COTE x AOT: Ashes in The Sky

________________________________________________________________________________

I did it all

‎

I did it all for myself

‎

Are you proud...?

‎

iT burns... it buRNS...

‎

But it's just pain

‎

iNCONVENIENCES to a GRAND visIon...

‎

I'm a FAILURE.

‎

I aM oNe.

‎

ST

‎

OP S

‎

TO

P stOp!

‎

‎

⸮ꙅʞᴎiʜƚ b|iʜɔ ɒ ƚɒʜw ƚuodɒ ɘɿɒɔ uoʏ b|uow ʏʜW

‎

ᴵ'ᵐ ᵍⁱᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃ ˢᵒˡᵘᵗⁱᵒⁿ, ˢᵗᵒᵖ ᵃᶜᵗⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒ ʰⁱᵍʰ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗʸ

‎

I̴͍̐f̷͍͕͈͗͋̿ o̴̥̠͉̎n̸͚̊̃̚l̴̡̠͒͒̇y̶͔͎̜͗ Ȉ̶̹̜͈ h̵͈̠̊̍̒ͅu̸͎͓͊͗n̶̞̦͍̕g̸̭̙͛͊̓ͅ m̶̩̯͔͐̿ý̸͚̰̱͒͠s̸̨̛͎̑ę̸̋͐͒l̷̲̮̋͝f̴̰̾̐͝ o̷̖̅͒͘ṉ̴͗͒̆ ̶̨͎͊ṫ̴̞̑̄h̸͔̦̲̐̔͑a̷̡̤͉̅͑̈́t̴̢̫͍̍̊̐ ̸̦̩͍̑͒͒ẗ̸̘̲̰́͐r̴̢̛̖̦̅́e̵̘̱̞̒̓e̸̢̪͈͂͛ ̶̘̯͇̑̏͝î̵̥͛͘n̴̡͔͎͌s̶̯̺̻̾̏̕t̶͙̼̘̔̏e̸̛̞͓͚͑͠a̴̟̬̫͆͑̓d̴̡͆̿...

‎

|| 𝙏𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 ||

Location: Wall Sina, Orvud District
Year: 844
Time: Midday to Afternoon

Working at a bakery wasn't too bad. There were loads of orders for cakes and bread from noblemen and aristocrats, meaning more profit and cash flow coming towards the shop and therefore... me.

I was recommended this place through Faust's connections. He said it'd be a good place to make some legitimate money and get some connections if I ever needed it. Plus, it was close enough to where he normally operated within Wall Rose for us to keep in contact.

However, I do have one major issue with this job...

They couldn't provide me with a uniform...

So I had to bring my own clothes.

And by my own clothes, I meant the stuff I had on me when I first transmigrated here.

I was still in my ANHS uniform.

And I haven't had time to wash it or buy another set of clothes!

I've taken multiple things for granted, whether in the White Room or ANHS, including the availability of clean clothing, forms of sanitation, and proper food.

You can forge as many documents saying you're a citizen of Wall Sina, your family background is tragic, you are a hard worker, etc—but you cannot forge proper nutrition from a country in which they rely on subsistence farming.

If I wanted to maintain my physical strength at this very moment without further compromising it through lack of training, I'd need a sustainable source of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins.

Working at a bakery strikes down the carbohydrates, as one of the benefits my new employer gave to me was a discount on the food sold there—and there's a butchery nearby, a few blocks down from where I've rented out a place to stay...

Managing finances in a mystery world... What has my life come to?

My father had various plans for me before I escaped from his reach. Politician, Prime Minister of Japan, Mastermind and his greatest political legacy, however now...

I wonder what he'd think of me now that I'm living like this?

Besides that, I'm almost certain he cannot reach or find me now.

Unless he's the one who put me here, but that's more than unlikely—I'll keep going with the supernatural deity theory for now.

Breaking out of my thoughts, I carefully loaded a crate of freshly baked and securely packed bread into a horse-drawn carriage.

I let out a small huff in satisfaction.

"There we go."

The cart's driver gave a brief nod, satisfied, and began securing the goods with coarse rope. I turned to take a brief glance around the market, scanning the area as a force of habit. It wasn't paranoia—well, it might have been.

You can't simply get rid of a habit by placing me in another world, after all.

Ah.

There they were: Frieda Reiss, her long, dark hair catching the sunlight, and a younger girl walking beside her. The resemblance was obvious, and I deduced immediately that this must be her sister.

As they approached, I raised a hand in greeting.

"Hello."

To think I would meet this noble girl again... coincidences can be freaky and rather uncomfortable.

Didn't I say I was a traveller the last time we met?

