[His and Her Circumstances]
Four years after averting Third Impact, 18 year old Shinji Ikari heads to Tokyo University, leaving behind his life of NERV and EVAs. This is a story of the tribulations, complications and misunderstandings in the relationship of Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Sohryu.
CHAPTER ONE: Young Boy, Make Yourself a Legend!
"I made it, Misato-san!"
Even to my ears my voice sounded silly – giddy and exuberant. I couldn't help it – I could feel the grin tugging on the edges of my face. A few people turned and gave me looks, startled by my outburst. I even saw a group of girls point and giggle. But right now, I couldn't care less.
Because at long last I was standing before the entrance of Tokyo University. Toudai – the best university in Japan...and where I, Shinji Ikari, will be a student for the next five years.
Four years ago, my father summoned me to Tokyo-3. There, I was forced to pilot the humanoid bio-mechanical super-weapon Evangelion. I was designated the Third Child, Pilot of EVA Unit-01. I worked for NERV, a top-secret paramilitary organization run by my father and fought against eldritch abominations known as Angels, hell bent on initiating Third Impact.
None of that matters anymore. I have left my past behind, now I am just another face among the crowd – a freshman on their first day.
It was a thankfully peaceful and relatively uneventful four years that followed. After the Angels were defeated, we managed to avoid Third Impact. I don't remember much about that fateful day when the JSSDF invaded the Geofront – Misato told me that I had been discovered bleeding and unconscious in Terminal Dogma next to Unit-01. My father, Commander Ikari and Ayanami disappeared that day. SEELE were brought to justice, though Mr Kaji told me rogue elements loyal to them are still active. As a result, NERV was rebuilt and Misato managed to work her way up to being Commander. She still somehow managed to find the time to marry Mr Kaji though.
I will never forget that memorable day, two years ago. Misato had waltzed in home late, humming an old J-Pop song horribly off-key. Asuka and I, watching TV in the living room had stared at her more-odd-than-usual behavior. Our alarms went off when she didn't immediately grab a beer. Misato sat us down and told us she had something to announce. While tangoing with a coerced and unwilling Pen-Pen she announced Mr Kaji had proposed to her. 'Kaji-kun get!" she said with a 'V' sign. Needless to say, it took me over two weeks of nagging to get Asuka to eat dinner with us again. I swear on...er...Kensuke's virginity that there has never been an angrier bridesmaid at a wedding than Asuka at Misato and Mr Kaji's.
That was early 2016. Without Angels, Tokyo-3 was rebuilt and school resumed in late 2016. Misato moved in with Mr Kaji, and I stayed at her old place with Asuka. With the exception of mandatory synchronization tests at NERV, Asuka and I lived relatively normal lives for the next three years. Toji and Kensuke returned to school, and Hikari's family came back soon after. It was like Class 2-A all over again. Misato explained to me (in a rare moment of sobriety) that NERV and the Japanese government paid out huge compensation to the displaced and bereaved families and offered some generous incentives to get them to come back to the city.
I digress. Even though those following years were the happiest of my life, I always knew my life lay beyond the confines of Tokyo-3. I eventually decided to leave that chapter of my life behind. The chapter with EVA, NERV and Angels. I wanted to live – not as the Third Child, or the pilot of Evangelion Unit-01 – but as Shinji Ikari. Misato looked strangely happy when I told her of my decision – even though there would be mountains of paperwork to fill out and some heavy favors to call on her part – and told me she was proud of my decision. NERV were extremely helpful – they took care of everything from removals to finding me an apartment. At first I refused, wanting to do thing with my own hands – but Misato stopped me. She put a hand on my shoulder and said, "Shin-chan, this is the very least we can do for you, and much less than what you deserve. Please let me do this for you as your guardian – even if it's just for my sake." After that I relented. I always had a soft spot for Misato, even if she was a slob…and lazy...and useless at housework..and teases me all the time...and has big boobs...and drinks like a fish...and...
Returning to the present, I relaxed the hand that I had subconsciously placed in a fist. I took a deep breath of the crisp air. Today was the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Shinji Ikari. I shook my head and looked forward, taking the step that will take me over the entrance of Tokyo University – and the first steps that I have ever taken by myself.
"Hallo Shinji! Guten Morgen."
I froze. Instantly, my blood became ice in my veins and I turned – very, very slowly.
I was immediately met with a pair of blue eyes, blazing with an indomitable will and fierce intensity, framed by gorgeous, slick crimson locks. Her make up was flawless as always – result of hours spent relentlessly practicing in front of a mirror, usually while watching TV and waiting for me to cook dinner – not overdone, just enough to accentuate her natural beauty. The baby fat had long faded from her cheeks – she was no longer just cute, she was outright gorgeous. Her lips were rosy-red, lightly glossed and set in an all-too familiar smirk full of mischief. She had obviously dressed up for the occasion, with that pair of expensive ruby earrings Mr Kaji had bought to appease her, and the knee-length designer white dress with matching heels that she had worn to our high school graduation ball. It took me a moment to realize that she was tapping her foot, impatiently waiting for my response.
"G-guten morgen." I manage to stammer in response. My previous elation had evaporated, and all I could feel was the knots in my stomach. Cold sweat forming on my brow. I found myself fascinated with the graveled ground next to her pretty, pointed feet.
"Tsk, Tsk! This is unacceptable, Third Child." the red-haired beauty wagged a finger at me, approaching with slow deliberate steps. I wanted very much to flee in terror, but my feet betrayed me – rooted as they were in paralyzed fear. Why do they tremble so much? "Four years under my expert tutelage and yet your German is as atrocious as ever!" now inches in front, she flicked my nose playfully, "Have I taught you nothing?"
...Well, I was shocked by your surprise entry – and besides, you never taught me German! It's just I got sick of all the German insults you hurled at me and bought a dictionary!
"What are you doing here...Asuka?"
Her close proximity made me catch the scent of lavender, the same as Misato's. It was her seventeenth birthday gift from me. The whiff of strawberry was probably her shampoo. She's too close dammit!
Noticing my obvious discomfort, Asuka's eyes narrowed, face breaking into an all-too-familiar smirk that screamed, 'Chance!'. Then it was gone, replaced with the hurt expression of a jilted lover, eyes slightly moist. "What am I doing here? Is this how you talk to your closest friend," I cringed at the hidden barb in the word, "after she came from the other side of Japan to congratulate you on entering the top university in the country?"
