Manga - Addicts Presents:
Treading Water
An Evangelion Fanfiction
05/10/2001
***
Neon Genesis Evangelion created by, registered, and copyrighted to GAINAX Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with
the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision
holds the copyrights to the English version of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
This work of fiction is not intended for any commercial purposes but was created for the entertainment of the Author and Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
No copyright infringement was in any way intended.
Treading Water written by Jino Turtlegod
***
" text " - spoken
:: text :: - thought
% text % - sang
/ text / - electronically transmitted
[text] - computer text
TEXT - white text on black screen
_text_ - stressed
*text* - sound
***
WAFF Warning! Discontinuity Warning! OOC Warning! All Standard Non-Lemon Warnings Apply! Minor Lime Content!
***
Part Two: Breathing Air
***
FROM ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
[Flashback]
[Rei's Voice: what is love? it is an emotion that i have the most difficulty comprehending. the word love has many meanings. i once discussed the matter with shinji.]
Rei and Shinji sat by the steps of a temple as they waited for the sun to set over the mountains that ringed their hometown. Rei watched as Shinji's face began to redden, sweat began to form on his forehead, and his right hand began to nervously clench and unclench. Cicadas chirped in the woods surrounding the temple.
"you do not need to answer my question if you are uncomfortable," Rei finally said, herself uncomfortable at making Shinji uncomfortable. "i will ask the commander to explain to me."
Shinji gasped. Rei must know that there is a bit of hostility and rivalry between father and son, and implying that the son was not as helpful as the father...
Tact was a skill the First Children needed. Either that, or she was more manipulative than people thought.
The boy drew his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs as he propped his chin on his knees. "No. I- I'll try to explain..."
Rei shifted so that she knelt facing Shinji. She fixed Shinji with an unblinking stare that she only reserved for when she needed her full attention on something.
"Love... is... um... love is when you could feel that you are bonded with someone," the Hedgehog mentally slapped his forehead as he suddenly remembered something.
Rei blinked. She stated the obvious. "you love me."
"uh- I- er---"
Rei smiled. "i understand. the word love has many meanings."
Shinji smiled back in relief. Of course he loved the blue mopped girl... but as she said, love has many meanings; or more correctly there are many kinds of love.
"Love is when you are worried about how someone feels about you, when you are more worried about pleasing the other person that you would rather hurt yourself than see the other one disappointed or hurt."
Rei closed her eyes as she digested what Shinji had just told her. His words began to clarify the thick fog of confusion within her mind ever so slightly. But--- "shinji, could you also love someone that you hate?"
"yes." Shinji shuddered. "It's one of the saddest things that could ever happen."
[Rei's Voice: i believe he meant himself and his father, but he may also have meant himself and soryu. he did not clarify or show inclination he wished to. i believe that the commander loves his son more than he would ever show and shinji the same to his father. i do not presume to know how to resolve the fracture between father and son, i know the difficulties in relating to the commander. the matter with soryu however... ]
Rei glanced at the sun which was a hand's breadth away from the highest peak of the mountain range. "it is tomorrow."
"Uhm." Shinji nodded.
"the sun will set even if we do not watch it."
As one, the two stood up, the setting sun throwing a halo of light around their bodies.
[Rei's Voice: my conversation with shinji ended without much clarification on my question. however, it did resolve in the way i intended. the next day, shinji spoke with soryu under the cherry tree.]
[Fade to Black]
***
Rei blinked as her senses took in her environment. Loud dance music blared from Lt. Aoba's stereo. The long-haired technician was taking a nap on a lawn chair despite the loud racket.
"...and remember to go with the flow, feel the rhythm in your body, it really should be natural..." Major Misato Katsuragi said as she gyrated to the music.
Rei blinked once more as she tried to focus on Major Katsuragi's lesson. The woman was trying to teach her a skill that she already knew. Not that she practiced it often but Rei was a quick study and never forgot anything she learned.
Therefore the Major was doing something which was in Rei's opinion futile. Rei was quite ready to refuse since Commander Ikari had ingrained in her a dislike for anything unnecessary. However since the Major chose her wording as "Rei, today you're going to learn to dance, and that's an order!", Rei could not refuse. Commander Ikari had also unfortunately ingrained in her an almost blind obedience to orders from her acknowledged superiors.
