Chapter 19
Thursday.
Asuka, Shinji, and Misato sit around the table in the apartment, eating dinner in silence. This is how meals had been for the 'family' ever since the 15th attacked.
"I'm done."
Asuka stands up and leaves the table. She walks into her room and closes the door. Shinji watches her the entire time. As her door closes, he stands up and heads to her room. He doesn't get far as his guardian stops him by placing a hand on his shoulder. Shinji turns to face Misato.
"But Misato."
"Shinji, she's been through hell during that last attack. She just needs some time to herself, ok?"
Shinji lets out a sigh and nods.
"Thanks, Shinji."
Later that evening.
The doorbell to the apartment rings.
"Shinji-kun, can you get the door, please?" asks Misato.
"Hai."
Shinji stands up from the couch and heads to the door. He opens the door, revealing Rei on the other side.
"Rei! Um, what are you doing here?"
"I.came to see how Asuka was doing."
"Oh, um, please come in."
"Thank you, Shinji."
Shinji steps aside, allowing Rei entrance to the apartment. Misato comes out of her room at that moment.
"Shinji-kun, who was at the door?"
She sees Rei in the living room.
"Oh! Hi Rei. What brings you here?"
"I came to see how Asuka was doing, Major."
"Well, she's fine, physically. Mentally, well, she just needs some time to herself to think and sort some things out."
"I see."
During this time, Shinji had gone into the kitchen to get their guest some tea. Shinji returned with a cup of tea and a can of Yebisu beer in hand. He hands Rei the tea and Misato the beer.
"Thank you, Shinji," says Rei with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"You're welcome Rei."
He turns to his guardian.
"I'll be right back, Misato. I have to do something."
"OK, Shinji-kun."
Shinji takes this opportunity to leave and head to his room.
"Major."
"Rei, when I'm off duty or not at NERV, you don't have to be formal. Just call me Misato, OK?"
Rei thinks for a moment.
"Yes,.Misato."
"That's better. Now, what did you want to ask me, Rei?"
"You had said that Asuka needed time alone, right?"
"Yes, I did."
Rei hesitates for a moment before saying anything.
"Would it be better for her if Shinji stayed at my apartment until she.sorts things out?"
Misato stares at the girl for a moment.
"I never thought of that, but I don't want to bother you with housing Shinji."
"It will not be a inconvenience, Misato."
Misato takes a drink of her beer as she thinks about the girl's offer.
"Well, I suppose it would be better for Asuka. She probably needs a few days to herself. You're sure that you don't mind?"
"I am sure."
"OK, then. I'll talk to Shinji about it. He will probably move in tomorrow"
"That is acceptable."
Rei stands up and heads to the door.
"Rei."
The blue-headed girl stops and turns to face Misato.
"Thanks."
"You are welcome, Misato."
She puts on her shoes and exits the apartment. Misato watches the girl leave.
"Now to talk to Shinji-kun."
She stands up and heads to his room.
At the same moment.
Shinji closes the door to his room behind him. He looks around his room and then heads to his dresser. Opening the middle drawer, he digs under his clothes for something. A small smile appears on his face as he finds the object. He removes his hand from the drawer and closes it. Shinji sits on his futon and gazes at the red ring box in his hand. Using his thumb, he opens the cover, revealing the ring within. He slowly turns the box so as to observe the ring from different angles.
"When should I ask her?" he whispers.
He continues to gaze at the ring until someone knocking at his door interrupts his thoughts.
"Shinji-kun?"
Shinji panics and looks around franticly for somewhere to hide the ring. He quickly closes the lid and shoves the ring box under his pillow.
"Y-yes, Misato?"
The door to his room opens and Misato steps inside. She sits next to the semi-nervous Shinji.
"Shinji-kun, are you alright?"
By this time Shinji had begun to sweat.
"No, I'm fine. It's just.hot. That's all."
"Yeah, it is kinda hot."
Shinji breathes a sigh of relief that his excuse was accepted.
"Did you want something Misato?"
"Oh, yeah. Well, you know how I was saying that Asuka needs some time to herself?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I was talking to Rei and she said that you could stay with her for a while, to give Asuka some time to herself."
Shinji blinks at his guardian.
