"YOU'D BE PERFECT for the role," the dark-haired man in the cream suit told you. "I know you're probably not trying to get fame right now, but maybe just consider it, please?"

You blinked behind the counter, not quite knowing what to do with yourself. The man was holding up the line. His olive skin was warm against the café's rustic interior design. Behind him, people began to murmur unhappily.

"Sir," you said, "this is a student-run café."

He handed you his sleek business card. "I know you've been in some modern cult classic indie films like Bodies Bodies Bodies, and it's cute that you're a barista on the side. But seriously, this show is gonna be a hit. Tell your agent to email me."

"I'll look into it," you said, just to humor him.

"You're a scream queen," he said. "We do lots of screaming on the show. You'd be perfect."

"That sounds mentally draining," you said, half-joking so he'd take the hint. You glanced at the line behind him, where a few middle-aged women in tweed blazers were already tapping their feet in impatience. "Sir, please—there's a line behind you—"

But the man threw his head back and laughed. "Aha! Right response, you're just like Y/N!"

In his odd cheerfulness, he accidentally spilled coffee on his suit. He winced. The drink was scorching, and it had stained his clean dress shirt. Now, the people behind the line were staring daggers at him in disbelief.

"Sir," you said steadily. "There are paper towels by the restrooms."

"Not to worry, not to worry," he said. "Look—just send an audition tape, okay? Don't worry, kid—I've got a good feeling about you."

He left in bright spirits, the wooden wind chimes on the café door clinking as he shut it behind him. As your coworker slid to take your shift by the register after the manager was finally through with the restless crowd, you glanced at the business card he had left you with.

Eriko Saito
Executive Producer
WIT Studio

Your heart leaped out of your chest.

WIT Studio? As in, Vinland Saga WIT Studio? Loid and Yor Forger's WIT Studio? That couldn't be. That was a major film company. You couldn't have possibly been scouted and approached by a major producer from the WIT Studio. They made hit anime adaptations, and you were just... an indie film actor in fairly good movies. It was never a serious job, just a part-time gig to pay for your gas money and online shopping expenses.

You weren't meant for these huge TV shows—especially when you came from such a small and unassuming hometown where everyone knew each other.

But you were.

You dialed your agent's number and hit call as you helped another teenage coworker unpack tiny jute sacks of dark coffee grounds.

"Hey, Gian," you said. "Have you ever watched Tokyo Butterfly?"

"Oh my God," Gian, your agent, was saying on the other end. "I just got an email from WIT Studio. It was from Eriko Saito. Y/N, what did you do?"

You winced as if she had scolded you. "Acted in Bodies Bodies Bodies?"

"He wrote that—oh my gosh, this is it—he wants you to audition for the lead female role in Attack on Titan!"

You dropped the jute sack in shock, spilling coffee beans all over the counter. When your manager threw you a look of disapproval, you signed sorry and shifted your phone to the other hand as you began to clean it up. It was bad enough you were taking a call during a shift, but it was urgent. You were pretty sure she was going to lay you off, but oh my gosh, the lead female in a WIT production?

"Are you serious? Attack on Titan? Isayama's Attack on Titan?"

"That's right," Gian said enthusiastically. "You're taking it, right? There's no way I'm letting this chance slip through your fingers. This is your big break, kid, I can feel it."

"I—gosh, wait, okay, email me the script," you said, scooping the last of the coffee into a jar. "I'll send you my tape by Saturday."

"I've always known you were meant to be a star, Y/N," she said. "Attack on Titan is perfect for you. It's the most perfect story ever written—you have to be part of the screenplay."

Your face was flushing. Attack on Titan. They wanted you in Attack on Titan. That had been your favorite manga series since you were a kid, even if your mother was wary of how disturbing the graphic violence was.

When she ended the call, you received a ping on your phone indicating that an audition script had been sent to you. You glanced at its title before shutting your phone off and heading to the counter to serve cheap caramel frappés.

Part I: Comrades

☆

EREN TOOK a deep breath as the director handed him a cold bottle of water. He had done multiple screen tests for seven Mikasas, nine Armins, and twelve Y/Ns, all of which were great. Mikasa and Armin had found their respective actors, but the last main character role to be filled was Y/N L/N.

It had been tricky. They needed someone with real and pure chemistry with Eren. He honestly felt a bit strange that they were basically testing to see who would seem the most romantically compatible with him through the camera. She had to act and look good with him.

Eren felt strangely guilty about it—some girl's whole life and professional career could or could not change depending on his aura alone. It was intimidating, and honestly? He was afraid that the producers wouldn't be able to find a single suitable actress to play his love interest because he was difficult to like. He was an Aries male, after all.

