Our three years of training passed by.

We all improved ourselves and graduation was just a day away.

I've gotten pretty close with the ladies in my room but I was extremely close with Annie the most.

Although I've come to consider Annie one of my closest friend, it seems as if she was pushing me away sometimes.

I never let that bother me. I always thought that she just had some sort of secret she's not ready to tell yet so I respected it.

Of course, Marco, Jean and I became an awesome trio. We considered each other 'best friends' if that label even counts.

As for my feelings for Jean, they kind of grew stronger. Somehow, I was falling in love with this hot-headed guy.

"I hate your disgusting face!" Eren yelled.

"Say that again dragon breath!" Jean yelled back.

It was morning. Eren and Jean has been going at it with their arguments since day 1 here.

It basically became more of a routine for this to happen.

"Here we go again Marco." I said sarcastically.

"I got his left." Marco said

"I got his right." I said.

We both walked up to Jean, grabbed his arms and pulled him away from Eren.

Meanwhile, Mikasa and Armin pulled Eren away.

"Let go of me! I wanna punch that stupid smug face of his!" Jean shouted.

"No Jean! You will do no such thing!" I yelled at him.

"I hate his guts!" Jean shouted.

"Oh Jean." I shook my head.

Eren and Jean's rivalry will never be the end of it.

"Jean. Remember what we talked about last night?" Marco said to Jean with a serious look.

Jean still had an angry look on his face then looked at me.

I tilted my head in confusion.

What did they talk about last night? I wondered.

Jean's face relaxed and sighed. "I'm calm." he said.

"What did you two talk about?" I asked.

"It's nothing." Marco smiled innocently.

"Yeah. It's just guy stuff." Jean said quietly.

"Oh. Okay." With a faint smile, I looked away.

Men.

We all left the dining room and headed our way to the field.

We saddled up our maneuvering devices to train on killing titan dummies.

We've been training for the past few months to fully master our skills.

"Today, you are told to kill as many titan dummies as possible. The more kills you have, the more you'll strive at aiming for the top! I want to see those cuts nice and deep! NO MISTAKES!" Keith instructed us.

I fixed up my harness and got my swords ready.

I had my thumbs ready next to the button once Keith gives us the go.

"You all have one hour! GO!" Keith blew the whistle.

With that, I pushed the button and flew my way around the trees. I dashed as fast as I could, trying to get a head of everyone.

I'll get to the top!

Kill after kill, I kept slashing the nape of their necks and counted my kills.

So far, I managed to kill 13 titan dummies. I heard that Mikasa had 15. Two more than me.

Mikasa was really very skillful. She's practically like a prodigy here!

"Nice job Mikasa! I won't lose to you!" I said.

"We'll see." She said with a smirk.

We both spotted another dummy up ahead and I moved faster to get the kill.

Out from the bushes, I noticed Sasha and Conny heading for the same dummy.

"This one is mine!" Sasha shouted.

"No way! You stole the last one from me! I won't let you have this one!" Conny shouted.

"Hold on! That's my kill!" I shouted and had my swords ready.

"Beat us to it Eri!" Sasha said as she stuck her tongue out at me.

"Too bad I'm there first!" Conny shouted as he got right behind the dummy.

He was right about to slash that neck until someone else took the kill.

"W-What the!?" Conny just hung there and looked around.

Krista Lenz, a really sweet girl, stood next to me.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I had my eye on it and took the opportunity." Krista said with an innocent smile.

I looked at Conny and he was blushing. He even had a weird look on his face.

"I-It's okay Krista. You can have this kill." Conny said with hearts in his eyes.

I stood, shook my head and laughed.

"Good job Krista. How many kills you got so far?" I asked.

"I think this is my eighth kill." Krista said with a smile.

"That's nice." Sasha gave a thumbs up.

"Oi Krista." Ymir, Krista's best friend popped out. "When this is all over, we should get married."

Ymir had her arm around Krista's and patted her head.

I've seen those two sticking by each other since the first week of the military. It was cute.

"Eri!" Jean called out to me. "You're going to fall behind if you don't follow me!"

I looked at Jean and laughed.

He seems to be acting a bit overprotective of me lately. I have no complaints.

"Sorry Jean!" I gave a smile towards my friends and followed Jean.

We continued our training and killed more titan dummies.

"You know Jean, you should talk more." I said.

"Why do you say that?" He asked.

"Well, I know Marco and I are the only ones you've been talking a lot too. I would love to see you talk to others like how you've talked to us." I answered, smiling towards him.

Jean was quiet for a bit.

"Nah. I'm not that type of person to buddy up with everyone. I'm content just have you and Marco as my friend." He said, looking away.

"Okay. I see."

I just looked at him and smiled.

Jean sure is something. I thought to myself.

"There you guys are!" Marco shouted as he landed next to us.

"Where were you Marco?" I asked. "You disappeared from us at the start of training."

"Sorry, I got lost but I ended up with Armin. He was having trouble catching up to the rest of us. Luckily, Reiner showed up and helped him." Marco said.

"Oh that's cool. Reiner's a nice guy." I said.

"Hey!" Jean protested.

"Eh? What?" I looked at him oddly.

"W-What about me?" Jean asked. He had a weird look on his face.

I couldn't help but to laugh.

It sounded like he was jealous. I find that very cute of him.