She was in full showmanship mode now, attracting the attention that she reveled in. I belatedly realized that a small crowd had gathered hoping to see some opening day drama, and I knew that if Asuka got her way, that they were not going to leave disappointed. I had to step in now, limit the damage before my campus life was ruined before it had begun.
I stepped forward, hand outstretched. "Ummm… Asuka, l-let's go talk somewhere more private -"
"Don't touch me, pervert!" Asuka swatted me away with a graceful backhand. She spoke in an elegant ojou-sama voice, not her usual shrill yell. I know it all too well - this was the persona she put on around adults, the one to garner praise and attention.
Her sudden movement caught me unaware, causing me to lose balance. I landed ungracefully on my rear end. She stood over me, the offending hand on hip and that smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. I sat on my butt, blinking at her in abject terror. For Shinji Ikari is not fooled. Asuka Langley Sohryu is angry...really, really, angry. The real questions is why. Even after sharing the same roof for four years, my ex-roommate's thoughts and motivations remained beyond the scope of my comprehension. Mr Kaji once told me that women were a lifelong mystery for men, and based on my experience with Asuka, Misato and Ayanami, I agree with him. But this time was a little bit different.
Because the Invincible Shinji Ikari knew what the Great Asuka Langley Sohryu was angry about. He just didn't know why she was angry about it.
The crowd had doubled, and I could see that it was growing – more and more students stopped by to see what the commotion was about. I mustn't run away… I mustn't run away…I mustn't run away… In the meanwhile, the unforgiving red-haired goddess continued her grand speech, oblivious to such mundane concerns such as the social status of university students and the importance of a good first impression.
"Not that your entry to Tokyo-U was ever in doubt of course...after all, the 'Invincible Shinji' was tutored by none other than I, the Great Asuka Langley Sohryu. Be thankful, Third Child!"
...If by tutor you mean threaten with bodily harm unless my marks improved drastically. I dared not say it aloud, for fear of further incensing the German warhead. My diminished mental faculties returned slowly, and the big question came to the forefront of my mind. How did she find out? It wasn't Misato, certainly not Mr Kaji...Kensuke and Touji would not betray me to the 'Red Devil'...unless…
"Asuka…" I interrupted her as I staggered back to my feet – brows furrowed and mind whirring, "...how did you know I applied for Toudai?"
Asuka flicked her styled hair arrogantly, "My sources are none of your business, Third Child. Let's just say no secret remains hidden for long before the inquisitive talents of Asuka Langley Sohryu!"
I frowned. It was Toji! He must have blabbed to Hikari who told Asuka! It was 100% Toji! Oh wait – maybe she just got Misato drunk, or…
"Besides," the temperature suddenly rose, as Asuka's voice became a more familiar shrill, "That's not what's important!"
Of course it is! I wanted to shout. I mean, I need to know whose house to trample in Unit-01!
My violent thoughts were rudely interrupted by a gloved finger pointed between my eyes. "What's important is that the Invincible Shinji lied to me!" My protests died in my throat. Asuka's face was now set in that familiar expression of volatile, temperamental fury that was exclusively reserved for when Baka-Shinji did something wrong. "Or are you as stupid as you look? I never knew anyone with geography so bad as to mix up Kyoto and Tokyo, Third Child!"
Panic set in and I stepped forward with flailing arms, "Wait, I can explain! I-"
I staggered backwards, hand cupping reflexively at my swelling left cheek. The offending weapon was in Asuka's right hand – which I just realized she had been keeping behind her back the entire time – a bouquet of white lilies held like a bludgeon. A trail of petals lay at her feet.
"I...don't...want to...hear it, Baka-Shinji!" she huffed between raining blows on me. I instinctively drew my arms protectively over my head, which only seemed to encourage her to hit harder. "You...useless idiot! What the hell were you thinking, pulling a stunt like this behind my back! You really thought that I wouldn't find out, Third Child? What the hell goes on in that head of yours? Did you get dropped on your head from the top of your EVA? Scheiße!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Being hit with flowers hurt more than I expected. I could feel the painful welts forming on my forearms. It was nothing compared to the pain from the pitiful looks I was garnering from the crowd, which was needless to say, nothing short of mortifying.
My pitiful apologies apparently infuriated her further, as she hit me with renewed ferocity, and began insulting me with choice comments in German and English. I made out bits and pieces about my lineage, masculinity and mental ineptitude.
"Save it...Baka-Shinji!" She huffed, taking a moment to gather her breath. She stopped her attack and wiped sweat from her brow. "I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses."
"What the hell..." I muttered, wiping my bloodied lip. I could feel the anger boiling inside as I staggered to my feet. "This is what Asuka wanted, isn't it?!"
I heard a soft thud as the ruined bouquet fell limply from the redhead's hand. Asuka looked as though I had slapped her hard. The fight drained out of her, like an EVA depleted of its internal battery.
"...As I thought, you really don't know anything..." she muttered lowering her head. Her expression was unreadable beneath her bangs.
"Asu...ka?" Confused by the sudden change in her behavior, I lowered my arms. I stared questioningly at her.
She glared back at me, her mouth drawn in a thin line. Her body trembled, as though she was fighting an internal battle within herself. I couldn't tell if she wanted to yell or cry. For a long moment we stared at each other, unsure what to do.
"Asuka, I-" I made the first move, inching forward with an outstretched hand.
The sudden movement broke the spell. Asuka retreated. "Don't get any closer, idiot!" she screamed, stopping me dead. "If you really wanted to get rid of me, then you should have had the balls to say it to my face! You didn't need to get Misato and your stooge friends in on the act! Fucking asshole"
"No, I just-" my denial was stopped in its track as my face connected with the tattered remains of the bouquet.
"I just came to say congratulations...you jerk." She gave me a final look. Later, I would swear that she was about to cry. But Kensuke and Toji would tell me that I was imagining things – that the Devil doesn't have feelings. Asuka turned and left and the crowd parted to make her path. I stared at her retreating form, words caught in my throat. Then she was gone.
"What the hell..." I muttered.
Half an hour after my public humiliation, I managed to clean myself up in the restroom and head to the lecture hall for our welcoming ceremony. As I walked in, I spotted a familiar face seated near the back row.
"Kensuke." I nodded tiredly.
