NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: Chapter 26
Ryo Akatsuki happily left the instructor's office, his steps light as he made his way to the training grounds. His thoughts were focused solely on reuniting with Christa, the "little angel" who had occupied his mind during his grueling training sessions.
Unbeknownst to Ryo, Instructor Keith had taken drastic measures to secure his placement. The evaluation Keith submitted painted a scathing picture of Ryo:
"This recruit displays an unruly nature, a strong resistance to authority, and a rebellious spirit that makes him unsuitable for any division, whether as a front-line soldier or a security detail. His low loyalty and unpredictable temperament pose a significant risk."
The report, while designed to ensure Ryo stayed behind, would later haunt him throughout his career. It became an obstacle at every critical moment, casting doubt on his reliability and trustworthiness. Ryo's superiors often questioned his character, deeming him a wildcard.
At first, Ryo was baffled, unable to understand why promotions or new opportunities seemed to evade him. When he finally uncovered the truth about Keith's damning appraisal, he was furious. What began as a tactical move to keep him around had inadvertently marked him as a troublemaker.
---
At the training ground, Christa spotted Ryo immediately. She had been sparring with Ymir but dropped everything and rushed toward him. Her bright, relieved smile lit up the area as she called out, "Ryo, you're finally back!"
Without hesitation, Christa threw her arms around him, ignoring the stares and whispers of their fellow trainees. Ryo chuckled, embracing her warmly. "Did you miss me?" he teased, his tone lighthearted.
Christa blushed furiously but nodded. "Of course I did," she admitted softly, her voice almost a whisper.
Ryo laughed, gently patting her back. "Well, I'm back now. How have things been?"
Christa pulled away, her cheeks still flushed. "Busy," she replied, brushing her hair back nervously. What she didn't tell him was how distracted she had been since his absence. Her training sessions with Ymir had been lackluster, and she'd earned her fair share of scolding from the instructors.
"Well then, let's see how much progress you've made," Ryo suggested, leading her back toward the training area. Their earlier display of affection had already drawn enough attention, and he didn't want to make things more awkward for Christa.
Ymir, watching the interaction from a distance, crossed her arms and glared. She wasn't thrilled to see Ryo return. In her eyes, he was competition—a rival who had "stolen" Christa's attention.
"Ymir's been training with me," Christa explained. "She's been really helpful, even though she's been going easy on me."
Ymir scoffed. "Helpful, huh? Don't flatter yourself too much, Ryo. Let's see if *you* can back up your talk."
Ryo smirked, recognizing Ymir's challenge. "Fine by me. Let's see what you've got."
---
The group soon set up for a sparring session, with Ryo observing Christa and Ymir's match. Though Ymir was holding back, it was clear that Christa was trying her best. Ryo couldn't help but smile at her determination, though he mentally noted areas where she could improve.
As the spar continued, Ryo's gaze wandered across the training grounds. He spotted Eren Yeager engaged in an intense match with Annie Leonhart. It was unusual to see Annie participating with such focus, as she often seemed disinterested in group exercises.
Nearby, Sasha and Connie were playfully sparring, neither taking the session seriously. Sasha's carefree demeanor contrasted with Ymir's stern approach, but it was clear she cared for Christa in her own way—often letting her win in practice to boost her confidence.
Ryo's eyes returned to Christa just as she stumbled, narrowly avoiding Ymir's counterattack. Without thinking, he stepped forward. "Christa, shift your weight to your left foot when dodging! You'll maintain your balance better that way."
Christa looked over her shoulder and nodded, quickly adjusting her stance. The next time Ymir lunged, Christa executed a smoother dodge, managing to stay upright and counter with a light push.
"Nice improvement," Ymir commented begrudgingly. "But don't think you're invincible now."
Ryo smiled proudly. Despite Ymir's gruffness, her mentorship had clearly benefited Christa.
---
Later, as the training session wound down, Ryo approached Christa with a playful grin. "Not bad. You've definitely improved since I last saw you."
Christa beamed at the compliment. "Thanks! But it's all thanks to Ymir and Sasha—they've been helping me a lot."
"Well, don't get too comfortable. I'll be here to push you even harder," Ryo teased, ruffling her hair.
Christa laughed, swatting his hand away. "I'll do my best!"
Nearby, Ymir watched the interaction with narrowed eyes. Though she wouldn't admit it, she felt a pang of jealousy as she observed the bond between Ryo and Christa.
As the sun set over the training grounds, Ryo couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment. Despite the challenges and confusion brought on by Keith's mysterious behavior, being back among his friends—especially Christa—made everything worthwhile.