The match was intense. As the two combatants flung their attacks back and forth across the playing field, no one was sure who would come out on top. Then out of nowhere, a glancing strike, a graze, a brush, which sent the projectile in a strange direction. It was unprecedented by the receiving party; they weren't prepared in the slightest. With a lunge, and a light tap of energy, the game was back in full sway, but now in the opponents favor. With a high swing, and all of its power, the opponent threw its attack downward, hoping to score and end this game. The white haired oni was prepared for this, and countered, sending the projectile to the red haired devil at a low angle, making the recovery of the last all-out attack nearly impossible.
Reiji stood victorious as the ball fell off the table, hitting the ground a few times before rolling away. Reiji defeated Akihiko at their fifth, and tiebreaking ping pong game, 19-18.
Somehow now exhausted, the two went to the vending machine close by and Akihiko paid for the drinks, as was agreed in their wager on the game.
"Dammit. I thought for sure I was going to win that," He said, taking a long drink of the orange liquid he purchased.
Reiji took a few sips of the canned coffee he requested and shook his head. "You would have, if you hadn't had done that…"
"The finisher? Come on you gotta do a finisher. It's like a signature move in those battle manga," He said, holding his hand over his head and flinging the imaginary projectile towards Reiji.
Reiji seemed unenthused, as always. "If you say so. That finisher of yours made it easier for me to win." He said with a shrug.
The two continued to argue about the games as they headed back to their room. Back and forth they went, but to both of them, they didn't feel like they were fighting. A friendly argument. It was something that neither of them had experienced truthfully. Akihiko was always so abrasive, while Reiji on the other hand normally just didn't care about anything. While they both saw each other as rivals for Sena's affection, they were still comrades, and they were still here for one another. Reiji felt some kind of kinship with him. As if, while they were from very different backgrounds, they had both gone through their own kind of tragedy in their lives. They were both still learning to… be better people as well. With Akihiko around, Reiji felt like he could learn more by watching him, rather than just being taught.
"Fine fine, if you want, we'll play another game and see who wins. We'll play some games in the room. Sound fair?" Reiji said, with a smile that glinted at having a shred of enthusiasm.
Akihiko felt it as well, and nodded with certainty. "Fine by me! Don't cry if you lose, got it!?"
The two made their way joyfully to their room, and began finding a new game to play as they waited for their maidens to return.
Another plunge into the hot water, and the girls were back in heaven. "Now with all that off my chest, I feel so much better." Nami said, laying her head on a rock that surrounded the spring.
"I'm glad you are feeling better at least," Sena replied as she washed her hair close by at the showers. "Still, it's kind of hard to believe."
Kaoru merely nodded in agreement and made a few confirmation noises, concentrated on washing herself, as well as sneaking peaks of Sena's body.
The trio eventually all ended up in the hot spring, soaking once more. In the relative silence that followed, they all began to think; some being out loud.
"It's amazing it's been so long since the last attack." Sena said, before holding a hand to her mouth. "That's… just what my dad and everyone called it. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. It was an attack to you all. We sent him down as an emissary. He was still a warrior ready for a fight if one was to happen. It can't be helped. I've come to terms with it." Nami said in return.
Another silence came after, and then, Kaoru voiced her thoughts.
"They said that a total number of angels were supposed to come. Eighteen in total I think. I asked Ritsuo about it…" She trailed off. "Does that… make you the second one?"
"I suppose so…"
"Does that mean we may have to fight you?"
The silence came again… the trickle of water from the spring and the murmurs from the other women in the bath were all they could hear, but the noises were lost to them. Kaoru was thinking of how to defend herself and Sena if Nami were to receive the same kill order that she did long ago… And how she and Sena would take it. She couldn't bear to even think that Nami would do something like that, after everything she had told them, but the thought still hung in her mind. Sena must be thinking of what to do too... She thought to herself. The girl she wanted to protect was growing stronger and stronger by the day. Confidence, strength in spirit and body, and faith in her friends resonated through her being and was helping each of them grapple with what was to possibly come. Sena was becoming much more than what Kaoru was expecting.
"I won't be fighting you," Nami said finally, her eyes filled with resolve as she looked to Sena and Kaoru. "I…" She took a deep breath. Looking at her now, she looked like a different person. Her body seemed relaxed, and her movements were fluid and easy. She was comfortable, and ready for what was to come.
