Chapter 2
Shinji and Misato climbed out of the car in a small cul-de-sac neighborhood. By the size and style of most of the houses, Shinji guessed that this was an upper-middleclass section of town. That was good, he thought, it meant that he could live in relative comfort without feeling like he was out of place in a rich person's neighborhood. Shinji breathed deeply in through his nose. The air was thick with car and truck exhaust, but that wasn't surprising to Shinji.
It's a city, he thought, it's a constant. This is a nice neighborhood, though. I think I'll like it here. That is, until Misato gets sick of me and kicks me out. Hell, I'm almost eighteen. I'll bet that once I turn 18 next week, Misato will kick me out and I'll be on my own.
Shinji was brought out of his daze by Misato's cheerful tone.
"Well, here we are. Home, sweet home."
Misato had parked her car in front of a medium-large, white house. Shinji stepped over the threshold of the front door and into the front hallway. He was shocked. He could hear his footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor through the immensely cave-like hall.
"I'm…home," Shinji whispered, his voice muted by shock and uncertainty.
"Welcome home," Misato replied, "Let's go take a look at your room."
Shinji followed Misato up the stairs to the second floor hallway. The carpet felt plush and springy under his feet. It was obviously either very well cared-for, or practically new. Misato led Shinji to a door near the end of the hall that had a small, hand made sign taped to it that read: "Shinji's lovely suite". Shinji chuckled mildly at this cute joke. He turned the knob and opened the door.
Shinji's jaw dropped to the floor. His room was enormous! It was practically a house in and of itself. The only thing it was missing was a kitchen. He walked around and began to examine his space. The room had four doors in it: the one to the hallway that he had just come from, one to his large, walk-in closet, one to an adjoining bathroom, and a sliding glass door to a balcony that adjoined his room.
"You like it?" Misato asked.
Shinji could only stammer in response. He was deeply in a state of shock. He had been through dozens of foster homes, but none like this.
"I think I could learn to like it here," Shinji said softly.
"Well, that's good," Misato said with a smile, "Why don't you unpack a little bit and get settled in, and I'll go make a couple of calls."
"Calls?" Shinji asked, "To whom?"
"Why, the neighbors, of course," Misato said, "I want to have a party to introduce everyone to my new housemate. And who knows? There might even be a couple of girls your age who might come."
Misato added the last bit with a sly wink, and then ducked, laughing, out of the room to avoid the pillow Shinji threw at her. Alone in his gigantic room, Shinji decided to explore his surroundings. His first stop was the cavernous bathroom.
He walked in a found a white, ceramic tile floor, a white marble tub, and black granite sinks and counter tops. Shinji ran his hands along the smooth, stone counter, still awestruck at his good fortune. His next stop was to examine the white marble tub. It was immense. Shinji could have sworn that he would be able to swim laps in the deep, pool-like tub. Shinji saw jet ports, and realized that he had a Jacuzzi tub.
Sweet, Shinji thought, If I can sneak a couple of girls in here, we can have a hot tub party.
However, Shinji doubted that that would be happening anytime soon. He figured on playing by the rules for at least a couple of days until he figured out what made Misato tick. He needed a couple of days to figure out her temper, her limits, and just how far he could push them before she broke on him.
Shinji's next destination was the balcony. His bedroom was on the second floor of the house, and it overlooked a small hillside. He had quite a view. He looked up, seeing the sky bloom and curve over his head. Looking to one side, Shinji spotted a pair of lounge couches.
That'll be good for lying out under the stars, Shinji thought contentedly. He hadn't had a place that he could look at the stars in a long time. He missed it. He remembered one of his earliest foster homes was out in the suburbs, as well, and they had had a nice view of the sky, too. Whenever Shinji couldn't sleep, he would go out and lie in the grass and stare at the sky until he fell asleep in the yard.
"Shinji!" Misato called, "Come down here a sec, please?"
"Be right there," Shinji called back, taking another long look at the sky. Then, he walked back into the room, set down his bag and headed for the door.
"What's up, Misato?" Shinji asked, wandering his way into the kitchen.
"Well, absent-minded me forgot to give you the tour of the rest of your house," Misato said, "Come on."
"Sure," said Shinji with a shrug.
