Standard Disclaimer
Summer is moving quickly, pool is being used as I can. My work just fuq'd all the employees over and gave the CEO something like 20mil cause the system is balanced...family is alright. My nephew is going to move again soon so that sux.
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Chapter – 3
Standing in the gymnasium, Shinji was filled with a little bit more apprehension than usual. The normal 'I'm alone with a beautiful woman I'm starting to have confusing feelings for' still existed, but today had additional causes for spasms and aborted comments. First and foremost was the fact he had his own hat and cape on again, he hadn't tried thinking about it since Kagari gave it to him yesterday at Nerv. Next was the fact he wanted to ask Kagari if she wanted to go with him on the trip to get the Second Child. Misato said he could invite his friends, and well he wanted to ask her first. If she wanted to go, that was the end, if she didn't Touji and Kensuke would get it. Now if those two failed to go, well Misato would be worried he had no friends. Lastly he had a personal issue with a text from Kasumi.
Adjusting his hat for the umpteenth time, it just felt so big, Shinji loved how silky it felt against his forehead. Looking about the large empty building, "S-so, going to explain this cloak business for me again? You said it makes us invisible? Does it do anything else?" Why was she so hard to talk to? Yes she was a blank wall of expressionlessness, but he had talked with Ayanami before and well…he really did like the cold fish air they had. Call him odd if you must, but something about the mystery of what they were feeling really struck something with Shinji. People could smile at you and hate you, frown but be glad to see you, or other such divergent feelings. So not having a false front was calming, relaxing.
"Correct," Kagari was as aloof as always, Shinji started to wonder if she got off on that a little. Clad in her own witches attire, just she wore it far better, Kagari openly took a few more pictures. Something Shinji learned to accept, even if he wondered what enjoyment she could get out of lame pictures of him. Getting to Shinji's side, she held her arm out, "The magic of the outfit has various effects. As mentioned it shrouds us from eyes and cameras. Contact will break the illusion with just the person that touched you."
Confused since he hadn't touched her yet could see her, "But what about now? We didn't touch and I can see you." Magic made no sense, but then again wasn't that the point of magic? Maybe eventually this would start being common and he can just bask in the insanity.
Showing Shinji a rune sewn into the inner lining of the cloak, inadvertently showing a bit of leg, "This rune allows for it to be seen by other witches. Now, other aspects of the cloak. Try jumping." Flipping her hands upward, much akin to one would do with a dog to leap onto their lap.
Ok, so other witches could see him, not to remember going forward. Don't try to do anything stupid while wearing the cloak thinking he could not be seen. Huh, don't let Touji know about these either or Touji would use it to walk into a place he shouldn't and be seen and…well Kagari hadn't killed anybody yet but who knows what other witches might do. Blushing as Kagari was doing another wave of 'give me uppies', Shinji gave a little hop, "Like this?" His few inches off the ground didn't really explain much.
Shaking her head, Kagari pointed up at the roof of the gym, "Try harder. Try jumping up to the rafters." Strict taskmaster, but this was the first time Kagari asked anything of Shinji other than holding bags, so he was alright for it.
"Alright, just don't laugh when I mess it up," Shinji felt stupid the moment he said that. He'd have LOVED to hear her laugh if he messed up, he never heard her laugh before. Bending down as best he could, keeping his eyes down as Kagari was close and her skirt was…ok she either had no idea of defenses or she was doing this on purpose. Just jump and then look up, Kagari was testing him, he told himself. When he leapt, he expected maybe a foot, foot and a half of jump, but what happened was he rocketed upwards and the peaked ceiling was rapidly rushing at his face. Shielding his face, he noticed it was really dusty up above the rafters before he started to fall. "Oh no…" he muttered as the gravity was reminded he existed and started to pull him back down just as fast as he flew up.
Catching the Ikari projectile and holding him in a bridal/princess carry, "Better than your first attempt. We will work on your landings." Shaking him back and forth for a moment, holding him far closer than expected, Kagari showed no indication of putting him down.
"Y-you can put me down, Kagari-san, I know I'm not very big but I should still be a bit heavy," Shinji tried not to squirm. Moving while being held like this would mean bouncing off certain aspects of Kagari that was not polite to. But having seen Kagari grab the cat-eared girl by the head and holding her up with one hand Shinji knew Kagari was super strong. Kagari must have used a citrus shampoo today as she had a very fruity musk about her, soothing. The heat that enveloped him left as Kagari oh-so-gently put him down, "That was amazing, but how is it possible?" Magic yes, but HOW was the magic making it work.
Pacing a few steps around Shinji, he thought he heard another quick click, Kagari ended her walk back where she started. "I would have thought the jump would explain, but try picking me up," Kagari said effortlessly. Holding her arms out towards him, Shinji took a quick step back, did she expect him to just touch her?! He didn't have any real experience touching women, Misato and Kagari's teasing aside!
"If-if you're sure," Shinji was dedicated to this training. If she was willing to fight and get hurt for him, he had to be dedicated to this training! Just think of it like Nerv training, yup, just the same as getting into the blood smelling goop, pick up this attractive woman. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Shinji readied himself for failure. He wasn't strong, didn't do weight training, so this was going to be emasculating. What followed was scooping her into his arms much like she did him, "It makes you lighter! That explains a lot!"
Nodding, Kagari made no move to get down, "Exactly. That is one of the capes most important aspects of the robe. Next is the broom for flight." Making a strange sound, almost a grunt, when Shinji put her down, Kagari held her hand out in a fist pointed down, "Put your hand out like this."
"Sorry I didn't put you down sooner, I was j-just a bit amazed. For a moment I thought you didn't eat enough, but then my brain kicked on," Shinji stammered. Honestly he was just amazed he could hold the much larger woman so easy, the softness and warmth still present and it overloaded his affection starved brain. People didn't talk about casual human contact, how people could get starved for it and not know it. The Takamiya home had a little bit of it, Misato was big on it, but non-family contact was…addictive. Putting his hand out, as best he could, "L-like this?"
Taking his wrist, adding more to his frazzle, "Hold it more flat," Ayaka corrected. Once she was content with his positioning, "Now flip your wrist over like this and open your hand, proper motion is required." As she did so, a broom materialized into her hand. Responding to Shinji's shocked gasp of awe, "The brooms are stored in our cloaks."
First try was to fast, second try was bad form, third was frustration, but the fourth a broom appeared in Shinji's hand. "T-thanks for your patience with that, was getting…" he trailed off as Kagari didn't even look bothered. If she wasn't upset, he wasn't going to waste her time with his apology. Holding the broom tightly, "So are we going to try flying now?"
The sound of the gym doors opening got Shinji's attention, and he saw a swarm of people walking in. For a moment he nearly ran, but remembered that they shouldn't see them. And as explained, the people all avoided them, making a small wedge of humanity as they walked. That was until Shinji felt a collision and fell to his hands and knees. Looking up at the human dam breaker, Shinji saw a familiar mop of unruly blue hair. Ayanami stopped turned around, but Shinji wasn't sure if she looked down at him or just turned in confusion for hitting a solid piece of air, then continued onward. Twice that happened with her, was Ayanami special in some way?
Helping Shinji off the ground, keeping her fingers around his wrist, "I could only get the gym for my personal use for an hour. That has ended. As for this, some people occasionally breech the rule. Don't think about her." Tugging on Shinji's wrist gently, she led him out of the gym and into the afternoon sun. Only then did Shinji break Ayaka's request and think about things, this was after school…the gym was being used for clubs, but Shinji didn't remember Ayanami being in any club. So why was she there? "As for flying, you've done enough for today. We'll pick up after you've tried using your cloak and summoning for a few days," Ayaka informed. She was NOT a very firm taskmaster when it came to teaching Shinji anything.
