Chapter 99: Conditioned Fear
"Stand up. Bow. Dismiss," Hikari stated out loud at the end of the school day. After the teacher left the classroom, students started packing their things and leaving. Rana gathered her things a bit more quickly than normal with a small smile on her face.
'Today is the day,' she thought putting everything away in her bag. 'He'll be able to come home.'
"…" the Class Rep said watching her look more upbeat and back to her normal self. Hearing someone walk toward her and turning her, it was Asuka.
"She seems back to her normal self," she stated with a small smile.
"That is because that idiot is finally being able to leave the base," the redhead claimed.
"Really?" she asked sounding glad.
"…yeah…" the Second Child answered.
She watched Rana pick up her bag as her friends came over to talk with her. At the same time, she saw the First Child had already gathered her things and placed them in her school bag. Standing up, Ayanami started walking toward the front door. She walked pass the female twin as Rana continued to converse with the classmates that were in front of her. Rei did not make eye contact with the redhead or Class Rep as she exited out of the classroom.
"Was his eye surgery a success?" Hikari asked looking back at her friend.
"For the most part," Asuka replied then remembered what he looked like in the D-econt room. She became confused when she visited his hospital room after that day and saw him relatively normal. Despite saying to others that he had recovered, she couldn't get the tattered and torn image out of her head. It made her shiver to thinking about how he got those scars.
"His eyes are back to normal," the redhead stated looking back at her friend.
'Though the rest of him is pretty screwed up,' she muttered in her head.
"That's great," Hikari said with a smile. Looking back at Rana, she was smiling and laughing a little.
'I can finally thank him when he comes back to tomorrow,' she thought feeling at ease.
"Hey Toji," Kensuke asked as they left the classroom at the other door. "Today is the day right?"
"Yeah," the Fourth Child agreed with a small smile. "He'll be back tomorrow."
"Why not throw him a welcoming back party or something?"
"…" Toji said thinking about it. The gesture would be nice; however, he felt apprehensive about staying in the same room as the Third Child for too long. Remembering what he saw in the D-econt room and what he felt visiting him once, it made him almost not able to sleep.
"As much as I would like to, I think that wouldn't be a good idea."
"Really? How come?"
"Shin-man had probably staff visiting him every single day. I'd give him space first and offer him a drink or something."
"Hmm…I can see that. Maybe if I offer to buy him a lunch, he'll let me know what happened during the last Angel battle from his side. I bet he's got juicy details," Kensuke said with enthusiasm.
'You…don't want to know,' the jock thought walking with his friend. A cold shiver went down his spine from thinking about the video he saw of what happened during that Angel battle.
'He'll be released today,' Rei thought walking down the stairs to the ground level of the school. Noticing that she was the first one to leave, she didn't stop or wait for the others. Surprisingly, she felt a want to be the first one to greet him.
'The Major would be the first to greet him. She will probably be the one driving him to the apartment,' she thought immediately shaking her head. Passing the school gate, she continued on her way to the apartment. While doing so, she pondered on what to discuss with him. The aspect of talking alone with him without the overseeing eye of NERV sounded pleasing.
"…" Ayanami said feeling the corners of her mouth turn up a little. Looking forward to it, she was lost in thought of the different subjects and topics to discuss with him. Remembering how he comforted her after Gendo's silent rejection, goosebumps went up her arms. A warming sensation and anticipation came when thinking about being close to him again. Shaking her head a little, those thoughts would repeat again and again.
Reaching the apartment complex, Ayanami entered into the lobby area. A couple of people were occupying the lounge chairs and couches. Moving toward the elevators, she pressed the call button for one. The doors eventually opened up with a ding and she entered. Pressing the level for her apartment, the doors closed and the lift began to ascend. Feeling the anticipation growing, she remained still and stared blankly in front of her. When the elevator slowed down to a stop and opened, she walked out.
"…" Rei said seeing her apartment. She then looked at the one next to it where the twins occupied and lived. Turning her focus back to the door of Misato's place, she walked toward it. Stopping in front of it and getting out her card, she stopped from putting it in the slot reader. Blinking, she turned her head left to the neighboring apartment's door again.
"…" she said feeling the urge to go knock on the door.
Stating to herself that he couldn't be in due from the Major's car not in the parking lot, the feeling never went away. Deciding if she did not get an answer upon knocking, it would mean that her previous thought of him not being home would be correct. Turning and walking toward the Third Child's apartment, she stopped at the door. Seeing the doorbell, she lifted her hand and pressed it. Hearing an electronic sounding bell, no response came. No sounds of footsteps or of the floor creaking were heard. Almost concluding that there was no one home in the apartment, she heard a faint slow click in front of her.
