Prior Acquaintances
Chapter Three: The Other Side
Der Roter Ritter. The Red Knight. A Master at anything she willed herself to do. She had everything: brains, looks, passion….EVA. Already a figure of perfection and beauty at the young age of twelve, she was also the pilot of Man's most advanced fighting machine ever made: EVA Unit 02. She was intelligent, extremely so, with a will and drive to match. Which was why she was sitting in this class.
In college.
At twelve.
She was a wonder, and was treated accordingly, for the most part. Respect and admiration on one hand, Awe on the other…and patronizing. She was, historically, one of the youngest people ever to graduate from college, which she was sure of doing in the next few months. This made the college directors proud, as well as the students, although in a different manner. They were proud to have such a wonder within their midst. She was even made the symbol of achievement of the college, her picture forever placed amongst the great ones in the college's history, in the hall of fame.
She was happy. If anyone else was asked, she was the picture of joy. Always with a bright smile on her face, always ready for laughter. If she herself were asked, she would say the same thing.
If she were to ask herself, however, the answer would be totally different.
She hated it all. She was miserable. She was proving herself to the world, by being the best at everything she did. The world answered her by creating a sense of ownership. As if it was thanks to them she was where she was that day. She excelled at everything possible, to show she was better than everyone. They answered her with a pat on the back.
No one respected her like they should, like she wanted them to; no one thought to ask her how she felt. If they did, it was only out of duty, not out of concern. She wouldn't even let them do so. If people don't get close to you, you won't be abandoned, and thus can't get hurt. She had learned that lesson early on in her life, and had learned it well. Best to drive everyone away, to remain closed off. Best not open oneself to others. That way, she would never be hurt again.
So why am I doing exactly that, she thought, twirling a pencil in her hand as the professor droned on. That boy…for the past month, now, she'd been talking to him. He was…different, somehow. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, however. He was just…his character was just…different. Most boys her age, even the older ones in college thought about only one thing. They judged people by their exteriors, which was why the boys wanted to be with her. But she was at a different level. Most people she knew were what she called "surface" people. They were shallow, bland. What you see, is what you get.
This boy, however…she could talk to him, somehow relate to him, even if it seemed that their characters were polar opposites. Something about him just broke down her defenses, without her even realizing it until much later. The pencil stopped its twirling motions, caught in a clenching fist. As the pencil neared its breaking point, the fist relaxed. She'd done it again. Each time she recalled how he broke down her defenses, she realized he did that without even trying. That she herself was letting her defenses down, if only subconsciously.
Her pencil finally snapped as she realized she was doing so willingly, that she liked it. This stopped the professor's ranting.
„Haben sie ein Problem, Fraulein Soryu?"* he asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
„Nein, nein...tut mir leid, Herr Professor..."** she answered, caught off guard. He frowned at her for a few more moments, then continued his lecture.
She frowned. It was the boy's fault her thoughts had drifted…Her frown grew even more. Why, of all things, had her thoughts drifted to someone who couldn't be more different from her?
They do say opposites attract, she thought, before mentally slapping herself.
Best not dwell on those thoughts.
--------------------------
*"Do you have a problem, Miss Soryu?"
**"No, no…sorry, Professor…"
Chapter Three: The Other Side
Der Roter Ritter. The Red Knight. A Master at anything she willed herself to do. She had everything: brains, looks, passion….EVA. Already a figure of perfection and beauty at the young age of twelve, she was also the pilot of Man's most advanced fighting machine ever made: EVA Unit 02. She was intelligent, extremely so, with a will and drive to match. Which was why she was sitting in this class.
In college.
At twelve.
She was a wonder, and was treated accordingly, for the most part. Respect and admiration on one hand, Awe on the other…and patronizing. She was, historically, one of the youngest people ever to graduate from college, which she was sure of doing in the next few months. This made the college directors proud, as well as the students, although in a different manner. They were proud to have such a wonder within their midst. She was even made the symbol of achievement of the college, her picture forever placed amongst the great ones in the college's history, in the hall of fame.
She was happy. If anyone else was asked, she was the picture of joy. Always with a bright smile on her face, always ready for laughter. If she herself were asked, she would say the same thing.
If she were to ask herself, however, the answer would be totally different.
She hated it all. She was miserable. She was proving herself to the world, by being the best at everything she did. The world answered her by creating a sense of ownership. As if it was thanks to them she was where she was that day. She excelled at everything possible, to show she was better than everyone. They answered her with a pat on the back.
No one respected her like they should, like she wanted them to; no one thought to ask her how she felt. If they did, it was only out of duty, not out of concern. She wouldn't even let them do so. If people don't get close to you, you won't be abandoned, and thus can't get hurt. She had learned that lesson early on in her life, and had learned it well. Best to drive everyone away, to remain closed off. Best not open oneself to others. That way, she would never be hurt again.
So why am I doing exactly that, she thought, twirling a pencil in her hand as the professor droned on. That boy…for the past month, now, she'd been talking to him. He was…different, somehow. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, however. He was just…his character was just…different. Most boys her age, even the older ones in college thought about only one thing. They judged people by their exteriors, which was why the boys wanted to be with her. But she was at a different level. Most people she knew were what she called "surface" people. They were shallow, bland. What you see, is what you get.
This boy, however…she could talk to him, somehow relate to him, even if it seemed that their characters were polar opposites. Something about him just broke down her defenses, without her even realizing it until much later. The pencil stopped its twirling motions, caught in a clenching fist. As the pencil neared its breaking point, the fist relaxed. She'd done it again. Each time she recalled how he broke down her defenses, she realized he did that without even trying. That she herself was letting her defenses down, if only subconsciously.
Her pencil finally snapped as she realized she was doing so willingly, that she liked it. This stopped the professor's ranting.
„Haben sie ein Problem, Fraulein Soryu?"* he asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
„Nein, nein...tut mir leid, Herr Professor..."** she answered, caught off guard. He frowned at her for a few more moments, then continued his lecture.
She frowned. It was the boy's fault her thoughts had drifted…Her frown grew even more. Why, of all things, had her thoughts drifted to someone who couldn't be more different from her?
They do say opposites attract, she thought, before mentally slapping herself.
Best not dwell on those thoughts.
--------------------------
*"Do you have a problem, Miss Soryu?"
**"No, no…sorry, Professor…"