14 hours earlier…
Chapter One
HOMEFRONT
FOR MR & MRS LANGELY'S EYES ONLY
HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LETTER
August 6th, 1943, 08:20
Albuquerque High School, Alburquerque, New Mexico
Central Ave. and Broadway Blvd.
STUDENT WARNING LETTER
NAME:
ASUKA LANGELY
GRADE:
11th Grade, Senior
HOMEROOM:
Mr. Maruyama's 11th Grade Class
Room 204
REASON:
Late / Absent from Class.
DEAR MR & MRS LANGELY:
Hi there,
This student has consistently arrived late to class for the past week and has many unexplained absences, when the student is in class, she displays high levels of disruption to fellow pupils and faculty in class.
Despite reassurances from you Mrs. Kyoko and Mr. William Langley, Asuka Langley has continued this disruptive and inconsiderate behaviour in a learning environment. Her behaviour towards learning and our schools' values is significantly disruptive, and if this continues, we are considering suspension.
I'm sure you are aware that by now if this happens this will be her third suspension within this year alone. Due to the nature of these repeating disturbances, Asuka Langley's disciplinary cases are now under review by the Albuquerque Public Schools District.
For any other student, we would have already considered and filed out the processes for moving forward with the expulsion of the pupil, however, we are thankful for you Mr. And Mrs. Langley's generous donations and contributions to this school and our community.
We understand that the perseverance of education is mutual. I'm sure both of us acknowledge that Asuka Langley is a bright and lovely woman with a promising future ahead of her, and we both wish she could take her studies seriously to see this. However, turning a blind eye and tolerating her disruptive behaviour is not fair to the rest of the students and faculty who are at this school.
We only hope that this behaviour is temporary, and that this letter remains just a warning."
FROM:
Superintendent 'John Milne' of Albuquerque Public Schools.
Peace, inner peace.
That's how anyone would have described the room, airy and gentle the breeze was throughout the room from the ajar window. Brushing against the satin curtains it was softly picked up, only to fall graciously again. The view outside of a lush, green orchard that had been carefully tended to with flowers blooming as far as the eye could see.
The birds sung and chirped to mark a new day.
Back in the Langley residence, a ray of light casted illumination upon her room, splashing a vivid yellow, it painted over the pinkish-beige wall. The scene reminiscent of a renaissance masterpiece, laid a luxurious king-sized bed only of the highest quality cotton sheets, though contrasted by the arrangement of pillows on the other end more akin to a sandbag fortification, wary of an outside attack. In the middle of all this, laid a blot of crimson red.
As she drew each breathe, the overlaid blankets heaved against the girl in bliss, aloof of current affairs. That was until a wooden box began had decided to croak, singing electric tunes. But this unpleasant orchestra would not last as another voice began to break through, slowly warping from the uncanny valley in cadence as the frequency went through modulation.
In only a minute, the pleasant voice had triumphed as a melody of jazz had emanated from the radio. The room now filled with piano keys played to the beat.
"Stars shinin' bright above you…"
Though not all could appreciate all things in life, no matter how beautiful the girl murmured in her slumber, turning and twisting as her head dug deeper into the pillow-fort in a measly attempt to hush the rowdy sound. In time her murmurs became grumbles and through grumbles, she had begun to stretch her aching limbs. And as she felt the sensation of her joints cracking, her eyelids began to part, freeing the clams pearl that was her deep, blue eyes.
"Night breezes seem to whisper, 'I love you'…"
"Just... a... few... more... winks..." She muttered in her groggy state, poisoned by her own morning breath. Though the radio had grown louder and louder, without consideration, this had an opposite effect on the girl. With her patience running thin, her eyes narrowed to a knifes edge.
"Birds singin' in the sycamore tree..."
Attempt after attempt, the red-headed girl feigned ignorance to the pleasant sound, but no matter what it just grew louder... and louder... and in its dissent, it must be silenced. Extending an arm past the edge of the bed, her hand on the bedside cabinet gripped whatever it could, anything to get it to simmer.
"…Dream of a little dream of me"
Her hand swayed lining her aim, her mind laying a bullseye over the target as she locked it into position. Gradually, her hand was pulled back charging the substitute crossbow. The last chore left was to keep her steady aim, fighting the burn in her arm laid in that position.
"…Say, 'Nighty-night' and kiss me"
Greedily hogging the air in her lungs, she took a deep breath as her eyes laid firm, the enemy who had wronged her would not escape her sight. A soft exhale would be all that it would last know of the world as when she emptied her chest, she fired, launching it at the radio.
"…Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss m- CRASH!
As the loud crash and thud signalled the freedom of the encased glass of the radio, a screeching halt was the last note of Ozzie Nelson. While you could argue whether the decision to damage the prized contraption was worth it, you could not deny that her aim had been on point.
However, you can't always please everyone as a feminine scream roared.
"Asuka, that better not have been what I think it was!"
'Ugh, mother… She'll never let me hear the end of this' Asuka thought.
In all honesty, the girl couldn't care less, tired and lazy as she was. She slumped and fell back into the bed reclaiming the sleep stolen from her by the nefarious device.
Stretching out her tired arms, her eyes drew closer to the face of her alarm clock, the hands on the clock now showing twenty-five past eleven. At the sight, Asuka's eyes grew wide, her breath hitching as her chest plummeted. Now revitalised by the sudden rush of blood to her head, she brought a hand to her forehead, massaging her temple.
"Damn! not again…" She thought to herself, violently twitching in frustration before throwing herself back to bed, sighing in resignation.
'It's not like I can do anything anyway' Asuka justified in thought.
Clenching her eyes shut like a hydraulic press, she sank deeper into the soft mattress. But no matter what she would not find comfort in sleep as her eyelids met, exacerbating her feelings of helplessness. It disgusted her, and so she willed herself to leave the comfort of her bed once more.
