Chapter 3
A dinner to remember / A hope destroyed
It was raining, damn it, I hate getting wet, it messed up my hair so badly.
I sighed. Well, at least it wasn't a tropical storm, pre-Second Impact and
at least it wasn't hot.
I had taken the train and was now walking back to the apartment. My navy
blue jacket had long since turned black and my socks were beginning to get
wet. I glanced at my watch, and saw 7:43. Cool, I hope Rei is home.
As I got out of the rain and into the apartment, I heard sounds of the
shower running. Hmmm think Khel, think. What to do when she comes out. So to
solve my problem, I lay down on my bed, and faced the wall until Rei came
out.
The water stopped running, and I could hear the door open. Footsteps sounded
as Rei walked to her closet. Then, "Hello, Kheldar, you are back." Was it me
or did she sound... not so uncaring?
"Yeah, I was at Shinji's place, talking with him and Asuka, but yeah, I'm
back."
I waited, as I heard the rustle of clothes and tried to keep out unwanted
mental images from my head. I decided to ask Rei a favor.
"Hey Rei, do you think that when you next shower, you could like dress
inside the bathroom. Like bring your clothes in, put them on the towel rack,
and dress in there?"
"Why?" she replied, curious at this strange change from her normal routine.
"Uh, cause it's not considered polite of girls to be naked in front of
guys," I stammered, again feeling a blush coming.
"But your back is to me, so therefore I am not naked in front of you," she
said, puzzled at my request.
I sighed, I wasn't going to get anywhere like this, we needed to get a new
apartment if I was going to be staying here, and fortunately I had already
planned for this...
***
"So Doc, you look after all the pilots right?" I asked Ritsuko as she
performed the final tests on me, and prepared to let me out.
"Yes, I do, say, just how much do you know about Project E?" She looked at
me appraisingly.
"Um, nothing much, just that Rei, Shinji, and Asuka pilot those big mech
things against Angels." I smiled my most disarming smile, damn, didn't work.
"Well, I hope you don't ask too much, or we'll have to DEAL with your
knowledge." The way she emphasized deal, I didn't want to know.
"Well, Ma-am I was thinking that Rei's place is kind of a dump. And that
well, I think it would be a lot better if she could stay at a better
apartment, especially with her walking all over her room naked, with me no
where to go..." I stopped as good doctor glared at me.
"Hey, I'm a good boy, I stay in my bed with my face to the wall." I tried
smiling again. This time it seemed to work.
"Well, I believe that the Commander does not approve of your proximity to
Rei, and he too favors a larger apartment. He doesn't want you teaching her
anything that she's not meant to know." With a significant raise of her
eyebrows I blushed. She continued, "however we believe that you shouldn't be
in a huge house off by your own, and thus we have commandeered a flat on the
7th story of Misato's apartment block. You and Rei will be staying there,
though I don't know why Misato agreed to that." She stood up from her
keyboard. "You're clean, and healthy to boot. Whatever happened to you in
there, didn't seem to affect you too badly. So you may go, oh and here is
something that the sub-commander thought you might need."
Out of her pocket she handed me a NERV ID, complete with a good photo of me,
and what looked like a credit count on it. I looked curiously at her.
"Repayment for the blood you lost." She said with a wink. Then she left the
room, with me sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at the card with my
emblem in the corner.
***
I snapped back to the present, just as Rei finished dressing. I sat up, and
cautiously turned me head to make sure my ears had been right. Sighing in
relief I got up. Time to put into action the plan that had scare Josh silly.
"So Rei, what you having for dinner?" I asked, trying to sound offhand, but
failing.
She looked at me, and replied, "Home cooked rice and vegetables." She didn't
look very excited about the prospect, so I decided to go on with my plan.
"I was wondering if you would like to go out with me for dinner. To kinda
celebrate my apparent acceptance by NERV, and one other thing."
"What is that?" She asked.
"It's a surprise. I'll show you after dinner, so will you like to come?"
"Yes, I would like that," she said, and actually sounded kinda happy.
