Tokyo
Kaji was looking at the entrance to an old cinema. 'Well this brings back memories'. He smiled. The hallway could use a bit of a cleaning but was rather cozy. Arriving at the cash register he showed his NERV ID. "I'm Captain Kaji Ryoji. Your manager is expecting me".
"Oh yes. Please this way sir". They entered a small room. Manager was sitting behind a desk and was looking at his laptop. "Mr Ryoji is here".
"Thank you. I've got the records you requested. Please have a seat we can go through it". Manager pointed at the chain opposite to his. He moved his laptop so both of them could see the screen. "Any specific hour you're interested in?"
Kaji sat on the char. "Let's start from 20:00. Can you play it at high speed?" They look through the video. Finally Kaji saw Shinji on the screen with some girl. "Please pause it". He stared at the screen. 'Interesting , she's not one of yours Misato'. He looked at the manager. "Let's rewind and see how she paid for the ticket. I'm hoping maybe she used a card or some other payment method I could trace".
Manager rewound the video to a point were they could see the girl paying for her ticket. Luckily she used a card. Manager stood up and wrote the exact time on a piece of paper. "I'll go to the cash register and get the transaction number. You can wait here".
After couple of minutes the manager was back. He handled Kaji a piece of paper that had transaction number. "Do you need anything else?"
"Save a picture of the two leaving and send it to my phone. That would be all. Thank you for your cooperation". After that he left the building. He took out his phone and made a call.
"I need a favor. I need a card holder name. I'll text you transaction number". He entered his car and started the engine.
Tokyo Mall
Kaji was walking down the corridor with Asuka hugging his arm. She was excited to go shopping with him. "It's been so long since we had some time together".
"Yeah it's been a while. So what are you planning to get?"
She stopped next to a boutique. "Here. I want to buy myself a swimsuit and I need someone with sense of a fashion". Asuka was first to enter. She started to go through nearest collection. Kaji looked at some of the swimsuits.
"Why don't you pick some one piece swimsuit? Those look nice". He presented her few options.
She smirked. "Nah I want a bikini to look sexy not some boring clothes that will remind me of school". She picked few swimsuits herself. "Wait here while I go try them on". She ran off into the changing rooms.
Kaji was standing in the shop and looking at some of the clothes. 'Misato could use some of these' he thought with a evil grin. He moved away from the clothes and headed towards a bench that was near the changing rooms. Just before he sat he heard his phone. It was a text message. He checked his phone and saw name of the girl he was looking for. 'Why this name sounds so familiar?' he thought.
Asuka appeared in front of Kaji in a bikini. It had red and white stripes. "What do you think?" she said while posing for Kaji.
"Red suits you. You should take it. I'll wait outside for you". He started typing a message on his phone while he was waiting for Asuka. After a brief moment she left the shop with a bag and walked in his direction. "Want to get some ice cream? There's a cafe downstairs. My treat". She agreed without hesitation.
They were sitting at a table outside the cafe. Asuka was enjoying her ice cream and Kaji was sipping his coffee. "So what's the occasion?"
"We have a school trip to Okinawa!" the young redhead was very happy. "And we don't have any school activities planned so we can do whatever we want".
Kaji smiled at the girl. "That's nice. Got anything planned?"
"Yeah I want to go scuba diving. Did you have many school trips yourself?"
"No. We were busy with other stuff". Asuka looked curious. "What other stuff?"
"Second impact" he made a faint smile. After a short pause he added "How are you doing living with Misato and Shinji?"
Asuka rolled her eyes. "Ok I guess. I would prefer to live with you instead of them".
He chuckled. "That would mean you living alone". Asuka looked puzzled. "To be honest I didn't unpack after I arrived here. I rarely spend time in my apartment". He heard his phone notifying him about a new message.
'Maybe he can get a hint' thought Asuka "I haven't been to your place. Can you take me there?"
