Levi's POV

"When I left, Hanji, my uncle works as some sort of... hitman. A few years ago, he was spotted by someone who hired him for a large sum of money for every kill he made. This someone is in charge of... I guess you could say a mafia. That's the real reason why I became this. I wanted to stop him adequately. But he likes to evade. That's why it's never been caught by anyone."

I say to her, feeling naked as I tell her everything.

"I tracked him down here... and I say it's dangerous and I tell you to stay away because whoever digs around, they end up dead. I have asked close friends of mine to dig into this case. They always ended up dead. Cuts slit. When I heard that you were here... when you reminded me that we were in the same school... I can't bear the thought of you dead. You were the first person that I was friends with. I can't think of what happens if you die."

"That's why... I don't want you to dig. I want you to stay away. When it's me, sure, he might kill me, but he'll think twice. I'm the only son of his only sister."

Hanji stared at me, shaking her head. "And that's the only reason why you don't want me on this case? To stop me from dying?"

"Hanji, whoever you talk to or wherever you go, you'll be in danger. That's something you don't understand. I'm keeping an eye on that bar and the people you interacted with. If they sniff any detectives around their joint, they'll ensure that it's all kept a secret. That's how they remain silent and almost non-existent."

"Now that wasn't hard, was it? To tell me the truth?"

"Hanji, I want you out of this. The less you know, the better. Even if they track me, they'll know you were close to me. They might hurt you. That's why I couldn't say anything. Even you being near me... that puts you in danger."

"One thing that you don't know about me is that I'm persistent. I'm helping you with this case. It is mine, after all. And besides, I don't want you to do something you'll regret. Someone like you being related to this, I can't have you spiraling out. Do you understand?"

"What does that mean?"

The way Hanji clasped her hands together as she leaned toward me was... interesting. The aura that engulfed her was... almost terrifying. I can't believe the atmosphere would change this quickly. "Levi, I'm working on the case, no matter what. You can't stop me. Do you understand?" She says it so slyly. 

"This is dangerous and you could die."

"I don't care. Everyone dies every day. It doesn't matter if it's mine or someone else's. I'll put my life on the line if it means I could save someone else's. I'll do whatever I can. You can protect me all you want, but you're not stopping me."

She's stubborn. I don't remember her like this in elementary school, but I guess that's what Moblit said that she's different. Stubborn. Persistent. Even though I still see her as a child, she's just my childhood friend. I've done things for her... things I'm not proud of. I do want to make it up. Otherwise, I'm just trash.

"You're back on the case. But again, you have conditions to follow. And let's be clear, the fact that you slept with me for my files, you need to fix that. I'm not saying it's an apology, but you need to figure out a way to make me forgive you for that. I am not an object you can mess around with. Do you understand me?"

"I get it. I know I messed up with that part. I'll fix it, I swear."

"You better. One mistake- one screw-up, and you're done. This is your last and final chance."

*   *   *

I'm not the best person at all. I could've done things a bit differently, but if I'm honest, I want to protect her. But since she's not budging, I guess I have to settle for allowing her to dive into this sea of chaos. If she gets too far, I'll reel her in close to me. I'll protect her. That's the truth. I won't let anything happen to her. Not this time... I swear.

From time to time, I'll see her working at her desk. Seeing the way her eyes seem to dull over gruesome details of horrible crimes humans have done, yet gleams when she finds details that lead to the people who committed these crimes. I've noticed she likes to move her lips as she reads things or mutters to herself like some crazy person. 

I can't believe I lost to her. I wanted to protect her from everything... yet here she is... stubborn. Strong-willed. When we were kids, she was timid and only wanted to discover things. I remember she wanted to be some sort of an explorer or discoverer. Now, this is her...

"Don't do anything stupid..." I pleaded under my breath."Because I don't want you gone..."