-Chapter 2-
---
Rei had left the apartment after having a talk with Shinji, who was now left alone with the German girl, although she had made no signs of coming out of her room. The boy noted that the apartment was way too quiet, even for his liking.
---
*FLASHBACK*
Rei and Shinji sat at the kitchen table, observing one another.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about Rei?"
"I just wanted to make sure." She said.
"Make sure of what?" Shinji winced at the pain from his bruised lip.
"Shinji." She spoke calmly. "When the time comes, will you help me?"
"Help?" He asked, unsure of what she meant. "Help with what?"
"I can't say." She said nonchalantly.
"Huh?" The boy looked even more confused now.
"Listen to me Shinji." She spoke again, her voice sounding more urgent. "Tell me, when the time comes, will you help me out?"
He stammered. "I-I guess."
Rei looked satisfied, and with that she stood up and exited the apartment.
*END FLASHBACK*
---
That was weird. It wasn't until she had left that Shinji noticed that she was wearing an odd looking hat.
The Unit 01 pilot was tired from all the things that had happened. He had tried to watch TV, but his mind always wandered. He had tried to listen to his SDAT, but the music couldn't reach him. He even tried to read one of the NERV manuals, but found that he had already memorized every page of it.
Lucky for Shinji though, the silence didn't continue for much longer. The apartment door opened and Misato stepped in, carrying the bag that Asuka had dropped downstairs.
"Hey Asuka!" She shouted in to the apartment. "I found this bag, is it yours?"
No answer.
"Hello?" Misato looked around. "Is anyone home?"
"Shhh!" The startled woman turned to see Shinji behind her with his finger placed over his lips. "Keep it down, Misato. I think Asuka's asleep."
"Oh, okay." The Major looked closer at Shinji's face and gasped. "Shinji?! What happened to you?"
"Don't worry about it." He replied as if he didn't care. "We'll talk about it tomorrow, I'm off to get some sleep."
"Oh." She was worried about him, but now wasn't the time. "Well, good night Shinji."
A simple "Yeah," was heard as he walked to his room and closed the door behind him.
Misato placed the bags down on the floor and retreated to her own room, too tired from the long day at work.
---
Now it really was getting late, and one of the few people that were still out at this time was Rei Ayanami, who was currently heading back to her apartment after visiting Shinji.
"You didn't tell him anything." Cupid told her in a somewhat annoyed tone.
"We know that he will help us." She replied monotone.
"Yeah, but he doesn't know what he's helping us with!" Cupid protested.
Rei didn't reply.
"Anyway, just how will he be able to help me with finding my pod?"
Again, Rei didn't reply.
"Okay, so it's ignore the hat day!" Cupid was getting aggravated, but still, he had no room to talk.
---
Surprisingly, sleep had not come easily to the NERV major easily that night, and she had not slept much at all. Because of this, she got up very early, even before Shinji usually did. The apartment was again, very quiet, as her two charges hadn't woken up yet. The first thing Misato did was to go in to the kitchen and pull out a nice six-pack of her favourite brand: "Yebisu" beer.
She opened the first can and practically downed it in one go.
"YEEAA-" She clasped her hand over her mouth, remembering that Asuka and Shinji were not yet up. "Better keep it quiet."
"No need for that now." Misato gasped and turned around, the voice having startled her.
"Asuka?!" The major calmed down again. "Why are you up so early?"
"I'm going over to Hikari's." The girl replied.
"It's 6:30 Asuka." The major told her with a flat voice. "Do you think she'd be up at this time?"
"I don't care!" The German girl raised her voice. "I'm going there anyway." And with those words, she walked to the door, with Misato following her.
"Aren't you at least going to say goodbye to Shinji?" The Major offered.
"Why the hell would I want to talk to that Baka anyway?" Asuka bit back.
'So, that's what this is all about.' Misato thought to herself. "Well, I guess I'll see you later?"
Asuka didn't look back as she closed the door behind her and left. "What- ever."
When Misato walked back in to the kitchen, she saw that Shinji was up, and was currently making breakfast.