Her face brightened at my acknowledgment, and the little girl at her side shifted slightly behind her, peeking at me with wide, curious eyes. Frieda returned the greeting with a smile.

"Good afternoon. I hope we're not interrupting."

The little girl stepped forward.

"H-Hello... I'm Florian. F-Florian Reiss!"

Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. I'm sure it was normal for children to be shy around strangers—then again, I don't have much experience around children, let alone noble children.

"Nice to meet you, Florian. I'm Kiyotaka Ayanokouji."

"H-hm! Nice to meet you too..."

Frieda chuckled softly, tilting her head as if in mock disbelief. "You sensed us coming, didn't you? We were planning to surprise you, you know?"

I shrugged lightly, glancing toward the departing cart.

"I was finishing up with a delivery. It was not much of a surprise if I was already looking around. If you had come a few seconds before, I might've been caught off guard."

"Ohhh? I see~" Frieda's tone was light, but there was a genuine warmth behind her words. Her gaze followed mine to the cart disappearing down the street before returning to me. "So, do you always work this hard, or is this just a busy day?"

"Today's been routine," I replied simply. I shifted slightly, nodding toward the bakery's doorway. "And you? You don't seem like someone who frequents places like this. What brings you here?"

Before the former could answer, Florian piped up, her voice louder this time.

"We're looking for a birthday present! For our brother, Dirk. He's turning thirteen soon!" Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at her sister, proud of herself for sharing.

"Any luck so far?" I asked, directing the question at Frieda, though Florian immediately took it upon herself to answer.

"Not yet!" she admitted, a small pout forming on her lips. "But we're going to find something cool!"

Frieda laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We're still looking. Dirk's hard to shop for, as you might imagine."

"He likes the military."

In a child's development, around the age, Dirk is right now, interests in certain things and topics begin to solidify. Some might choose to watch media like anime or read manga in the case of Sotomura and others in things such as basketball in Sudou's case.

However, within the Walls, there isn't much to go off on since people don't particularly remember what the outside world was like.

I find that very suspicious that no one even remembers or even tells tales of what the world was like before humanity was brought to the brink of extinction, as there should've been some survivors with tales regarding the outside world...

I will choose to remain ignorant until I can properly sustain myself.

The military, however, is interesting, and I can understand Dirk's interest in the topic.

Before I could respond, the door to the bakery swung open, and a woman in her mid twenties stepped out. She was of average height, with reddish hair tied into a neat bun, though wisps of it escaped to frame her face. Her apron was dusted with flour, which also smudged her cheek and hands. Her eyes crinkled with a small smile as she approached.

"Kiyotaka, did everything go smoothly with the loading?" she asked, her hands brushing off flour absentmindedly.

"It's done," I answered succinctly, nodding toward the now-distant cart.

The woman turned her gaze toward Frieda and Florian, curious.

"And who might these two be? Friends of yours?"

Frieda stepped forward slightly, offering a polite smile. "Good afternoon. I'm Frieda Reiss, and this is my little sister, Florian. We were just passing through."

The baker's smile widened as she nodded in acknowledgment. "I'm Eveline, head baker here. It's nice to meet you." She glanced toward me again, her tone taking on a teasing note. "Kiyotaka doesn't strike me as someone who brings visitors around. You must be special."

"Please don't phrase it like that. It's like you're implying I don't have friends."

The elder Reiss's cheeks flushed slightly at Eveline's comment, and she raised a hand to scratch at her cheek, laughing softly. "It's not like that. We actually met a few weeks ago by chance. Funny how we'd bump into each other again like this."

Eveline leaned against the doorframe, her lips turning upward. "By chance, huh? Seems like good timing then."

Frieda gave a small, bashful shrug, her hand resting on Florian's shoulder.

"Well, I suppose it's not entirely surprising, given how often we visit Orvud. But still, it's nice to see a familiar face."

I nodded slightly in agreement, keeping my arms casually at my sides.

Please talk among yourselves instead of me, it'll give me a better chance of leaving.

Eveline, however, seemed to enjoy the exchange. "Well, it's rare for Kiyotaka to interact so much outside of work. You must've made quite the impression."

Frieda chuckled, waving off the comment. "He's been polite to me in our limited talks. Though, I think the word 'reserved' fits better."

"Reserved..."

That's just another way of saying I'm an introvert.

Eager to steer the conversation to a more relevant topic, Frieda adjusted her stance slightly. "Actually, we were looking for a birthday present for my younger brother, Dirk. He's turning thirteen soon. I was wondering if you make cakes here. I've never been to this bakery before."

Eveline glanced at me, nudging me lightly on the shoulder, preventing me from melting back into the shop.

"Go ahead, Kiyotaka. Tell them what we do."

Curse you, you fiend!

