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While on the way back to the Azumabito Mansion, Onyankopon gave them a small tour through the town. That tour almost took longer than expected with all the different food stalls and shops they stopped to buy from or look at. Whiff of different scents in the air as they walked past each dusty cream tent, nuts roasting over a fire, the smell of fresh bread being sliced, other kinds of food they didn’t know about until Onyankopon explained it and they buy for a taste test. A small bell ringing twice as a shop door opens and closes, a chat between a vendor and a haggler on a bag of radishes, a child pulling their mother’s skirt and begging for a treat, newspapers being stacked on a rack as a coin was tossed into a can. It was a wonderfully busy town like back home in Paradis, with nothing but countless parallels that couldn’t serve as something different. People just being people as the sun slowly glides above them and is later replaced by the moon.
A new discovery every minute that filled them with so much excitement that it infected the rest of the 104th, especially Connie and Sasha. The group winded down the road, feet too used to boots clacked down the brick paths in polished soles and kitten heels, a gust of wind coming every now and then that tried to blow off their hats, one of the kids pointing at something new then being told to put their hand down or they’d be treated as such.
Though the thought of their impending doom lingered at the back of their head, it for once didn’t stop a smile from forming on Hange’s face. Corners of their lips turned every time they saw something new and saw how in awe the kids were. And with that smile returned that glint in their eyes Levi missed so much. They walked with him alongside them, stealing glances whenever he could before whatever vibrancy that filled their face long ago would disappear again for the sake of duty. It was warm, it was beautiful, soul golden like honey.
As the sun set, they finally reached the front lawn of the mansion. Onyankopon with the 104th in front with Hange and Levi tailing. They walked along the pebble path and Hange caught a whiff of whatever treat Sasha was happily munching on from a paper bag. They couldn’t resist and just had to ask her about it.
“The man said they’re called fries.”
“Fries?”
“It’s potatoes cooked in oil and he sprinkled salt on it.”
Hange was so intrigued, and hungry. Their stomach whined at her description.
“Sasha?”
“Yes?”
“Could I try one?”
Sasha stops mid chew, eyeing Hange in hesitation before reluctantly handing the bag to them. They pull out an unusually long piece and thank her. The rest of the group went ahead and Hange stayed a bit, eyeing the potato strip and turning to Levi.
“It’s called fries! They’re salted potatoes.”
“So I heard.”
“Do you want to try? We could split?”
He scrunched his nose to answer.
“Come on. Do you know how rare it is for Sasha to share?”
“Not rare when it comes to you. I’m fine.”
Hange shrugged. “More for me then.” They brought the fry closer to their face while Levi them, a small smile ghosting the corner of his lips as that childlike side of them returned after so long. “It’s too baaad you won’t try it.”
Half the piece dangled by their lips. “Oh no, ith halfway thwouugh! Oh ith ith thalty.”
“Wait.” He pulled them by the arm.
“Aha! Tho you do want-“
He devours the other end of the fry while simultaneously kissing them. They yelped at the sudden gesture then slowly returned it, both almost toppling over with Levi on his tip toes. They pull away and a dazed Hange blinks at him, mouth hung parted revealing the slightly chewed fry by their teeth. A pink yet secretly giddy Levi turns and walks ahead to the mansion’s door.
“Tastes pretty sweet to me.” He says from a distance.