"Morning Misato." He said without turning from his task.
"Morning Shinji." She replied as she sat back down. After taking a few more gulps from a new can of beer, she spoke again. "So, are you going to tell me what happened?"
Shinji sighed and stopped what he was doing. He then turned around and sat down on the table opposite Misato.
*******************
Misato had a weird expression on he face now that Shinji had finished re-telling yesterday's events.
"And she just punched you?" Misato asked in disbelief.
"Yes." Shinji replied. "I honestly don't know what's going on."
"Something must have happened, Shinji." Misato said thoughtfully. "Maybe you screwed up."
"Maybe." Shinji said, but then fell in to silence as he thought hard for a moment. 'It couldn't be that could it?' He wondered. 'How could she find out anyway?'
Misato observed Shinji as his brow furrowed, she wasn't sure what, but something had happened that had caused this.
---
Most people in NERV had no idea about the investigation of the crashed pod that was going on behind their back, and thus, found their job very boring. Those who worked at the bridge were no exceptions.
Makoto yawned. "Man, I almost wish an angel would attack."
Shigero didn't reply. It looked as though he was completely absorbed in his air guitar.
"Misato's got it so well." He said wistfully. "She only really needs to be here in case of an emergency. Kinda boring without her too."
Again, Aoba didn't reply.
"Hey, are you even listening to me?" Makoto raised his voice as he turned to face his companion.
Shigero snapped out of his trance and looked around, grinning sheepishly. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
Hyuga just shook his head. "Never mind, you know, if you-" He stopped himself as he heard the elevator behind them begin to move, and he turned to see Gendo Ikari approach them.
"Anything new to report?" He demanded.
Both techs stood to attention, and replied: "No sir!"
"At ease." The commander told them, and they both sat down again.
"All systems are nominal, and the Magi are operating at their optimum efficiency." Shigero told him.
"Very well." Gendo replied. "Inform me of any new developments." He turned and began to walk towards the elevator, but before he stepped on, the Alert siren went off.
"What's going on?!" He demanded with a loud voice.
"Sir!" Shigero exclaimed. "Someone's trying to hack in to the Magi!"
"Initiate the security procedures!" He ordered.
"Negative!" Makoto said in alarm. "This guy has the board mapped out! We're not slowing him down!"
They both stared in horror as a message appeared on the holographic display before them.
---
'Not long now.' - ChinnaBoy08
---
"He's cocky too." Aoba murmured to himself.
"Activate the newly installed Firewall!" Gendo yelled at the two techs.
"Yes Sir!" They both scurried as fast as they could and began to type commands in to their terminals.
---
'You can't stop m-'
---
"Connection has been severed!" Makoto announced. "The attack has ceased."
Commander Fuyutsuki had arrived, unnoticed by all the commotion.
"Do you think that they suspect something?" He asked the supreme commander.
"It would be the only explanation behind these attacks." Gendo answered. "It would be foolish to think that no one detected the approach of the pod other then us."
"I see," the old Sensei sad thoughtfully. "They hope to get their answers from the Magi?"
"Of course." Gendo replied with a grin. "That is why I had doctor Akagi re-enforce their defence."
"You have to hand it to them though." Fuyutsuki chuckled. "These hackers come up with the funniest of names."
---
Hikari stumbled out of bed as she heard knocking on her front door. She prayed that none of her classmates would ever see her like this. Waking up early took its toll on any person.
When she opened the door, she saw Asuka standing on the other side.
"Asuka!" she exclaimed blushing. "What a surprise, I didn't know you were coming over."
"Hikari, can I talk to you?" Her voice was very weak for the characteristically loud red head.
"Um, sure, come in." Hikari moved aside and let her in.
"Where are you sisters?" Asuka asked, not really wanting to impose on her friend.
"Oh, don't worry." Hikari smiled. "My older sister is out of town, and Nozomi's at a slumber party."
"Oh, okay." A small smile escaped Asuka's lips.