"So, I was thinking that we can go to this restaurant down the road, it
serves great pasta." Rei's eyes narrowed and I hastened on, "and they have
vegetarian toppings too." I grinned at her, and she half-smiled back at me. Man I
could never get enough of that smile, though a hug would be nice.
"Shall we go?" she said, and headed to the door. I was
momentarily stunned, expecting her to want to put on make up, and "clean up"
like most girls do when going out on what was for intents and purposes a
date. Also she was still wearing her school uniform. So I stopped her.
"Um, Rei, don't you think that you should wearing something a bit more
suited for going out? Not your uniform?"
She stopped and turned around, and softly said, "I have nothing else to wear."
She looked a bit down, and for Rei that made her look like she was full on
depressed. She looked so CUTE! Ahem. Yes, anyway.
"Oh well, it doesn't really matter, you're beautiful no matter what you're
wearing." Oh damn, did I just say what I think I did. *sigh I need to learn
to keep my mouth shut.
However, contrary to my expected reactions, ranging from rage, to a slap,
she blushed. And then started for the door again, well, that went well, I
beamed, then quickly followed her before she left the house without me. I
quietly pushed a number on my cell phone and then Rei and I headed for
Sophia's.
***
The restaurant was just down a few blocks, so they decided to walk, since
the rain had stopped. Both Rei and Kheldar walked the whole way, in
companionable silence, each person deep in his or her thoughts, but each
hoping that the other might speak first. Both were unsure with this new
situation. Kheldar had never been on a date before, and Rei didn't know what
a date was.
When the pair arrived at their destination, they were very surprised
to meet Asuka and Shinji arriving in Misato's car. As the two walkers turned the
corner, they just missed getting clipped by a supersonic blue car, whose
brakes squealed and stopped right in front of Sophia's. Then the two other
pilots, stepped out, Shinji holding the door for Asuka, and giving her a
hand to help her out, a hand which she did not take back. That was a good
sign, but there went my plans of a romantic dinner, and I couldn't back out
now. We continued up to them.
"Hey you two, what are you doing here?" I called as I came within
conversation range. I was totally unprepared for their reaction.
Asuka jumped almost a foot, and Shinji immediately let go of Asuka's hand. They
both stood there, blushing and glaring at me. I took a step back, and almost
bumped into Rei.
"Um, er, we were just going for dinner with Misato, but she had to go back
to HQ for a emergency thing, so yeah, um that's right." Asuka tried to
explain, then she noticed Rei beside me. "What are YOU two doing here?" she
switched to a teasing voice, "out for a romantic dinner together?"
I blushed, very quickly, which is unusual for me, so I quickly turned to
face Shinji, while Asuka glared at my blue haired companion.
"No, Kheldar and I were just going for a dinner to celebrate his acceptance
by NERV and one other thing which is a surprise." Rei stated, and then began
to continue on to the door. It began to drizzle again, so Asuka also headed
for shelter. I was however talking to Shinji.
"What the HELL are you doing here?" I asked, sounding rather angry, though I
didn't know why I had any right to be.
"We were just going for dinner man, take it easy. Me and Asuka kinda made up
and stuff." Damn I knew I shouldn't have put so much spine into this guy.
"I can see that, but why here of all places? I was going out with Rei!" I
wasn't quite as mad, if they had gotten together this wasn't so bad.
"You like her?" He was stunned, I could tell. My first impulse was to deny
everything, but then an ache in my wrist reminded me who he was.
"I wouldn't say I love her, I mean I've only been here a week, but I think
she's cute, and she's nice, so yeah I do like her I guess," I sighed, my
secret out.
"Good choice man, she's a really special girl." I wasn't expecting this,
"Come again?" I asked, still a bit confused.
"She's a nice girl, Ayanami. You made a good choice, go for her man." He
sounded like he was encouraging me.... I was incredulous.
"And you've become an expert of girls in what, two hours huh?" I said with a
wink, anyway, come on, we'd better get moving."
As if on cue, one loud redhead shouted "Shinji! Kheldar, are you coming or
what?!?"
"Coming Asuka!" Shinji replied and we both went in, both smiling at what the
other was up against.
