It was another warm and sunny day, and a rather perfect time for Annie to slack off inside the cabin after a half-day of extreme training. Luckily, instructor Shadis allowed them to take the remaining time to rest after Sasha passed out due to fatigue.

Crista could hear her sigh but chose to ignore it since Annie was not the type to laugh along and hang out with the trainees. She only gave her a sweet and motivating smile before going out to meet Ymir who was waiting outside.

She at least said, "You're welcome to join the picnic if you changed your mind."

"Thanks." She could hear her say, giving her another curt nod before she totally disappeared.

Annie lazily leaned on her headboard, slowly drifting off to sleep—

"Gah-ha!"

"Eren, that's enough."

Her sleepy eyes suddenly turned into a scowl upon hearing the loud irritating noise from the trio who do not know how to rest.

What now. She annoyingly pulled herself out of the cabin, definitely not out of concern on the people who're trying to ruin her nap. She went out to show how much they disturbed her peace. And she'll make sure that they will pay for it.

"Stand, Arlert." Keith Shadis crossed his arms.

"I-I should not only train my mind." Armin mumbled.

"Precisely."

Armin was already down on his knees, coughing blood with his fists clenching the dust. To his horror, Eren went for another kick across his torso, turning Armin around so he was facing the blue sky with the sun blinding his sight.

"Hah—" He inhaled sharply with his back laid flat on the dust.

With her exceptional analytical aptitude, Annie has learned that they were not fighting about something personal but Shadis had pushed them into the training ground, that whoever wins will get his ranking higher than the other on both mental and physical grading. That was obviously along Eren's line of thinking.

What a drag. She thought as her eyes darted at the trainees who were getting out of their cabins to witness the rough fight. Much to her annoyance, Shadis met her glare.

"Look, one of the top combatants, Leonhardt is here to watch."

Annie can feel everyone's eyes now, except Armin's who was still laid across the field. Soon enough, she could see Shadis' approval for her to join the battle because, firstly, Mikasa was not willing to do the job and lastly, to prove Eren and the others that they still lacked both strength and wits to comprehend the concept of hand-to-hand combat.

She walked closer with her cold aura and neutral face, pulling her usual hand-to-hand combat defensive position.

Eren was more willing to accept the duel, a smirk forming at the side of his lips. However, before he can even transition into his serious mode, he was instantly flipped into the air. The next thing he knew was he's face down against the ground, practically eating the dust. Mikasa instinctively faced Annie and imitated her position but Shadis shook his head.

"Arlert." Shadis called, not a bit fazed by the image of Armin who was already on his feet while wiping the blood on his face.

Annie's expression relaxed briefly. There's no way that the frail Armin Arlert will defeat her. It's futile, but all she wanted was to get a payback for making a scene under the scorching heat of the sun, when all she wanted to do was take a nap.

She can feel her sweat drop. The staring contest took longer than it should be. She admits, although she doesn't understand why she's a little soft towards Armin. Maybe she was just sorry for his physical inferiority, evident to his record for not winning at least one duel in hand-to-hand combat.

Brushing the thoughts away, she chose to focus on the fact that Armin, not a doubt, was the most responsible, intelligent, strategical, rational and observant in their class, which she rather found attractive.

Again she wrestled with her thoughts.

There's no way. She thought.

She scanned Armin's body to spot the tactics that he would possibly pull, subconsciously staring at the center part. Armin on the other hand saw her head tilt for a moment, indicating that she relaxed her muscle.

Nonetheless, Annie saw it coming. Come on. She was quick to read Armin's movements as he dashed towards her with all his might. She thought he was aiming for her head or neck but Armin only made her think he was.

Armin was close enough to grope her face but he went for her body, wrapping her with his arms and pushing her down. Also, thinking that if she caught his arm then he'll get two or three broken bones. That, definitely, was not an option so he went for a safer tactic.

Annie was surprised by his quick change in attack, not believing that she'd lose her composure when she finally realized how close was Armin's face to hers. She felt his nose brush against hers while being pinned down on the ground, both wrists locked in his grip.

Anyway, she was the first to snap out of it, hence Armin's lower body was open. Of course, she would not accept defeat even with the visible blood rush spreading from her face to her ear, and her heart pounding against her chest that was telling her to revel on what seemed to be an intimate position.

She kicked his center, earning a groan from him yet only making him grip harder on her wrist.

In this case, Annie frowned, releasing another hit that was twice as critical as the first one.

Still, no one's letting go and their spectators seem to sympathize to Armin as they grimace and turn their face around from the unsightly brutal thrashing. Half of them even hid inside their cabins, mostly boys, because it was too painful to watch.

Armin bit his lip as he resisted to squeal from the third blow and Annie found it amusing for no reason, causing her face to heat up. And maybe, she can play a little longer.

This time, her knee remained against his trousers, slowly giving his flesh a squeeze.

Armin excruciatingly rested his head at the side of her neck, also to avoid being headbutted by her. He can hear her snicker against his skin, not long enough before her lips brushed on his neck, making him shudder.

"Let go..." she whispered, her breath sending chills on his body.

The next thing was unprecedented. She nipped on Armin's skin which he thought was bleeding. She could kill him right now if she wanted. Panic reached him, she can feel it.

"I'm not going to kill you." She whispered against his ear.

"Then say it. Concede." Armin was shaking under his breath, sending shivers on Annie's bare skin.

"Why? We all know who won." She fought back the urge to bite his ear, now focusing on squeezing his center.

Momentarily, they heard Shadis clearing his throat, "You're up to a different battle, I suppose." He said before walking off the field back to his office, signaling them that the duel has ended.

Mikasa immediately helped Armin back up but he seemed to reject the conclusion, still pinning Annie down.

"Armin, enough." Mikasa said.

"Sorry, buddy. I dragged you into this." Eren joined them, obviously unaware what was really happening.

"What? Do you want more?" Annie ignored the glares as she sneered.

Armin bit his lip before letting go, "That was a tie, I guess." He chuckled, leaving a genuine smile to Annie before limping off.

The sight of him struggling to walk was kind of entertaining. Annie sat up, feeling her body warm. She looked up at the sky, a smile forming on her face only to realize that she felt odd.

What was I doing?

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End note:

This part is more of Annie's POV.

Also, please note that there will be possible inappropriate contents (you know what I mean). Readers will notice it on the warning, I hope.

Lastly, thank you for reading!