Chapter 81: Branching Out
Upon exiting and turning down the hallway, Gendo saw the First Child. She was standing against the opposite wall a room or two down. She was looking at the ground in deep thought then blinked. Looking up and making eye contact, Ayanami walked toward him.
"Evening Commander," she said stopping near him with a neutral face.
"Evening," he said putting one hand in his pocket and moving his glasses up a little with the other. "What is it?"
"How…are things?"
"Busy," the Commander said and began walking down the hallway. Rei turned and walked a little bit back beside him.
"I see."
"Is there something wrong?"
"…" Ayanami said feeling that he seemed a bit cold to her. Mentally shaking her head, she figured that he was always busy with his work. At the same time, anxiety got to her. The aspect that he made time for her seemed to not exist anymore since Dr. Ikari's recovery. Deciding that all she needed to do was ask, part of her was afraid of his response.
"It has been a while since you have called upon me for our weekly status…I…I was wondering why," she asked softly looking at him.
"…" Gendo said not stopping or turning around. He kept walking forward without changing his pace.
"There have been more administration matters and meetings with our government affiliates. I do not have much time available for a status. I can ask Dr. Akagi to conduct one for you if you want."
"…" Rei said seeing only the back of him. His response, demeanor, and not facing her made the First Child feel tense, anxious, hurt, and irritated. However, she kept a stoic face and continued walking a little behind him.
"I see."
"Was there something else you wanted?"
"No Commander," she said slowing down to a stop. Watching him continue on his way down the hallway then turning the corner, her hands gripped her school uniform skirt. Clenching them into fists, she looked down at the ground.
'…why is the Commander acting this way?…' she thought walking toward an elevator. 'He has never acted this way toward me…it feels…unpleasant.'
Shaking her head from side to side, she reasoned with herself that it was because he was very busy. However, two factors caused her doubt herself. Dr. Ikari was getting the same type of attention she used to receive from him. Understanding that she was his late wife, seeing the physical connection that the scientist had with him made her irritated. The last aspect was the urges and impulses. Similar ones that she felt for the Third Child would occur when near or speaking with the Commander.
However ever since the last Angel battle, those wants toward the older man were left unfulfilled. It became harder for her to control her emotions. Entering the elevator and going to the ground level, Rei tried contemplating on how to get rid of the emotions and urges. Blinking and think about the Third Child, she knew that he would be more willing to aid her. The urge to call him to just talk made her hands flinch.
'…?' Ayanami thought blinking and looking at her hands. 'How strange…an emotional response that caused a physical reaction…is that normal?'
A couple of days went by without much of an incident. The Eva pilots had an evening sync test during one of those days. Results from it came back with Asuka leading far ahead, Rei in second, and Shinji in third. As part of the Commander's instruction, Rana also took part of the sync test. Receiving a plug suit the same as Ayanami's, she tested very low in the 20% mark. Ritsuko gave her instruction of what to concentrate on and tried the sync test again. Doing a little bit better, it was a starting point for her to be a back up pilot.
The following day was another school day. The small group of Eva pilots was walking to school as they have before. A couple of students still looked in wonder from seeing Shinji having a twin sister. Asuka led in front with Rei and Rana walking behind her a bit. The Third Child kept to the rear and did not look around like he did before. Walking onto the school grounds, a couple of female students waved a little in which Rana recognized and waved back.
"At least I know which twin got the social genes," Asuka stated with hands behind her head looking back at the female twin. Other than Rana's close attachment to him, she acted and behaved more normal than Shinji. In fact, she seemed to signify his counterpart. It made the aspect of them being identical twins believable. What also bugged her was the aspect that not only did the First Child act similar to him, but how she resembled Dr. Ikari. Shaking her mind a bit, she looked at the Third Child.
"You should take pointers from your sister Shinji."
"Yes Miss Souryu," he said stoically and without emotion.
