Author's Notes: Hopefully this one will go more smoothly.

All right, maybe I was bit too hasty. If I knew being inserted into the spine of the robot was the process, I would've argued a bit longer. Whatever happened to the torso cockpits on those Gundam shows, or even a head module for Mazinger Z? Instead, I'm inside a very strange large capsule with awkward arm panels, and silly-looking head pieces on me.

Then the announcement came on.

"Inject LCL into entry plug."

LCL? I am hoping that stands for Luscious Cooling Lemons. Sadly, it was that same type of water we traveled on to get here. After an intense session of convincing me to pilot this, they decide to drown me?! NERV has terrible work ethics.

Now I'm holding my breath for dear life. Please tell me it's a joke!

"Don't worry. After your lungs fill with LCL, it'll directly supply you with oxygen." I heard Ritsuko very clearly, surprisingly. "You'll get used to it soon."

I sighed (or whatever sighing is in liquid) heavily.

Can I know these things in advance? I don't want a exploding toothbrush incident, too.


"Live with it! You're a boy, aren't you?!"

Yes, I am a boy who is the last defense for Earth. Am I the only one seeing this problem, Misato?

The power supply was connected to the backside of the robot, resembling an umbilical cord akin to babies. Then the LCL or whatever started to clear up and the entire capsule started to shine brightly. Legions of sparkling stars passed my eyes, as it changed into a cloud of red dust, and finally the main screen came online. From my left to my right, I saw my surrounding area through eyes of this Evangelion.

"Prepare for launch!"

Hasty, aren't we Capitan? I heard the binding locks release from the Evangelion's armor, and I felt a slight push backwards. Then there were series of hatches opening above my head. I looked down and saw I was on a platform. Wait a second, don't tell me I'm going to be catapul-

"LAUNCH!"

Hold on a mo-MEENT!

My retaliation went on deaf ears. The G-Force was pulling on my very brain stems to the bottom of my shoe, as my whole body rattled while zipping through the confusing tubes. I was hoping for some sort of stopping point eased into, something I was hoping would be true. A slowing point perhaps?

Of course not. The platform did a sudden stop on the arrival of the surface. I would've probably smacked my head on the capsule ceiling were it not for this tightly secured strap. Great…now I got seatbelt bruises. And oh look! The Angel isn't happy to see me. I wonder why not…I would be happy to know his only possible demise is at the chance of a young boy that was just shoved into this contraption.

Ritsuko started speaking on the control communicator.

"Shinji, think only of walking now."

Okay, walking. I can manage that. Do I get to learn any finishing moves or is this Angel a marathon I can last for the next 3 hours? Let's see…I have no idea how to move this damn thing, let alone do movement to damage this Angel.

Then it started to move. One foot in front of the other. I guess it mimics my more focused thoughts into commands. Maybe these clip thingies have a purpose after all.

As soon I thought that, the Evangelion's legs wobbled and it fell on its face. I'm an excellent robot pilot…as in the only.

"Shinji, come on! Hurry, stand up quickly!"

Stop telling me what I know, Misato! I am perfectly able to calmly navigate the situation- and that Angel's really close now! It lifted the head with one arm, and started to pull apart the left arm from the socket. My left arm also started bursting veins, along with intense pain. What the hell?! Why am I feeling the pain also? I'm just the pilot!

"Shinji, calm down! It's not your arm!"

Really?! It sure feels like my arm! God dammit, why does it hurt so much?!

I heard a snap. The wrist broke. My wrist broke. I'm in delusion of pain. The last thing I saw was the Angel's palm radiating with a red shine. Blackness clouded my eyes, and I felt death's embrace…

…It felt like my mother.

-Days later-

I gasped out of desperation, and awoke in a bright room. My body was covered with sweat, but my clothes were replaced by the sight of drab hospital wear. I turned my head and saw the bareness of the room, so I decided to rest my head and stare. Stare at the unfamiliar ceiling. Where am I? Was it all a feverish dream?

-later in the day-

The hospital was very empty. There were no nurses or doctors around. I walked along the terribly silent hallways, tapping the window along my way. Suddenly, I heard the first noise since my awakening. A nurse rolled by a bed, carrying that blue-haired girl that was once bleeding heavily on that bridge.

