Tale of Ono
Chapter 9: Heart of Glass
It was around ten at night once an exhausted Shinji arrived at his new residence. It had been decided that Maya Ibuki would take him in that night along with the Angel. Asuka protested of course, but Misato put her foot down stating he deserved a night without worrying about making breakfast in the morning. It was also determined that Rei would stay in Shinji's old room. The boy was drained of energy not just due to the rigorous testing he underwent to analyze the various abilities and limitations of Lilith's gifts, but also the discourse with Misato on how he didn't believe he was capable of killing another person no matter what morally reprehensible crimes he or she committed. It crushed him to hear her respond that Rei would do the deed in his stead if he continued to feel that way. It almost seemed when things began turning for the better the hand of fate twisted events to place him back on the where he started: sacrificing himself or living with the guilt of allowing someone else to make a sacrifice for his cowardice. Perhaps the meaning of his existence was to lose himself so that the world could someday be a better place.
The sleeping arrangements initially were based on what Maya decided was appropriate for the two teens currently living in her two bedroom apartment. Unfortunately for the Third Child the truth of how he was terrified of sex was revealed by Leliel in an attempt to convince Maya to let them sleep on the same futon. Feeling pity for Shinji the lieutenant left him up to decide what to do, which threw the boy for a loop. On one hand he dreamed of falling asleep in Sachiko's arms since their second meeting, but on the other the Angel might prove to be promiscuous despite knowing his fear of unwarranted touching. Finally after a few moments of deliberation Shinji agreed that tonight would be the trial run. If he found wandering hands in his drawers he would yell and that would end the matter.
"You're worried aren't you?" spoke the Angel into a blue pajama clad Shinji's ear later that night.
"Of course I am," muttered Leliel's favorite human as he opened his eyes slightly to glance at the shrouded shape of a girl dressed in a black-n-white horizontally striped nightgown curled up on his chest.
"You are not a coward," declared the crimson eyes the seemed to shine in the darkness.
"You're just telling me what I want to hear."
"That isn't true, I hold the memories of previous Angels. The actions you took to defeat them were nothing short of dauntless."
"I was suicidal. I was hoping one of them killed me."
"If that were true then you wouldn't have fought with all your might. You would have submitted to them the moment the battle commenced."
"I'm a hypocrite then."
"Why do you think that?"
"I murdered your kin to save the people of Tokyo-3 yet I can't murder one of my own despite them causing more death and destruction than all of your relatives combined."
"It is not murder, it is judgment that is long overdue."
"I shouldn't have the right to decide that sort of thing."
"Think of it how you wanted to stop your father from murdering innocents."
"Is killing them all truly the only option to stop this war?"
"They have lived nearly their whole lifetimes up to this point and concluded that immortality was worth spending the lives of millions of people. They will never stop pursuing their goals and once they realize you and those you care about are in the way not one member will hesitate to eliminate the threat."
"I'll do it then. I deserve to suffer so at least this way it will be for the people I care about."
"You'll be a savior."
"I just want to be me."
"I'll stand by you no matter what happens."
"Thanks, I-I love you Leliel," whispered Shinji hoarsely as he bit back a sob.
"I love you Shinji Ikari," murmured back the Angel as it kissed away the tears.
The next morning found the Nerv Headquarters Main Briefing Room void of spyware having been combed ten times over for recording devices. Misato in her red jacket entered the meeting last along with the reserved First Child in school uniform and the ever complaining Second in a green formal dress who chose to continue to berating her peer on the on that fact that the blue-haired girl wasn't human. Each attack was met with a rebuttal that Shinji, Major Katsuragi, and the Vice Commander did not care for such a trivial thing and that Asuka was simply feeling insecure about being a mere human. It came as a surprise to those already present within the room to see Rei defending herself rather than either remaining silent or begrudgingly accept the insinuations thrown her way. The three Bridge Bunnies chuckled at the spat, Ritsuko noted the spectacle on her laptop's Rei Ayanami File, and Shinji also in school uniform smiled in his seat next to Leliel wearing a black sweater on top of a frilly horizontally striped skirt. The Third Child proceeded to hug Rei and show her to a seat next to him much to Asuka's chagrin. The redhead plopped herself with a huff next to Misato who apologized for being late. Fuyutsuki overlooked the tardiness if only to begin the meeting right that moment.