He had never had an on-screen love interest before. He'd played boyish roles here and there, often as the bratty little brother throwing tantrums or lending his strong voice to animated film acting. This was his first real leading role. It would be awful if he messed it up because he was unattractive.

"All right," the director, Eriko, said. He smiled at Eren as the 12th Y/N exited the screening room, blushing from having been so near such a handsome young man. "We'll do another one."

There's more?

Eren was exhausted, but nodded.

"We saved the thirteenth Y/N for last because it seems like she has a lot of potential," Eriko said encouragingly, prompting Eren to open your file. "She does look a lot like Y/N in the manga, right?"

"Yeah..." Eren scanned your headshot, where your natural features had been enhanced with light makeup and a white t-shirt made your skin ton pop out. You were smiling without showing your teeth. "She's a carbon copy."

"She did some indie films, most of them emotional coming-of-age like I Believe In Unicorns. It was hard to track her down. She's not looking to do serious roles right now, though," said Eriko. "I came upon her working part-time at a local café. A café, run by all these blue-haired teenagers! With her potential? Can you believe that?"

Of course, Eren could. Most teen actors had to work other jobs if they weren't too successful yet.

He nodded, understanding. "Let her in, then."

"We'll let you talk for a bit to get a feel of your banter while we set up the lights."

Eriko said something into a headpiece, and then the door to the studio swung open. Eventually, you walked in wearing the standard dress code for auditions—a simple long-sleeve and pants. Upon seeing Eren standing in the middle of the set, you smiled calmly but blinked multiple times. It was a natural expression, which was much more relieving than the usual static uplifts. He gave you a half-smile, trying to ease your nerves.

The fact that you were here right now meant that you were a finalist. Eriko had asked you to send some tapes, and you did. The hundreds of girls had boiled down to just thirteen. His crazy vision had been right—you were worthy. Although you only took on acting as a side gig, it couldn't hurt to audition for a big role for once.

And you had seen some of Eren's filmography. He was always the background character who often stole the show. Eren was great at subtle facial expressions and shifting his moods from fear to anger or sadness. His incredible talent intimidated you, but you worked hard to hide it.

"Hello," you said, holding your hand out for him to shake. "I'm Y/N. Or hopefully will be."

Your confidence took him by surprise. He shook your hand, almost shy. You didn't seem very fazed that about five pairs of adult eyes were on you, zoning in on the minute detail that was the way both of your hands were the perfect sizes for each other. It would be useful in close-up shots, they would tell the other actors later.

"Eren," he said, and immediately he felt dumb for doing so. Of course, you must know his name—you were the one auditioning for the role. "I, uh—yeah. Eren Jaeger."

"Congrats on your leading role, Eren Jaeger," you said as a stage assistant donned you in a cropped brown jacket and a green cape as a test costume. "It can't be easy. How are you?"

Eren smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. It was the first time any of the auditionees asked him how he was. It wasn't supposed to be anything special. You were just being polite. The others were probably scared of him—he gave off that energy. He would have hated to scare off a pretty girl.

"I'm good," he said. "Kinda tired."

He realized he sounded ungrateful. Before he could backtrack, you hummed.

"You must be happy that I'm the last read," you said. He couldn't tell if you were joking or not. Your eyes had a seriousness in them that reminded him of Levi, his other castmate. "Then, you can rest."

"W-wait, no, that's not what I meant," he said hurriedly. "I mean... I am tired, but glad that you're here. That you want to be part of the show."

You raised your brows and gave him a tight smile. "We'll see," you said in a clipped tone.

Eren was strangely nervous and intimidated. It was almost as if you were the lead and he was the one auditioning.

The scene blocking had you sit down on a chair. You were supposed to pretend like your hands were bleeding.

"We'll start when you're ready," Eriko called out. The other producers pulled out their clipboards and pens. Eriko motioned the cameraman to get the film rolling. "Rolling!"

Immediately, your demeanor changed, throwing Eren off course. You were hunched, hands trembling as you stared down at your palms with mute terror. Your breathing started normal, then slowly became ragged.

"Hey—are you alright?"

Eren knelt in front of you and took your hands in his. You looked up at him, into his eyes washed with concern, swallowing. You stared at each other in aghast for a few moments, his hands slowly squeezing yours. Like there was something unspoken between you.

You watched him examine your hands as if you couldn't quite believe that he was real.

"Your cuts don't look deep," he remarked, frowning. "Let me bandage them."

You looked at him with the right touch of shyness and vulnerability that Eren couldn't believe this was the same person who made him stutter just half an hour ago.

You swallowed and looked back down, like Eren's sudden protective nature made you feel nervous butterflies. Your character, after all, was supposed to slowly fall in love with him throughout the first season, mostly as a crush that she wanted to deny.

