Chapter 14: Inevitable Change

Hanji's POV

If my nose could get any longer because of how proud I am with myself, it would most probably beat that of Pinocchio's. I can sense Erwin's awe after all as he checks the papers that I passed him early this afternoon.

By the way, I am currently standing in front of Erwin's desk as he reads the proposal, designs, and budget that Levi made and base on his expression, there seems to be no problem. As usual, his thick eyebrows still meet and his blue eyes looks as sharp as ever while it reads the papers. After a few minutes, his lips curled into a small smile, setting the papers down.

"So?" I asked smirking. Erwin let out a breath and then he looked straight into my eyes.

"I must say that I'm impress Hanji. Whoever is helping you seems to be talented and well, organized" He said, raising his eyebrow a bit at the last word.

"Isn't he? I told you that he'll be a great help"

My lips formed into a proud smile and once again, I shot Erwin a look, the kind that you usually gives someone to mock them. Erwin shook his head a little and wave his right hand at me, dismissing me. I just clicked my tongue, turning around when he called me once again.

"Bring him tomorrow. I want to meet this guys since he seems interesting" Erwin told me. I nodded.

"Are you going to give him a job?"

He looked at me seriously. "To be honest, I actually want him to replace you. So if you don't want that to really happen, get your ass out of my office now"

Instead of getting scared, Erwin's threat made me laugh so I exited his office chuckling. Despite the difference in position, Erwin and I are quite close. We first met when we were in college since we go in the same university, but he is a few years ahead of me. During that time, Erwin is the talk among the professors and students since his academic performance is on top notch. I only got to talk to him because of my research which he helped me in and also because we have the same interests and hobbies which involves theories, discoveries and conspiracy. He is a real genius that is why I was never surprised when he bagged the highest position among us in the company despite only working for a few years.

Oh and also, Erwin and I tried to be romantically inclined together back in college (another reason why we are comfortable with one another). But it didn't work since I don't have any interest in those things and Erwin is really strict with his priorities, which, unfortunately does not involve relationships. I don't have any kind of regret tho cause I really can't stand his bold eyebrows and gel covered hair to be honest.

I stretched my arms as I walked towards my own desk, crashing into Moblit on the way. Due to my clumsiness, all the papers and folders that he was holding fell on the floor in a mess.

"Oh my god. I'm sorry" I said, kneeling on the floor. I started picking up the papers but I soon stopped when I notice that Moblit hasn't moved. I looked at him, confused. "What?"

Moblit flinched. He kneeled in front of me and he started picking up the other papers. "Nothing" Moblit whispered. "You just seem a bit different"

My right eyebrow raised. "What do you mean?"

Moblit shrugged his shoulder taking the last paper from the floor. He stood up and I did the same. "You are just a less intense this days. More woman-like actually"

My eyes widened and I immediately felt my cheeks heaten. I pushed the folders and papers onto his chest which made him cough a bit. "What are you saying?" I faked a laugh, turning around. "I'm still me, silly" I said, walking away from him. All during those times, my cheeks hot and my heart beating rapidly.

Am I seriously changing?

~*~

Biting my lower lip, I looked at the chibi in front of me. He is tapping his phone (which has a broken screen by the way), most probably still looking for a job. As I stared at him, I started to notice small details on his face that I never noted before. His eyebrows are thin and despite the constant frown it always makes, there are no wrinkles that formed in between of it. His eyes are not in color of gray but it actually has a shade of an ash. The eyelashes are a bit short and he has a little bit of bags underneath his eyes. His nose is pointy and his thin lips are in a shade of pale pink. His features actually matches those of the ideal guys you see in movies and magazines, making the height as an exception tho.

Does this chibi cause my change? Cause honestly, ever since Levi lived in here, I became a bit more organized and I started getting concious of myself. But I never noticed that I became more like a normal woman. The last time I check, I still look like an adult with a few screws loose in her head that would most probably pass as a street beggar because of my habits and appearance. Tho Moblit earlier, pointed out that I had become a less intense?

"Ugh" I messed my hair, surprising the chibi in front of me. I actually thank myself right now that I let it loose from its pony cause my hair will go crazy if mess it even more.

"You look as filthy as ever shitty glasses" Levi said, going back to what he was doing after looking at me for a second.

My ears rang. I look at him, tilting my head a bit. "Do I still look like crap?" I asked him. Levi frowned even more.