"Oh, by the way." Hikari turned to look at her. "Could you wait for me in the living room? I need to get washed up."
Asuka went in to the living room and sat down on the large sofa. She had a good look around, and noticed that the house was generally very clean, a mark of Hikari's handiwork. It was also nicely decorated, sticking to a more wooden theme. Over all, it was much nicer then Misato's place.
She was quite caught up in her analysis, and didn't notice as Hikari returned and sat besides her.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
The startled Evangelion pilot turned to face her friend, and then spoke.
"Shinji." She said simply.
"Well, I don't know Shinji all that well," Hikari began, "so I don't know why you came to talk to me about him, you are his girlfriend after a-" She stopped when she saw the eternally sad look on Asuka's face.
"Asuka, what's wrong?" She asked. "What happened?"
"S-Shinji." The red head was actually crying now. Hikari, in all the time of knowing her had not seen her cry openly in front of anyone.
"Asuka?"
"H-He" The girl hiccupped. "He cheated on me!" She managed to get out, in a rather forceful yell.
"HE WHAT?!" Hikari was sure she heard wrong.
---
Back in HQ, Makoto and Shigero were deep in discussion about the recent attack on the Magi.
"I ran a background check on the hacker." Makoto said proudly.
"Oh yeah?"
"Well, this 'ChinnaBoy08' is apparently one of the most wanted hackers in the world." He said.
"Obviously, he'd have to be really good to even link up to the Magi in the first place." Shigero said half-heartedly.
"Well, he couldn't get passed Akagi's firewall, that's for sure." Both men fell silent at this, confidant that the genius doctor had provided them with an adequate defence.
---
Back in Misato's apartment, Shinji and his older roommate were eating the breakfast that he had made. The strange thing was that the usually happy morning atmosphere wasn't there. Both of the ate in silence, but the ringing of the bell interrupted them. Shinji stood up and was about to go and check who it was, but Misato told him to stay.
"Eat your breakfast Shinji, I'll go get it."
"Okay." He replied as he sat back down.
Misato went over to the front door, and when she opened it, she saw Kensuke and Touji standing on the other side.
"Hey guys. It's a bit early isn't it?"
They didn't answer for a moment, instead, chose to gaze at Misato's skimpy attire.
"Um, we wanted to talk to Shinji." Touji finally said.
"Oh?" Misato looked at them both for a second. "Well, come in then." As they walked in to the apartment she said: "You guys really picked a lousy time."
"Why is that?" The both asked.
"Something happened between Asuka and him." Misato told them. "He's not really very talkative at the moment."
The major missed the guilty looks on both boys' faces.
"I'm sure he'd want to hear what we have to say." Kensuke told her.
Misato gave them both a suspicious look before she led them in to the kitchen. There they saw Shinji quietly eating his breakfast with a somewhat dejected look on his face. Not to mention the black eye and swollen lip.
*******************
Shinji watched as Misato walked back in to the kitchen. He was about to ask who it was, but before he did that, he saw his two best friends walk in after her.
"Hey guys." He said half-heartedly. "What brings you here?"
"We wanted to talk to you Shinji." Kensuke replied, as him and Touji took a seat at the table.
Misato chose to observe the situation, so she leaned against the kitchen sink and waited to see what this was about.
"Um, Misato?" Shinji asked. "Are you just going to stand there?"
"I want to see what this is about Shinji." She told him calmly. He just sighed, knowing it would be futile to argue against her.
"So, what's up?" He said as he turned to his two friends.
"Did Asuka do that?" Touji asked, pointing to Shinji's bruised face before Kensuke could start talking.
"Yeah." Surprisingly, Shinji smirked. "She punches a lot harder then you."
Touji was about to remark, but then remembered the true reason why they were here, and instead chose to remain silent, passing the torch on to Kensuke.
"Shinji, we really think you should know this." Kensuke said uncomfortably. Misato was now starting to pay real close attention to the conversation.
After staying silent for a moment, Kensuke spoke again: "We set you up."
Shinji frowned. "What do you mean set me up?"