"I will defend this world with you. No matter what. They… they can't tell me what to do. I am my own! I am me!" She stood up out of the water, hand to her chest and other arm pointing upwards, "I will do all I can to help and keep this place safe. I love this world, and I want to do everything I can to keep it intact. I tear my wings and cast my form aside! I will ma—MMMPPH!" Kaoru rushed her and placed a hand over her mouth, taking her back to the hot spring water.
She had caused a bit of a scene, and everyone else had grown quiet to hear the naked girl's speech. Now interrupted, they continued to their banter and bathing. With a sigh of relief, the girls continued a bit more quietly.
"I'm sorry… I got a little carried away. I'm… pretty passionate about this." Nami said with a harsh blush in her face.
Sena had been giggling almost the entire time but managed to stop long enough to smile and reply. "Thank you Nami… It… makes me feel so much better knowing you are with us and not against us." She met Nami's eyes with sincerity. "I would hate to lose a friend as good as you."
Kaoru and Nami both blushed and turned away, frightened by so much embarrassing words. "Dammit Sena, why do you have to say things that are so sappy? Come on, let's go play some games before the boys get too peeved at us!" Kaoru said, standing up and dragging the others out of the water with her. With laughs all around, they exited the bath, and began drying themselves and getting dressed. It was time for games.
The car was quiet as she drove home. Kari drove as quickly as she could in the still warm summer night. "Hard to believe it's already summer," She said to herself, looking back at the briefcase in her backseat, "Also hard to believe they let me take that so easily."
"Well I did kind of just take it by force… sexual force." She said to herself, talking her thoughts out.
"But what else could I do? He wasn't budging an inch on me being the sole person to give this to him. Said I needed security clearance, more time working there… I just told him I'd do all the paperwork, footwork, mouthwork, handwork, et cetera et cetera… That got him riled up really quick. I saw him hit that button on his desk. He locked us in there while we went at it. He kept his word though…" She gave a small sigh.
"I hate doing it. But honestly, it's the easiest way. Men and women… so different, but just like animals, they can all be swayed by a few things. Companionship, food, shelter, love, and lust. That last one's the easiest for anyone. But, you gotta have some pretty good… goods… to ah… get by… right? I mean… no one that looked like that would be into a girl that would be so forward right? Of course not; he never tried to look under my skirt when I went up the stairs ahead of him, he never brushed my legs in my tights when we walked by each other during meetings or when I needed to ask him something, and he SURE. DIDN'T. GRAB. MY. TITS. When the power went out during that meeting."
She took a deep breath. "Typical. Just typical. 'I'm sorry Kari, it's not going to happen. Besides, you aren't even my type?' Really? I'm not? You sure plowed me like I was the last living vagina on earth. But like he said, not his type. Which is perfect. He loves sexing things that aren't his type. Big tits, small tits, huge ass, no ass… Anything goes it seems. No one has a type, they have a drive…"
She veered off and turned down the alley to her apartment, taking a little short cut. She swung into the garage fast, and found the spot close to the stairs and got into it. She sat in the car a moment more, letting it run.
"Regardless, It doesn't matter. It's in the past. I got what I needed, and I got it easily. That's all they want. SEELE, NERV, the government, all of them. They just want answers. Answers to questions they don't even know yet. I'm just here to get paid and work." Another deep sigh. "The Lawson's better still have some stuff that I can eat… I didn't eat much with Makito… didn't wanna seem fat or starving."
She turned the car off and tilted the seat back, letting her hands come up behind her head.
"There's just so much I don't understand, and I don't think I will ever understand. People… just can't understand one another… fully. We may feel empathy and stuff… but we will never see each others true intentions. It's all speculation, inference, and assumption. The river between people, especially men and women, can't be crossed that easily. Still…" She moved the seat back after sitting for a few minutes, taking in the silence of the night and then exiting the car, "We can always try our best." She mumbled under her breath.
God I was really hoping the stuff with Makito would have worked out… He was… Just… such a good guy during college. She thought to herself, as she fumbled with the keys.
She locked the car and made her way outside the parking garage and onto the sidewalk. The Lawson's wasn't far, and she was craving a ton of things. "Alright. Time to grub out tonight!" She lifted her hands up high, exclaiming as she did so, the last thought in her mind now miles away as she smelled the convenient store food.
"QUIT BUMPING ME! You don't have to use your body to turn!"
"Sorry! I'm tryin' ta win!"
