YOU LIKE ME!!! I got a bunch of e-mails in the past few days and I am now dedicated to making this the best damn fan-fiction that I can make. Oh, and thanks to Jason Emery (aka ST Pika) for finding Shinji's B-day, Chris Jackson for pointing out some spelling errors, and Marcos Edson for finding out the ORIGINAL title was already taken before anyone could yell at me (Although I know I will be flamed sooner or later). I should have known about the title because it is one of my fav F.F. One more thing: I know I kept replacing the first chapter. If you read the very first version, I advise you to read the new and better version re-done by Hawk Eye. So the story will now be called "Sixteen And In Love" (God, I pray that's original). This chapter is longer so get some cocoa and get comfy. And is Pre-read by The Darkening Hour. But anyways... ON WITH THE FICTION!
The Party, The Reunion, and The Encounter
Misato, Asuka and Hikari were in the car driving to the bakery on a beautiful June day. As they drove on, Misato and Asuka couldn't help but blush as they recalled on earlier today. Misato was stopped by the police and since Misato always starts her day off with a beer, the officer could immediately smell it on her breath. Asuka spotted Misato being tested with the line test in her pajamas and started to laugh hysterically. Unfortunately for her, the officer saw Asuka in her more revealing casuals. Thankfully, Hikari caught up with the two and explained to the officer what happened. Misato finally broke the awkward silence.
"Sooo..." Misato spoke. "What did you girls decide to get Shinji for his birthday?"
Hikari, thankful for something to talk about, responded to her teacher's question in her usual brown-nosing manner. "Oh, I got him a clock-pen. It looked real nice at the store. Plus, I know that he's always tying himself up in his school work, so this can help him keep track of time while studying."
Misato smiled "Well, that sounds very thoughtful. What about you, Asuka? Are you gonna give him another knock in the head? Or are you actually going to give him a real present?"
Asuka replied in her arrogant self. "Why should I give that idiot anything? What has he ever gotten me?"
Misato could only name a few. "Well, there was that red dress, those movie tickets, that box of chocolates..." She could go on and on, but was halted by a barrage of German curses and yelling.
Asuka shouted, "So what if he gave me those presents?!?! He's the boy! That's his job! Besides, that dress was at least two sizes too small, those movie tickets were for a movie I saw a week earlier, and he knows damn well I hate dark chocolate with coconuts! Shinji had each and every smack in the head coming!"
Misato lets out a sigh of dismay. She lived with Shinji and Asuka long enough to predict what the day will be like with the two; if Asuka does as much as scowl at him, they would be at it all day. If they got through the first hour of the day without talking, then the rest of the day would be just fine for them. But holidays and special occasions were a different story.... She begged "Asuka, please be nice to Shinji on this one day of the whole year. We never do anything together anymore and I want this to be a day that we will all remember and enjoy. And besides, you do want to see Kaji again after such a long time…"
Asuka was stunned. "WHAT!?!?! You can't do that! We're going to be at the same party and I live at that apartment! You're bluffing!"
Misato stated very seriously "Oh, you're calling my bluff? Let's see who's calling the bluff. Me separating you from Kaji all night, or you not heeding my warning. If you know any better, you'll behave yourself. Got it?"
Asuka knew damn well she had better be on her best behavior for the rest of the day. She knew when Misato gives a threat, she usually has what it takes to back it up. There was a short pause until Asuka finally spoke up. Asuka, reluctantly, spoke. "Fine. I'll get him something when we stop by the mall."
Misato grinned as she thought to herself. 'You're always a sucker for Kaji, Asuka. Hehehehe...'
Misato then remembered about one very special overseas guest that would be there. She asked her class rep., "So Hikari, tell me more about this friend of yours. You said she comes from the U.S.?"
Hikari obliged. "Yes, ma'am. Her name's Crystle Summers. She's really nice and won't really talk unless she's spoken too. But when you get her started, you could talk about anything with her. She's just so pleasant to have around."
Misato was happy to hear that she was such a nice girl. "Well, I'll make sure to introduce her to everyone, then." And with that, they drove off to pick up the last few items needed for the party.
Shinji, Toji, and Kensuke were walking back from the school building. To Shinji's surprise, the entire fire department was there. Apparently, there was an explosion in the science lab. Kensuke and Toji were, to say the least, in total shock over all of which they caused. Luckily, the fire chief reported that no one was harmed.
Shinji said in total disbelief, "I still can't believe that you two are responsible for all that happened at school. You have no idea what kind of trouble you two could be in. People could have been seriously injured."