"Rei.said that?"
"Yup. So, I just wanted to tell you that. I'll drop your stuff off at her apartment tomorrow and you can head there after school."
"But what about Asuka? Does she know?"
"Don't worry about her, Shinji-kun. I'll tell your girlfriend tomorrow."
Shinji blushes at the comment.
"Misato!!"
"He he. Now get your stuff packed. You'll probably stay with her for about a week."
Misato stands up and leaves Shinji to pack for the stay.
Shinji waits a few minutes after Misato had left before he brought the ring box back out.
"I guess I had better take this along, just incase."
He places the ring box in his pocket and begins to pack for his stay.
"I wonder why Rei offered to let me stay over? I guess she's becoming better friends with Asuka," he thinks.
He begins his task of packing.
The next day.
Shinji walks down the nearly empty streets of Tokyo 3 after school towards his destination.
"I hope Misato already dropped off my stuff."
He climbs the stairs of the old apartment complex, the sound of construction echoing in the distance.
"I still don't see why she lives here."
He stops in front of the door marked '402.' Numerous envelopes are stuffed into the slot at the bottom of the door. He turns to the handle to find that it was unlocked.
"I really should talk to Rei about locking her door," he thinks.
Shinji cautiously enters the small apartment, removing his shoes at the door. He glances around his temporary living area. A single bed was in the largest room, a lamp hanging above the head of it. On the wall next to he bed was a plain wooden dresser with a mirror attached to the wall. The next wall had a metal cabinet with a beaker of water sitting on top of it. The trashcan next to the cabinet was full of bloody bandages.
"Well, it's cleaner than the last time I was here."
He drops his bag against the wall and walks into the room. A single white box was sitting in a corner.
"At least my stuff's here."
Shinji turns and heads into the kitchen, exploring its contents. He finds a partially used jar of grape jam in the refrigerator, a half-used loaf of bread, and a can of tea leaves in the wooden cabinets. He lets out a sigh and glances at his watch.
"Rei said she had some tests at NERV, so that should give me enough time."
He puts on his shoes and exits the apartment.
Later.
Rei enters her apartment and removes her shoes. She notices the bag against the wall.
"Shinji must be here," she thinks.
She walks into the room and stops dead in her tracks. The once semi-brown walls were now an off-white color. Her bed had on a sky blue cover with matching pillowcase and blanket. The beaker of water was empty and upside down on the cabinet and the trashcan was empty. As she breathes in the air around her, she finds that it was a pleasant smell to it, not a musty odor like it had before. She also becomes aware of the smell of cooking coming from the kitchen. Slowly, she approaches the doorway and peers inside. She finds Shinji wearing an apron, standing in front of the stove stirring the contents a pan. Sensing her presence, he looks up from the pan and to the door.
"Oh, hi Rei! Dinner should be ready soon."
Rei feels the warmth in her cheeks rising.
"Shinji, what happened to my apartment?"
"Oh, well, I came here after school and decided to clean it. It's the least I could do for you allowing me to stay here."
"It looks.better."
"It was nothing."
"Especially compared to Misato's place," he thinks.
"You should have enough time to take a shower before dinner, Rei."
"Yes, I think I will do that."
Rei heads into her room, dropping off her bag and grabs her clothes, and heads into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
As Shinji dishes out the contents of the pan, he can hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.
"She's changed since I first met her," he thinks, "She's more.alive."
Misato's apartment.
Asuka walks around the apartment, looking for something.
"Misato, where's Shinji?"
Misato pokes her head out of the kitchen.
"Oh, he'll be staying with Rei for a while."
"WHAT?!?!"
Misato winces at her response.
"Why is HE staying with HER??"
"Well, Rei came over the other night and offered to let Shinji stay with her to give you some time to yourself to sort things out and stuff."
Asuka calms down a bit.
"She did that, for me?"
"Yup!"
"After the way I treated her, too," she thinks, "Guess she isn't that bad after all."
She heads off towards her room.
"At least I'll be able to see him when we have sync-training this weekend," she thinks happily.
The phone begins to ring. Misato turns off the stove and answers it.
"Hello?.Oh, hi Ritsuko! What can I do for you?..Yeah..uh, huh.ok, I'll be sure to tell them.thanks..bye."