Misato led Shinji through the house, showing him the kitchen, the immensely huge dining room, the living room, the den, and all of those other boring rooms. Finally, she came to the last three doors that she hadn't opened for him. One led out into the backyard, where Shinji found yet another surprise.
"An in-ground swimming pool?" Shinji asked, not believing his eyes, "Are you kidding me?"
"Not at all," Misato replied, "And in that small building across the yard is a full-size hot tub. You can see it through the glass. Quite a few parties have been saved by that tub."
"I'll bet," Shinji said, grinning mischievously.
Misato led Shinji back inside the house and to a door that was down the hall from the living room. Misato told Shinji to close his eyes before she opened the door. As Misato led Shinji into the room, she said:
"Okay, Shinji, open your eyes."
Shinji opened his eyes and swore loudly with surprise. He was staring at the most massive home theatre system he had ever laid eyes upon. All around the room were an assortment of bean bag chairs and poofy couches facing a wall-sized screen. There was a projector module hanging from the ceiling. Shinji could have even sworn that he saw a popcorn machine and a drink bar in one corner of the dimly lit room.
"I can't believe it," Shinji said breathlessly, "This is yours?!"
"It's yours now, too, Shinji," said Misato, putting an arm around his shoulders, "This is your home now. I know it'll be hard, but follow me back out, there's one more door I need to show you."
"Okay," Shinji said reluctantly, tearing his bulging eyes away from the giant screen. Already his mind was abuzz with thoughts of what he would watch first on that fantastic set.
Misato led Shinji back up to the second floor and down to the end of the hallway and a door just beyond his room. She opened the door to a very large, plush-looking bedroom. Shinji could only assume that this was Misato's room.
"And this little treasure is my room," Misato said, confirming Shinji's suspicions, "I hope I won't see you sneaking into my room to take advantage of me in the middle of the night."
Misato said this in a very falsely accusing tone. Shinji looked equally falsely guilty. The two of them shared a good laugh. Then, they heard the doorbell ring.
"Oh, that'll be the first of the neighbors arriving," said Misato, closing the door, "Come on, Shinji. Let's go say hi."
Shinji shrugged nonchalantly. He really didn't care one way or the other; that is, until he saw who was on the other side of the door. It was a cute, blue-haired girl and her two adults that Shinji assumed were her parents. Shinji hid his shock at seeing such a beauty, but he was still awe-struck.
There are girls like that in this cul-de-sac? he thought dazedly, I think I'm definitely gonna like it here. Still, there's something missing about her. I just can't seem to place it, though. Ah, well.
"Shinji Ikari," Misato said, "meet the Ayanami family: Shiro and Megumi and their daughter, Rei. Everyone, meet Shinji, my new housemate."
"Hi"s, "hello"s and handshakes were passed around the circle of four. When Shinji and Rei shook hands, their eyes met for a long moment. Rei smiled sweetly at Shinji, making his face turn red with flush. Shinji heard Misato chuckling quietly.
"What's so funny?" Shinji asked defensively, turning to glare at her.
"Oh, nothing," Misato said, still giggling slightly, "Come on in, guys. We'll go and wait for some of the other neighbors. Shinji, why don't you and Rei get to know each other a little better?"
Shinji knew exactly what Misato was trying to do. She was trying to play match-maker and set him up with one of the local girls. It wouldn't have been the first time someone had tried, and it probably wouldn't be the last, either.
"I wouldn't say no to a tour, Shinji," Rei said encouragingly, "I've never been inside Misato's house before. Could we go up and see your room?"
"There's not much up there right now," Shinji said evasively, "I just got here today, you know."
"That's all right," Rei said innocently, "Could we go somewhere else, though? It's kind of boring standing around in the front hall."
She's not shy at all, is she? Shinji thought sarcastically.
"True," Shinji said, "but why don't we wait for a couple more people to get here before I give you the tour, that way we don't give a repeat performance?"
"I was the newest one in the neighborhood before you moved in," Rei said, taking Shinji's hand, "I feel a sort of…connection with you. Misato gives these 'welcome home parties' whenever there is a new neighbor, but when we moved in, I opted to skip the party and stay at home. So, really, I've never seen Misato's house. I'm sure everyone else in the neighborhood has."
