Title: I Love You, Asuka (11)

Title: I Love You, Asuka (11)

Author: Yih

Edit Major: Worldmage (you said oye, 'oy' ^_^)

Dedication: I got this idea reading some fanfics and it was a great idea! Below are some of the best things my readers have ever told me!

Worldmage- Again the poetry adds to the effect of the fic, and even the lack of freaky-fonts helps. Shades of "Komm, suesser Tod". Again, the prose could use work. So what's new; the content is still riveting. Very IC, very artistic.

Cook- I like your series. Your character development is exceptional. The bits of humor you inject help to lighten the mood just enough so that the reader isn't hurled into a depressive, catatonic state by the emotionally charged nature of the rest of the story. Keep writing.

Skull_Leader- whoa… that's some deep stuff. Shinji isn't the only one confused. I can't tell what is his dream and what is his reality anymore.

Dave Ziegler- Well, that a total 180 degree turn about of mood. I think you might be better served by maintaining a more balanced tone from chapter to chapter, or working up a gradual progression.

Kyo Tetsuei- This one's an eye-opener.

Disclaimer: All rights are exclusively Gainax, Inc.

Part 11: First Date

Shinji wasn't sure if he should take Asuka's hand or not. He really wanted to, but then again he didn't want to start off their first date in the wrong way. He nearly touched her hand; he was about an inch away. He finally decided, I better not. I want to make this last as long as it possibly can. I'd like to spend an eternity just walking with her. It feels so companionable. I don't feel alone anymore.

I'd like to see some action sometime soon, though.

"Shinji?" Asuka asked sharply, breaking Shinji's thoughts.

"Yeah?"

She stopped walking abruptly. "Do you know where the restaurant is?"

He tried not to panic. "I thought you knew the location?"

Asuka let out a huge sigh. "I know it's a few blocks away from the video arcade. I know we passed the restaurant somewhere along the way. That's all I know. But I know I can find it!"

"Lead on, Asuka-chan," Shinji responded, smiling.

Asuka grinned and grabbed his hand. Shinji couldn't wait for her to start pulling him along as he thought, this is what I love doing. I love being with her.

Asuka dragged Shinji several blocks in the direction of the video arcade before she stopped again. Shinji barely avoided knocking into Asuka's back. He wouldn't have minded if he had, either. He was about to ask her what was wrong when she cried out, "HA! Didn't I tell you I'd find it?"

Shinji squinted and saw a beautiful sign: Der Mond

"I never doubted you for a second," Shinji conceded to Asuka.

Asuka dazzled Shinji with a smile. "Of course not! I'm not the great Second Child for nothing you know!"

You don't need to give her an ego trip, his inner voice reminded him.

"Asuka, how about we go into the restaurant?" Shinji gestured.

Asuka scanned the traffic, then ran as gracefully as a deer across the street, pulling Shinji with her. They entered the restaurant, and the maître d' of the restaurant asked them, "a dinner for two?"

Asuka nodded. "Yes."

"Perfect! We have just the right table for two romantics this evening! It is right over there, near the balcony," the maître d' glanced meaningfully at Shinji. "It is a very private spot. Is this an anniversary?"

Asuka coughed and when she caught the waiter's attention, she answered the his question. "Actually, it's our first date."

"The young gentleman has excellent tastes," the maître d' commended Shinji.

Asuka hit Shinji with her elbow. "Actually, Asuka was the one who chose this fabulous restaurant."

"Aww… the mademoiselle has beautiful taste, does she not?" the maître d' queried.

Shinji smiled. "She is beautiful."

Asuka was glowing.

"Shall I escort you to your table?"

They both nodded.

When they both were seated and the menus handed to them, Shinji swiftly ordered Asuka's favorite dish, not knowing precisely why he knew it. He told the waiter he would also have the same order.

After the waiter departed Asuka asked, "why did you tell the waiter that?"

Shinji didn't have any idea what she was talking about. "Uh uh what?"

She rolled her eyes. "The order."

"I don't know. I just knew," Shinji said simply.

Asuka laughed and questioned him, "are you sure you'll be able to eat the food?"

"Is it that bad?"

"It's nothing like the food you like," she said pointedly.

Shinji made it look like he was thinking hard before he replied, "I'm sure I'll like what you like."

She made a point of rolling her eyes. She thought to herself, I just hope Shinji won't gag when he tastes it for the first time. It is flavored very strongly in comparison to the Japanese foods.

Shinji was beginning to get worried when Asuka suddenly sent a dazzling smile his way. Oh no! What have I gotten myself into? What exactly is in the dish she likes? I don't want to make a fool of myself on my first date with her. Later would be better, but why now?

You had it coming.

"Shinji?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know the one thing I hate about this date?" Asuka asked, with a teasing glint in her eyes.

Shinji started to panic. Oh no! What could this be about? I can't take the suspense. Why won't she just say something. What is so wrong with the date? I thought she'd like it. Maybe it's me.