Inside the atmosphere was loud. Loud and hot, quite warm from the sheer
amount of food and people that was within. Sophia's was one of the few
pre-Second Impact chains to keep its popularity, no matter where you were,
good cheap food was always welcomed.
It also made for a great first date, while not being to classy and
depressing, it was elegant enough to impress. I suspect this was why the
other two pilots had come here as well. Oh well, a double date was fine with
me.
"So Kheldar, Wondergirl...I mean Rei here, told me that you got an ID. That
means you're part of NERV, welcome," said Asuka, who had changed Rei's name
after a small nudge from Shinji. "I take it the Commander likes you?"
Shinji paled visibly, so I decided not to talk about his dad. "Well someone
does, though I think it's everyone else. I got my card from the sub-commander,
and my permission to stay at Rei's from Misato..."
I was rudely interrupted be a synchronous "You are living with REI?!?" by the
pilots of both Units 01 and 02.
"Oh, you didn't know?" I said sipping my water. "I've stayed over for a week
now, though only one night really, since I got whacked in the angel attack."
"How the hell did you get both the Misato AND the Commander to agree to
that?!" Asuka demanded. Again Shinji's face paled, but I didn't notice that
much. I was more focused on the hand that had gripped mine when Asuka had
yelled at me. I gave a gentle squeeze and the hand let go.
"Um, what was that?" I asked, stalling for time, and thankful for the yellow
overhead lights that were covering my blush.
"I said, how the hell did you get both the Misato AND the Commander to agree
to that?! It's not like you have an adult present like us."
I thought about it for a few moments, trying to figure out what to say or
what to not say, however I decided on the truth, for Shinji and Rei, if for
anyone. "Misato thought it would be good for Rei to learn a bit about living,
and since I spent the whole first night in there without doing anything bad, she
figured I would be safe to do so. As to the Commander, I don't think he
minds me, as long as I don't do anything harmful to her. Though I don't know
what he's exactly what he's thinking. So, I'm her new roommate, aren't I
lucky?"
...Did I just say that out loud as well? However the pair were stunned and
didn't appear to hear me. So I decided to study my menu intently.
"So you live with her, in that one room messy apartment of hers?" Asuka
emphasized every word.
I made my voice light. "Nope, I slept in the bathroom that night, it was a bit
uncomfortable, but it wasn't that bad."
Shinji was talking to Rei, "so what do you think of this?"
"Kheldar needed a back massage when he got out, I believed his muscles had
cramped at night."
'Rei talking,' I sighed, I should have known this was going to happen
eventually.
"So what have you two been doing since I left? If I am hearing right, you
haven't shouted at Shinji once since we came in. Are you feeling well
Asuka?" It was a desperate attempt, thankfully no one knew that.
"Um, I, er, we, well we kinda decided that fighting isn't in our best
interests," replied a somewhat nervous Asuka. It's lucky for her as well
that the lights were yellow. Surprisingly my companion saw through the lie
quite fast.
"Is this because you realized that he loved you?" she asked quietly.
Now I could see Asuka's blush, and Shinji's too. Both stared at Rei in pure
shock, I wasn't quite as surprised, but I was more amused at their reactions
then anything else. Rei forged on, ignoring the looks of astonishment of the
faces of the two opposite us.
"Or perhaps you told him that you loved him as well?" Ouch, I anticipated a
lashing for Rei, and prepared to defend her on the spot. I was right.
Asuka's hand lashed out, almost faster then I could see. However it wasn't
me that stopped her, but Shinji. He looked at Asuka then whispered something
in her ear. I could see the ice melt right there, and she sighed as she
retracted her hand.
"I'm sorry Rei, and yes you are right." She turned a puppy love look at
Shinji, who looked vaguely embarrassed. "We love each other."
"I am happy for you." The red-eyed pilot replied, and then settled back into
her seat, waiting for the waiter to come and take her order.
***
The rest of the night had past uneventfully, and at the end we were all
sharing a huge gelati that was over 5 large scoops tall. It was stacked
from the bottom, lemon, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and on the top was a
large scope of mint, surprisingly Rei's pick of the bunch. We were all
carving into this mountain of coldness, and all enjoying it thoroughly.