I let out a soft sigh but complied, turning toward my acquaintance.

"We specialize in a range of baked goods, including custom cakes. If you're interested, they can be designed to suit a theme. We also handle deliveries, though reservations need to be made in advance."

Frieda nodded, her eyes lighting up slightly. "That's good to know. Dirk might love a cake... We've been planning..." She mumbled something under her breath. "...So something along those lines could work."

She then glanced down at Florian. "What do you think?"

Florian, who had been silent for a moment, looked up at Eveline with wide eyes. "Do you make tarts too?"

Eveline knelt slightly to meet the girl's gaze, her tone gentle. "We sure do, sweetheart. Apple tarts, berry tarts—you name it. We can even make a special one just for you if you'd like."

Florian grinned, her shyness fading slightly. "I think Dirk would like a tart. Maybe with apples."

Frieda smiled warmly, patting her sister's head. "That's a good idea. Maybe we'll add a few to the order."

Eveline straightened and wiped her hands on her apron. "Well, whatever you decide, just let me or Kiyotaka know. We'll make sure it's something special."

"Oh, and for large orders, you'll have to order in advance by at least a week," I chimed in.

"I see..."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics for a while, Eveline chatting with Frieda about the variety of pastries the bakery offered and their popularity in Orvud. Florian chimed in occasionally, asking questions about how certain items were made or what Eveline's favourite recipe was.

As the exchange began to wind down, Frieda glanced at Eveline with a thoughtful expression. "Before we go, are there any local food vendors you'd recommend? Florian and I were thinking of grabbing a bite to eat."

Eveline tapped her chin, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "If you're looking for something quick and good, there's a vendor two streets down who makes the best meat pies in Orvud. Crispy crust, juicy filling—it's a crowd favourite. Just follow the smell."

Just follow the smell? Do you think they're dogs?

Frieda chuckled softly. "We'll definitely check it out. Thank you, Eveline. And Kiyotaka, it was nice running into you again."

"Likewise. Good luck with the birthday shopping."

Frieda and Florian turned to leave, the younger girl waving shyly as they stepped away from the bakery.

Eveline watched them go before turning back to me, her grin returning. "They seem sweet. And you handled that well."

"I guess."

The familiar warmth and smell of freshly baked goods greeted me as we re-entered. Shelves lined with loaves of bread, racks cooling pastries, and the low hum of activity filled the space. I took a moment to glance around, noting a tray of croissants that looked slightly underdone.

Ah, did she forget to—

"Miss Eve—"

The person in question stopped at the counter and turned toward me, leaning her hip against the edge. Her smile turned mischievous, cutting my words off. "So, Kiyotaka, what's the deal with you and the older one? Frieda, right?"

I paused, turning my attention to organizing a basket of rolls nearby. "There's no 'deal.' We're just acquaintances."

"Oh?" Eveline raised a brow, crossing her arms. "Acquaintances, huh? You sounded a bit more familiar than that when you were talking to her out there. And she didn't seem like she was just passing by randomly."

"She wasn't. I'm sure you know she saw me working and decided to come and talk," I replied simply, placing the last roll neatly in the basket. "But that doesn't mean there's anything more to it."

Eveline's grin didn't falter.

If anything, it grew wider.

Stop enjoying this.

"You don't even know what kind of relationship you have with her, do you? Classic you." She tapped a flour-dusted finger against her cheek. "And you're aware the Reiss family is nobility, right? A family like that becoming regular customers would be good for business. Imagine them recommending us to their noble friends."

I glanced at her briefly.

She wasn't wrong, per se.

From what I understood of historical power structures—and the parallels they shared here—connections with the landed nobility could provide numerous benefits, especially in a system that relied so heavily on hierarchical privilege. In a world as strange as this one, aligning yourself with influential figures wasn't just advantageous; it was practical.

Eveline didn't wait for me to reply before continuing.

"Having nobles as regulars could take this place to a whole new level. Maybe they'd even name-drop us at their fancy gatherings. 'Oh, you simply must try Eveline's Bakery.'" She laughed, spreading her arms theatrically. "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

This bakery was quite new to the scene, as Faust put it. It had attracted some business from the various merchants across the Walls, mostly in Wall Maria, though, due to the relative cheapness of the goods sold.

Its strategic location within Wall Sina, however, was the main reason why it was recommended to me.

"Business would improve," I acknowledged.

"That's an understatement," Eveline said, nudging me with her elbow. "So, don't mess it up. Be your usual charming self."

What's that supposed to mean?

"I'll try not to 'mess it up.'"

Eveline chuckled, shaking her head as she moved toward the counter, where a tray of steaming scones had been set to cool. She began transferring them to a display case, her tone taking on a sharper teasing edge.