In her mind, Rei did something that she learned from Shinji.
Rei gave a mental sigh of exasperation.
***
FROM ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
[Flashback]
[Kensuke's Voice: I am a coward. Funny, isn't it? I dream of being a soldier, of having an adventurous life. And here I am, running away from my friends. Why? Simple. I don't think I can relate to them anymore.]
Kensuke, Toji, and Shinji sat under one of the cherry trees, the boys ate their lunch in contemplative silence. The sound of young voices raised in joy could be heard in the distance.
Kensuke's eyes took in his friend's dispositions.
Shinji had a faraway look in his eyes, a sense of longing and loss was in his eyes. Surely the boy wasn't missing his girlfriend already? They were together just a few minutes before. Maybe he wants to eat with her rather than his friends? Nah, for Kensuke that couldn't be the reason, he and Toji are Shinji's best friends! Surely Shinji would want to be with them, a welcome respite from the demanding demon Shinji calls his girlfriend!
Toji however also had the same expression in his eyes, but it was darker - as if he had a heavy burden on his shoulders. Kensuke felt a chill in his heart. Toji was worried about something! Is it about Toji's sister?! Kensuke knew that the little girl was still in the hospital, but all she had were broken legs and some ribs, had something gone wrong?
Kensuke blinked, no, that's not it. Toji would have been angry if it was about his sister. The jock was easy enough to read to know that if something bothered him with regards to those close to him, Toji tended to get angry not depressed. Hikari? Yes, that would be a more appropriate reason for Toji's dark mood. But what? Did the two have an argument?
Kensuke paused with his chopsticks poised by his lips. The bespectacled boy looked up at the green canopy as he digested the observations he had gathered. Kensuke decided to approach the matter in the only way that he knew Toji could understand and be unable to evade.
"Oi, Toji, what did you and Hikari fight about?"
Toji nearly choked on the soda he was drinking straight from the bottle. "W-WHAT?! We didn't have a fight!" Toji sputtered as he wiped the soda from his face.
Kensuke pushed his glasses up the base of his nose, the sunlight glinted off the lenses. "Then why are you eating store bought food instead of Hikari's boxed lunches? And why aren't we eating with the girls?"
Toji reddened. Shinji just glanced at his friends nervously, looking guilty; not that he was guilty of anything, it was just the way he acted whenever there was a confrontation.
"That's because we feel sorry for you! You seem uncomfortable whenever we're with the girls!" Toji blurted out in anger.
[Kensuke's Voice: OK. So, he's right. I feel lonely even if I'm in their company. It's as if they gone somewhere where I can't follow. I felt like a child in an adult's party. Unneeded. Unnecessary.]
"THEN GO BACK TO THEM!!! IF I'M SO MUCH OF A BURDEN TO YOUR HAPPINESS, GO!!!" Kensuke stood up, surprising Shinji and Toji at his outburst. He angrily began to pack his litter.
Toji looked guilty, unable to look his childhood friend in the eye. Shinji just sat there, his eyes also turned away from his friends.
Finally, Toji spoke. "Kensuke... sorry."
"Shut up!" the boy hissed. "Go back to your girlfriend. I don't need your pity!"
Shinji watched, a silent witness. It was not his place to interfere in this conflict. Kensuke tied the handle of the plastic bag and began to walk away.
Then the unexpected happened.
"You're right." Came the strangled words. Toji's shoulder's hunched forward and the other boys listened in discomfort to the choked sobs.
"Toji," both boys whispered. Kensuke sat back down. They listened in rapt attention as Toji poured his heart out, a difficult thing for someone of Toji's macho upbringing.
[Kensuke's Voice: I don't know what to say or do after someone told me a problem like that. What was I supposed to say? 'Congratulations'? 'How was it?'? 'You're gonna burn in hell!'? 'You better take responsibility!'? But like a miracle, the sirens sounded and I wasn't able to give my opinion. I haven't talked to Toji since then about his problem.]
***
Kensuke stood atop a huge rock, one in a group of boulders by the seashore, his videocam in his hands. He fiddled with his videocam, and then he began shooting. He tracked a seagull as it glided over the blue sea. Sometimes, the boy also liked taking a break from his fascination with everything military.