"Morning Ikari." I smiled a little seeing my bespectacled friend preening over his newest baby. Kensuke still remained a scrawny dweeb, just taller and more mature. He grew out of his childish obsession with the military and EVAs, though.
"Toji?" I asked, plonking myself next to him.
"Hikari." Kensuke grunted, not looking up. Nice to see you too, friend.
Anyone who knows Toji knows he's not academically gifted – not enough for Tokyo-U at least. But God loves a trier, and straight-as-an-arrow Hikari was adamant she would not go to anywhere less than the best university in the country. Toji studied his ass off, enough to accepted– Toudai doesn't accept idiots, even into its Basketball scholarship program.
I am really glad they are here with me. As much as I claimed I wanted a fresh start, I knew things wouldn't be the same without my best friends here with me. With Hikari as well, that's four students at Toudai from our old Class 2-A. Not bad at all for the 'Three Stooges' of Tokyo-3.
Kensuke finally looked up at me. Nice to see you too, ass. "...Wake up on wrong side of the bed?" he grinned, pushing up his glasses.
I cupped my shiny cheek. "Shut up." I grumbled.
"Yes, chief." I punched Kensuke's shoulder.
We sat in silence, watching as students began streaming into the lecture hall. Students were introducing themselves to each other, exchanging greetings. The room was filled with a nervous but positive energy, charged with eager anticipation.
"How wonderful," I muttered aloud. My earlier good mood had been completely ruined by the encounter, and I couldn't summon any of my earlier enthusiasm. "not having anything to worry about."
Kensuke ignored my comment, pretending to be busy fiddling with his camera. We sat in silence, a comfortable friendly one – not the awkward, bumbling one like the old Shinji Ikari would make, uncomfortable in the presence of more than three people. I still don't enjoy large crowds – Misato said that I just have an introverted nature – and I probably never will, but I don't hate them like I used to.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Kensuke asked, exasperated. I couldn't help smile – it was evidence of our long years of friendship. Both Toji and Kensuke knew when I acted like I didn't want to talk about something – or when I really didn't want to talk about something. It was a great feeling, knowing that people understand you. Aside from Misato and Asuka, Toji and Kensuke are the only people who understand what Shinji Ikari is all about.
I nodded. "...I saw Asuka this morning."
"Ehhhh?!" Kensuke bolted upright in his seat. "The Devil's at Toudai?!" The reaction didn't seem to be feigned, as far as I could tell. So Kensuke wasn't the Judas after all. Not that I was 100% sure...I know he briefly had a crush on Asuka back in High School, but only because she pointed it out to me. She was right, I was really dense at these kind of things.
"She's not studying here is she?" he leaned in close, an odd glint to his glasses, "I thought you said she was going to Kyoto University?"
"I don't know! We took the exams for Kyoto together." I whispered back. "But I don't think she's studying here – she didn't take the entrance exam, remember? More importantly, did you tell her I was coming here?"
"Hell no!" Kensuke clutched his head in apparent agony, "I spent four years in the same class with her Royal Queen Bitch. I don't want to go to university with her!" He bit his thumb, "...I think she must have found out through Toji. He must have confessed to Hikari, who told the Devil. Oh man...he's so frickin' whipped." He peered around the lecture hall frantically, looking for the distinctive mane of bright red hair.
I nodded in agreement. "That sounds like the most likely scenario." Toji and Hikari started dating not too long after returning to Tokyo-3. While initially Hikari was shy and demure, Toji's antics eventually tested her patience and she began to be more...assertive. I suspect part of it was Asuka rubbing off on her.
"But I think Asuka just came to yell at me, so I don't think you have to worry about sharing class with her."
Kensuke sighed in relief, "Thank goodness...after the four years it took me and Toji to free you from the Devil's clutches!"
"Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" I growled.
Kensuke raised a bespectacled eyebrow, "Come on Shinji, you and She-Devil were practically glued to the hip through high school."
"You're exaggerating. We were just roommates."
"Yes, yes." He dismissively waved his hand, which I swatted away. Kensuke grinned, "You say that now because the honeymoon is over."
I glared at Kensuke, even though I knew that was playing into his hands. He laughed, congratulating himself on a mission accomplished. You're enjoying this too much, you ass! I never fully appreciated Kensuke's snarky sense of humor, and neither did Toji. Thankfully, Kensuke's tongue was much faster than his reflexes meaning we could easily beat down his scrawny ass if he ever got too far ahead of himself.
"After all, you two were the famous Newlyweds of Tokyo-3 High."
I groaned. The 'Newlyweds' tag coined by Toji dogged me through my high school years and became something of a traumatic experience – try asking for a date or flirting with a girl, when it's common knowledge that you live, hang around, walk together to and from school with the hottest girl in town. Combine that with that half-wit Toji blabbing to Hikari (and thereby the entire school) how I cook, clean and even do the laundry, including Asuka's underwear (that moron)...suffice to say, not only were my number of years without a girlfriend = years, I didn't even manage to go on a single date throughout all three years of high school.
Probably due to the mist of murderous rage clouding my eyes, Kensuke tactfully decided to steer the conversation in another direction. Kensuke was always the most perceptive out of us 'Three Stooges'. "So you met her this morning…and what?"
"Well..." She whacked me with a bunch of flowers in front of half the school, then proceeded to run off without explaining herself. "...she congratulated me for being accepted into Tokyo-U...then she yelled at me." Not a lie, but not the whole truth either.
"Uh-huh..." Kensuke raised an eyebrow, disbelieving. He was always so sharp with things not pertaining to the female race – not that I could talk. "...and your cheek slapped itself right?"
"Shut up smart-ass!" I snapped back.
Kensuke waited for my anger to simmer before he spoke up again. "Shinji...Did something happen between you and the Devil?"
I closed my eyes as an unwanted memory came to the forefront of my mind. "...No."
He looked at me, deciding what to"...I see." Understanding I want to be left alone, Kensuke returned to polishing his camera. I didn't say anything, but I was grateful for his perceptiveness, and he knew that too.
"Hey, do you guys mind if I sit here?" A male voice asked tentatively. We turned to the speaker. He was tanned, but not as dark as Toji, and athletic but in a different way – shorter and stockier, more dense muscle. We nodded, and he sat down to Kensuke's left.
"Thanks, this place is packed. Oh, and it's nice to meet you…?"
