areasontolive3


Author's Notes:
Well, here's chapter 3. I hope you like it. About the time line, I do alter it a tiny bit (there's more of a space in between Asuka's arrival and the attack of the Seventh angel. I'll try to stick to the time line as best as this can, which will probably mean watching Evangelion again (Oh darn ^_^.)
If the demand is there, I plan to take this all the way up to the End of Evangelion.
Key: [] brackets are the character who's in focus' thoughts. You probably knew that. I do use them for Rei in this chapter.
(2) Chapter one starts on a Monday, 2 Is Tuesday, etc.
(3) I'm kinda basing this on the Manga characterization of Rei (slightly more outgoing to Shinji,) so that's why she might seem a little OOC (for people who have only seen the TV show.) The main reason I'm doing so is because... I just like that version of Rei better. Sorry for any confusion this caused.
(4) I've been really lucky, and had lots of time on my hands, lately, so I've been able to do the chapter's pretty fast. This might or might not last, so sorry about the undependability.
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A Reason to Live

Chapter 3

By Johnny 05


Shinji couldn't sleep. He glanced over at the glowing green display of his alarm clock. 1:19 AM. He groaned. [This is so stupid. It's just a letter! I've got to get up in five hours!] He turned over again, adjusting his SDAT's ear buds so they no longer rubbed uncomfortably against his ears, desperately trying to get comfortable. It had been less than eight hours since he'd mailed it. [Why am I even worried?] Even with the ever reliable Neo Tokyo-3 Postal Service, Rei wouldn't get the letter for at least another two days. These thoughts did little to comfort him. [What if she doesn't understand? What if she doesn't even care? I don't think I could face her, not that I can now...]
With those disparaging thoughts, Shinji drifted into a fitful slumber.

Shinji, you IDIOT! Get up! I'm hungry! Asuka's yell pulled Shinji from the horrors of sleep to those of the waking world.

He looked over at the clock. 6:55. Oh no... I overslept, he said, still sleepily. They had to leave for school in half in hour. Normally, he'd have finished breakfast and had it on the table about this time, but now, he wasn't even dressed.
What are you doing sitting there?!? Asuka continued angrily. Get up!
Shinji said, stumbling out of bed.
When he emerged from the shower, dressed and as ready to start the day as he'd ever be, Shinji walked into the kitchen to a rather unpleasant surprise. The table was covered with several open and steaming packages of instant food, some already mixed together. Misato cooked, Asuka said from her seat, her left eye twitching in a most unnerving manner.
I thought you could use your rest, so I made breakfast today, Misato said with a smile. I hope you don't mind instant!
This was not shaping up to be the best of days.
Once they had finished choking down their breakfast,' Shinji and Asuka made their way to the door, to begin the fifteen minute walk to school.
Like the walk to school on Monday, Shinji was to caught up in his own thoughts and worries to notice Asuka's (mostly unkind) comments.
Shinji passed the school day in a somber mood. He was still unsure about how Rei would take his letter, and if she would even get it. He seemed to remember a stack of unread mail shoved into the mail slot of her apartment's door. It didn't help that she was absent that day. [Maybe it's better if I don't have to see her, knowing what I wrote...]
The rest of the day passed much like the one before it. His friends were still worried about his increasingly puzzled nature, which he was still unaware of. Shinji quietly passed the class periods in introspection, his thoughts filled with countless what-ifs' and possible responses that Rei would have to the letter. Much to the chagrin of Asuka, Shinji spent the entire evening in his room, falling asleep early so that he wouldn't make the mistake of oversleeping again. [It's worth it, if it can keep Misato out of the kitchen,] he thought wryly as he settled in between the sheets.

The next day was much the same. Shinji was up early, and had a nice breakfast for himself and his roommates made and on the table by 7:00.
Rei was in school that day, but Shinji devoutly avoided even looking in her direction, because it was possible she might get the letter that day.
It didn't help that they had received the order to report to NERV that afternoon for synchronization tests. That meant that he *would* have to see her, and right before she got home, where she would (hopefully) read his letter. This added to the fact that he'd be seeing her in her skin tight plug suit would not make for a comfortable afternoon for Shinji Ikari.