The conversation couldn't have been described as lively, except when I was
arguing with Asuka. It was funny, both Shinji and Rei were sitting there
quietly, while me and the "Red Haired Devil" were fighting over who could
whip the other in StarStrike, the latest, FPS, First player strategy game. I
was totally confident in my abilities, while she felt sure that she had the
combat experience to beat me.
Not to say that I ignored Rei; when she asked what she was feeling when I
held her hand, I nearly dropped out of my seat. After finding out that the
warmth was in a feeling more then a physical sensation, I tentatively
explained to her the concepts of love and acceptance. I was surprised when
she blushed slightly, I was beginning to realize that Rei wasn't
emotionless, just good at keep her feelings under cover, it gave me hope for
the future, small, but it was still hope.
We were finishing our mountain of iced milk, and I was looking forward to
showing Rei my surprise. However I wasn't so cool with the now love struck
pair following us there too. I decided to try and ditch them, and so called
for the check from a passing waitress. Glancing at my watch, I found that I
was right on schedule.
After paying the bill, we bade farewell to the now snuggling couple, walked
out and headed for Rei's apartment. However, when we reached the main road,
I motioned her to follow me to the train station. Her eyebrows raised
slightly, but remembering my surprise, she nodded and followed me.
We boarded the train, Rei to my right. As the doors closed I suddenly felt a
weight on my shoulder. I turned right into a mess of azure hair from Rei's
head on my shoulder. I jumped slightly and asked, "Rei, why are you doing that?"
Not that I wanted her to stop.
However she lifted her head. "Is it uncomfortable?" she asked, concern suddenly
appearing on her face.
I gently pulled her back down. "No, not at all, in fact it's quite nice, but I
was just wondering why you are doing it."
"I noticed Asuka laying her head on Shinji," who couldn't have noticed? She
had sat like that for a whole half an hour. "And I believe that it is a way
to show affection, is it not?"
I gulped, affection, did that mean...
"What do you mean by that Rei? You want to show me affection?" I asked
stupidly.
"Did I not just say that?" She said, with a small smile.
"So does that mean you like me?" I needed to know, to settle my own
insecurity.
She lifted her head up again, and looked at me, her face confused. "Yes, I like
you, as I like Pilot Ikari." My face fell, she liked Shinji too? My new feeling
of happiness disappeared, and as the door opened, I got to my feet and left the
train, walking out into the night, totally depressed.
She didn't like me as more then a friend. *sigh, while I didn't mind, I was
so sure that I had somehow got to the inner Rei, and Rei that could love.
Now I realized now that I was wrong. WRONG! "WHY ME!" I cried and I slammed
my fist into a near by wall, causing me to jump back and writher in pain.
The rage left me, and I sunk down.
Josh: [sighing] You never did take rejection well.
Kheldar: [Bitter] Shut up, I'm trying to cry.
Josh: [Consoling] Oh come on you idiot, it's not you've ever had a
girlfriend before, this isn't new to you.
Kheldar: Yeah, and since I'm the one in control here, you don't seem to
notice as much as I do that I'm LONELY.
Josh: So? What's really the difference between a friend and a girlfriend,
really man. You should lighten up, steel your heart, and don't always hope,
you're always too hasty.
Kheldar: [to himself, wistfully] She lay her head on my shoulder. [Then
replying] And I don't have many friends who are girls either.
"Kheldar? Are you well?" Her voice shocked me out of my inner conversation.
"Yeah, Rei, I'm fine." Though my tired voice told her that not everything
was all right.
"Why did you go out like that?" This is the station that leads to Major
Katsuragi's apartment"
I blinked and looked around, and found that she was right; this was the way
to Misato's house. Well, at least my flare up hadn't damaged my plan, and I
was still on time, though the taste wasn't quite as sweet.
I stood up, "Yeah, this is the right stop, I'm sorry Rei, I was thought
something was happening, when it wasn't." I sighed and started walking
towards the apartment block.
"What did you think was there?" She asked, laying her hand on my shoulder.
I paused, then sighed again, "nothing that you would understand, come on,
let's go." With that we both walked into the complex, and started up the
elevator.