"You know, that Reiss girl is really pretty. You're about the same age, too, aren't you? Any man would be lucky to have someone like her."

Please stop with this topic.

I picked up a tray of baguettes, readying them for the next cart. "I'm sure they would."

She threw a glance over her shoulder, clearly unsatisfied. "What, that's all you've got to say? No thoughts on her at all?"

"She's... pleasant," I replied after a moment. "Good-natured. Polite."

Eveline turned to face me, her hands on her hips. "Polite? That's it? Come on, Kiyotaka, you're not even trying."

I placed the tray down carefully, meeting her gaze with an exasperated sigh.

"What exactly are you hoping to hear?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe something a little more enthusiastic? You're young and at marrying age. You should be thinking about things like this. Youth only lasts so long, you know. You don't want to look back and regret not taking chances."

"I didn't realize I was getting life advice from someone not even a decade older than me," I replied flatly.

"HA!" She burst into laughter, clearly taking the comment as a compliment. "Not even a decade? I'll take that as you calling me youthful. Thanks, Kiyotaka."

"Being 25 is still considered youthful."

"Mhm~ And it should be for all time!"

I shook my head slightly, returning to the task at hand. Despite her... let's call them 'excentricities' there was a genuine warmth to her manner—like an older sister who couldn't resist poking fun but was still looking out for you.

Then again the only way I know how an older sister acts is through manga Sotomura reads so...

As Eveline continued rearranging the display case, her laughter settled into a soft hum.

"You know, I think that Reiss girl liked seeing you again. You should think about that."

"Please drop the topic, Miss Eveline."

"Never!"

When will this nightmare end?

...

...

...

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow through the bakery windows. The shop was quiet now, save for the soft rustle of paper bags and the occasional clink of trays being stacked away. Eveline stood by the counter, her hands on her hips, surveying the nearly empty display shelves with satisfaction.

"Another day, another sellout," she said, her tone filled with pride. She turned toward me, a grin spreading across her face. "Not bad, huh?"

I finished wiping down the counter and glanced over.

"It's good."

"Good?" She rolled her eyes, stepping closer and giving me a firm pat on the back. "Come on, Kiyotaka, give yourself some credit. You worked hard today, and here you are, looking like you've barely broken a sweat."

She then leaned over the counter, disregarding the fact I had just cleaned it.

"You know, sometimes I wonder if you're secretly some sort of superhuman."

How the hell did you figure that out?

"Hardly."

"Well, whatever you are, you're making my life a lot easier," Eveline said with a grin. She tapped her fingers on the counter for a moment before clearing her throat. "Actually, about tomorrow..."

I glanced over, sensing the slight shift in her tone. "What about tomorrow?"

"Think you can come in early?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I've got a bit of a situation."

I straightened up, dusting my hands off. "What kind of situation?"

She sighed, running a hand through her flour-dusted hair.

"One of the delivery drivers—Reid—was supposed to make a big run to Shiganshina, but he had an accident. Nothing too serious, thank the Walls, but he won't be able to go anywhere for a while." She looked at me, her expression hopeful. "I was wondering if you'd be able to take his place. It's a pretty straightforward delivery."

Shiganshina. The outermost district of the Walls. My mind immediately turned to its proximity to the Titans. The thought of venturing that far made a ripple of unease stir within me. I had no weapon or experience in countering Titans.

"Will you be alright managing the shop alone?" I asked.

I avoided an immediate answer.

Eveline waved a hand dismissively, her confidence shining through. "Of course I will. Don't forget, I ran this place by myself for months before you came along. I'll be fine." She grinned. "But thanks for asking. It's sweet."

I considered her words. It wasn't as though I could refuse without raising questions, and ultimately, the task didn't seem unreasonable.

"It's fine," I said finally. "I can do it."

Eveline's expression softened with gratitude, and she clapped her hands together. "I knew I could count on you. Thanks, Kiyotaka."

She reached into a pouch at her side and tossed me a small bag. I caught it easily, the jingle of coins inside confirming its contents.

"Your pay for today," she said. "You've earned it."

I nodded in acknowledgment and slipped the bag into my pocket.

"Well, I think that's everything," Eveline said, stretching her arms over her head. "You'd better get some rest tonight. It's a long ride to Shiganshina."

"I will," I replied.

She gave me a friendly wave as she headed toward the door leading to the back of the shop. "See you tomorrow, bright and early."

"Goodnight," I said, watching her go.

As the door swung shut behind her, I lingered for a moment.

The streets were quiet now.

"..."

Hm...

To live my life peacefully...

I must understand what I'm dealing with, right?

________________________________________________________________________________

Words: 3384

Author notes:

Nothing~