Kensuke found it a good way to center himself, to be able to ignore his problems and insecurities even for a little while. To be able to immerse himself in a world viewed through a lens.
"Watcha doing?" a girl's voice interrupted the boy from his little world.
Unfortunately, filming while standing precariously atop a slippery rock took a lot of the boy's concentration.
Thus he fell off his perch.
***
Misato felt proud as she watched Rei and Shinji danced to the fast beat of the music. Rei danced with grace and confidence, like a feather in a gentle breeze. Shinji was trying his best but...
"you are too stiff," Rei observed as she continued her dance, her supple body twisting, her face had a serene, almost meditative expression. "feel the harmony and flow within it."
"Liar! I thought you said you didn't know anything about music!" Shinji accused as sweat shone on his skin as he tried to follow Rei's advice. His shirt was drenched in sweat, sticking to the slim planes of his body.
Rei's eyes twinkled with mischief, then as if it was never there the playful twinkle was gone. "i was able to learn fast."
"There's something you don't see every day," an amused voice said in Misato's ear. Misato yelped and swung her elbow out, catching the person in the face. Shinji stumbled at the distracting cry from Misato while Rei continued without missing a beat.
"Kaji! Damnit don't surprise me!" Misato cried out as she tried to pry Kaji's fingers from his face so she could assess the damage.
"Showi, woan hammen aghen," Kaji said. "Ah thing ahm mleedin." He turned away from the worried Misato.
"Honey, we're home," Ritsuko announced as she greeted her assistant by the grill.
"Welcome home, Doctor!" Maya replied with her usual perky enthusiasm. Then Maya's face darkened as she saw Makoto behind Ritsuko, the male bridge bunny was carrying several bags of groceries.
"Uhm, help please," Makoto pleaded to the others as the grocery bags threatened to spill.
"Here, let me," Kaji straightened up and made to take some of the bags from the younger man.
Misato blinked. "YOU FUCKING IDIOT!!! YOU MADE ME WORRY!!!" She launched a drop kick at Kaji. Kaji sidestepped and Misato landed on the sand. Kaji laughed at the fallen woman which had the effect of making Misato stand up and chase Kaji while issuing dire threats to separate him from something very dear him.
The others just watched the two ex-lovers chase one another like children in a playground. Except for Lt. Aoba who was still sleeping.
"I could say that that's something you don't see everyday but I've seen it too often when I was in college," Ritsuko turned to her assistant by the grill. "Can we eat yet?"
"Oh, gee, thanks..." Forgotten in the incredulous situation, Makoto watched in despair as a bag dropped from the stack he was carrying.
Rei deftly caught the bag before it could shatter on the ground. No one had seen her move from beside the audio system. The girl looked at the cans of beer in the bag. "i am hungry."
***
Hikari sat on the deck looking at the silly scene of two adults playing at being kids. Hikari had tied a tie-dyed wrap-around skirt about her waist. Hikari absentmindedly petted Pen Pen who sat in her lap.
"Hey, Hikari," Asuka greeted as she came out of the house and onto the raised patio.
"Hey yourself," Hikari smiled at her friend. Pen Pen looked at his housemate and lazily raised an eyebrow. "You just missed seeing Shinji dance." A pained expression on the redhead told Hikari that Asuka hadn't missed seeing Shinji dance - with another girl.
"So, will you tell me or not?" Asuka sat on the chair opposite Hikari's.
Hikari's eyes turned aside, unable to look her best friend in the eye. "Tell you what?"
"What happened between you and the monkey," Asuka pressed on, leaning forward in her chair.
A moment's hesitation as the girl debated with herself, she finally mumbled, "... nothing."
"Hikari, that's Shinji's line," Asuka retorted. "Please, I want to understand, I hurt my boyfriend because I didn't understand." Her eyes moistened as she fought back the tears.
Hikari bit her lower lips.
"FINE! KEEP YOUR FUCKING SECRETS!!!" Asuka screamed as she stood up, knocking her chair over. Asuka turned to run down towards the beach but Shinji stood at the top of the stairs to the beach. He looked at Asuka with his soulful blue eyes, eyes which Asuka was unable to meet.
Shinji and Hikari watched Asuka run into the house.