Strapping the robe around her body, it wrapped around her curves accenting her growing form, albeit not grown enough for Asuka's liking as she slid each foot into the furry pink slippers. Now adequately dressed, she made her way down the spiral staircase onto the first floor.
On her way down, a whiff of the strong, but pleasant smell confirmed to her of the delicious breakfast awaiting her. Also expecting someone awaiting her she waddled into the large dining room to greet her, only to be greeted with an empty table.
'Huh... mother must of left for work already' Thought Asuka.
A vacant chair invited her as she plopped herself down, immediate to her need a maid had brought out a platter. A soft clink rung out as the cutlery was set, followed by the soft, metallic scraping of the cloche as it was whisked away, unveiling the delicious grub before her eyes.
With a cheery smile, the maid had handed Asuka both a napkin and a roll of today's edition of The Albuquerque Journal before returning to the kitchen, leaving her to her own devices. Wrapping her hands along the edges of the newspaper she noted the soft crinkles as it was slowly unspooled. She sighed, bracing herself as it met her gaze already knowing what its contents would be.
'Gossip… Sports… What else is new' She thought.
Intending to skim through the thick folds, her eyes were caught. Captivated by the front page's striking headline.
'THE JAP INVASION! Japanese Navy Fleets reportedly amassed off the coast of California...
"Uh huh…" She muttered
'Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson stated that Japanese fleets unlikely…'
"Sure…" She mumbled
'Not of the likes seen since the ambush of Task Force 16 at Midway Atoll…'
"Okay…" She murmured
Oh, how reading about the state of the world had drained her, only five years ago the most annoying thing had been world leaders comparing who had the bigger stick like it was their dicks. Nothing had changed since then apart from the minor fact that instead of waving them around, they had moved onto bashing each other with it now. Rolling her eyes, she discarded the line of thought.
"Father won't shut up about that at dinner either. If he even shows, that is."
Chewing away at the dish, it had been to her standard at least. The crunch of the toasted bread provided a lovely contrast to the fluffy, pappy eggs seasoned with salt and pepper melting along her tongue. The salty, burnt but chewy bacon bringing her a step closer to heaven.
Unfortunately, late enough as she was already, she had not felt particularly hungry as she usually normally had that morning. Leaving the rest of the food on the platter, left to cool as another chore for her maid to clean up.
Finished with her meal, she left the kitchen trudging up the steps to her room, turning to face the bathroom door. She undressed, sliding off the robe with a light thud as it fell on the floor. Continuing to stretch, her fingers fiddled against the buttons along her shirt, with it too parting along with her robe. Not a moment her pants too joined the mound of clothes littered on the floor.
Taking a step in, the cool sensation of the bathroom tiles drained heat from her body, causing her to hurry along as she placed one foot after the other into the tub. twisting the intricate cross-shaped knob, a warm blissful sensation started to fill it, enveloping her in warmth as some trickled down her body.
'Ahh…' She moaned.
'That's one good thing he's for, at least he remembered' Asuka thought.
Asuka found that sharing her life with her father to be… tenuous to say the least, anyone other than a Langley would have assumed he only had unconditional love for his kin based on how he spoiled her. The man splurged his wealth on the most extravagant gifts for his little girl, the value of such gifts made even wall-street bankers envious. But looks can be deceiving, something that Asuka had known all too well as a desperate, pathetic way to hold onto their 'relationship'.
Work would always come before they did, sticking by his family until something at work arose, and would leave without a second thought. Lulled to a drowsy state by the warm shower, a thought came and brought her back to a time when she waited eagerly to see her father show at a lead performance back in drama at middle school, the only invitee missing. The clock on the wall had rung throughout her ears…
Tick...
Tock...
Tick...
Tock...
Had a minute or an hour passed?
She couldn't tell, but what she knew was that the other children had already left the gloomy hall, parting with their kin. But here she lay, still waiting. The only thing that broke up the lone silence was the occasional teacher or two that came by, asking if she was alright.
"Yes" Asuka would tell them, each time she put up a smile.
She felt itchy still in her costume, not bothering to change still clung to the thought her father would come, true to his word. After all, he had promised her, right? So, it was to be expected that when the figure that strolled through the hall had luscious, golden locks flowing along her back she had felt a tinge of sadness, but worst of all disappointment.
"Mama!" She exclaimed.
Asuka loved her mother very much, but it was not her that she was hoping to see today, the man still missing from her life.
"Aww… Asuka you look so beautiful!" Said Kyoko.
Despite her smile, she felt deeply saddened by the hurt look on Asuka's face unable to bear seeing such a young child, especially hers in such a depressive state. It was something that no child should ever have to go through, and so she thought for a moment. Coming up with a solution, a wolfish grin had manifested on her face.
Asuka oblivious of her mother's intent stood still, pausing she tilted her head in confusion like a lost puppy, but soon her eyes grew wide realising what was to come. Desperately, she tried to move away from her as soon as possible. But it was too late, she was caught defenceless.
Asuka giggled maniacally as Kyoko lifted her into her loving arms, grasping her sides she spun her around.
"Stop i- it tickle's mama! Plea-"
Again, she burst out into high-pitched squealing with the occasional giggle. However, whether it was because of the way Kyoko had held her or from the fact that she continued making dumb expressions on her face or from pretending to be a biplane she could not tell.
"I'm sorry that Papa wasn't able to visit you today, I'm sure you know how excited he is to see you, he's just so busy at work sweetie." Said Kyoko.
Asuka's face scrunched up as her high of happiness now returned to normal, remembering the contentious situation involving her 'father'.
"Papa's always busy, mama. I thought… I just t-thought that today he finally would look at me"
Asuka's small, precious eyes watered. A tear trickled down her cheek as her fists clenched.
"He promised me… he's never here…"
Seeing her pain, Kyoko felt saddened by it too as naturally anyone would. But she needed to be strong for her, strong for Asuka. Placing her hand, she caressed her cheek using a thumb to wipe off the trail of tears.