"I'm Aida, Aida Kensuke. First year Film School. He's..." Kensuke gave me a loaded look. While I wasn't exactly a celebrity, the names of the Children was now public knowledge. People were bound to recognize my name, and not everyone was enamored with what we had done at NERV.
I shrugged. "Shinji, Shinji Ikari." I said, matching his gaze and offered my hand. He blinked, but gave no other external indication he recognized my name. "First year Pre-Law. Nice to meet you…?"
He took my hand with a strong, firm shake. "I'm Ryouta, Ryouta Kusanagi...ummm, sorry to ask," he scratched his short, gelled hair, "but are you…?"
I sighed. "Yeah." No point hiding it. "I'm that Shinji Ikari."
Kusanagi whistled, raising an eyebrow. "I never thought I would sharing classes with one of the EVA pilots." Ah, so he's Pre-Law too. I found it surprising – Kusanaga Ryouta was looked like he belonged in the front row of a rugby scrum, not Law school.
"But of course, that's not what I came here for." He leaned forward to be better heard over the din."Besides, have you guys heard the news?"
We shook our heads.
"There's some super hot babe among this year's freshmen."
"Oh?" Kensuke whistled. He stopped polishing his camera and adjusted his glasses, interest piqued. "Do go on..."
Typical Kensuke. I shook my head – mention babes and you'll have his undivided attention. Toji's balls were firmly in one Hikari Horaki's back pocket, so Kensuke could only discuss such things with me. Being a healthy boy I obviously had an interest in those things, but the way Kensuke Aida talked about girls was quite frankly...desperate (and a little sad). Sorry Kensuke.
"Isn't that to be expected though?" I said dismissively, "I mean this is Toudai after all. The girls should be high quality." I didn't feel like broaching the topic of girls right now, not with this morning's disastrous encounter with a certain redhead still fresh in my memory. Kensuke muttered something about me being spoiled rotten living with Misato and the She-Devil, but I pointedly ignored him. Besides, Misato and Asuka are top in the looks department, and only in the looks department – just ask me or Mr Kaji.
"Well, I can deny that's the reason why I came to Toudai." Kusanagi said with a laugh. I raised an eyebrow – shouldn't you be here because it's the best uni in the country, not because the girls are hot? "But..." Kusanagi shook his head like a teacher lecturing naughty pupils. "You're too naive, Ikari-san. This girl, she's different class...and – oh, there she is."
Glossy auburn hair, shoulder-length. The same fashionable outfit I saw her in not an hour ago. She was impossible to miss, turning heads everywhere she went. Her blazing aura demanded that people pay attention to her, and they did so in droves.
Kensuke and I exchanged a despairing look. "I guess this means she really is studying here." Kensuke sighed in resignation. I brought my palm to my face, while my bespectacled friend returned to his camera with a firm shake of his head. "Sorry Kusanagi-san," Kensuke said, "but we're definitely not interested."
"It's a pass for me too." The speaker was neither me or Kensuke – it was a voice that was familiar. Toji had arrived with his high-pitch Osakan accent to intrude on our 'wholesome' conversation.
"Sup, Toji...I see Class Rep finally let your balls go?"
"Good morning, Toji." Kensuke and I respectively greeted our jock friend. Still as tanned and athletic as ever, Toji Suzuhara was now over one ninety tall, over ten centimeters taller than me. He had been forced by his girlfriend/mistress to expand his wardrobe beyond tracksuits though, and wore a comfortable blue denim shirt and jeans.
"Nice to see you guys as well." Toji said, bopping Kensuke's head in retaliation. "Yo, Prof, I heard that the Devil handed your ass on a platter this morning."
I groaned, facepalming. I felt like disappearing into a hovel right now. "News travels fast on campus, doesn't it?"
Toji laughed, giving me an encouraging hand on the shoulder. "Nah, I just heard from Hikari. You can tell us the details later." he turned to Kusanagi. "Who's the new guy?"
"This is Kusanagi Ryouta-san." I introduced him to the newcomer. "He's Pre-Law, just like me."
"Just call me Ryouta," Kusanagi interrupted, shaking hands with Toji. "Nice to meet you Toji…?"
"Suzuhara. Toji Suzuhara. Liberal Arts." Toji sat to my right. "I heard you guys talking about the She-Devil pretending to be a high-class lady."
Asuka was now enveloped in a hug with a familiar brunette in a conservative green dress. Hikari's hair was now in a long ponytail, having outgrown the childish pigtails. She was cute enough to attract attention on her own, but was relegated to the background thanks to the redhead next to her. The pair were surrounded by girls and guys adventurous enough to approach the foreign beauty. Folding his arms, Touji nodded in their direction, "I would stay away from that one if I were you dude," Toji said to Kusanagi. "You really don't want to go there."
"Why?" Kensuke just shook his head refusing to answer, so Kusanagi turned to me, "She's smokin'! Are you guys gay? That brunette next to her is cute too."
Toji laughed, shaking his head. "No bro, but I'm telling you right now that she's off-limits. That brunette is my girlfriend, so she's definitely off-limits."
Kusanagi looked confused for a moment. Understanding came quickly, and I could see the light bulb switch on above his head. "Ah! One of you is already tapping that." I glared at him. Don't look at me while saying that, you ass!
Before I could retort, Kensuke stepped in. "No dude...she's Asuka Langley Sohryu."
"...The pilot of EVA-02?!" Kusanagi looked shocked, then thoughtful, "No wonder she looked so familiar. She's the one on all of the ads."
"The one and the same." Kensuke nodded. Taking advantage of her looks and popularity as a savior of humanity, Asuka did a few modelling and product endorsements as a side-job. "Yeah, not only is she way out of your league..." Kensuke glanced at me and Toji, "My comrade here is right – you really don't want to go there."
"So she has a terrible personality, huh." Kusanagi nodded in comprehension, "You guys speak like you know her personally? Wait – of course you do, Ikari here is an EVA pilot."
"Hey, I was an EVA pilot too!" Toji interjected.
Kensuke and I exchanged looks...Sorry Toji, you don't really count.
"Besides," Kensuke said, "she's a total bitc-"
"-She's not that bad -"I interrupted without thinking. What Kensuke and Toji said wasn't exactly a lie. Asuka was...difficult to get along at the best of times. She could make your life very, very miserable when she really wanted to – hell I knew that better than anyone. But still, I felt that I needed to defend her.