"You know what happened with Sakuya?" Touji asked him.
"How did you know about th-" Realization struck. "Oh."
"Well, we kinda took pictures." Kensuke said guiltily.
"Pictures?" Misato asked, having no idea what they were talking about.
Shinji just ignored her. "You did what?!" Now he was certain of what they were talking about.
"And, we kinda showed them to Asuka." Touji finished.
"WHAT?!" Shinji was mad. "Why the HELL did you two do that?" He yelled at them from across the table.
"It wasn't just us!" Touji pleaded desperately.
"Sakuya was in it too!" Kensuke protested, although he felt extremely guilty, knowing it was mostly his idea.
"Who's Sakuya?" Misato asked, but she was ignored again.
Shinji was speechless. He was angry, and he felt betrayed. Betrayed by two people who he trusted.
Unfortunately, any further conversation was cut off by the ringing of the doorbell. Misato quickly rushed over to see who it was and exited the kitchen, leaving the three boys alone.
Kensuke and Touji observed Shinji's strange expression. He looked like he was about to do something, but was restraining himself with all he had. Because both of his hands were resting on the table, they could also see the methodical clenching and un-clenching of his fist.
Suddenly, they heard quick footsteps approaching the kitchen from the front door, and soon Hikari made her presence known.
"SHINJI IKARI!" She shouted at him. "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ASUKA?!"
Moments later when he didn't answer she slapped him. Misato rushed in to try and stop Hikari but it was too late.
"Hikari!" Both Kensuke and Touji yelled desperately. "Relax, we can explain!"
She looked from Shinji to Kensuke and then to Touji, a deep frown forming on her face.
---
Back in Rei's apartment, the love bringer found himself very bored by the Blue Haired girl's routine. Cupid had reverted himself back in to his misty shadow form, and was restlessly circling around the room.
"Rei?" He broke the silence.
"What?"
"Um, aren't you going to do anything today?" He asked her.
"No."
"You're just gonna lie there?" If he had a face his expression would have dropped.
"That is correct."
"Aw man!" He protested. "C'mon! Let's go somewhere and do something!"
"Why?"
"Because it's boring here!" He exclaimed loudly.
She considered his offer for a second. "What would you like to do?" She finally asked him.
"Let's go out and spread love around!" He said happily.
It wasn't long before she replied: "No."
"What!?" He asked in surprise. "What do you mean 'No'?"
"I do not agree with the manipulation of people's emotions." She said simply.
Cupid thought about this for a moment and said; "Okay, how about this: We both go out, and you get to decide whether or not I enchant anyone." He was hopeful that maybe this will convince her.
Rei thought about this for quite a bit. "Alright." She finally said.
"Great!" Cupid said happily as he followed Rei out of the apartment. "We're gonna have a lot of fun Rei, I promise you that!"
---
Back in the other apartment, Touji and Kensuke had finished re-telling the story to Misato, Shinji and Hikari, this time with more detail so they would understand exactly what they meant.
Shinji had calmed down somewhat, Misato wore an expression of pure annoyance and Hikari was looking even angrier then before.
"How could you two do such a thing?!" She yelled at Touji and Kensuke.
"Sorry Hikari." They both said. "We feel bad enough as it is."
"Well it doesn't make it right!" The freckled girl then turned to Shinji. "I'm sorry for hitting you Shinji."
"It's okay." He replied without really turning to look at her.
"Anyway." Misato interrupted. "What you guys did was very wrong." She took another swig of her beer. "I'm very disappointed in you both."
This struck Kensuke and Touji pretty bad. Their object of affection and adoration was disappointed in them. "We're really sorry, Misato!" They both moaned.
"However." She interrupted again. "I'm somewhat impressed that you both owned up."
They both smiled again.
"It's not really my place to meddle." Misato added after a while. "You have to make this up to Shinji and Asuka somehow."
"Hikari?" Shinji suddenly spoke. "Where is Asuka? I thought she'd be with you?"
"She's staying at my place." She told him.