"I know…" She replied.
But with a spark of hope, Kyoko drew a finger to her chin to show Asuka that she was in deep thought.
"Hmm… would ice cream cheer you up?"
"No, I want Papa!" Asuka said.
"Not even a strawberry and raspberry ice cream in a nice... yummy... crunchy waffle cone?" Kyoko cooed.
Asuka was thoroughly tempted by the bribe nearly succumbing to the hypnosis as she described it in vivid detail, but her resolve remained firm, denying her offer as she shook her head.
"Not even two scoops?" Kyoko replied.
Asuka's remained stern, but she turned her back as she spun facing away from her. Crossing her arms she began to think. A moment later, she spun back with an intense energy on her.
"Fine, but two ice creams!"
'Emotional blackmail much?' Kyoko thought.
"Alright, one strawberry and one raspberry ice cream just for you honey" Kyoko replied.
Emphasizing the treat, Asuka smiled stupidly as she grabbed her mother's hand, tugging her to the door already eager to claim her prize. She thought it was a treat far better than seeing her father anyway.
As they walked together in hand down the empty and abandoned hall, Asuka had her newfound joy being cocky as usual. And in so, Kyoko decided to playfully tease her,
"So… did any dashing knight in shining armour happen to rescue my dear poor princess Asuka Soryu Langley from an evil dragon?"
Asuka's face turned red as a beet as she blushed. "Eww! All those boys are icky anyways, I want someone mature... like Mr Kaji!" She said.
'Oh boy.' Kyoko thought to herself, disturbed Asuka had felt that way about older men already. For all that she couldn't blame her, ashamed, she remembered an old, awkward obsession with a teacher when she was Asuka's age, the peak of her blunder years.
Kyoko decided to speak out, not wanting her daughter to be taken advantage of by older, predatory men. Something she saw in her life all too well.
"Asuka... he's a nice man, but you really should be looking for people your own age" Kyoko said.
This had to opposite effect as Asuka began to frown, wanting the conversation to depart from the subject matter, Kyoko clicked her fingers.
"Like, what is his name again…"
"Ahh, yes! Hajime Aida, he told me his boy was going to be in the play as well. Aida's boy, how was he?" Kyoko said.
"Hmmph! Ken-ken was such a lousy Romeo! At least I tried memorising my lines he still had to read off a script! What an idiot!" Replied Asuka.
upon her words, Kyoko's smirk had morphed into a wolfish grin. Asuka could only gulp as she prepared for the oncoming onslaught.
"So, Romeo and Juliet, was it? And you just happened to both get the two lead roles, wasn't it?" Said Kyoko.
Her turning face blushed red again as Kyoko nudged her shoulder, Asuka tried to let off a noise of disgust in protest. But she wasn't finished just yet, no.
She was just getting started.
"Oh, and ken-ken? That is so cute Asuka, I didn't know you had a pet name for Aida! Oh, how scandalous my little girl is…" Kyoko whispered.
" ... "
" ... "
" ... "
"Can we just go get ice cream now?" Asuka replied.
Breaking the ice in embarrassment, she faced her blush away from her mother's lingering gaze.
"Yes Asuka, we can get all the ice cream you want, just for you."
The scene changed as they walked out, their figures losing detail becoming a silhouette against the bright light emanating from the end of the hall. Passing through it, the light enveloped her, awakening her from her daydream.
Asuka blushed from trip down memory-lane; though at the time insignificant, she still remembered it fondly as one of her happiest memories as time went on. It had been so long ago yet felt so soon at the same time.
Twisting the knob on the shower, the last drops fell onto her head as she swept off the last remnants of water on her skin, a methodical process starting from her back to her chest before trailing down her thighs onto her toned calves.
As dry as she could be, Asuka wrapped a towel around her with another smaller towel as a sponge to soak up her wet reddish-gold locks. Pushing the bathroom door open, she entered the bedroom with her eyes drawn to the neatly folded pile of clothes that the maid had clearly washed and ironed while she showered.
Hmm… it's acceptable' Asuka thought.
Slipping on her panties, she brought the white blouse over her head as she shimmied her arms through its sleeves. Completing her attire, she brought the blue skirt along her waist tightening it to how she desired, ignoring how it cut into her skin.
Stepping again into the bathroom, she scowled at herself in the mirror, needing a better use of her eyes she skimmed across at the compartment of the vanity cabinet in search of various lip-stick glosses, nail polish, and powder brushes.
'Hmm… I'll just do it later in the car.'
"Hey, stop the car! Your driving is horrible, it's ruining my face!"
The chauffeur quietly sighed, not to disturb the incredulous woman. Focusing on driving the 1941 model Cadillac, he wondered why he had put up with such a dead-end job. The 'honour' of serving the Langley's had dissipated long ago, but as he saw the dame's eyes flicker, meeting his on the rear vision mirror, he knew exactly why.
"I need the car to be still to apply this!"
"Pardon me if you will, may I ask you a question?" Said the driver.
Asuka beamed at his response, she wouldn't tell a soul, but she enjoyed it when others addressed her formally as if she were an older woman. It was more liberating than being treated as just a child who was way in over themselves.
"Yes, Mr Kaji?" Asuka replied
"I believe I was informed that you were late to school, am I correct?" He asked
"Of course, knucklehead. You see anyone else in the car?" Asuka replied.
Raising her eyebrow, she thought of how she was going to word her next statement, attempting to sound confident as she justified it.
"Buuuuut I mean at this point if we are this late to school, it doesn't matter if I happen to show up slightly later?"
"I suppose you have a point." Kaji said.
"Sooo, to answer your question... YES, my makeup is more important than getting on school in-time! Unlike some of these other slobs in town I have a stellar reputation that I need to uphold." Asuka spoke.
Gleeful that she found herself triumphant against the sceptical chauffer, she confidently adorned her face with cosmetics as the Cadillac slowed. Moving carefully, she began to apply the more intricate details onto her face that she couldn't afford to blemish or mishandle.
