In Our Next Life

Somewhere...

Some time.....

.....In another life.

"Tch." A certain man let out a breath of smoke as he annoyingly flicked his cigarette on the ground. There was nothing he hated more in this world than this damn place he was forced to attend.

The busy school halls suddenly went quiet the moment they caught the figure of a certain someone. Not one person managed to utter a word. The sea of students suddenly parted in half as if Moses just arrived.

There he was,

The notorious gang leader, Levi Ackerman.

Raven hair, dark eyes that are as cold as winter. Though he was already a senior, he still chose to ignore school codes by refusing to wear the appropriate uniform. While the two buttons up his collar were unbuttoned, he also wore a black coat instead of the school's royal blue blazer as indicated by the disciplinary office. Those weren't just the few rules he refused to follow.

As far as anyone knew, Levi was always out for trouble. Always getting into fights, smoking on school premises, cutting class, it was too many to mention.

The students immediately cleared the locker area the moment they saw him approaching. They could only feel bad for the girl who failed to notice his presence in time.

"Yamada." His deep voice echoes through her ears that made her jolt. Shizue turns around to see Levi, blocking her from getting past her locker.

Her eyes widens in surprise upon seeing him and quickly turns to face him.

"Since when did your suspension end, Levi?" Shizue's tone was stern, like she was always refusing to let people know what's really on her mind.

One of the reasons why, is because she knew she was too good for all of them. Shizue classified herself to be above everyone and none of them stood to her level. Even Levi Ackerman.

The man let out a groan before slamming her locker close. The sound echoes through the empty hallway. Shizue didn't flinch.

"Seriously? That's the greeting I get from you?"

"Well, what do you want me to say Levi?" Shizue tiredly says.

A cocky grin appeared from his lips. He just loves hearing his name come out of her mouth. "You missed me?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "You wish."

Oh he really did. No matter how much of a tough delinquent Levi may appear to other people, he did not bother hiding the fact that he was head over heels for the school's student council president, Shizue Yamada.

Ever since their middle school years, the moment Levi laid his eyes on her, he knew she was the one. His gang mates called him somewhat crazy because how else could he had figure out she was his soulmate without even knowing her name.

Levi didn't let their opinion stop him from declaring that he will be Shizue's boyfriend seconds after finding out about her name.

He was rejected.

But it didn't stop right there.

Levi was rejected, 32 times.

His determination was admirable, because Levi continued to pine for her for years to come, and he doesn't care if it takes more than that.

He just knew there's no other person meant for him than Shizue Yamada.

Shizue shook her head and adjusted her thick framed glasses before opening her locker again to grab a few of her books, and walked away.

"Oi wait!" The man growled and ran after her. Once Levi caught up, he immediately snatched the books in her arms, including her bag. This surprised Shizue.

"So where you headed?" He ask while slinging her bag onto his shoulder.

She sighed. "Levi, give those back."

He ignored her. "Your classes are over right? So you on your way to the library to study."

Shizue furrowed her brows at him. "How did you know about that?"

Levi smirked. "I know everything about you sweetheart,"

Shizue let out a groan and adjusted her glasses furiously. "Levi, I'm being serious give those back. I need it."

"Then I'll just help you study. Come on." He urged her to follow him. Levi was only met with a deadpan.

Levi? Studying? How laughable.

"Very funny."

"Hey, I'm a changed man now Yamada. Coming back from suspension has enlightened me." Shizue's eye twitched at his bullshit.

"You've been suspended three times Levi, the first one should've already enlightened you."

Levi waited quietly while Shizue caught up on her studies. A few hours later, he asks if he could leave for a moment.

Shizue said she doesn't care.

Though he didn't really need any permission, Levi continued to perter her if it was okay to leave her for a couple of minutes. After much persuasion, Shizue said 'fine'.

Levi immediately light his cigarette the moment he stepped out the school grounds. The students who were on their way out of the campus quickened their pace in order to avoid him out of fear.

It wasn't only the students, but also the passersby, who refused to look him in the eye especially after seeing his tattoo on the side of his neck. They were convinced he really is an infamous gang member.

Levi was suddenly enveloped by a thick maroon colored scarf someone just put on him. He was a bit taken aback when he saw Shizue standing behind him with an unwavering gaze. She's done already?

"What's with this?" He ask, touching the scarf.

Levi suddenly smirked flirtatiously at her while leaning against the wall. " And here I thought you didn't care about me."

Shizue rolled her eyes. Taking the cigarette off his fingers and threw it on the ground. The man frowned as she stepped on it.

"They were looking at you because of your tattoo, Levi." She spoke concerned.

Levi never cared on what people think of him, but Shizue does. As much as she hated to admit that. She didn't like the nasty stares they were giving him because he looks like a delinquent. Though it was true.