"K-Kagari-san, I have a question…well several but not about any of this," Shinji gestured to the robes, "but about next week." Moving further away from the gym, Shinji saw Kagari summon her broom again and pat on it. Guess it wasn't going to be a walk home today. Kagari must want to avoid any exposure to Tower witches, or so he wondered. Enjoying the ride very much, Shinji quickly climbed on and they took to the air. Doing his best to hold the broom, imaging it was he controlling it, "Misato-san said I can ask friends to go with us to pick up the Second Child. It'd be a helicopter flight to meet a fleet of ships and back. Did-did you want to come?" There he asked! It wasn't a fancy meal, or a physical gift (he was saving for something nice), but it was at least something!
Zooming faster than normal, but not going straight to Shinji's apartment, Kagari forced the lad to forgo his imagined flight and lean against her lest he fall. "I will stay here, Mother is acting strange and I want to find out why. But take your robe with you in case you need them. If something does happen and you need to fly, life threatening fear does typically work," yet as she said that she leaned closer and pressed against him. Shinji's mind was filled with the thought of a mother bird wrapping her wings around her child, then he felt something and he went ridged and thought ended.
"Well…maybe if not this trip but something else then. I want to repay you for all you've done for me. But if you can't make this trip, I'll ask Touji and Kensuke then," how quickly the emotion rose it sank. Kagari had her own reasons, and Shinji wasn't going to question it. Kazane Kagari was a woman Shinji saw only rarely at school functions and he did not really want to meet her personally. She was a very intimidating woman, maybe so much that even his father would take notice. Trying to keep his disappointment out of his voice, "Should only be a day, but I think I'll miss this."
The broom dipped and spun wildly before ending at the balcony at Shinji's apartment, Kagari did a rather unexpected spiral decent. "Yes those two are acceptable, and we will increase your training after your missing then. Until next time," Kagari quickly flew off and in moments Shinji couldn't see her anymore.
"If Misato-san was home this would be noticed," Shinji chuckled a little. But with the robe on, he could just walk to the door and fake opening it. But Misato tended to be a bit 'underdressed' when he got home some days, made the lad wonder if she was even worse before he said his greeting. Petting Pen-Pen as the avian warked at him, Shinji was fairly sure Kagari wouldn't let there be any accidents. Being the judge of character only years of watching and evaluating could produce, Shinji was pretty sure Kagari's defensiveness of him would cover that. But what did that mean truly? Did she Like-Like him, was it friendly-like, was it less or more? Human emotions had such a wide breadth of possibilities it was hard to say. Even he didn't know the true extent of his feelings for her after all this time.
Turning on the television, Pen-Pen joined him with a Yebisu so Shinji continued to preen the fowl, Shinji slid his robe and hat into his school satchel. They folded down so perfectly slim it was, well it was magic. His thoughts weren't on the show of some lady that got a dragon that turned into a maid, it was on Kagari and him. He liked her, definitely, but how FAR did that like go? It scared him, was worried his past would make it impossible for him to every truly let something in past a certain barrier. Komachi and Kasumi Takamiya had been 'close' but even after living with them for a bit he knew eventually he'd have to leave, and he did. Misato was his superior and he nearly experienced being separated from her when he nearly left Nerv. Kagari…what would make her leave? Whenever he thought about letting people in just that little bit further, memories of his father leaving him at the train station popped in, and his body locked up. How long would that image, that abandonment haunt him?
Each time he saw his father at Nerv, saw her talk with Ayanami but not him, the active ignoring of one another brought that memory back to full life. It haunted him, it ruined him, but he just wanted that man to acknowledge him, to accept him. Why didn't his father care about him? What was wrong with him that drove his own father to abandon him for another child, to avoid him at all cost. How was he so faulty! What was WRONG with him!
Blinking back a few tears, Shinji forced himself to watch the television to try and shift his mind off of the downward depression. So he watched the show and felt that spike drive deeper, turns out the stupid story of the woman and dragon was sweet and enjoyable. Made Shinji envious of animated characters. But his phone chimed twice, one was Misato saying she was bringing Ritsuko over for supper again, and another was from Kasumi saying that the Takamiya's got a new apartment in his complex starting next week! Turns out Komachi was able to transfer to a Tokyo-3 branch so Kasumi could go 'to the most technically advanced school in Japan'. So he'd have to get ready to welcome her!
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Sitting on a helicopter, Touji's excitement was only a little tempered by the events of the past few days. Any day he could see Misato was a good day, woman was made of something ethereal for sure! Touji would have preferred a more traditional trip than out to meet some flotilla, onsen would be best, but he'd take what he could get. Only thing that marred the epic nature of the trip was Takamiya Kasumi. Stupid girl was playing on his mind in multiple ways! She was only a year younger, cute as hell, and was talking to him! It was about Shinji and shit, but it was typical little sister talk, just like Mari asked him all the time. Still, some of her questions and demands were a bit strange.
As the whir of the helicopter threatened to put him to sleep, Touji tried again to strike up conversation. "So, any reason you invited us instead of your girlfriend, Shin-man?" Touji probed. Kasumi was adamant he find out about the 'true nature' of their relationship. If Touji didn't want to know himself he would have been less likely to ask, but his buddy had the ear of the most popular girl they all knew! So while Kensuke was fawning over some rusty ships miles away, Touji would gleam as much as he could from his buddy.
"We're not like that," Shinji repeated for the umpteenth time. But a rare glimpse of raw emotion peaked through, a pronounced frown. Hugging his satchel to his chest, Shinji just oozed with the look of somebody begging to be asked about their troubles. It was poor form to just confess issues, teenagers were almost never capable of showing weakness. Trying to shake off his growing want to talk, "Plus we haven't had a chance to do anything lately so thought it was nice to ask you two."
Since he was always keeping at least one eye on Misato, Touji saw she was watching them so he fixed his 'Misato will love this' hat. Scooting closer to Touji, more so he could bask in Misato's image without looking like he was doing so, "Did you ask and she turned you down?" With how she stuck to him like glue, and drug him around, Touji doubted that. But when Shinji nearly dropped his bag, Touji was stunned. "She did? Dude, she give you a reason?" Touji could judge the reaction just fine.
"I did ask her, but she had family stuff to do so couldn't make it. Guess I was a little shocked, wanted to do something nice for her and thought a trip from school would be nice. A-all three of you," Shinji quickly added that last bit. But since he quickly turned to the window, fingers going white as the gripped tighter, it was more than a little evident that the original plan was just the two.
Couldn't blame Shinji for that, Touji would have done the same. If they weren't dating, something was still going on between those two. Guy wants to know where he stands with a girl, girl has family stuff, so he falls back to hanging with the buds. "Well you can't help that, family shit is hard to get out of. And with how she drags you everywhere, I doubt she's lying to you. But hey….two out of three isn't bad right. Even if you didn't really plan for us to come until after your piece had to do other things. Hard to get into the mile-high club with friends watching," Touji wiggled his elbow in Shinji's side as the boy nearly burst.
"We're not a mile-high up Suzuhara-kun, need to be in an airplane for that," Misato called back. The playfulness in her eyes was tempered, not the wide eyed and joyous look she typically had when ribbing Shinji.
Ok, Misato didn't like Touji talking about sex stuff with Shinji, good to know. As to not offend the goddess in their midst, he backed off such topics and just joked around. Was easier to do than all this covert shit trying to get the answers to Kasumi's little questions. Teasing Kensuke about making a load in his pants, stupid movies he'd seen, and games Kensuke and he played. Carefully he did ask after the pilot told them to strap in for the final decent, "You hear from those people you used to live with?"
Holding onto the strap attached to the roof, thin leather thing, Shinji bounced around compliments of a less than tight belt. Teeth chattering as he spoke through the vibration, "Y-yeah, actually they're moving to Tokyo-3. Takamiya-san was able to transfer to the Tokyo-3 branch so Kasumi-san can go to school here. I don't know why she was so adamant about school HERE but she's always been…driven." Somehow the way Shinji said 'driven' gave Touji a rather nice shiver.
