{Reader's Point of View}
"Good morning Cadets. As you know today you will paired with other squads for annual training exams. Remember, we do this to ensure that you haven't been falling behind." I stood still as Erwin poured a speech before everyone. Every single squad at HQ had been lined up, Captains behind their squads. "Our last expedition was a failure and while this is to be expected at times, we lost far too many soldiers."
I mentally scoffed knowing that I was one of those who was wounded during our last expedition. Hanji had to perform emergency surgery on me and I was lucky that I had made it. That wasn't half a week ago. The stitches still fresh in my skin.
"Captain (your last name) squad will be training with Captain Ackerman's squad." Oh great. I'll be working with Levi. That's just perfect.
Truth was, only Hanji was aware that I was wounded and aware that I had fallen madly in love with Captain Levi. I felt too embarrassed to let the one I love know I made a near fatal mistake on the field and nearly got myself killed. I begged Hanji not to inform anyone... not even Erwin. My own squad didn't even know as well. Now I would be stuck trying to hide my wound as I demonstrated our training procedures with Levi before our squads. I was doomed.
"Well then... good luck to everyone and try your best!" We all saluted Erwin and headed to meet with our paired up squads. As Levi approached me I could feel myself mentally flinch.
"You already look like you're about to piss your pants." Levi spoke in his usual demeanor.
I scoffed. "Yeah right. I'm just thinking about how I'm totally going to kick your ass in front of both our squads."
"Tch."
I usually managed to keep up with Levi and I believed it was this simple fact that he couldn't stand my guts. But then again, he was usually kinder to me than to others. We managed to eat every meal beside each other, make tea together multiple times every day, work on our paperwork together in the dining hall late at night, and train together. Hmm. Maybe he didn't hate my guts after all. At least, not as much as I think.
"We'll if you're so set on kicking my ass how about we start with hand-to-hand combat first."
Oh no. I mentally cursed myself knowing I was in no position to fight Levi head on. I had been hoping it would be saved for another day after I talked to Hanji about some excuse I could use to avoid fighting him. But I couldn't back down. Not if I didn't want him to know about my wound.
"You're on!" I faked a smile.
Levi had paired our squads together and explained that we would demonstrate appropriate and useful hand-to-hand combat procedures. Of course in the process we had to explain how titans aren't always our enemies. Humans can be just as ugly. Especially those stupid MPs.
Levi and I assumed our positions as he reminded our cadets the proper way to take stance. Of course, just as always, Levi immediately jumped into trying to beat my ass. And of course, Levi went right for the one place I had hoped he wouldn't go for. My wound. Located on my side. I managed to catch his kick but even then I felt the pain on my side from such quick movements. I knew for a fact I had winced silently in pain.
"What? Has a measly kick already gotten to you?" Levi teased.
I pushed him back. "Don't get cocky. We're just getting started."
I pushed forward, trying to use only punches, as kicking would cause too much pain to bear.
"What's wrong? Not using your signature kicking style this time?" Levi blocked or avoided every one of my punches. Truth was, I was much stronger with my legs. My punches were nothing compared to my kicks. "I'm getting tired of this." Levi said as took a step back from each other to take a quick breather. "Let's finish this."