Shinji smiled. He could appreciate Rei's pursuit of attention. Still, he felt like he was playing right into Misato's hands by taking her on a private tour of a gigantic house where there was little chance that they'd be happened upon should anything start happening between them. Ah, well, he thought, better to let it play than act like a fool and say no to a cute girl who is obviously interested in him. He led Rei upstairs.
Shinji opened the door to his room and stepped aside. Rei stepped in and looked around at his relatively Spartan furnishings. Shinji walked in behind Rei and stood with a hand behind his head.
"There's not much here right now," Shinji repeated.
"You've got all that you really need," said Rei, "a bed, a chest of drawers, and a closet. And not even the dresser and closet so much as the bed."
"Are you seeing anyone, Rei?" Shinji asked.
"I'm not," Rei replied, "Are you asking me out?"
"Maybe I am," Shinji said cryptically, "What do you say?"
"You'll have to convince me," Rei purred. Then, she stepped up to Shinji and wrapped her arms playfully around his neck. Shinji leaned his head down to hers and gently kissed her. Rei responded in kind, and soon the two teens were making out like…well… teenagers. Shinji pulled away after a few minutes of this and said:
"Rei, I think we ought to slow down a little bit. I mean, don't get me wrong, you're a great kisser, but we barely know each other. Don't you think we might be rushing things just a little bit?"
"Maybe," said Rei playfully, reaching for the buttons on her blouse, "Or maybe I'm just trying my hardest to make you feel welcome. Now, could you help me? I always have a little bit of trouble with the buttons on this blouse."
Ahh, what the hell, Shinji thought, She's hot. And she's hot for me. I don't think I'll end up dating her seriously, but you never know.
Shinji smiled as he slid his hands down Rei's arms and around to the front of her blouse. Rei moaned softly as Shinji's deft hands plucked at each of the buttons running down her front. Soon, the light-weight material parted of its own accord, and Shinji feasted his eyes on the white material of Rei's bra. At least, Shinji thought it was a bra. Then, he saw that it was actually a white bikini top.
"Rei," Shinji asked, "before we go any further: Are you looking for any kind of commitment out of this?"
"Are you?" Rei replied.
"To be honest," Shinji said, "no. I'm really not looking for any kind of relationship right now."
"How about a girl you can call on if you want company for a night here and there?" asked Rei.
"Are you offering?"
"Do I sound like I'm offering?" Rei asked.
"Okay," said Shinji, "You're on. You're my call-girl for now. Take off your shirt."
Rei smiled and obeyed. Shinji sat her down on the bed and took a seat next to her. He put a hand behind her head, drew her in, and kissed her again. He took his other hand and began sliding it up the inside of her thighs. Rei parted her thighs slightly to allow Shinji's questing hand better access.
In no time, Shinji's roving fingers found their way to the silky smooth texture of the bikini bottom that Rei had on beneath her skirt. Rei gasped when Shinji's fingers touched her nether region.
"Something wrong, Rei?" Shinji asked.
"No, nothing," Rei sighed, "It's just that…no one's ever…touched me there…Oh, god that feels so good…Don't stop…"
"You're a virgin, then?" Shinji asked, liking what he was hearing, "How delightful. It's been a while since I had a virgin."
Shinji got down on his knees in front of Rei and gripped the sides of her skirt. Rei lifted herself off of the bed and Shinji tugged gently on the material, feeling it slide off of Rei's shapely hips. While Shinji pulled her skirt off the rest of the way, Rei pulled off her shirt and cast it aside.
Shinji stood up and peeled off his T-shirt. Rei stood up and pressed herself against him. She kissed Shinji passionately for a long moment, and then started groping at the button on Shinji's jeans. Rei tugged at the heavy denim, which pooled around Shinji's ankles. He kicked them aside.
While Rei undid his pants, Shinji popped the clasp on Rei's bra. Rei's firm globes spilled out for Shinji to see as Rei slid the garment off her arms. Shinji and Rei smiled at each other. Then, Shinji dipped his head forward and took Rei's right nipple between his teeth and nibbled gently.
"Ah!" Rei gasped, "Oh, my god!"
"Just you wait," Shinji growled between his teeth, "It'll get even better before I'm through with you. Just wait'll I get to work on your pussy."