CHAPTER 11
"AHH don't touch me you pervert! Kaji help me!" Asuka screamed hanging up the mobile phone. "That ought to do it" she said satisfied with herself as the class rep walked over to her.
"Are you OK Asuka?" she asked and Asuka sighed banging her head on the wall.
"No I want to go out tomorrow with Kaji but he is always busy. I keep calling and calling him but he is never there anymore" she said sorrowfully.
"So you will be available tomorrow?" the class rep asked happily and Asuka looked over at her cautiously.
"Yeah"
"Great then I have a favour to ask you" she smiled. "You see I have this cousin who wants to go out on a date with you so could you please?"
"WHAT? Go out on a date?" Asuka screamed and the class rep put on puppy dog eyes.
"Please!"
"Fine"
* * *
Later that night Asuka and Mia were lying on the floor in front of the TV watching a soap opera while stuffing their faces with chips.
"You're the one who caused us to break up!" the girl on the TV said slapping the guys face.
"Ha, you go girl" Mia laughed putting chips in her mouth.
"I am home!"" Misato called out walking into the lounge room and seeing Mia and Asuka watching TV. Asuka was lying upside down while Mia was just lying on her stomach.
"What's happening?" Asuka asked.
"I know and I regret that," the guy on the TV said holding his face.
"You had better go to bed Asuka, don't you have a date tomorrow?" Misato asked and Asuka rolled her eyes.
"Yeah with some med student" she said rather unenthusiastically and Mia giggled. "Hey shut up"
"I am sorry" Mia apologized before laughing again.
"Oh Misato" Asuka sat up and threw the chips at Mia who had to cover her face in a pillow to stop her laughing so loudly. "Can I use your lavender perfume?"
"Absolutely not" Misato snapped.
"Oh meanie" Asuka said looking away.
"It is just not for kids" Misato said changing into her pajamas as Mia tried to control herself. "Is Shinji in his room?"
"Yeah, he has been shut up in their since he got home" Asuka answered. "I don't think he wants to meet his father. If he hates him so much why doesn't he just say so?"
"He hates his father?" Mia asked.
"He doesn't really hate him. That's the problem" Misato said doing up her top and walking towards Shinji's room.
"Shinji?" she called out and Mia tried to fight Asuka for the rest of the chips. Asuka won and Mia got up walking over to the cupboard.
"This stupid girl still likes the guy, it is obvious" Asuka said referring to the soap opera stars on the TV.
"Stupid eh? She need to move on," Mia laughed opening a new bag of chips. "Unlike you and med boy"
"Shut up Mia!" Asuka threw the pillow at her.
* * * * *
The next day Mia was left with Pen-pen as each of the others left one after the other. Pen-pen looked sad.
"Don't be sad, I won't bother you" Mia smiled grabbing her book and a piece of toast looking forward to bludging the whole day away.
At about 2 o'clock Mia put her 2nd book down and stretched her arms above her head. She took her glasses off and placed them on top of her book walking over to where her piano was. She touched the black wooden top and lifted the lid that had sunlight beaming over its glossy surface.
Her fingers touched the keys lightly as she began to play a song that reflected how she felt, sorrowful and emptiness. The tune was slow and loud as she hit the foot peddles slowly moving her hands across the keys loosing herself in the music.
She closed her eyes and kept playing not noticing Shinji come in. He stood there for a moment watching her play. Her fingers moved magically over the keys with her waving brown hair reflecting the sunlight. He recognized the tune and tiptoed into his room grabbing his cello.
He slid a chair out silently and positioned his fingers waiting for her to start the next verse as she did he began to play adding the deep sound of the cello with the piano strings. Mia's heart thumped as she heard the cello looking at Shinji's reflection on the piano cover. She smiled continuing to play as he backed her up, the song was so much better with the cello in the background and she felt sad as the song came to a stop.
She turned around to find Shinji with a slight tear in his eye. Just as she did he wiped his eye with his hand breathing out loudly.
"I didn't know you played" she smiled. "Why are you sad?"
