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Rei trailed at the back of the group as she followed the others out through the school gates and down the hill that lead towards the centre of the city. Around them sprawled Tokyo-3, the crystal blue waters of the ocean sparkling between the towering appartment blocks and office building. Like the rest of the students, Rei was dressed in the blue and white uniform of Tokyo-3 First Municipal Junior High School, her pale blue hair contrasting with her albino skin and red eyes. A few paces in front of her were Shinji, Touji and Kensuke. Of the three, Shinji was the shortest, a skinny boy with short black hair, the collar of his white shirt unbuttoned and crooked. Slightly taller than Shinji, Kensuke had scruffy brown hair and freckles, his large-framed glasses pushed right up on his nose, while Touji wore a black tracksuit and trousers, his hands shoved into his pockets. Ahead of them were Mari, Hikari and Asuka. Class Rep Hikari was as immaculate as ever, her brown hair pulled back into a tight braid and her uniform as neat as it had been at the start of the day, while Maki's black hair, strong jaw and round glasses gave her an intense air. And then there was Asuka, her red hair blowing in the wind.

'I can't believe how much the city's grown,' Kensuke said. 'That's the fourth tower block that's gone up in the last two months...'

'NERV has put a lot of money into new developments,' Mari said.

'I can't believe how much homework we've got,' Asuka muttered.

'We have exams in three months,' Rei said and Asuka scowled at the blue-haired albino.

'You always do what you're told, don't you...?'

'Yes,' Rei said and Asuka's scowl deepened as she turned away, muttering under her breath.

'Your Mom and Dad work for NERV, don't they, Shinji?' Touji asked.

'...yes,' he said. 'So...?'

'So, what do they do there? Something top secret, I bet...'

'...I don't know,' Shinji said. 'I've never asked...'

'When are you going to grow a pair?' Asuka demanded and Touji rounded on her.

'You're one to talk,' Touji snapped. 'Seeing as you don't have any ba...'

'That's enough,' Hikari said and Touji shoved his hands into his pockets, pushing past Asuka.

'C'mon, Kensuke,' He said. 'Let's get out of here...'

'Dummkoff!' Asuka yelled after him, her hands balling into fists...

##################

'I'm home,' Asuka said, as she closed the front door behind her. 'Mom?' She called, but there was no answer.

I guess she's still working...

With a sigh, Asuka dumped her bag by the door and headed for the bathroom, kicking off her shoes as she went...

##################

'Welcome home,' Shinji's mother said as he shut the door behind him.

'Hello, Mom,' Shinji said, taking off his shoes and making his way to the kitchen. Pushing open the kitchen door, his Mother was standing by the oven, while his Father was seated at the kitchen table, his laptop open in front of him. A serious, stern looking man with dark hair wearing a black shirt and trousers, he glanced up at Shinji for a second, before returning to his work.

'Did you have a good day?' His Mother asked, a tall slender woman with dark brown hair, dressed in a pale blue shirt and dark grey trousers.

'It was fine,' Shinji said. 'I'm going to start on my homework...'

'Alright. Dinner will be ready in about an hour...'

##################

Rei stepped out of the shower, finishing drying her hair that contrasted starkly as the phone rang. Draping the towel around her neck, she stepped out of the bathroom and crossed the apartment to where the phone rested on the small table near to the window.

'Yes?' She said, picking up the phone and pressing the receiver to her ear.

'Rei,' Dr Akagi said. 'You're to report to NERV at 07:30 tomorrow...'

'I understand...'

'Very good,' Dr Akagi said and there was a click as the line went dead. Replacing the receiver, Rei dressed quickly, pulling on her sweater as she headed for the lounge. Taking her science textbook from her bag, she settled down on the couch, starting to make notes...

##################

Asuka was just getting dressed into a faded t-shirt and comfortable shorts when her phone beeped and she reached out to pick it up.

Asuka.

I need to work late tonight. I should be back around 9. There's dinner in the fridge and make sure you do your homework.

Love, Mom.

Shoving her phone into her pocket, Asuka slumped onto the couch with a sigh, folding her arms across her chest. She sat there for a moment before grabbing her bag and pulling out her books...

##################

'Shinji,' his Mother called from downstairs. 'Dinner's ready...'

'Coming,' Shinji answered, closing his book and heading downstairs, taking his seat at the table opposite his Father.

'Is your homework finished?' His Father asked and Shinji nodded.

'Almost. I've just got my math problems to do...'

'Good,' His Father said. 'We will be attending the Imashura Technology Expo this weekend...'

'But...'

'Yes...?'

...I don't want to, Shinji thought. However, as he looked into his Father's eyes, the words died in his throat.

'Nothing...'

##################

Rei closed her books and slipped them back into her bag, tidying away her notes.

Finished...

Standing up, she headed for the kitchen and filled the kettle, switching it on as she took an instant ramen from the cupboard. As soon as the kettle boiled, she poured it into the pot, stirring it with her chopsticks as she carried it to the table. Eating quickly, she threw the pot in the bin and heading for her bedroom. Lying down on the bed, she picked up a book from her bedside table and started to read...

##################

'I'm sorry I'm late,' Asuka's mother said, as she came into the lounge.

'It doesn't matter,' Asuka muttered, without looking round.

'Well, I'll just get some dinner and then we can watch some TV...'

'I need to get to bed,' Asuka said, standing up. 'I'm up early tomorrow...'

'...alright. I'll see you in the morning...' She said, but Asuka walked past her without saying a word...

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.