"Don't worry Jean. You're a really nice guy too." I said and poked his cheek.

"Oh Jean. You're silly." Marco said with a laugh.

"Well guys, let's head back. I think our hour is up." I said.

"Alright. Let's go before we get yelled at by Instructor Keith." Marco added.

We all headed back to the field entrance and lined up in front of Keith.

"Good job everyone. There were many of you that did exceptionally well while others made simple mistakes. Some of you didn't slash the necks deep enough!" Keith said.

He looked around his surroundings, eyeing each cadet.

"I would like to discuss about your graduation tomorrow. Remember, out of 104 of you, only 10 of you will make it to the top. Our Top 10 are the only ones who can join the Military Police. Other than that, the rest of you will have a choice between the Garrison or Survey Corps. GOT THAT!?" Keith said.

We all stood there and nodded our heads.

"After your graduation, you will be assigned to different squads to work for the military for a day. Once that is over, you will all choose your group to officially join. Choose wisely or else you'll regret your decision. With that, I wish you all the best of luck."

Keith put up a poker face and saluted towards us to dismiss us.

We all saluted back.

"I better be number one! Military police here I come!"" Jean raised his fist in excitement.

"I am curious to know who our Top 10 will be. I know for sure Mikasa will be. She's such a strong character." I said, looking at Mikasa's direction.

"Well, I think you will be on the top Eri." Marco said.

"Huh? Why you think that?" I asked.

"Your skills are just as good as Mikasa's. You are second to her whenever we train. Plus, you're a strong person as well. I don't think any of us can match the two of you." Marco answered.

"Oh wow. I never thought of that. Thanks for letting me know Marco. But I don't think I'm that skillful. I'm just doing whatever I can to follow my parents path. That's all." I said, putting my finger to my chin.

"I agree with Marco. You're a very strong person Eri. You got what it takes to be a strong soldier. You are definitely not letting your parents down. Just keep doing whatever it is you're doing. That's what I like about you." Jean said.

He had his hand on my shoulder when he spoke to me.

I could feel my face getting red.

That's what he like about me?

I guess Jean realized what he said because his face turned red as well.

"Ah! I-I mean..." he trailed off.

We were silent for a bit.

"Hey guys. Let's do the best we can before we go our separate ways." Marco said.

I looked at my friend.

"Have you finally decided which group you want to join?" I asked.

"Yeah. I did. I spoke to Jean about it last night." He said.

I looked at Jean and he didn't say anything.

"Which group are you joining?" I repeated my question.

"I'm joining the Military police." He said.

"Oh. That's really nice. You'll be with Jean then." I smiled at the thought.

Pretty soon, I grew sad and frowned.

I'll be separated from Jean and Marco.

I won't be able to see Jean anymore.

"What's wrong Eri? You look sad." A concerned Jean said.

"I am sad. You guys are going to the police while I join the Survey Corps. We won't be a trio anymore." I said.

I held in the tears that were forming in my eyes.

"Don't be sad Eri. We'll still keep in contact with you." Marco said, cheering me up.

"Really?" I asked, smiling.

"Of course Eri." Jean spoke. "We've been together since day one. Why would I let our friendship stop now? Silly girl."

Jean wrapped his arm around me and lightly noogie my head.

"Jean! Stop that!" I said with a laugh.

Marco stood there and laughed along.

I truly am glad to have Marco and Jean as my best friends.

Once the three of us were done fooling around, we headed back to our rooms.

I noticed Eren and Annie talking to each other so I ran up to them.

"Hey guys!" I greeted my friends.

"Hey Eri. Great job out there today." Eren said.

"Thanks but I know I'm not as good as Mikasa. She's phenomenal." I said, scratching the back of my head.

"Well, she's always a tough person. I wouldn't be surprised if she's on the top 10." Eren said.

"What about you?" I asked.

"Of course I have to be top also!" Eren shouted.

I couldn't help but to laugh.

"Where is Mikasa anyways?" I asked.

"She's with Armin over there." Annie said, pointing ahead.

I could see Armin and Mikasa talking to each other. They must be waiting for Eren.

"If you excuse me ladies." Eren waved at us and caught up with Armin and Mikasa.

"Well, let's head back to our room." I said.

Annie nodded her head and we started walking.

"You know, I still can't believe three years has passed. Graduation is tomorrow!" I said in excitement.

"I guess it did go by fast." She said. "You still going to the Survey Corps?"

"Yeah. Military Police for you?" I asked.

"Yeah." She answered quietly.

"Am I still going to see you when we separate? Or at least still keep contact with you?" I asked.

Annie was silent for a long minute.

"Maybe." Was all she could say.

I looked at her oddly.

Maybe?

"Why maybe?" I asked.

She was silent again for another minute.

"What if Titans attack? Some of us may die. We may never see each other again if that happens." She said, changing the subject.

"Even if that does happen, I'll make sure we all stay safe and unharmed. My job in the Survey Corps is to protect everyone." I said with a frown.

Annie was right.

Those titans could attack any moment.

It has been five years since the last attack...

"I guess we can grab tea together after we choose our classes. Deal?" Annie said.

I grew a big smile.

"Deal!" I said happily. "You're the best Annie! I'm glad we can still stay as best friends after we graduate."

Annie looked down and then looked back at me with a tiny smile.

"Same here." She said.