"That's good." Shinji smiled as well. Turning to his two friends he said: "I guess you should go over there and tell her what really happened."
"WHAT?!" They protested with looks of horror on their faces. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
"That's a good idea Ikari-kun" Hikari smiled. "I'll show them both the way, and they could go and apologize to her as well."
"Listen Shinji." Touji spoke calmly. "I know what I did was wrong but I don't exactly want to die at the age of fourteen."
Kensuke just sat by, still with the same look of horror.
"Sorry guys." Shinji said with a grin. "My mind's made up."
Touji's cool demeanour wavered and he too, developed a horrified expression like Kensuke's.
"Hey." Shinji said lightly. "Don't look so bad, she might forgive you."
"Somehow I doubt it." They both replied stoically.
*******************
Shinji put his hand on Touji's shoulder as he led him and Kensuke out of the apartment.
"So, I guess I'll see you guys later?"
Touji turned back to look at his friend. "Look Shinji." He sighed. "Is there any way we can get you to change your mind?"
Before he could respond, Hikari dragged the two boys out of the apartment, muttering something about: "Not getting out of it that easily."
Shinji just stood back, watching as Hikari literally threw Touji in to the elevator and dragged Kensuke in after her. Misato walked up behind him shaking her head.
"Those two really are idiots."
"Yeah." Shinji replied smiling slightly. "This will be good for them."
"If they survive, probably." Misato added chuckling as she walked back in to the apartment.
---
Cupid, who had again reverted to his hat state, was currently riding atop Rei's head as they walked around Tokyo 3.
"You are making my head itch." Rei complained quietly.
"Sorry, but not much goes with the school uniform. " He informed her lightly. "Would you rather have a strange black cloud trailing you everywhere?"
Rei didn't reply, and Cupid chose not to say anything further. He was way too busy scouting around for any potential targets. Travelling around with Rei was a lot slower then his usual method.
A ringing noise snapped him from his thoughts.
"Hey, what's that?" He asked.
"It is my cellular phone." Rei replied as she took it from her pocket and answered it. A few moments later she ended the call and put it away again.
"They want me to report to HQ for a series of tests."
"Oh, can I come too?!" He asked hopefully.
"I am not sure if it is wise." She said somewhat thoughtfully. "You might be detected, and people will be curios about my new appearance."
"Hmm." He though about it for a moment. "Maybe I could disguise myself differently?"
"I would not advise it." There was a soft finality in her voice.
"Oh, Alright." Cupid disengaged himself from his comfortable spot on her head, and reverted back to his shadow mist form. "I'll see you later?"
"Yes." Without saying anything else, the girl began walking in the general direction of the Geo Front.
"Aw man, it's gonna be so boring without her." He said to himself as he flew higher up and away from view.
Deciding that going against what he was told would be more fun then hanging around on his own, Cupid decided to follow Rei.
---
Back in Misato's apartment, the purple haired major was just finishing getting dressed for a day's work.
She exited the room and almost bumped in to Shinji as he was heading in to his own.
"Misato?" He looked confused. "I though you weren't going to work today."
"Same here, but I just remembered something that I have to take care of."
"Oh." He stepped aside to let her pass. "I'll see you later then?"
She turned just before closing the door behind her. "Yeah, don't wait up for me though."
With that she closed the door leaving Shinji alone in the apartment.
---
Hikari was leading the way to her home, followed closely by Touji and Kensuke.
"I want no acts of perversion out of either one of you." She said sternly turning her head to face them. "Especially you Kensuke."
"What have I done?!" He protested somewhat angrily.
Hikari did not answer him.
A minute or so later, Touji decided to speak up: "Um, Class Rep?"
"What is it Touji?" She turned to look at him again.
"You'll protect us right?"
"Protect you?" She asked with a somewhat amused expression. "Protect you from what?"
"From the Devil of course!" Kensuke butted in, somewhat exasperated.
Hikari giggled at this. "Oh, c'mon you two." She had a smile now. "Asuka's not that bad."
"Not that bad?!" Touji looked outraged. "Did you see what she did to Shinji?!"
