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.....Two years. Yup, its been two years since it happened. Yes, a recap must be needed. My name is Michiaru Satoshi, and I am now eighteen years old. Like I was saying, its been two years since I joined NERV. NERV....it's a corporation-well, more like a battle fortress-where me and three other kids work. Ha, work-our work isn't what you're probably thinking of-nope, it doesn't consist of things like cleaning, or paperwork. We four kids are "pilots" for NERV. Pilots? Just what are we pilots of? Eva Units, of course. Eva Units....giant-sized, mechanical-mayhem causing robots. Cool, huh? Yeah, I guess so. But then-

"Michiaru? You okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just daydreaming again."

"Oh. Well, Asuka, Rei and I were going out for some ice cream. Wanna come?"

".....maybe later....."

"...okay...I guess we'll catch up later then?"

".....whatever...."

".....um, okay, see ya later..."

My friend Burade left and the mechanical doors to my room closed. Sigh....I dropped back onto my unmade bed and closed my eyes. Burade....he's my best friend, yet I've been treating him like dirt lately. Damn, I thought as I thrust my face into my worn-pillow, why have I been acting like this recently? No, I knew why. Her....her? Misato....Misato Katsuragi, Major of Battle Operations at NERV....also....

"Michiaru?"

Once again, the mechanical doors to my room opened. It was-

"Michael? Are....are you...?"

I then launched myself off the bed, got up, and walked over to where she was standing.

"Michiaru-"

"Don't even say my name!" I shouted. I then noticed that there were tears streaming down my face.

"But, Michi....."

"Just get out! Get out now!"

"But....."

"NOW!"

And she was gone, tears dripping on her face also. That's when I dropped to my knees. Pain, unbearable pain....why, Misato? I then buried my face in my hands, sobbing, knocking my tear-stained glasses askew. That's when I felt a warm hand on my shoulder.

"Michiaru, get up. I have something to tell you."

I looked up into the eyes of Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, head of technical operations at NERV, and a very good friend. I could see that she was worried about me, by the look on her pretty face. But at that moment, I just didn't care.

"Why? What could you possibly have to tell me at a time like this?"

"It's about Misato. Michi, it wasn't her fault."

"You know what she did then?"

"Yes."

"Then how could it not be her fault!" I cried, "You know as well as I do that-that...."

"Michiaru, he forced himself upon her. She tried to escape, but you know Kaji-he's just to persistent sometimes...anyway, you just happened to walk in on her at the wrong moment."

"So-so she didn't have anything to do with it? You mean, she really-she really didn't-"

"No, and that's what she's been trying to tell you. But, you didn't even give her a chance to explain."

"Oh, crap....Misato....I'm....I'm...."

"Go now, Michi. And make it at least sound convincing."

"O-Okay, Ritsuko. And Ritsuko?" I said as I got up and started toward the door.

"Yes?"

"Thanks." I breathed as I raced off down the hall, feeling happier than I had felt in a long, long time.