"Okay," you whispered.

"Cut," Eriko called out. "Let's try the following scene."

Glancing, you saw the producers scribbling something on their clipboards, whispering to each other. You had no clue whether it was a good thing or a bad thing; still, at least you hadn't been kicked out.

You were told to sit beside Eren. The film began to roll. His shoulder brushed against yours.

You bit down on your lip, like you were holding tears back. "If I had just stayed with you, maybe I could have done something."

"No," said Eren quietly. "I'm glad you were called away. If you had been there... and if you had... I would have..."

"Stop, stop—I'm sorry," you said, touching his arm before he could go any further. "It's just... death is part of this job, Eren. I could be dead by next month. Maybe even tomorrow. Or tonight."

Eren suddenly grabbed your wrists, prompting you to cut off. Your eyes widened as he met your eyes and yanked you towards him. Tears built up in his eyes.

"Shut the hell up!" he exclaimed angrily. He pulled your hands closer, shaking. "God, please don't. I can't lose you anymore."

Lose you.

Your mouth opened and closed, momentarily forgetting the line. That wasn't the right line for Eren, he had fibbed it by accident. If he had noticed, he didn't show it as his eyes were looking at you with a tender fragility. Luckily, it came off as your character struggling to find the right words to say, but she couldn't comprehend it. You swallowed and recalled the next line.

"You know you can't just say that," you whispered.

The silence that followed was deafening. You watched Eren's shoulders slowly shake from grief to rage.

"I had the chance. If I had just believed in myself—if you had just trusted in me! I could have turned it around for us. I watched them die. I was wrong. An idiot. I'm so pathetic!"

He broke into sobs, not meeting your eyes, and you slowly brought your hands to his face and thumbed away his tears. His forehead bumped into yours as you whispered.

"I won't say I wasn't at fault," you said softly. "But I forget that this pain is hard to bear."

Eren slumped, all fight gone from his system. All that was left was a broken boy. He slowly raised his head, tear-streaked, as he gazed into your pitiful face.

"I'm sorry—I didn't mean to—I didn't want to hurt you—"

"It's okay, Eren," you whispered, still holding his face. "I regret it, too."

Slowly, his hand moved to take yours, and he looped your fingers together. His thumb rubbed small circles and you put your head on his shoulder, feeling the tear slip from your eye as he finally embraced you, hands carefully running up your spine.

"And cut!" Eriko yelled out, a manic grin on his face. He clapped. "Okay, you two are doing a terrific job. That's all we have to see."

Slowly, Eren unwrapped his arms from around you and wiped his eyes. You chuckled and let your hands fall to the side as he smiled at you again, dimples showing.

He was intrigued. Out of the thirteen Y/Ns, you were the only one Eriko asked to do the second scene. You pulled away from him and cleared your throat.

"Thank you," you said sweetly, as if you hadn't been pretending to be a traumatized soldier just seconds ago. You stood, brushing invisible dirt off his shoulders. "Thanks, Eren. Good luck."

You were intriguing. You were the only one who had taken Y/N on from a grieving angle, as opposed to the other actresses who had made her whiney or arrogant under the impression that to make her strong she had to be emotionless.

Later that day, he would go to Eriko and say that you were the one. He could feel it. He just knew it. Fate had led you to him and this show. You were the female lead.

"I think I'll see you again," he said.

☆

YOU STARED at the email Gian had forwarded to you. She was ecstatic, even throwing away corporate speak for heart emojis and multiple smiley faces in between lines to convey her excitement.

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: "WIT Studio" <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, July 20, at 8:31 PM
Subject: Attack on Titan
To: <[email protected]>

CONGRATULATIONS, you got the part!

Your phone pinged.

@erenjaeger is now following you on Instagram!

@attackontitan is now following you on Instagram!

erenjaeger
hey, lieutenant y/n!

erenjaeger
[Sent an attachment from The Daily Popstar]

With shaky hands, you opened the link he sent you.

The headline read: ATTACK ON TITAN'S LEADING LADY, CAST

Attached below was your headshot. Uploaded and disseminated for all the internet to see, and soon, the whole world. A quick Google search of your name led to multiple articles that were published just seconds ago, with various sources and opinions from celebrity journalists who were eager to get their hands on information as Greek astronomers were for the next shining star.

At that moment, you knew your life was never going to be the same.

-

Chapter Notes:
I envision your backstory as Mia from La La Land. Here's to the fools who dream!

The audition scene is an excerpt from Chapter 5 of Comrades.

I have a Letterboxd list that keeps track of every single movie that is mentioned in this story. I left a link to it in my carrd but I'll also leave the link here! (https://boxd.it/tOOB4)