"..." she said with a small frown reaching the stairs. The group slowly started climbing them.
"Rana, you should definitely get him to work on the dead man demeanor. If he didn't look like a grim reaper, there would be more people willing to talk to him."
"Well…at least the blackout glasses help in not scaring people," Rana stated neutrally from her comments.
"Ha! Yeah. But with those bland glasses, it kills any style points."
"I believe that NERV inspector guy would say something similar to that," the female twin said with a small smile then turned to him. "What was his name again?"
"Mr. Ryoji Kaji," Shinji said following the group up the stairs.
"You spoke with Kaji?! When?!" Asuka asked brightening up.
Rushing to the top of the stairs, she turned around waiting for the three. The redhead saw Rei keeping the same stoic face; however, she looked deep in thought since leaving the apartment. Ignoring her, Rana looked a little surprised from how much the Second Child's demeanor changed. Shinji kept his stoic expression as he reached the top of the stairs. The Second Child went on to explain how the unshaven man was the ideal man to Rana.
'I think I see a pattern between the two,' the female twin thought listening and nodding her head to Asuka's talking about the older man. Glancing at the First Child, Ayanami ignored them and still looked like she was still mentally occupied with something. Thinking about the NERV environment that the pilots worked in, they were the only teenagers.
'…' Rana thought nodding her head at the redhead then glanced at the Third Child. 'If they fancy older men, I wonder if he does with one of the adult women there.'
The four entered the classroom where Asuka continued her discussion about Kaji and the previous times that he acted manly or gentlemen like. While they went to their desks, Asuka sat in the desk next to hers. Despite feeling antsy about the Second Child's continuous talk about the adult male, Rana continued to listen. When the Class Rep walked in, Asuka finished her discussion and walked toward where she was. Sighing silently in relief, the female twin started getting her school work out.
After a majority of the students entered the classroom, Toji walked in. Looking up from being deep in thought, he saw the male pilot sitting at his desk with his sister next to him. Oddly, Ayanami was sitting at her desk and staring out the window. Ignoring her and looking back at the Third Child, he closed his hands into loose fists that were in his pockets. About to walk over and speak, the Class Rep approached him first.
"Well, look at you. Showing up before the bell."
"Oh…hey Class Rep," the jock said with a small smile that quickly formed and dropped. Glancing back at the male pilot, he changed course and walked to his desk.
'That was…odd,' Hiraki said seeing him look preoccupied.
She wondered what was on his mind to be that distracted. The first bell sounded and class started as usual. Kensuke tried whispering to Toji to figure out what was up; however, he couldn't get much of an answer. The jock had his arms folded on his desk and his chin resting on them. The first break bell sounded in which a couple of students left the classroom.
"Hey Shinji?" Rana asked quietly turning to him in her desk.
"Yes Miss Rana?" he replied while hearing other movements far behind him.
"Its regarding the purple unit…is it…safe to operate?"
"…" he said listening to footsteps get closer and closer to him from behind. Thinking about her question and the aftermath of the last Angel battle, he turned his head to her.
"I do not know," he replied feeling a presence next to him. Turning the other way, both twins saw Toji standing there.
"H-Hey Shinji…would ya have time after school to talk?"
"…" Shinji said bowing his head a little. "My apologies Mr. Suzuhara, I will be unavailable today after school. Would later this evening work for you or tomorrow?"
"This evening I'm visiting my sis in the hospital and spending time with her," Toji said rubbing one of his arms. "Could we meet early tomorrow morning before school starts?"
"I can do that Mr. Suzuhara," Shinji said stoically and nodding his head. "Where do you wish to meet?"
"You know my usual spot?"
"I do."
"Let's meet there."
"Very well."
"…" the jock said with a sigh of relief and giving a relaxed smile. "Thanks man."
"You are welcome Mr. Suzuhara."
