As expected, Asuka's punches were fast and fierce, each one slicing through the air with explosive power. If anyone less skilled than her opponent were hit even once, they'd be down for the count.
Watching from the sidelines, Toji Suzuhara couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. If that were me, he thought, I wouldn't last more than a few seconds against her.
But the one facing her wasn't just anyone—it was Ryota Kitazawa.
He evaded her strikes with effortless ease, dodging left and right like he was out for a stroll. There wasn't even a hint of combat tension in his movements—he looked completely relaxed.
Meanwhile, none of Asuka's blows came close to touching him. Not even his clothes were grazed.
This only made Asuka feel increasingly humiliated—and furious.
"Hmph! Damn you, Ryota Kitazawa! Go to hell, you bastard!"
Without warning, she swung her leg in a vicious kick, aimed squarely at Kitazawa's abdomen!
It was fast—blindingly fast—and just as powerful. Honestly, it didn't seem all that different from the force she had used when piloting Unit-02 to defeat the Seventh Angel.
But for all her speed, Kitazawa was faster.
With a swift sidestep, he dodged her kick cleanly, and in the next instant, he reached out and grabbed her thigh, pulling it back sharply.
"Ahhh!" Asuka cried out, her body thrown off balance as she toppled forward—right into Kitazawa's arms.
And for a moment… it really did look like he was holding her in a tight embrace.
What's more—Asuka, now flushed red with rage, looked incredibly flustered. To everyone watching, it looked a lot like… she was embarrassed.
Heck!
Everyone nearby stared in stunned silence, their eyes practically falling out of their heads. Ryota Kitazawa had just scooped up the fierce Captain Shikinami like she was his blushing bride?! Unbelievable!
Especially Kensuke and Toji, who now looked at Kitazawa with nothing short of awe.
Damn! Ryota Kitazawa really is something else! He's already subdued Captain Shikinami?!
The whole scene looked strangely intimate—face to face, bodies close enough to feel each other's breathing. One gentle exhale from Asuka, and she would've been breathing directly onto Kitazawa's face.
"Kitazawa-kun, from now on, you're my big bro," Kensuke and Toji both thought simultaneously, glancing at each other with shared admiration.
"You jerk! Let me go right now, or I swear I'll make you pay!" Asuka shouted, fuming with frustration.
Being held so tightly, so close to him—feeling his breath, his heartbeat—was infuriating. She wanted to scream. How dare he hug me like that! I'll kill him!
But Kitazawa, face calm and composed, merely gave her a faint smile as he looked into her flushed, furious eyes.
He wasn't trying to be cruel—he simply wanted to make sure she acknowledged his strength. A girl this proud… needed to be humbled a little. And the most effective method?
Firm discipline.
Asuka, for her part, was shaken. She couldn't believe it. She had sparred with battle-hardened adults in the military and still held her own, but now, facing Ryota Kitazawa, she couldn't even move.
That's because she had no idea what kind of person he really was.
And nearby, the only one looking visibly upset… was Misato Katsuragi.
She stared at Asuka with eyes that could only be described as those of a woman glaring at her romantic rival.
You've got some nerve, Ryota Kitazawa. Seriously… what a jerk.
Misato ground her teeth but said nothing. She couldn't exactly speak up, could she? Not only was she older, but their relationship was technically superior-subordinate.
So she forced a tight, fake smile and called out lightly, "Okay, Kitazawa-kun, that's enough. It's her first day after all—don't be so rough. Let her go already."
"Alright," Kitazawa replied with a polite nod, gently releasing Asuka from his hold.
Watching her fume and puff up with anger, he let out a quiet chuckle and said, "What? You still want to go another round? I wouldn't mind."
"Hmph! Just you wait, Ryota Kitazawa! I only lost today because I wasn't at 100%! I'll challenge you again next time—remember that!" Asuka shouted, turning her back dramatically with a huff.
Her voice echoed as she stomped away, clearly more embarrassed than actually angry.
Misato sighed and stepped in again. "Alright, that's enough. That's just how she is. I'll talk to her later. For now, I've got some urgent business back at HQ. Kitazawa-kun, you head back on your own for now."
Though her face wore a cheerful smile, Misato's mind was quietly scheming. She knew how to play the game—a mix of jealousy, passive aggression, and subtle control.
Looking at her expression, it was easy to guess what was going through her mind. Kitazawa could only shake his head silently.
Women's hearts really are a complicated thing.
Misato drove off to NERV HQ alone, while Kitazawa, Toji, and Kensuke had no choice but to take the subway back to the city.
Due to his lingering celebrity status, Kitazawa wore large sunglasses to avoid being recognized. Meanwhile, Toji and Kensuke walked on either side of him like self-important bodyguards, basking in the secondhand glory.
After all, they were walking next to Ryota Kitazawa—humanity's hero!
That said… their bravado didn't last long.
The subway ride from Sagami Bay to downtown Tokyo-3 was long and crowded—crammed full of passengers, shoulder to shoulder.
Thin, wiry Kensuke was practically squished into a pancake. Even the sturdier Toji couldn't stop himself from groaning in discomfort.
But Kitazawa, by contrast, stood unfazed—completely unaffected. His body was solid, powerful, unyielding—the kind you just couldn't push around.
Toji and Kensuke watched in admiration. Man, Kitazawa-kun is a beast. That kind of physique isn't something you can just train into. That's natural talent.
When they finally emerged from the subway, Toji and Kensuke both groaned and stretched as if they had survived a battlefield. Kitazawa, meanwhile, shook his head in mild amusement.
These two really need to work on their fitness. Maybe I should put them through some real training…
"Honestly, that Shikinami girl might be pretty," Toji muttered while riding up the escalator, "but she's seriously annoying."
Still feeling indignant on Kitazawa's behalf, he grumbled, "Who does she think she is, acting all high and mighty? Someone like that deserves a proper lesson."
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