All talk ended as the noises in the cabin got to loud to even think over. Kensuke continued to freak out over every dumb military thing he saw on the deck, while Touji readied himself to show Misato what a real man was! Stand tall, proud, flash the hat Mari picked out to make his jawline stand out, this was going to be epic! Stepping off the helicopter, Kensuke rushing out like a stupid five year old, Touji just rolled his eyes, "Can you believe him Misato-san?" At which moment, eyes meeting those chocolate orbs, Touji felt a brush of wind and then the heat of the sun on his forehead.
Hat evacuation! Eyes going wide, Mari's gift couldn't be lost, Touji turned and fled after it. Misato called out to him something, but he couldn't hear it over the drone of the chopper and other noises on deck. Jumping over a toolbox, side stepping mechanics, Touji hated the wind for being so strong. How could it be, stupid ocean was against him! Vaguely spotting a person ahead of him, Touji started off the chain of events that would earn him no less than one month of pure ire, "Hey you! Stop my hat!"
"Sure," the girl said with just a bit too much mirth for what she was about to do. A quick foot stomp ended the escaping hats attempt to become one with the ocean. Appling more force than necessary, said girl kept the hat not only from escaping, but being recollected by the frantic Touji. Just as the jock readied for a massive tug, she delicately lifted her foot a half inch and the boy went spinning backward in a summersault. After a quick little laugh, "Not a bad hat, but wasted on you. Hello Misato! Please tell me this isn't who I think it is?"
Head spinning around, the result of applying his head to the flight deck, Touji sat up and clutched his favorite hat tightly. He couldn't make out what they were saying, didn't matter, this chick had to pay, "Hey bitch, my sis got me this hat! You could have grabbed it not stomp on it! What if you tore it or someth'n?" Getting up on shaky legs, Kensuke supporting him, "What you got to say, huh?" As his vision stopped being triplicate, Touji sucked in some anger as the girl before him was stupid exotic!
"Yeah…not going to repeat myself, Kaji-san said to meet him in the cafeteria so how about we not waste time? Feel free to stay here Monkey-Boy," Asuka waggled her fingers at him and started walking with Misato and Shinji following.
Stepping between the departing pair, Kensuke put his whole body against Touji's to keep him from charging. "Calm down man, chick's name is Asuka and she apologized to you while you were on the ground. And if you want a chance with her, maybe not be dumber than you just were? Or if you intend to get stupider, let me put a new tape in to record it," Kensuke winked at Touji. Stupid jerk, Kensuke knew Touji hated it when Ken winked at him, made him feel odd. Weren't it just supposed to be guys and girls winking at each other? Patting Touji's shoulder after the guy relaxed, "That a boy, you can be taught. Now let's catch up, that girl is hotter than fire and if I can get some good footage, make me a mint!"
"This is stupid, my head still hurts," Touji rubbed the growing lump on the back of his head as he tried to catch up. He could hear the chick, Asuka, talking to Misato as Shinji just remained captive in Misato's defensive hug, lucky dick. If Shinji didn't have Ayaka…or Ayaka had Shinji more likely, Touji would be even more jealous. "Hold up, wait for me," Touji yelled as they rounded a corner, stupid ship was a maze. Seeing the back of Kensuke's shirt as they made turn after turn, Touji finally found a door labeled…well he couldn't read English to well so just hoped it was the place they were supposed to go. Throwing the door open, "Couldn't you have waited a few damn seconds, bitch!"
Sitting at a table, across from Shinji, Asuka rolled her eyes again, "You actually found us? Nothing good ever happens to me. A geek, a bore, and a monkey none of you are a match of Kaji-san." She gestured to a suave looking man sitting at the table across from Misato, that got Touji to hate the man.
Taking his seat on Shinji's left, the side Misato left open for him, Touji wobbled his head mockingly, "Whatever, who would want to meet your expectations, your grace." That should put her back in her place, people hated being called such grandiose terms! Wiggling on the bench, Touji noticed Shinji sneaking peeks at the two across from them, "What you doing Shin-man, Kagari-san is far more attractive than that chick. Not going thinking of cheating are you?" When both Shinji AND Misato turned on that comment, Touji wondered if he did something bad.
"So you ARE that Ikari, I wouldn't have suspected…well I guess I should this does look like you," Kaji reached into his pocket and slid a photo across the table. Tapping the image, Touji felt superior to Kensuke who didn't have as good a view, Kaji chuckled. It was a picture of two kids, maybe seven or eight, both were instantly recognizable.
Swiping the picture, Misato was in full attack mode, "Who gave you this? Shinji-kun, you knew Kagari-kun before moving to Tokyo-3?" Leaning over Shinji, holding the image out for him to see and shielding it from Touji and Kensuke. Letting Shinji take the picture, he held it reverently, Misato whipped on Kaji, "Where did you get this, WHY do you have this?"
"Who are you talking about, Kaji-san why do you have a picture of that goober?" Asuka was also not liking Kaji's mysterious photo. Women could get scary.
Holding his hands up, Kaji didn't look concerned at all with a lioness and cub bearing down on him. Nodding at Shinji, "You can keep that, and it was given to me by a colleague that was visiting from Japan. Last year I think. And once I knew I was going to meet the famous Third Child, I thought this could be an icebreaker. No offense ladies. And judging by the sound of things, you really did take him in to live with you? Never would have thought it, she still a devil in bed?" That cool vibe made Touji envious, he could never talk to women so casually!
"Yeah she is, throws the sheets and bedding everywhere, bottles too," Shinji said not even looking up from the photo. He was in his own world of the picture and what it showed him.
The room went silent after Shinji's unconsidered commented, and Touji just sat slack jawed. It took a moment for Touji's head to reboot as he recalled Shinji saying things such as 'Misato is a slob' and realized his buddy didn't mean anything sexual. The rest of the room however didn't notice that, so Touji scooted away from Shinji as Asuka's hair appeared to stick out and Misato was making some unidentifiable sound that was a mix between a gurgle and a shout. With everything balancing on a needles edge of sanity, Touji pushed it over the side with, "Shin-ma you dog!"
Kensuke was quick to clear the table as Misato stood up and slammed her palms on the table. Camera always at the ready, he flashed Touji the thumbs up, "Shin-man you never said anything about this, what other secrets you hiding from us?" Now that was gas on the fire, and Misato dived across the table but only got the tips of her fingers on Kaji's business jacket.
"Well on that fine note, think I'll go check in with the captain and see how far we are from land," Kaji didn't appear as cool as he was just moments before. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, the man made a quick retreat to the door behind him, which did NOT lead to the command deck and was not walking with any calm or coolness.
Nearly falling as she tried to get out of the bench, Shinji steadied her without looking and helped her get free. Kid didn't even know Misato's breast was smashed against his side as he aided. But once free, "Get back here you bastard! You don't just say shit like that to people!" Rushing after the man, Misato was a purple streak.
"We have to see this man, lets go men!" Touji yelled and ran after Misato. He was quick, track team did do that to a guy, but Misato was already out the door before he started running. Throwing open the metal divide he saw only Kensuke was struggling to follow, Shinji was still looking at the picture. He'd ask later, whatever it was, Shinji didn't know what to make of the picture of Ayaka and him. Laughing as Kensuke lurched forward, "Man if you can't make it that far just walk, I'll tell you what you miss."
Kensuke held is his finger up but didn't talk, just nodded and plodded behind Touji. It only took three bland corridors to catch up with the minx who had lost her prey. Only Misato didn't look upset, she stood there patiently waiting for the two boys. "Good he didn't follow you, whatever that picture is of he was as shocked by it as I was. The Kagari family is strange. Now you two, turn that camera off and be dears and answer a few questions for me?" oh how she batted her eyes and leaned to give just a tantalizing glimpse of what that shirt obscured.
A mouse before a cat, Touji just swallowed and nodded, he'd tell her anything he could. Well within reason, a guy doesn't tell a woman EVERYTHING, had to have a few secrets. "W-what did you need to ask us?" he watched as Kensuke pointed the camera at the ground but kept it on. Would that work against the captain of Nerv?
