Friend or Foe... (AoT Reader Insert)

Chapter 2: Muscle Memory

"It's your movements."

I opened my eyes. There was a hollow feeling throughout my entire chest. It felt like someone had taken my lungs and pushed all of the air out of them; probably because I had just been flipped from a vicious attack.

"What do you mean?" I asked, turning my head towards the unfamiliar voice.

"They're predictable," a blond haired girl clarified, "and they don't flow well together."

"Oh..." I sat up slowly to avoid getting light headed, "how can you tell?"

"It's been a while since the Warrior Program started," the girl continued, ignoring my question, "and you haven't been able to beat either of those two girls in a single sparring match. Who even taught you to fight?"

"My sister," I mumbled, "but I doubt she'll be giving me lessons any time soon."

"Why's that?"

"She hasn't come home in three weeks."

The conversation goes stale. I stand up and brush off the dirt which has gathered on my clothing. When I look over at the blond girl, I notice that she hasn't moved. She hasn't even turned to glance at me.

"I don't suppose you have any tips for me?" I inquire.

She perked up ever so slightly, in a way that one could only describe as excitement. Despite our short time being acquainted I could easily spot the sparkle of emotion in her typically monotone demeanor.

Perhaps fighting was something she enjoyed.

"(Y/n)!" A voice called, "come on, you lazy dunderhead!"

I peek open an eye and come face to face with Mina's features. She's clearly annoyed with me right now. For what reason? I couldn't quite recall.

"Just five more minutes," I mock, turning and pretending to fall back asleep.

"Come on, (Y/n). You're not fooling anyone." Mina huffed, "if you don't come home with me right now, you're gonna find your bed... extra warm tonight."

I sprung up from the floor, looking at Mina with a playful gasp, "you wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

The two of us had a stare down. I wasn't one to give up easily, and for the most part, neither was Mina. It was only due to the girl's growing impatience that she looked away first.

"I win." I gloated, not bothering to hide the newly formed grin on my face.

"That won't matter when Dad finds out you're the reason we came home late!" Mina taunted, pushing herself off the floor and sprinting down the street.

That's right.

After helping with the ration distributions, Mr. Carolina had allowed the two of us, Mina and I, to roam the city. Of course, we were only allowed to go so far.

While there wasn't much greenery in the Trost District, the land by the canal was particularly peaceful. Mina and I, on any regular day, would spend our free time there. It was never too crowded, yet never felt deserted. The atmosphere was always something to be enjoyed.

Of course, right now wasn't the time to be admiring the atmosphere of the canal.

Despite Mina's head start, I had managed to run ahead of her. This was the case for most, if not all of our races. While it might've been because I was more reckless than my female counterpart, I liked to tease that I was just 'using my abilities to their fullest.'