Ryo Carter led Krista to a hidden field of flowers he had discovered in the back hills of the training grounds. The vibrant, colorful expanse mesmerized her, and her face lit up with joy. The little angel's excitement was contagious as she dashed among the flowers, picking a bouquet here and smelling another there. But with her small hands unable to carry all the flowers she wanted, she reluctantly let some go, her cheeks puffing in playful frustration.
"Ryo, how does the wreath on my head look?" Krista called out, placing a crown of flowers she had crafted onto her golden locks.
Ryo glanced up from where he was seated and nodded approvingly. "It suits you well."
Krista giggled, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who's prettier—me or the flowers?"
Ryo chuckled, reaching over to tousle her hair. "The flowers."
Her smile faded slightly, her lips curving into a pout.
"But," he added with a grin, "the person wearing them is the most beautiful of all."
Krista's pout melted into a laugh. "You're such a smooth talker!"
Her curiosity soon got the better of her when she noticed Ryo quietly working on something. She tiptoed over to him, trying to peek at the canvas he was shielding with his arms. "What are you doing over here? There's so much beauty around, and yet you're sitting still."
"Patience," Ryo replied, holding the canvas out of her view. "I'm almost done. No peeking!"
Krista's curiosity only grew. "Come on, let me see! What's so secretive?"
Ryo sighed, finally relenting. "Okay, okay, but don't laugh! My skills aren't perfect, so if it's bad, don't hold it against me." He turned the canvas around.
Krista's eyes widened as she saw the painting—a vivid portrayal of herself frolicking in the sea of flowers. The detail was astonishing, capturing her joy and the beauty of the scenery perfectly. Her cheeks flushed red as she brought a hand to her mouth.
"Ryo… is this me?"
Ryo smiled. "Who else could it be?"
From the shadows of the nearby trees, Ymir watched the interaction, her expression unreadable. She muttered to herself, "That guy is way too good at charming her. Krista's going to fall for him at this rate." With a soft huff, she turned and walked away.
---
Three months passed, and the recruits had moved from basic balance training to field maneuvering. Now, it was time for the first real test of the three-dimensional maneuvering equipment.
The instructors emphasized the risks involved. If there was a malfunction in the equipment or failure to properly control it, the consequences could be fatal. Several recruits had died in the past during such training, and the recruits were keenly aware of the danger.
Despite the risks, Ryo felt confident. His mastery over the three-dimensional maneuvering equipment had reached an impressive level. With the help of his rigorous practice and natural aptitude, he had surpassed even some of the experienced members of the Survey Corps.
Before the exercise began, Ryo turned to Krista. "Stay close to me during the exercise. If anything happens, I'll keep you safe."
Krista shook her head, her golden hair bouncing. "I'll be fine, Ryo. I passed the earlier tests with excellent scores! I can handle myself."
Ryo's brow furrowed. "Even so, I'll watch out for you from a distance."
Krista smiled softly but didn't argue further. Though she appreciated his concern, she didn't want to rely on anyone. She wanted to prove she could hold her own.
As the exercise began, the recruits took to the air, the hiss of gas from their maneuvering devices filling the forest. The primary propulsion came from the pressurized gas in their tanks, and they were instructed to keep the range within a thousand meters to avoid running out.
Ryo kept his promise, watching over Krista from a distance as she navigated the course. She performed admirably, her small frame darting between the trees with agility. But Ryo remained vigilant, prepared to intervene at the first sign of trouble.
His own movements were flawless, each turn and strike executed with precision. He felt completely at ease, his mastery over the equipment almost second nature. Even so, his focus remained on Krista, determined to ensure her safety in this dangerous trial.