What was her name? Rei…something. So it wasn't a dream. She still had that patch on her eye and around her forehead. She looked me on a glance and met my eyes. She had a look that said, "Accept the truth. This is your duty from now on."

…Like eyes can say that much. I need more rest.

-later in the day-

Misato picked me up from the hospital. She caught me staring at my arm, trying to forget the pain and sound of my bones shattering from that Angel. I'm taking a guess that I beat that monster somehow, but memories are beyond me of the event. Otherwise, there would be panic and chaos about how the Angel is still rampaging on about.

Or people in Tokyo are really mellow.

After more platforms and elevators (my archenemies), we met up with my father in yet another dark room. The floor was a live screen shot of the top of a Geo-Front, giving me a slight feeling of falling into.

Currently, my father is talking about my living arrangements here.

"Yes, his room is located in Block 6, over there. Any problems?"

No, of course not. Block 6 better be nice.

"Are you satisfied with it, Shinji?" Misato asked.

I prefer being alone. All places are the same to me. Plus I get free reign on my rightfully owned paycheck for saving the world. Now that I think about it, shouldn't I get more for saving the blasted world?

-Hallway, some time later-

"As I said, I've decided to take charge of Shinji. I've got my superior's approval."

If you haven't figured it out yet, Misato is once again lying to Ritsuko. Specifically about my new living arrangements…which are new again. Maybe this way, I won't have to pay rent on this Block 6 place.

"Don't worry. I won't have an affair with a child."

Like I'll take your offer! What kind of joke is that? I'm sure Ritsuko had a similar reaction, proved by Misato quickly clamping the receiver down on the pay phone after some clamoring.

-Later in the car-

"Well, tonight we're going to do it flamboyantly, aren't we?"

I looked at her suspiciously. What do you mean?

"It's a welcome party for a new lodger, of course!"

What did that mean? Lots of shopping for canned food items, half-priced peas, and a TV dinner package at some local grocery store. This seemed a lot of stuff just for a 'flamboyant welcoming.'

We hopped back into the car and continued the Journey of a Thousand Junk Foods. I ended up carrying bags of beer cans, beef jerky, and corn chips. Exactly who else is living in your place?!

"Well, we're stopping some place on the way."

Pleas don't tell me it's another 24/7 store. Where are we going?

"It…is…a…good…place." She said with a cheerful smile.

I…am…starting…to…loathe…you.

She took me to the top of a cliff, overseeing the city of Tokyo. The sun was setting under the horizon, while Misato kept staring at her watch for some reason.

This is a lonesome city, isn't it? I babbled off.

"It's time."

What it was, it gave me a infinitely more motivation. The plain, barren city suddenly rose up from the ground, lifting up buildings hidden under the Geo-Front I saw before the battle. Skyscrapers reaching for the atmosphere, as if the buildings themselves were growing.

"This is the fortress city for intercepting the Angels. "Tokyo-3"…Our hometown." She looked at me with hopeful eyes. "…and the city which you protected."

-It's nighttime by now-

After the uprising and return of Tokyo-3, Misato finally took me to her apartment complex. I still ended up carrying the items, though. Share the goods, you!

"I think your things have arrived. Actually, I also just recently moved to this town."

She tells me this as the door opened up. I was wondering why there were so many unopened boxes lying around.

"Hey, you coming in?"

Will a small step kill me instantly, or slowly? All right, I'm coming.

"Shinji, this is your house. Welcome home!"

The welcoming ended up being a clean-up duo, unpacking her items and mine. The place itself had a cozy feeling, but her methods of responsibility are one left desired.

"Well, the place is still a bit untidy…hope you don't mind."

I don't mind if I did all the cleaning. I do however mind you drinking 5 cans of beer and a bottle of scotch, then leaving the remains on the kitchen table. I backed away from the inhuman being that downed enough alcohol to knock out a heavyweight, only to walk into more bottles of content. On my left were piles of garbage bags mixed with chip wastes. On my right were spoiled food and more unopened boxes. I'm starting to see why she wanted me as a roommate so much.

"Oh, sorry. Could you put the food in the refrigerator? I'm going to take a bath now."

Fine…

I grudgingly did what she asked and then some, giving back some sanitation to this apartment room. The ice was put in the freezer, the relish in the cabinets, and…an entire case worth of Yebisu Beer?! What kind of life does she lead?

Just then, there was a little scratching noise. It came from under the boxes of books. I asked Misato what that could be.

