HOW YOU REMIND ME

by Alexei Seranov

Chapter Four:

I Have Lived Today

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

            As Shinji Ikari woke, he had the oddest feeling that something was amiss. Staring at the ceiling, which looked the same as ever, he pondered what could possibly wrong. It was about then he realized he was still dressed... and there was a rather warm mass next to him. The memories of the previous night came flying back to him. He had done what he had come to do, and once he carried Asuka into her room, he had prepared to leave. The memory became more of a vision.

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

            "Shinji... please... don't go... stay with me..." The tone of sadness was unmistakable in her voice. She wanted... no, NEEDED him to stay.

            "Asuka... are you sure?" He looked rather nervous, as he should have been. He had no idea what would happen.

            "I just... I need you here Shinji... don't leave me... please..." It came out as a stifled whisper, but Shinji knew what to do. He slowly slipped into the bed next to her, and held her tight. She cried into the early morning, and Shinji held her and whispered kind and soothing words to her. Soon after she finally stopped, she finally fell into a slumber. Shortly after, Shinji had followed suite. As long as he had her, he would be the happiest man in the world. As she cried, so did he. When she beamed, he was ecstatic. He had done the right thing after all...

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

            He had done nothing inappropriate with her. He had been a pillar for her to lean on, despite how many times she had called him a spineless wimp or what-have-you when they were younger. They had been stupid kids. Now they were adults, living in a world most would rather just let die. And he had finally found a beacon of hope in his bleak life. He had Asuka. If she would have him, he would be with her until eternity. It would take quite a few Impacts to so much as dent the EVA-like might of the Ikari resolve. As Shinji looks over the beautiful woman who had given him her heart, he began to smile. The world was going to be a brighter place now. Soon enough, Asuka, too, awoke. She seemed groggy and unsure of her surroundings, until she spotted the young Ikari next to her. Placing a tentative hand on his face, as if to confirm he was indeed the real Shinji Ikari, she then leapt at him and pulled him into another passionate kiss, to which he responded in kind. As they lay in her bed, kissing each other with all they had, Asuka felt something inside her crack, then crumble. She knew that her walls had broken. The Berlin Wall had come down once again. She did not need to fear, because Shinji would never leave of his own conscience. So when they finally broke apart with a wet sound, she pulled him into another hug and looked into his dark, ocean-blue eyes, for sign of anything: deceit, hatred, superiority. But she found none of them. Just the same love she felt at the moment. "I love you, Asuka. I want you to know that... this... is no dream or nightmare or anything. I love you and I always will. If you want me to go, just say so."

            "Shut up you Baka... I love you too..." Once again, they kissed. Asuka let herself fall into him once again, knowing he would not try to hurt her as the others have. Not try to prove he was better. Not try to capitalize on her weaknesses. He would be there for her, and she was pleased with that knowledge. Time slipped away as they held each other, and neither cared. Love had been found. And it was right in front of them the whole time. And now, as they acknowledged this, the love grew stronger. It was time for love to win. They broke from another embrace. "We should get up... Hikari's gonna start thinking Hentai-thoughts if we don't get outta here soon..." She smiled at him with _his_ smile. The smile she gave no one but Shinji Ikari. The smile that held all the love she held.

            He could do nothing but smile in return, nod dumbly, and help her up. Yesterday had been a good day. Today would be greater. Quietly, Shinji mused to himself, "Tomorrow. Do thy worst... for I have lived today..." He smiles at Asuka as she gives him a rather cute, questioning glare. "Heh... I guess love makes me rather philosophical..." She smiles at him again, and puts an arm around his shoulder. As he puts a hand around her waist, they walk out of the room into the cold, cold world. But they had warmth and security in the one they held next to them. All the Impacts in the world couldn't stop Love.

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DATE UNKNOWN, 2015-16

            Touji had only been the first. More had started to free themselves of the fake paradise soon after. And now, about three months later, after the flood of returning humans started to taper off, everyone seemed ready to return to life, despite the fact that they were all living in a broken world. But on this day, another spark of happiness would reach Shinji Ikari and company. "HELLO?!?!" As a rather worse-for-wear boy with sandy-blonde hair came upon the little settlement, he looked for people he might know.