"…" the First Child said seeing the door slide open slowly. Standing on the other side in his home attire was the Third Child. Opening the door fully, he bowed a little toward her.
"Afternoon Miss Ayanami. How are you?" he said straightening up and blinking.
"…?" she answered blinking a couple of times before responding. "Afternoon Ikari…I am…more than adequate. How are you?"
"I feel fine for the most part. Is there something I can do for you Miss Ayanami?"
"When did you get home? I thought the Major would be taking you home."
"Not too long ago. That was the plan initially," Shinji replied with a blink. "However, Miss Misato was rather buried with workload. I went home by myself."
"I see," Rei said with a blink.
"If you have more to ask, would you like to come in Miss Ayanami?"
"…yes…" Rei said with a slow nod. Seeing him step aside and gesture inside, she walked into the apartment. Placing her shoes and bag at the entrance, she couldn't sense his presence despite him being nearby and closing the door.
"Would you care for some tea Miss Ayanami?"
"Yes."
"Very well. I will go prepare some," he said nodding and walking down the hallway. Reaching the living room and walking toward the kitchen, the apartment was quiet and still. It didn't sound as if there was another person in the place. Entering the kitchen area, Shinji went to the kettle pot on the stove. Moving toward the kitchen sink, he began to fill it with water.
"Where do you keep the tea Ikari?" Ayanami asked standing nearby.
"…" he said blinking and turning his head toward her. Her expression was neutral as she stood with her arms at her side. Turning back to the kettle and turning off the faucet, he placed it on the burner.
"Tea is in the right most cabinet above the counter," he said turning the stove on. Hearing her go to the cabinet and opening it, she looked and grabbed one can. However instead of closing the cabinet, she held onto the can while seemingly staring at something.
"Ikari?"
"Yes Miss Ayanami?"
"What tea is this?" she asked grabbing another can and looking at it. It looked new.
"I did not know if Rana used the rest of the tea when I have been absent. I saw that one was on sale on my way home."
"How did you get home?" Rei asked placing both cans on the counter and closing the cabinet doors.
"By foot and transportation services," he answered. He saw her bringing both tea canisters and standing next to him.
"I see," she said blinking and placing both cans back on the counter.
"Would you care to try the new one Miss Ayanami?"
"…" the First Child said with a small nod then looked at him. "Would you…like to try it as well?"
"Yes," he said with a small nod then slowly moved his eyes to look at her.
"…" Ayanami said feeling the impulses coming. From the smallest gesture of touch to pressing herself in an embrace came in waves. Blinking and continuing to look at him, she saw that he hadn't blinked as he stared back. Moving her eyes to look at the canisters, her right hand grabbed her skirt in a little firm grip.
"Ikari?" she asked noticing steam starting to exit out of the tea kettle.
"Yes Miss Ayanami?" he said turning his eyes to a wash cloth and grabbing it.
"…may…may I hold…" she asked as the front door opened suddenly.
"I'm home!" Rana's voice sounded throughout the apartment. The tea kettle started to whistle a little and the Third Child turned off the burner.
"Hold what Miss Ayanami?" he asked seeing her look a tad irritated then shook her head.
"Never mind. I will ask about it later."
"Very well. Would you like to address Miss Rana or take care of the tea?"
"I will prepare the rest of the tea Ikari," she stated with a neutral face.
"Thank you Miss Ayanami. Excuse me," he said with a small nod to her before turning around. As he headed out of the kitchen, Rei opened up the new tea canister. Almost intrigued by the different smell, thinking about who entered made her narrow her eyes. Shaking her head, she started adding the tea bags into the kettle.
When Rana was taking off her shoes, she started to smell tea in the air. It made her blink in a pleasant surprise as she hurried down the hallway. Rounding the corner, she didn't see anyone in the living room. Figuring that the person of interest was in the kitchen, she headed toward it with anticipation. Once around it, she looked in and opened her mouth.
"…!?" she said recoiling from who was there. It was the First Child standing in front of the stove with tea canisters on the counter.
'…how did she get in?' the female twin thought a bit confused from who she thought was there wasn't. About to open her mouth to speak, there were footsteps coming from the opposite side of the apartment. Turning around, it was the male pilot carrying two spare chairs.
