Again, all reviews are welcome in this story. I love the reception this series is getting so far, and I plan to make changes in it so much where it's hard to compare to any other story. Thanks for reading!
Case 06- Thy rose blossoms.
Shinji was out today on the weekend with his casual clothing of a white button shirt and black pants. Today he was out along with Kensuke and Toji in outer town Capital walking along the various lines of stores stacked together that were just lining up with people inside every little box. Though they weren't out for any regular occasion, the two stooges talked Shinji into going with them to the arcade lot that all the school kids went to. Shinji was never much into arcade games, but was even less enthusiastic that there might be a ton of people there. But no matter, he went anyway because he did not feel like being home alone with two girls that had it out for him.
"We're almost there hotshot! We hear there's going to be a huge tournament being played on the new game they installed!" Toji yelled enthusiastically.
"A tournament?! You never said anything about a tournament. Unbelievable..." Shinji whined.
"Come on! What's the big deal? It's just a fighting game Shinji! You should be good at them anyway! Beside's it's bout time you showed your face to all the cute faces here in Rinbo Tokyo ! Come on! Just say you're the pilot and start playing! You'd be sure to win! I just know it! You might even attract the look of a pretty girl you know! It's time you got a girlfriend!" Kensuke replied.
"I don't even think you two have ever had one." Shinji mumbled.
"We're here." Toji stopped the two, and they were now front of a dirty open door arcade lot with barely any people inside. Though they did catch a white stand up sign by the entrance that read: Tournament Cancelled!
"AHH! Are you serious! That's just so lame! I swear I'm going to talk to the damn manager and ask what in the world happened! KEnsuke! You know the guy! Come with me! Shinji! You stay here! We'll be right back! You just stand there n' look good if he comes out here to talk to a Tier once Officer!" The two teens marched into the back of the arcade kicking in the employees only door, making Shinji face-palm at their ridiculous entrance. He was getting tired of standing and saw a wooden bench by a line of newspaper dispensers. Looking all across the streets from left to right, he felt this lot of town was empty and brooding, with barely any traffic coming through. Sighing to himself however, he was caught off guard when her voice was heard...
"Ikari." Rei said, with few wraps along her arms, wearing a Tier one officer outfit.
"R-REI!" Shinji stood up to greet her. "What are you doing out here?" He asked in exclaim.
"The commander said I should patrol around this area. It's most uninhabitable you see. And he called Misato to see where you were going, and he wanted to add that he wanted us to spend time together. He also wanted me to mention to use your title as much as possible anywhere to get the praise you deserve. I've no idea why he would say such a thing, but he seems dependent on you wouldn't you say?" Rei almost sounding like she was trying to convince him of something.
"He said all that...?" Shinji feeling a warm spot in his heart.
"Indeed he did." Rei sitting on the left side of the bench now, Ikari went to sit beside her now as well.
"Well I'm not sure what you mean by uninhabitable Rei, but do you mean it's dangerous to be out here? Are there gangs out here or something?" Shinji growing worried of her casual statement.
"There are many reasons why this may be not for the ill of heart. Some say in contrast, that this entire area is a haunting. Though a lot of places are like that these days. Come into contact with a pink sight, you're sure to be frightened by the event. Popular tale among citizens here, that is why they do not come out here, if you walk up that long road, you're sure to be smothered by a pink hue and ever growing trees. Noises will pick up, and you will panic. Streetlights may turn off and on, and some may even shatter before your eyes. Much like the new machine they enrolled into this play area. It must have combusted for no reason. Would you believe all of this Ikari? This does so happen to be a part of town with a sure amount of fatalities." Rei's info on this area was full of mystery to Shinji, realizing that there was more to the city than meets the eye, Though his whole flora of eerie thoughts got flushed out when he saw her... Oh yes another her.
"A-Asuka?" Shinji couldn't believe it, first Rei, now Asuka. The redhead stopped in her tracks, and immediately gave Rei a dirty look.
