Training, learning, bonding, cake eating… trying to better herself with her friends, Erina concentrated on her studies, driven by her desire to shine.
And so time flew…
Two years passed, in a blink of an eye, the seasons had passed, the snow came and went...
Krystina had grown her hair out, not bothering to cut it unless her mom forced her.
Hiroshi had gotten quite a bit taller, now even with Vladimir, who had been taller than him back during the test but thinned out quite a bit in the process.
Vladimir had cut his hair much shorter and taken up running with Hiroshi, losing the remaining bits of his baby fat.
Yuiko had started taking lessons from Suzuki, who had developed quite a reputation for her skills and had developed some muscle on her bones.
And Erina…
Erina had only grown taller, becoming thinner in the process, dedicating herself to her studies. Erina's eating habits only worsened, yet miraculously her cake consumption never decreased...
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"I'm done!" Erina exclaimed, stretching as she finished packing the last of her clothes into a suitcase. "And it looks like I still have some time before we are leaving to go to the United Nations Training Program..."
Taking one last look at her room before leaving, Erina murmured, "Goodbye, room... I won't be living here for another 3 years, except on the breaks, of course."
Closing the door, Erina made her way downstairs to wait for Yuiko's arrival. Looking at the clock, Erina thought, 'About 15 minutes until Yuiko arrives? Maybe a few minutes more or a few minutes less… Hopefully less...'
Leaving the suitcase next to the wall in the corner, Erina sat down on the couch with a book while waiting for everyone else to show up.
Getting absorbed into her book while waiting, Erina didn't notice the person sneaking up behind her, "Hey Erina! Are you ready to go to the Training Camp?" Suzuki asked while grabbing Erina's shoulders.
Jumping in surprise, Erina yelped, "Yeah, I'm really excited to go! Though I am pretty nervous too."
Vaulting over the couch into a sitting position next to Erina, Suzuki grinned, hooking her arm over Erina's shoulder, "Well, excitement and nervousness will often come hand in hand, so don't worry about it too much!"
Nodding, Erina added, "I'm also a little worried about Mom and Dad... you know how you already live in one of the academy cities during the school year and I am moving to the training camp, so they'll be alone when we aren't on break..."
Laughing, Suzuki reassured, "Don't worry about that! You'll understand in a few years but Mom and Dad will be having a great time when both of us move out!"
Confused, Erina went on, deciding not to ask, "At least Yuiko and the others are also at the camp, so I'll have friends!"
Grinning with a smug expression, Suzuki teased, "Yes, you and your 'friend' Yuiko will have lots of fun I'm sure!"
Pouting, Erina retorted, "What do you mean by 'friend'? Yuiko and I are great friends!"
"Yup, yup! Don't worry about what I said okay Erina?" Suzuki answered while patting Erina's head, "Also you should go greet the guests, I think that's their car in the driveway..."
Twirling around to look out the window, Erina exclaimed, "Yup it's them!" Before running off to open the door for the Mitsuyas.
Opening the door, Erina was enveloped in a crushing hug while Emily gushed, "Oh my god! You've grown even cuter compared to last time! Every time I see you it's like I'm looking at a treasure! With your mismatched eyes, silver hair, and cute face!"
Escaping the hug, Erina ran away from Emily towards Yuiko who had sat down on a nearby couch, "Hey Yuiko! Are you excited?"
Smiling, Yuiko replied, "Yup, I'm absolutely brimming with anticipation! But, did you know they released the groups that we'll be in for the three years at the training program?"
Stopping just as she was about to sit down, Erina asked, "What are the groups? And I hope I'm in the same group as you..."
"Well yeah, you're in the same group as me. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so nonchalant, right?" Yuiko answered, pulling Erina closer to her, "The group you and I are in consists of, me, you, Krystie, Vladimir, and Hiroshi. I think they tried to put the people from the families together....maybe? Like Haizaki with a bunch of people who aren't even from our country, not that I care, though..."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Erina muttered, "Too bad Krystie is in our group... I don't like how she messes with my hair every time we meet up..."
Laughing, Yuiko retorted, "Nuh-uh, you aren't not getting away with saying that. I know that you like it when she does that! It shows on your face!"
Turning away, Erina tried to retort in a small voice, "No, I don't, I totally hate it! Though, I'm glad us five are still together..."
Spending some time catching up on what had happened since the last time they had seen each other. Which had been two days prior, Yuiko and Erina were interrupted by the door opening.
Poking his head into the room Erina and Yuiko were in, Henrich reminded, "Girls, we're leaving in 2 minutes, okay?"
Getting replies of affirmation, Henrich left as Erina and Yuiko got up from the couch. Stretching as she got up from the couch, Erina asked, "Yuiko, what are the details of the train ride? You know, after we drive to the train station... I didn't read the pamphlet after that part..."
Chuckling, Yuiko answered, "Mn, so the specifics of the train ride are... hm what was it? Oh yeah, there is one train going from the Yin Kingdom and it leaves from the capital... It's one of the freighter class hover trains. So the train ride will be two days long, and you will be bunked with your group members... yeah, that's about it... oh and food and drinks will be delivered."
"Ohhhh, that's cool! My mom told me that they actually make the train go a bit slower to let the group bond a bit before they get to the camp!" Erina exclaimed, before sighing, "Though, she didn't tell me what was ON the train..."
Opening the door, Yuiko asked, "How much did you pack? I'm assuming you're using one of those suitcases that's easy to roll around, so it'll be hard if you pack too much..."
Nodding while walking down the hallway, Erina answered, "I only packed one suitcase full of stuff... just some clothes and Strawberry. I plan on buying stuff like books once I get there."
"Not a bad idea. I packed a suitcase and a duffel bag, so just a little more than you," Yuiko replied. Walking towards the door where some other people were waiting, "I'm surprised that they built an entire base in the Pacific ocean for this program, though. I understand it's for neutrality and stuff, but like, they built that thing in like 3 months..."
Putting on her shoes, Erina added, "Another amazing thing is that the camp is massive. Like it has sparring areas, dorms, cafeterias, classrooms, and gymnasiums! I don't remember the exact layout, but it's a gargantuan place!"
Helping Erina up, after having finished putting on her own shoes, Yuiko pondered, "Well, we'll see the layout once we get there, right?"
Nodding, Erina agreed, "Yeah, apparently there is a guided tour when we first get there!"