#commander eyebrows

Shelter from the Rain Vol. 11 Erwin Smith

Just as Erwin Smith got out of his one-man carriage after his meeting with his supporters, rain began to fall from the grey skies. The Survey Corps barracks were right ahead of him, but the rain grew intense in no time at all. He instinctively hid under the closest roof.

“…That was a failure.”

The Commander’s bolo tie swung as he wiped the water off of his drenched chest. When he did this, a vision of the past crossed the back of his mind, mixed with the sound of the rain.

“Commander… Please, Commander, help me…”

A self-deprecating smirk came to the edge of Erwin’s mouth as he looked at the large drops of water rolling off the roof and splashing against the ground.

So even getting drenched all alone like this is what I deserve…

*******

Rain is not a great thing.

Plans go haywire when it rains during an expedition. While some Titans don’t move as efficiently, perhaps because there’s less sunlight, others are fine, making it difficult to predict what might happen. In the past, Erwin had put his emotions aside and sacrificed Corpsmen in order to get past such Titans.

…I wonder how many men and women I’ve fed to them.

The wind, chilled with rain, shook his blond hair.

It was all to accomplish our goals… That’s how I’ve rationalized it.

******

“Commander… I believe in you… Commander…”

Erwin couldn’t stop hearing the voice. Could it have been because of the strong rain? The voice belonged to a nondescript soldier who had died in front of his eyes on a day like this one.

You…believe in me?

…But the soldier wasn’t unknown to Erwin. He knew the soldier’s name, his story, everything.

Erwin truly believed in every single member of the Corps. He even thought of them as family. And yet…

I don’t think…that I deserve their heartfelt trust. Because it’s their trust in me that I’ve used to make them throw away their lives…

This line of thought meant that Erwin would always be isolated and alone for as long as he led the Survey Corps. He pushed these feelings of desolation back into his heart and shiok his head.

But that’s just…another part of my fate.

******

“Heeey, Erwin!”

The wild shout brought Erwin back to his senses.

“So that’s where you were!”

When he faced the voice, he noticed a number of familiar shapes running toward him through the weakening rain.

“We were looking for you!”

“We thought this rain might’ve held you up…”

Hange waved at him so hard it seemed they might shake off their rain gear. Next to Hange was Levi, clicking his tongue.

“It’s time for the officers’ meeting,” Mike said briefly with a snort. Erwin voiced his surprise as he looked at the three.

“You came out here just to look for me? You could’ve left it to your troops…”

“I knew you’d probably be acting all sentimental since it’s this damp out. You wanted me to let some drop-outs see your pathetic face looking like that?”

“What he means is that we came here because we were worried about you, Erwin!”

Erwin was casually passed some rain gear, and he felt something as he took it–something pure and strong–true bonds.

“Sorry… That’s very helpful if you.”

He put on the rain gear and began heading to the barracks with the other three.

You really did…help me out.

The day may come, he thought, when he would have to throw away even these bonds. But they would surely trust Erwin in their final moments.

As the now-gentle rain dripped down on Erwin, he showed a genuine smile.

SOURCE:Attack on Titan: Short Stories