By Alanis Morissette
Gendo stood still, the generic blank look on his face as he listened to his son's pleas. After a pause, he spoke. " Shinji... your best isn't good enough. "
Sometimes is never quite enough
If you're flawless, then you'll win my love
" Asuka, you should be doing better than this..! " Eyes widened at the sight of those atrocious synchronization scores. They were dropping every day... " I can't let anyone know about this .. I'd rather die than have anyone know that Wonder Girl and our Invincible Shinji are out-performing me. "
Don't forget to win first place
Don't forget to keep that smile on your face
" Please .. somebody .. be nice to me! .. Care about me! .. Asuka! Misato-san! Ayanami! .. Oto-san .. ! "
Gendo's blank stare, his words .. they echoed in Shinji's mind without reason or want. ' Shinj.. your best isn't good enough. ' ' Shinji, I'm disappointed in you. '
Be a good boy
Try a little harder
You've got to measure up
And make me prouder
" Sohryuu Langley's doing badly. If her synch rates keep dropping like this, she won't be able to pilot anymore. "
Asuka bit her lip as she heard the words, staring hard at the legging of her plug suit. " .. they don't have to talk like I can't hear them .. "
Misato's voice now. " Asuka, move! What are you waiting for?! "
" I'm going! "
How long before you screw it up?
How many times do I have to tell you to hurry up?
Asuka ran to her room, slamming the door. Shinji walked cautiously over, sliding open the paper door a sliver. " Asuka... "
" Shut up, Baka-Shinji! I hate you! I'm always putting up with you! Leave me alone..!! "
" .. " Tears falling. " Asuka .. Asuka .. please .. care about me ! .. "
" Shinji ... just shut up! "
With everything I do for you
The least you can do is keep quiet
" Mama! See? I did my best! Aren't you proud of me? Mama? "
Asuka's eyes snapped open as she returned to the reality that was Eva. An earnest glance to Ritsuko. " How'd I do?! "
She received a shake of head in reply. " Asuka .. you need to concentrate. "
Be a good girl
You've gotta try a little harder
That simply wasn't good enough
To make us proud
" Shinji-kun .. you have to do the best. You must destroy the Angel. "
" Why do you work at NERV, Misato-san? "
" To avenge my father. "
" Then am I really only destroying the Angels because you can't?! Nobody cares about me! I'm just a tool! "
I'll live through you
I'll make you what I never was
If you're the best, then maybe so am I
" Asuka, your synch rates are below both Shinji and Rei, and they aren't getting any better. "
Compared to him, compared to her
I'm doing this for your own damn good
' Shinji, you have to do your best. ' ' Do your best! ' ' Our Invincible Shinji always does the best! '
Tears.
" I am doing my best... I am!.. Now somebody.. be nice to me! "
You'll make up for what I blew
What's the matter... why are you crying?
" Shinji. "
" Oto-san.. please.. why don't you care about me?! "
Silence. A moment later, " .. the synchronization with Unit 01 wasn't fast enough. "
" ... Oto-san ... "
Be a good boy
Push a little further now
That simply wasn't fast enough
To make us happy
" Somebody .. care about me! "
" Mama .. don't kill me .. ! .. "
" I'M DOING MY BEST ! "
We'll love you just the way you are
If you're perfect.