"Oh hello wonder girl! I'd sure hope you're giving Baka Shinji here some real, 'Expeience'!" Asuka bent her fingers on the word, and awaited a reply from either one. Though Shinji remained silent, being caught by her beautiful looks on this particular day, she wore a golden yellow sun dress, and wore a fancy straw hat with a rose in a pink band around the hill in the middle of the hat.
"..." Rei remained Silent.
"Are you on patrol out here too?" Shinji decided to ask her to try and avoid any confrontation with Asuka and Rei.
"You really are an idiot! Why the hell would I be on patrol on the weekend? That's for petty girls like the 1st Child! I'm here on a date! Though I didn't think you of all people would be in a place like this..." Asuka stared at Shinji gravely, with a look of hurt.
"Well... Toji and Kensuke dragged me out here. I didn't feel like being at home, so I went here." Shinji didn't need to feel hostile toward her, but he noticed she kept glancing at Rei every now and then.
"So..." Asuka whipped her head. "What's she doing here then?!" Asuka looked at Rei with an accordance to kill.
"S-she's on patrol out here! That's all! I saw her and we've been talking about stuff! R-Right Rei?" Shinji defended.
"Well I also wished to be here, but Gendo only made my wish true. It can be odd being alone all the time you see, so he thought I should... How you call: Make a friend." Rei put bluntly in her ghostly voice. Though Shinji's face blushed wildly, and Asuka was left speechless.
"W-Whatever! I needn't to hang out with you losers anyway! I'll be leaving now to see my boyfriend!" Asuka huffed and turned around to walk down the other way towards a park in the side of a mountain that was only a few blocks ahead. But before she made it across the street, a junky red car stopped by her and Shinji could only stare in anticipation of the encounter. He could see her jump in glee as a man stepped out of the car with a loosen tie and chin stubble. He hugged her with a kind grin, but the man hugging her was caught off guard once Asuka was pointing down the street towards Shinji. Shinji saw a frown come across the mans face and he slowly let go of the girl making his way toward him with balled fists.
"GAAHHHH!" Shinji yelped and slowly stood out of his seat walking back into the arcade lot.
"Ikari? What is the matter?" Rei looked at him with a brow raised.
"That guy's going to kick my ass!" Shinji yelled as he went running into the back of the arcade room with barely any light around and just 3 feet of room above his head with the game machines lighting his way, he went through the door his two friends kicked down and ran up a single flight of stairs in a dim yellow brick hall. A metallic green door with a glass window was in front of him now, and he burst open through the door to his knees panting.
"Ikari?!" Kensuke yelled from across the room. Shinji looked up to see him and Toji were at a sitting table in the middle of the room with an older man with a grizzly build. The two were sitting patiently at first, but Toji slipped from his seat to his feet as he went to help Shinji up from the ground.
"HEY MAN! Calm down!" Toji yelled as he tried to get him to speak up.
"B-BAD MAN! BAD MAN GOING TO KILL ME! HELP!" Shinji got up to his feet to lock the door behind him,but the man just put his fingers around the door, and slowly pushed the door open, having Shinji fall to the ground.
"Don't worry bud! I got- Doi!" Toji squealed in pain as he received a nice object thrown at his crotch. Shinji looked up to see Asuka throw her purse at him, while clinging onto the man.
"Say, I hear you've been making my little girl here in quite some agony." The man held the boy up by his collar and grinned happily.
"N-NO! Don't hurt him!" Asuka stopped him.
"Then why'd you throw ya purse at me..." Toji cried.
"BECAUSE YOU WERE GONNA START THROWING PUNCHES! P-Please big brother! Don't hurt him!" Asuka yelled trying to stop him.
"Well then... Maybe I should just..." The man with the poor exterior paused. "Should have never come off so strong!" He chuckled, putting Shinji down on the ground, patting the grime and dust off of him. "I know better than to take my sisters words seriously. She's really got some nerve, trying to hurt her boyfriend." He winked at her.
"B-BOYFRIEND?! BLEH! With him? You're out of your mind!" She blurted.
"Funny girl huh? She called me up last week when you guys got into it. Boy I can relate, you don't want to hurt her because you're inexperienced. Totally get it..." The man's words made every single person in the room tense up with blood red faces, as they sprang their arms up.