Asuka pokes her head out of her room.
"Who was that, Misato?"
"That was Ritsuko."
"What did she want?"
"Just to say that she wants you in for testing Saturday and Sunday."
"What?! Why?"
"She said that she wants to run some tests on Unit 02 and you."
"Are Shinji and Rei coming, too?"
"Nope. She just wants you."
Asuka groans and heads to her bed.
"This day can't get any worse," she mumbles.
"Oh, by the way Asuka, dinner will be ready soon!"
Asuka freezes, a look of dread on her face.
"Y-You cooked, Misato?"
"Of course! Since Shinji isn't here, that means I'll have to handle the cooking."
She jumps onto her bed and buries her head in her pillow, suppressing a cry of aggravation.
Rei's Apartment.
Shinji started washing the dishes from their vegetarian stir fry and rice dinner. Rei watches him from outside of the kitchen door. She walks in, grabs the towel, and begins to dry the dishes. Shinji looks up at her and smiles.
"Thanks, Rei."
For the second time that day, she blushed.
"You're.welcome Shinji."
Shinji turns his attention back to washing and misses the increasing redness in her cheeks.
"Why does he make me feel this way?" she thinks, "But I can't because I'm."
Her train of thought is cut off as Shinji looks at her concerned.
"Rei, are you ok?"
"I am fine. I was just.thinking about something."
"Oh, ok."
Later that evening.
Shinji unfolds his sleeping bag on the floor next to the wall to the left of her bed. He is already dressed in his sleeping clothes, which consist of shorts and a tank top. After he unzips the sleeping bag, he digs through his belongings and pulls out his SDAT, placing it on his pillow. Shinji turns around as he hears the sound of footsteps behind him.
Rei casually walks pass Shinji and to her bed.
"Goodnight, Rei," says Shinji.
"Goodnight Shinji."
Shinji opens up the sleeping bag and starts to get inside, but stops when he hears the sound of ruffling clothes. Curious, he stops what he was doing and turns around to find Rei undressing herself.
"R-R-Rei! What are you.doing.?" he asks nervously.
She stops unbuttoning her blouse and looks at him curiously.
"I am preparing to sleep."
"Y-you sleep w-without any clothes on?"
"Yes. Does this.bother you?"
"Uh, um, don't you have any sleep clothes or something?"
"I have none. They didn't seem necessary. Why?"
"Um, well, it's just that it would be better if you slept with something on."
"You are embarrassed by this?"
"Er."
"But what would I wear? I have nothing else."
"H-hold on."
Shinji darts from his sleeping bag, tripping over it several times in the process. He rummages through his belongings and pulls out an over-sized shirt.
"You can borrow this."
Rei studies the shirt for a moment before taking it.
"Thank you."
Shinji heads back over to his sleeping bag and lies down. He puts his buds on and presses 'Play' on his SDAT.
Rei watches Shinji for a moment before removing the rest of her clothes, except for her undergarments and puts on the shirt. She feels the heat rising in her cheeks.
"Why do I feel like this?" she thinks, "It is just his shirt."
Unconsciously, she rubs the material between her fingers. She lies down in her bed, pulling the covers over her body. Various thoughts run through her mind as she falls asleep.
Sunday.
Shinji lies down on his sleeping bag. The room was quiet, except for the sound of the shower. He begins to reflect on the events of that weekend.
"Rei's changed a lot since I first met her," he thinks, "She's becoming more.open, more.alive."
He smirks at the last comment. Thoughts run through his mind about that weekend: showing Rei how to cook, helping her clean, and of redecorating her apartment at bit. The once plain apartment was now full of life. A vase of assorted flowers sits where the beaker of water once sat. Blue window shades hung over the windows. Several new dishes sat in the cabinets in the kitchen.
He glances at the clock.
"4 O'clock," he mumbles, "Better make dinner soon."
With a grunt, he sits himself upright on his sleeping bag and slowly stands up, stretching his back in the process. He turns towards the kitchen only to face a naked Rei.
"R-Rei?" he manages to get out as he tries to prevent his head from exploding due to all the blood rushing to his face.
Rei looks at the boy, a slight blush on her face.
"Shinji."