"Nothing much to see really. Small apartment, just a bed and few boxes with my stuff". Looking at his phone he smiled. "Sorry kiddo I need to go to HQ. I'll give you a ride to Misato place".
They walked to his car. Asuka was a bit disappointed that Kaji didn't get her hint. 'Maybe I need some more direct approach for him to finally notice me?'. They entered his car. Asuka had her shopping bag with her. "Give me that bag. I'll put it one the back seat". He was placing her back on the seat when she leaned towards him. Kaji noticed that and raised his hand in front of Asuka face to stop her from kissing him. "Asuka stop".
"Why? Don't you think I'm pretty?"
"Asuka listen. I'm twice your age". She wanted to interrupt him but he stopped her. "I'm flattered that a girl like you have a crush on me. But that's just a crush. It won't work".
She was annoyed. "What makes her better than me? Look" she pointed at her chest. "They are not that small".
"I don't see you that way Asuka. I see you like a niece. I want to protect you. Nothing more. I'm sorry if you want something else but it not gonna happen. Don't make anything stupid you will regret later".
She wasn't sure if she was sad or angry. "I won't regret it. How can you say that?"
He smiled. "I'm older. I had time to make more mistakes that I can rely on".
"Why she's better than me?"
He sighed "She's special to me. You're also special but in a different way. Someday you will find someone special to you. Be patient, don't rush".
Annoyed she blurted "Are every men so stupid?"
He chuckled while starting the engine. "Yes and we don't understand women". The trip to Misato apartment they've spent in silence.
NERV canteen
Kaji was waiting for his friends at the table. He enjoyed smoking. Out of the three only Misato didn't smoke. Not anymore anyway at least. He looked as Misato and Ritsuko finally arrived to the canteen. He waved at them. "Hey, it took you a while". Both women settled on their' chairs.
"So you got anything for me?"
"Nice to see you too Misato". He smiled at her. Annoyed she exclaimed. "Don't test me. I had a very long day".
Kaji smiled as he enjoyed teasing Misato. "Straight to the point. No wonder they promoted you" he winked. "So I did find the girl but she's not on your list".
"So she or Shinji lied?"
He stubbed out his cigarette. "No. You were looking for a 16 year old and she turned 17 recently".
"Oh I see". Misato was very anxious "So who is she? Do you have a photo?"
He took his phone out of his jacket and unlocked it. When he found what he was looking for he handled his phone to Misato. "He's a photo of Shinji and the girl when they were leaving the cinema". Misato studied the picture for a bit. "She's pretty" she said while passing the phone to Ritsuko.
"Got anything more? You know they left together. It doesn't mean they did anything. Maybe you can, I don't know show her your NERV ID and ask a few questions? She may spill something when nervous".
Kaji looked at Misato and said slowly "Yeah about that". Ritsuko returned him his phone.
He received a concerned look from Misato. "Is there a problem with that? Who is she?"
He sigh "Her older brother works for NERV so I don't think I should flash my NERV ID in front of her if you want this to be discreet".
Ritsuko rested her hand on her chin as she found this interesting. Misato on the other hand was a bit worried. She was concerned that this may cause some trouble. "What's her name?"
Kaji smiled "Kaori Hyuga, younger sister of lieutenant Makoto Hyuga".
Misato froze. "Shit".
"What?" said both Kaji and Ritsuko.
She sighed. "Well Makoto asked me some time ago if there's a chance to hire his sister as an intern. She's a good student, top of her class and it would help her get to college she wants to go so I agreed".
Kaji looked at Misato. "NERV is big. They might not meet at all".
She gave a false smile. "I've assigned her to the support team..." she paused for a moment "...for the pilots. I thought that having someone more of their own age would be beneficial". She slapped her forehead. "She starts on Saturday. I can't change it now". Both Kaji and Ritsuko laughed.
"Then don't".
Misato looked puzzled.
