Genesis Evangelion: Advent of Misato
Stage 2: Adapting to Normalcy
Summer. An Eternal Summer. That's what it feels like these days. Apparently, a Great Meteor made an impact in Antarctica... As a result of that event, the ice of the continent evaporated in an instant and the sea level rose by 60 meters... The world was assaulted by droughts, floods, volcanic eruptions and the all ensuing economic panics and racial conflicts... According to my history book, In a mere six months, half of the human population was lost forever. This even was known as "The Second Impact."
That was 2 years ago... In a mere 2 years, mankind has been able to rebound and build this marvelous city. Tokyo 2. A beautiful recreation of Old Tokyo. To be honest...I didn't realize I was in Tokyo 2. Because my memories were that of Tokyo, when I visited there as a little girl. My teacher, he said that, "The rebuilding of Tokyo could be said to be the result of our parents' blood and toil – The fruit of their labors." My Dad was a scientist, he worked for the benefit of all humans... He was in Antarctica...when the Meteor hit. But I 'know' my Dad was a good man...and was doing everything he could in benefit for Mankind...
I was born on December 8th, 1986. I am sixteen years old and am currently in my Second Year in Highschool. A lot of my classmates think I've changed... They tell me, I used to quiet and reserved... but now I'm pretty boisterous and loud. I think it's because I'm older... but they don't all buy into that. My Mom has noticed change too. It hurts my feelings when I get in trouble, for something I've done at school. Because I know my Mom will be sad and disappointed... But... I don't want to be the 'good' child. I don't want to do 'just enough' to get by... I want to do it my way. To be Me! To be my own person. If I make mistakes along the way...then they are mine to make. I have the feeling and the desire to live as much as I can. Maybe somewhere, in the past... I was a quiet, calm, reserved little girl... But I won't hide in that shell forever... I can't... I won't. I mustn't I mustn't run away... When I went on that trip with my Dad... I survived the Meteor... The great Meteor which killed so many people... I have to live life proudly, and openly... Because if it can be all over in just a second... I don't want to miss any of it. My name is Misato Katsuragi... and this is my story.
Morning. The brilliant sunlight shined into the girl's bedroom through the window. It was nearing 7 o'clock in the morning and that meant it was time to get up and get ready for school... At least that was the intention. As her alarm clock continued to sound off, the girl continued to make various vain attempts and remaining asleep... This resulted in drastic results... Her Mother entered the bedroom...and "flipped" the mattress while the girl was still on top of it. Due to the fact that the girl was feigning sleep at this point, the "flipping of the bed" was quite uncomfortable, thus causing her to get up defiantly.
"Mom! What was that for?"
"Misato... I told you, you have to stop purposely trying to sleep in on school days... Not only have you managed to just skate by in some of your classes... you're constantly late, getting in trouble for always talking... Sometimes I wonder where I went wrong..."
Misato sighs and felt that the best way to fix this situation would be to "tell her Mother what she wants to hear" ...even if it's not exactly the truth.
"Mom... I'm sorry, sometimes I just can't help wanting to go wild and just be spontaneous... I think it's probably stemming from my childhood of always being quiet and good. I'll try harder to shape up my act."
"...sigh... Now why do I feel so uneasy about even beginning to trust you'll do that?"
"Come on, Mom!" Misato smiled a big smile and patted her Mother on the shoulder, "Have a little faith!"
"...That's why I feel so uneasy... I've almost lost faith in you, Misato..."
With that said, Misato's Mother left the room and started to prepare breakfast. Misato stood somewhat dumbfounded in the middle of her room.
Sometimes I feel my Mom thinks I'm a burden... Well, it's not like I do much to make her think otherwise... but I can't help it!
After taking a quick shower, washing the necessities. Afterwards, Misato put on her high school uniform and made her way to the kitchen. In the kitchen, Misato noticed a note next to her bowl of cereal.
Something came up, so you'll just have to make-do with cereal. Try to make it to school on time today... I know you can. Love, Mom.