It didn't, Misato took it and filmed the two boys for a second before turning it off herself and tossing it back. Slowly turning and walking towards the bridge, "If I hear a chime Aida-kun that will go over the side of the ship. As for my questions…just what do you know of one Kagari Ayaka? She stops over to grab Shinji at least four times a week, Section-2 has them awfully close, and Shinji-kun blushes when I talk about her…but they don't seem to be a couple. She doesn't smile, doesn't laugh, but she does stick to him. Anything I should be worried about?" She looked over her shoulder at the two with pure concern etched into that face.
If only Misato looked at him that way, Touji could die happy, it was the look of love. What type, Touji was no love expert, but it sent his heart aflame with jealousy and imagination. "We rib him saying they're dating, but they don't really do dating things. Kagari-san is a lot like Ayanami, don't talk to people save Shin-man, does whatever she wants, and gets away with anything she does. But dangerous, no I think they're just dumb to such things. Hope something happens, Shin-man could use it. Why?"
Any retort Misato might have had was prevented when an explosion rocked the ship followed by another, and another. Something was happening, turned out to be an Angel attack, and Touji just stayed by Kensuke and out of the way of everybody. A few crazy hours later, the two were happy to see land, but were shocked to see Kagari waiting for them once they got off the boat. Touji was almost positive she took some pictures of Shinji in Asuka's plug suit!
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Sitting in their normal picture selling spot, Kensuke was tagging his images for optimum selling. Name, type, and star quality were the principle sorting categories. But a fine merchant always organize their stock to better suit the customer. Current second highest seller was the girl that had only been in school for two days, one Asuka Langley Soryu. Even Kensuke thought she was fine to look at, and his own little fetish of being domineered was perfectly stoked by her nature. The Five were in third place, but it was nearly impossible to get a solo picture of any of that group. And the top as always was Shinji's not girlfriend.
Plopping down next to Kensuke, Touji handed over two wrapped sandwiches, "They were out of soy sauce today." Unwrapping his own lunch, actually homemade, Touji started to eat. Leaning over and glancing at the image on the screen, "Why the hell is everybody so crazy over that chick. She's so stuck up she should be a flag."
"Just because you got your clock rocked by her and made an ass of yourself doesn't detract her in others eyes. She's actually close to Hime-sama's sales, that will drop," Kensuke said with knowledge. Any new girl sells well for the first few weeks, but only Kagari had staying power. Opening up his email, the few he saw were more various pictures he was buying from the various girls in class. If the girls knew they were all selling him pictures of one another to try to change the popularity structure it would be Armageddon. Tearing off the plastic wrap of his almost food, "How was Mari-chan? I had to clean the house yesterday so I couldn't go. Only way Dad would let me go on that trip."
Stopping mid-bite, Touji craned his head back to watch a passing cloud, never a good sign. Nostrils flaring as he took in a big breath, "She's alright. No real progress or getting worse. Just sucks she's still there. Going to try asking Shin-man to join us one day, she's been seeing Nerv propaganda shit on TV and in the magazines I bring her. You read those things?" After a few seconds pause he started eating again, it was a real bad day when Touji stopped eating all together after a Mari question was asked.
"I stopped reading those after I realized they were all bull. Nothing in them is real, and since we know Shin-man AND Katsuragi-san it really defeats any reason," Kensuke took a bite and really missed the soy. These things tasted like cardboard and were as easy to chew without some fluid to lubricate it. Pulling up the Nerv public website they were greeted by 'the pilots' and the 'head of commanding operations'. Stock photos of soldiers for the five pilots, and what could only be an American model for Misato. "Katsuragi-san is more attractive than that I think," Kensuke washed down his food with lukewarm tea.
Nodding his head towards the approaching trio of guys, Touji folded his hands in thought. Keeping his voice down, "Yeah she is because we know it. Real people and fake people are different though. Still…if Shin-man was that tall and muscly I bet he'd not hang out with us. Then again if he was that way, you think Kagari-san would care about him?" Scooting back behind Kensuke as the buyers approached with money at the ready.
"Hey, you have anything new for Katsura-san? Anything without the other four in it?" was what the tallest of the trio asked. The other two looked at him peculiarly, guess they didn't know their friend's want.
Snickering at the request, the shortest but most muscular added his order, "I'll take anything you have of Soyru." At that the others 'oohed' at him and the buyer blushed, guess a crush was in effect and guys didn't allow guys to show emotion without punishing them. A stupid fact, Kensuke thought, that guys HAD to be jerks about any form of emotion, why was that the case?
The last of the three was a repeat customer who only bought one type of picture, "Any new Hime-sama without that dick in them? I swear he's in every damn picture anybody has anymore!" Oh-ho somebody else was working in on Kensuke's territory. He suspected it, but as long as he made money Kensuke didn't care. This wasn't a hill he'd die on.
Pulling up the requests as he heard them, Kensuke turned the computer around to show off his wares. "I do have one of Katsura-san alone, its at her Kendo club. Take your pick of the Soryu pictures. And nope, Hime-sama is making a point of only being seen with Shin-man so take it or leave it," the last offer was given with just the tiniest smidge of annoyance. Jealous pricks, just because the girl you didn't have the guts to talk to liked somebody else, why get angry at them? Not like you were going to do anything about it! Just like him and his random feelings for Kazari Rin. Kensuke did not understand his own feelings about the soft spoken girl, so he just watched and hoped he understood before the trap was sprung.
The trio made their purchases, emailed to various locations, and were on their way. They mocked the geek for selling pictures, 'never going to get a girl of his own' and the like, but Kensuke heard it all before. He was a nerd, yes, but at least he had aspirations and goals beyond oogling pictures purchased from 'a person like him'.
Pushing up his glasses, Kensuke was happy to have up charged them a little more than usual. "I hate it when they rag on Shin-man for the whole Hime-sama thing. It's been over a month since she's latched onto him, and they're still hating on him for that? Doesn't he have a choice in this, doesn't she? I know she's the schools princess, but shouldn't she have SOME autonomy…free choice," Kensuke changed his words once he saw Touji not understand.
"Yeah, not his fault he became her…whatever arrangement they have going on. I don't even want to try and understand it. I think they're almost dating with how much time they spend. They just seem to vanish sometimes or appear out of nowhere! He doesn't talk about it, but I think Shin-man is sweet on her…or Ayanami…maybe both…no idea. You remember how Kagari-san was at the pier when we got there? How the hell did she know when we'd get back, Shin-man lost his phone when his ship sank and none of us have her number!" Touji pounded the last of his food and let out a mighty belch as he said his peace.
Pulling up a few images of Ayanami, Kensuke shuddered, "Something is just off about that girl. She's quiet like…Hime-sama. But she doesn't act like it." He knew better than to mention the item of his current fixation around Touji anymore. Touji tended to push hard in his 'jokes' to the point they hurt. Why nobody tried talking to Ayanami or even bully her was strange, typically solo quiet kids got picked on. Maybe it was Nerv, but they never stepped in to do anything when Shinji got bullied.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. Kagari-san is trying to talk to her mother about that picture…I think," Shinji stated from behind. How he got behind them or snuck up on them, Kensuke didn't know. But it nearly gave him a heart attack! Having his lunch in hand, he sat down with thud, eyes looking haggard and with deep circles, "What are you guys doing back here, had to ask where you were." Letting out a yawn, kid looked about ready to fall forward and sleep on the ground.
Pointing at the obviously tired buddy, Touji was doing his best at being subtle, "What's got you tired man? Kagari-san running you ragged or is it Soryu? And we…like to hang out alone sometimes and avoid the crowds." They didn't let Shinji know about the whole photo selling deal, somehow they doubt the squeaky clean Ikari would approve. So Touji acted as a smoke screen as Kensuke closed up shop.
"Nothing like that, more personal training I guess. And after being part of Kagari-san's lunch groups I can appreciate eating like this. They still glare at me, guess the hope they'd stop was stupid. As for Asuka, she's a real force of nature during training. And…" he stopped and Shinji just started eating. Guess everything wasn't perfect in Shinji's life, Kensuke still would switch places with him in a moment if only to pilot an Eva!