"Why do I feel like this? He has seen me naked before. Yet, I feel.uneasy under his gaze," she thinks.
"R-Rei, um, d-don't you think you should p-put some clothes on?" he asks nervously.
"Shinji.I."
"W-What is it, Rei?"
She takes a step towards him. Shinji can't do anything but stand where he is and use all of his might to keep him from looking lower then her head. By the time Shinji has gotten some of his senses back, Rei was standing a foot from him. He jumps back in surprise. Rei looks at him questionably.
"Do I.frighten you?"
Shinji takes a deep breath and regains most of his composure.
"No.it's just that you surprised me. That's all."
Rei accepts his answer. She looks at him for a moment before turning her head away from him, her face red.
"Shinji.do you find me.beautiful?"
Shinji looks at Rei curiously.
"Why would she ask me that?" he wonders.
"Of course I find you beautiful, Rei. Who wouldn't find you beautiful?"
Rei blushes even more at the compliment. She turns and embraces the young Ikari.
"Rei! What.?"
He doesn't get to finish as the blue-headed girl silences him by pressing her lips against his. His body goes stiff, but as he recovers from the shock of it all, he relaxes and settles into the kiss. Rei eventually breaks the kiss.
"Rei."
"Shinji.I.want to become one with you."
Shinji lets the words sink in, unsure of their meaning at first, then it strikes him like an N2 mine.
"Wait a minute Rei! We.we can't do this!"
"Why not?"
"Well, um, because.because we're still young!" he blurbs out.
"I thought this is what people do when they are in love?"
"Yes, no, I mean yeah, that's right."
"Then age should not matter."
"Rei.I can't."
Rei takes a step back from Shinji.
"Then you do not love me."
Tears begin to fill her eyes.
"No, I do love you, Rei. It's just.not in that way."
"What do you mean?"
"Rei, there are different kinds of love. Yes, I love you, but more like a friend. No, more than a friend, like a sister."
"And what of Asuka?"
"I love her as the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I really can't describe that kind of love."
"I see."
Rei turns and begins to walk away from him. She stops as Shinji places his hand on her shoulder.
"Rei.I'm sorry."
"It is alright, Shinji. I understand."
"I'm sure you'll find somebody. A beautiful girl like yourself shouldn't have that much trouble."
She turns around and smiles at him.
"Thank you, Shinji."
Rei kisses him on the cheek and walks into the bathroom to put on her clothes. Shinji stand there, gazing at the spot where she had stood.
"I'm sorry, Rei."
He heads to the kitchen to prepare their dinner.
Monday morning.
Rei groggily sits up in her bed, pushing her sheets off of her body. She looks out the window.
"The sun has just risen," she whispers.
She steps out of bed and carefully walks past the sleeping Shinji. As she heads to the bathroom, something catches her eye in the box filled with Shinji's belongings. Curious, she walks up to the box and carefully picks up the object. The light reflects off of the red boxes surface as Rei turns it in her hand. She opens the box and finds the ruby ring within. She glances at Shinji, then back at the ring.
"An engagement ring. It must be for her."
She quietly closes the box and places it back in his box.
"You are lucky to have him, Asuka."
School.
The lunch bell rings in classroom 2-A. The students rush out of the room, eager to escape the boring lecture of Second Impact, again, as well as to fill their stomachs. Room 2-A quickly empties out, leaving just Asuka and Rei in the room.
"Hey, Rei?"
Rei turns around to face her fellow pilot.
"Yes?"
"I just want to say, thanks."
Rei looks at her curiously.
"For what?"
"For putting up with Shinji and.for being my friend."
Rei can't help but smile at the girl that used to insult her at ever opportunity and not want to do anything with her. That same girl was now calling her a friend.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starved!" exclaims Asuka.
"Shall we go and eat?"
"Lets!"
The two Eva pilots exits the classroom, not as classmates or co-workers, but as friends.
Sorry about the delay on the release of this chapter!! I've been busy with work and Driver's Ed, plus I was away for 2 weeks for a competition, so I couldn't work on the chapter that entire time. Anyway, The next chapter will be up faster than this one. Hope you are all enjoying this fic as much as I am writing it. Don't forget to post reviews!!!!!!!