Both twins watched him leave the classroom for the remaining of the break. Looking around him, he noticed one student that watched the jock then looked back at him. Instead of turning to her, he closed his eyes. Taking off his blackout glasses, he rubbed his eyes. Hearing a desk near him move closer, he didn't move away.
"He looks troubled," Rana whispered leaning a little closer to touch shoulder to shoulder.
"…" the male pilot stated putting his sunglasses back on. He ignored how close she was.
"Indeed."
"Can I come too? I'll keep in the background if that is okay."
"That should be fine," he said feeling Rana radiate a happy smile as he kept a passive expression.
At NERV later that afternoon, Ritsuko was making calibrations and creating documents for the new Eva pilot. Recalling how the meeting went at the student's home, there was no need to do much persuasion. The aspect that the individual went to the same school as the other Eva pilots made the topic easier to discuss. Hearing her office doors slide open and close, she looked back to see Misato with Asuka accompanying her.
"Hey Rits."
"Hey," the scientist stated turning her attention back to the computer screen. "What brings you two here?"
"I heard Kaji was in today and was going to surprise him," the redhead answered smiling with hands behind her back.
"…" Misato said blinking and willed herself to not frown and narrow her eyes. Clearing her mental thoughts, she spoke.
"Mostly work. Did you hear about the incident that happened in the US?" the lavender haired woman asked. She walked to one side of the desk and sat on the edge. The Second Child went to the other side and listened with interest.
"I did. An experiment that ended in failure," Dr. Akagi replied continuing her paperwork.
"Can you believe it? 50Km from the base's center wiped out. Everyone there gone," the Major said crossing her arms over her chest. Asuka raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Another bad PR event."
"…" Misato said seeing that her friend was distracted with what she was working.
"Hey," Asuka spoke. "I heard we are getting a new Eva here. Is that true?"
"Yes. Unit-03 from the U.S." Ritsuko stated without looking at them.
"Wonder why the group decided to send Eva-03 here," Misato asked.
"More or less to prevent something like that incident from happening again at other branches."
"Hmph. That's cause we are the safest and strongest stronghold amongst the rest in the world," the Second Child stated with a smirk on her face.
"Most likely."
"Geez," Misato said with a sigh. "Wonder who will pilot the new Unit?"
"The pilot has been picked already."
"What? When!?" Asuka said in surprise.
"Earlier today—hey!" Ritsuko said as both the Major and Asuka went to her side and peered at her computer screen. It caused a reaction from both.
"WHAT!?" the redhead yelled bewildered and pointed. "How the hell is he the new pilot!?"
"…!?" Misato reacted and looked at her friend. All the scientist did was sigh and rub her temple that started to hurt.
At the basketball court early next morning, Toji practiced dribbling and shooting baskets. Despite thinking about what had transpired during the home visit, the unknown of going forward constantly distracted him. Making a shot and seeing it go in, he saw a shadow in his peripheral vision. Looking toward it, Shinji was standing outside the basketball court lines. He was alone.
'Surprised to not see his sis with him,' the jock thought seeing the Third Child walk toward him. 'Never fails to be a ninja… a creepy stalker one at best.'
"Good morning Mr. Suzuhara," the male pilot said bowing slightly.
"Hey Shin-man, thanks for meeting me here," he said with a light smile. He went to go get the basketball that was on the ground.
"What can I do for you?" he asked watching him.
"I…I had a visit from NERV at my home," he replied picking up the basketball.
"I see," Shinji said watching him dribble a little. The jock turned around and walked back to the free-throw line.
"What was it about?"
"Some rep came to my house and told me stuff. She said if I accept their proposal, my sis can get better medical treatment at NERV's hospital on base."
"I see."
"I at first I didn't wanna…but after thinkin' about it, it would be better if I did."
"…" the Third Child commented and remained motionless. Toji reached the line and turned around.
"You mean accepting for the sake of your sister Mr. Suzuhara?"
"Yeah," he said dribbling a couple of time. "One of those times you gotta step up and be a man."