Sliding the laptop away and waving away a few potential customers, he'd get them later, Kensuke focused on food and data gathering. Noticing some of Shinji's food looked a bit 'Kagari made', "Did she give you the whole thing or just part of it? And what do you need for personal training?" With the amount of time he was in Kagari's private study, what more personal training would a guy need?
Picking up some of the more finely carved food bits, stuff that could be works of art, Shinji pointed at the two distinct parts of his box. Some was orderly, neat, and plain. The smaller part was filled with elaborate and rich looking fancy stuff. "A mix, and my N-Nerv trainer is going easy on me, I feel I should work a bit harder so doing stuff to make up for it. I swear if I left it to them I may never get any better," Shinji muttered as he ate some of the Kagari provided lavishness.
"Well don't burn yourself out man, you're skin and bones as it is. And how does Kagari-san like you being with ANOTHER girl when she isn't around. If you two ain't dating you are missing obvious signs buddy. That girl spends NO time with anybody BUT you," Touji picked at Shinji's box while he was distracted. Being the buddy he was, Touji split the booty with Kensuke. Bagging up his own mess, and slamming his bottle of store-bought tea, Touji slapped Shinji's back and the kid nearly fell on his face. Laughing a little, "See! Hardly a tap and you fell forward. Got to eat all you can or you'll waste away."
Or Touji just liked abusing his strength to put the 'lesser' guys in their place, not that Kensuke would ever say that. Bigger guys did do that, even if they didn't realize it. Savoring the taste and texture of what was originally just a simple egg now high art, Kensuke let Touji get his fill in. Fixing his glasses, and using that to hide how he was observing the smile Shinji was attempting to hide, "Does Hime-sama care you're spending so much more time with a girl that is more…social than Ayanami?"
"She uh…well about that…" Shinji tried to stammer out a response about it, but could only flail about comically. Kensuke liked that about Shinji, related to that, the inability to recover gracefully from confusion. Shinji fumbled with his chopsticks and just set them down after he bungled it, "She didn't really say anything about her." A lie, and everybody knew it, but it wasn't worth pushing.
Mulling about the time talking about safer things, television shows and what games were coming out soon, the solace was lost when a large group of kids all ran past with excited shouts. They weren't quiet, didn't try to mask the event that was brewing for the past few days, the two female pilots were going to interact!
"Well I can't miss this, have to film it for posterity! You guys coming?" Kensuke was up and dusting his slacks off, dirty always stuck to him. Getting his camera, he heard motion behind him so guess he wouldn't be alone. And the trio was off! Before Kagari made Shinji into her lunchtime, homeroom, and walking companion, Kensuke thought Shinji might have had a thing for Ayanami…maybe he still did as Shinji outpaced both Touji and him. Being smaller and at the back of the crowd, Kensuke handed Touji the camera, "Get what you can. I can see them, but I don't want to record arms and shoulders. What you think they're talking about?"
Weaving his head about, Shinji strained to see through the mess as well, "With Asuka, it could be any number of things. After the last Angel, she said I was her rival. Maybe she's trying to see how she fits in with her?" Stopping the fruitless attempt to see through the moving bits, Shinji just accepted the broken view.
"She's just standing there and blue keeps moving out of the shade. I can't hear anything but it looks friend…DUDE your girlfriend is approaching them look!" Touji pointed to the far end of the field and sure as she was tall Kagari Ayaka was approaching the pilot duo.
When before the crowd was big, the moment Kagari made her appearance it more than doubled! Kensuke found himself pushed and jostled around by others trying to get a better view. But smart guys know how to handle that, he used Touji as a wall and kept his place. After the wall of students pushed, they even got propelled ahead to the dividing wall! Hard to breathe while pushed against that, but hey better view of the show of the century! "H-hey Shin-man, what you think she, Shin-man?" but Shinji was gone?
"How the fuck he get down there so quick? From where he coming he'd have to jump down right?" Touji pointed at Shinji approaching Kagari from the side. Sure man, you don't like her! The moment Kagari started to make a move on something and Shinji is down at her side. The rude comments about 'that rat' or 'pilot dick' were flying the moment Shinji got near. Guess it was alright to leer at the female pilots, but the moment the male one did anything it was abuse of privilege.
Whatever Shinji was telling Kagari, she wasn't having it and just went right on walking towards the pilots. Asuka shrunk away from the taller and more popular girl while Ayanami didn't react to the new addition until Shinji moved. Kensuke watched how Ayanami kept her eyes on Shinji during the exchange of Asuka posturing. When her bluster failed to get anybody other than Shinji to act, Asuka just walked off and with that Kagari turned away from Ayanami and waited for Shinji to walk with her.
"Well that was strange as hell, wish we could have heard it. But pretty obvious Asuka was trying to do something with Ayanami and Hime-sama broke it up. Still how the hell did Shinji get there so fast?" Kensuke took the camera back from Touji. Replaying the footage didn't show anything other than Shinji coming out from bushes. Pointing at the image, "Think he slid down the wall?"
Checking his watch, classes were due to start up again soon, Touji just hiked his thumb at the building, "He must have just ran really fast and we didn't notice. Either that or he jumped down and has spring legs. Lets go or we'll be late. Unlike Shin-man we can't miss class and get off scot-free." Joining the throng of departing students, some still upset Kagari was stolen from them, the two joined up with Shinji in the classroom. His explanation, he snuck off while the crowd started forming and they just missed him leaving. Believable but still strange. And he didn't say boo about what the three girls were talking about, 'I was to busy panting to hear anything.' The tape might say more later, Kensuke would go over it with a fine toothed comb.
X-X
Japan was a very strange place, Asuka was coming to realize, weird and confusing. Only a week here and the young woman was still finding things that wouldn't have flown at all in Germany. The people here had different taste in fashion, school uniforms were bland and stuffy. Why did they all want to look the same, uniformity was boring and she disliked it. Covering her yawn with her hand, she also hated living on base. These morning walks to school, hell she had a college degree why was she in school again, were long and annoying. Couldn't those suits that followed here give her a ride instead of walking behind her? She doubted the First walked anywhere, not if what she noticed on the base was true.
"Would have thought Shinji would have been the favorite," Asuka muttered pleasantly. That was something interesting to learn, that Shinji and the Commander did NOT get along or even interact on base. Having seen a lot of favoritism in Nerv-Germany, it was nice to see it wasn't a commonality in Japan. Even the First didn't seem to get a lot of bonuses or better treatment, but Ayanami did have the Commander's ear. No other Child had the man show up to talk to them, maybe he was a pervert. Waving at the girl that had the most of her positive feelings, "Ello Hikari, did you watch that movie I recommended?"
Waiting outside the school gates, Hikari rocked on the balls of her feet, and upon being called out waved at the approached classmate. Shaking her head, her twin-tails flailed about, "I tried to, but it didn't have Japanese subtitles or dub so I had no idea what I was watching. It LOOKED pretty, and I enjoyed it…but a lot of the story was lost on me." Girl had passed a test she wasn't aware she was taking, willingness to try things. Falling in line with Asuka as the girl walked by, "Any word on when you'll get your own place? Oh and did I hear correctly that you had some sort of exchange with Ayanami-san and Hime-sama yesterday?"
"If you'd call it that. Those two are very strange. What did you hear about it?" Asuka readied herself for her shoebox to overflow on her. Last two days whenever so opened the box that had her 'school shoes' it was a flood of love letters and the like. Did her ego a charge, but it was annoying to have such cowards pursue so cheaply. If you want to ask somebody out, do it to their face not in some cheap piece of paper! Only had one life, don't sneak around, go after what you want, take it, own it, and don't have regrets. Opening the box and stepping out of the splash zone, she was not disappointed…or maybe she was just accepting the new level of disappointment in her fellow students, "At least I get more of these than you're little Hime-sama." Asuka soon expected to take that title.