Unswiveling the lipstick, she applied the cherry gloss to her own lips imagining herself to be a Lisa Fonssagrives. Though better, of course. The blend of red and pink contrasted deeply with her beige skin helping compliment her reddish-gold locks. Flicking open a pocket mirror, she stared into her own azure eyes admiring her own unparalleled charm.
Her beauty always brought her comfort, she was an exotic catch after all. Asuka was in a unique position where being mixed-race had benefits, in any other case she would have been shit out of luck. If you were German, you were a hillbilly kraut while if you were Japanese, you were a slant-eyed oriental.
But if you happened to be both while also being raised in near royalty, many could look the other way, and some even more attracted. Asuka relished in being desired by others, cementing the fact that she was truly independent and could rely only on herself while everyone else had to be dependent on her.
Having enough enamour for shelf, a sharp clack rang through the Cadillac as she folded the pocket mirror, shoving it back into her pocket. A quick glance out the window she had just arrived in the nick of time.
"We have arrived now, Miss Langley." Said the chauffer.
Awaiting patiently, she sat as the driver exited through his door circling around the car to meet hers, from there he opened the door extending out a hand to the girl. The girl reciprocated, reaching out to his as her skin brushed over his.
Stepping onto the side of the street the driver closed her door, bearing his farewells as he circled again to the driver's seat, set to return to the manor. Asuka continued to stride towards the large entrance of the school, reaching the front door, she patted down her clothes ensuring she had been pristine after taking another glance at herself in the pocket mirror.
Now confident in herself, she huffed, taking a deep breath, she swung open the bulky wood doors. Her face, confidently smug strode down the hallways past groups of ignorant students which relished in gasps and incessant chattering about Asuka as she walked past. Did it matter whether they loved or hated her? No, the only thing that mattered was that it involved her. The limelight would be solely hers alone, no matter what.
Navigating past the long, windy corridors of the school, she made her way to a large hall that had been converted into a school cafeteria since the beginning of the rationing era since war had broken out. Grasping her hands onto the sides of the tray, the stamped metal sheets greedily hogging the warmth from her hands would always be a shock compared the porcelain tableware at home.
Hurrying along the queue, Asuka waited in line for her turn to be served. Watching as a cafeteria volunteer scooped up a blob of what she only hoped was spaghetti, a wet plop rang out as it was dumped onto a section of her tray, but her torment was not yet over.
The volunteer reaching with a pair of tongs, dropped a gelatine pink brick onto the tray, confused of the biological material singing her eyes she only then noticed the discarded can labelled 'SPAM'. As she walked off with her tray of food, it was difficult tearing her eyes off it. It was like a trainwreck, she wanted to look away, but she just couldn't.
'Ugh, is this processed? Eww…' Asuka thought.
Carrying the tray of nutritional slop, she made her way through the cafeteria ignoring others trying to get her attention, calling her to join them at their tables. Ignoring them considering that she was staring down the desecration of the natural order.
Inheriting several unforgiveable sins from her proximity to the unholy meat obelisk, she marched her way down to one of the last groups in the cafeteria, taking a seat.
Hesitantly, she prodded her fork into the 'lunch' that she had been served, bringing a sample to meet her tastebuds. Immediately after, her face scrunched up tasting the flavours. Not fond of food poisoning, a clang rang out as she dropped her fork onto the tray, done with the food.
Bored, she leaned her cheek into her hand, set firm by her lazy arm rising from the table's surface. She watched amusingly at the spectacled boy in curly brown hair staring intently at the comic in front of him through his black hinged glasses, oblivious to how this affected his bookworm stereotype.
'He looks cute when he's like that...' Asuka thought.
Her face started to redden, though from second-hand embarrassment as her eyes laid upon the contents of the comic he was reading.
'MASTER COMICS, ISSUE DECEMBER NO.2-'
Skimming through, she focused on what was clearly the main appeal, a beautiful woman with blonde locks tied to a tree with ropes as her clothes were ripped revealing too much skin to be comfortable.
Next to her was a large muscular American soldier in a gritty knife fight with a caricaturised Japanese soldier, emphasising his oriental features like a crude monster. Brushing off the embarrassment, she began to speak.
"So, there's a beautiful girl standing right there and the guy is more focused on the brute?" Asuka said.
Interrupting his thought, she was met with a face of instant fright and embarrassment as he tried to recover.
"S-Soryu, you scared the living daylights out of me! Warn me next time, won't you?" Kensuke sputtered.
Asuka shrugged. "Sure, but are you going to answer my question?" She spoke.
Kensuke sighed in exhaustion. "I thought we've been over this Asuka..." He looked around in a frantic panic if anyone had been paying attention to them.
"P-Please! don't be too lou- AHH!"
Kensuke was caught off-guard as face ran into the side of Asuka's chest, drowning his voice. Trapped in the black widow's web, she began to ruffle his hair reducing it to a sporadic mess.
"Yeah, yeah I know…" She admitted, releasing him reluctantly.
"G-Geez, knock it off why won't ya?" Kensuke abashly, reddened by the encounter.
The moment between them ended as a pair entered their view, Asuka could faintly see their hands briefly touching. Seeing another angle to get at her friend she prepared to speak, but Kensuke had beat her.
Kensuke fidgeted, "You guys seen the news?" He spoke.
Seeing where the conversation was going, Asuka laid her head onto her arms as it brushed against the wood surface. She began to daydream, tuning out the outside world.
"The New York Giants beat the Pittsburgh Pirates three to two" Toji said as he sat down.
"Not that you idiot, about what's happening in California." Said Kensuke.
"No shit I know, I just rather not talk about it" Toji replied.
"Wow its really got everyone glum, huh?"
" ... "
"Do you really think they're going to invade?" Said Hikari.