"She had good reason to." Hikari said in defence of her friend.
"But she didn't even hear him out!" Kensuke half-yelled.
"She wouldn't have had to, if you two hadn't screwed up!" Hikari said yelled back, creating the impression that arguing with her was just exercising futility.
The two boys just groaned in frustration. Both had considered running away, but that was just cowardly.
"Well, that's my house over there." The pigtailed girl said as she pointed to a nice looking house further up the street.
"You live in a nice area." Kensuke told her.
"I suppose." She then turned to look at them again. "I hope you two appreciate the lengths I go to try and right your wrongs."
"What do you mean?" Touji and Kensuke asked in unison.
"Well, I showing two boys round to my house" The class rep replied with her usual bossy/informative tone. "I wouldn't usually do that."
The two boys sighed again.
---
"Man, I've never seen this place before."
Cupid was frantically trying to keep up with the train cart Rei was in, as well as observing his surroundings.
The train passed through another tunnel, transcending in to the giant underground sphere.
"So this is the Geo Front." He said in awe.
*******************
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.
---
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."
---
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.
*******************
Hikari and Kensuke sat on the living room couch observing Touji, who had still not moved ever since he had curled up in to a ball on the floor.
"Um, how long is he going to stay down there?" Hikari asked Kensuke after a while.
"Hmm." Kensuke prodded his fallen comrade with his foot. "I don't know. It's tough for a guy to recover after a blow like that." He said solemnly.
They fell silent and waited for a few more minutes. When it looked like Touji wasn't going to move Kensuke and Hikari decided to take drastic measures and tried to drag him to his feet. With a few attempts, they succeeded, but the Jock still needed the support of the two people to stay upright.
"Hey Touji." Kensuke spoke loudly in to his face. "Hey, you there?"
"Ken?" He squealed out.
"Yeah, relax buddy. Everything is going to be alright."
Touji looked like he was on the verge of tears. "No." He spoke in the same girly voice as before. "It won't."
"What's wrong now?" Being a girl, Hikari could not understand the inhumanity that the poor boy was going through right now.
"I can't feel it." Touji whimpered.
"Can't feel what?" Hikari asked him again.
"IT, DAMN IT! 'IT'!" He actually managed to yell that part out in a voice that resembled his own.
"Oh." Hikari didn't what to say.
"You poor bastard." Kensuke shook his head, imagining what his friend was experiencing.
---
Cupid had seen Rei enter through one of the doors that marked the entrance in to the NERV branch.
"Hmm, better keep a low profile."
Travelling around as black mist had its advantages, as he could easily seep in through the ventilation system.
As he travelled through the dark shaft, he suddenly heard a noise that sounded like machinery switching on.
"What the-?"
He didn't have time to finish that sentence, as two powerful fans at the other end of the vent activated and began blowing wind against him.
Of course, wind isn't a cloud's best friend.
"Holyyyyyyyyyy craaaaaaaaaap!" He yelled as he was literally blown away by the current.
---
"So, you guys gonna be okay?"
"Yeah." Kensuke smiled, but then grimaced as he struggled to keep his taller friend on his feet. "We'll be fine."
"Make sure you help Touji get home." Hikari ordered as she shut the door behind the two boys as they left.
The duo walked down the street for approximately 2 minutes before Kensuke started complaining.
"You know Touji, for someone as athletic as you, you sure weigh a lot."
"Shut-" The jock struggled to get the next word out. "-up."
---
Cupid found himself outside of the NERV facility one more time.
He sighed inwardly. "Well, I guess if a cloud couldn't crack it, I might as well try something more covert."
A weird popping sound was heard and Cupid transformed in to miniature action figure complete with stealth attire.
"And so it begins." The figurine smiled. "Solid Cupid must infiltrate the secretive NERV base in order to complete his goal!"
That's when the little figure sprinted off towards one of the entrances at a phenomenal pace.
---
Shinji had almost fallen asleep in front of the TV when a flurry of loud knocks at the front door jolted him fully awake again.