Putting her own shoes on, Hikari pointed at a trio of students caring bags, "Her fan club handles that for her, but you do have a lot." Helping Asuka to gather up the attempts at wooing the newest student, Hikari didn't show any sign of jealousy at not being as popular, another good point. Once they were all put in the recycling, Hikari did frown a bit at how easily Asuka disposed of others affection, "As for your question, everybody was talking about it this morning. Overheard about it while I waited for you. So how do YOU think it went? And did Ikari-kun really step in and take Hime-sama away?"
"You could just call her Kagari, you know," even Asuka wasn't going to call that girl by her first name. The deadpan girl didn't earn the right to be called by their first name. Dusting her hands free from the imagined dirt those faux claims of love left on them, Asuka sneered at them. How could you 'love' somebody and not even know how to spell their name? In Germany it was just plain lust, Japan called it love. Boys were all the same. Watching some of the early morning students pouting at her act, likely there letter was not read, Asuka felt only a smidge of regret, "I tried to make friends with Ayanami, she had the audacity to say 'there is no point in it.' Then I asked if she treated Shinji that way, she didn't answer."
Speaking of that odd male, Asuka overheard him grumbling from around the bay of shoe lockers. Taking a moment to spy on him, Asuka was still confused when that freakish Ayaka was at Shinji's side. What she didn't believe was Shinji had more love letters than even SHE had!? "How the hell is he so popular? He's a dullard!" Asuka expounded! Letter after letter streamed out of his box and filled the ground! One girl, Asuka could understand, he wasn't unattractive and during the fight with the Angel he had shown great courage. But typically he was a boring and plain kid!
"T-those are hate mails actually. Ever since Hime…Kagari-san started coming to school with him, and taking lunch with him, her fans have been upset. I feel bad, I should do something about this harassment, but if step in they'll turn their attention on me. Not brave enough for that," Hikari picked up a letter that slid over to them and showed it to Asuka. Making their way to the classroom, Hikari had her duties to prepare for, the bounce was out of the Class-Representative's step.
'Stay away from Hime-sama you fucking coward' Asuka actually was stunned. It was the inverse of her forced cowardice, and it actually angered the German greatly. Threatening somebody just because somebody you like doesn't like you? How as that Shinji's fault, that Kagari girl did whatever she wanted. Asuka watched her all but drag Shinji to that stupid lunch party. "As for the other part of the great meeting…all Kagari did was walk up to me, look me up and down, sniff me like a dog, and say she smelled me on Shinji. Then that idiot showed up, tried to explain her insanity. Not worth the time, I'll let everybody else fawn over her," Asuka tossed the hate-mail away.
Taking her seat, letting Hikari do her daily rituals, Asuka pulled out her phone. Her wallpaper was a picture of Kaji and her at a zoo in Germany. She'd have to track him down, see if he could show her around the city or something. Not much else to do while she was stuck on base. Hanging out with the other girls was nice, but she always ended up back on base so that meant no television to watch recommended movies, or game systems to play any games. It was just books, her phone, and wandering the base.
The room got stupid loud when Shinji and Kagari entered, as always. The fan-club did not care about anything not Kagari, and they all clamored over one another for her attention. Asuka felt that sting of agitation brewing. What was so damn fascinating about that girl? Tall, buxum, admittedly statuesque, but with the personality of a wall! Yet these idiots just swarmed the girl as if she was the most interesting thing in the world! Watching as Shinji was jostled, hit, and pushed out of his seat, Asuka took pity on the kid, "You could sit next to me until this farce is over you know."
"If I leave my seat, Kagari-san just follows so it doesn't really stop. I have just accepted it as part and parcel," Shinji scratched his cheek bashfully. He did spin in his seat so he could look behind him, Asuka was currently using that as her seat to view the madness. With a small shrug, guess he was just used to going with the flow of things, "H-how are you doing learning the city? I've only been here for a few months myself so a lot of it is still strange to me. Betting you're better with it."
This was the pilot that took over her Unit-02, forced it to rip open an Angel's mouth and let ships pass into it without fear. Everybody had multiple facets about them, but it was hard to see the courageous side of Shinji when she saw him sitting as he was now. A lapdog to some prissy girl that was only popular because she was rich…smart…daughter of the head master. Maybe she could get some info out of him about that, "I am a little, but if you want you can follow me around. It's not Berlin, but Tokyo-3 is massive. But I have to ask, what did YOU do to get such attention from…" Asuka pointed at Kagari who was humoring a simpering girl at the moment.
Shinji's head bounced forward as one of the students in line bounced off it, and he just shook it off. Rolling his hand over, "It's a boring story really, sh-she just started talking to me really." That only made Asuka more interested as he couldn't have been any worse at lying.
"I have spoken to mother, she will talk with us tomorrow about the picture. Did you finish your math homework from your time away? Take it out and I will review it," Kagari's full attention was on Asuka now. In the moment that Shinji spoke to Asuka, Kagari heard it, moved her desk next to Shinji's, pulled out her math book, put on a pair of glasses, and was shutting down any further talking. The club was disbanded, or ignored by 'Hime-sama', and Shinji's attention was pulled back to her.
Thankfully with Kagari's actions it did cause the room to quiet down, so Asuka didn't mind. Let the possessive girl have her simp, Asuka only had a passing interest in Shinji, and that was mostly from a comrade perspective. She needed him to trust her so they could pilot together efficiently, outside of that it was just a morbid curiosity over how a girl so far outside his league would fawn over him. Stranger, stranger, strangest. And strangest just walked in and took her seat, Ayanami's eyes were on Shinji the whole time. Just what was that all about, Asuka just hoped Ayanami wasn't the type to kill pets to try and get attention.
Sadly the school day did not keep up the level of intensity that it started with. The other two idiots that hung out with Shinji made asses of themselves as typical. Lunch was store bought and ate with Hikari while watching the parade of mediocrity plead for Kagari's attention while glaring pure hate at Shinji. She would have to ask Shinji if it was worth it, why did he let that girl drag him around. They didn't show any real 'affection' for one another, didn't appear to be dating, but something was keeping him there through all the abuse. The freak girl with the hair styled as cat ears tried to drag Shinji off at one point, but Kagari glared here back to those four other girls. Asuka was going to try to infiltrate that little coven of friends, something about them was interesting.
"Well we have testing today, so I guess I'll text you or something after its done, later," Asuka bid Hikari goodbye. Not lonely at all, but Asuka was tempted to ask Shinji if he wanted to walk with her to the base. Get more info about the whole situation here, but that wasn't going to happen as she couldn't get over to him to ask, he was surrounded by the throng of idiot followers. Ayanami was already gone, how she escaped so fast was a testament to her ability to just not be noticed. Gathering up all her things, avoiding the people that tried to curry favor or to ask her out, not in the mood today.
The heat greeted her as she got outside, good, she liked heat. Humidity however could fuck right off, but heat itself was pleasant. The suits followed, no helping that, so Asuka tried what she did in Germany to lose them. Making side-steps, using alleys, going into shops and using back-exits, a game to see how long it took to lose them. Stepping into a convenience store, Asuka picked up a magazine to cover her face for a few moments, let the suits lose track of her.
"Are you going to buy that or just hold it? It's the last one and I'm wanting it," an impatient voice asked after Asuka hid for a few solid minutes.
Having not even bothered to look at her cover, Asuka tossed it to the girl. "Sorry, you can have it," Asuka actually felt a smidge of regret, she hated it when people wasted her time at stores as she just did. Ducking out of the shop, the Japanese guards were easier to dodge as long as she kept moving. Oddly enough her concern her hair would stand out was wrong, Japan had countless unique and strange hair colors. A few more animal ear styled heads cropped up, seriously why did they do that? She'd ask one eventually about it, must have taken so much effort to make hair look like rabbit or cat ears!