"-Of course you would defend your wife, Prof. You even lived together under the same roof for four years."
I frowned. Thanks for that unnecessary piece of information, Toji you dick. What does Hikari see in you?
"Don't forget their pair-look," Kensuke joined in, grinning from ear-to-ear, "remembering them in matching tights and EVA plugsuits...even after all these years it still gives me that 'disgusting feeling'."
I groaned, slamming my face into my table. Since there was three of us, we always took turns on ganging up on one of us. It was my turn right now, it seemed.
"Oh?" Kusanagi's interest was piqued, "I want to hear more about that."
"Hmm...I think it was about the Ninth Angel?" Kensuke replied, revealing NERV classified information offhandedly. "Something about a synchronized attack with two EVAs. I think I have the photos somewhere..."
"No dude, it was before that remember?" Toji cut in, "On that battleship, when we went out at sea?"
"Oh yeah, it was the 'Over the Rainbow.' That was a super carrier Toji, not a battleship." Kensuke corrected him.
"Same shi-"
"-Can we please talk about something else?" I interrupted. I winced at the snappiness in my voice. It came out a lot harsher than I intended. And a lot louder too, as several people turned and glared at us.
Toji and Kensuke looked suitably apologetic.
"S-sorry."
"Sorry Prof...I know you hate talking about EVA and stuff."
"N-no..." I scratched my head guiltily. "I didn't mean to sound like a dick…." Kusanagi meanwhile, looked between us awkwardly, unsure of how to deal with the sudden shift in mood.
"Now we're on the topic of embarrassing memories," Kensuke stepped in brightly, "how about that time Shinji gathered enough courage to ask a girl to our graduation ball?"
'I remembered that!" Toji interjected, "You're talking about the one who turned him down because she was scared shitless of the Devil? Chidori-san, right? She was a total babe."
"Yeah, that one." Kensuke continued, laughing, "The reason she gave was 'Sorry Shinji-kun, but don't want your wife to kill me'. Oh man, Shinji's reaction was priceless...I think I still have it on tape somewhere."
"You guys recorded it?!" I screamed in horror.
Everyone except me laughed. I slammed my head against the table. That was terrible. It was a month before the ball, and I couldn't find a single girl who would be my date. Despite the embarrassing memory, I smiled gratefully. Nice save, Kensuke! He winked at me in reply.
"Prof was so desperate that he was going to ask Misato to be his date for the ball."
"That's right! And she was going to accept until she found out it was strictly no alcohol!"
"So who did he end up taking to the ball?" Kusanagi asked curiously.
"Well-"
Having long since accepted that our long friendship was disposable in favor of a cheap laugh, I drowned out the rest of the conversation. With the opening ceremony about to begin, the crowd around Asuka had dispersed. Hikari and her were now seated ten rows in front of our left. Suddenly, she turned in our direction as though aware we were watching her. She turned back with a huff after matching eyes with mine. That was one mean glare, Second. I thank the Lord she can't overhear us from there – I don't feel like being slapped twice in the same morning.
"Oi, Toji..." I began, keeping my eye on Asuka's agitated back.
"What's up prof?" Having finished the story, Toji was leaning back in his chair, lazily chewing a pencil.
"...You told Hikari that I was coming to Tokyo-U, didn't you?"
The pencil fell out of the jock stooge's mouth. "W-what are you talking about?"
I frowned. So it was you after all, you Class-Rep loving, masochistic bastard.
"Don't act stupid, Toji. I didn't tell anyone except you and Kensuke I was accepted into Toudai...and Kensuke was just as surprised as me to see Asuka here." Toji squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, desperately avoiding the three set of eyes staring at him. He had broken out into a cold sweat, arms folded defensively. "Which only leaves you."
"I-it wasn't me." Toji stuttered, "M-must have been Misato! She must have gotten drunk and blabbed it, yeah – that's it!" Low blow Toji, throwing our dear Misato under the bus. While I don't deny the possibility – Misato's drinking habits having long passed into the annals of NERV folklore – Toji's reaction told another story.
I pressed the attack. "Unlikely – I didn't tell Misato until after I got accepted." A lie, but Toji doesn't know that. "I didn't even tell Mr Kaji, he heard about it through Misato….Which only leaves you."
Kensuke gave Toji an exaggerated look of disgust, usually reserved for the scummiest of trash. "I'm disappointed in you, Toji. How could you! After all we went through to free our comrade from the Devil's grasp!"
Are you still on about that?
Even Kusanagi joined in the fun. "Dude, haven't you heard of 'bro's before hoes'?" He nudged Toji with a grin. He catches on quickly. As expected from a fellow law student.
Toji's whimpering apology – with hands clutching his head while muttering something about Hikari's blackmailing, Toji's sister Sakura and discovering his dirtiest, most traumatic secrets trailed off, as the Vice-Chancellor walked on the lecture podium. I drowned out the uninteresting speech, my thoughts drifting elsewhere.
The redhead didn't look in our direction again for the entire two hours.
The long introduction ceremony finished at last, and the four of us decided to follow the crowd and head outside. 'Club Recruitment Day' was in full swing, with masses of stalls and hecklers abound. Kensuke ran off first in search of the Tennis circle – according to his 'sources' it was where all the cute girls gathered, and Kusanagi unsurprisingly followed. I thought it was stupid – Kensuke couldn't get a girl as a high school student, nothing was going to suddenly change just because he became a university student. Toji meanwhile, went to join the Basketball club while apologizing for leaving me alone. He explained it was his duty to be there, since he was on a scholarship.
Save it Brutus, I saw Hikari waiting for you behind that ramen stall.
As a result, for the past thirty minutes I had leisurely wandered around the stalls alone, politely declining the offers that came my way. Whenever I saw a hint of red hair I fled in the opposite direction with haste – this morning was embarrassing enough, I didn't want a repeat incident with the entire campus present.
"...This sucks."
It only struck me now, surrounded by fellow young adults in such numbers and variety, none whom I recognized, that I was no longer in the goldfish bowl of Tokyo-3. It was a mixed bag of emotions, both liberating yet somehow terrifying as well.
"Oi~! Shinji-kun!"
A few meters ahead, a pretty, petite girl around my age with shoulder-length red hair waved at me. She wore a bright smile and was dressed in a plain white tee and black skirt that reached to her knees. There was an energetic spring in her steps as she made a beeline for me through the packed crowd.
