EVA: Daybreak

"Thanks, but no thanks."

Ryota Kitazawa smiled politely and gently moved out of the circle of students, walking calmly toward his desk.

His gaze, however, rested on a girl seated near the back. She had short blue hair and wore her school uniform, the fabric wrapped in bandages in several places. She didn't look at him—but he saw her.

"Humph!"

A deep snort came from Tōji Suzuhara, hatred flickering across his face. He couldn't stand Ryota's popularity—Tōji believed he deserved to have defeated the Fourth Angel, not Ryota. It must be some trick Ryota played during the test. This grudge would not be forgotten.

"Ryota Kitazawa—what was that attitude just now?"

His voice, crisp and firm, cut through the air. Hikari Horaki, the class rep, stood before Tōji with hands on her hips, eyes flashing with disapproval.

"Tōji, what do you think you're doing? He saved us all while you hid in the bunker!" she continued. "You don't get to talk to Ryota like that."

Her words hit Tōji like a slap, especially coming from the girl he admired. Rage flared in his chest.

"Ryota Kitazawa! I'll take your life!!"

Tōji ripped a chair from under a desk and flung it at Ryota.

He'd been humiliated too many times—especially by this one person—and now, Tōji wanted to see Ryota dead.

But before the chair could fly, a strong hand clasped his wrist—Ryota moved faster than lightning.

Another second, and Ryota's arms were around Tōji's neck, lifting him smoothly.

Tōji met Ryota's expressionless eyes and felt murderous intent simmering beneath them.

"Come on, kill me then!" he gasped, voice strained.

A quiet "Hmph," Ryota said, and the pressure around Tōji's neck tightened, like iron clamps shutting.

Unable to breathe, Tōji's face turned purple-blue. Panic seized him—Ryota would kill him if he didn't back down. He was terrified.

"Ryota-kun... please… let him go," Aida Kensuke stepped forward, voice timid and constrained. Even he could see Ryota had intended murder.

No one else dared to speak as Tōji's wheezing grew faint.

"Ryota-kun, please... for the sake of classmates... calm down now," Kensuke pleaded, locking eyes with both.

Tōji croaked out, "Sorry…" as his breathing hitched. Death had momentarily hovered before him.

He realized that no authority would punish Ryota—he was a hero, and Tōji... just a nobody. His pride shattered.

Tōji's gaze became desperate and pleading as the grip around his neck loosened, and he collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. His face drained to ash-gray, saturated with fear.

"Let this be the last time," Ryota said quietly as he released Tōji. "If there is a next time… I will kill you."

Turning toward his desk, he looked again at the blue-haired girl near the back. She looked back—her cool, emotionless eyes seemed uninterested in anything.

Is that… Rei Ayanami?

Ryota smiled faintly. She was cold, ice-cold.

He extended his hand toward her.

"Hello. My name is Ryota Kitazawa."

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