Thursday.
Asuka, Shinji, and Misato sit around the table in the apartment, eating dinner in silence. This is how meals had been for the 'family' ever since the 15th attacked.
"I'm done."
Asuka stands up and leaves the table. She walks into her room and closes the door. Shinji watches her the entire time. As her door closes, he stands up and heads to her room. He doesn't get far as his guardian stops him by placing a hand on his shoulder. Shinji turns to face Misato.
"But Misato."
"Shinji, she's been through hell during that last attack. She just needs some time to herself, ok?"
Shinji lets out a sigh and nods.
"Thanks, Shinji."
Later that evening.
The doorbell to the apartment rings.
"Shinji-kun, can you get the door, please?" asks Misato.
"Hai."
Shinji stands up from the couch and heads to the door. He opens the door, revealing Rei on the other side.
"Rei! Um, what are you doing here?"
"I.came to see how Asuka was doing."
"Oh, um, please come in."
"Thank you, Shinji."
Shinji steps aside, allowing Rei entrance to the apartment. Misato comes out of her room at that moment.
"Shinji-kun, who was at the door?"
She sees Rei in the living room.
"Oh! Hi Rei. What brings you here?"
"I came to see how Asuka was doing, Major."
"Well, she's fine, physically. Mentally, well, she just needs some time to herself to think and sort some things out."
"I see."
During this time, Shinji had gone into the kitchen to get their guest some tea. Shinji returned with a cup of tea and a can of Yebisu beer in hand. He hands Rei the tea and Misato the beer.
"Thank you, Shinji," says Rei with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"You're welcome Rei."
He turns to his guardian.
"I'll be right back, Misato. I have to do something."
"OK, Shinji-kun."
Shinji takes this opportunity to leave and head to his room.
"Major."
"Rei, when I'm off duty or not at NERV, you don't have to be formal. Just call me Misato, OK?"
Rei thinks for a moment.
"Yes,.Misato."
"That's better. Now, what did you want to ask me, Rei?"
"You had said that Asuka needed time alone, right?"
"Yes, I did."
Rei hesitates for a moment before saying anything.
"Would it be better for her if Shinji stayed at my apartment until she.sorts things out?"
Misato stares at the girl for a moment.
"I never thought of that, but I don't want to bother you with housing Shinji."
"It will not be a inconvenience, Misato."
Misato takes a drink of her beer as she thinks about the girl's offer.
"Well, I suppose it would be better for Asuka. She probably needs a few days to herself. You're sure that you don't mind?"
"I am sure."
"OK, then. I'll talk to Shinji about it. He will probably move in tomorrow"
"That is acceptable."
Rei stands up and heads to the door.
"Rei."
The blue-headed girl stops and turns to face Misato.
"Thanks."
"You are welcome, Misato."
She puts on her shoes and exits the apartment. Misato watches the girl leave.
"Now to talk to Shinji-kun."
She stands up and heads to his room.
At the same moment.
Shinji closes the door to his room behind him. He looks around his room and then heads to his dresser. Opening the middle drawer, he digs under his clothes for something. A small smile appears on his face as he finds the object. He removes his hand from the drawer and closes it. Shinji sits on his futon and gazes at the red ring box in his hand. Using his thumb, he opens the cover, revealing the ring within. He slowly turns the box so as to observe the ring from different angles.
"When should I ask her?" he whispers.
He continues to gaze at the ring until someone knocking at his door interrupts his thoughts.
"Shinji-kun?"
Shinji panics and looks around franticly for somewhere to hide the ring. He quickly closes the lid and shoves the ring box under his pillow.
"Y-yes, Misato?"
The door to his room opens and Misato steps inside. She sits next to the semi-nervous Shinji.
"Shinji-kun, are you alright?"
By this time Shinji had begun to sweat.
"No, I'm fine. It's just.hot. That's all."
"Yeah, it is kinda hot."
Shinji breathes a sigh of relief that his excuse was accepted.
"Did you want something Misato?"
"Oh, yeah. Well, you know how I was saying that Asuka needs some time to herself?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I was talking to Rei and she said that you could stay with her for a while, to give Asuka some time to herself."
Shinji blinks at his guardian.
