[ Misato's movement is sharp and sudden and the slap comes from her blind side. Asuka's not quite expecting it and her whole head turns with the force of the blow, snapping around as pain blossoms through her cheek. There's going to be a bruise there for a few days. A throbbing ache to remind her that she should never expect anything from Misato Katsuragi but quiet contempt and cold indifference. But at least in this moment Asuka has her attention and her anger and that gives her a cold sense of satisfaction. Asuka hangs there for a moment, feet dragging against the floor as Misato holds her by the collar.

Then her face turns back toward her, cheek already starting to darken. She can feel swelling under the empty eye socket and she fixes Misato with an accusatory stare as one hand comes up to grab at her wrist. ]

What's wrong? You don't like that I'm not going to be a blow-up doll for your precious Shin-chan anymore?

[ Her face twists from cold anger into something hurt and raw and wounded. ]

Maybe I should've just stayed in that hospital bed, right? Let him use me as his jerk-off material every day? That would've made you happy, right? Maybe you would've even helped. Because nothing else matters if Shinji is happy.

[ Her fingernails dig into Misato's wrist. ]

Let go of me.