A dinner to remember / A hope destroyed
It was raining, damn it, I hate getting wet, it messed up my hair so badly.
I sighed. Well, at least it wasn't a tropical storm, pre-Second Impact and
at least it wasn't hot.
I had taken the train and was now walking back to the apartment. My navy
blue jacket had long since turned black and my socks were beginning to get
wet. I glanced at my watch, and saw 7:43. Cool, I hope Rei is home.
As I got out of the rain and into the apartment, I heard sounds of the
shower running. Hmmm think Khel, think. What to do when she comes out. So to
solve my problem, I lay down on my bed, and faced the wall until Rei came
out.
The water stopped running, and I could hear the door open. Footsteps sounded
as Rei walked to her closet. Then, "Hello, Kheldar, you are back." Was it me
or did she sound... not so uncaring?
"Yeah, I was at Shinji's place, talking with him and Asuka, but yeah, I'm
back."
I waited, as I heard the rustle of clothes and tried to keep out unwanted
mental images from my head. I decided to ask Rei a favor.
"Hey Rei, do you think that when you next shower, you could like dress
inside the bathroom. Like bring your clothes in, put them on the towel rack,
and dress in there?"
"Why?" she replied, curious at this strange change from her normal routine.
"Uh, cause it's not considered polite of girls to be naked in front of
guys," I stammered, again feeling a blush coming.
"But your back is to me, so therefore I am not naked in front of you," she
said, puzzled at my request.
I sighed, I wasn't going to get anywhere like this, we needed to get a new
apartment if I was going to be staying here, and fortunately I had already
planned for this...
***
"So Doc, you look after all the pilots right?" I asked Ritsuko as she
performed the final tests on me, and prepared to let me out.
"Yes, I do, say, just how much do you know about Project E?" She looked at
me appraisingly.
"Um, nothing much, just that Rei, Shinji, and Asuka pilot those big mech
things against Angels." I smiled my most disarming smile, damn, didn't work.
"Well, I hope you don't ask too much, or we'll have to DEAL with your
knowledge." The way she emphasized deal, I didn't want to know.
"Well, Ma-am I was thinking that Rei's place is kind of a dump. And that
well, I think it would be a lot better if she could stay at a better
apartment, especially with her walking all over her room naked, with me no
where to go..." I stopped as good doctor glared at me.
"Hey, I'm a good boy, I stay in my bed with my face to the wall." I tried
smiling again. This time it seemed to work.
"Well, I believe that the Commander does not approve of your proximity to
Rei, and he too favors a larger apartment. He doesn't want you teaching her
anything that she's not meant to know." With a significant raise of her
eyebrows I blushed. She continued, "however we believe that you shouldn't be
in a huge house off by your own, and thus we have commandeered a flat on the
7th story of Misato's apartment block. You and Rei will be staying there,
though I don't know why Misato agreed to that." She stood up from her
keyboard. "You're clean, and healthy to boot. Whatever happened to you in
there, didn't seem to affect you too badly. So you may go, oh and here is
something that the sub-commander thought you might need."
Out of her pocket she handed me a NERV ID, complete with a good photo of me,
and what looked like a credit count on it. I looked curiously at her.
"Repayment for the blood you lost." She said with a wink. Then she left the
room, with me sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at the card with my
emblem in the corner.
***
I snapped back to the present, just as Rei finished dressing. I sat up, and
cautiously turned me head to make sure my ears had been right. Sighing in
relief I got up. Time to put into action the plan that had scare Josh silly.
"So Rei, what you having for dinner?" I asked, trying to sound offhand, but
failing.
She looked at me, and replied, "Home cooked rice and vegetables." She didn't
look very excited about the prospect, so I decided to go on with my plan.
"I was wondering if you would like to go out with me for dinner. To kinda
celebrate my apparent acceptance by NERV, and one other thing."
"What is that?" She asked.
"It's a surprise. I'll show you after dinner, so will you like to come?"
"Yes, I would like that," she said, and actually sounded kinda happy.
