What is going on? I see a serious lack of good romance fics around. Guess inspiration is running dry during this time of the year.

-Chapter 15-

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Opening the front door, Hikari led Touji and Kensuke in to her house.

"Hey Asuka!" She yelled. "I'm back!"

They heard quick footsteps from above and soon Asuka came rushing down the stairs.

"Hey, Hikari, I didn't think you'd be back so soon." When she saw who was with her, Asuka's expression immediately darkened. "What the hell are they doing here?"

"Now Asuka, before you get angry." Hikari turned to the two boys. "I brought them here because they have something important to tell you."

Asuka didn't look impressed.

"And I think you should hear them out." Hikari added after a second. The seriousness of her friend's voice convinced the German girl to agree.

"So, what have two stooges got to say that could possibly be of any real importance?" The redheaded girl sneered at them.

Despite her usual demeanour, Hikari knew just how close Asuka was to tears at this point in time. She had to hand it to the girl though; she took everything on in strides.

"I think you should sit down for this." Hikari intervened before they could start explaining. "Let's go in to the living room."

The two girls and two boys made their way in to the living room. Touji and Kensuke sat down on the two-person couch, while Asuka and Hikari each took one of the big armchairs on either side of it.

"Okay Stooges." Asuka sneered again. "Speak. Let me see what you have to say that could possibly be worth my time."

They both looked at each other and took a deep breath before turning to face the hotheaded girl.

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Shinji had pretty much cleaned up the whole house after he'd finished his breakfast, and now found himself with no-where to go and nothing to do. He knew his friends were currently facing a life and death situation and were beyond his reach, and without Asuka around the apartment, it felt strangely empty.

He sighed as he flopped down on the sofa and turned the TV on. "I never thought it could get so boring."

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Hikari had observed Asuka as the two Stooges re-told the story she had heard earlier. She could clearly recall the different emotional displays the German girl had gone through as Kensuke and Touji explained what had really happened. She had seen disbelief, anger, relief and sadness all flash across her face. At this exact moment however, she couldn't tell what the German girl was thinking.

Now that Touji and Kensuke had finished telling Asuka about their regretful ploy, they simply sat on the couch in silence, and awaited their fate.

Asuka was raging with an inner turmoil. Words could not express the happiness and Joy she was feeling at hearing the truth behind what had happened. However, she also felt shameful and angry with herself. Now that she looked back on what she had done, she could not believe the way she had acted towards Shinji: not even pausing to hear him out, she had physically hurt him. How could she think that he would betray her even for one second? The only thing she could do now way pray that he would forgive her.

"Um Asuka?" It was Hikari that spoke, snapping Asuka from her revere.

Remembering where she was, Asuka also remembered the reason behind this whole mix up. The reason, or reasons as they are, currently sat on a sofa to the left of her.

Slowly, She turned to face the two stooges, who were now targets of her malevolent and pure hatred.

"Touji?" She smiled sweetly. "Would you come over here please?"

"Um, do I have to?" His voice was a pathetic whisper.

"Please." That came out in what was probably the sweetest voice he had ever heard come out of the girl.

Thinking that it was pointless to delay his impending doom and further, he stood up and approached Asuka, who also stood up so she can face him at his eye level.

What happened next, the Jock had not expected. He had expected a verbal tirade, a punch to the face or possibly a brutal beating.

Instead, Asuka simply pulled him in to a hug.

"Touji." The girl whispered soothingly in to his ear.

"Y-Yes Asuka?" He was both confused and afraid.

"You really are stupid." She whispered in to his ear again, hugging him even tighter. Hesitantly, and somewhat nervously, he returned the hug.

Hikari stood by observing the scene, feeling jealous for some reason, unknown even to her. Kensuke simply stood agape, not sure what to make of the situation.

Touji was beginning to think that his divine punishment would not come, but then a strange crunching noise replaced the quiet atmosphere of the room.

With a pained expression, the jock looked down in time to see Asuka removing her knee from his crotch. She then let go of him and with nothing to support his body; he fell down on the floor and started shivering. Eventually he let out a tiny yelp that sounded more like the kind of noise a ten-year-old schoolgirl would make if she broke her nail.

Now that her first target had been taken care of, Asuka turned her sight on Kensuke and started walking towards him. The boy looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

Hikari hadn't expected Touji to receive a punishment quite as severe as this, and moved to stop Asuka from hurting, or possibly killing Kensuke.

"Hold on Asuka." She said calmly. "Shouldn't you go and make up with Shinji?"

Asuka stopped in her tracks and considered the idea. Her mind was struggling with what was more important at this very minute: Reclaiming the love of her life, or ending the life of a creature that she hated with all her being.

Fortunately for Kensuke, the love of her life took priority in Asuka's mind. Yes, that is how much she loved Shinji.

The spectacled boy visibly relaxed as she agreed with Hikari's suggestion and made her way to the front door.

Hikari walked with Asuka to give her friend a proper goodbye.

"Well, I'll see you later Asuka."

"Yeah." Asuka smiled. "Thanks Hikari."

"It's no problem." Hikari smiled as well.

Suddenly Asuka yelled in to the house with a very menacing tone. "Hey geek! I haven't forgotten about you!"

Kensuke visibly cringed, but then relaxed as Asuka exited, and Hikari closed the door behind her. The freckled girl soon made her way back in to the living room and observed Touji for a bit. He had curled up in to a ball and was not moving.

"You think he's going to be okay?" Hikari asked the boy who was still standing up.

"I don't know. That knee did come from Asuka."

Kensuke felt truly sorry for Touji, as it wasn't even his fault, or idea. He also feared that whatever punishment awaited him, would be much worse then his. Maybe he can somehow distract attention away from himself by directing Asuka's anger towards Sakuya? He would put more thought in to that later.

-To Be Continued-

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Well, I hope you liked this chapter. Will Kensuke find a way to escape from Asuka's wrath, and what opportunities for love will Cupid find in the deep dark recesses of NERV?

I guess you'll have to find out in the next chapter.

See you guys later!