Hikari's question lingered in the air, as her eyes laid on Kensuke. Her gaze on his ached with Kensuke moving his eyes to face Toji's, his face pleaded to Kensuke to do anything else but continue with that line of topic.
"Y-Y'know the Nazi's think that building a giant bell is going to end the w-war?" Kensuke chuckled.
The abrupt line of information from him had brought confusion onto Hikari's face as Toji had a sigh of relief.
"Really?" Hikari genuinely, a girl perhaps to naive for her age.
"Yeah, I'd hate to be the sap that moves that thing." Said Kensuke.
"What is the Fritz going to do? Ring it and deafen us with a 'ding-dong'?"
Hikari forgetting about earlier lived in the moment, finding an opening she decided to tease Toji, jabbing him in his sides with her elbow.
"I don't know about the Germans, but you're clearly a ding-dong." Hikari said.
Toji was going to let out his own retort feeling his ego slightly bruised, but as he saw Hikari let out a care-free giggle. He decided he'd just let her have that win and to instead focus his retaliation on the boy opposite to him.
"Where ya even get this from?" Said Toji.
"I have sources within the Office of Strategic Services that ar-"
"So, ya dad! how you even get this out of him anyways?" Toji said.
Kensuke huffed. "Well at dinner sometimes, he sometimes comes home late drunk and he-"
Toji failed to hold his laughter any-longer. "Not only is it your dad, but he's drunk too!" He spoke.
Toji smiled at his clear victory in the debate despite the fact he had hardly done so in good faith. Asuka was left with a slight smirk on her face at the embarrassment of the boy, with even Hikari starting to giggle as well.
"If you guys are willing to have an open mind, there is a lot you can learn from it." Said Kensuke.
"Can't be open minded when you come out with statements like that" Said Toji.
"Ugh, that's exactly why they are planning to replace all of you in the future with machines!" Kensuke affirmed.
"Whadda they gonna do, get stuck in the mud and break down? Hmm, where have I heard that before..."
"Not when its forty or so feet high!" Kensuke claimed.
"Sounds like a walking 'bomb me!' target" Toji retorted.
"Well, that's if anything can get through it, laser technology may be half a century away, but it'd be throwing bombs with the power of a miniature sun!" Said Kensuke.
"Wow, you've done it now Kensuke, any more trains going off the rails and they'd put you in a straitjacket." Toji said, holding even more laughter within.
"You know what, fine! Keep at it. I guess I won't tell you about the fact that they're doing something big at Los Alamos!" Kensuke blurted, perhaps a bit too loud.
Toji surprised, spat out the water from his bottle. "W-Where? That place is nothing more than a village!" He spoke.
"C'mon, how are you even surprised? The whole place got swarmed by the Army earlier this year, they won't let you near it even with a ten-foot pole." Kensuke replied
"Well... what are they building?" Said Toji.
"A bomb!" Kensuke whispered.
"Okay, that one checks out. But what's the point of it, don't we already drop a ton of bombs on 'em anyways?" Toji said
"Yes, but an even bigger one! Instead of a hundred bombers dropping a thousand bombs to level a city, you use a single bomber with just one bomb." Said Kensuke.
"Is this even public? H-How do you even know all this?" Said Toji.
"Nope! They could even arrest me for this, adults talk way too much for their own good when they're drunk." Kensuke whispered.
The revelation to Toji brought little surprise, yet at the same time many questions which would continue to remain unanswered. Collecting his thoughts, he began to ask his most burning questions.
"You think they going to drop it on Honolulu?" Said Toji.
"No, I hope for all our sakes they don't. They're probably saving it for the homerun" Kensuke finalised.
"You're right about that..." Toji said.
Seeing as the conversation was finished, Toji finally saw the comics laid on the table, upon laying his eyes on them he spoke again.
"Hey Kensuke pass me one of 'em."
"Why?"
"What do you mean Why? Cause I'm bored, that's why!" Toji scoffed.
Kensuke relented, passing a comic he had already read over to him, Toji snatched it before flipping through the pages skimming at the contents.
"Why do I even bother, you don't even read them!" Kensuke said.
"Yeah, yeah all I'm after is a certain part that is."
Bringing his fingers to flip through the page, he repeated this action only slowing down as he approached the page number in mind.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here..."
Toji whistled as he laid his eyes on the page, and he took in the sight of a couple of ladies positioned on various military vehicles and equipment in revealing attires.
"They always leave a lil' somethin for the reader on this page, I might need to start getting these myself." Toji grinned.
"What is it? Can I see…" Hikari spoke.
Toji enthralled in the comic forgot about those around him, with Hikari curious she began to lean, peeking over curious of its the contents.
"SUZUHARA! What on god's earth are you reading?!" Said Hikari.
The shrill voice had grabbed the attention of everyone around them, with both males seated on said table beginning to crawl inside of themselves to hide from the public humiliation. Salvaging what was left of his reputation, Toji began to initiate damage control.
"It's n-nothing Hikari, I just like readi-"
"You are being indecent right now!" Said Hikari.
She continued to berate the jock, seeing right through his fib until she felt like she was done grilling him. Satisfied, she now turned to face Kensuke.
"And you Kensuke! Why are you reading this in the first place, you are being a bad influence on Suzuhara!"
"Um... I... Uh... I-I, Hikari! L-Look I just read the comics for the story, I'm not a fan of the fan-service I just happen to tolerate it!" Kensuke replied.
The spectacled boy raising his hands, cowering under them believing that such a feeble gesture could shield him from Hikari's wrath.
"I can't believe it, you two are living in sin!"
The cruel and unusual punishment continued as both boys were humiliated by everyone seated near them, laughing at the ordeal much to their embarrassment except oblivious or ignorantly on purpose Hikari.
"Why do I even sit with these people..." Asuka grumbled under her breath laying against the table, covering her head with her hands in shame.
"Well, it looks like you've only got mathematics from how late you are Miss Langley!"