"It is a form of accepting greater responsibility for a cause," the male pilot stated seeing him stop dribbling and lined up his shot.
"What…What does piloting an Eva feel like Shinji?"
"…" he answered and thought about it for a second. Flashbacks of previous times flared his nerves with phantom sensations. Despite not reacting to them, the hairs on his arms stood on end.
"It feels like controlling a big robot."
"Is it safe to be in?" the jock asked then shot the ball.
"Relatively speaking. Yes," he said watching the ball go toward the hoop.
"Do you feel pain?"
"You feel," Shinji said after ball went in the hoop. "What it feels."
"That scar and your eyes," Toji said turning to the Third Child. "Are…they from the last Angel attack?"
"That is correct Mr. Suzuhara," the male pilot stated then tilted his head. "Do you wish to see what happened to them?"
"…" Toji said with a blink and unsure face. "Are they still sensitive?"
"…" he said tilting his head back straight. "They are doing better."
"…" the jock said thinking about it. Blinking and looking at him, he gave a slow nod.
"Very well," Shinji said walking closer. He stopped when he was standing toe to toe with Suzuhara. Despite Toji wanting to take a step back, he steeled himself and swallowed a small lump of fear that developed. Watching the Third Child, he took off his dark tinted glasses and saw his eyes closed. Slowly opening them and looking up a little from the height difference between them, the jock saw something of a glare with black-red eyes staring at him.
"…!?" Toji stated in shock.
Feeling fear grip him, he opened his mouth to let out a small gasp. He couldn't when Shinji quickly reached out his hand and closed it over his mouth. The jock felt pressure from his fingers that softly dug into his cheeks and jaw. Blinking with fright, Toji felt goosebumps flare over his body from seeing that the Third Child continued to stare at him eerily. The aura that was being produced felt a bit menacing and unsettling.
"Mr. Suzuhara," Shinji stated seeing fear grip his classmate's eyes.
"W-W-W-Wha?!" Toji said muffled by the hand gripping over his mouth.
"Did you agree to become an Eva pilot?" he asked seeing the other teen nod his head quickly.
"…I see," the male pilot said still not blinking as he continued to remain motionless and bore at his classmate. "The proposal was piloting for NERV medical treatment for your sister. Is that correct Mr. Suzuhara?"
"Y-Y-Y-Yea! C-C-Can ya let go of my face?!" Toji asked softly then felt the firm grip let go. Stepping back and breathing heavily, he felt small amounts of perspiration on his forehead and back. Blinking and looking at Shinji's face, he flinched from seeing black-red eyes look back at him with a stoic expression.
"W-wha…" the jock asked gulping and feeling a little shaken up. "What happen to make ya eyes like a demon man?"
"It was an aftermath of the previous Angel attack."
"H-How do you deal with that?"
"…" Shinji said tilting his head again. A large cartilage pop was heard from his neck causing his classmate to flinch visibly.
"It is complicated to answer that question."
"H-H-How come?"
"Explaining it…is difficult."
"Oh…o-okay," Toji said watching the male pilot look back straight. A small part of him was anticipating another crack sound from his neck when none came.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"…Y-Yea…" he said wiping the sweat from his forehead and trying to calm down a little. "I…I'll be at the base for a couple of days. So…I won't be at school. Don't tell Kensuke. He would kill me."
"Very well Mr. Suzuhara," Shinji said bowing a little. "I will not tell."
"T-Thanks. I think that is it I guess."
"I see," he said putting on the glasses. Toji didn't feel better from seeing his eyes covered. Seeing his hand move again, he recoiled from still feeling fear of the male pilot. Blinking and looking closer at what the male pilot was doing, he just offered his hand to him.
"Welcome to the team Pilot Suzuhara."
"…" Toji said blinking again. Looking back and forth between his face and his hand, the jock took a deep breath in and exhaled out loudly. Putting on a small smirk, he shook Shinji's hand. Both gave a firm handshake which made Toji feel better.