***
FROM ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
[Kensuke's Voice: My thoughts at the moment: Ooooouuuuchhhh....]
"Sorry, are you all right?"
Kensuke lay on the soft sand, a girl in a white sundress knelt beside him. The girl leaned over his prone figure, a worried expression on her face.
Kensuke looked up at the beautiful face that dominated his vision. "Who?" The face was vaguely familiar. "I know you."
The girl nodded, "Yes, Upperclassman Aida."
"Ah! I remember!" Kensuke sat up as he remembered. Unfortunately this had the unintended effect of smashing his forehead against the girl's.
"C-camera," Kensuke stuttered as he held his head, regardless of possible concussion, he still had his priorities set.
"Here," the girl held out the camera with one hand, while the other rubbed the bump on her head.
"Thank you, Aoki, isn't it?" Kensuke asked as he took the camera, he nearly gasped when his fingertips touched the girl's warm hand.
[Kensuke's voice: That was weird, I've never felt that before, but then again, I've never touched a girl before. I remember her, Kurumi Aoki, a First Year student. I remember her because I saw her kiss Shinji during White Day, before Asuka made her announcement. Good thing about that or else Asuka would have robbed the school of a ... damn! What the Hell am I thinking?!]
"I'm sorry if I bumped you," Kensuke apologized as he inspected his camera for damage. He saw the red light which indicated that the camera was still recording. He shut down the camera.
"I'm sorry if I made you fall, Upperclassman Aida," the girl blushed in embarrassment. "I've got to go, my family's expecting me."
[Kensuke's Voice: And then she was gone in a flash of sunlight and white cloth.]
***
Asuka sat by the window seat in the second floor room she shared with Hikari and Rei. The redhead rested her head on her forearms as she slumped against the windowsill.
"Asuka."
The girl stiffened at the timid voice coming from the open doorway. She felt shame and guilt.
"Asuka, we're gonna eat." He waited for a few moments, but the girl didn't show any reaction. He turned to walk away. After a few steps he turned and looked over his shoulder.
Asuka still sat by the window, but she gazed after his retreating back. He could see the sparkling tears welling up in her eyes.
He sighed. And walked away.
***
To Be Continued...
Treading Water
An Evangelion Fanfiction
05/10/2001
***
Neon Genesis Evangelion created by, registered, and copyrighted to GAINAX Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with
the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision
holds the copyrights to the English version of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
This work of fiction is not intended for any commercial purposes but was created for the entertainment of the Author and Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
No copyright infringement was in any way intended.
Treading Water written by Jino Turtlegod
***
" text " - spoken
:: text :: - thought
% text % - sang
/ text / - electronically transmitted
[text] - computer text
TEXT - white text on black screen
_text_ - stressed
*text* - sound
***
WAFF Warning! Discontinuity Warning! OOC Warning! All Standard Non-Lemon Warnings Apply! Minor Lime Content!
***
Part Two: Breathing Air
***
FROM ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
[Flashback]
[Rei's Voice: what is love? it is an emotion that i have the most difficulty comprehending. the word love has many meanings. i once discussed the matter with shinji.]
Rei and Shinji sat by the steps of a temple as they waited for the sun to set over the mountains that ringed their hometown. Rei watched as Shinji's face began to redden, sweat began to form on his forehead, and his right hand began to nervously clench and unclench. Cicadas chirped in the woods surrounding the temple.
"you do not need to answer my question if you are uncomfortable," Rei finally said, herself uncomfortable at making Shinji uncomfortable. "i will ask the commander to explain to me."
Shinji gasped. Rei must know that there is a bit of hostility and rivalry between father and son, and implying that the son was not as helpful as the father...
Tact was a skill the First Children needed. Either that, or she was more manipulative than people thought.
The boy drew his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs as he propped his chin on his knees. "No. I- I'll try to explain..."
Rei shifted so that she knelt facing Shinji. She fixed Shinji with an unblinking stare that she only reserved for when she needed her full attention on something.
"Love... is... um... love is when you could feel that you are bonded with someone," the Hedgehog mentally slapped his forehead as he suddenly remembered something.
Rei blinked. She stated the obvious. "you love me."
"uh- I- er---"
Rei smiled. "i understand. the word love has many meanings."