Hikari's reprimand could be seen as just another angry notice from the head faculty, but those close enough to bother would clearly see it was laced with care. Brushing off the reprimand, Asuka defended herself.
"It's not like I'm missing much"
"With that attitude how are you going to pursue any form of higher education let alone a job? Don't tell me you're going to be a..."
"Ew! God no, I'm not a sell-out. Y'Know, when my father croaks, I'm going to be the one who's going to inherit the estate, so no I'm not missing anything important." Said Asuka.
"Learning is still important; your brain is a muscle. It needs exercise!" Hikari replied.
"Maybe that would be true if we happened to be learning. Evidence, Mr. Santoro! When was the last time he covered a single lesson about calculus? All that old geezer does is yap about how terrible life was in the Great Depression." Said Asuka.
"Okay, Mr. Santoro may have a habit of doing so, but its not that prevalent. You only see the bad in people Asuka" Hikari Said.
"Oh, you wanna go huh? Fine, I bet a quarter he'll start off the lesson about it!" Replied Asuka.
"Well... you... y-you missed the pledge of allegiance!"
"And? It's not like anyone else here seems to care that much." Said Asuka.
"It matters especially for us, that us includes you!"
Asuka jolted as Hikari's finger pointed on her chest, poking her repeatedly to drill in her lecture. Asuka's nonchalant expression only deepened Hikari's worry.
"You need to take this more seriously; they might start thinking you're missing it on purpose... you know what will happen if they think you're a-
"They can think what they want! They can try to intern me all they want; I won't let them." Asuka interjected.
"Not everyone is so lucky to be you." Hikari whispered.
Her solemn pleas went unnoticed, too quiet for the gregarious red head beside her to hear.
"Not everyone."
"Hikari?"
"Good afternoon, sir!"
"Aiden?"
"Here."
"Mana?"
"Here!"
"Tommy?"
"Afternoon, sir."
"Asuka?"
"Present."
"And that's that... Good afternoon, everyone!" Said Mr. Santoro with a bright smile, scribbling onto the attendance sheet.
"Wow, to see a class full like this is incredible. Only a decade before and most kids would be struggling to find jobs living on the streets. Nearly a quarter of all Americans were left without work..."
Asuka sighed at his tirade, knowing that once again she was proven right, proceeding to tear a bite-sized piece of paper off her notebook, scribbling onto it with a lead-but really graphite pencil.
Folding the note neatly, she checked to see if Mr. Santoro had been looking at her, confirming he was still enthralled in his tirade. Quickly, she turned over to face Hikari in-debt Horaki, tossing the tax-form onto her desk.
Hikari huffed at the clear disregard for the educational conduct pledged by all students. She would have reprimanded her for not paying attention to the teacher during the lesson, but in all honesty, she was tired of his constant speeches trailing to irrelevancy, and so opened the note reading its contents.
'HA-HA! You owe me a quarter :P'
Hikari moaned remembering the bet. Grabbing her purse from within her blouse, she reached in with a hand fiddling around with the loose chain before revealing a silver coin. Placing it on top of the note, she wrote on it before folding the paper around it and returning it to Asuka's desk.
Unwrapping the paper like a present on Christmas, she waited gleefully expecting her prize.
'You were right.'
Read the note in her head, she quietly giggled noticing the neatly drawn frowny face beside it. Asuka pocketed the quarter before scribbling onto it once more, tossing the flattened message.
Unravelling the note, Hikari didn't know what she was thinking engaging in back-and-forth banter with a haughty Asuka.
'I'm always right! tell your lovey-dovey monkey that you're out a quarter, might even give you a dollar.'
Hikari now slightly annoyed this charade was continuing past the teacher's tirade encroaching onto the actual lesson, as well as being teased for losing the bet she decided to get back at Asuka.
Scribbling on the note once again, she folded it neatly before tossing it across the gap between the desks like a ninja star, bumping against her hand.
Asuka unwrapping the note fully expected to see a flushed Hikari's attempt to defend herself against her own obvious denial.
'Do you like Kensuke?'
Asuka's eyes widened in shock from Hikari going on the offensive, letting out a cough or two as she calmed down. Collecting herself, she finally noticed the shadow growing darker on the open note in her hands.
"Excuse me miss Langley, can you please explain why you happen to be passing notes around the class during the lesson?" Said Mr. Santoro.
"I-It's nothing sir" Spoke Asuka, blushing.
"Oh, If it's nothing i'm sure you won't mind telling the whole class then?"
A reprimand to mind his own business would have left her mouth, but it was caught in her throat as she felt the note ripped from her hands, now lifted to the teachers gaze as he publicly announced its contents.
"Asuka would like to publicly announce the following. Do you lik-
"Excuse me, miss Langley?!"
The teacher's ritual of public shame was rudely interrupted as he felt the sly foxes' quick hands swipe the note.
"Your not reading the note, it's private property!" She said.
"If you do not hand over that note, I will be forced to take disciplinary acti-
The teacher was only able to watch helplessly as the pupil seated in front of him scrunch up the note into a crumpled ball, tossing it in the air like a grape she swallowed as she settled the discussion once and for all. In such a brazen attempt to defy a teacher's order she could of faced detention, or even suspension but she didnt care.
No one could ever know what had been written on it.
Mr. Santoro sighed in defeat, exhausted by the encounter he resigned his unmatched authority settling for the least paperwork inducing punishment.
"Miss Langley... please see me after class."
Returning to the blackboard with chalk, the interaction had silenced the class as Asuka could only sport a grin, feeling in control for once. A glance behind and she saw Hikari's unamused face, shaking her head in disagreement on how the lesson had gone.
'Oh well, can't please everyone' Asuka thought.
She had won and that's all that mattered right?
Afterall, history is written by the victors.