Reading that letter however didn't really make Misato feel any better... She was looking forward to a nice Japanese breakfast prepared by her Mom... now all she had to eat was cereal. And Misato wasn't about to begin to cook something for herself – reason being: She can't cook. One of the reasons she loathes her Home Economics class ever so much.
Deciding that it would be pointless to argue when no one was around, Misato sat down and looked at the 'boring' bowl of cereal. After staring at the cereal for about a minute, Misato got back up and wandered over to the refrigerator. Upon opening the fridge, she noticed there wasn't much in the way of beverages to drink either. There was a little bit of Orange juice left, a carton of milk...expired... and cans of beer.
"Hmm... Mom's not home... Oh, one can't hurt!" Misato exclaims as she snatches a can of beer from the refrigerator. She sits back down at the table, pops open her cold beverage, and takes a drink... Misato sat there for a few seconds pondering the taste, where she resumed to take a few more drinks.
"Hey, this isn't bad... I feel pretty good too!"
That being said, Misato finishes the can of beer and deposits it in the recycle bin on her way out the door. She figured she didn't need to eat anything because she wasn't that hungry anyway after having to look at that bowl of cereal, so, she dumped it out in the trash on her way to the door. She opened the door, grabbed her school bag and made her way out of the house.
As Misato walked to school, she hummed softly a tune she heard on the radio the previous evening. It was about that time she had passed the Nature Park that was revitalized and maintained by the Government. The Sakura Trees were Misato's personal favorite. She used to remember when they would bloom in April when she was a child before Second Impact... now the beauty of the Sakura Tree might've died down some...simply because the tree is simply always in bloom. When you see something year round, sometimes it diminishes the effect... Well, this wasn't the case with Misato, who always enjoyed to see the Sakura Trees.
Once she passed the park, she was heard a familiar voice call out her name.
"Misato! Ohayo!!"
"Hey Megumi!" Misato greeted in return, smiling.
Megumi Daimon. 16 Years old. Capricorn. She's been Misato's childhood friend since grade school. She has long brown hair, which she ties back into a french braid. Convinced that glasses made her unattractive, during middle school, she had received vision enhancement therapy. Due to that, she no longer needs to wear glasses. Her eyes are a deep emerald green.
"So, how have you been, Misato? Did you go anywhere for the semester break?"
Misato sighed and crossed her arms as they walked in a form of protest, "No," she declared, "But I wanted to go to Okinawa...but my Mom didn't want me to go!"
"Aww... Kyomi, Kotoko, and I went there. Too bad you couldn't go, we could of hanged out."
"...Thanks, that makes me feel all so much better..." Misato replies with another sigh.
Megumi giggled to herself, "Don't let it get to you, it's not like we all met guys or anything. But there sure were a lot of hot guys there!"
"...And you're supposed to be my best friend?"
"Yup!" Megumi replied with a smile.
They continued walking, when eventually they arrived at the courtyard outside the school. When they had gotten there, they were greeted by two more girls. The first girl, on the left, was Kyomi Aramaki. She has long, sandy brown hair. She is 16 years old and a Gemini. She's been friends with Megumi and Misato since the beginning of middle school. She's a part of the girls swim team and enjoys eating napoleon ice cream. The other girl, on the right, was Kotoko Kusanagi. She is 17 years and an Aquarius. She has short, jet black hair. Her hair is shorter than most girls because she's extremely athletic and is active in as much extra curricular clubs as possible, in short: A Tomboy. Tennis, Volleyball, Swimming, and Kendo, just to name a few. She's been friends with Megumi and Misato since the beginning of middle school and friends with Kyomi since grade school.
"Yo," Kotoko greeted them in a cool manner.
"Ohayo! Megumi! Misato!" Kyomi greeted them in a more high strum manner.
"Hey, Kyomi, Kotoko!" Megumi replies waving.
"So, Misato, your Mom didn't let you come huh?"