"W-W-WHA-WHAT!" Asuka screeched.
"NO! He's betrayed us!" Kensuke yelled from the back.
"Shinji's into German gals?!" Toji hid his eyes.
"TAKE THIS OUTSIDE WOULD YA?! I don't want no lovers quarrel involved in my maintenance room!" The grizzly man shouted from the table.
"It's not like that!" Asuka and Shinji yelled shyly, with their faces burning a bright hue red.
Outside...
"Well sorry for making an awkward appearance. I don't normally listen to my little sister when it comes to complaints, but I couldn't just ignore her you know? Anyway, the name's Kaji. Kaji Ryoji Soryu." Kaji held his hand out, surprising Shinji.
"Ryoji? Langley is not your middle name?"
"There's a good reason for that..." Kaji trailed off.
"Oh, why's that?" Shinji wanted the answer.
"I was adopted."
INTERMISSION
Tokyo Police 2016
Spitting petals...
Everyone in the group flinched at the discovery except for Asuka who kept her gaze at the mountains off in the distance as she stood in the middle of the street.
"Hmm, Asuka you never told me about your brother, let alone any relatives." Shinji feeling annoyed that she never brought him up before.
"Oh silly Shinji, as if I'd ever give you the time of day to go on talking to you about my family! You're so idiotic!" Asuka said with harsh meaning. Though it only confused the hell out of him more.
"HEY YOU DUMB BIMBO! You were all over him the first day he started at the academy! Let alone you live with the guy so you'd think you was getting along with him!" Toji butted in. "AND ANOTHER THING- GAH! WHY MEEEEEEE..." He slumped to the ground as her purse red baton was chucked at his lower area again.
"Because you're irritating. Anyway, we were getting along, but he expressed his undying love to me, but I turned him down! Things have been awkward since!" Asuka lied.
"Yeah, whatever. I think we'll get going then. But it was a pleasure Kaji." Shinji picked up Toji and nodded to Kensuke for leave.
"Well uh...Nice meeting you Kaji." Kensuke shyly followed behind.
"Mmmm... I wonder if he even cares!?" Asuka said lowly to Kaji, looking for a clue as to what she did wrong.
"Well, he looks like a pretty level headed kid. So he's just trying for your best interests. But he will return your feelings for you! He's not stupid to do that to you." Kaji said optimistically.
"Hmm, you think?" Asuka tapped her foot and wandered her gaze to the sky. "Well... I guess what you say is true. But-" She paused, preparing Kaji a lecture. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING SAYING ALL THAT IN FRONT OF ALL THE THREE STOOGES! Now they're going to make fun of me for the rest of my time there! ERGH! It's so frustrating! You sure he'll come to me in my final hour when all cards are on the table? Whenever he feels more brave?" Asuka transitioned back to a thought of worry.
"You have to be patient... Beside's, what are you so worried about?" Kaji waited with a grin on his face until a beautiful girl with blue hair and crimson eyes walked upon the both of them.
"Excuse me, did Ikari just leave this area?" Rei stood still and eyed the both of them back and forth patiently.
"Shinji did actually! In fact, I'd say he went up to the park!" Kaji held his ears, as a high gasp came from Asuka as she covered her mouth.
"Thank you. Stay safe Citizen..." Rei paused and then turned to Asuka. "You too... Officer." Rei then left them with a cast down feeling that they were not supposed to be in this lonely section of the city.
"Good, she's gone... Spoiled fist child..."
"I get it now Asuka... Not only is she the top officer now, but she's after him too... Guess we'll have to call an intervention." Kaji stroked his stubbled chin with a wicked smile. "But mind if I say hello to an old friend for now? You think your guardian is at home ehh?"
"Misato! Oh I forget! I always forget! Of course she is home! But you can leave me here! I'm going after them!" Asuka turned her leave and walked fast towards Rei, leaving Kaji deep in thought of how she's changed so much.
