Training Corps (2)

Mina's POV

Training started immediately the next morning. Observing how the trainees will be evaluated is both exciting and entertaining to me. Trying it out and seeing how my parents will perform is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Thank Ymir for bringing me to this timeline!

"First, we'll evaluate what you have! Anyone unable to do this can't even serve as a decoy!"

I love it.

Let the show begin!

The devices in front of us help determine a person's potential with the maneuver gear. When it was Mikasa's turn on the device, she looked steady as a rock, showing high potential in using the gear. However, after seeing Eren's head almost touching the ground, I paled.

"What are young doing, Eren Yeager?! Pick yourself up!"

I had to watch it with my fingers across my eyes.

When it was my turn in the device, it seemed like I too, had the potential for it. Keith Shadis only nodded his head and called the next trainee in line.

I didn't expect it to become a big deal, but it seemed like it did after I noticed Eren walking directly toward me. I had to look behind my back to see if anyone was there, but to my dismay, there was none.

Ymir thy help me, a younger version of my father might speak to me-

"Hey, how did you do that?"

And he has!

I hesitated and started stuttering as Eren began to close the distance between us. "Ah, well, it comes out… naturally?" His face eventually showed signs of hopelessness as I tried to bring his spirit back up. "But you can do it, Eren! Just believe in yourself!"

"What's the matter?" Now, it was Mikasa's turn to walk up to us. If not for Armin standing behind me, I would have passed out.

Later that day, Armin invited me to help Eren in his training.

"Stick to the basics, and you should be fine," Mikasa told Eren as he was strapped to the device. "Don't worry about doing well. Watch the balance and stay centered."

After Mikasa gave him several more pointers, Armin tried to calm Eren by telling him that if he could do it, so could he.

"Okay," His voice trembled along with his eyes. "I think I can do it this time! Raise me, Armin."

Watching him slowly being raised while remembering his position earlier gave off bad alarms in my head. Not even a second had passed when he began to fall forward.

Stepping a bit closer to him proved to be useful, and my reflex moved my whole body forward to catch Eren in my arms. It was too close, and his head would have been injured from the fall.

"Are you all right?!" I signaled Armin to lower the cables as Mikasa instantly offered to support Eren. I pulled away from his body and began to inspect his face. "Oh, thank goodness you're not hurt."

"Nice reflexes." He says, smiling at me. "Thanks."

It was too much. Seeing my father like this brings out painful memories that I had decided not to recall.

However, just when I was about to feel down, a hot and terrifying gaze landed upon me. I slowly turned to see who that someone was, only to find that it came from Mikasa.

"Ahaha…" So, this is how protective my mother is towards my father. It's too adorable!

Later that night, during dinner time, whispers of how useless Eren was, even after announcing that he'd kill all Titans, were the most sought-after topic. Once again, being invited to their table made me feel honored and terrified.

There was, however, one major mishap. Mikasa's glare is not a joke. I should clear up this misunderstanding as soon as possible.

"I'll never be able to kill them all like this," Eren muttered under his breath, making Armin and me sigh.

"You should let that idea go."

Hearing those words from Mikasa surprised everyone at the table.

"What?!"

Mikasa continued. "You should give up on being a soldier. There are other ways to fight than by throwing away your life."

I hummed, almost agreeing with her.

But Eren is adamant in his decision to stay and train. He only stopped after hearing Mikasa's next words.

"It isn't your decision whether you end up a soldier or not, Eren."

Then the bell rang, interrupting their conversation. Mikasa was still saying something when Eren called Armin to come with him and leave.

"Don't worry," she mutters, her eyes trailing downwards. "I will go with you."

However, aside from me, the only person who heard that was Sasha, who was physically showing her surprise. I held back my laughter even after Sasha asked Mikasa if she could take the bread.

It was inches away from her fingers when Mikasa decided to pull it back and eat it instead.

I lost it at that point.

