Humans fear many things.
Darkness, insects, animals, the depths of the ocean…
Death, hunger, disease.
But in this age, what people feared most could be summarized in a single word: Monsters.
As evening fell, the academy corridors seemed quieter, wider, and emptier. Hours had passed since Eren left the cafeteria. But the single sentence Leila had spoken was still echoing in his mind: "Tonight... come to my room."
Eren was tired. His hunger had subsided, but his body was still dealing with the side effects of the ritual. His muscles were trembling. His shadow, sometimes, seemed to twitch on its own at the corner of his eye.
Lunar was whispering occasionally: "Come on, man. Go. I'm curious what the girl will do when she sees you."
Eren didn't answer. He just walked. He climbed the stairs at the end of the corridor. This was the wing that led to the upperclassmen's rooms. The light was dim, the walls seemed washed with shadow.
As he approached Leila's door, he heard a slight rustle from inside. His steps involuntarily slowed down.
Then the door opened.
After closing the door, Leila turned to Eren and crossed her arms over her chest. "Okay, this is why I called you here."
Eren raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Leila bent down under the bed and pulled out a box. She put the box on the bed and opened the lid. It was full of clothes. Dresses, chokers, small brooches, headbands... in various colors.
Eren stared blankly. "What... is this?"
Leila pouted. "Clothes. Didn't you understand?"
Eren: "I see that, but... why are you showing me?"
Leila put her hands on her hips. "There's a ball in 5 days."
Eren blinked. "What ball?"
Leila took a deep breath, as if she had been expecting this question. "It's something that happens every year. Actually, it's a festival. To say 'welcome' to the new students. But they delayed it for a week because things got complicated this year."
Eren still looked confused. "Why am I here then?"
Leila took out a black and purple dress from the box and showed it to Eren. "Because you're the one who will answer the question: Should I wear this... or this?"
Then she took out the second dress—navy blue with gold embroidery. "I need a man's eye. If I ask Raphael, he'll just say 'wear the red one' and move on. Kayra wouldn't understand. Arlo and Milo would start fighting each other while trying to flirt with me."
Eren: "I don't understand these things either."
Leila rolled her eyes and held the dresses side by side. "Don't worry, it's not too difficult, you just need to decide. I have trouble deciding when I have too many options. Besides, you were the one who immediately noticed I had fallen when you were carrying me. You're the closest man to me."
Eren froze for a second. Leila noticed this and smirked slightly. "Yes, I know. You heard it. You thought I was silent, but you were talking at that moment. You said, 'I didn't drop you.' It was sweet."
Eren turned his face away. "That's not the point."
Leila: "Our point is the dress. And you're going to help me."
Eren took a deep breath, left the room, and waited for Leila to change. When Leila was dressed, he entered the room again and looked at the dress. Leila was watching him silently.
Eren: "This one. It's quite beautiful. The navy blue suits you very well, and the shapes of the embroidery are slightly wavy, like your hair."
Leila tilted her head and smiled. "Really? Then why not the others?"
Eren shrugged. "The other one is unnecessarily bright. This one is more... suitable for you."
Leila slowly took the dress into her lap. "Well, can I tell you something?"
Eren: "Yes?"
Leila put her arm on Eren's shoulder. This time there was no distance. Eren could feel Leila's breath on his neck.
Leila: "You haven't prepared anything for the ball. Have you?"
Eren asked without looking away: "What do I need?"
Leila slid her lips to the side. "A suit. And someone to go with."
Eren raised an eyebrow. "Is it mandatory to go with someone?"
Leila: "It's not mandatory. But if you go alone, everyone will stare at you. Also... it's usually the girls who invite the boys."
Eren: "Huh. I would have expected the opposite."
Leila took a deep breath. Then she spoke, looking directly at Eren without squinting. "Eren."
Eren: "Hmm?"
Leila: "If you want to go to the ball with someone... I'm free."
The room suddenly heated up. Eren's eyes involuntarily widened slightly. Leila laughed softly when she saw this.
Eren: "Do you really want to go with me?"
Leila: "Don't think I want an answer. Just think about it for now."
Then she touched Eren's arm again, running her fingers along the edge of the bandage. "Also... I want to be beautiful that night. It's a special night for me."
Eren cleared his throat. "What is it?"
Leila moved closer, touching Eren's shoulder with hers. "Because it's the first time I won't be going alone... that's why."
Eren couldn't say anything. There was a challenge, a game, a warmth in Leila's eyes.
Leila folded the dress and put it aside, speaking: "Now go. You can tell me your decision tomorrow. Preparations for the ball take a long time."
Eren headed for the door. Leila added from behind: "And Eren?"
Eren turned. Leila pointed a finger at a strand of hair on his head. "Don't come dressed so messy and careless that day. I can fix it if necessary, but... if possible, let someone else not fix it."
An electric current ran down Eren's shoulder.
Leila leaned back and winked. "Good night."
When the door closed, Eren took a deep breath. The rhythm of his heart hadn't changed, it was still beating very fast.
Lunar's voice came slowly: "Man, you're something else... I would expect this from you. The girl is a 10 out of 10, maybe even a 12 out of 10. Slightly wavy hair, big breasts, and on top of that, very kind."
Eren: I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, Lunar.
The corridor was dark. The shadows were calm. But this time... Eren didn't care. Maybe he didn't need to do what his father said. Maybe he didn't need to be that strong to be happy