Forever Me

Forever Me (俺がいつまでも) is the 2nd chapter of the 5th volume and the 34th chapter overall of the Attack on Titan: Junior High manga, written and illustrated by.

Overview
As the band continues to practice and prepare for their routine in the "Battle of the Bands" competition, Eren and Jean continue to have creative differences; eventually, it comes to a head and Jean ends up quitting. The competition is one week away; will Eren and the others be able to find a suitable replacement in time?

Summary
With one week before the "Battle of the Bands," Eren remarks how much progress they have made. Jean disagrees, stating that they have yet to work on their showmanship. He gives a demonstration and appoints himself the leader of the band, much to Eren's annoyance. As they nearly come to blows, Armin suggests a plan for them to win the competition; he suggests starting with a normal rock-based performance, but soon begins to lean more towards a hard rock/metal direction involving smashing Jean's guitar and setting it on fire, believing it would drive the crowd into a frenzy and ensure their success. The others are visibly surprised by this and Mikasa firmly refuses.

Next, the group suffers an identity crisis when everyone shows up to practice in different costumes. Eren and Jean get into another argument and, having had enough, Jean quits the band. Three days before the event, however, Jean has second thoughts and tries to come up with a way to rejoin the band. He overhears Eren and the others stating that their band is missing something. Jean believes that they are talking about him, but is dumbstruck when it is revealed Eren was planning to ask their teacher to fill Jean's spot. Their teacher, reminiscing about how he used to play during his childhood, is flattered but declines the offer.

Later that day, the band finds Jean crying by himself and they plead for him to rejoin. Jean agrees to return, but is dumbfounded to learn that the only reason they agreed to have him back was because the entire group would be disqualified from the competition, if all registered members were not present.