"H-hello..." I responded with an uncertain wave. She was obviously waving at me. So she knew me, but I couldn't quite put a name to her face just yet. A pity, because she was super cute.
"Geez, you don't recognize me do you? Even if we haven't seen each other for nearly four years..." she pouted cutely, while wrapping her arms around mine and drawing it towards her ample chest. C Cup...definitely.
"S-sorry..." Her sudden display of familiarity caught be my surprise. I looked away to hide the blush spreading through my cheeks.
"Ah-ha! You're blushing! Shinji-kun! You really haven't changed at all!" she giggled before letting me go, "It's me! Ki-ri-shi-ma! Kirishima Mana!"
"Kirishima...Mana?" I whispered the name. Recognition came slowly and I looked at her face again. "Ah!"
Kirishima clapped her hands together, beaming. "You finally remembered!"
"Y-yeah...I guess..." I scratched the back of my head. Kirishima had transferred into our class during the Angel Wars. She and I were close for a while. I later found out she was part of a JSSDF project similar to the Evangelions. She was forced to leave when NERV refused to take her in.
"So you came to Toudai, Kirishima-san...you must be really good at studying."
She smiled at my awkward compliment "Same goes for you, Shinji-kun! You're here too..." she leaned in and whispered into my ear "...and I saw that Asuka-chan is here as well...are you two dating now?"
I drew back, hands flailing in denial. "No no no, nothing like that! We're just friends!" I took a sip from the canned coffee I had bought earlier. Misato often did this with beer when Mr Kaji had the upper hand in an argument. She said it helped her regain her composure. "Geez...stop teasing me so much, Kirishima-san."
"Is that so?" Kirishima tilted her head questioningly, finger on cheek. "I always got the feeling though that Asuka-chan was supppperrr jealous of me and Shinji-kun's special relationship!"
"Pfft!" Caught unaware by the sneak-attack, I choked on a mouthful of coffee. Several bystanders gave us odd looks, but I was too busy coughing out a lungful of processed coffee.
"Shinji-kun, you're too easy to tease!" she giggled while slapping my back. I tried to glare through teary eyes, but Kirishima just laughed harder. After I had recovered from my fit, Kirishima gave me a serious look. "I'm glad. After all that's happened that we got to see each other again."
"Y-yeah," I smiled. "I'm really glad to see you again, Kirishima-san."
"Call me Mana," she said, beaming.
"Mana-san it is."
We stood for a little while in silence, grinning stupidly at each other. After a while I offered her my hand. "Shall we go look around together, Mana-san?"
"Yeah," she nodded and wrapped herself around my arm, "it's a date, just like old times, Shinji-kun!"
"Yes, yes." I sighed, and we began to stroll aimlessly around the various stalls. I had finally having come to terms with Kirishima's teasing style. It was very similar to Misato's, and once I recognized that it wasn't some random cute girl, but someone I should know, Kirishima's teasing didn't have the same effect on me.
...At least, that's what I tell myself. I'm definitely not comparing her bust size to Misato's!
...Misato's are definitely bigger. Sorry, Kirishima-san.
"Shinji-kun, you're still blushing."
"N-no..not really…"
I suddenly found the half-empty Manga Research Club stall absolutely fascinating.
It was mid-afternoon now, and tired of wandering aimlessly we sat at a cafe stall. My tea cup was completely empty, while Kirishima's macchiato lay virtually untouched.
We had talked about everything that had happened in the three years in between. Kirishima and her fellow pilots, Musashi and Keita were court-martialled following the incident in Tokyo-3. However, a certain anonymous source tipped the national press about their circumstances, and riding on the overwhelming public outcry, they were given a public apology. As compensation, the Japanese government agreed to support them until they had completed their studies. The three remained close and went to the same school together.
"Musashi and Keita are also students here, so we're sharing the same apartment together."
"That's nice." I could feel myself nodding off. It had been a long day, and my mind had begun to drift.
...I don't understand her at all. She never says what she means, but she still expects me to do what she wants. Then she gets annoyed when I don't do it. What the hell does she expect? Do I look like a mind reader?! I felt like clawing my eyeballs out in frustration. I don't know how Mr Kaji deals with Misato!
"Shinji-kun? Shinji-kun? Are you listening? Geez..." Kirishima was pouting at me in mock annoyance. Her eyes were full of concern though, and she asked, "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah...sorry." I winced slightly. I still haven't managed to break my apologizing habit, though I don't do it nearly as often as before. Years of domestic abuse at the hands of a certain temperamental German girl had its positives. She hated whenever I apologized, and made it her mission to stop me from doing so. "Just a really long day."
"It's okay. It's my fault – I've just been talking the entire time. You must be really bored." She gave an apologetic bow.
"T-that's not the case!" My voice was much louder than I intended. "It's just...I prefer to listen. I'm not much of the talkative type."
"Yeah I know." Kirishima took a sip from her cup. "Shinji-kun was always a great listener. Even on our dates I did most of the talking."
"Y-yeah..." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, not knowing what to say. We sat in awkward silence. I stared at my tea cup, while Kirishima took a sip.
"Oh my god!" Kirishima bolted upright suddenly. "Is this the time?! Keita is going to kill me!" She hurriedly chugged down her now-cold macchiato, simultaneously grabbing her handbag. "Sorry Shinji-kun! I promised Keita we would go grocery shopping tonight."
"It's okay."
"I'm really sorry!" She gave me a one-armed hug. "I guess we'll have to continue our date another time," she whispered. "See you later, Shinji-kun! I'm really glad to see you again."
"The same goes for me."
My eyes widened as I brought my hand to my cheek, still wet where Kirishima's lips had just been. She scurried through the throng of students and disappeared around the corner of a building after pausing for a final wave. I waved back. Damn she's cute.
"Sorry Mana-san…" I whispered, hating myself. "I deceived you."
A moment later, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a message from Kirishima – we had exchanged numbers earlier.
'Literature Circle welcoming night tonight Saizeriya. 7pm. All welcome xo'
'I would love to ^^' I wrote.
Before I pressed send I paused. I didn't want to go by myself...
...Well, I'm sure I can convince Kensuke and Kusanagi to come along at least.
I was wrong. Those assholes ditched me! As expected, Toji went to the same circle as Hikari, leaving me to ask Kensuke and the new guy. They declined, saying they were going out with the pretty senpai they met at the Tennis Circle. Whatever. Who needs friends anyway.
