It has been a few days since the last operation, and for that amount of time, Shinji has not been able to get a hold of Asuka. However that could have just been because of the synchronization tests that Ritsuko was putting her through. Even after they defeated the Angel, she came up to them and told Asuka that she was needed to perform more tests. So either way, it was only a matter of time before Shinji is able see Asuka again.

But at the moment, Shinji was walking with his two friends, Kensuke and Toji. The only reason for this was because they had decided to head over to Shinji's place so that they could hang out for a few hours. Especially since that it has been over a week since the last time that they got to see him. Both of them knew that what Shinji was doing was very dangerous, and could be called upon at a moments notice. It did surprise them when they were told that their friend would be out of school for five days in a row. However, since it was Misato who had told them about Shinji, Toji was to busy staring at her breasts to make any thought process at what she was telling them. And it was only thanks to Kensuke for filling him in later did he wish that he would have paid more attention to the conversation rather than his hormones.

So here they were, the three friends heading over to Shinji's apartment. But what was surprising was the fact that none of them had pleasant look on their face. The reason for this though is very simple. "Two more days and then we hit midterms" Commented Kensuke, who just like his two other friends, had forgotten to study. Well he and Toji forgot to study, while Shinji did not really have the time to study.'

"Don't remind me, will ya. May as well check into the cemetery." Toji said. It was a known fact that the jock of the class was not that very interested when it came to studying.

"I'm ready for the worst." Even Shinji could not help but whole heartedly agree with his friend with this one.

Shinji though was not expecting his friend, in this case Toji, to suddenly wrap his arm around him in a somewhat loose head lock. "Wait a damn minute! What happened to the A-plus suck up we all know and respect?" What Toji was referring to was the fact that Shinji has been making straight A's in all of his classes.

"I haven't had a chance to study ever since I got back." Which is true. All of the time that he had while living with Asuka was devoted to learning the choreography that they needed to learn.

"No sweat! We'll discuss battle plans when we reach Shinji's crib!" Yelled Toji. It did on the other hand surprise Shinji that his friend wanted to study something. But at the moment, he could not figure out the reason for this. He was then surprised once again when all of a sudden Kensuke agreed along with Toji.

The sudden statements that was just made by his two friends made Shinji want to ask them why. "Why do you guys want to study at my place any ways. Wouldn't be better if we went to one of your houses?"

But the answer that Shinji received was not really all that surprising to him. Even the fact that they had said it at the same excite time. "Because we can see Misato!" Toji then looked up at the apartment building with a determined look in his eyes. "She's probably not back from work yet. But we'll wait!"

With that said, they entered into the elevator and pushed the button to the floor that Shinji's apartment was located. It only took them about a minute to get to the door. So Shinji took out his keys and put them into the lock, he then twisted his hand and unlocked the door to the apartment. All three of the friends were having a normal conversation, well normal for Toji and kensuke since they were talking about Misato.

After they took off their shoes they went around the corner and froze. All around the apartment was boxes stacked upon boxes. There was so many of them that it almost looked like it was forming some type of maze that you had to go through just to get to the other side of the room. Even Toji could not help but release the question that was on his mind. "Dude, what is up with all of these boxes?"

To which Shinji just answered with a simple, "I have no idea." He almost found it quit funny when he heard Kensuke say that the room looks like the final scene in Raiders of The Lost Ark.

When they finally got to Shinji's room, they came to discover that it was also filled to the brim with boxed. "Hey Shinji, isn't this your room?" Asked Kensuke. Shinji could only nod at his friend, he was still trying to figure out where all of these boxes had come from. It was only a few seconds later that all three of them were brought out of there staring by the sudden voice that was behind them. And it brought a small smile to Shinji's face.

"TAA DAA! Not anymore! Starting today, this will be my room!" The red head had heard the boys walk in and wanted to surprise them. And thankfully her plan worked.

"AAAAHHH! She's returned! No! Stay back!" Yelled Toji. Even to Shinji, he could tell that that reaction was a little bit more than what he thought was needed. But he guessed that Toji still did not really like her after she had slapped him.

"Cut it out, you moron!" Yelled Asuka. Not really liking the fact that Toji had reacted to her the way he did.

"What are you doing here Asuka?" Shinji asked out of curiosity. Not that he was displeased that she was here, it was the opposite in fact.

"Well, Misato invited me. I'd really prefer to live by myself, but you know her, she insisted." She put more of a tone when she had said 'prefer', in hoping that he would understand and go along with her.

And thankfully, Shinji caught it. "So Misato is kicking me out of my room and giving it to you." He added a little bit of surprise to his voice so that it would seem more real to his two friends

"What? Did I hear a note of discontent?" She then walked up beside of Shinji and got right in his ear and whispered, but it was still loud enough so that the other two that were behind them could hear. "Having you around will be such a perfect little stress reliever. I'll take good care of you Shinji." The way she said it made it sound like she was joking. But if she was to be honest with her self, she would know that that was what she was actually thinking.

"Oh, God. And what about my stress?" He asked while having a fake look of annoyance on his face. But inside of his mind, he was smiling at their little game that they were having.