The conference began once the lights darkened and a view screen on the wall farthest from the door the face of a brunet-haired man with a short cropped business hairstyle, angular jawline, and a solid round chine appeared. An information stream instantly materialized alongside the profile picture detailing his build, personal history, and last known location. According to the description his name was James Argreas he was forty-seven officially represented the United Kingdom on the Human Instrumentality Committee in direct control of Nerv according to UN case files. Ryoji Kaji stood and approached the screen in his usual sky blue oxford shirt and red tie with an unusual stern frown on his face.
"This is James Argreas," began the double agent, "he is the only confirmed Seele member that has made public appearances most likely due to vanity. He has been most frequently sighted in the city of Liverpool in Britain. One of my contacts that keep tabs on this man have found the perfect opportunity to capture him for interrogation on the whereabouts of the other members."
"Have you considered the possibility that one of your contacts is a traitor and this is a trap?" inquired Ritsuko Akagi while tapping a pen on clipboard.
"They will be checked by our gifted new ally to avoid such a situation," responded Kaji while gesturing toward Leliel.
"You know the person that relayed you the information?" pressed the doctor.
"Yes, may I continue Rits?" asked the spy cordially.
"Argreas," continued Kaji after Nerv's head scientist gave a nod, "is hosting a dinner party for his wife's forty-third birthday approximately three weeks from now in Manchester Hall in, surprise, Manchester, Britain. In a few days the Vice Commander and I have devised a plan that involves myself, the lovely Major Katsuragi, Shinji Ikari, and Leliel here acquiring false identities to infiltrate this event. We will have some time to become these personas with some minor make-up and hair adjustment as well as rehearsing Basic English greetings. The absence of the Major and the Third Child will be veiled behind body doubles of those that we chose to be trustworthy with such a task. Lieutenant Aoba will be our surveillance and will watch for an opportunity where we can snatch Argreas. We only need to get the man in a room for just a ten minutes to comb his mind for information. Any questions?"
"Who's taking my place?" asked Shinji with furrowed brow.
"A boy from your school whose father is in a coma," answered Kaji solemnly, "our Angel friend agreed to awaken the father once our job is done."
"Will I be bringing Lilith's gifts?" went on the boy.
"Most certainly as they'll be needed if things sour at the party," said the speaker.
"When do I get to do something?" demanded the Asuka.
"You'll undergo some espionage training as well Asuka," responded the smug man with a crafty smile, "once I believe you're ready the next mission has your name all over it."
"Will I need to change my face and learn some English as well?" asked Shigeru Aoba.
"Yes, I've made the necessary preparations of hiring a UN interpreter," responded Kaji.
The meeting was concluded shortly after points were made towards defense of the Tokyo Three should Seele find any hint of treachery after the mission. Upon funneling out of the room Asuka abruptly grabbed a confused Shinji by the wrist and pulled him around a corner away from the small exiting crowd. She noticed he was still wearing that gross hair bracelet gifted to him yesterday. Rei was standing behind the Second Child looking as ineffectual as ever. The Angel after a moment seemed to materialize at Shinji's side with an empty stare directed at the one holding his wrist. The grouping of teens caught Misato's attention leading her to approach them as well. The redhead glanced at her fellow pilots then at Leliel's black dress shoes nervously until Misato arrived making her brighten with an idea.
"Hey Misato listen," began the German pilot in her usual firm tone, "I've been thinking lately that I owe Shinji and Rei here an apology for how I've been acting recently."
"That sounds great," beamed the Major, "go ahead!"
"Well you see," spoke Asuka bashfully making Shinji perplexed even more, "due to my pride I can only do it if the three of us are alone."
"Surely my presence would be harmless," stated Leliel impassively.
"You'd think that but Asuka here is easily embarrassed so I think it's better if we give them some privacy," replied Misato in a teasing tone.
"You know me so well," the usually hot tempered girl said sweetly, "Look Leliel, we'll be going to a medical room just a floor down. You can meet him in Misato's office once we're done."
"I'll hurry back to you," declared Shinji upon being pulled toward an elevator at the end of the hall.
"Let's go Leliel," shouted Misato spritely noticing the raven-haired girl's lingering stare at the lift, "I wanna tell you all about how fun things will get once you and Shinji are older."
