Asuka Langley Soryu was rude. Anyone who met her, heard her speak or even tried to speak to her could tell you that. As a cultural thing Japanese people are very polite, even if they do not like a person they try and show them due courtesy. Sadly Asuka is not familiar with this concept. At this very moment Asuka was in class, embarking on a small rant
"Damn stupid Japanese characters, why can't they use English words?" she cursed as she tried to read the science test
"Ms. Soryu, please be quiet" the teacher scolded
Asuka continued to rant in her head but a lone student, a rather averagely built boy had heard her rant and was none too pleased with it. He kept his own counsel though; he didn't want to be rude.
At lunch time in the school cafeteria; Asuka was in line for some food and after her poor result on the last test her mood was worse than it was before. The small courtesy bow most of the students gave was keeping her in line that little bit longer and eventually she'd had enough and made her displeasure known
"Come on, the cooking isn't that good; just pay for your food and get a move on" she shouted
"This girl is getting too big for her boots; she needs to learn some respect" the same young man who heard Asuka in class said to himself and approached her
"What the hell do you want?" she snapped
"I want you to learn some manners, shut up and show some respect for other people" he stated plainly
"What did you say to me?" Asuka's low voice was filled with danger
"I'm sick of you, and I'm sick of your attitude. You complain about my language, the customs of my country and totally disrespect others. You're status here does not give you the right to act like a spoilt brat" he snapped and turned to leave
Asuka grabbed the boy's shoulder with her left arm. In response, the boy grabbed her hand with his own left, then shifted his right elbow into the bend of her elbow and pressed down. The move brought Asuka down a bit, then with a pivot of his hips, the boy sent Asuka to the ground over his knee and put her left wrist in a joint lock
"As I was saying, you actions here, especially towards one student whom shall remain nameless, are thuggish and you disrespect for my country is astounding" he continued in his calm voice
"When I get up…" Asuka began; but the other student applied more pressure to the wrist lock
"Which you won't be doing till I let you. I leave you with this one final message: this is my country Ms. Soryu, I love it and I will defend it with all my skill. Be warned" he said and released Asuka and then left the cafeteria
The whole room looked on as Asuka, angry and humiliated got up from the floor rubbing her sore wrist. With a look of fire in her eyes, she resolved to find that young man again and show him who he was dealing with.
*****************
Asuka was walking home from school alone this time and she was still as angry as all hell at that mystery student. As she walked she passed and oval and saw him on it, in some kind of robe just motionless on the grass. Asuka saw a large stick on the ground and formulated a plan in her mind
[Just a gentle tap on the head, then he'll get it] she thought and picked it up
Walking first then Asuka broke into a run and held the stick in a position to strike. A gust of wind brought with it more than an updraft. Without warning he spun around and there was a gleam of metal and Asuka felt something swish above her head. Her run stopped when part of the stick fell off in front of her. Then she saw what the boy was holding. A samurai sword; and judging by the neatly sliced stick it was a real one from many years ago rather than the practice replicas.
"You may protect the world Ms. Soryu, but I protect Japan, like my great grandfather and his fathers before him" was all the young man said
A nearby cherry blossom tree bloomed, then a gust of wind made a blossom fall to the ground