Misato-san tried to give me that look again today — the “you’re too young to understand” look. うるさい.

I get it. I’m fourteen. I don’t have the most piloting hours. But that doesn’t mean I can’t feel things the way adults do.

The sync rate test this morning was garbage. Not because I couldn’t do it — because Unit-02 was fine and they kept asking me to “try harder, think about your bonds.” バカか。Bonds don’t make me stronger. My will does.

After the test I went up to the roof of the geo-front. The wind up there actually smells like something — ocean, maybe. Not just recycled air and anxiety.

Ate a sandwich. Forgot to eat lunch during the test. Misato would scold me if she knew.

Sometimes I think the worst part of being a pilot isn’t the Angels or the LCL. It’s being treated like a 道具 — a tool that just happens to have feelings.

But fine. Let them think whatever they want. I’ll show them. Not for them — for myself.

Even if no one is watching, I won’t lose.