Preface

This story feels like building a bridge underneath my own feet. I'm not sure if I'm really done, of my level of satisfaction with it so far, or whether its direction was a good one. I intended a quick, embarrassing one-shot, but once I pressed 'publish' on the first piece, then it seemed like there was more that just came out of somewhere. These are all points I probably should not be opening up with in a preface.

I tried to have a theme of exploring that feeling of "choosing a path between that sense of reservation that comes with following the expectations of others, and remaining true to yourself." Or to put it more succinctly, "Conformity versus honesty." I feel like Asuka and Tomoko are both characters suited to that theme, but in completely different aspects. Asuka to me seems to be a character that wants to be more 'genuine.' As in she has been so normalized by society to such an extent that she feels she's lost what she even wants, has destroyed her true self in the process, and what attracts her to Tomoko and her group is that she sees Tomoko as some sort of return to an acceptance of her inner self. Tomoko acts as an interesting foil in that despite her attempts to conform, she has still maintained a 'true self.' In other words, Asuka tried to conform, succeeded and does conform, but wants to be honest; but Tomoko tried to conform, failed and is honest, but wants to conform. They both have a critical component of not only their personalities that are opposite, but also of their desires. Either that, or I'm misreading Tomoko's character because she's a completely nervous trainwreck when Asuka comes within 10 feet of her in a lot of the latest chapters I've been reading. Which is probably the more important aspect when you're really just trying to make a ship sail.

I apologize, that was a very pretentious way of saying that I just really, really, really want more Asuka x Tomoko. I'm finding a difficult time finding more fanfics of this pairing in general, and the best way to increase that pile is to just straight-up make one. Please enjoy.

Setup Arc

Chapter 1: Preface & TOC

What you're reading now.

Chapter 2: Tomoko's Honesty

Asuka invites Tomoko.

Chapter 3: Tomoko's Self

Tomoko comes to a realization.

Chapter 4: Asuka's Self

Tomoko does something embarrassing (no big surprise there).

Chapter 5: Asuka's Honesty

Asuka does something embarrassing.

Fluff

Chapter 6: Because Chapter 155 Wouldn't Do It, I Will

Fan-service to those who read chapter 155.