Chapter 46 Outfit Check

After waiting outside for a while, Krista returned wearing her new clothes.

The moment Ryo saw her, his heart felt as though it had been struck by a powerful force. He stood frozen, utterly captivated by the sight before him.

She was breathtaking.

Her golden hair shimmered in the light, the pristine white of her clothes complemented her flawless, radiant skin. Her petite frame seemed almost ethereal, radiating an angelic glow that made her appear like a true vision of beauty. In that moment, Ryo felt as though she had transformed into a heavenly angel, stealing his heart completely.

"Ryo, what's wrong? Does this outfit look bad on me?" Krista asked, stepping closer with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. Her tone held a tinge of worry, and she gently shook his arm, trying to bring him back to reality.

"No, not at all!" Ryo finally managed to stammer. "It looks amazing—absolutely perfect. Honestly, this is the most beautiful outfit I've ever seen. No, wait, you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen!"

With a flourish, Ryo pulled out a single rose as if by magic, knelt on one knee, and said with playful sincerity, "My beautiful lady, would you honor me with a date tonight? Or better yet, will you marry me?"

Krista giggled, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink. "Ryo, I can't marry you. We're both minors! But… I'd love to go on a date with you."

Ryo rose to his feet, wrapping her in a warm hug. He kissed the top of her head, whispering with a grin, "If not now, then someday in the future. My little angel."

Krista buried her face into his chest, her face glowing with embarrassment. Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible as she mumbled, "Okay."

---

Meanwhile, at the barracks, the announcement of the snowy mountain training had sent waves of nervous energy through the cadets.

"Snowy mountains for training? What's so great about that? It's just a barren mountain! You can't even find a sweet potato up there!" Sasha grumbled, voicing her discontent loudly.

Though the training was compulsory, Sasha's love for food and disdain for discomfort made her enthusiasm understandably low.

"I heard there are wild deer in the mountains," Ymir interjected, leaning casually against the wall. "If we bring the right tools, we might catch one. Imagine—venison for dinner!"

At this, Sasha's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? But we don't have hunting rifles, do we?"

"No," Ymir admitted, smirking at Sasha's reaction. "But with some creativity, we might still manage."

Mikasa joined the conversation for the first time, surprising the group. "The 3D maneuver gear can be useful for hunting, especially with the swords. If we're fast and precise, we could catch something."

"Wait, Mikasa," Ymir interjected. "Carrying maneuver gear is already heavy, and we have to pack supplies for several days. Adding extra weight for hunting? That's just asking for trouble on a steep climb."

"Exactly," Mikasa agreed, her tone becoming serious. "That's why I think it's best to focus on surviving this training rather than risking distractions. The climb will be difficult enough as it is."

Sasha groaned, her brief excitement extinguished. "You've got to be kidding me, Mikasa. I was actually looking forward to venison!"

"I'm sorry, but this training isn't something to take lightly," Mikasa replied firmly. "The snowy mountains aren't just cold; they're dangerous. Reaching the camp safely is the only goal you should have."

She turned toward the group, her gaze steady. "Even Ryo has been preparing for this for weeks. If someone as capable as him is taking it seriously, then you all should too."

Her words left everyone thoughtful. Mikasa rarely spoke so directly, and when she did, her advice carried weight.

Deep down, she felt a sense of urgency. With the recent increase in Titan activity and the heavy losses suffered by both the Military Police and the Survey Corps, it was likely that their training would be cut short. Graduation was looming closer than any of them realized, and soon, they might be thrown into battle much sooner than expected.