* * *
Shinji was now quite familiar with the floor of his Eva's entry plug. This was probably because of the fact that he had been staring at it for the past hour and a half, desperately trying to avoid Rei's intense crimson gaze.
[This is pathetic, even for me. After I wrote... all that. I just want to take a shower and get home.] Shinji's train of thought derailed as the Ritsuko's calm and professional voice came on over the Eva's com system.
Okay, that's enough. We've gathered enough data to accurately represent you're scores. Asuka, Rei, good work. You're both up several points. Shinji, what's the matter? You've dropped five points since your last test. You'll never reach Asuka's level if you keep this up.
Like he could anyway! Asuka's haughty tone blared through the com window.
Misato silenced her with a dark look that said this is not the time.
Shinji replied. Oh, sorry. I.. I just have a lot on my mind. It won't happen again, Doctor Akagi.


The shower was relaxing. Washing away the blood-smelling LCL always felt good, and something about the hot water seemed to rejuvenate him.
Feeling a bit better, Shinji dressed quickly, intent on making a b-line for home. He was in the process of putting on his left sock when the noise of the curtain being opened pulled him from the activity. He looked up and saw Rei, already dressed in her school uniform.
Pilot Ikari, she said in her soft monotone. Is something the matter?
Shinji's cheeks reddened. [She doesn't know, at least not yet. Why is this so hard all of a sudden?] Um...no Ayanami, He managed to squeak out. I'm... um... just fine. Th...thanks for asking, though.
I see, she replied without emotion. And with that, she was gone.
Shinji was shaken by the encounter. [Since when was she concerned about me? Wait, she probably just thinks it's her duty as a pilot to make sure the other Children are fit to battle. That must be it.] The ride home passed in silence.

* * *
Rei made her way up the darkened stairs. It had been an average day, like all the others. She'd been allowed to attend school today, and had a sync test, which went fairly well, like always. The monotony never bothered her. One event did slightly puzzle her, one that most certainly did not happen every day. [Why did Ikari-kun act as he did? He said there was nothing the matter, and so I will accept his explanation. Ikari-kun is not one to lie.]
By this point, she had reached the door of her apartment. She turned the battered steel handle, and pulled the heavy door open. After removing her shoes, she stepped over the large pile of unopened advertisements that littered the dirty floor. As she did so, something caught her eye. A white envelope addressed to her in person, not to the usual Occupant' or Current Resident.' She hesitantly picked it up and set it on the small counter to her right. She looked at it a few moments, then picked it up again. She noticed Shinji's name in the space for the return address. [For what reason would Ikari-kun write me a letter? I have never received mail of any importance before. It is not my purpose.
Walking over to her bed, the only semi-clean seat in the apartment, Rei sat down and opened the mysterious letter. She noted Shinji's neat handwriting that in some places, looked as if he were pressing down very hard with his pencil. Shifted into a more comfortable position and began to read.

***

Dear Rei,

I'm sorry I have to write a letter to tell you this. I wish I could tell you in person, but I'm not a strong enough person to do so.

I have some strong feelings for you that I can't quite understand. When I'm around you, I feel different. I don't feel the hate for myself that I usually do. I feel the need to talk to you, to know you better.

I'm sure you don't see me this way, but after I thought about it, the more it seemed like I should tell you anyway.

So if you would ever like to talk, I really want to. I want to understand how I feel, and I do want to know you better.

I'm very sorry for troubling you with this letter. I won't send you anything else, unless you want me to.

Sincerely,
Shinji Ikari

***

Rei read the letter again. And again.
Slowly folding the letter and carefully setting it on the small table that held her glass beaker, Rei tried to understand the slew of emotions that flooded through her mind.
Returning to her bed, Rei lay down and stayed like that for an immeasurable period of time, just trying to understand.

Afterward
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Wow, these chapters keep getting longer! This is almost twice as long as the first chapter.
My god, is Rei hard to write or what? Expect there to be a longer delay between chapters as Rei becomes a bigger part of the story, just because of that.
Keep in mind that I'm making this up as I go along. It will probably change as my mood does, so keep that In mind. I hope this chapter dealt with the fact that Rei never checks her mail well enough. To all those who reviewed, a big thanks, and to all those that didn't PLEASE REVIEW!!! *pant pant*
Well, hope you like chapter 3. Stay tuned for the next one soon.