Hanister was excited, very excited. Since that it is going to be their first swimming lesson of the semester this afternoon.

  She should have guessed already, since that there is an indoor swimming pool in the base. Also the fact that swimming helps with enhancing the cardiopulmonary function. Nevertheless, she was still happy about it.

  Hanister has loved swimming ever since she could remember. She also likes just playing in the water in general. Often times, she would bury her head into the shallow water in the bathtub and pretend that she was a   fish. She always feels like hiding in the water is like hiding into her own world.

  Unfortunately, Gadina felt different. Her face has been grim since this morning.

  "You don't like swimming?" Hanister asked. She knew that Gadina's long face was not because of herself, since the feisty girl had already begun to accept the fact that they were getting along; and she was no longer   constantly complaining about Hanister's existence.

  The girl sitting across from Hanister did not speak. Instead, she was fiddling around her food on the plate. She looked preoccupied, and a little anxious at the same time.

  "Ah, are you-"

  "I'm heading back." Gadina suddenly stood up. "I've lost the appetite," she stated before picking up her tray.

  "Want some?" Gadina pushed the unopened box of juice towards Hanister.

  Hanister frowned, but accepted the offer. She watched as Gadina left. She could not tell what was wrong with the girl. At first, she thought it might be her nicotine addiction working up. However, after she had returned to the dorm, she found Gadina lying on her bed dispiritedly.

  "Are you feeling unwell?" Hanister asked. She was standing next to the bed, feeling concerned.

  "You're unwell!" Gadina snapped. She turned away and buried her face into her pillow.

  Hanister was caught off guard, at the same time baffled. "What is it then?" She pushed further, starting to feel a little upset.

  "Nothing that concerns you."

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  "So be it." Hanister pulled open her locker. She had decided to not force the conversation anymore. She does not want to ruin her decent mood that's hard to come by. The girl took out her thermos flask and watered the Spooky Hand in her locker. After that, she climbed back into bed.

  There won't be any bell rings or music playing when the lunch break is over. They only get a broadcast that brings tension. The purpose is to urge them to quickly assemble outside. Hanister jumped off her bed after realizing that she could not fall asleep. The training lessons in the past two months had mostly been the same. A combination of close-quarters combat, shooting, and an incredible amount of physical activity and circuit training. She could certainly feel herself getting more buffed. However, looking back to the process, it had gotten a little tedious.

  Swimming was obviously one of the trainings, but for her, it was different. For Hanister, even if swimming was a curriculum, and that it had become a repeated exercise. The activity itself was still fun and delightful.

  Hanister picked up the swimsuit that the training center handed out the other day. She left the dorm and quickly made her way over to the parade ground. She did not see Gadina until a while after. The girl walked into the troop, her eyes still lacked sparks.

  The commandant standing in front of the troop started yelling, requesting the squads to count off. There were only about thirty females in this batch of new recruits, which is around the number of three squads. The males, on the other hand, counted to around a hundred.

  Hanister was not in the same squad as Gadina, since she was reported for duty one week later than anyone else. She was put to the last. The others had their positions set right when they first got in. Apparently, dividing into squads was one of the things they did on the first couple of days. From there they then learned how formation works, positioning, and drill commands.

  Joel was right. The first week really does sound boring.

  Hanister thought. She was certain that she was not the only one who was looking forward to this class. She could see some exhilarated faces from the corner of her eye. It was obvious that everyone had been cooped up for too long. They aren't going to just play around in the water. However, the fact that they are able to submerge themselves into the cool liquid is enough for most people to release the stress they had been undergoing through the training.

  Sadly, a certain someone didn't seem to feel that way.

  Hanister looked to the front of the troop. She could only see Gadina's back, but she could tell that her face was probably still gloomy.

  Perhaps she just wants to be alone for a while?

  She could not help but wonder. Although she personally did not care as much, Hanister did understand that not everyone can tolerate living with others twenty-four seven. Under this kind of routine, it is hard for one to ask for personal spaces. Aside from showering and the toilet needs, one can hardly have any privacy. You either get used to the presence of others, or you get used to ignoring.

  Soon, the commandant gave out another order for the troop to start moving forward.