"Rei.said that?"
"Yup. So, I just wanted to tell you that. I'll drop your stuff off at her apartment tomorrow and you can head there after school."
"But what about Asuka? Does she know?"
"Don't worry about her, Shinji-kun. I'll tell your girlfriend tomorrow."
Shinji blushes at the comment.
"Misato!!"
"He he. Now get your stuff packed. You'll probably stay with her for about a week."
Misato stands up and leaves Shinji to pack for the stay.
Shinji waits a few minutes after Misato had left before he brought the ring box back out.
"I guess I had better take this along, just incase."
He places the ring box in his pocket and begins to pack for his stay.
"I wonder why Rei offered to let me stay over? I guess she's becoming better friends with Asuka," he thinks.
He begins his task of packing.
The next day.
Shinji walks down the nearly empty streets of Tokyo 3 after school towards his destination.
"I hope Misato already dropped off my stuff."
He climbs the stairs of the old apartment complex, the sound of construction echoing in the distance.
"I still don't see why she lives here."
He stops in front of the door marked '402.' Numerous envelopes are stuffed into the slot at the bottom of the door. He turns to the handle to find that it was unlocked.
"I really should talk to Rei about locking her door," he thinks.
Shinji cautiously enters the small apartment, removing his shoes at the door. He glances around his temporary living area. A single bed was in the largest room, a lamp hanging above the head of it. On the wall next to he bed was a plain wooden dresser with a mirror attached to the wall. The next wall had a metal cabinet with a beaker of water sitting on top of it. The trashcan next to the cabinet was full of bloody bandages.
"Well, it's cleaner than the last time I was here."
He drops his bag against the wall and walks into the room. A single white box was sitting in a corner.
"At least my stuff's here."
Shinji turns and heads into the kitchen, exploring its contents. He finds a partially used jar of grape jam in the refrigerator, a half-used loaf of bread, and a can of tea leaves in the wooden cabinets. He lets out a sigh and glances at his watch.
"Rei said she had some tests at NERV, so that should give me enough time."
He puts on his shoes and exits the apartment.
Later.
Rei enters her apartment and removes her shoes. She notices the bag against the wall.
"Shinji must be here," she thinks.
She walks into the room and stops dead in her tracks. The once semi-brown walls were now an off-white color. Her bed had on a sky blue cover with matching pillowcase and blanket. The beaker of water was empty and upside down on the cabinet and the trashcan was empty. As she breathes in the air around her, she finds that it was a pleasant smell to it, not a musty odor like it had before. She also becomes aware of the smell of cooking coming from the kitchen. Slowly, she approaches the doorway and peers inside. She finds Shinji wearing an apron, standing in front of the stove stirring the contents a pan. Sensing her presence, he looks up from the pan and to the door.
"Oh, hi Rei! Dinner should be ready soon."
Rei feels the warmth in her cheeks rising.
"Shinji, what happened to my apartment?"
"Oh, well, I came here after school and decided to clean it. It's the least I could do for you allowing me to stay here."
"It looks.better."
"It was nothing."
"Especially compared to Misato's place," he thinks.
"You should have enough time to take a shower before dinner, Rei."
"Yes, I think I will do that."
Rei heads into her room, dropping off her bag and grabs her clothes, and heads into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
As Shinji dishes out the contents of the pan, he can hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.
"She's changed since I first met her," he thinks, "She's more.alive."
Misato's apartment.
Asuka walks around the apartment, looking for something.
"Misato, where's Shinji?"
Misato pokes her head out of the kitchen.
"Oh, he'll be staying with Rei for a while."
"WHAT?!?!"
Misato winces at her response.
"Why is HE staying with HER??"
"Well, Rei came over the other night and offered to let Shinji stay with her to give you some time to yourself to sort things out and stuff."
Asuka calms down a bit.
"She did that, for me?"
"Yup!"
"After the way I treated her, too," she thinks, "Guess she isn't that bad after all."
She heads off towards her room.
"At least I'll be able to see him when we have sync-training this weekend," she thinks happily.
The phone begins to ring. Misato turns off the stove and answers it.
"Hello?.Oh, hi Ritsuko! What can I do for you?..Yeah..uh, huh.ok, I'll be sure to tell them.thanks..bye."