"So, I was thinking that we can go to this restaurant down the road, it
serves great pasta." Rei's eyes narrowed and I hastened on, "and they have
vegetarian toppings too." I grinned at her, and she half-smiled back at me. Man I
could never get enough of that smile, though a hug would be nice.
"Shall we go?" she said, and headed to the door. I was
momentarily stunned, expecting her to want to put on make up, and "clean up"
like most girls do when going out on what was for intents and purposes a
date. Also she was still wearing her school uniform. So I stopped her.
"Um, Rei, don't you think that you should wearing something a bit more
suited for going out? Not your uniform?"
She stopped and turned around, and softly said, "I have nothing else to wear."
She looked a bit down, and for Rei that made her look like she was full on
depressed. She looked so CUTE! Ahem. Yes, anyway.
"Oh well, it doesn't really matter, you're beautiful no matter what you're
wearing." Oh damn, did I just say what I think I did. *sigh I need to learn
to keep my mouth shut.
However, contrary to my expected reactions, ranging from rage, to a slap,
she blushed. And then started for the door again, well, that went well, I
beamed, then quickly followed her before she left the house without me. I
quietly pushed a number on my cell phone and then Rei and I headed for
Sophia's.
***
The restaurant was just down a few blocks, so they decided to walk, since
the rain had stopped. Both Rei and Kheldar walked the whole way, in
companionable silence, each person deep in his or her thoughts, but each
hoping that the other might speak first. Both were unsure with this new
situation. Kheldar had never been on a date before, and Rei didn't know what
a date was.
When the pair arrived at their destination, they were very surprised
to meet Asuka and Shinji arriving in Misato's car. As the two walkers turned the
corner, they just missed getting clipped by a supersonic blue car, whose
brakes squealed and stopped right in front of Sophia's. Then the two other
pilots, stepped out, Shinji holding the door for Asuka, and giving her a
hand to help her out, a hand which she did not take back. That was a good
sign, but there went my plans of a romantic dinner, and I couldn't back out
now. We continued up to them.
"Hey you two, what are you doing here?" I called as I came within
conversation range. I was totally unprepared for their reaction.
Asuka jumped almost a foot, and Shinji immediately let go of Asuka's hand. They
both stood there, blushing and glaring at me. I took a step back, and almost
bumped into Rei.
"Um, er, we were just going for dinner with Misato, but she had to go back
to HQ for a emergency thing, so yeah, um that's right." Asuka tried to
explain, then she noticed Rei beside me. "What are YOU two doing here?" she
switched to a teasing voice, "out for a romantic dinner together?"
I blushed, very quickly, which is unusual for me, so I quickly turned to
face Shinji, while Asuka glared at my blue haired companion.
"No, Kheldar and I were just going for a dinner to celebrate his acceptance
by NERV and one other thing which is a surprise." Rei stated, and then began
to continue on to the door. It began to drizzle again, so Asuka also headed
for shelter. I was however talking to Shinji.
"What the HELL are you doing here?" I asked, sounding rather angry, though I
didn't know why I had any right to be.
"We were just going for dinner man, take it easy. Me and Asuka kinda made up
and stuff." Damn I knew I shouldn't have put so much spine into this guy.
"I can see that, but why here of all places? I was going out with Rei!" I
wasn't quite as mad, if they had gotten together this wasn't so bad.
"You like her?" He was stunned, I could tell. My first impulse was to deny
everything, but then an ache in my wrist reminded me who he was.
"I wouldn't say I love her, I mean I've only been here a week, but I think
she's cute, and she's nice, so yeah I do like her I guess," I sighed, my
secret out.
"Good choice man, she's a really special girl." I wasn't expecting this,
"Come again?" I asked, still a bit confused.
"She's a nice girl, Ayanami. You made a good choice, go for her man." He
sounded like he was encouraging me.... I was incredulous.
"And you've become an expert of girls in what, two hours huh?" I said with a
wink, anyway, come on, we'd better get moving."
As if on cue, one loud redhead shouted "Shinji! Kheldar, are you coming or
what?!?"
"Coming Asuka!" Shinji replied and we both went in, both smiling at what the
other was up against.