The next following days, Eva-03 was delivered to the NERV base and transported to a holding facility in the Geo-Front for the time being. Also, Toji was not seen at school. During a short break, Kensuke followed Shinji heading toward the restroom.
"Hey Shinji," he asked getting beside him.
"Greetings Mr. Aida. What can I do for you?"
"Do you happen to know where Toji is? He's been absent for the past couple of days."
"…" the male pilot stated blinking behind the blackout glasses. "From my last conversation with him, he stated that he had to take care of personal matters. For where he is specifically, I do not know for sure."
"Did he say what those personal matters were?"
"He did not."
"Oh…okay," Kensuke said pushing is glasses up a little. Both entered the restroom and walked up to the urinals.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Shinji asked focusing on his business.
"I read from my dad's database that Eva-03 got transported from the U.S. to the NERV base here. Is that right?" the bespectacled student asked looking down at his own urinal.
"That's correct."
"That would mean they would need an Eva pilot, right?! Have they picked one yet?" he asked turning his head a little toward the male pilot.
"…" Shinji said zipping up his pants and flushing. Hearing his classmate do the same, he turned to the sinks.
"As far as I know Mr. Aida, I have not been told if one has been picked for that unit," he said washing his hands.
"That means I may have a chance to pilot it, right?" Kensuke asked washing his hands at a nearby sink. Looking at the Third Child, his stoic expression did not change.
"In terms of possibilities Mr. Aida, there is a small chance due to the number of other possible candidates as well."
"Ah…that's true," he said as both dried off their hands and walked back to class. When the lunch bell rang, a good portion of the students left to go to the cafeteria. Shinji got out of his bento box as well as Rana.
"Hey Shinji, I want to show you another place to sit and eat. Can I take you there?" she asked standing up and smiling.
"Of course Miss Rana," he said with a nod and stood up.
The female twin smiled and started heading toward the door. Following her, Rei stood up and began following them with her lunchbox in hand. Asuka was already outside talking with Hikari when both saw the twins leave the classroom then heading towards the stairs. Blinking in mild surprise, the First Child came out of the classroom and was heading to the stairs.
"Hey Wondergirl," the Second Child stated seeing the blue haired teen stop; however, she only turned her head enough to peer back at her and just blinked.
"Where are they going?"
"To eat lunch," Ayanami stated with indifference.
"Oh, are you going to eat with them?" the Class Rep asked.
"I have been."
"…" Asuka said not liking the First Child's response. Blinking and putting on a smirk, she grabbed hold of Hikari's wrist.
"How about we all have lunch together for a change? The more the merrier."
"…" Ayanami said blinking and turning back to the stairs. Going down the stairs, the thought of the Second Child joining for an unknown reason made her slightly frustrated. Hearing the two following her, Rei felt the corners of her mouth starting to turn down a tad.
'What is her deal,' the Second Child thought following her. 'She recently has reverted back to her old staring out of the window self...however, she has recently been seeking that idiot's attention more…she's been more unbearable since he and Rana moved next door.'
"I found a nice spot that a couple of classmates pointed out which is a good place to relax and eat," Rana said walking beside him and smiling. They came to an open area with a bench table. There was little to no students around.
"It is a little away from the main traffic areas during lunchtime which means it will be just you and-" she said about to lean into him when she heard soft trailing footsteps from behind. Blinking and looking behind her, it was the other Eva pilots and the Class Rep. Surprised and about to say something, the redhead spoke first.
"Hey Rana! Let's eat lunch together," she said with a confident smile.
"…" the female twin said giving a stoic stare back then slowly morphed it into a tense smile.
"S-sure…the more the merrier, right?"
"Would it be alright if I joined as well?" Hikari asked.
"You are already part of the lunch group! You don't need to ask," Asuka said.