"I went to my mothers grave today and talked to my father properly" he answered. "I can sometimes get caught up in the music"
"Me too. I reckon my worst is the 'Moonlight Sonata' by Beethoven. I just find it a powerful song," she said and he nodded. "The cello is beautiful," she said getting up and crouching beside it running her fingers along the wooden body.
"Your fingers are long, you would play it well," he said almost kicking himself for saying that.
"Really?" she asked and he smiled.
"Yeah, I can show you how if you like" he said pulling a stool over in front of him. Mia blushed at first but got up and sat on the stool. He handed her the bow and the cello as she placed her fingers on the strings. She slid the bow over the strings and the cello screeched.
"On second thoughts I don't think so" Mia said taking the bow off the strings.
"No hold on a minute" Shinji said pulling his seat right up behind the stool. He took her hand that she was holding the bow with and placed his other hand n top of hers.
"Let my hand lead and yours follow," he said and she bit her lip as he put her fingers on the strings pushing down on them. He then guided her hand hat was holding the bow over the strings. It screeched again and Mia sighed.
"Damn it" she snapped.
"Just relax will you, you're trying to strangle it. Just be firm with it rather than trying to kill it," he said and they tried again. This time there was a different reaction. The cello hummed a deep tune and Mia tied to let Shinji lead her hands over the strings. It almost felt as if he was playing through her, as if she was piloting unit 01. The cello continued to hum deep sounds like raising the souls and Mia felt almost depressed when the song finished.
"See you could do it" Shinji smiled and she turned to face him. It was a strange feeling that caught her, as she was only one centimeter from his face, their noses were almost touching as they just stared at one another for a while before Shinji leaned towards her. She closed her eyes as his lips lightly touched hers. She let him kiss her feeling that it was wrong because if this meant anything to him it could affect their piloting.
It was weird because although she new the consequences she didn't pull away and neither did he. Minutes went by before he stopped kissing her and she opened her eyes to find him almost beetroot in the face.
"So what was that song you mentioned before? The moonlight Sonata?" he asked awkwardly and she nodded.
"Do you know it?" she asked.
"Yeah" he squeaked and she got up moving her stool away. She handed him the bow and sat at the piano beginning the song. At the beginning of the first verse he began to play as well. His heart was almost pounding a hole into him. 'Did she mean anything y kissing him back?' 'Did he mean something by kissing her?" 'would it affect their piloting?'. Many thoughts rushed through his head but suddenly as he listened to the music his heart ached as memories of his mother came back again.
Mia pressed harder on the keys and the piano played louder. She could feel her home memories boring into her soul again ad she felt like screaming. No, she couldn't feel anymore suffering; she didn't want to see those memories anymore. All she wanted to do was forget them. She could hear Shinji sniffing almost behind her as she held back her own tears. The song came to a close and she took her shaky hands away from the keys resting them on her lap trembling from head to toe.
A sudden clapping made them both jump as Asuka appeared behind them.
"That was really good, I didn't know you played," she said looking at Shinji who was rubbing his eyes on his sleeve.
"I started playing when I was five, but I am not very good." he said getting u and putting the cello away.
"I figured you played because you came with the piano," Asuka said and Mia nodded closing the lid on the piano and grabbing a soda from the fridge.
"You're back pretty early Asuka, how was the date?" Shinji asked as Mia picked up her glasses and a book.
"Boring" she moaned.
"I thought you were having dinner with him too?" Mia smirked leaning on the doorframe.
"Well while e was waiting in line for the roller coaster I just left" she said merely.
"That's kind of harsh" Shinji said.
"Oh, Kaji is the only real man in my life" she sighed lying on the floor and Mia walked into her room searching for another book.
About 2 hours later the phone rang and Asuka stared at Shinji. "Go get it" she snapped lying back down on the lounge. Mia was on the other just reading another book.
"Hey Misato.Right.OK.See you later" Shinji hung up and walked back over into the lounge room sitting on the floor.
"Who was it?" Asuka asked.
"Misato, she'll be late so she said not t wait up for her" Shinji passed on the message.
"What! So she wont be back until tomorrow morning?" Asuka said drying her hair with the towel that she had just unwrapped from around he head.
"I don't think so, she was a bit out of it" Shinji answered. After another hour of boredom, Shinji was reading a manga in the doorway of his room and Mia was spread out in the lounge room with homework all around her.