The man furrowed his brows, removing the scarf to showcase his tattoo.

"This? Are you kidding? I wear this like a badge of honor."

On the side of Levi's neck, lies Shizue's name in Kanji tattooed in black ink.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call it that." She furiously flicked his forehead, earning a groan from the man.

Levi got it without informing her, and when she finally saw it, Shizue smacked the shit out of him for doing something so reckless.

"I don't care if people whisper behind my back because of this tattoo." Levi spoke in a serious tone.

"Everyone deserves to know you own me."

Shizue's eyes widen at his words, making her cheeks flush red. Levi has always been flirty towards her, she thought she was already used to it. But here are just certain times he makes her heart beat incredibly fast.

"Shut up." She clears her throat and attempted to get her scarf back, but Levi moved it away from her grasp.

"What. You don't need it right?" He moves away from her.

"Nope. You already gave it to me, no take backs." He tried to wrap it around his neck too fast to escape her but ended up strangling himself. This irked Shizue.

"Give me that. Geez, you're hurting yourself." Shizue glared at him as she took the scarf and wrapped it around him neatly.

Levi could only stare at her as she fixed the scarf that made him feel warm. A ghost smile appeared on his lips. He was sure, he really loved her.

"There." Shizue gave him a small tap. Levi just stole her scarf. And she let him.

Levi suddenly held her hands before she could take them off him, making her eyes widen. "Shizue, I can read between the lines. And I love you as well."

Shizue's whole face flushed red that she snatched her hand away from him and slapped him across the face.

"D-don't say things like that you idiot!!"

She was so sweet. Levi smiled as his cheek pulsates painfully. He dusted off his shirt and took her hand.

"It's getting late, let's go. I'll take you home."

"H-hey wait!" Shizue tries to retract her hand but he only intertwined their fingers. She suddenly found it hard to get away from Levi, and for some reason, she didn't want to.

They finally arrived at Shizue's house. Levi handed her her bag and bid his goodbye. But before he could leave, he suddenly felt a soft tug on his sleeve.

Shizue looks in his eyes but then quickly averted her gaze. "Thanks, Levi."

Levi was a bit confused, but returned her gratitude.

"It's nothing. Good night, Shizue." He walked away but then again, another tug on his sleeve made it impossible to leave. Levi looks back with a confused look only to find her looking on her shoes. A soft grin made its way to his lips as he sighed.

"Yes, Shizue?" He ask sweetly.

The pinkette gulped and tries to mask the nervousness on her face but failed.

"I'm...not just saying that for today but-" Shizue paused briefly and took a deep breath.

"But for all the time you've been there for me even if I push you away."

Levi was a bit stunned. He never saw this side of her's before, he always had the impression that Shizue with no doubt hated his guts. Whenever she sees his face, he always thought she was always annoyed by his presence.

Shizue just didn't know how to properly express her feelings.

"I'll always be there for you, especially if you try to push me away." Levi chuckled. The girl kept her gaze down as she fiddles her fingers.

"Also... sorry if I'm mean to you, sometimes."

"Don't be. It just makes me want you more." He stepped closer to her as he uttered that last part too seductively.

"Levi please, I'm trying to be nice."

"Alright, alright. Sorry." He said in defeat. "Look I don't know where this is all coming from but just so you know, you can push me away, be as mean as you want, you can put a gun to my head, I'd still love you."

"...you can stop saying that last part."

"Well, I do." Levi said sternly.

Shizue felt her heart racing against her chest like it would cone bursting out sny moment, not only because of the things Levi just said but how he said it. He seemed to sure, as if his feelings for her has been branded onto his soul for years.

He smiled, and gently placed his hand on top of her head. "Are we clear on that?"

Shizue sucked in a breath as her cheeks flushed red, she didn't know why but... Levi's head pats always felt nice. She was too flustered to respond.

Levi didn't care if it will take years, a decade, or even if he die waiting. He was a patient man, and he will wait for her as long as it takes. Because there's no other person in this world he wants more than her. Levi's heart will always belong to Shizue in every lifetime.

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Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. If anyone is interested, here's a playlist for this book. The chapters were also named after the songs I think would fit well for the story. 🫶

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This time tomorrow by Brandi Carlile

Forever in sunset by Ezra Furman

'39 by Queen

Drowse by Queen

Nothing new by Taylor swift

Tether by Ezra Furman

Forgotten love by Aurora

Always, I'll care by Jeremy Zucker

I don't wanna see you cryin' anymore by Adam Melchor

Things that I miss by awfultune, sandocious

Brother by Gerard Way

Seven seas of rhye by Queen

Doors by Ben & Ben

Heaven help us by My chemical romance

You're my world by Anya Taylor Joy

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