"Whoa!" Although Yago had done his best to maintain his balance, after holding on for a full minute he finally lost it, his whole body tipping over.
"Yago!" Thomas Wagner at the side finally reacted and hurried over to help lower Yago down.
Yago stood up rubbing his head, subconsciously touching his belt. Just now he had clearly felt the distribution of force around his waist was extremely uneven.
"Recruit Yago!"
Instructor Keith Shadis's voice sounded from behind. "Yes!" Yago placed his right fist against his left chest in a standard salute.
"Let me see your belt."
"Huh? Okay!"
Yago took off the belt and handed it to the instructor. Keith fiddled with it, while quite a few curious recruits gathered around.
So that's how it is. If that's the case, then this recruit's talent is truly terrifying. Instructor Keith Shadis fixed his gaze on the Yago standing ramrod straight in front of him.
He then loudly announced, "The buckle on this belt has been damaged. This really is unexpected. I originally thought this spot would be very safe and sturdy. It seems we've found another area that needs extra maintenance in the future."
Yago froze for a moment—it really was the belt that had the problem. The surrounding recruits immediately started chattering in shock.
"So you're saying, this guy Yago managed to hold on for a full minute even with a faulty device? What a monster!"
The looks they gave Yago now carried a hint of admiration.
Instructor Keith Shadis said, "Alright, all of you go back to training properly. Yago, go to the equipment department and get a new belt set. Your futures are wide open, so work hard—don't become food for Titans!"
"Yes!" All the recruits answered in unison.
When training resumed, everyone put in a bit more effort than before. After all, having a monster-like companion around really piled on the pressure.
Eren was especially happy at this moment, secretly thinking,
"Mikasa, I can become a soldier now. I don't need you to take care of me anymore. I made it!"
Armin looked at Eren's happy expression and said to Mikasa,
"Looks like Eren is really glad he can stay."
Mikasa said calmly, "No. He's happy about finally having a reason to part from me."
Armin: "...?"
Yago, who had just received his new gear, was walking along with them. Hearing Mikasa's words, he almost burst out laughing. Cold and aloof Mikasa would actually say something so blatantly self-centered.
"Eh~~ Then Mikasa, what exactly are you to Eren? You're that sure he can't bear to leave you?" Yago teased.
Mikasa froze. How could someone even say something like that out loud? At the very least, shouldn't it be the boy who takes the initiative? But looking at Eren's back, well… somehow it felt like it might be better for her to speak first.
Leaning against a large tree, Annie Leonhart crossed her arms and calmly watched Yago chatting and laughing.
"Tonight, try going out to investigate."
...
Night fell. Yago left the dormitory and headed straight for the back mountain, but on the way he ran into someone familiar.
"Annie? Where are you heading?" Seeing Annie wrapped up tightly, Yago was puzzled.
"I…" Annie was also at a loss for words. What a coincidence. She had just been planning to go out to investigate tonight, and she ran straight into Yago?
Yago didn't think too much about it. Since they'd run into each other, they might as well go together. Without giving her a chance to object, Yago grabbed Annie's small hand and headed straight for the back mountain, talking as they walked.
"Perfect timing. Come on, I'll treat you to some meat."
With her hand being held, Annie's little face instantly turned red, though it wasn't very noticeable under the moonlight. Yago didn't think anything of it either—what kind of decent person would have those thoughts about a twelve-year-old kid? Little did he know he himself was only thirteen.
They excitedly made their way to the back mountain. Yago headed straight in one direction, and Annie could only follow along.
"Hey hey hey! This is great!" Yago excitedly lifted up a plump rabbit. Annie asked in surprise,
"Where did you catch that?"
Yago smugly rubbed his nose.
"That's a secret." He had set up a trap based on some vague memories in his head. Yesterday he'd come to check and found he'd actually caught a rabbit. What luck.
Even in the training corps, meat wasn't guaranteed. At least during these few days since joining, Yago had barely eaten any meat at all—only the occasional tiny chunk in potato soup.
Yago deftly prepared the rabbit, set up a fire, and started roasting it. As he roasted, he hummed some unknown tune, pulling out seasonings he'd shamelessly scrounged from the cafeteria staff and sprinkling them on from time to time.
Annie sat on the ground hugging her knees, staring blankly at Yago as he seriously grilled the meat. She felt a bit dazed as memories from the past surfaced: a boy with the same youthful face, holding sweets bought with who-knew-what money, eagerly feeding them to a girl, slyly beating around the bush to learn her combat techniques.
Each time, the girl taught him only a little—not because she was holding back, but because she hoped the boy would come to see her often. She was lonely too. At some point, many needle marks and bruises appeared on the boy's arms, his complexion turning pale. But in front of the girl, he always pretended nothing was wrong. The girl didn't know what to say—until one day, the boy didn't come.
Day after day passed, and the boy still didn't come. The girl grew lost and went looking for him, but no matter what she did, she couldn't find him. Finally, one day, she got news of him.
"Norman? That experimental kid? He died a long time ago…"
That day, the girl cried for a very, very long time.
...
"All done! I'm seriously amazing! Haha." Yago laughed smugly, took out a small knife, cut off a rabbit leg, and handed it to Annie. "Try my cooking, Annie."
Annie took the rabbit leg and took a bite. Mm—it was unexpectedly delicious.
Yago himself was eating with great relish too. It was incredibly tasty.
Annie lowered her head. Although she didn't know why Yago had appeared on this island, or why he had forgotten her, perhaps this was the favor of fate, giving her another chance. This time, the girl couldn't lose the boy again.
The rabbit was quite large, and the two of them ate less than half of it. There was still more than half left. Yago split it into two portions and had Annie take them back to the dormitory to share with her roommates.
Then the two of them slowly strolled back down the mountain.
Back at the dormitory, the aroma of grilled meat attracted quite a bit of attention. Armin swallowed his saliva and worriedly asked Yago,
"This wasn't stolen from the storeroom, was it?"
"What are you talking about? I caught this fair and square on the back mountain! Are you eating it or not?"
"Eating, eating, eating!"
Very quickly, half a rabbit was divided up among everyone. There were quite a few people, but everyone got a taste.
Eren praised, "Yago, what you made is even better than the chef's. That's incredible."
Yago said, "Of course. Keep praising—don't stop."
Annie sat on her bed. From far away, Sasha had already caught the scent of the meat and was now excitedly praising how delicious it was.
Outside the window, the night scenery was beautiful and peaceful. If there were no Titans, no so-called demons, no war, maybe this world could truly be tranquil. Annie thought quietly.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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