Calm down!

I'm calm. I'm calm!

"No…" Shinji replied lamely.

"I hate that I had to ask you out," Asuka replied with a smile on her lips. "I mean you're the one obsessed with me, not the other way around."

Shinji swallowed all his remaining saliva. He really didn't know what she was leading to. He didn't think he wanted to know if it was bad. He didn't need to hear any more bad sensations tonight. He had had his fill of nightmares.

"So, next time you want to take me out, I'm going to make you get down on your knees and beg me. And even then, I might even say no if you don't beg well enough!" Asuka continued, her smile turning smug.

Shinji felt an euphoric sense of peace pass over him. He could only flash her a brilliant smile and murmured joyously, "got it, Asuka-chan."

It definitely wasn't the response that Asuka thought she would get out of him. Well, that still suits the situation just fine. I don't want him to think that I'm easy or I'm the one obsessed with him. I mean--I'm Soryu Asuka Langley!

"Do you have anything else to say? Anything else to ask?"

Shinji stood up from his seat.

What are you doing Shinji? She's giving you a damn clear hint!

He pushed his chair in slowly.

What the hell is he doing, Asuka thought. I thought I was pretty clear. Shinji can be such a Dummkopf!

Shinji's voice interrupted her thoughts: "will you go out with me,again?"

Asuka's eyes focused on Shinji and found him on his knees. The only clue that this was her Shinji was the nervous smile he shot at her. She wanted to laugh; she settled for a grin. "I wasn't serious, you know," she finally told him.

"I am."

A blank look surfaced on Asuka's face.

"You haven't answered my question," Shinji clarified.

Asuka rolled her eyes a second time before responding, "where will you be taking me?"

Shinji shook his head.

"Well then, I'm not telling you an answer 'til you come up with a place. And get off the floor, you look even more like an idiot!" Asuka said with exasperation.

Shinji's smile turned into a grin of pleasure. He stood up with ease and sat down in his chair. It turned out to be perfect timing as the maître d' returned with the meal and the drinks in his possession.

"But I'm your baka?" Shinji asked hopefully. I don't mind being a baka--as long as I'm her baka.

This, that, make up your mind!

"You are MY baka," Asuka stated clearly.

The maître d' shot them a funny look as he served them their dinner. He still had the funny look on his face as he said, "mahlzeit!"

Shinji stared at the strange food on his plate with slight hesistation as Asuka dug into her meal with much gusto. This certainly doesn't look like anything I've eaten before. The appearance doesn't look entirely displeasing. He noticed that Asuka was digging into her meal, I should probably start eating right now.

Stop yapping and start eating!

He picked up his chopsticks when Asuka suggested, "I would recommend using a fork. It's just easier to cut the the sausage that way."

He put down his chopsticks and grabbed the fork. He cut a part of the funky looking meat and slipped the slice into his mouth. He chewed it and swallowed. His first thought was: that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. A little strong in taste, but I don't actually think it tastes bad. It could have tasted a lot worse.

"That wasn't so bad," Shinji said aloud. "I think I like this."

Asuka raised her eyebrow and responded, "that wasn't the food I was worried about you being able to eat." She pointed to the Bierbraten. "That is what I don't think you'll be able to eat, the Sauerkraut."

Shinji stuffed a piece of it into his mouth in defiance. He had thought that the meat was heavily flavored, but this was worse. He gagged and barely managed to swallow it. He couldn't believe that Asuka had eaten that so easily! She had been eating it as if it was candy! That is certainly something I don't want to try again, he thought with chagrin.

Asuka burst out laughing. She wished that he could seen the flush that was on his face after he had swallowed the Sauerkraut. It was hilarious! But, she thought, I should have warned him more. I mean, I've been eating this food since I was a baby. I'm used to the flavor. Japanese food is somewhat bland especially compared to German food.

She smiled at Shinji as he started cutting the Bierbraten again. At least there is something on that plate he can eat, she thought with amusement. She signaled the waiter to the table and whispered a command in German, ""Herr Kellner, wir möchten bitte zwei Stücke Schwartzwälderkirschtorte"

Shinji looked at her with slight dread when he heard her speak German. What did she just say?

I think she just ordered something. Let it be chocolate! Let it be chocolate!

That was the most sensible thing that thing has said for the last few hours, Shinji thought personally.

He was about to ask Asuka what she had just said when she answered his upcoming question before he could say it, "I ordered dessert. It's very delicious. I just hope that it halfway decent because it's made here in Japan."

Dessert has sugar and sugar is good, Shinji chanted mentally.

When Shinji closed his eyes to chant, Asuka thought that she had made a mistake by trying to order something that Shinji had a 99% chance of liking. And I was trying to be nice for once.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Shinji assured her after he had finishing reassuring himself.

Asuka smiled. "It's my favorite dessert! It's even better than pure dark chocolate!"

