Chapter 7: You're a soldier now, Yuki
That next night, they hold the ceremony for all the Cadets graduating from the academy. It's a formal-like affair, so we are required to wear our uniforms, at least until the celebration held by the Cadets themselves. Thank goodness for that; I really, really don't want to wear my uniform during the party.
Of course, that doesn't mean it doesn't fill you with nervous energy when you think you may have made it onto the top ten, which means you can join the Military Police, or the MP for short. Like Marco mentioned. Believe me, everyone likes that idea, because that means they can live a rather comfortable life in what we call the "Interior," or the innermost wall of what we can barely call a country, Wall Sina, or Wall Sheena, however, they spell it. You know what? Forget it. I'm mixing the two: "Wall Shina."
First, the coaches that taught us to give this incredibly long speech, which bores everyone to death, but it was mandatory stuff. Even the coaches themselves weren't too pleased with having to give it again. Eh, we manage to get through it, and by then the people on the stage are almost asleep. The sergeant that constantly was on our backs literally has to shake them awake, which is a little funny to see.
Then, they list off who made it into the top ten. They bring out a board that has the names of all the soldiers that are ranked in the top ten, and for those who can't see it in the back, the sergeant shouts in a stiff voice the names. I scan the board of the list of names:
Mikasa Ackerman
Reiner Braun
Bertolt Hoover
Annie Leonhart
Eren Yeager
Jean Kirstein
Marco Bott
Connie Springer
Sasha Blouse
Krista Lenz
So most of my friends could join the MP if they wanted too. Mikasa, without a doubt, is 1st. She is an ace at this stuff. Eren beat Jean, so he must be laughing right now. And Krista is now my 5th best friend. I'm so happy of those three. Oh, hey, there are some other names:
11. Armin Arlert
12. Yuki Kurosaki
13. Ymir
Well. I got close. Real close. And, apparently, so did Armin and Ymir. I'm at least an even number. Sweet.
Speaking of whom, I turn to Armin, and he's smiling. It's been awhile since I've seen him smile. Feels like ages.
"I got close to the top ten," He says, clearly very happy. "And so did you. That's an achievement that makes me feel good."
"Even if it isn't the top ten," I say, grinning myself. "that proves how strong we really are. The way lower people will probably join the Garrison Regiment if you know what I mean."
"Yeah...That's no fun." He sighs and shrugs. "I honestly think the Scouts would be a hundred times more exciting."
"And also dangerous," I add.
"Who really cares? It's the Scouts, for crying out loud. Their motto is 'If you come back alive, then you're a member of the Survey Corps'."
"Good motto. I wonder if that's to scare the more timid people away. I don't think it works, though."
"Yeah, but have you heard the speeches that Commander Erwin gives? It scares off a lot of people pretty easily. I wonder why."
Then the sergeant ends with a "Do your best, soldiers" ending, when everyone is back to paying attention to him (though it takes no time at all), a salute, and we are dismissed.
I don't think I've ever seen a crowd run off so fast like this.
There's no time to waste, apparently; everyone's willing to party like they're gonna die young. Everybody, including me, quickly gets changed so they can head to the reserved spot in Trost District, one of the four districts in Wall Rose. For me, it's a lightweight white dress with active pants and combat boots. Don't ask me why I have combat boots; it's a rather long story. As for my hair? I just leave it down. No need to put it up when we're going to party.
Mikasa, who already got ready a while ago and left the room to me, now pops her head in. "Yuki? Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, I just need a minute to take it in," I reply with a weak smile.
"Can I come in?"
"Sure, I'm not stopping you."
Mikasa walks in, wearing her super-long skirt and a button-down white shirt.
"Wow, Mikasa! You look like someone who looks like she just won the 1st spot in the top ten! I'm jealous, but at the same time happy for you," I say excitedly.
"Thanks." She flushes with pleasure. "You look the same, for someone who got 12th place."
"Hey! It's an even number. I like even numbers."
"True. That I do know about you." She looks at my hairstyle. "Leaving it down?"
"Yeah. I'm not always gonna put it in a ponytail. I like it this way, anyway,"
"Well, yeah, Nobody keeps their hair in a ponytail all day."
"Except for maybe Annie," I point out. Or, hey, how about Fang from my favorite book series, Maximum Ride, before he had his hair chopped off?
"Oh yeah! Touche. Come on, let's get going. I'm sure Krista is dying to see you."
"Okay, then."
