Shin Seiki Evangelion - Seasons

Haru – Requiem

Neon Genesis Evangelion created by, registered, and copyrighted to GAINAX Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision holds the copyrights to the English version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. This work of fiction is not intended for any commercial purposes but was created for the entertainment of the Author and Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

No copyright infringement was in any way intended.

Seasons written by Jino Turtlegod

M Rating. For mature readers only. Some scenes, themes, language, and situations are not suitable for younger readers. Reader discretion is advised.

HTML ver 10 APR 08

Ver 1 – 22 APR 08

Haru - Requiem

"Hai...Hai... Hai..." I mutter into the phone that I have wedged between the crook of my neck and my cheek as I double check the inventory list that someone apparently coded in one of the lost languages. I sound just like Shinji, agreeing to something because I don't want to argue. I don't really want to agree in the first place anyway. I prefer not to have this conversation at all. She's groggy and I'm busy.

"Hai..." I almost jump out of my skin as she laughs out loud.

"Really Asuka-chan, either pay attention or just tell me 'No'," Misato said in between snickers.

I frowned at the phone and despite my better judgement, I ask: "What was the last thing you said?"

In between her laughter I was able to piece together a question regarding the sexual relationship I have with Shinji. I color at that wanton woman's vulgarity. "Will that be all?" I ask through gritted teeth as I start fantasizing about strangling the raven haired harlot - legal guardian or not, there are limits to my patience.

I hear the Bitch sigh, the tell-tale gurgle of a laugh suppressed. "Yes, that's all Asuka-chan, see you later then! Remember, the Flower Watching starts at Six! Bye!"

I put the phone back into its cradle. I love her, I really do. She's like an older sister to me but there are times that she hits me with something that makes me doubt that she did it out of innocent teasing.

Flower Watching. Before moving here I always thought that it meant going to the park and watching cherry blossoms fall while in the company of close friends. And then the reality of Post-Second Impact hits you. It just a series of society approved Single's Nights. For lonely people to meet other lonely people and probably start something. Misato even rents a karaoke machine for the event. If you're lucky you won't even have to see a single flower fall.

I actually believe that the whole festival is being kept alive to bolster the falling birth rate. Lonely people and sake flowing like water... the equation is quite predictable.

I even entertain thoughts of not showing up.

But...

He's going. There's no way that he can turn Misato down. I don't think he even knows that he's one of the main attractions. Misato can always get him to sing a song for the night and then watch girls and even some women strike up a conversation. For some reason I never felt threatened when women strike up a conversation with Shinji. It's the girls that worry me.

I frown at the computer screen and at the jumble of rice kernel characters. More than four years in this God-forsaken country and I still cannot read katakana.

After several minutes of trying to read, I sigh and decide that I need a break. Making my escape from the small broom closet that I work in I wonder for the nth time what was I thinking hitting him - that is, Shinji Ikari - of course I was upset but leaving each other in a bad way was probably the worst thing that could happen. For years I've loved him. I know that. He knows that... God, I pray that he knows that. Yet, though I love him I cannot make him a part of me. I cannot and must not put my own selfish needs before his. That is the least I can do to repay him.

I buy a can of tea at a vending machine and walk out to one of the benches under the numerous cherry trees surrounding the Library. I gaze in wonderment at the light pink haze of delicate flowers. I feel content... well, almost content. With a frown I pop my can.

A shadow falls over me. I cringe, expecting the Section Chief coming to comfort a vulnerable young office lady - me that is- and comfort defined in the loosest sense of the word. I was surprised to three highschool students standing before me. Girls with a mission by the way they looked. I glance at the leader, a confident, saucy looking girl with short shoulder length hair. My eyes go over her features, she carries herself with the air of a fighter but by the soft lines of her body the most she can probably do is air boxing. It took some will not to raise my eyebrow when I saw the insignia of Shinji's school on their vests.

Ah! I see... I wait for the expected declaration.

"You're Soryu Asuka Langley," the girl spat my name out. At that, I did raise my eyebrow. These girls are so predictable.

"Which one?" I ask before taking a sip from my tea.

"Wha-?!" There was a bit of confusion. They thought that since there were three of them I would feel overwhelmed. They thought that since they loomed over me as I sat, they had an advantage. I almost felt pity for these children.

"Which one of you have feelings for my roommate?" I see them flinch and look at each other in surprise. They don't seem to know that they are not the first group to approach me. They're all the same though. "You're basically here to bully me to keep away from him because one of you likes him. Aren't you. With me out of the picture you think you can spend more time with him and wriggle your way into a relationship." I look at the shy, mousy little girl behind the leader. She cringed as I look at her. So. "Have you told him?"

The mouse shook her head.

"He hates gutless people, they remind him too much of what he is." I drain my can as they chew on what I just told them. I saw the hard glint in the bully girl's eyes as her hands closed into fists, most protector figures are always concerned when their wards have been slighted. Yet this girl seems to want to fight me instead of protect the Mouse - so, she also likes him but in the name of friendship she had stepped aside.

"Kei," the third girl said soothingly to the bully girl. I look at the girl, short auburn hair pinned back with clips. Unlike her friend Kei, this girl oozed dignity from her pores. Ojosama. Young mistress - daughter to some rich, snob of a family.

Bully, Mouse, and Princess. I can hardly be bothered with this.

"If you haven't told him, then stop wasting my time. If you can take him, then do so. He deserves someone who has the will and the ability to take his heart. Until someone does that then he's mine!" I snarled at the children. I know this to be true. As long as no one takes him, as long as he doesn't give his heart away, he is mine.

Mine!

But like a ton of bricks it hits me. I remember all that had happened the night before. The fight. Shinji moving out. Me hitting him. The blood I found on the sleeve of my jersey. All the other times I had felt secure because Shinji was close to me. We had been in stasis. We were more than friends, but less than lovers. And I am so afraid that I had broken the stasis, I had done something to push him away. And I realize that he is a ripe fruit for the taking. If any of these girls had tried to take him I knew I would lose him...

I can't believe this! I'm scared!

I stand up and the trio step back fearfully as I draw myself to my full height. Shinji had inherited his father's height and towered above these girls except probably the Bully. I'm just a bit taller than he is.

I brush past the girls. If one spoke, if one moved, I knew I'll hurt them. I felt fear like a tight knot in my belly. I want to throw up.

Outwardly I'm an unshakable behemoth to those kids – the Fire Demon of old. But inside I felt like jelly. Once in the safety of my office, I crumbled into my chair and hugged myself.

I swear I did not cry.

Tsu Zu Ku