Ritsuko leaned back on her chair and crossed her legs. She took a cigarette from her pack. "I agree with Kaji. I think you overreact". Misato turned to her friend.
"I don't want him to feel more nervous than he is".
Ritsuko leaned over the table so Kaji could lit the cigarette. "There was no change in his sync ratio".
Kaji was playing with his lighter. "Maybe they will become friends? Shinji could use another friend". He added with an sly grin "After all, they have a common topic they can rely on". Misato didn't like the last part.
Ritsuko scratched her chin "People sometimes work with their…". She rolled his eyes "...ex. If things won't work how you want you can always transfer her to other team".
Misato had annoyed look. She looked at the watch one the wall. "Shit I have a meeting with vice commander. I need to go". Misato stood from her seat and looked at her friends. "Maybe you're right". She left Kaji and Ritsuko at the table.
He took his own cigarette and light it up and leaned back on his chair. "She's quite protective for the kid".
"She's changed since he started to live with her".
"You're saying that being a guardian makes her a better person?"
Blondie scientist sneered "I don't know who the guardian is here". He chuckled. "He does most of the chores. Still she will do a lot for the boy. Not sure if she's like a bis sister, a surrogate mother or" she made a small pause "whatever that is. She was a slob until Shinji started to live with her." she took another puff of her cigarette "At first I was joking to her that she wanted to take him home as a sex toy. You know how she's easy to tease sometimes" he nodded. "But now I can see that it changed her".
Not sure he asked "What do you mean?"
"You know how messy she is" she rolled her eyes "or rather was". She gave him a serious glare and began to enumerate "Now she drinks less, she seems more responsible. Hell, she no longer eats that instant crap she calls food. She also doesn't have any stains on her uniform. She even got promoted to major for Christ sake. Something you wouldn't expect a year ago".
He stubbed out his cigarette and smiled. "That's good to hear".
Misato apartment
"What do you mean I can't go?!" screamed very pissed Asuka.
Misato was not impressed by Asuka attitude. She was expecting her to be mad. "I mean you can't go to Okinawa. We can't risk having pilots too far away when there is a potential angel attack".
"You can't decide that!"
Still very calm Misato responded "I can and I have. As both your guardian and your commanding officer".
Furious, she looked at the boy next to her. "Baka say something already. Do you agree with Misato on this?"
Shinji looked at the redhead "I was kinda expecting this to be honest".
Asuka was mad. Last couple of days were very unpleasant to say at least. She was looking forward to Okinawa trip. She hoped that it would make her forget about the past week. "You're pathetic. You do everything you're being told".
"Oh and before I forget. You have a sync test on Saturday. We'll be testing new nerve connectors. They should allow for more stable sync ratio. At least that's what Ritsuko is saying".
'Just great. When this week will finally end?!' thought Asuka before storming to her room and shutting the door behind her. She threw herself on the bed and buried her face in the pillow. 'Stupid Misato, stupid Kaji..' she shed a tear '..and stupid Shinji'.
Shinji wanted to say something but was too late. Misato looked at the boy. "Something on your mind?" He looked at his guardian. "I don't know Misato. She seems angry lately. I don't know why".
"Yeah, I've noticed that. Let's just give her some time. Don't worry".
School
As usual during lunch break, Asuka and Hikari were eating together. "And he didn't event object!" Asuka was complaining to her friend.
Hikari tried to comfort her friend "I feel sorry for you that you cannot go but I guess it makes sense".
"They have cars, jets, helicopters. Why can't they use them if there's an angel attack?"
"I don't think they can use them for private matters Asuka". Hikari put her bento on the side and looked at the sky. "You will also have some time off from school. Just here in Tokyo".
Asuka sighed. "At least I'll see only one idiot instead of three".
Hikari flushed "Looking forward to spending some time alone with Shinji eh?" She started to giggle but stopped when she saw Asuka death stare.
Notes:
This took longer than I've expected. I did rewrite some of it few times before I felt happy about it.