SOURCE: Attack on Titan: Short Stories 2
Late Night Stories Vol. 07 Nifa "A Story of a Misunderstanding"
A soldier with short, bobbed Hair served under Hange in the Fourth Squad of the Survey Corps. Her name is Nifa. While she often worked with Hange, her sharp-witted personality also meant that Erwin and the other leaders of the Corps asked her to act as the go-between for various communications, making her a soldier tied to no particular squadron.
"Here are today's documents, Squad Leader Hange."
"Ah, just put them right there."
Moblit, the Vice Captain of the squad, thanked Nifa in place of his superior who was busy at work.
"Thanks, as always, for all of your work. Look at all this stuff you managed to get done today… I bet you've never had to experience failure in your life, have you?" Nifa's corpsmate quipped, causing her to shake her head as she forced a smile.
"That's not true at all. Just the other day, I failed in a huge way…"
The leading members of the Fourth Squad turned to listen to Nifa's story during the few moments they had before Hange finished checking the documents.
The Survey Corps received many different kind of letters. They covered a wide range of things, from work-related subject to thoughts from the citizens. Survey Corps members whose efforts stood out, such as the Commander, Levi, and Mike, even received fan mail. Another part of Nifa's job was to deliver these.
"I have subordinates that take the mail and sort it, so I just needed to deliver it… But I had just finished helping Hange with one of their marathon all-nighters and was feeling exhausted."
While she had thought the letters were properly separated, with one pile for the Commander and another for Mike, it seemed that they got shuffled at some point along the line…
The next day, Erwin spoke to Nifa as he wore a cheerful expression on his face.
"Nifa. Reading that letter yesterday made me glad to be the Commander."
"'Seeing how youthful and active you always are gives me energy! Please solve the mysteries of the world!' …That's what it said. It made me feel determined all over again."
The letter had been addressed to Hange. While Nifa had broken out in a cold sweat, it was also rare to see the Commander in such a good mood. Was it the "youthful" part that made him happy?
Just as Nifa left, hoping that he wouldn't notice the name on the back of the letter, she next came across someone in a terrible mood.
"…Hey, Nifa. What is this, a citizen trying to offend me with sarcasm?"
"'I really admire how tall and silent you are! I want to grow up to become an adult like you some day!' …What's wrong with this kid's letter?"
…This one was a message for Mike, meant to cheer him on. And of all the people, the letter meant for the tallest Survey Corps leader had made it straight to the short-statured Levi. No wonder he was in a bad mood…
"I-It must be some kind of mistake! Let me check and see who it's addressed to!"
…And with that, Nifa began to collect the letters, nearly snatching Levi's out of his hand.
"Huh… So even you do things like that, Nifa," Nifa's corpsmates mumbled in surprise. "You know it's not easy working after two all-nighters in a row," Nifa said as her shoulders dropped.
"By the way, that would mean…Hange got a letter addressed to either the Commander or the Captain."
"Oh, Hange would happily accept any compliment. They're so positive that they could be called 'humanity's strongest' and take it as honest praise."
"I knew it had gone to the wrong person, you know."
"What?" Hange's subordinates said as their eyes opened wide. Hange looked up from the papers and put their glasses back on.
"Why wouldn't I be happy to know that my corpsmates are being praised by citizens?"
"So you do have a human heart, Hange…"
Hange's subordinates were moved as Hange started handling the papers back with a smile.
"That's right! And now your compassionate officer is going to start another all-night experiment, so you'd all better help out!"
Agh! The soldiers shrugged. Hange cheerfully made their way through the group and handed Nifa some checked papers.