NERV HQ
"Asuka, could you be a dear and make sure he's not doing anything wrong with another girl? You know,so he doesn't upset yours truly." Misato wavered her voice, feeling like she should let up on the lie she made up the other day.
"Oh of course Misato! Why would I stand by and let him make quick use of another girl just to break your heart? I mean you two have such a promising relationship!" Asuka's voice was obviously trying to make fun of Misato, so she already knew that it was all a lie. Though Misato figured that'd she know soon anyway since it was just a week ago since the night all revelations came to fruition.
"Ha Ha, silly me! I knew I could trust you Asuka! Tell Rei she has my regards! And those two boys that are always with him now these days! Buh-Bye!" Misato closed her phone, and looked poorly upon the surveillance monitors in her office room overlooking the Geo-Front. Feeling ashamed of her spying on the two, she fought back the urge to look upon the street Asuka was on. She flicked the monitor onto the desolate area she overheard the commander sent her out to. The camera flashed on in black and white and fluid recording of Asuka looking up toward the camera that was positioned on a streetlight. She saw Asuka smile at it wickedly and Misato jumped back a bit from her reaction. Asuka pulled her eyelid down and held her tongue out in tease waving goodbye. "Silly girl..." Misato sighed.
"Oh what's this?! The great Captain Katsuragi was just spying on the kids was she? Worried they're up to no good?" Ritsuko's heels clopped against the tile floor as she closed a large wooden door behind her.
"Well I was curious you know... Shinji's too much of a wimp to hurt anbody, he's got two friends with him, and Rei as a fellow officer to guide him through trouble. And now Asuka is gonna get in on the action it seems. But she had some older man with him earlier..." Misato growing suspicious of the character.
"Maybe you'll meet him? Maybe she's one of Asuka's friends?" The blonde took a seat next to her turning off the monitor.
"Asuka doesn't really have any friends. Sure she's popular but the only girl she really talks to is Hikari, and she used to be like besties with Shinji until that night... last week it was. So who is that guy?" Stroking her chin, she turned the monitor switch back on and switched video camera's rapidly trying to find his location.
"Why are you so jumpy lately? It really doesn't suit you Captain. Maybe she's got a relative out here. Ever thought of that?"
"Y-Yeah, but... W-WAIT A MINUTE!" Misato hit pause on the camera and saw a grinning man in a crappy convertible having his loose tie fly backwards from the roaring wind. "Oh dear." Misato slumped back in her seat, and had a look of anger.
"Well who is it?! I'm curious now too you know!" The blonde turned the monitor that sat on the big wooden desk in front of the two.
"Thinking back to high school days..." Misato sighed and did not look any bit of nostalgic.
"You liked those days as I recall. Even when we went to college you were so happy and enthralled to have a relationship with that guy. It was a meeting of fate between you two." Ritsuko turned the monitor off again, and went to look at the clipboard she brought with her.
"Hmph, he's a real ass. Once he heard I wanted to get into the real military police work, he just ran away with his tail between his legs. We're no ordinary police force you know? We have the Eva's to show for that... we're like a military police force. We've barely got to have any officers on patrol in the city since it is always so damn peaceful! He would have liked it here I tell ya! But no! He's just a coward!" Misato slammed her hand on the desk and got up to fetch coffee. "It's confirmed, Shinji is about to be 17, his birthday's coming up next week... And Asuka will be 17 By December. Both are confirmed to be 16."
"Rei Ayanami- 16 Years old, Birthday: January 1st 2000? Not sure...
Asuka Langley Soryu- 16 Years Old, Birthday: December 21st, 2000.
Shinji Ikari- 16 Years Old, Birthday: June 6th, 2000." Misato Read with no explicit Detail.
"There! is that what you came here for good old friend?" Misato gave a list of the children's official birth dates.
"Well it's supposed to be about that time to confirm their dates in the record system. But this paper in my hands means more than just scripted layouts for the children... No it's more of an welcoming invite.
"For that idiot? I tell ya... He's more of a coward than anybody here. I'm glad I left him in my last days in college... But he's the one coming here?"