Shinji smiled back in relief. Of course he loved the blue mopped girl... but as she said, love has many meanings; or more correctly there are many kinds of love.
"Love is when you are worried about how someone feels about you, when you are more worried about pleasing the other person that you would rather hurt yourself than see the other one disappointed or hurt."
Rei closed her eyes as she digested what Shinji had just told her. His words began to clarify the thick fog of confusion within her mind ever so slightly. But--- "shinji, could you also love someone that you hate?"
"yes." Shinji shuddered. "It's one of the saddest things that could ever happen."
[Rei's Voice: i believe he meant himself and his father, but he may also have meant himself and soryu. he did not clarify or show inclination he wished to. i believe that the commander loves his son more than he would ever show and shinji the same to his father. i do not presume to know how to resolve the fracture between father and son, i know the difficulties in relating to the commander. the matter with soryu however... ]
Rei glanced at the sun which was a hand's breadth away from the highest peak of the mountain range. "it is tomorrow."
"Uhm." Shinji nodded.
"the sun will set even if we do not watch it."
As one, the two stood up, the setting sun throwing a halo of light around their bodies.
[Rei's Voice: my conversation with shinji ended without much clarification on my question. however, it did resolve in the way i intended. the next day, shinji spoke with soryu under the cherry tree.]
[Fade to Black]
***
Rei blinked as her senses took in her environment. Loud dance music blared from Lt. Aoba's stereo. The long-haired technician was taking a nap on a lawn chair despite the loud racket.
"...and remember to go with the flow, feel the rhythm in your body, it really should be natural..." Major Misato Katsuragi said as she gyrated to the music.
Rei blinked once more as she tried to focus on Major Katsuragi's lesson. The woman was trying to teach her a skill that she already knew. Not that she practiced it often but Rei was a quick study and never forgot anything she learned.
Therefore the Major was doing something which was in Rei's opinion futile. Rei was quite ready to refuse since Commander Ikari had ingrained in her a dislike for anything unnecessary. However since the Major chose her wording as "Rei, today you're going to learn to dance, and that's an order!", Rei could not refuse. Commander Ikari had also unfortunately ingrained in her an almost blind obedience to orders from her acknowledged superiors.
In her mind, Rei did something that she learned from Shinji.
Rei gave a mental sigh of exasperation.
***
FROM ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
[Flashback]
[Kensuke's Voice: I am a coward. Funny, isn't it? I dream of being a soldier, of having an adventurous life. And here I am, running away from my friends. Why? Simple. I don't think I can relate to them anymore.]
Kensuke, Toji, and Shinji sat under one of the cherry trees, the boys ate their lunch in contemplative silence. The sound of young voices raised in joy could be heard in the distance.
Kensuke's eyes took in his friend's dispositions.
Shinji had a faraway look in his eyes, a sense of longing and loss was in his eyes. Surely the boy wasn't missing his girlfriend already? They were together just a few minutes before. Maybe he wants to eat with her rather than his friends? Nah, for Kensuke that couldn't be the reason, he and Toji are Shinji's best friends! Surely Shinji would want to be with them, a welcome respite from the demanding demon Shinji calls his girlfriend!
Toji however also had the same expression in his eyes, but it was darker - as if he had a heavy burden on his shoulders. Kensuke felt a chill in his heart. Toji was worried about something! Is it about Toji's sister?! Kensuke knew that the little girl was still in the hospital, but all she had were broken legs and some ribs, had something gone wrong?
Kensuke blinked, no, that's not it. Toji would have been angry if it was about his sister. The jock was easy enough to read to know that if something bothered him with regards to those close to him, Toji tended to get angry not depressed. Hikari? Yes, that would be a more appropriate reason for Toji's dark mood. But what? Did the two have an argument?
Kensuke paused with his chopsticks poised by his lips. The bespectacled boy looked up at the green canopy as he digested the observations he had gathered. Kensuke decided to approach the matter in the only way that he knew Toji could understand and be unable to evade.
"Oi, Toji, what did you and Hikari fight about?"
Toji nearly choked on the soda he was drinking straight from the bottle. "W-WHAT?! We didn't have a fight!" Toji sputtered as he wiped the soda from his face.
Kensuke pushed his glasses up the base of his nose, the sunlight glinted off the lenses. "Then why are you eating store bought food instead of Hikari's boxed lunches? And why aren't we eating with the girls?"