Toji was still dumbfounded at the scene they had just witnessed. He'd seen Angel attacks that looked cleaner than what the school looked like. He could only think of one defense. "It... nothing was supposed to blow up! Kensuke was the one who messed up! Blame him!"
Kensuke shouted his defense at Toji. "Hey, I never wanted to do any of this! You said if I didn't do it, you would do it yourself! And with your luck and thick skull, you would have blown yourself up with the class room!"
A voice from a park bench behind a tree started to laugh out loud. Shinji could tell that laugh apart from the entire world. It was the laugh of the best friend he has ever had.
Shinji, smiling, asked "So, Kaoru, you overheard our conversation?"
Kaoru stood up and replied "Yeah. I was planning to be at school a little early today and I witnessed the explosion. You three had better not talk about this out in the open. Anyone can hear you, and you probably wouldn't like it if the police overheard any of it."
Toji was starting to clench his fist. Even though Kaoru didn't insult him, he knew damn well that it would be coming soon enough. Ever since he had transferred into their school, even Hikari couldn't help but blush every time he threw her a smile. That, and Kaoru was better than Toji in everything else that made him feel big and special.
Toji stared down Kaoru and asked him in a mocking tone. "So, Mr. Popular. Are you out girl hunting? Or are you just here to ruin our one day off?"
Kaoru simply ignored his stare as he answered "Why, nothing of the sort. I'm merely here to wish Mr. Ikari a happy birthday. And to ask you two if you have any sense whatsoever. I mean, who in their right mind would try something so reckless as to cause a gas leak in the science lab?
Toji burst out at this insult as the last bit of his fuse went out. "WHAT DID YOU SAY!?!?!? You can't talk about me like that! I'll take you on any time, any place! We'll see who the real senseless one is when I knock you out of it!"
"Do you two always have to start the day bickering at each other?" Shinji asked his two best friends. "We can think of something more constructive than this."
Kensuke agreed. "Yeah, we can see an early movie at the mall. We have until seven o'clock. That's when the party starts."
Shinji then realizing "Oh, that reminds me. Who are you guys bringing to the party?"
Toji was still mad, but cooled down enough to answer, "I'll bring Hikari, of course."
Kaoru saw a wide open shot and took it. "Is that because every other girl you asked out shot you down?"
"AH, SHUT UP!" Toji shouted back.
Kensuke looked down at the ground as he spoke. "Well, at least you got a date. I tried all week and every girl in school is washing their hair tonight, and I'm all alone and sad."
As the boys walked on to the mall, Shinji couldn't help but notice a young, very attractive girl walking by across the street from them. Shinji focused on her emerald green eyes, her fine, shoulder-length dark hair that was slightly curled inward to frame her beautiful, well toned facial features, and her perfectly shaped body. His head was so completely fixated on her that he just stopped dead in his tracks. The girl felt as though she was being watched, and she looked back across the street and locked eyes with the young man. That's all she did. She didn't say hi or even wave. she just gave him a slight hint of a smile and ran off.
Shinji was at a lost for words.
Toji looked across the street and could only laugh "Forget about it, Ikari. You could never get someone like that even if you had a hundred dollar bill hang'in out your zipper.
Kensuke exclaimed "Damn! And to think those Americans gave her to us for one of our students! What a trade!"
Kaoru glanced over at the girl "Ahh. So that's the American exchange student I've been hearing so much about. She's very attractive, and judging by her form and running style, I would say she was in track."
"Does this guy ever shut up?!?!" Toji exclaimed
The rest of the day went by faster than usual. The sun was about to set and the tiny apartment was already prepared for the large get-together that was about to commence.
Asuka was growing impatient. "Where in the world is Kaji?"
Misato was just as well fed up with his tardiness. "If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. That man has never been on time in his life. That's why I took the liberty to send him an invitation with a little typo."
Just then, as luck would have it, there was a buzz at the door. Ryoji Kaji's voice came through the intercom "Hello, Misato? It's me, Kaji. Sorry I'm late. I was just out getting the..."
Misato spat out "Spare me the excuse and get your sorry ass up here now!"
An hour passed and most of the guests showed up at the party. Of course, all of them dressed for the special occasion. A woman's voice greeted Misato from behind. "So Captain, how have you been doing for the past two years?"
Misato turned around with a smile and greeted her longest and dearest friend. "I've been doing just fine, Doctor. And you? Have you been on any dates since we last saw each other?"
Ritsuko shook her head at the question. "I'm afraid not. You know me. Business before pleasure. And besides, I don't think there's a man on this planet that can keep up with the world's most brilliant doctor."
