Disclaimer: Same as before
Thank you all for the constructive criticism. This may help improve this fic along with my own writing skill.
Chap. 3
School…
Shinji had just arrived in his classroom and immediately took his seat, his usual depressed expression clear on his face. His initial comfort around the new purple haired girl had vanished and replaced with a sense of unease. After she had moved in yesterday, he began to worry about what would happen if she couldn't be separated. They! They! He had to remember that it was two girls, not one. He couldn't understand why he was comfortable with her to begin with. It didn't make sense for him to feel that way about someone made up of two people he barely understood. Asuka was always putting him down and Rei never seemed to open up to him, at least not completely.
"Hey, Shinji. How are you?"
Touji and Kensuke sat right behind him a moment later. They haven't seemed to notice Shinji's somber mood.
"I'm fine."
"So what happened to you yesterday? You missed a heck of a time at the arcade. I managed to get the highest score in that new sports game that came out."
Kensuke began to work on his camera, "Yeah. Leave it to Touji to excel in sports. So what happened?"
"I had to go to NERV right after school. Synch testing."
"Oh, oh well. It comes with the job." Kensuke said, then he added, "Say, are they still looking for a new pilot?"
"Umm, well..."
At that point, Hikari came up to the three of them, "Hey, Shinji. Where's Asuka? I didn't see her at my house today so I figured she'd come straight here."
"Um, about that..."
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Rei come in either. She's usually early."
Stay calm. Stay calm. Just do what Misato told you.
"Asuka and Rei have gone away for awhile. NERV business. Classified."
Hikari sighed, "Oh. Well she could have called or told me or something."
"She probably didn't get a chance to with Tsunami moving in and all."
"Huh? Who's Tsunami?"
Before Shinji could answer, the teacher walked into the classroom. Hikari immediately went into Class Rep. mode and did the usual stand-bow-sit routine. The class expected the teacher to start off with his usual routine of talking about Second Impact. However, they were surprised when he remained focused on them.
"Your attention, class. Due to a situation in Nerv, Ms. Sohryu and Ms. Ayanami will not be with us for some time."
Touji seemed to smile at this. "Alright. The demon is finally gone, eh Shinji?"
Shinji seemed to sink further as the teacher went on.
"Also, we will introduce a temporary new student."
At this time, the door opened and the purple haired girl walked in. A few of the male students whistled at her.
"Whoa, she's hot." Kensuke added in. Touji also stared wide-eyed, but stopped when Hikari glanced over at him.
"Please welcome Ms. Tsunami to the class."
That caught the two of them by shock and they looked over to Shinji.
"That's Tsunami?"
Shinji nodded and the two stooges hit the ground, unable to believe Shinji's luck.
Hikari stood up, "Ms. Tsunami, welcome." Hikari looked around for a seat for her. She saw one seat, but upon seeing that it was Asuka's she kept looking around. She finally decided to have her sit in Rei's seat. She won't mind. Or at least it's better than putting her in Asuka's seat. I can just imagine how she would react.
"Please sit by the window, Tsunami."
Tsunami nodded, "Thank you, Hikari."
As Tsunami walked to her seat, Hikari looked slightly confused. I don't remember giving her my name.
Heads followed as Tsunami took Rei's seat and sat quietly. Once done, the teacher began his lesson (droning), leaving the class to itself once again. Shinji turned to look at her, but her head was turned outside toward the window.
I guess some things never change.
Meanwhile, Tsunami herself was locked away in her own thoughts. Despite her appearance, it had taken her a lot just to walk into class, never mind act as though she was new there. To make it worse, she was in Rei's seat. Her seat, not mine. Yet, I am her. Both of them. Her eyes moved around slightly as a light set of rain began to fall. She blinked and her thoughts calmed. So this is why she does this. At least partly why.
Her eyes slowly moved over to Shinji, but she couldn't see his face. I should have sat in my…I mean Asuka's seat. She hadn't seen Shinji all morning. When she woke up, Shinji had left early, leaving behind two meals. He wasn't sure what to make for her so he made one for Asuka and one for Rei and thought that Tsunami would pick one. But all it did was remind her of the situation. Damn you, Shinji. This is hard enough as it is. You don't see me sulking about it. I…don't need this now. Her gaze returned to look outside and as she did, her thoughts calmed as well. But then again, it must be hard on him as well. Perhaps…I'll talk with him later after school.
Class went by normally enough and everyone was soon dismissed for lunch. Tsunami waited for most of the students to leave before rising herself. She planned on eating lunch alone on the rooftop. But it would seem that Hikari had something else in mind.
"Hey, Tsunami."
"Hello, Hikari."
Hikari put her hand to her back, "I was wondering, well since you're new here, you could join me for lunch. How does that sound?"
Tsunami merely stared at her and then answered coolly. "No thanks."
Hikari blinked. Wow, she sounds almost like Rei.
"Oh, okay. Well I'll see you later."
Tsunami watched as Hikari began to walk away. No, no. I don't care if I'm someone different. A part of me is still Asuka and I'm still her friend.
"Actually…I think I will join you Hikari."
"That's great. Come on then."
_____
Lunch...
Shinji, Touji, and Kensuke all sat together as usually eating their meals. While they did, they glanced over at Tsunami, who apparently was hanging around Hikari.
"I can't believe you. First Misato, then Asuka and now her. Jeez, you're a chick magnet, Shinji."
"Please, stop it."
Kensuke suddenly blinked and a worried expression grew on his face, "Um, Shinji. Is she...an Eva pilot?"
Shinji hesitated. One, he knew that Kensuke was intent on being an Eva pilot. Two, despite what Misato told him, it felt like he was lying. He didn't like deceiving his friends. No, I won't be lying. She really is an Eva pilot.
"......Yes."
Kensuke groaned, "Aw, damn I was missed again. Oh well, I guess it isn't too bad with a girl like that." He leaned over to Shinji, "Hey, do you think I have a chance with her?"
Touji laughed, "Yeah right. You have as much a chance with her as you would with Asuka."
"Hey, that's harsh. Anyway, I've done some checking and there's nothing on her. No ID, no prior school attendance. Nothing. A complete blank."
"So?"
"So? Doesn't that seem strange that there's nothing on a girl like that?"
Touji shrugged, "I guess. What do you think, Shinji?"
Shinji suddenly blinked and looked in there direction, "Huh, what?"
Both boys blinked at him and then snickered, "Well, it looks like the new girl already has Shinji wrapped around her finger."
Shinji frowned, "No, it's not like that. I was just...uhhh....was just..."
"Don't worry. I don't blame you. She's quite the looker. And she lives with you to top it off."
"Come on, that's enough." Shinji insisted, although it came out less forcefully than he wanted it to.
Touji noticed this, "What's up with you today? You've acting more down than usual."
"It's just…" How could he say this to them without telling the truth?
"This thing that Rei and Asuka is working on. I'm worried, that they won't come back."
This aroused strange looks from his friends, "What do you mean, won't come back? Is what they are doing dangerous?"
Shinji stammered, "Uhhh, no…well…" What are you doing, trying to give it away?, he scolded himself. "Oh never mind. It's just some feeling that I have."
Both boys gave him queer looks, but continued with their meal. Shinji quietly ate his food, but that did little to steady his already confused mind. And he was unaware of the dark violet eyes that gazed in his direction briefly.
Right after school…
(AN: Huff, huff. This is harder than I thought. But I'm not giving up now. Let me know what you think.)