Introduction Part One - After School
"Stand up. Bow," the Class Representative hesitates, waiting for the class to follow the order. She continues, "Dismissed."
The sound of students rushing to collect their things, and clean, echoes throughout the classroom. Chairs are pushed in neatly behind their desks, brooms are stored back in the closet after a swift brushing, and the classroom begins to empty, leaving just one student.
After bowing, Mikasa resumes sitting. She quietly scours her notebook, scribbled with notes from the freshly ended lecture. School isn't easy. Grades must be kept up, and lessons must be remembered. She turns the page, her brow furrowing with a dismayed look encompassing her face. Mumbled complaints seep through her lips, as she focuses on a particular section of her notes.
"Hey, are you sleeping?!" Echoes into the classroom.
Mikasa looks towards the voice, and is greeted by Krista, who's bright and cheerful face seems to illuminate the entrance as she pokes her head through the door.
"You'll be late for track, Mikasa," Krista continues, "Let's go!"
Folding up her notebook, Mikasa carefully places it in her satchel, along with her pencil and eraser. Krista seems lively today, as usual. "Yeah, I'm coming," she replies, quietly. After aligning her chair with her desk, she swings her satchel onto her shoulder. "Lead the way."
Krista has a very cheerful and lively personality. It often overwhelms Mikasa, for she's much more mute. It's so easy for their personalities to clash, but Mikasa quietly admires Krista's up-beat way of life. Ever since they were children, they have lived in the same town. They even like the same things. For example; they've been on the track team together since their earliest school memories. Mikasa is much more athletic, it's almost like she was born to do any kind of sport. Krista, on the other hand, is incredibly petite. She's quick, but she lacks strength and stamina. This doesn't stop her from enjoying Track, and Mikasa respects how hard she works to better herself.
As the two enter the changing room, they're greeted by the team. The captain pokes her head out from her changing area and shouts, "Hurry up and get changed, you two! We're going to be starting today off with some stretches and following that we'll be running six laps around the track. Afterwards you'll break into more specific training."
Krista looks to Mikasa, her face showing signs of worry. "I-I hate these long running exercises," she stutters, as she begins to strip out of her uniform.
"You'll be fine. You just need to keep a steady pace. Don't exert too much energy too quickly or you'll never finish the warm-up," Mikasa replies, patting her head in an attempt to comfort her friend.
Mikasa follows, and begins to remove her shirt. Krista stops changing and places her hand on Mikasa's abs, and pouts. "How does something like this even happen? Are you human?" A hint of jealousy clung to her words, as she resumes changing.
You do this every day, why? "I'm not sure. I guess it's from being so active as a child?" Mikasa responds, unamused, and unsure how to answer.
Mikasa has never been fond of her toned body. She never really understood why she's so defined. They finish changing and follow the team to the field. Once there everyone lines up, and the captain signals the team to start their stretches.
Across the field, the Boy's Track team was going about their business. They were also warming up with stretches.
"Look, Eren's over there doing his stretching. He looks so handsome," Krista whispers, slyly.
"Stop it," Mikasa responds, meekly.
She then takes a peek, quickly, just to confirm that Eren is there, of course. He is. Mikasa's always been fond of Eren. She's known him even longer than Krista, dating back to before school. She'd spent most of her very young years over his house, for their families are very close. The fondness for him was cultivated through years of occurrences where Mikasa was bullied on the playground by the older kids. Her hair has always been short, and her body very toned, even for a child. It made her an easy target because it made her less 'girly'. Eren would always stick up for her, and it always led to him getting in fights.
Interestingly enough, Mikasa never needed help with them. She didn't care about what they thought, and, she could easily fend for herself. Regardless, His attempts to protect her pulled on her heartstrings. She fell victim to a kind, but overly enthusiastic soul. He doesn't know, though. She's far too scared to tell him how she feels. Mikasa is often very quiet, and reserved. She's unsure how to go about confessing, and is worried that it may ruin their friendship.
She admires him just a second longer, as he struggles to do his stretches. His body of average height, is very lanky. Sweat slides down his forehead and glistens in the sunlight. He's so skinny. It's cute. She finds herself daydreaming. As Mikasa continues to peek, Eren's eyes meet hers. They both stop their stretches, locked in position. Her anxiety building, she looks away, and continues stretching. Too nervous to look back. Why am I so nervous? We're friends. It's normal to acknowledge each other!
Track ensued for an hour or so more, and then the day came to an end. Exhausted, the team picked up the jumping mats, and moved the poles and running equipment off the field, and back into storage.
"Good work everyone, go shower!" The captain bellowed.
Drenched in sweat from head to toe, Krista approached Mikasa. "Let's get cleaned up," she said, following up with a light slap to Mikasa's butt. "You're almost as sweaty as I am. Look how your clothes stick to your body. How sexual!" She gives it a firm squeeze. "I bet Eren was looking at you all day." Smirking, she takes the lead and enters into the shower room.
Really? I wonder if he was looking at my body? Does he like it? Does he think of me in that way? "Don't joke around," Mikasa responds, looking around to make sure no one saw that happen. "And don't do that in public!" She enters the shower room as well, and starts removing her clothing next to Krista.
"So, if we're alone I can touch you how I please?" Krista says, jokingly.
"No. You know what I meant," Mikasa responds, bluntly. What is she getting at by saying that?
After they shower and change into clean clothes they pack up their belongings and leave the room. As they are leaving, the captain pats Mikasa on her back.
"Good work today. You're our ace. Keep it up and we'll stand a chance this year in the race." She winks. "Go on home now."
Mikasa nods. They leave through the entrance of the school and stop just in front of the courtyard.
"The captain is placing all her faith in you for this year's race, that must be scary," Krista says, wearily.
"Mmm," Mikasa responds, rather thoughtless. She begins walking, with Krista tailing behind her.
"Hey wait up, you two!" Is shouted from behind them. They turn around, and Eren is approaching with someone behind him.
Eren stops. "This is Levi. He's an upperclassman who's in track with me. He's been helping me out."
Levi steps forward. He's short, but he's fierce looking. He could easily be a Senior, based off how he looks! Who is this guy? He looks so mature.
"..Yo," he states. His emotions flatter than Krista's breasts.
"N-Nice to meet you!" Krista exclaims. "I'm Krista, and this is Mikasa." She points to Mikasa.
"Uh, hi," she responds.
Eren smiles, his brown hair picks up a bit in the wind. "We were wondering if you two wanted to go to the Cafe before you head home?" He points to Levi. "He's never been, and he also has no friends because everyone's too scared to talk to him. I figured he could get to know you two. After all, us three are pretty good friends."
The Cafe?! That's like a date, almost. Why am I getting so nervous again? We go to the Cafe all of the time. I need to relax. Mikasa tugs on her satchel an an attempt to ease her anxiety. Krista elbows her in the side.
"Mikasa and I would -love- to go to the Cafe!" she responds, cheerfully.
"Y-yeah, sure," Mikasa responds, confirming that she'd like to go.