Asuka pokes her head out of her room.
"Who was that, Misato?"
"That was Ritsuko."
"What did she want?"
"Just to say that she wants you in for testing Saturday and Sunday."
"What?! Why?"
"She said that she wants to run some tests on Unit 02 and you."
"Are Shinji and Rei coming, too?"
"Nope. She just wants you."
Asuka groans and heads to her bed.
"This day can't get any worse," she mumbles.
"Oh, by the way Asuka, dinner will be ready soon!"
Asuka freezes, a look of dread on her face.
"Y-You cooked, Misato?"
"Of course! Since Shinji isn't here, that means I'll have to handle the cooking."
She jumps onto her bed and buries her head in her pillow, suppressing a cry of aggravation.
Rei's Apartment.
Shinji started washing the dishes from their vegetarian stir fry and rice dinner. Rei watches him from outside of the kitchen door. She walks in, grabs the towel, and begins to dry the dishes. Shinji looks up at her and smiles.
"Thanks, Rei."
For the second time that day, she blushed.
"You're.welcome Shinji."
Shinji turns his attention back to washing and misses the increasing redness in her cheeks.
"Why does he make me feel this way?" she thinks, "But I can't because I'm."
Her train of thought is cut off as Shinji looks at her concerned.
"Rei, are you ok?"
"I am fine. I was just.thinking about something."
"Oh, ok."
Later that evening.
Shinji unfolds his sleeping bag on the floor next to the wall to the left of her bed. He is already dressed in his sleeping clothes, which consist of shorts and a tank top. After he unzips the sleeping bag, he digs through his belongings and pulls out his SDAT, placing it on his pillow. Shinji turns around as he hears the sound of footsteps behind him.
Rei casually walks pass Shinji and to her bed.
"Goodnight, Rei," says Shinji.
"Goodnight Shinji."
Shinji opens up the sleeping bag and starts to get inside, but stops when he hears the sound of ruffling clothes. Curious, he stops what he was doing and turns around to find Rei undressing herself.
"R-R-Rei! What are you.doing.?" he asks nervously.
She stops unbuttoning her blouse and looks at him curiously.
"I am preparing to sleep."
"Y-you sleep w-without any clothes on?"
"Yes. Does this.bother you?"
"Uh, um, don't you have any sleep clothes or something?"
"I have none. They didn't seem necessary. Why?"
"Um, well, it's just that it would be better if you slept with something on."
"You are embarrassed by this?"
"Er."
"But what would I wear? I have nothing else."
"H-hold on."
Shinji darts from his sleeping bag, tripping over it several times in the process. He rummages through his belongings and pulls out an over-sized shirt.
"You can borrow this."
Rei studies the shirt for a moment before taking it.
"Thank you."
Shinji heads back over to his sleeping bag and lies down. He puts his buds on and presses 'Play' on his SDAT.
Rei watches Shinji for a moment before removing the rest of her clothes, except for her undergarments and puts on the shirt. She feels the heat rising in her cheeks.
"Why do I feel like this?" she thinks, "It is just his shirt."
Unconsciously, she rubs the material between her fingers. She lies down in her bed, pulling the covers over her body. Various thoughts run through her mind as she falls asleep.
Sunday.
Shinji lies down on his sleeping bag. The room was quiet, except for the sound of the shower. He begins to reflect on the events of that weekend.
"Rei's changed a lot since I first met her," he thinks, "She's becoming more.open, more.alive."
He smirks at the last comment. Thoughts run through his mind about that weekend: showing Rei how to cook, helping her clean, and of redecorating her apartment at bit. The once plain apartment was now full of life. A vase of assorted flowers sits where the beaker of water once sat. Blue window shades hung over the windows. Several new dishes sat in the cabinets in the kitchen.
He glances at the clock.
"4 O'clock," he mumbles, "Better make dinner soon."
With a grunt, he sits himself upright on his sleeping bag and slowly stands up, stretching his back in the process. He turns towards the kitchen only to face a naked Rei.
"R-Rei?" he manages to get out as he tries to prevent his head from exploding due to all the blood rushing to his face.
Rei looks at the boy, a slight blush on her face.
"Shinji."