Toji reddened. Shinji just glanced at his friends nervously, looking guilty; not that he was guilty of anything, it was just the way he acted whenever there was a confrontation.
"That's because we feel sorry for you! You seem uncomfortable whenever we're with the girls!" Toji blurted out in anger.
[Kensuke's Voice: OK. So, he's right. I feel lonely even if I'm in their company. It's as if they gone somewhere where I can't follow. I felt like a child in an adult's party. Unneeded. Unnecessary.]
"THEN GO BACK TO THEM!!! IF I'M SO MUCH OF A BURDEN TO YOUR HAPPINESS, GO!!!" Kensuke stood up, surprising Shinji and Toji at his outburst. He angrily began to pack his litter.
Toji looked guilty, unable to look his childhood friend in the eye. Shinji just sat there, his eyes also turned away from his friends.
Finally, Toji spoke. "Kensuke... sorry."
"Shut up!" the boy hissed. "Go back to your girlfriend. I don't need your pity!"
Shinji watched, a silent witness. It was not his place to interfere in this conflict. Kensuke tied the handle of the plastic bag and began to walk away.
Then the unexpected happened.
"You're right." Came the strangled words. Toji's shoulder's hunched forward and the other boys listened in discomfort to the choked sobs.
"Toji," both boys whispered. Kensuke sat back down. They listened in rapt attention as Toji poured his heart out, a difficult thing for someone of Toji's macho upbringing.
[Kensuke's Voice: I don't know what to say or do after someone told me a problem like that. What was I supposed to say? 'Congratulations'? 'How was it?'? 'You're gonna burn in hell!'? 'You better take responsibility!'? But like a miracle, the sirens sounded and I wasn't able to give my opinion. I haven't talked to Toji since then about his problem.]
***
Kensuke stood atop a huge rock, one in a group of boulders by the seashore, his videocam in his hands. He fiddled with his videocam, and then he began shooting. He tracked a seagull as it glided over the blue sea. Sometimes, the boy also liked taking a break from his fascination with everything military.
Kensuke found it a good way to center himself, to be able to ignore his problems and insecurities even for a little while. To be able to immerse himself in a world viewed through a lens.
"Watcha doing?" a girl's voice interrupted the boy from his little world.
Unfortunately, filming while standing precariously atop a slippery rock took a lot of the boy's concentration.
Thus he fell off his perch.
***
Misato felt proud as she watched Rei and Shinji danced to the fast beat of the music. Rei danced with grace and confidence, like a feather in a gentle breeze. Shinji was trying his best but...
"you are too stiff," Rei observed as she continued her dance, her supple body twisting, her face had a serene, almost meditative expression. "feel the harmony and flow within it."
"Liar! I thought you said you didn't know anything about music!" Shinji accused as sweat shone on his skin as he tried to follow Rei's advice. His shirt was drenched in sweat, sticking to the slim planes of his body.
Rei's eyes twinkled with mischief, then as if it was never there the playful twinkle was gone. "i was able to learn fast."
"There's something you don't see every day," an amused voice said in Misato's ear. Misato yelped and swung her elbow out, catching the person in the face. Shinji stumbled at the distracting cry from Misato while Rei continued without missing a beat.
"Kaji! Damnit don't surprise me!" Misato cried out as she tried to pry Kaji's fingers from his face so she could assess the damage.
"Showi, woan hammen aghen," Kaji said. "Ah thing ahm mleedin." He turned away from the worried Misato.
"Honey, we're home," Ritsuko announced as she greeted her assistant by the grill.
"Welcome home, Doctor!" Maya replied with her usual perky enthusiasm. Then Maya's face darkened as she saw Makoto behind Ritsuko, the male bridge bunny was carrying several bags of groceries.
"Uhm, help please," Makoto pleaded to the others as the grocery bags threatened to spill.
"Here, let me," Kaji straightened up and made to take some of the bags from the younger man.
Misato blinked. "YOU FUCKING IDIOT!!! YOU MADE ME WORRY!!!" She launched a drop kick at Kaji. Kaji sidestepped and Misato landed on the sand. Kaji laughed at the fallen woman which had the effect of making Misato stand up and chase Kaji while issuing dire threats to separate him from something very dear him.
