Nearly a year of survival in the Cosmic Forest had sharpened Ryota Kitazawa's eyes into something fierce and focused—bright, alert, and coldly calm.
Checking the time, he slung his bag over his shoulder, leapt out of bed, and headed to school.
His school was located in central Tokyo-3, one of the few remaining developed districts post-Second Impact.
He arrived at the building and walked toward his classroom. The bold letters above the door read:
> Class 2-A
> "Huh? Kitazawa-kun, you recovered that fast?"
As soon as he entered, a surprised voice called out—it was Hikari Horaki.
She hadn't seen him since that day in the hospital. Ryota had left shortly after she did, but she hadn't known that.
After all, he didn't have time to lie in bed. Not with everything coming.
> "Yeah. Thanks for the concern. I'm almost fully healed," Ryota replied.
But in truth, "almost healed" was an understatement.
After a full year inside the War God Space, Ryota's body had been reforged—his frame lean and muscular, like a predator honed for survival.
Even under his uniform, he radiated strength. His movements were fluid, controlled.
> "Good. But please be careful, okay? No more getting hurt!" Hikari smiled warmly at him.
> "Tch."
That warmth was quickly interrupted by a loud, dismissive snort.
Ryota turned slightly to see Toji Suzuhara glaring at him from his seat—his face full of hostility.
Beside him sat Kensuke Aida, glasses glinting, expression equally unfriendly.
> "Suzuhara, what's with that attitude?" Hikari snapped, crossing her arms.
> "I'm just saying, Class Rep—why are you being so nice to Kitazawa? You're not even close to him.
What's he got going for him, anyway? Pale skin and nothing else."
Toji's voice dripped with jealousy as he glanced over at Ryota.
> "You—Suzuhara, what are you even talking about?! Apologize to Kitazawa-kun right now!"
Hikari's face turned bright red with embarrassment, her voice dropping into a tense whisper.
But before things could escalate, Ryota gently raised a hand, stopping her.
> "It's alright, Class Rep. I'll handle this."
> "Eh...? Kitazawa-kun..."
Hikari hesitated, wanting to intervene, but something in Ryota's confident gaze made her stop.
She bit her lip and said nothing.
Toji scowled even harder when he saw that look pass between them.
> "What's your deal, coward? You want something?"
Ryota smiled slightly.
> "Toji Suzuhara. If you think you're a man, come meet me on the rooftop. Now."
> "What did you just say?!"
Toji's expression darkened instantly.
> "I'm not trying to cause trouble. I'm just giving you a chance to settle this.
You've had it out for me for a while now, haven't you?
So—let's settle it. Right now. If you've got the guts."
> "Fine! You're gonna regret this!"
Toji slammed his desk and stood up, his eyes blazing.
Next to him, Kensuke Aida rose as well, clearly itching for a fight.
Ryota didn't even glance at them.
He just turned and walked calmly toward the door.
> "Hey—what are you guys doing?! Are you seriously going to fight?!" Hikari shouted, her voice filled with alarm.
She hadn't expected Ryota to choose this as his way of "handling things."
But no one listened. Ryota's silhouette disappeared through the classroom door, and Toji followed with a bitter snort, roughly brushing past Hikari as he stormed after him.
> Toji Suzuhara was a problem that needed solving.
Better now than later. And better by my hand.
> I'm not Shinji Ikari.
I won't sit back and let someone punch me in the face.
I am Ryota Kitazawa—
And I will rewrite the story of Evangelion.
---
On the rooftop, the wind blew cold.
Toji stared at Ryota with a dangerous glint in his eyes—anger, pride, and something almost feral.
> "You've got guts, I'll give you that," Toji sneered.
"But you picked the wrong day to piss me off."
He stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
> "Don't cry when I knock your teeth out."
> "Oh?" Ryota smiled calmly.
"Then come try."
> "You're dead meat!"
From behind, Kensuke Aida lunged first—apparently just as eager to join in.
But Ryota's body shifted. In a blur, he sidestepped, twisted his hips, and slammed his shoulder into Kensuke's chest like a cannon.
BOOM!
Kensuke flew backward. His glasses spun through the air and shattered on the ground.
> "You...!"
Toji froze. Shock flickered across his face.
He hadn't expected this.
Ryota—who had always been a nobody in the background—just sent Kensuke flying with a single move.
That kind of power...
It wasn't normal.
It was military.
He'd seen that kind of movement before—from elite fighters in the JSDF.
Fast. Precise. Brutal.
He and Kensuke were completely outclassed.
> "Ah—!"
At that moment, a gasp echoed across the rooftop.
Hikari Horaki had arrived—just in time to see it happen.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
> "You… bastard," Toji growled.
"You think I'll just let this go?! You injured my sister, and now this—
I swear, Ryota Kitazawa, I won't rest until I make you pay!"
He backed up a few steps, clearly shaken—but his fury hadn't cooled.
And seeing Hikari watching from the sidelines only made it worse.
His heart burned with jealousy and rage.
> He embarrassed me… in front of the girl I like.
> This isn't over.
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