Yato rushed forward and pulled us into his arms. I barely managed to stay conscious, letting out a weak hum in response.
"Mikasa is fine," I said, my voice hoarse and barely audible.
"It's okay, it's okay," Yato said softly as he supported me with extreme care, afraid that even the slightest movement might worsen my injuries. "You'll be fine too, Jax."
"You bastards!" Hank roared, his eyes bloodshot with rage. He snatched a musket from one of the Military Police officers and swung the butt down hard on one of the boys. The impact knocked a scream out of him.
"You social vermin," Hank shouted. "You should be thrown outside the Walls and fed to the Titans!"
Bang.
"How dare you lay your hands on Jax and Mikasa!"
Bang.
"I'll make you pay for this!"
Bang.
Each curse was followed by another brutal strike. The boy screamed in agony but did not dare fight back, frozen by fear of the armed Military Police standing nearby.
After a long while, Hank finally stopped. He was breathing heavily as he handed the musket back to its owner.
"I don't want to see them ever again," he said coldly.
"Don't worry," the Military Police officer replied with a nod. "Attempted rape and conspiracy to murder. According to the law, execution is the sentence."
Hank nodded in response.
Together with Yato and Mikasa, he led me out of the alley. I was barely conscious, and I did not have the strength to react to the desperate pleas for mercy behind us. A few gunshots rang out, sharp and final, and then the alley fell silent.
"Hurry and take Jax to a doctor," Yato said as he helped lift me onto Hank's back. "Mikasa and I will wait for you at the government office."
Hank nodded. "Take care of yourself."
With that, he carried me toward the main road at a run. After that, everything faded into darkness.
It felt like I had been trapped in a long, shapeless dream. When I finally opened my eyes, nothing from it remained in my memory.
I recognized the room immediately. I was in Mikasa's house, lying in my own bed. Sunlight streamed through the window at an angle, warming the space. A green plant on the windowsill blocked part of the light, casting a small shadow across the floor and filling the room with quiet life.
I tried to sit up and immediately felt like my body was coming apart. There was not a single place that did not hurt. The sharp pain made me gasp, hissing through my teeth.
It really hurt.
"Mmm…"
The low sound beside me made me turn my head. Mikasa was sitting on a wooden chair next to the bed, her upper body leaning against the mattress as she slept. My movement must have disturbed her.
"Mm… Jax?" Mikasa blinked, then her eyes widened as she fully woke up. She jumped to her feet and wrapped her arms around me.
"That's great, Jax! You're finally awake!"
I had to admit, this was the most unforgettable hug Mikasa had ever given me. Pain exploded through my body as every wound protested at once, making me feel like I was on the verge of blacking out again.
After a few seconds, Mikasa realized something was wrong and quickly let go. She rushed toward the door.
"I'll get you some water!" she said, then shouted into the house, "Dad! Mom! Jax is awake!"
I twitched slightly, biting back a groan. I had barely recovered from my last set of injuries, and now I was back in bed again, even worse than before. I truly had no words for my luck.
Still, it was worth it.
After this incident, I had truly become part of the Ackerman family. Even if my last name was not Ackerman, it no longer mattered to Hank and Yato. Before, they may have taken me in out of sympathy and shared heritage, but now, I was family.
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Patreon = _Zeph