"You're laughing!" Sasha points at me as I continue to laugh non-stop.

"It was too funny," I snorted. "Sorry, ahaha."

"Then stop laughing!"

It has been years since I have felt this kind of amusement and even longer since the last time I laughed this hard. In front of both women whom I admired for the longest time, I laughed so hard that tears began to pool beside my eyes.

When Sasha finally left the table, leaving both of us in silence, I knew then that I had to take this chance to clear up her misunderstanding.

"By the way, Mikasa," After calming down, I called out her name in a way that felt so wrong, considering that she's my mother in another world, earning myself a glare from her. Seeing such a reaction made me smile. "I'm sorry for touching him earlier. I have to clarify right now that I only see Eren as a comrade."

Her glare, which was as intense as a wolf in its rage, finally begins to subside. "Eh?"

My eyes softened at how pure she and her feelings were towards that man. "Truth be told, Eren looks like a younger version of my father. But please, don't misunderstand. I'm even rooting for the two of you to end up together someday."

"T-together?!" She gasps as her cheeks become red from embarrassment. Maybe this was too much for her?

"I apologize. Did I misunderstand something?"

"W-well," she stutters incoherent words before finally forming one single sentence. "E-Eren is family."

I smiled and nodded my head in agreement. When will I ever have the chance to do this? If Ymir had given me this opportunity, I better not waste it.

"I'm happy for you, Mikasa," I whispered, making my tone as sincere as possible, and Mikasa seemed to have noticed it as well. "Eren is lucky to have someone like you by his side."

So, please, never give up on each other.

I almost uttered those words as the memory of her slicing her beloved's head passed quickly in my head. I had to close my eyes to force them away before gazing back at her surprised expression.

Noticing her widened eyes made me nervously chuckle. "Was it too random?"

Slowly, she shook her head before producing a small yet noticeable smile.

A smile that was pure and genuine, one that left me speechless even when she bid me a short and temporary farewell.

I... will never forget this day, for both of them smiled due to my actions. And for that…

I am truly thankful.

***

The next day, Eren's evaluation was the first thing that Keith Shadis wanted to accomplish. There we all stood as Eren was strapped to the device that would determine if he would stay or go home.

"Eren Yeager, are you ready?"

"Yes!"

Even from afar, I could see how determined he was to pass this test. It took me a while to notice that Mikasa had positioned herself next to me. Keeping my face as neutral as possible is too hard to accomplish!

"Begin!"

I couldn't dare to close my eyes. I had to watch this amazing feat, where my father – against all odds – managed to balance himself for a few seconds. Trainees began to cheer, and I smiled alongside them.

Not until he fell backward, earning a lot of gasps.

"Put him down," Keith commanded as Eren fell to his knees.

His eyes became teary, making me wonder if I ever saw my father cry back in my world. "I… I…"

But before his hopes of becoming a soldier were completely shattered, Keith spoke. "Wagner, change belts with Yeager."

After a few minutes of exchanging belts and strapping him once more, Eren eventually could balance on the device as naturally as it was made for him to do. It earned him a lot of attention, as a couple of whispers were heard all around him.

"Your equipment was defective," Keith announces, shocking everyone who has heard it. "The fitting on your belt was damaged."

"So, he managed to stay upright for a bit, even with a broken belt?" A random dude spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

I smiled, proud of what the younger version of my father had accomplished.

Eren then lifted both of his arms and looked directly at Mikasa. Even someone like me can guess what he was thinking, which was probably along the lines of: 'Did you see that? I can do this!'

'I can finally have the chance to fight the Titans!'

"I guess it all worked out."

Armin agreed. "He's looking at us as if to say, 'See!'."

But Mikasa denied it, making me look at her figure. Her face was as neutral as ever, but her words gave off a different vibe.

"He's relieved because he thinks we won't have to be separated now." She looked at me as if asking if her observation was right.

And as I responded, I smiled. "Yeah, Mikasa. I agree."

*****