"No, Kotoko, she didn't...sigh...I swear my Mom is against everything that equates to my happiness..."
"Hey, don't get so down, Misato!" Kyomi chimed in, "There's this year, next year, and then it's off to college! Then we'll earn our independence!"
"I want it now..." Misato sulked.
"Well, what's stopping you then? I live by myself," Kotoko replied.
"Yeah but you're... I mean..."
"From a rich family...sigh... So what, Misato. It's not like I have a trust fund I can dip into every week. I don't get money from them either. It's just a matter of knowing how to manage your time and money – and since, unlike you girls – guys and partying just aren't in my plans of interest. I'm going to earn my way into Tokyo University through scholarships."
"Oh, Tokyo U huh?" Megumi inquired.
"Duh, of course Kotoko wants to go there, Megumi," Kyomi replied, "It's only the most talked about University of its time. It's way more technologically advanced than many of its counterparts in the world. Our high schools' prodigal student, 3rd Year, Ritsuko Akagi was immediately accepted the moment she applied."
Ritsuko Akagi... For some reason I know that name. I know I've never met her...but I feel like I should. I think I'll ask about her.
"Ritsuko Akagi?" Misato asked.
"You don't know who Ritsuko Akagi is? Wow, everyone knows who she is. Her Mother works for the Government...or something like that. Anyway, I'd steer clear of her – she's not exactly popular as she is infamous," Kyomi added.
"Why? Did she do something bad?"
"On the contrary, she didn't do anything – at least, not yet. Her Mother is the reason her name is pretty notorious around here. She supposedly headlines some highly top secret government project with a few other big shots. But the thing is, no one knows what 'said' project is. Just the fact that its a top secret government project or whatever... People tend to stay clear of someone who has connections to that sort of thing. You don't want to get in too deep, ya know."
"...I see. Hmm..."
Kotoko chuckled while Megumi and Kyomi looked on worriedly.
"Oh no... Misato you can't be thinking!"
"Misato..."
"Oh, give it a rest, you two. You both know that when Misato gets like this – there's not stopping her. Besides, maybe she'll learn a thing or two about Ritsuko Akagi," Kotoko said, "and besides, maybe we'll learn that this entire rumor has been entirely blown way out of proportion."
"Yeah, I guess so..." Kyomi replied.
"You're right, Kotoko. If we avoided her like everyone else we'd just be followers – I'd rather know more about her to see if everyone has due reason to avoid her," Megumi added.
"But then...it could be too late," Kyomi retorts, in a vain attempt to scare Megumi.
Megumi rolls her eyes at Kyomi, and at that moment the first bell sounded.
"Well, we better get going. We're going to be late if we hang out here any longer," Kotoko said. Afterwards, the four girls headed to their lockers and after gathering their necessary books for their morning classes, and headed to class.
Later, during lunch...
After excusing herself from her friends, Misato left the table she normally sat at during lunchtime with her friends. She approached a girl with brunette hair which was about neck length, just above the shoulders...
Next Stage Preview
Misato here! Next time Ritsuko and I talk for the first time, but to me, it feels natural. Are we kindred souls or something? We talk about all sorts of things! It's then that I hear about her goals and aspirations for her future! Next time on Genesis Evangelion: Advent of Misato – Stage 3: A Preconditioned Friendship. Huh? What's that mean? Can someone be Preconditioned to be someones friend?! Human Personality Reconditioning? What the hell is that? Anyway... Don't miss the next stage!
Author's Note
Well here's Stage 2 – I finished this one much quicker than I thought I would. Sorry to those who expected Angel/Eva action from the get-go, as I have to build the story for a few stages before we even see the 3rd Angel Sachiel or an Evangelion. Feel free to leave feedback on what you think thus far. If you have any comments, questions, concerns – I'll be happy to answer them to the best of my ability without giving away spoilers! Thanks for reading, the next stage should be out sometime next week – watch for it!
-Rukaii