The sharp call of the bell had Asuka planted on her own two feet, but a gesture from the teacher reminded her of her punishment. In all fairness, it wasn't to bad... as expected for a teacher spending half an hour drilling into you about attitude and respect, but at least it wasn't a letter home. She had enough of those already.
Descending the steps, Asuka travelled without expression, her sapphire eyes lifeless as her brain defaulted to autopilot. She hadn't even attended school today for more than an hour nor was being held back that daunting, something else was stuck on her mind.
She didn't even notice as she crashed into the man blocking her way, nearly knocking herself over only caught by his watchful hand as she fell.
"Miss Langley, you really must be paying more attention to your surroundings."
"Sorry, you should have said something" She muttered.
"You look like you've seen a ghost, I was testing whether you were going to walk onto oncoming traffic, and it looks like you've failed." Said Kaji.
"Listen, I said sorry, okay? It won't happen again just... please don't tell my parents; I get enough flack from them already." Replied Asuka.
Finding her way into the 1941 Cadillac, she sat furthest away from the Chauffer. Her head leaned lazily against the glass window as her gaze followed the busy town slowly morph into the quiet reserved suburbs.
"You got any trouble from school?" He spoke.
"No, not really... What makes you ask?" Asuka said.
"Well, I can't tell if you have, but what I can tell is that I had been waiting for half an hour." Said Kaji.
"That was because of some idiot teacher who has no sense of personal belongings!"
"Okay, okay settle down Miss Langley." He said, finding the issue at hand.
"You're right, todays just been one big mess" Asuka whispered.
"Hey, don't be like that. You at least have dinner to look forward to, don't you?"
"I guess..."
"Well, you can see to that now that we are just about here. Though you will have to explain to your parents why you are late on your own." He replied.
"I don't think you can cover that for me" Asuka chuckled.
"Look, If I ever invent a time machine, I'll let you know." He replied, smiling.
Arriving at the front of the manor, the chauffeur set the Cadillac to park as he arose from his seat circling the car to open hers, holding a raised hand mirroring the events of this morning.
"Thank you" Whispered Asuka.
Flashing him a genuine smile, she rushed up the limestone stairs heading to the manor's entrance, following the aroma as she entered. Not even bothering to wash up and change from the day.
"Asuka you're late!" Kyoko said, "Just where were you, young lady?"
"Uhm... School?" Asuka replied.
"I'd hope so for your sake, just why were you so late anyways?"
Her mother's sceptical eyes filled Asuka with dread, one thing she loved doing more than teasing her was with poking holes in her arguments. Wondering how she was going to find a way out of this one.
"Look mother, I just had some after-school curricular"
"Oh really? What curricular?" She retorted.
"Ladies, please." A voice spoke. "Let's just enjoy the meal we've been graced with."
Asuka's head turned to see where the voice had come from, in its source was a slightly overweight man dressed in black striped suit belonging to William Langley. Once in a blue moon, she would be thankful for her father intervening in her personal matters.
As they sat, the maids served each member seated on the long dining table, with Asuka sitting apart on one end, furthest away from the other attendees. Following this a delicious aroma filled the ear as dinner was served, now beginning to cut into their meal.
"Well, I have some news to announce today."
"Hmm, what is it honey?" Said Kyoko.
"I've been in the talks with the Kelly's." Said William
"Henry? Really? I thought you haven't spoken to them since he ran for state attorney"
"Oh, I've mailed him time to time. Nothing but fields of maize out there."
"You're saying that like we don't just see deserts out here" She teased.
"Its a nice change of pace and besides, war brought us together in the first place, it's no Surprise it happened again." Said William.
"Hmm... So what are you negotiating?"
"I'm there on both official and personal business, they want me there to negotiate the contracts with Ford"
"And the personal?"
"You know the winery we discussed on our honey moon?"
"I remember faintly dreaming, yes?"
"Then you'll remember our issues regarding production and distribution, I was having a smoke with him, and we talked... one thing leads to another, and I told him about our dreams of owning a winery and he was willing to help us"
"Really? Henry never seemed like the charitable type to me, what's the catch?"
"He doesn't trust the local brewers since he thinks most of them are still run by the Don and not enough companies are moving across state to fill in the gap since the end of prohibition."
"And what do you think?"
"What I think doesnt matter, theres an opportunity to made here.
"When is this?"
"In a few weeks time, we're still ironing out the kinks."
"Oh, and Asuka you're coming with me." Said William.
"Huh, who what when?" Asuka muttered.
"Not paying attention as usual, you're coming with me to motor-city to see Mr. Kelly." Said William
"Do I have to come? Can't I just stay here while you guys talk about... government stuff?" Said Asuka.
"Me and Mr. Kelly are busy with that, but I have another job for you. You're going to make a new friend." Said William.
"Great so I'm going to be babysitting again."
"Note quite, you leave a lasting impression. In mere words, Mr. Kelly's son. Brian, has taken a liking to you, I hope for you two to meet." Replied William.
"Oh, so you want me going around dating random joes again." Asuka said.
"Don't degrade yourself by thinking it's being a round heel, you're building connections. And don't worry, he's still young only about twelve or so, just humour him for a bit. So don't go breaking his heart." William replied.
"Asuka" Kyoko smiled "Imagine how good it would be for you to just act like a prim and proper woman for once, I guarantee you'll enjoy it."
Seeing both her caregivers in cahoots together to arrange her to degrade her dignity left a gaping feeling in her stomach, no matter how benevolent the intention.
"So you want me to a be a piece of meat to be gawked at? You know the last time you made me go on one of these the city councillors nitwit son got all handsy on me after I told him no."
"You gave him a black eye for Pete's sake!" Said William.
"I'm sorry I didn't let him defile me; I would have thought you would have wanted me with more dignity than a harlot after rush hour."
"Thats enough of that kind of language inside this house!" Exclaimed William.
His roar echoed throughout the room, the dishes on the table jumping as his fist met the wood like a gavel.
"I. AM. NOT. A. DOLL!"