The trip to the Geofront Medical Wing which ended in a brightly lit hospital room was filled with tense silence. Shinji to an extent believed Asuka's plea to apologize discreetly however the way she acted just upstairs made him doubt the feeling was genuine. There was also the way the Second Child avoided eye contact with Leliel as did Rei. All this strange behavior irked Shinji, but in a way it did not surprise him. It was probably paranoia that drove Asuka to plan this private meeting. She had been raised and trained to kill Angels most of her life and it would take more than one professing love to a squad mate to change her deep seeded animosity towards them.
An apathetic Shinji was pushed to stand in the center of the room with Rei standing behind him and Asuka looking regretful directly into his eyes. For a moment nothing happened then the redhead shifted her bright blue orbs to the First Child and gave a nod. The still puzzled boy felt gentle hands cup the sides of his head. Asuka pulled off the bracelet adoring his wrist and proceeded to place it under the pillow of the sole bed in the corner of the room. This confirmed Shinji's assessment that Asuka was paranoid however Rei's inclusion to the act unnerved the Third Child. Once the bracelet was secure the two girls sat Shinji on the bed and looked at each other anxiously. Asuka of course decided she should be the first to speak.
"Shinji," she began in a stern tone, "I want you to know this is not about me thinking the Angel still wants to destroy humanity.
"Okay then why the secrecy?" queried the boy.
"This is about Leliel," continued Asuka who glanced at the pillow hiding the hair bracelet, "Rei and I believe that she is not just in love with you. She is obsessed with you."
"Maybe you just don't know what real love looks like," said Shinji with unintentional venom.
"You son of bi-," began the Red Demon winding up a fist only to be calmed by Rei's hand on her shoulder, "Listen Shinji the only reason I'm not making you stay in that hospital bed all day is because Rei and I are worried about you."
"Why?
"During the meeting, now don't take this the wrong way, I was watching you the whole time."
"And?"
"A few times your eyes flashed red."
"What?"
"Your irises turned red!"
"Rei, did you see it too?"
"Yes," answered the heir of Lilith, "Sor- Asuka and I believe the bracelet relays visual snapshots from you to the Angel. It also most likely transmits what you hear as well."
"I actually kinda believe that," muttered Shinji, "still I'm almost always watched by Nerv Intelligence so how is this really different."
"Rei, why don't you tell him," said Asuka in a resigned tone, "He clearly listens to you more because you're not a foreigner or something."
"I have been told by both the Major and Asuka what has gone on between you and Leliel," stated Rei, "it has come to my attention that there are some details that you both have not addressed."
"Like what?" asked Shinji with suspicion.
"She is immortal yet you are not. Leliel does not seem like the type to allow old age to claim you, so it should be assumed that she has a plan that involves you also gaining immortality."
"How do you think she would do that exactly?"
"You've been informed of S² organs correct?"
"They're like engines that run on infinite power inside Angels right?"
"Yes, now Angel DNA is near identical to human DNA is it not?"
"Y-you think that it's possible to fuse an S² organ with a human?"
"Asuka and I believe that is what Leliel plans to use to give you immortality."
"But…but the only ones who might even have a functioning S² organ is-"
"Seele, whom you are going after on the next mission."
"What if I say no?"
"She might not take no for an answer."
"Do…do you have a plan to stop her?"
"We're working on one that would benefit you not knowing much detail regarding it," replied Rei repentantly.
"Then why the hell did you tell me all this!" yelled Shinji in frustration.
"We want you to be on the lookout for anything suspicious idiot!" bellowed Asuka back in rage.
It was around a half hour later from his conversation with his fellow pilots that Shinji found himself at the door of Misato's office. He looked down at his left hand now wearing the bracelet and closed his fingers into his palm giving way to a deep breath. Opening the door, Shinji found a buzzed Misato speaking to the Angel about various sexual acts to be used on Shinji once they're older. The vermillion-eyed girl immediately cast her gaze toward her favorite human missing some inane hand movement Misato was doing. Shinji gulped as inconspicuously as possible and walked up to the desk taking note of the two most certainly empty beer cans next to his guardian's work computer. He proceeded to take Leliel's hand and ask that they take a walk in one of the forests within the Geofront. The raven-haired girl smiled at that while moving to whisper into Shinji's ear.
"Please, don't ever take that bracelet off again," murmured Leliel in a strict tone.