Oh great. I don't even like her favorite dish of German food, he thought. But it has sugar in it; how bad could it be?

It isn't chocolate? Awww… I want CHOCOLATE!

A different waiter came up to them and queried, "are you done? Ready for dessert?"

Asuka nodded. "We already ordered, but please clear away the dishes."

"Would you like me to put the leftovers in a doggy bag?"

Shinji couldn't stop himself from shaking his head a definite 'no.' Asuka chuckled as she told the waiter in a soft voice, "Seine ersten Deutschen Mahlzeit gefällt ihm nicht so gut."

The waiter smiled and carried the dishes away.

Shinji's head bowed down when he heard Asuka speak in German to the waiter. She was probably insulting me, he thought with dejection. I can't seem to ever do anything right around her. I screw up every chance that she gives me miserably! Why can't I do anything right? I'd really like to show her something other than the baka…

No need to get depressed now.

What do you know? You don't even have a sex!

Asuka turned back with a smile on her face. She found Shinji in a position of crying or frustration. His shoulders aren't shaking, she noted, and his hands aren't moving with aggravation. So he must be thinking again. I guess that's what I should expect for a introvert like Shinji. But STILL--Shinji can't ruin this date! If anything I should be the one destroying it!

She cleared her throat loudly. "Shinji!"

He didn't even hear me, she thought with a scowl. This had better be good!

"SHINJI!"

"Waah?" Shinji murmured in surprise.

Asuka narrowed her eyes as she said sharply, "would you like to tell me what you're thinking about?"

There is no way I'm telling her what I'm thinking about. It would only make me feel like more of an idiot, Shinji thought. "I wasn't thinking about anything."

"Ikari Shinji! Not only do I see you everyday; I also happen to live with you! I know when you're thinking or when you're not!" exclaimed Asuka with vexation.

Asuka was prevented from saying more when a waitress arrived with the Schwartzwälderkirschtorte. Asuka smiled with delight as she took her knife and cut a piece. She then remembered that she was also slightly annoyed with Shinji and muttered, "can you at least not be such a baka and just eat the cake? It's really good; even you can swallow it!"

Can you stop pitying yourself, pul-leez? Don't you realize that she doesn't think what you thought about yourself?

"Asuka?"

She stared at him with an expression of 'I'm getting annoyed now.'

"I was distracted."

She blinked and was about to narrow her eyes again when he continued, "I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you are today."

Asuka didn't think that was all that he had been thinking about. If he even was thinking that, she thought. But she didn't press the issue because of the sincerity in his voice, and she felt her cheeks warm up at the compliment. "Next time, don't be too embarassed when you tell me, okay?"

Shinji blushed and nodded. He picked up a fork and scooped up a small bite. He opened his mouth and immediately savor the sweetness. It was rich, and quite unlike anything he had ever tasted before. But he liked it. He ate an even larger second bite, and before he knew it he had finished the cake.

"Wasn't that bad, was it?"

Yum yum!

"No," murmured Shinji with a grin.

Asuka smirked at the fact she was right, as always. A few minutes of silence followed as the remaining dishes were cleared and the bill was brought. She saw the look on Shinji's face when he saw the total, her only thought was, Misato is going to kill us.

MISATO IS GOING TO KILL ME! Shinji thought with slight panic.

Oh! But that cake was worth every stinking yen.

Shinji sighed as he handed the credit card to the waiter. He really wanted to sink into the Earth right now; he didn't even know that Misato could afford this. Too bad Eva pilots don't get an all expenses paid life, he thought glumly.

"Shinji?"

Asuka had been thinking while Shinji looked petrified. Well, if we're going to be in trouble with Misato, we might as well have an all nighter. We're probably going to be given tons of chores and made miserable, but I've got an idea…

"SHINJI?" asked Asuka again with growing impatience.

"Yes, Asuka-chan?"

"Does that credit card still have some money on it?"

Shinji looked at the plastic card. "I think so."

Asuka smiled a sweet but calculating smile. "Great, I've got a wonderful idea!"

Side Notes:

Herr Kellner, wir möchten bitte zwei Stücke Schwartzwälderkirschtorte- Asuka told the waiter she's ordering two pieces of a type of cake.

Seine ersten Deutschen Mahlzeit gefällt ihm nicht so gut.- Asuka said that Shinji doesn't enjoy his first taste of German food very well.

Mahlzeit- Enjoy your food!

Author's Note: Yeah, I know this is out late… but I really had no stinking ideas for this date and it's probably really crappy, but it's long so it should satisfy you guys. I planned to release this last week; however, I got set back. This part is like missing half of the outline for it, but I didn't think the restaurant would last 2,500+ words. So the least you guys could do is bring a smile to my face and tell me what you think of this addition, it really doesn't take much time! -_-' Get me excited… Interim term and spring break are coming up soon! =) Lots of time for writing… (hint hint)

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