            "K...k...Kensuke? Is that you?" As the short boy was approached by taller one with scraggly dark-emerald hair, his face lit up with awe and joy.

            "TOUJI!!!" Kensuke all but screamed as he jumped at the other boy in happiness.

            "KENSUKE!!!" As Touji returned the hug, he smiled greatly. "Its great ta see ya again! I thought ya was stuck in the goo!"

            "Naw! I just had to walk all the way from Tokyo-2... I saw Hikari..." As Kensuke looked at Touji, the look he gave him so often while teasing him about romantic interludes with the class rep, he began to smile evilly. "She says she misses you... Best start running... Tokyo-2's only about a month's walk away..." As he finished, Kensuke was grinning like the evil bastard he could be. Touji wasn't fairing well, turning seven shades of maroon, plus some bright pink.

            "AIDA!!! I'm gonna kill you!" As Touji yelled this, Kensuke noticed more coming to greet him. He recognized Shinji and Misato easily, and gave each a hug; however he was thrown off by Misato, who didn't like where his hands were wandering. Smiling at the three, Kensuke began to recount the events of what had happened since he was reborn. Upon finishing his tale, he stood with three slack-jawed individuals who did not have much to say. Considering it the best thing to do, Kensuke left them and went to find shelter. Survival is more important then politeness, you see...

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

            "Aww..." As Hikari Horaki spied on the room of one Asuka Langley Sohryu, she was greeted with the picture of her best friend and a boy, one Shinji Ikari, walking in each other's arms. Noting that each had all their clothing on, she decided to sneak up on them. "Asuka... Shinji..." she mumbled softly. Finding they seemed to be a little too happy and ignorant of what was going on around them, Hikari decided to use something from a long time ago to bring them from their current state. "AHHHHHHHHH!!! YOU'RE LIVING IN SIN!!!"

            "AHHH!!! I didn't do anything! Gah!" As Shinji shot upright, he noticed a very amused-looking Horaki leaning over the stairs. Giving her a nervous smile, he used the hand he didn't have around Asuka to scratch the back of his head. Noting the shocked look on Asuka's face, Shinji just pulled her closer to himself, hoping to give her the strength to be happy.

            "Baka-Shinji! What are you doing?" As Asuka gave him a very fake-looking glare, Shinji redirected his nervous visage at his girlfriend, and just leaned over to kiss her on the nose. Doing such, she looked slightly shocked, but happy nonetheless.

            "That... or am I not allowed to kiss the girl I love?" Shinji spoke these words in an even, cool tone, despite the fact he was blushing rather heavily. Quickly glancing towards Hikari, he saw her shocked countenance turn to one of happiness, possibly even pride, and smiled even more.

            "No baka. You're not... unless I want you to," said the fiery red-head, just before giving the young Ikari a quick, yet loving kiss. "Like such. Got it, Mister Ikari?" She grinned at his goofy smile, and responded in kind when he gave her another quick squeeze.

            "Of course, Miss Sohryu! I'd still like lessons, however," replied the boy who held her tight. Shinji Ikari was feeling good. He had a family, friends, and a gorgeous girlfriend. The ex-pilot of the Artificial Humanoid Combat Test-Unit-One finally had what he wanted. Hope was something he now had in large quantities. From now on, life would be good. So, young Shinji Ikari, charge forward into the future, head held high and proud. Welcome to the world.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER:

How many times do I have to say it? I don't own Eva, much less anything else. Go sue somebody else.

Aww... ain't that sweet. Anyway, I hope you liked Chapter 4 of Neon Genesis Evangelion: How You Remind Me. Please be kind, and R&R. Flames are to be directed to SuperJew27@hotmail.com. Or you can send me money so I can take writing courses. Whatever. Ja Mata!

-Alexei