Mikasa grabs my hand, and together we run as fast as we can to get to Trost district in time. Don't want to be late.
Thankfully, we get there just before it starts, while everyone else is still outside and waiting for the time they can use the room. Marco waves me over. "Hey, Yuki! Over here!"
"Hey, Marco, good job for getting 7th in the top ten," I say, heading over there, where Eren and Armin are, too. Interesting.
"Thanks. I honestly didn't think I could do it, but here I am," he says, maybe a little sheepishly.
When we get in there, I'm instantly greeted with Krista's delight.
"Yukiiiiiiiiii!" Krista shrieks, running over and encasing me in a gigantic hug. "Ohmigosh! I cannot believe it! I'm in the top ten!"
"I know!" I squeal. "I'm so happy for you!"
Krista just screams like an 8-year-old girl who just got her first dolly. I've noticed that since she discovered I have wings, she's been like 'Okaaaaaay. Wings. I can deal with that since you're my friend." Like the other three did when they accidentally discovered it. I'm happy for that because it means I have some real friends around here.
If you don't think that's an odd sentence, please reread it.
For the most part, it's a lighthearted event; everyone's spirits are far too light to have even the slightest bad thought shake it off.
Okay, maybe I spoke too soon. When Krista and I are just hanging out, I hear a shout from somewhere across the room.
"What?! You're not joining the MP?" one of the Cadets asks Eren.
"If you want to live comfortably inside the Interior, go right ahead. I won't stop you," Eren replies, his voice like steel. "I came here for a mission, and that was to eradicate all the Titans. I'll be of no use to the Military Police." and then he's running out the door in anger.
"Crap," I hiss out in a breath. "I'm sorry, Krista, but I've got to go."
"No problem, Yuki," She says, nodding.
I break out into a run, following where Eren ran off, along with Armin and Mikasa, who are also concerned.
"Eren, wait up!" Armin cries.
Mikasa throws open the door and we head outside to where Eren is sitting.
"Eren, are you alright?" I ask, worried.
Eren turns to face us. "I'm sorry. That was rather shocking to you guys, wasn't it?"
Well, maybe, maybe not.
"You running off like that was shocking. What you said wasn't as shocking," I point out. "I knew you wouldn't want to join the MP no matter what happened."
"*Sigh….* Yeah. I'm not too thrilled with the MP. I did overreact, though I'd rather not be forced into a regiment because of my rank, you know?"
"You know what? I don't blame you. If people discovered what I was, they'd try to force me into a regiment that I don't want to be in. And that's only because of who-or more accurately, what-I am," I sigh.
"Yeah... I hear you, Yuki. Nobody should like that."
"I'm going to join the Scout Regiment," Armin says suddenly.
"Huh?" Eren says, surprised. "What? Armin, your life has been with books! Why are you forcing yourself to do this?"
"First off, I'm not forcing myself to do it," Armin scoffs, slightly annoyed that he thought that. "It's my decision. And secondly, I don't want people to worry about me so much. I can handle it."
"I'm going to join the Scouts, too," says Mikasa.
"Mikasa? You, too? But you're number one in the top ten! You can join the MP! Also, I don't need you to constantly follow me around," says a very flustered Eren.
Mikasa only shrugs it off. "Wherever you go, I'll go, too, I don't care if you're mad at me," She says offhandedly.
Eren then turns to me, the person leaning against the wall, listening to this unfold. "Let me guess, Yuki. You're going to join the Scouts too," he says, very annoyed. "Why?"
"Okay, yes, I'm going to join the Scouts, but no need to sound so scornful, Eren. If not for that attack on our hometown, then we wouldn't be here, would we? Anyway, I'm joining the Scouts because that was my dream in the first place," I point out, raising an eyebrow. "I personally want to be at my best as a soldier, so darn well I'm going to be the best I can be. This isn't just about joining because of you, Eren, or staying with my friends. It's like what I said before: I don't want to be forced into joining a regiment I don't want to join. Besides, as a part of the Survey Corps, if I die, I at least die with my dignity. "
Eren is wide-eyed with shock, his jaw slack. I guess he wasn't expecting such a speech.
Finally, he speaks: "Well played, Yuki. I wasn't expecting a thorough explanation. Okay, fine. Then we'll join the Scouts. Together."
(Ruby: This next chapter will take more time to post than the others, but I thank you for being paitent with me through this! ^^ Feel free to leave any constructive critisism, I want this as great as possible.)