"Greetings Miss Rana," he said getting to the table. Placing the seats down, he bowed a little to her.
"Welcome home."
"Hi Shinji!" she said smiling despite still wondering how she didn't hear him or sense him. "Thanks. When did you get home?"
"Not too long ago," he stated setting up the spare chairs around the dining table. The Third Child heard her move next to him and leaned near his ear.
"When did Ayanami get in?"
"A couple of minutes ago," he said stoically.
"She wanted to make you tea?"
"I invited her in and offered her tea," he said turning toward her.
"Courteous as ever," the female twin said smiling then leaned her head against his. "Welcome home."
"Thank you Miss Rana."
Hearing movement in the kitchen, Rana broke away and stood up straight. Both turned toward the opening and saw Rei walk out with a tray of tea. All sat down at the table and had a cup of tea in calm silence. After sometime, Rei's cell phone rang.
"Pilot Ayanami speaking."
[Hey Rei. Are you on your way home?] Misato asked on the line.
"…" she said seeing both Rana and Shinji looking at her stoically. "Relatively speaking, yes."
[Oh, okay. Just wanted to know where you were since you are usually the first one home. I have something to discuss with both you and Asuka when you get home.]
"I see. I will return then."
[Oh? Are you currently doing something?]
"No."
[…are you okay? It is awfully quiet where you are.]
"I am fine. The place I am in is indoors."
[Gotcha. Alright. If you can come back home as soon as you can, that be great.]
"Very well. I will start heading home now."
[Sounds good. See you soon Rei.]
"See you soon Major," the First Child said ending the call.
"Shall we go with you Ayanami?" Rana asked after taking a sip of her tea.
"If you would like to. The Major only stated for me to return," she stated standing up followed by both twins standing up at the same time.
"Please lead the way Miss Ayanami. We will follow you," Shinji stated blinking.
"…" Rei responded nodding her head. Leaving the apartment, the three went over to the neighboring door to the left. Once in front of the door, Ayanami opened the door to hear both Asuka and Misato talking.
"Rei, is that you?" Misato asked startled from hearing the front door opening.
"Yes Major," she stated from the entrance hallway. Footsteps were heard and she came around the corner still in her school uniform.
"That was fast. Where were you?"
"I was next door," the First Child stated blinking.
"Just standing outside hoping to get into that idiot's place Wondergirl?" Asuka questioned from the couch watching TV.
"…" Ayanami replied narrowing her eyes, but did not turn toward the redhead.
"I let her in Miss Souryu," Shinji stated walking out of the entrance hallway. Flinching a little, the Second Child slowly turned her head to look at him. Rana was standing next to him as well as Rei.
"Shinji? I didn't think you'd be home so quick," the Major stated surprised.
"Transportation services were hitting green lights it seems," he stated with a small bow.
"Guess so," Misato said then continued. "Since you are here, I can just state what I was going to tell the girls. I just wanted to invite you over and have you stay with us for a bit to relax."
"…" he reacted tilting his head a little. Rana held a neutral expression as well as Rei.
"Is there a particular reason you want me to stay and relax here instead of in my apartment Miss Misato?"
"Well," she said not giving into the hesitation and apprehension that she did earlier in the day. "I want you to feel welcomed back and just hang out with us for the afternoon. It must have been a bore being stuck in that hospital room for as long as you did."
'…A…L…L…L…I…E…S…' it whispered to him repetitively. '…D…O…E…S…N…'…T…T…H…I…S…R…E…M…I…N…D…Y…O…U…O…F…tHeTeApArTy?'
"…" Shinji responded turning his head back up straight. At the same time, several flashbacks played through his vision. Slowly blinking, they went away though he felt his body flare with goosebumps. A few scars started to feel itchy and burn.
"If I am ordered to Miss Misato, I will comply."
"Eh?" she said with a look of puzzlement. "Why only if ordered?"
"I do not believe my presence and the sight of me is favored based on what events took place last week," he said stoically. Despite feeling nothing from the flashbacks, his body was reacting. It was forcing himself to control his movements and not give into reactive impulse.
"…" everyone said as they recalled the parts that stuck out the most involving him. Both Misato and Asuka felt slight goosebumps on their arms. The Major's nightmare came to mind while the Second Child remembered the bloody tattered and torn body with reaper eyes. Shaking her head, the lavender woman pushed her trepidation aside more.
"You aren't an eye sore Shinji," she said then recoiled a little seeing only his dark magenta eyes move to look at her. He was staring at her hard and hadn't blinked yet.