"So that's how it played out?" Ritsuko overlooked the manuscripts on her clipboard, and she papers for a new member of intelligence coming in today... "Of course it's him."
Mountain Park-(Evening)
"You stupid boy! Who the hell ever said I wanted to hang out with you?! I came here of my own free will! I was out in this area before you ya know! I just wanted to go to the park to see my brother but you must have stalked me out all the way towards the arcade! I know how you are... PERVERT!" Asuka elbowed Shinji hard in the ribs and huffed while she sat in between Rei and Shinji on a wooden bench.
"Okay then, why do you have to sit so close?" Shinji trying to lead her on.
"Cause Misato asked me to make sure you weren't doing anything to this poor girl right next to me! Wouldn't want to discourage her or anything." Asuka smirked, trying to upset Shinji.
"A-Are you saying I'm offensive?!" Shinji felt sort of hurt, but he was annoyed now that she was trying her best to insult him.
"Well like you said you have no experience with girls, so it's conclusive that you'd be bad at a relationship! That's all I mean!" Asuka again felt that she was being to harsh on him, and her feelings got the best of her, so she retreated in tone. "I mean nobody's first relationship works out that great. We know that." Asuka tapped her feet again on the dirty ground as she watched Toji and Kensuke spoke some propaganda about NERV Academy into a cam-corder.
"I do not believe you are offensive Ikari." Rei spoke softly.
"Oh..." Asuka found this as her chance to egg on Rei about any feelings she might have. "Tell me, why do you think that Wondergirl?"
"A-ASUKA!" Shinji butted in angrily.
"Well... You're a nice person Ikari... You're sensitive in a naive way though. Even though I yelled at you and hurt your feelings, you were still saddened by my words of goodbye."
(Words of goodbye?) Asuka thought.
"I've heard all sorts of reports of your violent behavior towards new comrades that you met in the past... but you must have let up on it, the fact that you pushed even Misato away on first encounter. She told me that you seemed like a uh... 'Jerk' but you've always been good to me..." Rei's voice saddened. "Not even the commander had shed tears for me."
"Oh... Really?" Shinji surprised.
"Yes." Rei's one word response brought uncomfortable silence between the three on the bench. But Asuka grew anger between the two and felt like abandoning the situation, feeling like she was lost in this war. She was more or less upset that Shinji grew to ignore her over the week, but she was defeated and sighed, going to leave the park.
"Where are you going?" Shinji asked.
"Home, we've been out for a while doing nothing... I'd rather not be out here when it's late." Asuka whipped her hair back, and walked slowly ahead.
"She's right... I'll be seeing you again Rei." Shinji up and walked over to Kensuke and Toji to say his goodbye's. "I'm headed home guys. Are you going to stay out here?"
"We've got to man! But hey, we never told you that we're supposed to be working on a project for Class 2-A. The teacher wants us to make a promotional speech and we promised we'd get a picture of the Tier officers... We never thought we'd get all of you together, but why not now?"
"Uh... S-Sure." Shinji looked behind him and saw Rei was long gone, but Asuka was just about to be out of sight. "Hey now, hold on a minute." Shinji held out his hand to the two and ran to the trail below where there were merely a good couple flights of stairs from the sidewalk into the mountain side. "Asuka!" Shinji caught up, out of breathe panting.
"What is it idiot..." Asuka sighed, not feeling well talking to Shinji at the moment.
"Kensuke and Toji need a picture of us..." Shinji tried to say it in the nicest way, but he was merely afraid of having to go home with her while upset.
"A picture? for what?" Asuka turned to Shinji with concern.
"It's a project for their teacher... I said I'd get you in a picture with me." Shinji panted waiting for an answer.
"Hmm..." Asuka grinned. "Well okay! If you insist then I will gladly." Asuka walked ahead of him flapping her hair in the wind, and holding a light smile.
...
"Alright you two! Which is which?!" Kensuke pointed his finger in front of his cam corder. "I wanna know just who's the superior officer between you two?" Kensuke hit record.
"Well, obviously my partner... She's ready for any attack I swear! If there's danger, she'll be there in a second!" Shinji applauded Asuka, making the red head's face match her hair a shade.
