Tsundere Academy

Author's Notes:

I've wanted to write something for Asuna since I first discovered Sword Art Online years ago, but this was somewhat complicated by the fact that the actual author Reki Kawahara had already written the Chapter 16.5, which was of course a better adult story about Asuna and Kirito then I could ever write.  So I needed to try something a little different.

Pairing her with Asuka from Evangelion seemed like the obvious choice, because they were essentially the same character.  Not that I'm complaining!  I love that character and their respective journeys are different enough. 

I hope you enjoy, please review!

Teaser avec Tea

Before Yuuki Asuna could even shut the door behind her, she was already being chided.  "You're late," Asuka's voice called out.

Asuna set her bag in the entranceway and proceeded towards living room of the ostentatious home.  "I was finishing up my new cosplay," Asuna explained softly.

"Nerd," Asuka teased.

Sohryu Asuka Langley was seated on the divan with an elaborate tea set (European style, of course) set out in front of her.  Like Asuna, she hadn't changed out of her black and grey trimmed uniform jacket and skirt, although Asuka's was looking freshly pressed while Asuna looked a little rumbled from her work in the sewing room.  Asuna expected a typical mocking comment in this regard, but instead Asuka was all business.

"Take a seat, dear sister," Asuka ordered, pouring out a cup of tea for her.  "We need to talk."

Asuka and Asuna were not actually related, but they had regularly been introducing themselves as cousins or sisters since their friendship had first began four years ago when they were both fourteen.

The relationship had been contentious at first, Asuna had enjoyed at a comfortable position as the most beautiful and hardworking and intelligent girl in their class.  When the half-German girl had transferred into their class, in every way her equal (or superior, as Asuka still insisted), Asuna was understandably irked by the newcomer, while Asuka was perturbed that another girl was already occupying what she felt was her rightful throne.  The fact that they looked so much alike and their names were so similar only made matters worse.

The competition was fierce... but with time it grew into a real closeness as the two girls realized they had more in common with each other than the rest of their classmates and that by each having the other to compete with, they were reaching new levels of excellence.  The friendship mellowed them both, and finally having someone to relate to they came to care for each other deeply.  And with time their constant competition gradually becoming more of a game than a battle.

Now, with graduation eminent and each girl accepted to a top university, there was just one challenge yet to be met.

"You know what this is about," Asuka said evenly.  "We're tied in everything so far, but there's only one game yet to bet on."

"Of course," Asuna replied.  She was terribly frightened of where this was going, but she'd never admit it to Asuka.  "But how could we settle it?"

Asuka thought for a moment.  "High school ends in three weeks and neither of has lost our virginity yet," she mused.  "Whoever gets the best guy before that time is over wins."

It sounded simple enough, but of course Asuna knew that her 'sister' Asuka didn't mean just any guy.  It went without saying she didn't mean just some loser from their school.  She also didn't mean being used as a disposable plaything by some musician or athlete.  She meant a real, meaningful experience with a man with real status.

"I trust you have a target in mind," Asuka smiled.  "I've been thinking about mine for awhile now."

Asuna was able to maintain her poker face.  "I know you have.  But it's not going to be easy."

"Don't you worry about me," Asuka waved her finger.  "You just worry about yourself."

Asuna smiled, trying to hide how frightened she actually was.  "I won't lose to you."

"We'll see," Asuka asked, daintily raising her teacup for triumphant sip.

Asuna did the same, letting her friend know she had, as always, accepted the challenge.

And just like that, the game had begun.