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Pieck picked up a letter that had somehow been misplaced. It was lying abandoned in the ship's hallway, right between the cabins of Jean Kirstein, Armin Arlert, and her own. Driven by curiosity, she realized—a moment too late—that she had stumbled upon an old love letter from Jean to Mikasa. It was dated 847. A ten-year-old confession that, apparently, had never reached its destination.
As long as she had known Jean, he never seemed like the type to harbor romantic feelings for Mikasa. He treated her like any other friend. Pieck wondered about it, yet she was reluctant to ask him directly. Knowing Jean's hot-headed nature, it would only lead to a long, exhausting argument.
"Paradis is in sight." Annie entered the room where the peace ambassadors were gathered.
Armin, as usual, began reassuring them, going over their future plans and potential solutions for any contingencies. Pieck noticed Jean was busy fixing his hair in a mirror. Was he grooming himself to meet Mikasa after three years?
The port of Paradis appeared in the distance. A brisk, salty breeze greeted them as they drew closer to the docks, where a flock of seagulls perched along the pier. Pieck and the others watched the island from the bow of the ship. Jean was there too, looking somewhat restless.
"You seem anxious, Jean. Can't wait to see Mikasa?" Pieck asked when only the two of them remained at the bow.
"Huh? What are you talking about, bringing up Mikasa all of a sudden?"
"I picked up a letter yesterday. A love letter, to be precise." Pieck revealed the edge of a worn envelope from her coat pocket.
Jean's face went pale. No one was supposed to know about that letter. Although some might have noticed his interest in Mikasa during their cadet days, everyone knew Mikasa's eyes were reserved for Eren Yeager alone. Even though Jean's feelings were written poetically on that paper, he had never sent it, realizing Mikasa's devotion was a force he could never shake.
"Where did you get that, Pieck? Give it back!"
"Where I got it doesn't matter. What matters is that I didn't steal it." Pieck handed the letter back to him. "It seems like now would be the right time to finally give it to her."
Perhaps it was. Eren was gone, and Mikasa's heart was an empty space waiting to be filled. But deep down, Jean doubted himself. He was certain that Mikasa's love for Eren was timeless.
"I can't."
"Why not?" Pieck asked. If it were Connie or Armin, they would understand why Jean couldn't approach Mikasa that way anymore. But for Pieck, who had only known them for three years without knowing their deeper history, her confusion was natural.
Jean wasn't in the mood to explain. "None of your business."
"But I think your feelings are quite deep, Jean," Pieck said softly. "Reading it... I was moved. If I suddenly received a love letter like the one you wrote, I might just fall for the writer." Pieck felt a strange skip in her heart at her own words. It sounded as if she were admitting she liked him. "I mean—I was just impressed!" she added, her voice turning awkward.
To her surprise, Jean smiled. "Thank you, Pieck."
Pieck left him there at the bow, her face flushing as she walked away.
Upon arriving in Shiganshina, Mikasa welcomed them. She invited Armin, Connie, Jean, Annie, Reiner, and Pieck to visit Eren's grave. Pieck, however, felt out of place. She had no cherished memories of Eren—only the horror of the Rumbling and a string of dark events. As the others stood somberly by the grave, lost in reflection, she felt like a stranger intruding on a circle of lifelong friends.
The ambassadors decided to stay in Shiganshina for a few days before meeting Queen Historia at the palace. Mikasa lived in the renovated Yeager house, having cleared the debris with the help of the villagers. Life there seemed peaceful; Mikasa spent her days tending to a garden of vegetables, fruits, and flowers on the old estate.
Pieck began to understand why Jean had fallen for her. Beyond her beauty, Mikasa was independent and simple. She lived alone but seemed perfectly capable. She was direct and moved with a quiet grace.
Jean stayed close to Mikasa—second only to Armin, who was occupied with Annie. Unlike Connie, Mikasa seemed to trust and rely on Jean more. During their stay, Jean was a constant shadow by her side. They went grocery shopping, gathered firewood, and tended to the garden together. Jean looked incredibly spirited and cheerful while helping her.
Pieck watched them in silence, wondering if Jean and Mikasa would finally end up together. Yet, she couldn't ignore the knot of unease tightening in her chest whenever she saw them together.
Her relationship with Jean soured. They began bickering over the smallest things.
"Pieck, come with me to buy some building materials. You barely leave the house, don't you? I'll show you around," Jean offered suddenly one afternoon.
"Why don't you go with Mikasa?" Pieck asked, her tone laced with uncharacteristic bitterness. She knew Mikasa and Armin were visiting his family's grave, which made her feel like a second-choice consolation prize.
"Hey, I'm asking nicely. Why are you so moody? If you don't want to go, just say so!" Jean's temper flared.
Pieck felt her heart burn. "Why are you getting aggressive with me?"
"You're the one who started it! You've been snapping at me since yesterday. What did I even do to you?"
Pieck huffed in frustration. She didn't have an answer. "Fine. Let's go. I'll come."
The walk was silent. Whenever Jean tried to break the ice, Pieck brushed him off. She was annoyed, and the worst part was not knowing why. She felt the distance between them growing since they arrived in Shiganshina. Every word Jean spoke felt like the wrong one. Deep down, she knew the problem wasn't Jean—it was her.
Even after they left Shiganshina and concluded their meeting with Queen Historia, the tension remained. Their friends noticed the cold war between them but chose not to interfere.
"Pieck, why have you been angry with me since we got to Shiganshina?"
Jean finally confronted her, desperate to fix whatever was broken. He hated the constant bickering. He hated the feeling of her slipping away.
"I don't know," Pieck replied coldly.
The ambassadors were preparing to part ways temporarily. Connie and Reiner had left for Ragako Village. Annie and Armin had wandered off somewhere, leaving Jean and Pieck walking aimlessly.
"Are you... jealous?"
The question made Pieck freeze in her tracks. She didn't turn around, keeping her back to him.
Jean felt a surge of realization. "Are you jealous because I was close to Mikasa in Shiganshina?"
"W-why would I be jealous? You like her, don't you?" Pieck struggled to keep her voice steady, her slight stutter betraying her.
"I did. But that was a long time ago."
Pieck slowly turned around to face the tall man standing before her.
"Everyone knows Mikasa's heart belongs to Eren, even now. I've known that for a long time—since before I even finished that letter. That's why I never gave it to her."
"Why are you telling me this?" Pieck asked, trying to hide her vulnerability.
"I want you to understand that Mikasa and I are just good friends. We could never be together, and besides... my feelings have changed." Jean reached into the inner pocket of his black suit.
"What is this?" Pieck looked confused as Jean handed her a white envelope.
On the front, in neat handwriting, it read: 'For Pieck Finger.'
Jean gave her a shy, lopsided smile. "A love letter. For you."