"Yes," Rana said keeping the tense smile then saw the First Child standing nearby and stoically staring at Shinji more than her.
"May I have lunch with you two as well?" Rei asked.
"…" both Rana and Shinji nodded.
'She has been eating with us every day,' the female twin thought irritated feeling her left eye twitch a little. 'I know it is wrong to think this way…but her face irritates me...it reminds me of that doctor.'
"Oh, hey Shinji," a familiar voice said coming to Shinji's left. "Are you eating here for lunch?"
"Mr. Aida," Shinji said turning to face Kensuke. "Yes."
"Mind if I join you guys?"
"No."
"…" Rana said clenching her teeth together hard behind her smile.
Looking back at him, he looked back at her and just patted her shoulder a little. Feeling defeated, she followed him to the bench along with the large group. Making him sit in the middle, she sat to his right and suggested Kensuke sit next to him. Knowing that would annoy the First Child, Rei sat across from her while Asuka sat in the middle with Hikari sitting across from Kensuke. Despite the mild conversations that was going around, the lunch make-shift picnic was a mixture of tension and awkwardness. Returning back to class at the end of lunch, the rest of the school day continued. When it was over and class was dismissed, the Class Rep looked over at the Third Child.
'He was the last person to see Suzuhara…maybe he knows what happened to him,' she thought putting her school books in her school bag. Once done, she looked back at him to see Rana was chatting with a couple of female students. Ayanami had gathered her things and looked like she would head to where he was. Glancing at Asuka, she seemed preoccupied with something at the moment at her desk. Deciding to walk toward him, the male pilot began standing up and putting his backpack on his desk.
"Ikari?"
"Yes Miss Horaki?" he answered looking up at her.
"Do you have a minute to talk?"
"Yes," he said. Following her to one end of the chalkboard, she turned around to face him and the classroom. With his back toward the others, she looked around him with her eyes. Three students glanced at them immediately.
"Suzuhara has been absent a couple of days. Calls to his household only get the answering machine…would you happen to know what happen to him?"
"…" Shinji said and blinked. He recollected that there were two people standing in the shadows when he conversed with Toji a couple of days ago.
"Were you watching us talk at the basketball court Miss Horaki?"
"…!?" she said surprised feeling her mouth open a little. "How did…y-yes. I was watching you two though I couldn't hear or see much…sorry."
"What was it you wanted to know about it?"
"Did he tell you where he was going?"
"…" he said talking off his glasses having his eyes closed. As he was mildly cleaning them, the Class Rep noticed that the three female students watching looked at them tensely.
"He stated that he had personal business to take care of and asked me to not tell anyone."
"I see," Hiraki stated feeling a little relieved. "He didn't say where this was or when he be back or anything?"
"Other than staying within the city, he didn't specify where or how long he would be absent. My apologies Miss Horaki," he answered putting his blackout glasses on and opening his eyes.
"…I see" she stated with a slightly worried expression.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"…" the Class Rep said nervously tangling her fingers together. "Hey Ikari…what would you suggest that would make him happy?"
"…in what way?" the male pilot asked tilting his head a little.
"Um…well…like…something that he'd like to receive," she stated feeling her face turning a little red.
"…" Shinji said looking down a little.
A flashback of the sisters came to him. It reminded him of their conversations about how to control and play on people's emotions. Remembering them asking him a similar line of statements, a phantom urge to clench his fists murderously came. Feeling no emotion or connection to the urge, he blinked and repeated her questions and statement. Thinking about the jock's character, he remembered the jock's attitude toward the Class Rep.
"I believe a bento would be a good present."
"Making him a bento?" she asked blinking in mild surprise.
"Yes," the male pilot stated. He recalled a line that one of the sisters told him on a "very good" day.
"If I remember the saying correctly, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
"…" Hikari said then smiled at him. "I remember my mom saying that when I was really little…okay. Would you happen to know what kind of bento would he like?"