"Shinji! Hurry up and throw your stuff in the next door closet! I couldn't even get half of my stuff in here! And what is with these Japanese rooms, they are so minuscule!" Said the bossy red head.

Shinji could even hear Kensuke and Toji behind him. Toji just said that he was a poor bastard, while Kensuke was wishing he could have been the one to be living in the same apartment. Only a minute later did Misato finally arrive home from work. "Hi, kids! I'm home! How are all of you getting along?"

Her attention was then brought onto Shinji. "Misato! How could you do this with out talking to me!?" He said while trying to make his voice sound like he was upset.

"I'm sorry, it was all rather sudden. When Asuka told me she wanted to live here..." This was not the answer that Shinji thought he was going to get. But either way, it did make him feel good on the inside knowing that Asuka had asked Misato to live in the same place as him. But he could just be over thinking that. He then gave Misato back his attention. "I couldn't refuse. And since she did ask to move in, that means she must have had a lot of fun in those five days you two spent together!" She put more emphases on the word fun then she needed too. And all the while Asuka was busy behind them. She had taken it upon herself to relieve Shinji of his bedroom and put his stuff into the next room across from it.

Though, before Shinji could get a word in, he was suddenly grabbed by Toji. Who was quit surprised to find out that his friend had spent five days with the red headed she-devil. "You spent five days with her!"

Even Kensuke was going through all sorts of situations that could have transpired over those five days. "What could it mean?!" His thoughts then made the turn towards a more perverted idea. And it was one that he did not want to think about. "NOOO! I do not want to have an image of Shinji and the red headed she-devil getting it on." But it would seem that his eyes caught something in front of him. "WHOA!" Kensuke then pointed towards Misato. 'Misato! were you promoted?" He then bowed his head in congratulations. While Misato could only look at the boy and smile nervously while sweat-dropping at his sudden change of attitude.

"I did not know that you got promoted, Misato." said Shinji.

But his statement only cause Kensuke to continue further. "Have you not noticed? Before, Miss Katsuragi's collar bore a single pin, now there are two! She was promoted from captain to major! Right?" To which Misato could only say the word 'Yea'. While Toji and Shinji looked on with bewilderment. But Kensuke ignored Toji when his friend said 'The power of an Otaku is witnessed.' While Misato only thought that the kid was a little bit weird. However, Kensuke did not get the vibe of the room and continued on. "Well, this all's for a Celebration!"

And in just two hours, all five of them were around the table waiting for the food to finish grilling. After Kensuke made his little declaration, he ran home has fast as he could and grabbed his portable grill. He even had enough time to make a sign to hang up on the ceiling. The sign itself read 'MISATO! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTION! ASUKA! CONGRATULATION ON YOUR MOVE!' "This is a day that will be long remembered! Miss Katsuragi's promation and Soryu's has moved in." Cheers!" He then took some of the meat that has finished grilling and put it onto his plate.

"Hey, why are we suddenly having a grill party?" Whispered Asuka towards Shinji, who was sitting right next to her. And to him it seemed that she was waiting for something.

Shinji could only shrug his shoulders at her. "I think that Kensuke has gotten a little bit carried away."

But it would seem that Kensuke had over heard them. 'You two! Less whispering, more eating!"

Shinji then turned towards his left to where his other friend was sitting. "Weren't we supposed to be planning our mid-term strategy?"

"Well, you did say that you were prepared for the worst didn't ya." Toji said while eating his peace of meat with a sorrowful look on his face. It seemed to him that he was destined to fail all of his tests.

Misato on the other hand, did not really get why this kid was so enthusiastic about her getting a promotion. But honestly she did not really care all that much. As long as she was able to drink a few beers, then she was perfectly fine with this kid throwing her and Asuka a party. Especially since he was buying everything.

It was then that all of them noticed someone walking through the front door. And surprisingly it was none other than Hikari, the class student president. "Um... Good evening."

"Oh, there you are Hikari! Come on in and have a seat!" Yelled a smiling Asuka.

But Toji could only look at Hikari with a confused look on his face. "Huh? Why's the class rep invited?"

"Because I gave her a call. Not much of a party here with you lamers. And I'm talking about you." Asuka said while pointing towards Toji.

"What?! What do you mean, your talking about me?!" Yelled Toji right back at Asuka.

Hikari just ignored her two friends and walk over to where Misato was sitting. "Nice to meet you! I'm Hikari Horaki. Um... thanks for letting me come over."

Misato could only smile at how proper the girl was being. "At this point, one more doesn't change a thing."

Hikari then walked back around the table and sat down beside of Asuka. "You're really going to live with Shinji?"

"Yea. I have to for strategic reasons." The way she said it almost made it seem that she was against living here.

Shinji just had a smirk plastered on his face while Asuka said that to Hikari. 'She's back in no nonsense mode.' He tried to keep his smirk hidden but it would seem that Asuka had caught it out of the corner of her eye.

"What was that smirk all about" Accused Asuka.

