Hand-to-Hand Combat Training

"Yago, what's wrong? You've seemed really distracted ever since our day off."

Yago patted his face in confusion. "Have I? I don't think so."

Armin said, "It's really obvious!"

Yago replied casually, "Well, you can't blame me. Look, Armin, loads of people are slacking off during hand-to-hand combat training. Or are you saying you want to fight me for real?" He gave a mischievous chuckle and glanced at Armin.

Holding his wooden dagger, Armin remembered how Yago had single-handedly beaten up four punks older than them back in the refugee camp. He decided that slacking off wasn't such a bad idea.

Hand-to-hand combat training was exactly what it sounded like. The cadets paired up and took turns playing an armed thug. The thug held a dagger, and the other soldier had to disarm them. Many of the cadets couldn't understand it. Could learning to fight like this help them deal with Titans?

That was why so many people were slacking off like Yago, only going through a few halfhearted motions when the instructor was around. Some took it even further, like Sasha and Connie nearby. Put those two clowns together, and the result was far greater than the sum of its parts.

Sure enough, one had a dagger clenched between their teeth and had struck a snake-style kung fu pose, apparently intending to make their opponent die laughing. Not to be outdone, the other stood on one leg like a crane. It had become a contest to see who could make the other laugh to death first.

Of course, some people were training seriously. Mark, Thomas, and Christa were all working hard.

Actually, Armin was right. Ever since their day off, Yago had felt out of sorts, as though someone had thrown a blanket over him at night and beaten him senseless.

Armin scratched his head. There was nothing he could do if Yago insisted on slacking off. Just then, he saw Instructor Keith leave and said he wanted to find an opponent closer to his own level. Yago lazily agreed.

Now without a sparring partner, Yago wandered through the crowd, yawning from time to time as he watched everyone spar, some earnestly and others halfheartedly.

Suddenly, Yago's deep gaze met the blue eyes of a girl with pale blond hair opposite him. One look was all it took: a fellow slacker. They exchanged a glance. Good. They could each carry on slacking off.

But trouble could strike without warning. A hushed cry spread through the cadets. "The instructor's coming!"

The cadets immediately reacted as though facing a deadly enemy. Those who had been training seriously worked even harder, while the slackers started putting on a show.

Yago looked around. Armin was happily sparring with Mina, apparently having forgotten all about his former partner. Yago scanned his surroundings in bewilderment. "Damn it! Isn't anyone else alone?"

"Fine, let's pair up." Annie calmly tossed Yago the dagger. He caught it, his mouth twitching. He didn't want to fight Annie. "Can I refuse?" Annie had already raised both hands, holding her forearms upright to guard her face. "What do you think?"

With Instructor Keith drawing closer, Yago could only sigh. "Come on, then. I'll go easy on you. With this height difference, we're not even in the same weight class."

At the mention of height, Annie's entire demeanor turned icy, sending a shiver through Yago.

Yago held the dagger. "Annie, watch out!" He lunged forward, though he didn't aim the dagger at her.

Annie held her stance, her gaze cold. The instant Yago came within reach, she suddenly dropped low and lashed her left leg toward his right leg like lightning.

"So fast!" Yago was shocked by Annie's speed, but he wasn't slow either. His right hand swiftly moved to intercept her left leg.

Smack! With a dull impact, Annie's roundhouse kick slammed into Yago's right hand, numbing his entire arm. But thanks to his extraordinary physique, he recovered quickly. His numb right hand abruptly seized her calf, and he swept at the right leg supporting her weight.

To his surprise, Annie pushed off the ground with her right foot and locked both legs around his right arm. Both lost their balance and fell.

Yago struggled free, and Annie put some distance between them. Covered in dust, he felt rather embarrassed, while she still looked eager for more. "I really underestimated you, Annie." Yago threw aside the dagger and raised his hands, his eyes turning unusually serious.

Their fight drew quite a few spectators. Yago attacked with powerful, sweeping movements, while Annie relied on precise technique, evading his blows every time. He grew increasingly impatient. Her small frame moved so quickly that whenever he managed to brush the edge of her clothes, she had already slipped away.

But anyone with a discerning eye could tell that Annie was clearly stronger than Yago. Only his exceptional stamina kept him going; otherwise, he wouldn't have lasted long.

"Annie! Is dodging all you can do?" Yago shouted in frustration, but Annie continued calmly evading his attacks.

Finally, Annie caught an opening. Just as Yago pulled back his right hand, she darted in and seized his right arm, instantly throwing him off balance. Oh, crap!

She hooked him with her right leg, and Yago was about to lose his footing and fall.

"It's over. Yago's definitely lost," Jean said confidently, his arms folded.

Eren's eyes shone. "Wow, that's amazing!" Mikasa said, "Eren, I could teach you too, you know. I'm the one who taught Yago to fight." She was also starting to feel annoyed with Annie. After all, Yago had learned his fighting skills from her. Didn't his losing to Annie mean that she had indirectly lost to Annie too? And the look in Eren's eyes just now bothered her. He had never looked at her with that kind of admiration.

Mikasa had no idea that what she was feeling was jealousy.

Yago understood his predicament too. Since he was going to fall anyway, he steeled himself, wrapped both arms around Annie, and pulled her down with him.

Annie clearly hadn't expected Yago to have another chance to counterattack. Caught off guard, she fell along with him.

Thud! They hit the ground hard, and Yago couldn't help crying out in pain. With him cushioning her fall, Annie wasn't hurt, but she was a little dazed and simply lay on top of him.

Only then did Yago realize that Annie was lying on him. Because of their height difference, her head was right beneath his chin.

A faint, delicate fragrance drifted into Yago's nose. He instinctively took a deep breath, then found himself staring into Annie's embarrassed, furious eyes.

Yago said awkwardly, "Um, would you believe me if I said I didn't mean to do that?"

"Agh!" Annie drove her elbow into him hard, making him release her, then stood up.

By the time Yago climbed to his feet, Annie had raised her arms again. This time, however, there was a distinct hint of murderous intent in her eyes.

What Yago had just done really had looked a little inappropriate.

Yago still tried to explain. "Annie, what I mean is, it's not what you think. Besides, your body hurt me too. You're all bones..."

Seeing Annie's expression grow increasingly dangerous, Yago wisely shut his mouth.

Instructor Keith slammed a headbutt into Connie's head while Sasha trembled beside him. "Are you two trying to make the Titans die laughing? Go run fifty laps! No food until you're done!"

"Nooo! Please!" Sasha wailed, but an even more miserable scream drowned her out.

"Stop! Annie! Agh! Please, stop!" The agonized cries drew everyone's attention. On the training grounds, Annie knocked Yago down for the umpteenth time. Yago hadn't been the only one holding back earlier; Annie hadn't used her full strength either. Now she was showing him what it meant to be utterly outclassed. He didn't have a single chance to fight back.

Yago shakily raised a hand toward Eren and Armin, who were watching nearby. "H-help me."

But when they saw the murderous look in Annie's eyes, both wisely chose to ignore him.

That day's training ended amid Yago's screams.