[ Jean falls easily into his pace, following Reiner and his torch. He knows this path all too well. Memorized it at this point. This is the path up to the cliff, where they'll be able to see the entire forest view. The first time Reiner took him up here, it felt like what they had was real. Their lives have never been easy, but the fact that he had found someone to love him in this short lifespan probably made him luckier than most Warriors get to be. It's funny that they're Eldians and they're always going to be hated, but Jean wants the same simple, petty things every Marlayan teenager wants.

Gradually, this person who's been his lifeline for so many years is also wracking him with worry and grief. ]

Yeah? Well, don't you think you're enjoying your little 'act' a little too much.

[ He's becoming more and more convincing. ]

You're the one who told me to take things seriously. [ That first time they were kids, where Jean considered giving up because he was too afraid of having to kill others. ] Are you taking things seriously?

[ It doesn't need to be said. All these people, Krista included, will die. ]