"More like a monster," the redhead said under her breath from seeing his actions. Blinking, she saw his eyes slowly move and looked at her directly.
"Is that so Miss Souryu?" he stated which caused the others to look back and forth between the two.
"I don't know what you are talking about idiot," she said turning back around and changed the channel. "You still act like a creep Third."
"I see," the Third Child stated with a small nod. He didn't see the Second Child pull her knees in and hold them to her chest. Everyone didn't hear the low deep chuckles in the male pilot's mind. Feeling the atmosphere becoming tense and awkward, Misato decided to make a decision regardless if he wanted to or not.
"Okay Shinji. I order you to stay here for this afternoon and relax with us. Alright?"
"…" he answered moving his eyes to look at the Major staring back a little tense. Blinking, he bowed a little slowly.
"Very well Miss Misato."
"…" Misato said with a forced sigh as she went into the kitchen.
"Hey Rana. Come sit next to me," Asuka called not moving or looking back.
"…?" the female twin answered blinking then looked at the Third Child. He was surveying his surroundings and did not look at her. Blinking and shaking her head internally, she walked over to the sofa. Sitting down near the redhead, she noticed that the female pilot looked tense despite the neutral expression on her face.
"Would you like to sit down Ikari?" Rei asked in quiet voice turning to him.
"…" Shinji said finishing his surveying of the apartment.
Looking back at the First Child, he nodded his head a little. Both walked to the dining table and sat down. Misato came back out with a beer and looked at the scene in the living room. None of the teens were talking to each other as a silence blanketed the room. Only the TV was making noise. As time slowly stretched on, the awkwardness started to increase.
'…ThEy…WoN't…LeAvE…' it stated with a quiet hissing.
'tHeY…wIlL…nEvEr…LeAvE…'the dark clone mentioned harshly. The sound of multiple bones snapping followed by sharp intake of air. It let it out with a stammering exhale that didn't sound in agony.
'…' the male pilot said looking at the table feeling the dark clone slithering in his mind. A soft high pitch sound filled his ears and sustained. It sounded similar to a broadcast alarm test on a TV set.
"Miss Misato?" he asked looking up to see the Major in the doorway leading to the kitchen.
"Hmm?" she asked taking a sip of her beer.
"May I clean your apartment?"
"…" the Major said blinking and slowly took the beer can away from her mouth. About to ask why, she stopped herself. Steeling herself and thinking more confidently about what she wanted to do, she put a hand on her hip.
"Shinji, just relax. You don't need to clean. Matter of fact, I don't want you to clean or do anything. The place is fine as is."
"…" the Third Child said blinking slowly while continuing to stare at the Major. Thinking that he was going to do a staring match with her, she blinked to see him look back at the table.
"I see."
"…" Misato said feeling her forearms itch from the increase in tension and oddness in the room. Looking at the other two, Asuka was whispering to the female twin as both were watching the TV. From time to time, Rana would glance at the redhead or at the two sitting at the dining table. Rei remained quiet in her seat staring at the table as well.
'THEY-WON'T# $%# $LEAVE!'
'THEY-WILL# $^% #$NEVER...NEVER!' the evil voice growled.
More sounds of bones snapping followed by shouts of joyous sensations. A chorus of small children started singing a demented lullaby. Different flashbacks came in which the male pilot did not recognize who they belong to. A thought occurred that it might have been one of the previous fragmentations' past memories. The sensations of agony, worthlessness, and suicide avalanched his mind.
"…" the Third Child said with a slow blink keeping his face blank.
"…" Ayanami said not sure what to say or do given the audience around her. Knowing that if alone with him she would engage in small talk with him, she didn't want to cause comments to arise. Knowing that Asuka would see it as competition, she would undoubtedly comment. The Major would see it as gossip material. However, there was a more weighted reason for her to stay silent.
Over the course of his assimilation and recovery, the First Child's view of her roommates slowly changed. More emotional thoughts came to her of disagreement, anger, and not wanting to be near them came. Sometimes they were so strong, she had to get up and leave the room to get space away from them. Her current predicament was wanting to be more away from them while at the same time not wanting to be alone.
'…' she had a thought come to her while glancing at the male pilot. 'Would Ikari object if I asked him?'
'THEYWON'TLEAVE! THEYWILLNEVERLEAVE! THEYWON'TLEAVE! #$ #THEY!# $%#$WILL #$^ #%$NNNNEEEEEVVVVEEEERRRRRRLLLLLEEEEAAAAVVVVEEEE! !&*& #$%$' the demented voice blisterly shouted.
