AN: Well folks, this will be the last POV for 10/16/2015
So let's close out the day with Ms. Ayanami...
•6:11 PM
Noticing how troubled Ikari looked following the incident with Sohryu, I tried to inform Ikari that I no longer wished for him to go to the trouble of providing food for my 'apartment warming' celebration. I felt, given the trouble my actions had caused him, that absolving him of my request for his cooking was the least I could do.
To both my frustration and relief, he politely refused and insisted that he be permitted to continue. He insisted that it 'wasn't a problem'. I was uncertain at first if Ikari was referring to my unwelcome interference in his affairs, or to cooking. Deciding that he would not be dissuaded anyway, I elected not to inquire him further.
As I now rest my chopsticks on the empty plate in front of me, I must confess that I do not now regret, in the slightest, being unable to convince Ikari not to trouble himself for my sake. Though...it is not merely the selfish enjoyment of his efforts that have made me feel so...
"Shin-man, you ever think about going pro with this?" Suzahara asks, massaging his stomach appreciatively.
"Well...I...uh," Ikari stammers.
"No seriously Shinji," Aida chimes in, hurriedly stifling a small belch before continuing, "Have you ever considered that you might be in the wrong line of work?"
"Hah! You would say that Ken," scoffs Suzahara, "You just want his Eva."
Aida reddens indignantly at the accusation. "Hey, shut up Toji!"
I notice however, that Aida, for all his apparent offense at his friend's statement, does not seem to deny the claim...and judging by his reaction, Suzahara may in fact be correct about Aida's desire.
"Why would you desire to be Unit 01's pilot?" I ask the bespectacled boy.
I nearly add, "I doubt that it would operate for you." But I stop myself just in time.
'Asking such a question would lead to an unacceptable breach of classified information. The true nature of the Evangelions must never be revealed to the other pilots...or to Major Katsuragi.'
At this, Aida looks slightly bewildered, then slightly ashamed.
"Well I..." he begins nervously, looking over at Ikari, "I guess I...I-I mean...I know it's not at easy as it looks...and I know it's dangerous too. But still, it's-..."
But Aida is interrupted by a loud arrival at the front door.
"Hello everyone!" A cheerful Major Katsuragi calls out to the room's occupants.
Leaping to their feet, Aida and Suzahara bend down into identical and awkward bows. "Good evening Ms. Misato!" they exclaim in unison.
'Perhaps they would both make valuable pilots if ever an Angel similar to Israfel were to attack again,' I observe. Though, of course, no amount of natural synchronization with one another would make up for their lack of usable Evangelions.
"Hello boys," the Major responds in a lilting voice complete with a winning smile that makes Aida and Suzahara turn bright red and grin back foolishly.
"Oh dear," says an older male voice from behind Misato, "Do I sense some competition for your attentions Katsuragi?"
Inspector Kaji emerges through the doorway to a polite greeting from Ikari, a scowl from Major Katsuragi, and dismayed expressions from Aida and Suzahara.
"Pfft, get over yourself Kaji," scoffs Major Katsuragi, before turning to the others with a slightly mischievous smile. "I'd rather have a real man in my life."
At this point, both Aida and Suzahara topple to the floor with matching dazed and delighted expressions.
Ikari, meanwhile, simply averts his gaze with a deepening blush. "Misato," he groans, "You really shouldn't encourage them like that."
Major Katsuragi pouts in a decidedly juvenile display of displeasure. "Spoilsport," she mutters. Said displeasure seems to be ingenuine however, as her pout is quickly replaced with a fond smile, as she takes a seat at the table next to him. "How are you Shin-chan?"
"Um, a-alright I guess," Ikari replies, noticeably avoiding her gaze.
This does not go unnoticed by the Major, who immediately shoots a glance at Inspector Kaji before turning back to look at Ikari.
"So...nothing interesting happened today? No...incidents...I should be made aware of?"
Ikari looks frightened at the question and immediately freezes up.
"Shinji?" the Major sounds serious now. "What happened? Are you alright?"
"It was my fault, Major Katsuragi," I say quietly.
All eyes in the room turn to face me.
"Rei?" the Major replies, sounding wrong footed. "What do you mean it was your fault? What happened?"
"I engaged Pilot Sohryu verbally and deliberately provoked her," I state truthfully. "Ikari came to my defense when Sohryu attempted to attack me in retaliation."
Katsuragi blinks bemusedly, looking at me as if she has trouble believing what I've just said.
After a moment, she recovers enough to articulate words. "You?" she asks, her emphasis on the word suggesting disbelief of my confession. "You picked a fight with..." she shakes her head, "YOU picked a fight?!" Her tone continues to suggest disbelief rather than outrage.
Nevertheless, her expression quickly becomes rather severe as she says, "I think you'd better fill me in right away."
With a nod, I do as she asks.
After several minutes, and confirmations of accuracy from Ikari, Aida, and Suzuhara, Major Katsuragi bows her head, looking grim.
"Okay," she sighs, sounding mildly exasperated, "Rei, your concern for Shinji is admirable, but I'm ordering you to stay away from Asuka from this point forward."