The others just watched the two ex-lovers chase one another like children in a playground. Except for Lt. Aoba who was still sleeping.
"I could say that that's something you don't see everyday but I've seen it too often when I was in college," Ritsuko turned to her assistant by the grill. "Can we eat yet?"
"Oh, gee, thanks..." Forgotten in the incredulous situation, Makoto watched in despair as a bag dropped from the stack he was carrying.
Rei deftly caught the bag before it could shatter on the ground. No one had seen her move from beside the audio system. The girl looked at the cans of beer in the bag. "i am hungry."
***
Hikari sat on the deck looking at the silly scene of two adults playing at being kids. Hikari had tied a tie-dyed wrap-around skirt about her waist. Hikari absentmindedly petted Pen Pen who sat in her lap.
"Hey, Hikari," Asuka greeted as she came out of the house and onto the raised patio.
"Hey yourself," Hikari smiled at her friend. Pen Pen looked at his housemate and lazily raised an eyebrow. "You just missed seeing Shinji dance." A pained expression on the redhead told Hikari that Asuka hadn't missed seeing Shinji dance - with another girl.
"So, will you tell me or not?" Asuka sat on the chair opposite Hikari's.
Hikari's eyes turned aside, unable to look her best friend in the eye. "Tell you what?"
"What happened between you and the monkey," Asuka pressed on, leaning forward in her chair.
A moment's hesitation as the girl debated with herself, she finally mumbled, "... nothing."
"Hikari, that's Shinji's line," Asuka retorted. "Please, I want to understand, I hurt my boyfriend because I didn't understand." Her eyes moistened as she fought back the tears.
Hikari bit her lower lips.
"FINE! KEEP YOUR FUCKING SECRETS!!!" Asuka screamed as she stood up, knocking her chair over. Asuka turned to run down towards the beach but Shinji stood at the top of the stairs to the beach. He looked at Asuka with his soulful blue eyes, eyes which Asuka was unable to meet.
Shinji and Hikari watched Asuka run into the house.
***
FROM ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
[Kensuke's Voice: My thoughts at the moment: Ooooouuuuchhhh....]
"Sorry, are you all right?"
Kensuke lay on the soft sand, a girl in a white sundress knelt beside him. The girl leaned over his prone figure, a worried expression on her face.
Kensuke looked up at the beautiful face that dominated his vision. "Who?" The face was vaguely familiar. "I know you."
The girl nodded, "Yes, Upperclassman Aida."
"Ah! I remember!" Kensuke sat up as he remembered. Unfortunately this had the unintended effect of smashing his forehead against the girl's.
"C-camera," Kensuke stuttered as he held his head, regardless of possible concussion, he still had his priorities set.
"Here," the girl held out the camera with one hand, while the other rubbed the bump on her head.
"Thank you, Aoki, isn't it?" Kensuke asked as he took the camera, he nearly gasped when his fingertips touched the girl's warm hand.
[Kensuke's voice: That was weird, I've never felt that before, but then again, I've never touched a girl before. I remember her, Kurumi Aoki, a First Year student. I remember her because I saw her kiss Shinji during White Day, before Asuka made her announcement. Good thing about that or else Asuka would have robbed the school of a ... damn! What the Hell am I thinking?!]
"I'm sorry if I bumped you," Kensuke apologized as he inspected his camera for damage. He saw the red light which indicated that the camera was still recording. He shut down the camera.
"I'm sorry if I made you fall, Upperclassman Aida," the girl blushed in embarrassment. "I've got to go, my family's expecting me."
[Kensuke's Voice: And then she was gone in a flash of sunlight and white cloth.]
***
Asuka sat by the window seat in the second floor room she shared with Hikari and Rei. The redhead rested her head on her forearms as she slumped against the windowsill.
"Asuka."
The girl stiffened at the timid voice coming from the open doorway. She felt shame and guilt.
"Asuka, we're gonna eat." He waited for a few moments, but the girl didn't show any reaction. He turned to walk away. After a few steps he turned and looked over his shoulder.
Asuka still sat by the window, but she gazed after his retreating back. He could see the sparkling tears welling up in her eyes.
He sighed. And walked away.
***
To Be Continued...