I sat nervously fidgeting. We had finished dinner at Saizeriya and headed to a sake den to drink. They must have booked in advance, since a long wooden table running the stretch of the interior had been prepared for us. Around fifty of us were gathered here – mostly new students like myself, with the established members spread amongst the table. Unfortunately, Kirishima was seated at the opposite end of the table.
Surrounded by cheery, sociable young men and women, I, Shinji Ikari did what was expected of Shinji Ikari – I sat mute and morose, silently nursing my (third) mug of beer. While I had improved a fair bit at social gatherings, they would never become my natural habitat. But that wasn't an excuse for tonight's particularly bad display of 'Shinji-ness'. No, that would be to do with something else.
"Pwaaaah~Khaaaaah~!" The young woman sitting opposite me on the table let out a startlingly accurate Misato post-beer-cry. Ignoring the disapproving stares from her neighbors, she wiped beer froth from the edge of her glossed lips. Surrounding her was a half-dozen empty mugs of beer. That's five in the last hour.
"...Why the hell are you here?!" I hissed across the table.
The stunning redhead seated opposite side on the table folded her arms over her breasts, pointedly looking anywhere except at me. Her long, slender legs were crossed over, heel tapping annoying on the floor. "What? You got a problem with me being here?"
"Isn't that obvious?!" I retorted angrily. I sighed, scratching my head in agony. Most guys would be envious to be sitting with the foreign bishoujo who has been turning heads from her very first day on campus. Thankfully though, I knew better. "Why the hell are you at the literature circle welcoming event, Asuka?" I slammed my frothing mug of beer on the table.
Asuka's dark blue eyes narrowed in annoyance at my tone, but she still refused to look in my direction."None of your business, Baka-Shinji." she snapped, only slightly slurring her words. "I can go wherever I want."
At my wits end, I pointed a trembling, beer-soaked finger in Asuka's direction. "Don't give me that crap!" I tried to pretend that the most of the fifty or so attending the event were not engrossed in our exchange. Were it not for my three beers, I would be embarrassed at the attention (not that I wasn't, my anger was just overcoming my shyness). Three beer or no, Shinji Ikari will always be Shinji Ikari. "This is the Literature Circle! The only books I ever saw you read in four years were fashion magazines – and I lived with you for those four years!"
From the gasps and guffaws I knew I would pay for that unwanted slip of information later, but right now I couldn't care less.
"Shut up Baka-Shinji!" Asuka growl-drawled, slapping away my accusing finger, "I read all the classics as part of my education before the age of twelve! Not that you would know what I read anyway. Too busy just checking me out in my home wear I bet. I know how much you were lusting after my body, you hentai!"
I clenched my mug handle tightly, incensed at her accusation. "Don't flatter yourself Asuka," I pointed at her chest, "You have a nice rack, but it's got nothing on Misato's."
I smirked seeing her angry gaze on me at last. Asuka was seething, her face as red as her hair, probably as much from drinking as from anger. Got you. Four years under the same roof meant that I knew how to get under her skin just as well as she did mine.
"Don't compare me to that old hag, you stupid perv!" the German girl spat, "All she has is a losing fight with old age, gravity and liver failure!"
She says that, but her arms hug her breasts that much tighter. I know that Asuka has a complex about her bust being not as big as Misato's. There's not that much of difference though, and I should know – I washed both their underwear after all.
"I don't know..." I gave her my widest, smarmiest grin, knowing that I've got her now. "...In the end, Mr Kaji chose Misato, right?"
Asuka's eyes narrowed. Her temple looked like it was about to burst. "What are you trying to imply, Third?" she growled.
"Who knows?" I took a drink of water, delighting in watching her simmering rage come to boil. "You know what they say, personality is more important than looks."
The people leaning in to eavesdrop around us jumped backwards as Asuka suddenly sprang to her feet. She slammed her fists on the table. "That's it, Baka-Shinji! You want a fight, so I'll give you one! Let's take this outside!"
I wiped the alcoholic spittle off my face, assessing my opponent. Despite her body's slender curves, Asuka is highly trained in hand-to-hand combat – she could wipe the floor with me in a fight, drunk or not. But in my current alcohol-induced rage, I fancied my chances. I rose unsteadily from my seat, knocking aside the half-empty mug of beer. "You're on-"
"-Yes, yes! That's far enough!" In a slightly tipsy, happy-go-lucky voice, Mana Kirishima swooped in. She grabbed my arms from behind. Behind Asuka, the president of the Literature Circle, Mayumi Yamagishi-senpai has put a nervous hand on the irate redhead's shoulder. "Yamagishi-senpai, can you please deal with Sohryu-san? I'll take care of my Shinji-kun!"
Asuka seemed ready to jump across the table and throttle Kirishima. That's still an improvement though – Asuka had been treating Kirishima like toxic air up to this point tonight. At least now she is acknowledging that Kirishima exists. A quick glance around the room however, and the angry retort dies in her throat. She belatedly realizes the attention our spat has gathered. "C-come over to our table, Sohryu-san." Yamagishi-senpai squeaks, and the deflated German followed the club president with a silent nod.
Watching her walk away, I try to struggle out of Kirishima's grip and give chase, but she holds firm. She is a lot stronger than she looks – perhaps due to the harsh military training she undertook in the JSSDF. "Geez, Shinji-kun, I didn't expect you to be the type that would embarrass girls." Kirishima's voice is cheery as always, but even in my inebriated state I could tell she was a little peeved.
"...Sorry." I muttered, ashamed. Kirishima was the one who invited me here, and my behavior tonight would obviously reflect badly on her. The realization came with a pang of guilt, and I sobered up immediately. The last of my anger disappeared, and I stared woodenly at the dirty bar floor.
"It's okay." Kirishima smiled, releasing me. "Let's have fun together tonight, Shinji-kun!" she whispers in my ear. She leaned back and gave me her best smile.
For some reason I found Kirishima's smile radiant and dazzling. All thoughts of the last half-hour and my exchange with a particular Teutonic Terror disappeared. Before I knew it I found myself smiling back.
It is past closing time, and most of the attendees have long gone. I spent the rest of my night with Kirishima and her friends – her housemates, Musashi and Keita, and a bunch of people whose names I don't remember. I didn't touch a sip of alcohol after my confrontation with Asuka. Various girls came up and chatted to me throughout the night, some more forward than others. I got a few numbers too, though I doubt I could put a face to any of their names.