Traveling the last of the way to Nerv without her assigned guards, Asuka felt good about that. If those guards weren't going to help her, she wasn't going to make things easy for them. All about fairness here. Getting into the base, she felt the uber chill of the A/C hit hard, whoever set the environment controls for the base loved it to chill. "Wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't going to be dunked in goop," Asuka whined.
Only getting lost a little on her way to the changing rooms, hah why not just have one massive open space for all the privacy it provided, Asuka saw Ayanami's pile of clothing on the ground. The audacity of that little pig, Asuka was positive Ayanami was a living being of filth. Tossing the girl's wrinkled uniform into a locker, Asuka went about changing into her suit.
"She's not that bad, just new to town I think," Shinji's voice echoed just a little.
Holding her breath, Asuka could only assume he was talking about her, but who was he talking to? Sneaking to the curtain that separated the male and female side, just a curtain that was a joke, she cupped her ear and listened. Had he changed already or was he…don't think about that, just listen.
Softer than his first outburst, "I don't know. I think it's how she is…first names aren't as important in other countries right?" The flitter of the curtain being opened left leaving the lad sitting on the bench in his plugsuit and the two pilots just looked at one another confused. Stammering, "I-uh…I thought you were already gone with Ayanami-san. Uh…everything alright…your suit isn't…isn't pressurized."
"I heard you talking to yourself and was making sure you're not crazy. And yeah…in Europe we use first names and only use the last name in rare occasions. You're not above me so I won't be calling you Ikari-san, Doofus," she giggled at that and how quickly he turned around. At least he wasn't a secret perv that was going to peek on hear, he was beat red and looking away instantly. Hitting the button on her suit, the pressure felt very snug and enjoyable. "Lets get going, after the test you want to get some supper? I HATE cantina food and you HAVE to know some knowledge of where to get…wow the AC must be broken here its sweltering!" Asuka felt herself sweating thanks to the heat.
Trying to keep some distance between Asuka and him, Shinji was not comfortable with her being so close. "Oh you big sissy, with how that amazon stands over you at school, dragging you about like a bag of potatoes, you should be used to have people close to you. OR…are you not used to having a woman of my standing so close?" Asuka was enjoying teasing him to much. Kid nearly threw himself at the wall, was it even hotter now?
"I could take you somewhere if Misato-san is alright with it, I could invite Kagari-san as well. And I'm not-not really close with anybody being close. Kagari-san I guess is just something I got used to," Shinji was looking about frantically as if somebody was spying. Odd kid, but who wasn't odd here?
Slapping Shinji's back playfully, he nearly fell over from the light touch, "You don't have to run everything past her do you? You two don't look like you're dating or anything. You're more an accessory for her or something. I seriously don't understand your dynamic with her. She is this freakishly popular girl, why I don't know, and she's always around you while at school? Why? You…" Ok now she was about ready to burst into flames with how hot she was! Moving away from Shinji, the heat dropped nearly instantly, maybe he was just naturally warm or something. Lowering the teasing, the comment that maybe he was growing in other places, was left in the back of her mind for later.
"I just want to include her if we're doing something. You'll like her once you get to know her," said the person being used by said giant. Well Asuka would let Shinji do/say whatever he wanted about Kagari, let them have their odd stuff. It didn't bother Asuka, she wasn't going to mess with that, or him unless she was really board.
Tests were lame, Akagi yelled at her for not concentrating enough, Misato didn't have any info about Asuka getting her own place. Those two always sided with one another, never fair to argue with them when the other was around. Thankfully after the tests ended, and Asuka had a VERY warm shower, she found Kagari waiting for Shinji and her outside and Shinji took them to a cheap but decent noodle place. She tried talking to the girl, Kagari didn't respond to her and only tried to feed Shinji some of her noodles.
X-X
Regardless of the number of times he wore these robes, there was something silly about having them on. Was it the poofy nature of it, his mental self-image, or the sheer notion that still struck his self-conscious switch? Regardless of cause, Shinji felt just a smidge silly as he followed Kagari through the afternoon crowds. Another reason he was a little nervous was his dedication to self-training, did she know how he had taken to learning the natures of the robe? "S-so what is today's training going to be? Oh! Did you enjoy the ramen yesterday? You left after we finished," Shinji hoped she enjoyed his food option.
"Today was going to be more basic training, but you have done enough of that. It is time to teach you how to fly," Kagari followed a man into a large apartment building. Keeping close, but not close enough to touch, she had Shinji follow closer to her than anybody else. Once in an elevator, she wrapped her hands around him and drew him close as the doors shut. Either to keep him from touching the man or dare Shinji think otherwise, they didn't move or talk until the man exited. "The food was acceptable. But if you want ramen, I can supply better," Ayaka offered as she hit the button to go to roof.
The roof? Wasn't that a bit much for a first lesson? Kagari went in wide divergence when it came to training it seemed. Days of self-jumping about like an idiot, and now jumping off a roof? "S-so you knew about my using the robe? I want to help you so I-I figured I should learn all I could. As for the food, it's not like ramen is my favorite, but had been close and I figured Asuka-san would accept it," Shinji cringed back when Kagari turned back on him. Oh yeah, she wasn't a fan of him using the first name of 'the dog.'
Leading Shinji to a very elaborately maintained roof top garden, Kagari turned on Shinji summoned her broom and leaned on it menacingly. "What did you learn from your excessive training? You appear tired, should we scrap today?" Kagari's tone had just the right amount of edge to get Shinji to shiver. Thumping her broom akin to a staff, small cracks forming under her blow, she towered over him. Standing on the edge of the building, the wind whipped around them both yet giving a lovely view of the city.
"I learned a lot actually!" Shinji yelped at the new 'Drill Sargent' Kagari, "How long I can wear it until I get tired. How high I can jump. I learned that it makes me stronger. That Misato-san can hear me if I call out to her!" When in doubt, follow orders and hope things ended well. Kagari had followed him to Nerv, asked about the new girl, and then Asuka JUST had to walk in and make a whole bunch of comments that nearly got the girl a bit of a burn. It took more than twenty minutes of Shinji insure Kagari that Asuka was just an odd European girl, that she couldn't remove. Trying his best to be brave, he stood at Kagari's side at the edge of the building, "And I got a good night sleep last night for today's lesson, so I'm wanting to give it my all."
Some of the hardness around her eyes relaxed and she nodded, "Excellent, I kept the strength modifier from you as a test. Now summon your broom. It is a loyal minion that will follow your orders." Kagari set her broom horizontally and sat upon it. Patting the side for Shinji to sit if he'd like, she waited for his action.
Not going to be tempted to join her, even if it was awfully peaceful place, Shinji closed his eyes and tried to summon this stupid broom. It took a few tries again, he just couldn't get it to pop out the first time. At least this time the boom didn't have little etched Kagari's on it as it did last time, but it did have a little Unit-01 dangling figure about an inch big. Holding the broom tightly, bit of confidence at the success, "So what is next? Oh, did you ever learn what your mother was working on…or…um…the picture?" They hadn't really talked about it, the moment Shinji showed Kagari the old picture of them together she took it and acted as if it didn't exist.
"Now you fly," Kagari pushed Shinji off the edge, and watched closely, "Just command your broom."
Just command it? That was it? Shinji was more aware of the effect of gravity than ever in his life as Kagari shrank in size. Flipping over to see the ground loaming as he propelled towards it, he grabbed his broom and pleaded with it. It wasn't his typical mantra of not wanting to run away, it was fly that repeated in his mind. The urge to scream and plead for Kagari to save him was so large it was a physical weight on him, but he just pleaded with his broom. "Just once let me do something without failing it first," he squeezed his eyes and…stopped. Opening his eyes, the broom stoically hanging in mid-air halfway between the earth and roof, he laughed triumphantly. Using the robes strength altering abilities he pulled himself up on it and wobbly flew back upwards.
"That was a good showing, next time however try to do so faster," Kagari was already at Shinji's side. Did she fly down to catch him if he failed, or was she just quick…Shinji didn't care. She was there, and he was happy for it even if he wanted to do things alone. Flying around him in a circling pattern, Kagari was almost a helicopter parent, "Now keep your balance and let us fly. Until you are comfortable, do not fly high when I am not around."