"Why do I feel like this? He has seen me naked before. Yet, I feel.uneasy under his gaze," she thinks.
"R-Rei, um, d-don't you think you should p-put some clothes on?" he asks nervously.
"Shinji.I."
"W-What is it, Rei?"
She takes a step towards him. Shinji can't do anything but stand where he is and use all of his might to keep him from looking lower then her head. By the time Shinji has gotten some of his senses back, Rei was standing a foot from him. He jumps back in surprise. Rei looks at him questionably.
"Do I.frighten you?"
Shinji takes a deep breath and regains most of his composure.
"No.it's just that you surprised me. That's all."
Rei accepts his answer. She looks at him for a moment before turning her head away from him, her face red.
"Shinji.do you find me.beautiful?"
Shinji looks at Rei curiously.
"Why would she ask me that?" he wonders.
"Of course I find you beautiful, Rei. Who wouldn't find you beautiful?"
Rei blushes even more at the compliment. She turns and embraces the young Ikari.
"Rei! What.?"
He doesn't get to finish as the blue-headed girl silences him by pressing her lips against his. His body goes stiff, but as he recovers from the shock of it all, he relaxes and settles into the kiss. Rei eventually breaks the kiss.
"Rei."
"Shinji.I.want to become one with you."
Shinji lets the words sink in, unsure of their meaning at first, then it strikes him like an N2 mine.
"Wait a minute Rei! We.we can't do this!"
"Why not?"
"Well, um, because.because we're still young!" he blurbs out.
"I thought this is what people do when they are in love?"
"Yes, no, I mean yeah, that's right."
"Then age should not matter."
"Rei.I can't."
Rei takes a step back from Shinji.
"Then you do not love me."
Tears begin to fill her eyes.
"No, I do love you, Rei. It's just.not in that way."
"What do you mean?"
"Rei, there are different kinds of love. Yes, I love you, but more like a friend. No, more than a friend, like a sister."
"And what of Asuka?"
"I love her as the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I really can't describe that kind of love."
"I see."
Rei turns and begins to walk away from him. She stops as Shinji places his hand on her shoulder.
"Rei.I'm sorry."
"It is alright, Shinji. I understand."
"I'm sure you'll find somebody. A beautiful girl like yourself shouldn't have that much trouble."
She turns around and smiles at him.
"Thank you, Shinji."
Rei kisses him on the cheek and walks into the bathroom to put on her clothes. Shinji stand there, gazing at the spot where she had stood.
"I'm sorry, Rei."
He heads to the kitchen to prepare their dinner.
Monday morning.
Rei groggily sits up in her bed, pushing her sheets off of her body. She looks out the window.
"The sun has just risen," she whispers.
She steps out of bed and carefully walks past the sleeping Shinji. As she heads to the bathroom, something catches her eye in the box filled with Shinji's belongings. Curious, she walks up to the box and carefully picks up the object. The light reflects off of the red boxes surface as Rei turns it in her hand. She opens the box and finds the ruby ring within. She glances at Shinji, then back at the ring.
"An engagement ring. It must be for her."
She quietly closes the box and places it back in his box.
"You are lucky to have him, Asuka."
School.
The lunch bell rings in classroom 2-A. The students rush out of the room, eager to escape the boring lecture of Second Impact, again, as well as to fill their stomachs. Room 2-A quickly empties out, leaving just Asuka and Rei in the room.
"Hey, Rei?"
Rei turns around to face her fellow pilot.
"Yes?"
"I just want to say, thanks."
Rei looks at her curiously.
"For what?"
"For putting up with Shinji and.for being my friend."
Rei can't help but smile at the girl that used to insult her at ever opportunity and not want to do anything with her. That same girl was now calling her a friend.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starved!" exclaims Asuka.
"Shall we go and eat?"
"Lets!"
The two Eva pilots exits the classroom, not as classmates or co-workers, but as friends.
Sorry about the delay on the release of this chapter!! I've been busy with work and Driver's Ed, plus I was away for 2 weeks for a competition, so I couldn't work on the chapter that entire time. Anyway, The next chapter will be up faster than this one. Hope you are all enjoying this fic as much as I am writing it. Don't forget to post reviews!!!!!!!