Training Corps headquarters.
"Jean, are you really planning to join the Survey Corps?" Armin asked.
"Yeah," Jean replied.
"Why so suddenly? Aren't you... scared...?" Sasha asked, lowering her eyes. It seems so easy to get killed in the Survey Corps... I haven't eaten enough meat yet...
"Huh? Of course I'm scared. The Survey Corps sounds like a bunch of people with one foot in the grave," Jean said noncommittally.
"Then why are you still..." Connie asked, puzzled.
"Everyone!" A clear voice they hadn't heard in ages suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned to look.
"Mina!" Historia cried in delight, hurrying over.
Annie was slightly taken aback when she saw her, too. She and Mina were very close.
"Mina, what are you doing here? Have your injuries healed?" Armin asked, equally delighted.
"Today's the Recruitment Ceremony! How could I miss it? And it's not just me-Thomas is here too!" Mina said happily, wearing the Training Corps uniform she hadn't worn in so long.
"Thomas woke up?" Jean was stunned.
"Don't forget about me." Thomas limped over, his head still wrapped in bandages, leaning on a walking frame.
"Thomas had a wheelchair, but he just had to walk here himself," Mina said with a pout, her voice full of reproach.
"Thomas... you..." Sasha's mouth fell open, but she couldn't finish.
"Wondering why I came when I'm in such rough shape? Hahaha, the Training Corps officers said I can't serve on the front lines anymore. From now on, I'll have to stay in the rear. It's a shame I won't be able to kill Titans myself, but I wanted to see you all become real soldiers with my own eyes," Thomas said solemnly.
"You haven't forgotten, have you? We said we'd all join the Survey Corps together, with Chen Si and Eren!" Mina said,