Inside the atmosphere was loud. Loud and hot, quite warm from the sheer
amount of food and people that was within. Sophia's was one of the few
pre-Second Impact chains to keep its popularity, no matter where you were,
good cheap food was always welcomed.
It also made for a great first date, while not being to classy and
depressing, it was elegant enough to impress. I suspect this was why the
other two pilots had come here as well. Oh well, a double date was fine with
me.
"So Kheldar, Wondergirl...I mean Rei here, told me that you got an ID. That
means you're part of NERV, welcome," said Asuka, who had changed Rei's name
after a small nudge from Shinji. "I take it the Commander likes you?"
Shinji paled visibly, so I decided not to talk about his dad. "Well someone
does, though I think it's everyone else. I got my card from the sub-commander,
and my permission to stay at Rei's from Misato..."
I was rudely interrupted be a synchronous "You are living with REI?!?" by the
pilots of both Units 01 and 02.
"Oh, you didn't know?" I said sipping my water. "I've stayed over for a week
now, though only one night really, since I got whacked in the angel attack."
"How the hell did you get both the Misato AND the Commander to agree to
that?!" Asuka demanded. Again Shinji's face paled, but I didn't notice that
much. I was more focused on the hand that had gripped mine when Asuka had
yelled at me. I gave a gentle squeeze and the hand let go.
"Um, what was that?" I asked, stalling for time, and thankful for the yellow
overhead lights that were covering my blush.
"I said, how the hell did you get both the Misato AND the Commander to agree
to that?! It's not like you have an adult present like us."
I thought about it for a few moments, trying to figure out what to say or
what to not say, however I decided on the truth, for Shinji and Rei, if for
anyone. "Misato thought it would be good for Rei to learn a bit about living,
and since I spent the whole first night in there without doing anything bad, she
figured I would be safe to do so. As to the Commander, I don't think he
minds me, as long as I don't do anything harmful to her. Though I don't know
what he's exactly what he's thinking. So, I'm her new roommate, aren't I
lucky?"
...Did I just say that out loud as well? However the pair were stunned and
didn't appear to hear me. So I decided to study my menu intently.
"So you live with her, in that one room messy apartment of hers?" Asuka
emphasized every word.
I made my voice light. "Nope, I slept in the bathroom that night, it was a bit
uncomfortable, but it wasn't that bad."
Shinji was talking to Rei, "so what do you think of this?"
"Kheldar needed a back massage when he got out, I believed his muscles had
cramped at night."
'Rei talking,' I sighed, I should have known this was going to happen
eventually.
"So what have you two been doing since I left? If I am hearing right, you
haven't shouted at Shinji once since we came in. Are you feeling well
Asuka?" It was a desperate attempt, thankfully no one knew that.
"Um, I, er, we, well we kinda decided that fighting isn't in our best
interests," replied a somewhat nervous Asuka. It's lucky for her as well
that the lights were yellow. Surprisingly my companion saw through the lie
quite fast.
"Is this because you realized that he loved you?" she asked quietly.
Now I could see Asuka's blush, and Shinji's too. Both stared at Rei in pure
shock, I wasn't quite as surprised, but I was more amused at their reactions
then anything else. Rei forged on, ignoring the looks of astonishment of the
faces of the two opposite us.
"Or perhaps you told him that you loved him as well?" Ouch, I anticipated a
lashing for Rei, and prepared to defend her on the spot. I was right.
Asuka's hand lashed out, almost faster then I could see. However it wasn't
me that stopped her, but Shinji. He looked at Asuka then whispered something
in her ear. I could see the ice melt right there, and she sighed as she
retracted her hand.
"I'm sorry Rei, and yes you are right." She turned a puppy love look at
Shinji, who looked vaguely embarrassed. "We love each other."
"I am happy for you." The red-eyed pilot replied, and then settled back into
her seat, waiting for the waiter to come and take her order.
***
The rest of the night had past uneventfully, and at the end we were all
sharing a huge gelati that was over 5 large scoops tall. It was stacked
from the bottom, lemon, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and on the top was a
large scope of mint, surprisingly Rei's pick of the bunch. We were all
carving into this mountain of coldness, and all enjoying it thoroughly.
