--I sat beside her bed, watching her breathe slowly. She just lay there, motionless, with her eyes open. Why? Why had she ended up like this? Asuka, somehow, I wish you'd return to your old boisterous self. Not like this. Fight, please, fight it. I want you back. Back here with me. —-
Rei clutched her aquamarine skirt with these thoughts running in her head. She looked at the figure lying on the hospital bed, with tears streaming down her face. She couldn't help these emotions, not anymore. The first child had been hiding what she had been feeling for a long time, especially when it concerned the redheaded German girl.
Rei Ayanami, the girl with no past, whose life had been all but mysteries even to her, had no one. No one to love. No one to hate. No one to feel anything for. Commander Ikari, Doctor Akagi, and Major Katsuragi were the only persons that often had to do anything with her. Be it for tests or for battle plans. However it soon changed as all three children, Asuka, Shinji and herself started piloting their respective EVA units.
For once Rei, had more than grown ups to interact with. But it wasn't easy. Rei had to go to school, just as every other normal kid would. She had to get along with the other students in her class, which for a fact she had difficulty doing. No one really tried to befriend her. True they were nice; there was Hikari their ever-ready class representative, Touji the guy who always goes to school in gym outfit, and Kensuke the military geek. For most, they did try to know more about her, but maybe it was her fault as well, Rei was just too hard a person to know. Or was it because she didn't know herself?
Ayanami was nearest to the location; hence she started going to school first before the other children had. Shinji followed suit right after he had defeated the first angel. Soon Rei's life started to get a bit more interesting. The younger Ikari was a lot less like his father. He was just as troubled though. Like Rei he had nary a person to share his life with, but he coped better than the first child did, for he had already gained the loyalty of Touji and Kensuke. He also tried to know more about Rei, whom reminds him very much of his dead mother. But he was pretty much unsuccessful.
The crimson eyed girl with short blue hair had started to feel a lot less lonely but more frustrated as to why she can't seem to blend in with children like her. Then came Asuka Langley Soryu, the second child. She was the total opposite of Rei Ayanami. From the moment she stepped on the school grounds people started to notice her. And she could complain less. Asuka basked in her popularity, she reveled in it, although she must admit those love letters in her locker had been pretty annoying. But there was one person who didn't seem to care at all whether Asuka was pretty or nice or excellent, Rei. This got Asuka really annoyed with the girl.
Why is she better than I am? Does she think she's prettier than me? And a whole lot of other ridiculous ideas that Asuka came up with just to get some sort of explanation to Rei's indifference to her. She started being mean and loud to her just to get Rei's attention. But no matter what she did, it was still the same. Silence, Rei just held no reaction whatsoever.
On the other hand this got Rei Ayanami wondering. Why would the most famous girl in school, bother calling her names and making ill remarks to her, just to be noticed? She was of no particular importance. She's never Asuka's rival for popularity. She's nobody. But whatever it was Rei somehow felt she was needed. She had thought that she was just deluding herself that somebody might actually care for her, it didn't bother her. It just felt right.
Her train of thought stopped as the nurse came in Asuka's room.
"Ms. Ayanami, it's already seven o'clock, you've been here since yesterday morning. You should get some rest. I'll tell her you've been here when she wakes up," the nurse said.
Rei stared at her for quite a time, saw concern in her eyes, and then decided to go. Before doing so, she held the nurse's hand and asked, "you'd tell her won't you?"
"Yes I promise." the nurse replied.
"Rei was here. She was taking care of me. I thought she didn't even know I existed. I thought she couldn't care less if I died in battle. I thought she was just like my mother. She was crying. Were those tears for me? No one has ever cried a tear for me. But maybe this is just a dream. One of so many that I have had before. One of..."
HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?
"Who are you?"
SOMEONE WHO LOVES YOU BUT NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO SHOW IT
"Huh? I don't get it. No one has loved me. Not my father, nor my stepmother. Sure I've got friends, but they don't know me enough to be able to say that they love me."
I'M SOMEONE YOU NEVER GOT TO LOVE AS WELL
"If there was someone I've tried loving, but never had a chance to, it was my mother. And she never loved me."
I AM YOUR MOTHER
" But she's dead, she left me. She left me just when I got accepted to be a pilot. I was going to tell her, I wanted her to be proud of me. I wanted her to love me, not those dolls that she held."