"Are you going to be all right going home?" I asked with a raised brow.
"It's okay, it's okay!" Kirishima slurred. Her voice is bubbly and joyous, gait unsteady. She is being supported by the tall, dark one who doesn't talk too much – Musashi. He gives me a silent nod, affirming that she will be fine in his care. I watch them leave the bar, a wry smile on my face.
"See you tomorrow, my beloved Shinji-kun!" Kirishima harps, blowing me a drunken kiss. Keita gives her a light-hearted kick in the backside to get her through the door. I laughed a little at that. Their camaraderie is something similar to the one shared by me, Kensuke and Toji, but closer – it's the kind of bond forged by entrusting your life to another in the heat of battle. I kinda envy them, in a way.
After they had left, I yawned, arms raised aloft. It was almost 3 am, the bar was virtually empty, and I was completely exhausted. "Now then," I turned around, "It's about time we head home as well."
Collapsed on a stool in the dimly-lit corner of the bar lies one wasted Asuka Langley Sohryu. Using her arms as a pillow, she snores softly, oblivious to the despairing Yamagishi-senpai, who shakes her shoulders frantically. "Sohryu-san! Sohryu-san! It's time to leave! Sohryu san~!"
I couldn't help chortle at the look on Yamagishi-senpai's face. I approached them, and she looks at me like I am her knight in shining armor. "Ah! Ikari-san, wasn't it? Could you please help me wake up your girlfriend?"
I shook my head, "She's not my girlfriend, senpai, just my ex-roommate."
Yamagishi-senpai looked aghast, pulling back her hands over her mouth with an 'eep'. "I'm sorry!" she bowed, "I didn't mean any offense! I'm really sorry!"
"It's okay," I chuckled as I brushed past her. I leaned over and carefully draped the unconscious German on my back. "I knew this would happen. Asuka has always been a lightweight, and once she's out, she's out. She's not waking up again unless she wants to." I wrapped her legs around my hips for stability.
"I see..." Yamagishi-senpai looked at us thoughtfully, as though considering what to say next. "...you are really close, aren't you? With Sohryu-san?"
"No, no, no." I waved a dismissive hand, "Not at all." I ignored the tickling sensation on the back of my neck as I bent over to hook Asuka's bag on my wrist. ...At least, we aren't as close as we used to be. "I've just known her for a long time, that's all."
"I see..."
"Where do you live, senpai?" I asked.
"Eh?" startled, Yamahishi-senpai looked at me as though just realising I was talking to her.
I pointed to her clothes – a yellow blouse and conservative striped black skirt. "It's not safe to leave a lady without an escort at this time of night. Let me take you home." Mr Kaji taught me that one. He said it's a gentleman's duty to escort the lady back home. I hadn't had the chance to use that line before though. Misato and Asuka can kick any weirdo's ass better than I ever could.
It had the desired effect, as Yamagishi-senpai blushed. She glanced nervously at the drunken girl draped haphazardly over my back. "B-but..."
"It's okay," I said dismissively, "despite how she looks, Asuka's not that heavy." I shifted the redhead higher over my shoulders. "Besides, I'm an expert at taking drunk German girls home...wait, that makes me sound like a pervert."
Yamagishi-senpai giggled. Asuka just moaned in protest and clung tighter on my back.
"Let's get you home first." I said with a smile.
Yamagishi-senpai just nodded and smiled back.
"Ugh."
I finally dump the load of German deadweight unceremoniously on my futon. She just moans an incomprehensible jumble of German and Japanese. I don't bother taking off her fancy dress. I was on thin ice with her as it was (when am I not?), and I didn't want to give her an excuse to kill me in the morning.
"You're welcome."
My work done, I looked around at my stuffy little room. Choice was limited when you are on a student's budget, and the dingy little studio apartment was little more than a kitchen with bed. It looked even more cramped than usual, thanks to the piles of packed cardboard boxes that littered it. Having only moved in yesterday night, the room was virtually bare.
I glance wearily at the time. 5:07am. I groaned. I'm glad I don't have class today. Thankfully, Yamagishi-senpai didn't live too far from my own apartment, but carrying a girl taller than you took its toll on my legs. I had to stop at various points, lest I collapse and wake up the sleeping princess. As expected, she was too out of it to tell me where she was staying, so I decided to bring her back to mine. I considered calling Misato for help, but since Misato probably helped Asuka move here and didn't tell me about it, I didn't feel like talking to her right now. Damn traitor.
I looked back at the redhead occupying my bed. "Don't try to copy Misato when you're just a lightweight, you stupid girl." I muttered. "I'm the one who always cleans after you, you know?"
Asuka didn't reply, instead she had wrapped her arms and legs around a clump of bedsheets. It is extremely erotic. Her short dress rose up her leg, giving me a flash of her panties. I gasped and turned away, my breath caught in my throat and cheeks flushed. I hated how she could still have such an effect on me. Even after all this time – no, especially after all this time. Without looking, I managed to cover her with the blanket.
"Don't leave me...Baka."
I froze. Time stood still for a long moment as I held my breath, leaning in to her face. My lips slowly made a beeline for hers. At the last moment, Asuka mumbled and turned her head, snoring. Shaking my head clear, I grabbed my spare blanket and pillow and head for the couch. I took one last glance at my sleeping ex-roommate. I have a lot of questions to ask her, but they can wait. For now, the sun is rising and I need sleep.
"Sweet dreams, Asuka."
I think she says something, but I'm too tired and I fall fast asleep before my head hits the pillow.
Author's Notes
Thank you for taking your time to read this. This is my first ever fanfiction, and not the last. Still learning the craft and very wet behind the ears, so feedback and comments is very much appreciated.
For those who care, my aim is to be a novelist, and fanfiction is a way for me to practice and explore my writing skills. There will be a lot of experimenting - this particular piece will be a romance/drama with comedy, but I aim to write other genres in the future. First person perspective is not my forte, but was the most appropriate for this story, and hence why I have tried it.
This story will be told in story arcs, mainly from Shinji's perspective, but other characters as and when is necessary. If something is left vague or unexplained, it is deliberate and all will be revealed in due time. Once again, thank you for your time, and I hope you have enjoyed chapter one of His and Her Circumstances.
See you next time.
Peace.