"ASUKA!!"

I turned around to a familiar voice calling out my name. It was my girlfriend running towards me. How I was so glad to see her. I opened my arms and embraced her as my voice shook, "Where were you? When I saw that you weren't home I thought...I thought you were..."

My heart ached so much that I wasn't even able to say the words. I gently pushed her out of my arms and looked at her. Her eyes washed in an indigo-reddish tone as sparkles of tears danced around her cheek.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She sobbed, "I was looking for you. When I heard what happened at the school, I knew you were there so it made me think that...mmph?" Not allowing her to finish her sentence I pressed my lips against hers. I could feel her body trembling. I then pulled away and hugged her tightly as I ran my fingers through her soft black hair.

"It's okay. I'm right here," I softly spoke next to her ear.

Suddenly, we heard a loud bang which made us jump. Seeing the smoke and fire that followed it we concluded that it was an explosion. We quickly let go of each other and ran to the edge of roof of the building we were on looking out at the city. Following the first explosion many came after that, which was soon beginning to be overpowered by the screams of people.

I felt her grip tightened on my hand as she asked, "How is this happening Asuka?"

I looked at her and then back at the tumultuous city. Although I knew the answer, I couldn't answer her, for the only question that was in my head at that moment was 'How did it all come down to this?'