Author's Note: Sorry, this is going to be a quick filler chapter. Any filler chapters (denoted as "Omake #) are not relevant to the main plot of this story.


Amber glasses peered over a pair of cards. Gendo Ikari was using his patented hands-in-front-of-face pose to hide his emotional response to his hand from his opponent across the table.

In contrast to him, Shinji Ikari slouched in his chair. His hand lay facedown on the desk in front of him. He wore a smirk that had been etched into his face since the beginning of the game.

Between them sat Lieutenant Ayanami, who was serving the role of dealer, with Major Katsuragi behind her. Behind Gendo stood Fuyutski, and behind Shinji stood Shion. Dr. Akagi had declined to join them, stating "I'm too busy working with the MAGI and EVAs to play a stupid card game."

On the table in between them, three cards lay face up in front of them. A two of spades, a nine of diamonds and a six of clubs graced their vision.

Gendo, being the big blind, tossed forty dollars worth of chips on the table. Shinji matched him and called the hand.

Rei flipped over the next card, revealing a king of spades.

"I'll bet sixty," Shinji stated, tosses his chips into the pot.

"I'll raise you by twenty," Gendo responded, tossing eighty bucks into the pot.

Shinji matched it.

The next card was a seven of clubs.

"One hundred," Gendo said as he tossed his chips onto the table.

"One twenty," rebutted Shinji.

"One fifty," the older Ikari spoke, his expression unseen.

"Two hundred," Shinji's smirk grew wider.

"Two twenty."

"Two fifty."

"Three."

"Three twenty five."

Gendo's eye twitched slightly. His son's arrogant smirk was driving him insane. Most men were intimidated by his stature, but his son seemed to just not care about him. And Gendo loved being the centre of attention.

"I fold," he reluctantly stated.

Shinji's smirk grew into a full-blown grin and he started laughing.

"Really, father? After eighteen hands, you've lost?"

Shinji flipped his cards face up. A two of clubs and a four of spades filled Gendo's vision. Gendo choked back a horrified cry. His son had outbluffed him! He carefully laid his cards on the table. What had been in his hand was a king of hearts and a king of diamonds. He had lost to a single pair of twos.

"Well, I guess it's time for me to honour my bet," he toned as he stood up and walked to his desk. He grabbed a case from one of the drawers and walked out of his office.


Twenty minutes later, Dr. Akagi noticed a strange man in the EVA cages. She made her way towards him.

"Sir, this is a restricted area. You'll have to leave before security is cal-" her voice cut off.

Gendo Ikari, his face clean-shaven and lacking the distinctive amber glasses, frowned at her.

"Uh..." she stuttered. "I apologize for my tone. I did not recognize you."

"Carry on, Doctor."


Author's Note: Sorry, it's a really short one. A couple things. Yes, I know that I said I would have the next main chapter up two weeks ago. I also said that it was possible I would get highly distracted. This time, I got distracted by a new book I got.

I would like to apologize in advance for the delay of the next chapter. I just lost a cousin and an aunt in a horrible car accident, so I'm really distracted by that right now. Those of you who are the praying type, if you could pray for my family as we go through this tough time, I would be grateful

As always, review, preferably with a account so that I can respond via Private Messaging.

As no one reviewed this chapter before I posted it, I shall not be thanking them.