"Hey Shinji, you want to kiss me?" Asuka asked and Mia's ears picked up. Her glasses slid down her nose and she pushed them back up again.
"What?" Shinji said sitting upright.
"You know kissing, you have never kissed a girl before?" Asuka asked and Mia covered her mouth from laughing. Shinji looked over at Mia biting his lip but she urged him on almost. He nodded at Asuka.
"So let's do it" Asuka said getting up and Shinji freaked.
"But why?" he asked cowering back.
"Because I am bored," he said rolling her eyes.
"Don't you have homework or something?" Shinji asked her.
"What is it? Are you afraid to kiss a girl on the anniversary of your mother's death? Is she watching you from heaven?" Asuka snapped cruelly.
"It is not that." Shinji said acquiescently.
"Or are you scared?" she smirked.
"I am not scared!" Shinji said getting up.
"You brushed your teeth right?" Asuka asked and he nodded Mia watched on wishing that she had a camera but also feeling a speck of jealousy. Shinji nodded. "Then here I come" she strutted forward and stopped right in front of him. They both stared at each other as Mia let her glasses slide down her nose and watched on.
Asuka leaned in and Shinji closed his eyes tightly as if it was a kiss of death. Suddenly Asuka pulled back and Mia was going to scream through anticipation.
"Stop breathing it tickles me," she said grabbing his nose with her fingers and pinching it. She then push forward and started kissing him while Mia held her breath as well afraid to laugh. She watched on as Shinji went the colour of a tomato, the fridge door opened and Pen-pen walked out looking up at them before closing the door going back inside the fridge.
Mia half snorted into her hands as Shinji went a blue green colour. His fists were clenched near his hipbone twitching. Mia nearly exploded in laughter as they looked like Siamese twins joined at the head because both of their arms were by their sides except Asuka's that was still holding onto Shinji's nose. Shinji finally pulled back gasping for breath and Mia finally lost control of her rolling on the floor in hysterical laughter.
"EW!" Asuka screamed running into the bathroom and brushing her teeth. She began to gargle as Mia finally clamed down and Shinji sat back on the floor sighing.
"I should never kiss to pass time!" she moaned gargling more. Shinji looked over at Mia who had stopped laughing and started reading again.
"Hey Mia" he finally asked after staring at her for a while.
"Mmhmm" she looked up from her book.
"Why do you read all of the time, I mean I read but not every waking moment" Shinji asked.
"I guess I just like the fact that a book can take you away from what is real, it an take you into another person's life in which you can live their life rather than your own. I guess it just helps me escape," she said shrugging.
"Maybe I should read more" Shinji muttered under his breath. He heard a woman's voice and a man's coming from outside and opened the door. "Kaji," he said and Asuka pushed passed him.
"KAJI!" Asuka screamed happily.
"Hi Mr. Kaji" Mia said politely bowing as he came in carrying Misato. He placed Misato on her bed before walking out to where the children were.
"Now Mia it is not Mr. Kaji, you do not work for me. Just call me Kaji," he said smiling and she nodded.
"Kaji" she said.
"Well I will be leaving now," he said pulling his jacket down.
"Why don't you just stay with us?" Asuka smiled sweetly but he shook his head.
"I would never live it down if I went to work dressed like this" he said referring to his suit.
"Awe you could do it" Asuka said following him while Shinji and Mia just stood watching her. "Come on Kaji"
"Later Asuka" he snapped and she let go of his arm feeling disappointed.
"Lavender perfume" she whispered and Mia walked over to her wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulder.
"Take care of Misato" Kaji said closing the door.
"What's wrong Asuka?" Shinji asked. "You look sad"
"That's because you kissed me!" she screeched pulling away from Mia and storming off into her room. Shinji shrugged walking passed Mia.
"I am going to bed," she said quietly walking to her bedroom door. Shinji stopped at his sliding the door open. "Oh Shinji." Mia stopped him and he faced her.
"Yeah" he said looking over at her.
"You're not that bad of a kisser, Asuka is just angry and upset" Mia said comfortingly and he smiled.
"Thanks Mia" he smiled back as she walked into his room.
