As Shinji fixed breakfast that morning, he could not help but think about Misato. One eye was on the dishes, other eye was on Misato. When she was close to him, his heart began to rush and his face went red. This made him question his reaction. Was it because she was too close to him that made him embarrassed? Was he drawn to her body or charm? Or maybe she has feeling something for her?
Shinji shook his head to ridding himself of such thoughts. It couldn't be so. Having feelings for Misato, could it be as he thought. What was he thinking? "I'm sure it was just a coincidence, an awkward moment. I mean aside from Kaji, who would want to…?"
Misato burped chugging her first beer can and tossing it in the trashcan.
"Another beer for you?" Shinji inquired.
"You read my mind; it's the perfect beverage to start the new day."
"Yeah, if you like hangovers?" Shinji muttered.
Misato wrapped her arms around Shinji's neck, "Come on Shinji, do be a spoil sport, lighten up would you? Let yourself lose, it's the freaking weekend." She spoke slowly poking Shinji's chest.
"Misato, are you drunk again?" Shinji asked with suspicion hiding his obvious embarrassment. His eyes were up in the air.
Misato snickered to herself and hit Shinji in the back over and over again. "Maybe, maybe not, I won't tell, I leave that for your guessing mind." She joked.
Shinji sighed in disbelief getting out of her grasp. "You're such a child sometime."
"Well it takes one to know one." Misato realized learning some things from Shinji after the two years. Still, with him around she felt like she could express her herself even more than usual, since her and Shinji are so much alike.
"Say Shinji, do you have plans for today?"
"No not really, I've got nothing planned."
"After another simulation test, I'm going shopping and it would be good if you came with me. It's very weird going by myself."
This was unexpected for Shinji. He didn't know what to say considering the fact, he felt funny last night. But it was just another day out, and certainly was not date. He told himself. This was ridiculous worrying about it, so he manned up and said, "Okay I'll go with you Misato."
What harm could it do? At either rate, he had to fully know for himself.
Misato smiled, "Glad to hear it."
"Man that was refreshing, it's very rare I get a bonus on my work." Misato walked through the mall with huge smile as Shinji lagged behind carrying her bags both strings hung from his arms.
"So you get your bonus and I'm stuck doing the grunt work carrying all your bags?" Shinji paced.
"Oh don't complain, I needed a big strong man like yourself to help me out, and avoid the trouble of being hit on by guys." Misato winked at Shinji. "And for your hard work I'll even add a meal on me, quite deal I must say."
"My, aren't you so kind?" Shinji replied in sarcastic remark.
"Do you think this looks good on me Shinji?" Misato asked showing Shinji a bra size.
He blushed and looked away, "Misato, I really don't have any opinion on that sort of stuff."
"Aw, what's a matter Shinji, are you too shy to shop around with a pretty lady me," she teased. "Are you feeling funny about the warm atmosphere?"
"Don't tease me." Shinji's insides twisted as he continued to blush. He felt himself cut at corner of no end. He then found a couple of ladies laughing at him as they passed by, drawing attention. They were either looking down or admiring them. "What an awkward couple?" they whispered to another.
Shinji shook his head hard to ease the feeling. He didn't know what he was getting flushed about, so blindly and awkwardly he pointed to a different brand of Black Lacey Bra's and some red high heeled shoes. He didn't know what he just did just now. That had only made him stand out even more, even in laundry store.
"That looks real nice, I'll take this." She said.
"Thank you ma'am, have a good day." The clerk greeted with a smile.
"I never knew you had such taste Shinji."
"Don't mention it; I barely had time to think about it, so it just came out of the blue, and I thought they might look good on you. Shinji's eye widened over his own words. "Wait did I just say that, just forget about the last part."
Misato chuckled for bit. "I must admit I was surprised myself."
"Well I guess after being the only male in the house, I'm kinda used to your fashion sense." He turned his eyes. "As well as Asuka's fashion sense, but that's another story."
"Maybe I might take you out shopping again sometime, you can even help me pick out underwear."
"No way, I'm doing that. There is limit to my senses." Shinji shot back.
"Relax, I was only joking Shinji."
"Ugh, why am I acting so funny today?" Shinji thought sipping his coffee. "I'm never like this with Misato. I mean she's still the same Misato as ever. She's never made me feel this tense, unless. No way, that couldn't be." Shinji shook his head again trying get rid his thoughts.
"Shinji, what's up, why are you going red, are you feeling sick?" Misato inquired disrupting his thoughts. Shinji only hope that Misato didn't see right through him.
"Well, well, well, what are the chances?" Asuka (along with Hikari) asked meeting up with Shinji and Misato at the mall.
"Hello Asuka and Hikari, never thought we'd see you two at the mall." Shinji said.
"Silly Shinji, we girls are just clothes shopping, but it would have been a lot cooler if Kaji came with us."
Same old Asuka favoring Kaji over guys her age, to her, they are the lessor being of her sight. Like a queen looking down on her people, they are not worth her time or effort. But then again Asuka's taste in men has always been very picky, even turning down multiple dates and letters.
"How's living with Hikari going for you Asuka?" Misato asked.
"It's great Misato, plenty of room and better than your shack, no offense." Asuka replied bluntly.
"None taken, I'm just happy you are happy." Misato said always taking Asuka insults and criticism with smile regretless how much of a low blow they were. "And besides I have Shinji to keep me company if I'm ever lonely."
Asuka smirk doubting Shinji nature. "Well that's what I worry about sometime. Dealing with Shinji all day must be hard for you."
As Misato and Asuka continued to talk, Shinji sighed once ignoring Asuka rude response. Off course she was just being Asuka, so it was natural for him.
As the two drove off together Shinji began to glance more and more at Misato, while she wasn't looking. As his heart pounds he starts to feel for Misato more, even after going shopping with her. No matter how much he tried to shake the feeling, it was in him no matter what. Still, more and more questions poured into his head about Misato. What he felt just now and what is he feeling now? What will he say and how long will it last?
He soon realized. "I don't think I can jeopardies what I have. But for now I'll let it go at its own pace."
"Hey Shinji, are you coming or not?"
"Yeah, be right there."