"Something simple would work."
"Something simple?" the Class Rep said then looked deep in thought then looked back at him. "I think I have some books that could give me ideas. Okay. Thank you Ikari."
"Welcome Miss Horaki. Was there anything else you needed?"
"No. That was it," she said shaking her head and smiling at him. Seeing him bow a little, the Class Rep saw the redhead walking to them first.
"What are you two talking about?"
"I-I was just asking if Ikari had seen Suzuhara lately. He hasn't been coming to school."
"…" Asuka said frowning a little thinking about where the jock was. Glancing over from hearing footsteps to the left, both Rana and Rei had joined the group.
"Yeah? What you say Third?"
"…" the Third Child said turning toward the redhead. "I stated that he is taking care of personal business and I do not know where he is at the moment."
"…" she said with a neutral face then turned it quickly into a smirk. "Probably playing hooky as usual. Anyways, there looks to be a new shop downtown Hikari. Let's go check it out!"
"…" the Class Rep said unable to refute her statement about the jock. Sighing in her head, she nodded.
"Why not you come along Rana?" Asuka said putting a hand on her hip.
"Thanks, but I think I'll pass," the female twin said with an apologetic smile. She leaned back a tad seeing the Second Child get closer to her. Hearing the Second Child whisper in her ear, it made her blink. Thinking about it, she looked at Ayanami.
"Are you coming too Ayanami?" Rana asked.
"No, I do not find it necessary to go." Rei said turning to the female twin.
"Hmph. Cold as usual Wondergirl," Asuka stated smirking at her. The First Child frowned a little at her but didn't say anything. Rana thought about what Asuka said again and was contemplating about what would happen if Rei and Shinji walked home together. Bowing her head down, she sighed internally.
"I'll go with you," the female twin said quietly.
"Alright! Let's go," the Second Child stated grabbing both the Class Rep's and Rana's wrists. The two remaining watched the three leave the classroom. Ayanami looked over at him in which she only saw him turn his head a little.
"Shall we go home Miss Ayanami?" Shinji asked.
"Yes," Rei said.
Walking back, both didn't talk much. Ayanami kept pondering about the different and similar emotions she felt between the Third Child and Commander. In processing them, she tried to figure out a way to progress forward with both. From the emotions and warm sensations she had experienced, Rei acknowledge that she had a growing desire to feel more of them. Too preoccupied in her analytical thoughts, she didn't notice that the sidewalk started becoming congested with more people. Knowing that the male pilot would answer her questions given that they were alone, she took a slow breath in.
"Ikari?" she asked looking at him
"Yes Miss Ayanami?" the Third Child responded, but looked forward
"…?!" she said as someone bumped into her right side. The force pushed her to the left colliding with Shinji. Reacting quick enough, he caught her by wrapping his right arm around her waist and catching her left hand with his other hand.
"Hey, watch where you are…" the pedestrian stated turning around at the teens. He stopped talking seeing two pair of red eyes glare back. Instead of continuing, the person turned away and walked on.
"Are you alright Miss Ayanami?" Shinji said helping her to a standing position.
"Y-Yes," Rei said feeling comforted from his hand and arm around her.
The physical contact and act brought warm sensations that made her feel better. When he retracted both his arm and hand, that feeling she craved started to wane a little. Seeing him about to walk again, a strong impulse came of not wanting to lose that feeling came. Reaching out her left hand, she gasped the inside of his right bicep. Upon grabbing him, she felt a couple of deep scare lines on his skin.
"Something wrong Miss Ayanami?" Shinji asked stopping and turning toward her.
"...I…" Ayanami said softly feeling her face a little warm. "...may I hold on?" she asked looking at him.
"…" Shinji said looking at her hand then her face. Still not feeling tremors, he replied calmly.
"I don't mind."
"…" Rei said feeling a small smile on her face. Wrapping her left arm around his right, the warm sensation came back and continued as they walked home.