"Ah, that. It's probably just sleeping."

Exactly what is sleeping in here, anyway? Whatever, I still have to make dinner. Why am I making dinner again?

-10 minute later-

"Thank you for the food!"

Misato chugged down that Yebisu beer faster than I could touch my chopsticks, then yelled an obscene war cry of victory over her empty can.

"Oh, my! What a life! I just live for such times!" She recomposed herself. "Ah, don't like them? They're rather tasty, even though they're instant."

If you're talking about the food, then I just lost my appetite after that spectacle. No…I'm just not used to such a meal. Good excuse.

"No, don't be fussy!" Added with a slam of a new can, she hovered her body over mine as I sank into my chair.

Bad excuse. Ah…no. I didn't mean that.

Then she completely changed her attitude.

"Don't you think it's nice…having a meal with others?"

Will a nice answer save my life? Yeah….

-5 Minutes later-

"Rock-paper-scissors!"

Rock, then rock, then rock, then scissors to her rock. Again.

"You were unlucky, Shinji."

In case you're wondering, we were playing the hand game to decide our fates in chores for the next month. In some mysterious luck, I've won all but 5 times. There is suspicious work going on here. The statistical logics are collapsing on this phenomenon as we speak.

"As for the everyday duties which we've fairly decided, everything is A-OK."

Yeah. Cheating woman!

"Well, because this is now your house, you can really feel at home here."

Uh…yeah. Just like a live-in maid.

"Hey 'Yes, yeah, sure, okay'…how gloomy! You're a boy, aren't you? Pull yourself together!"

Grabbing my head does not help the process! Ow ow, let go!

She sighed. "It's okay. Take a bath and wash all the unpleasant things away. Taking a bath is life washing."

So water is your weakness, eh Wicked Witch?

-Some time later-

I entered the lair of bras, also known as the bathroom. Don't believe me? There's bras hanging on indoor laundry strings, lights, and fan hangers. Does 'decency' not ring a single note in her melody of discord?

That was before I opened a door…and saw a penguin.

I ran out faster than lightning, and probably some hell cats, too.

Misato! Th..the…ther…there's a-

The penguin wobbled away from the scene, like an everyday occurrence.

"Oh, him? A new kind of hot spring penguin."

Hot spring penguin? Aren't they supposed to like the cold? Well as soon as I asked that, the bird used its claw to open that big metal box. Apparently it's a huge ice-box home for this fellow.

Why is there a-

"His name's Penpen. He's another lodger."

Are you comparing me to a penguin?

"By the way, you'd better cover up the front."

The advice didn't make sense for another 2 seconds. Then I looked down and saw the bareness of truth staring at me. A quick retreat was in order.

-Bathroom-

I relaxed in the tub, loosening up all the stress I accumulated throughout the long day. As my head rested on the bath edge, I thought over the many events that occurred.

Misato Katsuragi…she isn't a bad person. A little on the insane, somehow-always-sober side, but nonetheless, a nice person. However, being in the bath reminds more unpleasant things to my mind. My father…Rei…the Evangelion…

The Evangelion…I'm starting to remember now. It was after the battle that I awoke again. My body was frozen from a combination of fear and pain, when NERV tried to get me out of the broken robot's body. It took a long time, but I was finally free of the LCL smell that strongly resembled blood. I sat in the seats that viewed the operation of the Evangelion's body retrieval. I simply stared at the gray head for a moment, when a slit opened up and became a green eye staring back at me. I screamed. Nothing more.

Past the bath and wearing my pajamas, I slept in my designated room with the futon waiting for me. I let sleep come to me and tried to rest myself into temporal bliss of my dreams. Then my door was knocked.

"Shinji, may I open the door?"

She let herself in. My body had the look of sleep, but I could still hear her voice.

"You did a praiseworthy thing today. You should be proud of yourself…Good night, Shinji. Hang in there."

Before she left the room, I swiped my blanket off and collided into her body of warm embrace. No matter how mature I feel compared to her, I still can't face all this alone.

Thanks a lot…Misato. Thank you for everything.

She patted my head and rubbed my back, like a gentle mother. "Don't worry about it…I'm always here for you."

I know…it's just good to hear it in person.

"Hmm…Shinji?"

Yes?

"Can you please get off my chest? I'm in a towel, you know."

Duly noted.