She straightens up, fixing me with a hard, though not necessarily angry stare, "You are not to speak to her unless ordered to do so."
"Understood, Major Katsuragi," I reply. "In any case, I do not wish to cause any further trouble for Ikari."
Major Katsuragi nods approvingly, and turns to Ikari. "Same goes for you, Shinji. Stay clear of Asuka, and don't speak to or engage her unless ordered to do so. Understood?"
"Y-yes Misato," Ikari replies softly.
"Good," she says with another approving nod, before turning to speak with Inspector Kaji.
Major Katsuragi's voice is too low to hear, but I can just barely hear Kaji's reply. "I'll talk to her and hear out her side of it."
Turning away from them, my eyes pass over Aida and Suzuhara darting envious looks at Inspector Kaji and come to rest on Ikari. He, in turn, is watching the adult's conversation with a slightly anxious expression, though...his eyes seem faraway, as if the distant conversation were not the subject of his consternation.
'And once more, his distress is my fault.'
I wish I knew what to say in such a situation...
'Perhaps 'I am sorry'?'
Ikari would likely say 'it's okay'...and continue to feel badly.
'Perhaps broach an unrelated topic to serve as a distraction?'
"Ikari."
He turns to face me, slight surprise evident in his eyes. "Uh, yes Ayanami?"
I frown slightly. 'He did not call me by my first name as he usually does these days. Why does this trouble me?'
Ignoring my slight annoyance, I bring up my intended topic. "I read your book this morning. It was quite enjoyable."
Ikari blinks confusedly. "M-my book? What do you-? Oh," comprehension dawns on his face, "The manga book, 'Children's Crusade'."
"Yes, that one," I reply with a nod. "I found it quite entertaining. But it seemed...incomplete. However, I did notice that there was a prominently illustrated '#2' on the book's spine. I presume that means that the book I read was the second in it's series?"
Ikari nods. "Yes. I read the first one about a month ago."
"May I...borrow the first volume from you?" I ask, surprised at how eager I sound.
"Oh, well um...," Ikari replies hesitantly, looking over at Aida. "They're uh, actually not mine, I borrowed them from Kensuke. You'd have to ask him."
"Oh, I see. I shall do so then."
Shinji nods. "He's been a fan from the start. According to what he told me, NERV's PR Department commissioned the series back in July of last year as a sort of 'public outreach' to make us seem less scary and mysterious to the general public."
Laughing weakly, he continues, "Given what I overhear some people say about NERV, I'm not sure it worked. Apparently the series didn't really catch on too much either."
"Yeah," Aida interjects, apparently having listened in, "Its been a fairly big cult hit though."
Ikari and I turn to face him.
"Sorry," he says with a grin, "I just heard you both talking about 'Children's Crusade', and figured I oughta get in on the discussion."
"That's okay," Ikari replies, "Actually, Rei has a question for you."
"Oh?" Aida turns to me, looking curious...a slight redness coloring his cheeks.
"Ikari told me that the books were yours rather than his," I inform him. "I wish to ask you if I may borrow the others."
"Oh." He smiles appreciatively. "I'd be happy to lend them to you Ayanami. I take it you'll need the third through sixth volumes, right?"
"And the first," I correct him. "I have only read the second volume."
"Ugh damn it, that's a shame for you. That completely ruins one of the big plot points in the first volume," Aida exclaims pressing a hand to his face dramatically. "Ah well..."
He turns to face me again. "It's still a great read anyway. Hopefully you still enjoy it."
"I am certain that I will," I tell him, allowing myself a small smile.
Aida's reaction is...unexpected. The redness that had been receding from his face returns twofold, and he averts his gaze...though his eyes dart back to my face sporadically.
"Aida? Is something...wrong? Something that I said?" I feel it is fitting to ask this question, given that my words do rather frequently invoke odd responses from the people around me.
"Uh...oh, uh n-no Ayanami," he replies hurriedly.
I suspect he is not being truthful, but I choose not to press the issue.
"A-anyway," Aida continues, pulling himself together, "I could probably drop them off for you tomorrow, if you like."
"I would appreciate that," I reply, inclining my head. "Thank you."
"Actually," Major Katsuragi cuts in, "He can give them to you tonight."
She turns to address Aida and Suzuhara. "I'd be happy to drive you both home."
They both nod eagerly in response.
"Shinji? Rei? You two want to come with?"
I nod my head in agreement, and see Shinji do the same...though I do notice a certain reluctance in his demeanor.
"Well then that's settled," says Major Katsuragi cheerily, snatching up her keys, apparently oblivious to Aida and Suzuhara's visible disappointment at the addition of more people.
Inspector Kaji bids us farewell as we file out the lobby door, taking a moment to give Ikari a brief clap on the shoulder before walking off into the night with a wave to Major Katsuragi.
She herself offers a token farewell in reply...but seems to watch his retreating form for far longer than is necessary.
It is in fact Suzuhara loudly and randomly proclaiming the word 'shotgun' that snaps the Major from her daze.
I tilt my head pensively as I turn to look at Suzuhara and see no sign of a rifle in either of his hands or the front seat of Major Katsuragi's car where he is currently seating himself.
'And somehow, others find MY words to be strange...'