"AHH don't touch me you pervert! Kaji help me!" Asuka screamed hanging up the mobile phone. "That ought to do it" she said satisfied with herself as the class rep walked over to her.
"Are you OK Asuka?" she asked and Asuka sighed banging her head on the wall.
"No I want to go out tomorrow with Kaji but he is always busy. I keep calling and calling him but he is never there anymore" she said sorrowfully.
"So you will be available tomorrow?" the class rep asked happily and Asuka looked over at her cautiously.
"Yeah"
"Great then I have a favour to ask you" she smiled. "You see I have this cousin who wants to go out on a date with you so could you please?"
"WHAT? Go out on a date?" Asuka screamed and the class rep put on puppy dog eyes.
"Please!"
"Fine"
* * *
Later that night Asuka and Mia were lying on the floor in front of the TV watching a soap opera while stuffing their faces with chips.
"You're the one who caused us to break up!" the girl on the TV said slapping the guys face.
"Ha, you go girl" Mia laughed putting chips in her mouth.
"I am home!"" Misato called out walking into the lounge room and seeing Mia and Asuka watching TV. Asuka was lying upside down while Mia was just lying on her stomach.
"What's happening?" Asuka asked.
"I know and I regret that," the guy on the TV said holding his face.
"You had better go to bed Asuka, don't you have a date tomorrow?" Misato asked and Asuka rolled her eyes.
"Yeah with some med student" she said rather unenthusiastically and Mia giggled. "Hey shut up"
"I am sorry" Mia apologized before laughing again.
"Oh Misato" Asuka sat up and threw the chips at Mia who had to cover her face in a pillow to stop her laughing so loudly. "Can I use your lavender perfume?"
"Absolutely not" Misato snapped.
"Oh meanie" Asuka said looking away.
"It is just not for kids" Misato said changing into her pajamas as Mia tried to control herself. "Is Shinji in his room?"
"Yeah, he has been shut up in their since he got home" Asuka answered. "I don't think he wants to meet his father. If he hates him so much why doesn't he just say so?"
"He hates his father?" Mia asked.
"He doesn't really hate him. That's the problem" Misato said doing up her top and walking towards Shinji's room.
"Shinji?" she called out and Mia tried to fight Asuka for the rest of the chips. Asuka won and Mia got up walking over to the cupboard.
"This stupid girl still likes the guy, it is obvious" Asuka said referring to the soap opera stars on the TV.
"Stupid eh? She need to move on," Mia laughed opening a new bag of chips. "Unlike you and med boy"
"Shut up Mia!" Asuka threw the pillow at her.
* * * * *
The next day Mia was left with Pen-pen as each of the others left one after the other. Pen-pen looked sad.
"Don't be sad, I won't bother you" Mia smiled grabbing her book and a piece of toast looking forward to bludging the whole day away.
At about 2 o'clock Mia put her 2nd book down and stretched her arms above her head. She took her glasses off and placed them on top of her book walking over to where her piano was. She touched the black wooden top and lifted the lid that had sunlight beaming over its glossy surface.
Her fingers touched the keys lightly as she began to play a song that reflected how she felt, sorrowful and emptiness. The tune was slow and loud as she hit the foot peddles slowly moving her hands across the keys loosing herself in the music.
She closed her eyes and kept playing not noticing Shinji come in. He stood there for a moment watching her play. Her fingers moved magically over the keys with her waving brown hair reflecting the sunlight. He recognized the tune and tiptoed into his room grabbing his cello.
He slid a chair out silently and positioned his fingers waiting for her to start the next verse as she did he began to play adding the deep sound of the cello with the piano strings. Mia's heart thumped as she heard the cello looking at Shinji's reflection on the piano cover. She smiled continuing to play as he backed her up, the song was so much better with the cello in the background and she felt sad as the song came to a stop.
She turned around to find Shinji with a slight tear in his eye. Just as she did he wiped his eye with his hand breathing out loudly.
"I didn't know you played" she smiled. "Why are you sad?"