"Asuka, honey… I…" Kyoko attempted to initiate
"Look, I think we need to address the elephant in the room." Stated William.
Asuka began to turn her head, her eyes dashing across the room. "I dont't see any" She mocked.
"Please take this seriously, honey" Kyoko said.
"What is this about, my attendance? Ugh fine, sorry for this morning. Happy?" Asuka said.
"This isnt about the events of this morning, or for a matter of fact the year! It's your attitude! Your behaviour has been an ongoing issue since you've turned thirteen." William declared.
"Hmm... I wonder why that might be." Asuka said.
"I could just about tolerate when it stayed at home, but now they're tired of sending detention and suspension slips, they've even discussed expulsion!" Said William.
"And? Can't you just do what you always do and threaten to cut their funding?" Asuka replied.
"That does nothing but keep you complacent with such behaviour!" William said.
Seeing as his approach to the girl had been futile, he calmed down as he tried opening another avenue of negotiation.
"You know Asuka, I'm very worri-
"Oh piper down with that! You're only worried because this reflects on you now, you've never cared so stay out of my life!" Asuka declared.
"If that's what you want, fine! You can see to it that I'll have your name scrubbed off my will" Replied William.
"Then why the hell am I still here huh? You're never here! I've had more of a meaningful connection with my allowance than you ever could!"
Mr Langley's face hardened like stone, his narrow eyes cutting through butter like a hot knife. Such a sight would have intimidated anyone less, but Asuka only felt revelled from seeing him so hurt and angry at her, it was the most emotion he got from him anyway.
"Or was it because of the fact that you accidentally knocked up moth-
"Asuka Langley Soryu! I do not want to hear anything that vile come out of your mouth ever again!" Said Kyoko.
Asuka stood there, leering over her mother and father she realised she might have perhaps gone a bit too far with her last comment. But had no sympathy remembering how they just treated her like a doll.
"Thank you for the dinner mother, but I think our conversation is done here" Declared Asuka.
She turned to look at her father. "Good day" Asuka said.
Twisting herself 180 degrees, she left, storming into her room with a trail of thuds groaning from the stairs. Back at the table, Kyoko brought her hands to her face from the stressful ordeal. Mustering her strength, she rose from her seat."
"I'm going to go up there and see if she's alright" Kyoko said.
To her surprise, her movement came to a grinding halt as she felt her arm tug behind her seeing William's hand over hers.
"Don't, let her reflect on her actions. It's not the first time the brat had a tantrum."
A tinge of vexation surged through Kyoko, in any other state she would have voiced her frustration to him over the use of that kind of language to their own daughter, but too exhausted she decided to leave, leaving William as the last Langley seated at the table.
"Pardon me Mr. Langley, are you finished with your meal?"
William was abruptly brought out of thought by his butler, who had successfully sneaked up beside him in his time of vulnerability.
"No thanks." Said William.
He nodded, respecting Williams wishes he began to leave him to his own devices, that was until a hand raised up at him.
"An 85' Sicilian can't hurt though"
The butler smiling, nodded before heading out of the room, no doubt to the cellar.
Alone again, William brought a hand to his head, massaging his palms to his face, now weary and fatigued.
"God..."
Laying in the bed had brought Asuka some comfort, but the events from downstairs plagued her mind. The conversation or more appropriately quarrel had gotten out of hand. She wanted to forget about the disastrous conversation downstairs and so thought back to the one at school, brushing the dry tears of her cheeks.
'Do you really think they're going to invade?'
Hikari's voice rang throughout her ears, bouncing around the empty space in her head. She couldn't imagine herself lugging around a rifle like that, the training films shown at school had hardly motivated her to roll around in the mud under enemy fire to apply a torniquet onto a bleeding and disfigured comrade.
A haunting thought lingered on her mind, could she take another life? She could talk the talk, but would she walk to the walk? The fact is that deep down she knew the choice wouldn't be hers, it would be forced upon her. Only those who have the will to live get to survive.
But in that fight for survival, in a single moment. A gentle pull of a trigger was all that it took to end a bloodline that had existed for millennia, a white rose grown for a wedding would be exchanged for a funeral, with no new life to succeed as it rot.
Asuka lost in thought began to reason why they were even fighting.
'Dummy. They attacked us first; we're just fighting for our existence!'
Asuka gave credit to the voice that spoke in her head, the debate over isolationism and interventionism had led her down the same path. The Japanese had ended up attacking Pearl Harbour, they didn't attack Okinawa. America was fighting for her existence in a cold and violent war with enemies on all sides. What need is there to understand the enemy at the end of a rifle?
She quickly dispelled these thoughts, her mind reasoning that war and violence was a necessity, after all if it were not for them, it would be someone else, wouldn't it?
The gentle breeze of the night brushed the curtain aside, the window revealing a perfect view of the little white dots littering the night sky. Counting the sheep on the stars, it only raised more questions.
"The Angels... Is this why they stay in the heavens?" Asuka thought aloud.
Asuka could hardly call herself a Christian, disillusioned as she was torn apart by the teachings from her own protestant mother and catholic father. Though she could vividly remember the lessons taught when she still attended Sunday School.
'Love thy neighbour' She thought to Leviticus 19:18.
Humanity could come together in its darkest hour, build society from the ashes while at the same time capable of destroying itself with such senseless violence, an everlasting painful cycle.
She would be reminded of how Jesus died by our hands, the only thing that separated us from the Romans was time.
These thoughts took a toll on her mind, and Asuka needing rest to rebuild energy to her brain. Drowsy, she looked to the face of her alarm clock on the bedside cabinet reading ten-past. Asuka knew that you shouldn't trust how you feel about life late at night when the only sound was from your mind still running. So, with droopy eyes, she succumbed to her fate as she began to doze off into nothingness as she laid the comfortable sheets, awaiting the morning dew.
Unbeknownst to her, nearly half-way across the world. A boy was pondering the same question too.