"That is not even a question" He replied. I smiled widely.

"So I still look shitty right?" I asked, laughing a bit. Levi raised and eyebrow at me. "I didn't change. Right?" I asked him once again, leaning a bit. He on the other hand let out a breath.

"Don't involve me with your bullshit right now Hanji" Levi said, leaving the kitchen. We just finished eating our dinner and today, I volunteered to clean the kitchen counter.

Thats right. As long as I look shitty in Levi's eyes, then I am still the old Hanji. Maybe my mood was just a bit light earlier that is why Moblit said that. There is no way on Earth that I would become normal when eversince I was born, abnormality has been running through my veins. And I can't accept that I am changing. Cause that only means that I am losing to the emotions which I have this past few days.

The sound of the door opening as Levi goes into his room snapped me from my thoughts. I immediately yelled his name.

"Yo Levi!" I yelled. He turned his head a bit in my direction and mumbled a silent 'what'. "Dress nicely tomorrow. You'll be meeting with my boss"

His eyes widened a bit but then he nodded, going inside his room. It surprised me actually how he didn't talk back nor questioned me but maybe, he is just tired of enough shits today that he just decided to agree.

~*~

The day after...

"Here we are" I said, pulling him out of the cab. Levi 'tsked' before getting off the vehicle.

"I can get out on my own four eyes" He said, dusting his coat off.

"Anyways we got to hurry cause Erwin is most probably waiting for you" I said, walking ahead of him.

Levi rolled his eyes. "You are extra annoying today Hanji" he told me as soon as he got beside me.

"And you are extra grumpy. Did you not enjoy the breakfast I made for you?" I smirked and Levi just let out a breath looking at me with a pissed off expression.

"Well if you call that fucking burnt bacon a breakfast then yes"

I laughed as I got inside the building with Levi behind me. As soon as we got inside, all eyes darted on the two of us. Most probably as we walk right now, countless of rumours are already spreading around like wildfire. It is not everyday when you see Hanji Zoe with a man after all (well except for Moblit and Erwin).

We got into the elevator and surprisingly when the door opened, Moblit was inside of it. His eyes widened when he saw Levi.

"Hey Moblit. Good morning!" I greeted him but his eyes are still on Levi, clearly observing him. The chibi also looked at him and I swear that I could see electricity in between of them, same as those in animes and movies whenever two rivals meet. So before things get too intense, I got in between, letting out a fake laugh. "By the way Moblit, this is Levi" I said, pointing at the chibi beside me. "He is the guy that has been helping me these days with the exhibition"

Moblit nodded, handing his hand to Levi. "Name is Moblit. Hanji's colleague" He introduxed himself but Levi just nodded, getting inside the elevator.

Now that was rude.

I sighed, looking at Moblit apologetically. I then went inside the elevator along with Levi, pushing the floor button of Erwin's office. As soon as the doors closed, I faced Levi.

"Why did you do that? He most probably have a bad impression of you now" I told Levi but he seemed unaffected. He just shrugged. I shook my head, putting my right hand at my temple. This chibi is a lot more tough to deal outside than when we are in the apartment.

"Sorry"

My whole body flinched. I immediately looked at Levi but his eyes are still looking straight at the elevator door.

"What?" I asked him in disbelief. For the nth time he 'tsked'.

"I really don't like to socialize alright? And my previous response to him is how I normally deal with new people" Levi said looking at the side and from the reflection of the glass in the elevator door, I noticed that his cheeks are a bit pink. What he said next made my face the same color as his. "You are an exception tho"

My heart started beating rapidly and out of reflex, I clutch the cloths on top of it. "W-what do you mean?" I asked and seriously, each word is making my heart beat faster.

Levi let out a breath. "Well, I had to do something spontaneous when we first met. And trust me, I never did that to anyone before" He said, his voice close to a groan. I was about to ask another question when the elevator sounded and the door opened. Levi got out first, looking at me. "You going out or not?" He asked me.

I gulped. "Y-yes!" I said letting out a fake laugh. I went off the elevator and guided him towards Erwin's office.

I don't know what Ackerman spells you are putting on me Levi but right now, I really did confirm that I maybe changed. I was never this affected with a guy before and lately, even your smallest action makes my heart beat so fast. I am still not sure where this is heading at but as long as you would look at me with a frown and call me crappy, I will still be as happy as heck.