**Chapter 3: The Calm Before the Storm**

The silence that followed Hange's departure was oppressive, punctuated only by the steady beep of my artificial placenta and the soft hum of the medical equipment surrounding me. I tried to distract myself by focusing on the oatmeal, now congealed and unappetizing, but my mind kept wandering back to Hange and the mysterious situation that had called him away. As I sat there, feeling increasingly anxious, I noticed a piece of paper on the table that Hange must have left behind. It was a note, scribbled in his hasty handwriting: "I'll be back soon, my love. Don't worry, I've got everything under control. -Hange." The words were reassuring, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over me. I got up, my movements slow and cautious, and began to pace around the room. The soft carpet muffled my footsteps, and I felt a sense of comfort in the familiar surroundings. But as I walked, my mind began to wander, conjuring up all sorts of worst-case scenarios. What if Hange got hurt? What if he was in danger? The door to the living room slid open, and Eren walked in, a look of concern etched on his face. "Hey, how are you doing?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I didn't want to worry him, but at the same time, I needed someone to talk to. "I'm...I'm okay," I said finally, trying to sound more convincing than I felt. Eren nodded, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something. "Hange said he'd be back soon," he said, as if reading my mind. "He's just dealing with some yakuza business. He'll be fine." I nodded, trying to trust Eren's words, but my mind was still racing with doubts. What if Hange didn't come back? What if something happened to him? Just then, the doorbell rang, and Eren's head snapped up. "I'll get it," he said, disappearing into the hallway. I waited, my heart pounding in my chest, as Eren returned with a young woman I had never seen before. She was petite, with long black hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. "Hey, I'm Mikasa," she said, her voice low and smooth. "Hange asked me to keep an eye on you while he's away." My heart sank, and I felt a surge of unease. Who was this woman, and why had Hange asked her to watch me? I looked at Eren, who was watching the exchange with interest, but he just shrugged. "Don't worry," he said, as if reading my mind. "Mikasa's a friend. She's one of Hange's most trusted allies." I nodded, trying to trust Eren's words, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that my life was about to get a lot more complicated. As Mikasa settled into the couch beside me, her eyes never leaving mine, I felt a sense of trepidation wash over me. Who was this woman, and what did she want from me? As we sat there in silence, I began to notice the small things about Mikasa. The way she sat up straight, her shoulders back and her eyes alert. The way she seemed to be constantly on guard, as if waiting for something to happen. It was clear that she was a woman who had been trained for combat, and I wondered what her story was. Mikasa, sensing my gaze, turned to me and smiled. "Don't worry," she said, her voice softening. "I'm here to help. Hange trusts me, and I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe." I nodded, feeling a small sense of relief wash over me. Maybe, just maybe, I could trust Mikasa. But as I looked into her eyes, I knew that I still had a lot to learn about her, and about the world that Hange was a part of.