"Yes, it would be me. You can't rely on this wimp for anything!" Asuka caught him in a headlock and dug her knuckle into the top of his head.
"OWW! Stop it would ya?!" Shinji standing still in pain, trying to laugh at her uplifting behavior.
"See! He's not all that bad! He's got strong defense!" Asuka stopped her teasing and patted him on the back happily.
"Alright then, We would like an opinion on how it is in the day of a life of a Tier one Officer. Is the crime rate high since recently?" Kensuke asked.
"What is this an interview? You said just a picture!" Asuka stomped and looked at Shinji.
"Hey now! Calm down! It's for good memories too ya know!" Toji gave a thumbs up. "We're having fun aren't we?" Toji asked Asuka and Shinji.
"Anyway, we'd like an opinion! Unless it's confidential, please do not give any information you don't need to yeah?" Kensuke fixated the camera on a tripod, and sat on the bench that was on the edge of the parks border that had railings behind it.
"Alrighty then, it's been calm for some odd reason. You'd think with terrorist attacks, that the city would be in chaos. But no. No arrests in the police records for about 3 months. Some questionable people here and there, but times are harsh you know." Asuka answered the question.
"What about you Shinji? How do you feel being an officer?" Kensuke paused but no answer came from Shinji.
"Well... Uh... I..." Shinji was afraid to answer the question, not really sure just why he was an officer or the benefits that came with it... He didn't really know what to say...
"Come on! You're doing it for a reason aren't you?" Toji added in. Only making Shinji flinch and fidget around.
"Shinji?" Asuka looked to him which now he held gray eyes void of any thought. "Hey now. You're okay! Now tell em why you do it?! Tell em what it's like!" Asuka snapped him back into reality, but Shinji grew into a cold sweat. Finally realizing he only did it because he was told to.
"I- I don't do it for anything. I DON'T!" Shinji face palmed with both hands angrily and fell to his knees sobbing.
"Oh great! You doid it now you idiots! Come on! Give us some room!" Asuka gave the two friends of his a death glare scaring them. "And turn off that damn camera!" Kensuke did as he told and he went down to the trail with Toji to wait for the 'Ok' from the officers.
"Sorry Shinji." Kensuke added, finally leaving the two alone.
...
"Hey now, if you were so uncomfortable being asked that you could have just said so Shinji." Asuka lead Shinji to the park bench with the pink sun setting behind them.
"But he asked... I couldn't turn him down." Shinji defended.
"Of course you can! So what if he asks! It's fine to turn him down! You can always have the choice to do so. Don't you know that?" The girl said with much worry.
"He asked... and I would have done it. But I didn't want to..."
"Just what are you saying huh?!" Asuka beginning to grow annoyed with Shinji's submissive behavior.
"I just do what I'm told. I've no real intention to make something in my life. I wouldn't care if I got into an accident or whatever. I just know that it could happen anyday..." Shinji let on his true feelings.
"But, you were happy earlier. You're saying you'd be okay?! You'd be okay just forgetting all the happy memories you have?!" Asuka waited an answer for a long time, but the silence pained her.
...
"Eyy... We could still record this without them seeing it Toji... Things are heating up with those two. Look!" Kensuke whispered while in the bushed behind a small hill on the trail that looked upon the couple on the park bench. They were holding hands, but Shinji looked in despair. With nothing but a frown on his face.
"Be careful. I'll be checking behind us! Just make sure you record if anything happens! You got it?!" Toji whispered back,
"Oh my..." Kenuke was still and quiet. With his mouth Ajar he stared in awe.
"What is it?!" Toji tried to look into the camera but Kensuke pushed him away from the view.
"You'll get to see it later man! Be quiet for now!" Kensuke patiently persuaded Toji.
"Man! Give me a hint would ya?!" Toji was eager to see what it was exactly.
"It's over now. But it confirms the relationship!" Kensuke stopped recording and put the recorder in his backpack. "We'd better get going... Let the love birds have a walk home alone!"
~Author~
So long, and thanks for all the fish!