"What's with that accent?!"
"Finished…"
Reiji, Akihiko, Nami, and Kaoru were all playing a racing game while Sena watched this round and got the snacks. Reiji finished first, with Akihiko in second, then Nami in fifth and Kaoru, somehow, in tenth out of fourteen racers.
"What happened there Kaoru?" Sena said, poking fun at her, "You told me and Nami you would wipe the floor with the boys at all these games…"
"Shut your mouth Sena! I don't want to hear that from the girl who didn't play!" She said with her sore loser attitude. "Rematch! Let's switch games! There's gotta be some fighting game or something in here right?"
"I'll have you know my Cammie game is strong in Street Fighter, you don't wanna test me there." Akihiko said, with a smile that could only be called smug.
Sena and Nami both laughed as the duo butted heads yet again, while Reiji sit back and watched as well.
"I'll go get us more drinks and stuff, anyone want anything in particular?" Sena said, raising up.
"Coffee…. And…. Chocolate." Reiji said hesitantly.
"Popcorn and Orange soda." Kaoru said, which brought a puzzled look from the others. "Don't knock it till you've tried it people! It's good!"
"Just a soft drink and chips are fine." Akihiko said with a smile.
Sena wrote them all down on a little pad and started to head out before Nami sprang up, "I'll come with you. That's a lot to carry by yourself."
"Thanks! We'll be back soon!"
The walk was short, but they made it longer with their talk of school, books, and what their golden week had been. Sena couldn't believe what she was hearing from Nami. She seemed like a completely different person now that she didn't have to hold back. Everything she said sounded so much more… vibrant and alive. She seemed the same as well. Life just poured from her as she spoke. She was so happy just… being. Sena loved it, and she loved the time she was spending here, but something was gnawing at her mind. Nami said that the angels above wanted them gone… with Nami gone so long… wouldn't they notice? Or send something else?
"Ah here we are! Sorry, I talked your ear off huh?" Nami said, grabbing the drinks that they needed while Sena got the snacks. They dumped them all on the counter of the small store in the hot springs and made their way back after paying. On their way back, still talking about everything, Sena felt something in her pocket. Her phone started vibrating. The only people who knew her number was everyone here, her father, and Makito. She scrambled to get it out and sure enough… it was him.
"Hello?" She said plainly, her responsibilities rushing back to her as the voice responded on the phone.
"We have a week to prepare for another attack Sena. After today, you and the others, as well as the entire class, will be going through some training… I know it isn't what you want to hear, with all this time passing and nothing happening… but I thought I should tell you and the others at least before it starts. It will be rough, but… It's what you have to do…" He said, with some hesitation in his voice.
He doesn't like this either… it's his job though… he must have been getting used to all the quiet too. Sena thought as she came up with her answer.
"I know it is… but… is there… a way that this Angel may not attack?" She said, looking over at Nami, who's eyes had now become wide and white.
No… no no no… Nami thought, trying to comprehend what was going on. They didn't get my report but… they still made their own decision? Are they sending someone else? Thinking I… died? Or are they… are they going to kill everyone?
Silence was on the other line for what felt like an eternity, and then a heavy sigh followed. "Report to the test chambers tomorrow with everyone else. We have a lot of work to do."
"But… Makito… is there a way to do that? Is there a way to do this without fighting? Please?" Sena said, nearly sounded desperate.
"We will talk about it there Sena… I will see you tomorrow."
The call went out to everyone in the class. And sure enough, everyone showed up. They were all children of a school that demanded the best, and the best was that they defend their city and the world from an incoming threat. As they all gathered in the test chamber, they noticed a few different things. The area was larger, and a stage of sorts was raised up above them, as well a series of elevators had been installed at points around the room. Talk of a secret concert for them, or some kind of seminar was about to take place, but all the rumors were washed away as the principle himself stepped onto the stage, and began his talk.
"Children, I hope you are well. Today, you have all been called here to prepare yourselves for what could be a disastrous event. Another angel is coming, and we are here to prepare. It is not coming from above this time, but below," He let the murmurs from the crowd go for a moment before continuing, "Fear not. We have ways to combat such a thing. Aside from the select units that were produced, we have also made units for you all. Now, they are finished. Your Eva Units are ready. Go to your capsules, and we will prepare you for your test runs and your entry into them. For some of you, this will be your first mission. Prepare yourselves and do your best. We, as well as the entire human race, are counting on you."