Misato sighed at her answer. "Well, I know that there is a man for you out there. Like I always say, there's someone for everyone. I'm sure you'll find him out there. I'm sure you will too, and I thank heaven every day that I found my special someone." Kaji sneaks up from behind Misato, puts his arms around her neck, and plants a tender kiss on her cheek.
Ritsuko could only smile and be happy for them. Deep down inside, though, she was jealous of what Misato had with Kaji. She saw Misato drinking a sip of her martini and decided to play a game with her and her job. "Oh, by the way, have you seen Maya's date? He's a fire-fighter. In fact, he was at your school today, Misato." Ritsuko asked with an evil grin on her lips.
Misato nearly spat out her drink onto Kaji and Ritsuko could only give a chuckle at the scene. She was panicking and a huge sweat drop ran down her face. "Wh... wha... well... I don't know what happened. I'm a language teacher, not a science teacher. That's not really my business anyways."
Ritsuko took the open shot "Oh, I've never asked you if you knew anything. However, it was quite a coincidence that it would happen on Shinji's birthday." Misato was speechless. "We'll keep this our secret, okay?" Ritsuko added as she left her friend at a loss for words.
Misato could only nod at this as she quickly gulped down her drink and took Kaji's drink from his hand and gulped it down as well. But was still not enough. "I'm gonna need a lot more than this," she blurted as she went to the table for another drink.
Asuka was wearing the dress that Shinji bought for her last year. Even though she exchanged it for a smaller size, she still loved it. She knew she gave Shinji a rough time almost all the time, but it was all just teasing. Asuka no longer hated him, but she still doesn't really like him. He still never defends himself against her ravaging, but they both know she was just having some fun. She saw Shinji talking with the rest of the boys and gave him a warm smile. She figured this was his day.
Asuka was growing impatient. "So, Hikari, When is this American friend of yours going to show up?"
And once again as if by pure coincidence, there was a knock at the door.
"Hey... Shinji, sweety, can you get that for me?" Misato asked, already too drunk to get it herself.
"Okay, Misato." Shinji didn't want their next guest to be greeted by a drunken Misato. Shinji went to the door and pushed the open button. And to his surprise, he was met with a pair of beautiful, emerald green eyes.
Shinji was speechless "Oh... um..."
The young girl was as surprised as Shinji "Uh..."
The two young teenagers stood there a moment and stared at one another, eyes locked onto each other as if that was the only thing they could see, ignoring all other distractions and sights. Even Misato, who was on another one of her binges making a fool of herself, was totally ignored by the two. Finally, the stare was broken by the voice of an angel. (NOT THAT KIND OF ANGEL!)
Finally, the young girl spoke up "Oh! Good evening, sir. I was invited to a party and this was the address listed."
Before Shinji could say anything, Hikari and Asuka shoved him out of the way and started to scream like average, preppy, 16 year old girls. Shinji could only rub his rear, which he landed on and look up as the girls began to gossip the night away.
Seeing this from the other side of the room, Kaoru walked over Shinji and extended his hand. "Need a lift?"
Shinji took his hand "Yeah, thanks."
Kaoru lifted Shinji on his feet. Shinji quickly dusted himself off.
Toji took a glance at the girls as they gossiped. "Women. At times, they can be the most precious gifts a man can have. If they're not that, then they're a plague of vicious animals that won't stop until your wallet's empty."
Kensukei and Kouru looked at him, bewildered with the words that seemed to be that of a poet coming out of jug-head's mouth
Shinji just looked at that girl as she was introduced to everyone else. She was wearing a black dress which made her eyes stand out like emeralds. He eventually went to have a seat on the couch. He was so fixated on her, he didn't even notice Rei taking a seat next to him.
Rei put her gloved hand on his. "Good evening, and happy birthday, Shinji."
Shinji, just taking notice to Rei's presence, returned her reply. "Oh, hi Rei! I didn't see you come in. Are you enjoying the party?"
Rei gave a warm smile that was reserved only for him. "Yes. Very much. Although I have been getting some odd looks at everyone else for some odd reason."
Shinji was happy she could make it. But he soon reverted his eyes back at that girl that he had been eyeing for a good solid minute.
Rei couldn't help but notice that Shinji was staring at one girl in particular. "Shinji, who are you looking at?"
Shinji pointed to the girl in the corner. "The new girl in the black. She looks like she's having a good time."
He watched as she was introduced to all the former personnel of NERV. She met with the three technical engineers, Aoba, Hyuga, and Maya, along with their dates. Aoba was wearing a sweater vest and had his date wrapped around his arm. "So, how are you Asuka? It's been awhile."
Hyuga replied "Yeah, how's high school going along? Any boyfriends yet?"