Shinji just pretended that he had no idea what she was talking about. "Smirk? What smirk?" He then reached for his glass and drank it, while ignoring the accusing look that Asuka was sending his way.

But thankfully for Shinji, Hikari was able to take the accusing look that Asuka was giving him and turned it into its normal one. "Say, Asuka, is Mr. Kaji coming over too? I remember you telling me that it was him that brought you to the school for your first day. He seemed to be cool guy, right?"

"Kaji? Well, I did call him earlier to invite him over. But it just went to his voice mail. So I don't know if he will be showing up or not."

Across the table, Misato had been listening in to what the two girls were saying, and decided to put her two cents into the mix. "He said he was on a business trip to Matsushiro. So that more than likely means that he is probably sniffing some girl's butt even as we..." But she did not get to fished because of the door to the apartment suddenly opening. And it revealed none other than Kaji himself. To say that Misato was surprised would be an understatement.

"Hey, everybody. So what are we celebrating." He said while walking into the room with a bag in his hand.

"We were celebrating Asuka's move and my promotion. But I do not recall ever inviting you." Said Misato, who had her back presented to Kaji.

"Don't be so cold." He then held up the bag that he had brought with him. "Look, I brought presents from Matsushiro!"

When he said that he brought presents, Asuka got up from her seat and went towards Kaji. "What about me? Don't you have a present for me?" She asked. If it weren't for the fact that Asuka had told Shinji that Kaji had been the one to look after her, ever since she began training to become an Eva pilot, then he would have thought that she was trying to hit on him by the way she was holding his arm.

Kaji just smiled at the way Asuka was acting. But never the less he reached into the bag and grabbed ahold of the present that he had bought for her, and handed it to her. "Wow, I'm so Happy! Thanks, Kaji." She then opened up her gift to only find that it was just a small little toy kitten. "What the hell is this crap." Luckily she said it low enough that nobody had heard her.

However, Toji on the other hand, had noticed the sudden change in attitude from the she-devil then how it was before. Now she is acting all nice and mannered, and it somewhat annoyed him. "I think it's just automatic that glow in manner you bestow on this dude. When can we possibly hope for some of that indulgeneceness upon our own unworthy selves?"

"In your dreams. I could never look upon the moon and a microbe the say way." Said Asuka, who was still looking at the present that Kaji had given her. Seriously, why was it a small cat toy.

"Micro... you mean me?" Toji said while pointing towards himself.

"Yeah. Under the microscope, you're a paramecium, Shinji is a water flea, and Aida is mitochondria." Not really paying attention towards Toji.

Who had decided to go over to the new person and try to give him some advice. "Hey Mister, just a word of advice. She has a pretty face, but she's a bitch to the bone."

However, Asuka overheard him. "Hey! What do you think you are you saying to Kaji?!"

But her little outburst only made his resolve to continue harden. "She's vicious, vulgar and violent. Just the other day she was handing out beat downs on some guys and myself for witnessing her shameful display of her panties." He then thought about that day. It was just extreme luck to be standing in front of Asuka when she had fallen down in the hallway at school. But during his little flash back, he did not notice Asuka telling him to Shut up. "She plays all sugar-sweet, but ya know, beneath that frosted goodness lies...'

"I SAID... SHUT UP!" Asuka then proceeded to punch Toji in the face as hard as she could. And not realizing what she had done until after she done it. She looked around and saw that everyone was looking right at her. All of them looked at her in a form of shock. They were quite surprised at what she just did. Well all except for Shinji. If anyone could see his face at the moment, they would see proud look on his face. Because if she would not have punched Toji, then he was getting ready too.

However, Asuka tried at the last second to reel back in her inner self. "Gee! I just nudged him and he fell right over."

Toji jump up while holding his now bruised cheek. "You lie like a mattress! It not going to work this time. Your true nature is exposed!"

"It doesn't exactly come as a surprise" Misato said. Already knowing the way Asuka can be from time to time.

"Asuka's not that good of an actress." Said Kaji, who had his arms folded and had a smile on his face.

On the other hand, Asuka was not really expecting to here them say that. All of this time she thought that her true self was hidden to everyone other than Shinji. "But I'm not... acting." Trying for a last ditch effort into making them think that they got it all wrong. But if she was to be honest with herself, then she would know that she was trying to make herself believe that. But to an extent, she really was not acting. Its just that her normal personality is that of a person that can easily loose their temper.

Misato walked over to Asuka and stood beside her. "Look... Your foster parents aren't here. You don't have to force yourself to be a good girl."

Asuka looked to Misato with a look of shock on her face. But before she could say anything. She felt Shinji stand next to her and discreetly put her hand into his. He then whispered so that she would be the only one to hear him. "It looks like we can be more open whenever we talk to each other now, doesn't." Asuka could only smile at what he said. Maybe now that she does not have to hide her true self, she will be able to have more of a life now rather than hide behind a fake person.

It was not long after that that the party went back to the way it was supposed to be. And by the time that everyone had passed out, Asuka was having fun.

'This was the first time in my life that I was ever at a real party, with real friends.' And with that thought, Asuka fell asleep on the floor, right beside of Shinji.