The conversation couldn't have been described as lively, except when I was
arguing with Asuka. It was funny, both Shinji and Rei were sitting there
quietly, while me and the "Red Haired Devil" were fighting over who could
whip the other in StarStrike, the latest, FPS, First player strategy game. I
was totally confident in my abilities, while she felt sure that she had the
combat experience to beat me.
Not to say that I ignored Rei; when she asked what she was feeling when I
held her hand, I nearly dropped out of my seat. After finding out that the
warmth was in a feeling more then a physical sensation, I tentatively
explained to her the concepts of love and acceptance. I was surprised when
she blushed slightly, I was beginning to realize that Rei wasn't
emotionless, just good at keep her feelings under cover, it gave me hope for
the future, small, but it was still hope.
We were finishing our mountain of iced milk, and I was looking forward to
showing Rei my surprise. However I wasn't so cool with the now love struck
pair following us there too. I decided to try and ditch them, and so called
for the check from a passing waitress. Glancing at my watch, I found that I
was right on schedule.
After paying the bill, we bade farewell to the now snuggling couple, walked
out and headed for Rei's apartment. However, when we reached the main road,
I motioned her to follow me to the train station. Her eyebrows raised
slightly, but remembering my surprise, she nodded and followed me.
We boarded the train, Rei to my right. As the doors closed I suddenly felt a
weight on my shoulder. I turned right into a mess of azure hair from Rei's
head on my shoulder. I jumped slightly and asked, "Rei, why are you doing that?"
Not that I wanted her to stop.
However she lifted her head. "Is it uncomfortable?" she asked, concern suddenly
appearing on her face.
I gently pulled her back down. "No, not at all, in fact it's quite nice, but I
was just wondering why you are doing it."
"I noticed Asuka laying her head on Shinji," who couldn't have noticed? She
had sat like that for a whole half an hour. "And I believe that it is a way
to show affection, is it not?"
I gulped, affection, did that mean...
"What do you mean by that Rei? You want to show me affection?" I asked
stupidly.
"Did I not just say that?" She said, with a small smile.
"So does that mean you like me?" I needed to know, to settle my own
insecurity.
She lifted her head up again, and looked at me, her face confused. "Yes, I like
you, as I like Pilot Ikari." My face fell, she liked Shinji too? My new feeling
of happiness disappeared, and as the door opened, I got to my feet and left the
train, walking out into the night, totally depressed.
She didn't like me as more then a friend. *sigh, while I didn't mind, I was
so sure that I had somehow got to the inner Rei, and Rei that could love.
Now I realized now that I was wrong. WRONG! "WHY ME!" I cried and I slammed
my fist into a near by wall, causing me to jump back and writher in pain.
The rage left me, and I sunk down.
Josh: [sighing] You never did take rejection well.
Kheldar: [Bitter] Shut up, I'm trying to cry.
Josh: [Consoling] Oh come on you idiot, it's not you've ever had a
girlfriend before, this isn't new to you.
Kheldar: Yeah, and since I'm the one in control here, you don't seem to
notice as much as I do that I'm LONELY.
Josh: So? What's really the difference between a friend and a girlfriend,
really man. You should lighten up, steel your heart, and don't always hope,
you're always too hasty.
Kheldar: [to himself, wistfully] She lay her head on my shoulder. [Then
replying] And I don't have many friends who are girls either.
"Kheldar? Are you well?" Her voice shocked me out of my inner conversation.
"Yeah, Rei, I'm fine." Though my tired voice told her that not everything
was all right.
"Why did you go out like that?" This is the station that leads to Major
Katsuragi's apartment"
I blinked and looked around, and found that she was right; this was the way
to Misato's house. Well, at least my flare up hadn't damaged my plan, and I
was still on time, though the taste wasn't quite as sweet.
I stood up, "Yeah, this is the right stop, I'm sorry Rei, I was thought
something was happening, when it wasn't." I sighed and started walking
towards the apartment block.
"What did you think was there?" She asked, laying her hand on my shoulder.
I paused, then sighed again, "nothing that you would understand, come on,
let's go." With that we both walked into the complex, and started up the
elevator.