"I went to my mothers grave today and talked to my father properly" he answered. "I can sometimes get caught up in the music"
"Me too. I reckon my worst is the 'Moonlight Sonata' by Beethoven. I just find it a powerful song," she said and he nodded. "The cello is beautiful," she said getting up and crouching beside it running her fingers along the wooden body.
"Your fingers are long, you would play it well," he said almost kicking himself for saying that.
"Really?" she asked and he smiled.
"Yeah, I can show you how if you like" he said pulling a stool over in front of him. Mia blushed at first but got up and sat on the stool. He handed her the bow and the cello as she placed her fingers on the strings. She slid the bow over the strings and the cello screeched.
"On second thoughts I don't think so" Mia said taking the bow off the strings.
"No hold on a minute" Shinji said pulling his seat right up behind the stool. He took her hand that she was holding the bow with and placed his other hand n top of hers.
"Let my hand lead and yours follow," he said and she bit her lip as he put her fingers on the strings pushing down on them. He then guided her hand hat was holding the bow over the strings. It screeched again and Mia sighed.
"Damn it" she snapped.
"Just relax will you, you're trying to strangle it. Just be firm with it rather than trying to kill it," he said and they tried again. This time there was a different reaction. The cello hummed a deep tune and Mia tied to let Shinji lead her hands over the strings. It almost felt as if he was playing through her, as if she was piloting unit 01. The cello continued to hum deep sounds like raising the souls and Mia felt almost depressed when the song finished.
"See you could do it" Shinji smiled and she turned to face him. It was a strange feeling that caught her, as she was only one centimeter from his face, their noses were almost touching as they just stared at one another for a while before Shinji leaned towards her. She closed her eyes as his lips lightly touched hers. She let him kiss her feeling that it was wrong because if this meant anything to him it could affect their piloting.
It was weird because although she new the consequences she didn't pull away and neither did he. Minutes went by before he stopped kissing her and she opened her eyes to find him almost beetroot in the face.
"So what was that song you mentioned before? The moonlight Sonata?" he asked awkwardly and she nodded.
"Do you know it?" she asked.
"Yeah" he squeaked and she got up moving her stool away. She handed him the bow and sat at the piano beginning the song. At the beginning of the first verse he began to play as well. His heart was almost pounding a hole into him. 'Did she mean anything y kissing him back?' 'Did he mean something by kissing her?" 'would it affect their piloting?'. Many thoughts rushed through his head but suddenly as he listened to the music his heart ached as memories of his mother came back again.
Mia pressed harder on the keys and the piano played louder. She could feel her home memories boring into her soul again ad she felt like screaming. No, she couldn't feel anymore suffering; she didn't want to see those memories anymore. All she wanted to do was forget them. She could hear Shinji sniffing almost behind her as she held back her own tears. The song came to a close and she took her shaky hands away from the keys resting them on her lap trembling from head to toe.
A sudden clapping made them both jump as Asuka appeared behind them.
"That was really good, I didn't know you played," she said looking at Shinji who was rubbing his eyes on his sleeve.
"I started playing when I was five, but I am not very good." he said getting u and putting the cello away.
"I figured you played because you came with the piano," Asuka said and Mia nodded closing the lid on the piano and grabbing a soda from the fridge.
"You're back pretty early Asuka, how was the date?" Shinji asked as Mia picked up her glasses and a book.
"Boring" she moaned.
"I thought you were having dinner with him too?" Mia smirked leaning on the doorframe.
"Well while e was waiting in line for the roller coaster I just left" she said merely.
"That's kind of harsh" Shinji said.
"Oh, Kaji is the only real man in my life" she sighed lying on the floor and Mia walked into her room searching for another book.
About 2 hours later the phone rang and Asuka stared at Shinji. "Go get it" she snapped lying back down on the lounge. Mia was on the other just reading another book.
"Hey Misato.Right.OK.See you later" Shinji hung up and walked back over into the lounge room sitting on the floor.
"Who was it?" Asuka asked.
"Misato, she'll be late so she said not t wait up for her" Shinji passed on the message.
"What! So she wont be back until tomorrow morning?" Asuka said drying her hair with the towel that she had just unwrapped from around he head.
"I don't think so, she was a bit out of it" Shinji answered. After another hour of boredom, Shinji was reading a manga in the doorway of his room and Mia was spread out in the lounge room with homework all around her.