Asuka swung her hair back at the question "Yeah, right. Like I would go out with any of those boys. I'm waiting for my own Kaji to come and sweep me away."
Maya let out a light chuckle. "Well, you could give them a chance. They can be real gentlemen if you let them."
Asuka pride once again stepped up. "Yeah, right. You should see some of the pics some pervert took of me from two years ago! I mean, I found some with me changing in the girl's locker room! Unfortunately, I think I know who the culprit is..."
With gullible timeing, Touji walks up to the table right beside them and gets a drink from the punch bowl. "Hey, Asuka. You having a good time," he asked as he got himself a drink and a sandwich.
Asuka doesn't answer him. She just gives him a death glare. One that would kill any other living, breathing mamal on the spot. One of pure hatred. It burned deep into Toji's soul.
Toji backed away. "Okay, I'm gonna go over there now..." And with that, he left with a deep gash in his mind and soul. He thought to himself, "What's the matter with her? What the hell did I do?"
Shinji witnessed that little scene and busted out laughing. He couldn't blame Asuka for that. He was invading her privacy and she would have found out sooner or later. But he stopped laughing once he saw that girl coming right towards him.
Shinji started panicking "Oh no. She's coming here. Rei, what do I do?"
Rei couldn't answer that, being a girl and never having an encounter like this with any of the boys at school. "I don't know. You can say hello to her."
That wasn't the answer he wanted to hear. "SAY HI?!?! Do you see this girl? She's like an angel. I'm not just going to say... ow." He was cut off by a quick jab to the ribs by Rei.
She whispered to Shinji. "Just stay calm and be yourself. Act as casual as you normally would." At the last word, The Mystery girl was standing right in front of the third child.
"Hi. I'm Crystle. You must be the birthday boy. Happy birthday. You must be real excited."
Shinji was flattered. "Oh, well, I'm just having a good time, talking to my friends, chillin'." Shinji smacked himself in his mind for that line. He told a girl, out loud, that he was just "chillin'." He never felt like a bigger fool then he did right then and there. Rei, luckily, stepped in on his behalf.
Rei noticed that he wasn't very confident with this girl, so she tried to lighten the mood "Well, he's pretending to be. He's not much of a party person. He would rather be alone listening to some relaxing music and studying for the next big test."
Crystle bowed her head and apologized "Well, I have to say that I'm sorry for not bringing a gift. I couldn't think of anything to get for you. So, do you have anything in mind that you would like? Perhaps a date, if it's all right with you?"
Shinji was dreaming. He had to be dreaming. The most beautiful girl he's ever seen just asked him out for a date! He prayed to wake up, but knew this was reality when Rei poked him in the ribs again.
Shinji said hesitantly, "Su… su… s-sure! I'd love that! After school, tomorrow, then?"
Crystle lifted her head and gave him a wink. "It's a date, then. I'll meet you at the front door at the last bell." And at last she left. Shinji began to relax until the two voices of Kensuke and Toji shot him up from his seat.
"NO WAY IN HELL," said Kenukei and Touji in unison
Kaoru had to praise Ikari. "I have to hand it to you. You got the girl even I couldn't charm into a date. And the best part was, she came to you! I would like to give a toast to the new lord of the ladies."
Kensuke rewound the tape to make sure he really did see what he saw "Someone must have spiked the punch. You got a date with the hottest girl in school. She had to be drunk!"
Rei took notice that this was a boy's conversation and didn't want to hear anymore than she had to. "I'll leave you boys to your conversation. Goodbye, Shinji." Rei got up and walked to the bathroom.
The rest of the party was going great to a certain level. Misato sang to the song "I'm a Barbie Girl", the boys avoided Maya and her date, and Asuka was clinging onto Kaji for most of the night, but was careful not to hurt him due to the wound in his chest. After the serving of the cake came the presents.
Kaji handed him a large, rather flat package "This is from both Misato and me, Shinji. I hope you like it."
Shinji opened the package to unveil a black, leather dinner coat with an pair of Rey-Ban sun glasses in the inside pocket. Kaji noted "Misato said you would look a lot more "laid back" with it on."
Shinji was really excited with his new coat. He thought it would be perfect for his date tomorrow as he thanked Kaji. "Oh, thanks Kaji. This is perfect. Oh, by the way; where is Misato, anyway?"
With that, Misato yelled out, not aware that anyone else was still in the apartment, from inside her room "Hey, Kaji! You know what we haven't done in a while?"
The whole room went silent at those words as Shinji, Kaji, and Asuka lowered there heads at that embarrassing comment by their roommate or fiancée. Finally, Touji spoke up. "Anyways… this is from Hikari and me. I hope you like it."