I'M SORRY. BUT LISTEN; DON'T LEAVE REI JUST AS I HAD WITH YOU.
"Stop it, I don't need to hear anything from you. Rei doesn't care about anyone, more so if it were I. Go away mother. Or whoever you are. No one did ever care for me."
ASUKA, I DO LOVE YOU. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. WAKE UP, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. DON'T LET HER FEEL THIS LONELINESS. YOU'VE BOTH SUFFERED IT LONG ENOUGH.
"You think so, mother? Do you really think she'd love me, or even care for me?"
FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF, DEAR DAUGHTER.
A slight moaning alarmed the nurse. She looked over her shoulder and saw the redhead blink her eyes slowly. Asuka moved her head in slight disorientation. She finally had life in her eyes. The nurse dropped the blanket she had and asked how she was feeling.
"I feel numb." Was all Asuka could say.
The nursed excitedly got out of the room and called Misato. The major hurried inside to look if everything was true. Asuka finally awake was great news. She hadn't even noticed the tears flowing from her eyes.
"Asuka, thank heavens you're now conscious. We've been waiting." Misato grappled with words as she sobbed on the German's shoulder.
Asuka was slightly surprised at Misato's show of emotion. She couldn't imagine the woman caring for her. For her, Misato only noticed Shinji. It's always Shinji, and never her. But then again, it was because Asuka knew she pushed them away. She pretended never to need their affection.
"Misato thanks." Asuka said, as she stroked the older woman's violet hair.
Misato didn't look up but she hugged the fourteen year old so hard Asuka had to gasped for air. By this time, Asuka was already giggling and happy. Excited that she had this second lease on her life.
The nurse politely excused herself and spoke.
"Asuka, I promised Rei to tell you she was here waiting for you. She's hoping you'd get well soon."
So it is true, the German girl thought. Rei was the one who had been here every day. She was the one who had been snugly placing the blankets when it seemed chilly. She was the one who held her hand for the past week, trying to give her strength. And Rei was the one who shed her tears every day, tears Asuka never thought Rei could shed.
A warm and radiant smile showed on Asuka's face upon hearing this. Misato saw it, and somehow she felt relieved that the second child wasn't acting the brat that she is each time Rei's name is mentioned. The major took it to herself to ask Asuka if she would want to inform Rei that she's awake. Misato actually thought that she would soon regret her suggestion. But it turned out to be the complete opposite of what she had expected.
"Will you tell Rei, as in right now, Misato?" Asuka excitedly asked.
"Sure, Asuka, I will." This was all Misato could say.
Rei was running to the elevator. She just couldn't wait to see Asuka. She's finally conscious. The door closed and she could see her reflection, her uniform was slightly ruffled, her hair covering half of her eyes. She tried straightening her skirt and as well as her bangs. But no matter how she saw it she seemed unsightly, nowhere compared to Asuka's appeal. Rei started to gitter. What if Asuka wouldn't want to see her? Just like all the times before. The elevator chimes brought her back to reality. All she had to do was head to her room.
The nurse saw her, and waved.
"Rei, you're here, have you gotten sleep? It's only been three hours since you left. Major Katsuragi left as soon as Asuka made her contact you. So currently she's alone, you can have some time to catch up," the nurse, whose name was Neko, said.
Rei looked up and smiled shyly, then slowly proceeded to the second child's room. She opened the door and looked around. The lights were off; the only light visible was coming from the window. Rei could hardly see the other girl. She squinted to see Asuka, who was all propped up, waiting for her.
"Hi, Rei." Asuka greeted.
" . . . " Rei couldn't say anything. She just slowly walked towards the cot.
"Wondergirl aren't you gonna say anything?" Asuka asked irritably.
All of a sudden Asuka felt Rei's hand on hers. Asuka looked at Rei, her red eyes sparkling from the moonlight with tears on her cheeks. Rei placed her hands on her cheeks and caressed it. Asuka was speechless. She felt Rei's warm tears rub across her skin
"Asuka... thank you." The first child said.
"Rei, why are you thanking me, I didn't do anything?" The second child asked.
" . . . " Again there was silence on Rei's part.
Asuka, felt irritated, but she somehow knew how Rei was feeling. Awkward and lonely, unable to say what she feels. She got her hands from Rei's and stroked the first child's blue hair. It was soft and silky.
"Rei, don't worry, I guess that's something I should let you tell me by yourself than force you to."