A wall of carnage and distorted chorusing children blared into the Third Child's ears and mind. Mental strain was starting to take hold as his right eye began to twitch a little. More flashbacks were occurring in chaotic order. Some were of the sisters while others were of a younger self in what seemed to be a hospital of some sorts. Looking up slowly and blinking, the room was filled with numerous female individuals that he remembered. Though not reacting from the sight of them, it made him feel a warming sensation spread throughout his body. Remembering their reaction during this sensation, he acted.
"Shinji?" Misato said seeing him pale and slowly stand up. "Are you alright?"
"My apologies Miss Misato. I must leave," he said with a bow. Rana immediately looked at him feeling a familiar sensation and aura festering from him. It caused her to shake her head slightly from recognizing it.
"Ikari?" Rei said turning toward him, but remained seated. An malicious and vile presence was growing from him making her stay where she was. At the same time, she wanted to fight it and go aid him in some way.
"Hold it Third," Asuka said getting off the couch. Turning toward him with hands on her hips, she utilized the opportunity that opened up.
"You think you can just leave after all that we done for you? We had to lie to everyone stating that you were still alive. And once you come out, not a word of thanks or appreciation? I had to personally cover for you so that people at school wouldn't know that you weren't some goop in an Angel," she said sticking out her chest and raising her chin at him.
'You are nothing more than a dog!' the dark clone stated mimicking a voice from the past. One of the faceless female individuals was talking to him with a sickening grin.
'YoUaReJuStLiKeThErEsToFtHeScUmThAtIsOuTtHeRe!' another imitating voice chimed in sounding a little older. Another faceless female individual spoke in the room.
"…" Shinji said blinking and looking with his eyes to where the voices were speaking from.
'STUPIDBOY!'
'MANSERVANT!'
'BOYTOY!'
' #$ $%*$%^#$%…t…h…e…y…w…i…l…l…n…e…v…e…r…l…e…a…v…e…y…o…u…a…l…o…n…e…! %& %%^$' the dark clone whispered in both of his ears.
'kIlL tHeM,' it spoke louder.
'KiLl ThEm,' it spoke even louder.
'KILL THEM…BUTCHER THEM-SLAUGHTER THEM!STRANGLETHEM!EATTHEM!GORETHEM! ##K$ #$%#$I #%#$L #$L(&%...KILLTHEM!' the evil voice screamed at him as his body started to warm all over.
"…" Shinji said with a stoic face and gave another slow small bow. "I see. My apologies for causing stress upon you all. I appreciate your actions towards not causing concern for others who are outside of our positions of NERV. Please allow me to excuse myself from your sight."
"…!?" Rana and Rei said with their eyes widening. Asuka blinked and parted her mouth from not expecting him to be apologetic. They saw him stand straight and slowly turn around. Heading towards the entrance hallway, Misato put her beer can down and quickly walked toward him.
"W-wait Shinji!?" she said grabbing hold of his wrist and stopping him in mid stride. "Let's talk about this later. I need you to stay here for the time being."
"…" he responded not turning around as he felt the warmth continuing to spread. It was starting to reach towards his eyes.
"Please let go of me Miss Misato."
"Unless you say you will stay here, I won't let go."
"Please let go of me Miss Misato," he said in the same stoic tone.
"Let go of him," Rana stated loud enough for everyone to hear. She was giving the adult woman a scowl while clenching her hands into fists.
"I am giving you an order to stay in this apartment until I say so otherwise. Do you two understand?" Misato ordered firmer though could feel something eerie and morbid festering from him.
"…" Shinji replied. He turned his neck to the left as far as he could go. A loud sickening scrunched pop emitted from his neck. Looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, he could feel her pulse increase.
"Please let go of me Miss Misato," the Third Child said again in the same tone of voice. Asuka felt goosebumps on her arms from feeling the sensation from before again.
"…" Rei said feeling unable to move from her spot as she felt frozen and helpless from the malice emitting from him.
"…" the Major said steeling herself. She moved her face closer to his.
"No."/ 'No.'
As if a flood gate was opened, Misato saw his eyes went pitch black without blinking. Two haunting red orbs appeared in the center as blood started flowing out of the corner of his eyes. Two crimson irises suddenly formed and bore at her. The aura that was growing from him now was overwhelming of vileness and evil. However, it was what came out of his mouth that made everyone's blood run cold.