Shinji slid the ribbon off the case and opened it up to reveal a silver pen with an LCD clock at the end.
Shinji was all too flattered. "Oh, thank you Hikari. Thanks Touji. I've been meaning to get a watch, but this is even better."
Kaoru walked up to Shinji to give him his present next. "Well, here's mine. This is something I think you'll enjoy very much."
Shinji took the flat, broad case and unwrapped it. He was pleasantly surprised that he found out it was a CD of one of the most famous singers in Japan, and one of his biggest crushes, Megumi Hayashibara.
Shinji was ecstatic over it. She was his favorite singer and now he has her new CD. "Wow. With her newest single! "Tamashii no Rufuran." (edit. note: Give me a break! I don't know any other singers in Japan. ;) I can't wait to listen to it tonight!"
Kensuke came in with a camouflage-wrapped gift. "All right, mine next! Mine next!"
Shinji could only imagine what the "urban commando" could have gotten him, but when he opened the box, he was relieved it was just a DVD box set.
Kensuke started to explain away in his usual, over-active manner. "This is the funniest show ever to be made in Japan! I give you "Excel Saga!""
Shinji gave him a wide grin. "Well, I'll watch it tonight with Misato and Asuka. After we finish cleaning up the place."
Of course, Misato wouldn't be able to watch it as he heard her snoring in the other room. The rest of the presents seemed all the more thoughtful. Maya gave him a pendent of his sign, Cancer. Ritsuko gave him a small 12 inch TV-set for his room. Hyuga gave him a gift certificate. And the last gift came from Aoba, who gave him an MP3 player to replace his old SDAT. Shinji gave a loud sign of excitement "Wow! Thanks Aoba. Now I'll be able to put all my favorite songs on this for when I sleep."
Shinji was truly having a great time. He was putting away his gifts and was about ready to call it a night. That is, until there was a knock at the door. The party was already coming to a close when Shinji opened the door. It was Professor Fuyutsuki. He came up to him with something that would change his life forever.
Professor Fuyutsuki had a slight smile on his face, but could tell something was troubling him. "Shinji, Your father wanted me to give this to you on your 16th birthday. I think he always wanted you to have this."
He hands Shinji a small black book with a single blue bow that tied it shut. He undoes the bow and looks inside. He was completely speechless at what he was holding in his hands and what his eyes were seeing. He was looking at his family. He was looking at a photo book with his mother, father, and himself. There were photos of his first birthday, his parents wedding, and so much more. Shinji was on the brink of tears, but he held them back and put a faint smile on his face.
Shinji was too shocked to speak properly. "Th-Thank you, Mr. Fuyutsuki. I... you can't begin to imagine how much this means to me...". As he flipped to one page with a young Gendo and Yui, he thought of that cold, relentless man. One who never gave a damn about who he would use, or hurt, or ruin for his ideals. And then he saw the picture. It had a label under it
"Okinawa: Summer 2000"
He looked so happy and kind hearted with her in arms, lying on the beach like the way they where. Shinji even began to question wheather or not that man was really his father or not.
Asuka felt as if her heart was warmed at this sight. She was so happy for him that he had seen his mother's face for the first time that he can remember (not counting 3rd Impact). But she then realized that she forgot to give him her gift. She couldn't do it following what just took place. She thought it would be best to give it to him after everyone left.
It was almost midnight when Asuka and Shinji were done cleaning up. Shinji was sitting on the couch still looking through the pictures that he had received two hours ago. He thought about his father. Everything he did to him. Everything he did for him. And just thought about him as a person for a moment, when Asuka came up to him and handed him a small velvet case. Asuka had a warm smile on her face; one that she rarely shows anyone. "Happy birthday, idiot. Hope this year will be better than last."
With that, she bent over and gave him a soft kiss on his cheek, and she went to her room and went to bed. Shinji was alone in the living room, with the exception of Pen-pen who was playing in some confetti as he opened the box. He was dazzled by a small, silver cross necklace. And with it, there was a card. he picked it up and read it.
"To Shinji, Happy Birthday and god-bless. Sincerely, Asuka Langley Soryu"
To be continued...
Not bad for one night's worth of work; longer chapter than the last one. The best part is that I'm actually making this up as I go along! In fact, even I don't know the ending to this story. I might put up chapter 3 in a few days or maybe in a week or two. Check back regularly. Thanks for reading so far. Oh, and I don't own Ray-Ban, Excel Saga, or anything else that makes a lot of money.
And now a quote of "wisdom"
"Yeah, Moe that team sure did suck last night. I mean they just plain sucked. I've seen some sucky teams before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked." Homer Simpson.
