had nowhere to go.

Eren, as a protagonist, you're incredible too.

You may not be strong. You may not have won. But until your final moment, you died fighting.

Even in death, you were still encouraging Mikasa in your own way.

Telling her not to give up.

So that was it.

I'm sorry, Eren. I won't give up again.

Mikasa finally understood.

If I die, I won't even be able to remember you.

A single sentence elevated the entire sequence to another level.

And just when the emotions accumulating inside Fumika were about to burst, a titan came roaring out, charging in with fury. It grabbed the titan that had tried to kill Mikasa, slammed it to the ground, and, consumed by an almost savage rage, stomped on its head again and again until it was completely crushed.

The titan lifted its face toward the sky and roared.

Every emotion Fumika had been unable to release finally found an outlet in that enraged figure.

And then came that furious titan.

patreon - ImmortalEmperor