"Please…let…go…of…my…hand…madam," he said slowly and evenly.
"…!?" Misato reacted ripped with trepidation.
Unable to blink or move, she felt the tendons and veins tensing on his wrist. Slowly looking down, his hand was in a murderously tight fist as blood was slowly seeping out from it. Feeling her heartbeat and pulse increase greatly, she slowly and carefully let go of his wrist. Not taking her sights off of him, she slowly backed away. The others stared at him with different levels of fear.
"…e…x…c…u…s…e…m…e…" he whispered then slowly turned his head back toward the entrance hallway. His neck cracked and popped a couple of times as blood dripped down his chin. Watching him move into the entrance hallway, his footsteps were more than quiet. Once he passed the wall and was out of sight, there were no sounds of creaks from the floor. Waiting to hear the door open, nothing came. Waiting for a little bit, there still was no sound from the entrance.
"…" Rana said with a downcast head. Feeling more than upset and wanting to spew out venom and hate towards the Major, she bit her tongue. Keeping her mouth close, she walked toward the entrance hallway.
"Wait Rana, where are you going?" Misato asked still in a state of fright.
"…" she said not responding and entering the entrance hallway. The others heard her footsteps as she walked closer to the front door. Only Misato moved quickly to the hallway while Rei and Asuka stayed where they were. Entering the hallway, the Major saw that only Rana was there putting her shoes on.
'…how…how can he be that quiet?' she thought startled and more scared at how he left the apartment without a sound. Shaking her head and focusing on who was there currently, the female twin had already opened the door. About to rush to her, Misato stopped herself from seeing the look on the twin's face.
"…" the Major said watching the twin exit and close the door softly. Pressing her lips together and feeling a mixture of emotions, she walked back into the living room. Ignoring what the two female pilots were doing, she went back into the kitchen.
"…" Asuka commented with a small frown and looking at the floor. Turning around, she sat back on the couch and proceeded with changing channels on the TV.
"…" Ayanami said still sitting at the dining table.
She wondered what caused him to act that way. Wondering if she was a cause, she didn't seem to be. It seemed to occur when the Major ordered him to stay and when the Second Child told her complaints of him. Wanting to confirm her thoughts, she was anxious at the same time about finding out. The First Child shook her head a little and decided to ask him another time.
Once Rana got to her apartment door, she found the door unlocked. Taking a deep breath in and out, she opened it and entered. Only feeling a faint presence of the aura from earlier, she took off her shoes. Walking quietly down the entrance hallway, she peered around the corner. He was sitting on the couch facing away from her. She felt the morbid presence.
"Shinji?" she asked quietly walking slowly to him.
"Yes Miss Rana?" he responded stoically with a distorted and vicious tone.
"…may I…sit next to you?" the female twin asked standing behind him. Feeling goosebumps on her arms, the atmosphere felt uncomfortable. Instead of rotating his head backwards, he slowly turned a bit to look at her. The black-red eyes were still present with the blood tears dried on his face.
"…" he said blinking slowly. "If you wish to."
"…" Rana said giving a small smile. "I'll go get stuff to clean your face."
"Very well."
Retrieving a damp washcloth and going back to the couch, the female twin sat a person's space away from him. Handing him the small towel, he took the semi-wet cloth and started wiping his face. Seeing that he had his eyes closed, she was startled when he opened them again.
"…!?" Rana said seeing the dark magenta irises. His aura suddenly changed from being intensely eerie and vile into just being murky. Scooting closer to him, most of the blood was off his face.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Partially," he said blinking and turning toward her. "Thank you for the wet cloth."
"…" the female twin said nodding her head. "I felt…something dark. Almost like after thoughts of different places and time periods."
"Were they of your own Miss Rana?"
"…" Rana said thinking hard about it. "I don't know. All I know is that the places shown are none that I remember. I don't recognize any of them especially at a young age…are they yours?"
"…" he said blinking and thinking about it. "…I do not know…"
"Are they his?"
"I do not know…he has not stated if they are or not," Shinji said standing up. "I will take a shower to clean up then go to bed early. My apologies for causing you concern Miss Rana."
"It's alright Shinji. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me. Though we are separated by physical bodies, together we are a whole. You remember that, right?"
"I do Miss Rana," he said turning to her with a small nod. "I will try to not worry you."
"Good!" the female twin said with a smile. Watching him go into the bathroom, she went into her room to change out of her school uniform and into her pjs.