After all, Krista was still young at heart, and it didn't take much to make her happy. Ryo Akira led her to the sea of flowers he had discovered behind the training camp. As expected, the sight of countless colorful blooms stretching over the hills completely enchanted her.
She darted from flower to flower, her excitement boundless. At one moment, she would hold up a bright bouquet to her face, taking in the fragrance, and in the next, she would reluctantly set it down when her tiny hands could no longer carry more.
"Brother Ryo, does the wreath on my head look good?" Krista asked as she rushed over to him, her golden hair glinting under the sunlight. She wore a delicate flower crown she had fashioned from some of the blooms, her smile radiant.
Ryo chuckled and nodded. "It looks beautiful."
Krista grinned, but her eyes sparkled with mischief as she pressed further. "Who's prettier—me or the flowers?"
Ryo smirked at her playful question, reaching out to gently pat her head. "The flowers, of course," he teased.
Krista's lips turned down in a small pout, clearly unhappy with his answer.
"But the person wearing them," he added with a warm smile, "is far more beautiful."
Her pout disappeared in an instant, replaced by a giggle. "You're a smooth talker, Brother Ryo. What are you up to, sitting here by yourself?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
Ryo had been seated cross-legged on a rock with a drawing board balanced on his knees. His focus on it had been unwavering until she approached.
"Just a moment, Krista. I'm almost finished. Don't peek yet!" he said, quickly shielding the board from her view.
Her curiosity only grew stronger. "Come on, let me see!"
Seeing no way out of her insistence, Ryo relented with a sigh. "Alright, but don't laugh at my work. I'm not a professional artist, you know!"
Krista gasped softly as Ryo revealed the painting. It was a beautiful depiction of her in the sea of flowers, her golden hair framed perfectly by the crown she now wore. The colors of the blooms around her seemed to glow, capturing the lively energy she exuded just moments ago.
For a moment, Krista was speechless, her cheeks tinged with pink. "You… you drew this?"
Ryo nodded. "The scene was too beautiful not to capture."
Behind a grove of trees, Ymir watched the interaction with a hint of annoyance and amusement. "That guy really knows how to charm her," she muttered under her breath.
---
Three months flew by, and the recruits had completed the first phase of their training. Now came the field test of the three-dimensional maneuvering devices.
The field test was notoriously dangerous. Unlike theoretical exercises and balance drills, this test demanded real-time application of everything the trainees had learned, all while maneuvering at high speeds.
Ryo's confidence in his abilities was absolute. With diligent practice and the subtle guidance of his mysterious system, he had mastered the device to a level that rivaled even veteran Survey Corps members.
Before the test began, Ryo approached Krista. "Stay close to me during the exercise. If anything happens, I'll make sure you're safe."
Krista crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks. "I'll be fine, Brother Ryo! I've passed all the tests with top marks. I can handle this on my own!"
Her determined expression made Ryo smile, though he couldn't help but worry. "Alright, just be careful, okay?"
The field test involved navigating through a series of checkpoints spaced a thousand meters apart. Each recruit's maneuvering device was fueled by pressurized gas, but the limited capacity of the tanks meant the recruits had to be efficient and avoid wasting energy.
As the test began, the trainees launched themselves into the air, their devices hissing as the gas propelled them forward. The forest blurred around them as they weaved through the trees, relying on the grappling hooks of their devices to swing from branch to branch.
Ryo watched Krista from a slight distance, ready to intervene if needed. Her movements were graceful but slightly hesitant. She was skilled, but this environment was far more demanding than the balance training they'd grown accustomed to.
Halfway through the course, a trainee screamed as their gas tank sputtered and failed. The sudden loss of propulsion caused them to plummet toward the ground. Instructors rushed to retrieve the trainee before they could be injured.
The incident sent a ripple of fear through the recruits, but Ryo maintained his focus. His hands worked the controls of his device with precision, his mind clear. He was determined to ace this test—but only after ensuring Krista's safety.
As the finish line neared, Krista faltered, her grip slipping on one of the grappling controls. Ryo reacted instantly, firing his own hook to catch her as she stumbled mid-air.
"Gotcha!" he said, his voice steady as he steadied her balance.
Krista looked up at him, her blue eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you, Brother Ryo…"
"Don't mention it," he said with a grin. "Let's cross the finish line together."
The two completed the course side by side, Krista's confidence bolstered by Ryo's presence. As they landed, the other recruits clapped for their effort, though a few muttered enviously about Ryo's seemingly flawless performance.