"Hey Shinji, you want to kiss me?" Asuka asked and Mia's ears picked up. Her glasses slid down her nose and she pushed them back up again.
"What?" Shinji said sitting upright.
"You know kissing, you have never kissed a girl before?" Asuka asked and Mia covered her mouth from laughing. Shinji looked over at Mia biting his lip but she urged him on almost. He nodded at Asuka.
"So let's do it" Asuka said getting up and Shinji freaked.
"But why?" he asked cowering back.
"Because I am bored," he said rolling her eyes.
"Don't you have homework or something?" Shinji asked her.
"What is it? Are you afraid to kiss a girl on the anniversary of your mother's death? Is she watching you from heaven?" Asuka snapped cruelly.
"It is not that." Shinji said acquiescently.
"Or are you scared?" she smirked.
"I am not scared!" Shinji said getting up.
"You brushed your teeth right?" Asuka asked and he nodded Mia watched on wishing that she had a camera but also feeling a speck of jealousy. Shinji nodded. "Then here I come" she strutted forward and stopped right in front of him. They both stared at each other as Mia let her glasses slide down her nose and watched on.
Asuka leaned in and Shinji closed his eyes tightly as if it was a kiss of death. Suddenly Asuka pulled back and Mia was going to scream through anticipation.
"Stop breathing it tickles me," she said grabbing his nose with her fingers and pinching it. She then push forward and started kissing him while Mia held her breath as well afraid to laugh. She watched on as Shinji went the colour of a tomato, the fridge door opened and Pen-pen walked out looking up at them before closing the door going back inside the fridge.
Mia half snorted into her hands as Shinji went a blue green colour. His fists were clenched near his hipbone twitching. Mia nearly exploded in laughter as they looked like Siamese twins joined at the head because both of their arms were by their sides except Asuka's that was still holding onto Shinji's nose. Shinji finally pulled back gasping for breath and Mia finally lost control of her rolling on the floor in hysterical laughter.
"EW!" Asuka screamed running into the bathroom and brushing her teeth. She began to gargle as Mia finally clamed down and Shinji sat back on the floor sighing.
"I should never kiss to pass time!" she moaned gargling more. Shinji looked over at Mia who had stopped laughing and started reading again.
"Hey Mia" he finally asked after staring at her for a while.
"Mmhmm" she looked up from her book.
"Why do you read all of the time, I mean I read but not every waking moment" Shinji asked.
"I guess I just like the fact that a book can take you away from what is real, it an take you into another person's life in which you can live their life rather than your own. I guess it just helps me escape," she said shrugging.
"Maybe I should read more" Shinji muttered under his breath. He heard a woman's voice and a man's coming from outside and opened the door. "Kaji," he said and Asuka pushed passed him.
"KAJI!" Asuka screamed happily.
"Hi Mr. Kaji" Mia said politely bowing as he came in carrying Misato. He placed Misato on her bed before walking out to where the children were.
"Now Mia it is not Mr. Kaji, you do not work for me. Just call me Kaji," he said smiling and she nodded.
"Kaji" she said.
"Well I will be leaving now," he said pulling his jacket down.
"Why don't you just stay with us?" Asuka smiled sweetly but he shook his head.
"I would never live it down if I went to work dressed like this" he said referring to his suit.
"Awe you could do it" Asuka said following him while Shinji and Mia just stood watching her. "Come on Kaji"
"Later Asuka" he snapped and she let go of his arm feeling disappointed.
"Lavender perfume" she whispered and Mia walked over to her wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulder.
"Take care of Misato" Kaji said closing the door.
"What's wrong Asuka?" Shinji asked. "You look sad"
"That's because you kissed me!" she screeched pulling away from Mia and storming off into her room. Shinji shrugged walking passed Mia.
"I am going to bed," she said quietly walking to her bedroom door. Shinji stopped at his sliding the door open. "Oh Shinji." Mia stopped him and he faced her.
"Yeah" he said looking over at her.
"You're not that bad of a kisser, Asuka is just angry and upset" Mia said comfortingly and he smiled.
"Thanks Mia" he smiled back as she walked into his room.