Wobbling just a little as he gained his confidence with this new skill, Shinji had to will himself not to strangle the broom with his fingers, they were so white and tense. But hey, first time right? Bobbing up and down, Shinji did his best to keep up with Kagari. "That was a bit unexpected from you. I guess you're really going to start being firmer with our training then?" Shinji was actually a bit excited about that. Seeing Kagari do such impossible things, knowing she was doing so for him, he had to meet her step for step.
"This is all for today. We'll continue practicing this for the foreseeable future. Now as to what Mother has been trying to hide from us," Kagari flew higher up into the air. High above the city, the pair flew lazily and peacefully about the city they both defended. Kagari protected it from Tower Witches, Shinji against the Angels, and Shinji was awed by the sight. Against the setting sun, the city mostly unaware of any of the true dangers facing it, the pair of defenders enjoyed a moment. Pulling out a notebook from the hammer-space that was her pockets, "A Tower witch, Medusa, has escaped her imprisonment. Those five in our class are her servants, so it is very likely she is on her way or already here."
Those five girls did mention Medusa on their nearly daily attacks and defeats, dedicated servants indeed. Flying closer to Kagari, her cape flittered and touched his cheek but he stayed close, "Do we need to worry about her coming after me then? Those five make it pretty evident that they won't stop. They keep bothering you, you have to keep protecting me from them. This power in me…is it a curse?" Was it going to be like Eva and end up more problem than solution?
"You do not have to worry, your power is what you make of it, I'll see to that," Kagari's shoulder bumped off Shinji's and sent him flying a few feet away. Lost in watching the city, Kagari had thoughts were hers to keep.
About to re-ask about the photo of them, Shinji was distracted when he heard a familiar voice far below them. Looking down to find the voice that was more yelp than a word, but Shinji recognized the commanding voice of on Hikari Hokari. "Kagari-san, it's the class representative, d-do we help her? She looks like she's in danger," Shinji leaned dangerously over his broom to view the ordeal. A crew of about six girls had surrounded the proud Hokari and were fleecing her for money, and they did look like the type to use violence to get it.
"We do not, we use our powers to stop evil witches, what is happening here is a matter for the police. Now let us go and get supper, we can eat at your apartment and discuss the Katsuragi issue further," Kagari started flying off towards the conjoined residence. Misato's flirty and open nature riled up the feathers of the phoenix.
Did he follow and text the police about Hokari's plight or did he do something? It really was a matter for the police, he shouldn't get involved, but it would take time, it would mean leaving Hokari to suffer. His heart hammered as he thought of what to do, leave or stay…what would Kagari do if that was him down there?
"I have to do something," Shinji confessed and willed his broom into a steep dive. Whatever magic kept the hat from flying off worked overtime as he sped up towards his foolishness. Eyes watering as the ground screamed up at him, barely dodging both power lines and the pole that supported them, Shinji misjudged the timing of slowing. They didn't hear him thanks to the robes, but they felt him and then saw him after he collided with the head girl, a spikey blond girl with a cloth medical facemask on. Laying on the ground, the broom vanishing back to robe, Shinji felt the body of his victim under him. Confused and with triplicate vision, "G-get out of here, Hokari-san. I-I got this." A lie, but hey nobody wants to be seen getting beaten up, much less the person you tried to just help.
Flipping Shinji off of her, rolling to take his place, the woman gave a little hop to push all the air out of Shinji's lungs. "Ok, now where the hell did you just come from? Trying to be some…what the fuck are you wearing? Cosplay? Check it out girls, we have a mage instead of a knight!" the girl hopped a few more times to keep Shinji gasping.
The five other girls all surrounded Shinji so all he could see was their faces. Some rescue this was, another failure! Some 'great power' he had, couldn't even scare off a few normal girls. "Just trying to help…that girl," Shinji thought quickly. Let these delinquents know they had a relationship, that just jacked up the price and would add to the available means of attack! Gurgling a little as the girl ground against his stomach, "How about we just all leave and end this?"
"Well we wanted some money to have some fun, you going to pay for us little wizard?" one of the girls teased. This one had frazzled orange hair and was a bit busty, arms crossed she leaned over and poked Shinji with her shoe. Leaning in just a bit more, flashing just a bit under the skirt, "Hey, isn't this…I heard rumors about this kid. Is this the kid that is that purple things pilot?" Taking out her phone she rooted through it and handed it to the others.
Taking the phone, the lead girl examined whatever was being passed around and tossed it back with a laugh. "You have to have some money then, and…if what I'm feeling is right you getting off on this? Maybe we can have some money AND fun with you. You are a little cute, and that monster of yours is…" the girl was off Shinji and on the ground in an instant.
"Are you alright?" Kagari was already lifting Shinji up. Dusting him off and fixing his hat, Kagari was far to close for Shinji's battered self-esteem. Saved again, he tried to do one thing 'brave' and it ended with being saved again, and Kagari dabbing his cheek with a napkin to clean him off.
Trying his best to push her away without letting his frustration show, but his tone was far to harsh than he wanted, "I thought you said Workshop Witches only deal with evil witches…you should have left me to the mess I made for myself." What those girls, now unconscious and Hikari gone, wanted Shinji didn't know, but it was his mess." How humiliating, he'd never be brave, never be the one to really help would he. Just some sad-sod to be saved.
"But those were witches. They knew you couldn't let your sense of justice go unchallenged and laid a trap for you," Ayaka summoned her broom and all but forced Shinji onto it. Taking to the air, the squad of girls, maybe witches, left in a pile on the ground. Holding the broom so Shinji was between her and the shaft, Ayaka was softer, "You did a brave thing, foolish, but brave. Clear such things with me so you won't get hurt again."
This warmth, it was equally stifling and comforting, and Shinji was doing his best to keep his emotions in check. "But I failed, if it wasn't for you," Shinji felt helpless. Kagari said she'd always be there for him, but his life had only taught him was everybody leaves. He wanted to believe her, needed to believe her, but his secret-self kept reminding him 'she'll leave you if you become too much of a problem, everybody will.' For now he'd believe the lie, that those were witches, he fell into a nefarious plot, and Kagari saw it, "Thank you for everything today. Flying, helping, and…being here. I-I really appreciate that."
"Always," Kagari enveloped her princess in a shield of intention. Kagari flew a few tricks as she lead to Shinji's apartment. The got off her broom on the roof and when they got the apartment, they found two sets of unexpected shoes. Kagari kicked over the smaller of the two, they were fancier, those of a younger girl their age. "Is she here?" Kagari's little flame familiar popped out of her shoulder with a wickedly angry expression.
He knew those shoes! Shinji took Kagari's hand and shook his head, "The Takamiya's are here, the family I stayed with before coming here. Kasumi said they were moving, I just thought it would be later!" Tempted to run off and see them, they had gotten a close as he would have allowed at the time, Shinji abstained and walked with Kagari to meet them.
"Oh, it is Shinji-kun, how great to see you again," Komachi was up and giving Shinji a gentle hug as only a mother was capable. She had Yebisu on her breathe, and a glazed look on her face. Misato had a matching one, and the number of cans on the table was telling enough.
Pushing Shinji away from her mother, Kasumi poked the boy in the chest, "You were supposed to be home hours ago. Where have you been keeping him? I had to stay with these two drunks while that purple floozy tried to ask mama a bunch of questions!" Ah yes, the Kasumi rant, something Shinji had blocked out of memory for good reason. Well it was going to be back, the Takamiya's were going to be living two units down from this here, and on hearing that Shinji saw a small floral bouquet of fire blossom, great…they'll have to talk about the photo another day.
X-X
Notes
Trying to balance a recovering mind and one still suffering from depression and self-esteem issues. Progress is being made, but stumbling blocks and back-slides do happen. Things will be a bit more WitchCraft next chapter with a lil more eva progression, have to keep both moving on.
Later
Mercaba