"Coming." He said half-heartedly.
As soon as he unlocked it, the front door swung open and Shinji was knocked to the floor by a force moving at a speed greater then what the human eye could see.
When he managed to get some air back in to his lungs, he tilted his head in the downward direction of his body only to see a mass of red hair firmly attached to his chest.
"A-Asuka?" He gasped.
"Shinji." She said lovingly.
He was relieved it was her.
"What, what's going on?" He asked.
"I know what happened now." She looked up at him with a tearful but smiling face. "I know that what I feared didn't really happen." Her smile dropped and tears threatened to pour out. "I'm sorry I hit you."
She tightened her hold of him.
"It's okay." He smiled reassuringly, but it did not seem to please the girl.
"No! You can't just forgive me like that!" She looked upset now. "I didn't trust you like I should have." She paused, now looking angry, probably with herself. "I gave you a black eye!"
Dislodging himself from the girl, and moving to standing position, Shinji smiled and offered her a helping hand up. When it looked like it wasn't working and she was still upset, Shinji just shook his head.
"Asuka, I'm telling you its okay." His smile dropped somewhat. "I'm not sure I would have reacted in the same way, but what you did was entirely understandable."
Asuka couldn't help but smile. Surprisingly, it was Shinji that pulled her in to a hug this time. Now she couldn't help but blush.
"C'mon." He said. "Let's go and watch TV."
Locked on to each other eyes for one last moment, the two walked in to the living room, hand in hand.
*******************
Cupid hid near one of the entrances to NERV and waited until a chance for him to enter the base presented itself.
Lucky for him, he didn't have to wait long, as he spotted a technician making his way to the entrance. Knowing that the worker would be admitted in to the base, Cupid stealthily started trailing behind him, hoping to enter at the same time he did.
---
The door opened admitting the NERV tech in to the building. As soon as he entered the complex, the large gate sealed itself shut behind him. Now that the man was in, he headed down the corridor to his usual work place.
Some strange sounding footsteps began to echo, the sound emanating from behind him. Despite himself, the NERV technician felt unnerved.
As soon as he stopped walking, the footsteps ceased as well. He turned around expecting to see someone, but found that the dark corridor was empty.
"Hmm." He looked suspicious.
Again, as he began walking, he heard those same footsteps coming from behind. This time, with no warning, the man quickly swung around, sure that he'd catch his would-be stalker in the act.
He saw no one.
"Is anyone there?"
No answer.
"I know someone's there!" His voice rose. "Show yourself!"
Still no answer.
More confused and scared than ever, the tech continued on to his destination. All was quiet for a moment, but then the echo of those same strange footsteps interrupted his walk, forcing him to break in to a run in his fright.
"I hate this place!" He yelled as he ran down the corridor at full speed.
Had the man looked down at his feet, before he broke in to a run, he would have seen the miniature figure.
---
"What a sap." Cupid chuckled as he continued on his way around the NERV base. "This is going to be a whole lot of fun."
---
Back in Misato's humble home, Shinji and Asuka were watching TV.
Well, they weren't really watching it, as they were currently too involved in their kissing. To the casual observer, the kiss looked like one of those you get in them cheesy romance movies.
Okay, in all honesty: it was indistinguishable. The only difference was the fact that the feelings behind this particular kiss were real.
As they broke apart, both teens were blushing and smiling softly. Asuka rested her head on Shinji's shoulder and their attention turned back to the program they were watching.
"So." Shinji broke the quiet. "You didn't hurt Touji and Kensuke too much did you?"
"Not really." She replied casually. "I still haven't decided how to repay the four-eyed geek."
"Oh." Shinji wondered what she could possibly do to get back at his friends.
"And that bitch Sakuya!" She suddenly said, raising her voice. "Who the hell does she think she is kissing you without my permission?!"
"Um, wh-?"
"I swear I'll get her back." She interrupted him. Shinji felt her hands tighten in to fists. "I swear."
---
Back in the Geo-Front, Cupid was casually exploring the gigantic NERV complex when, by complete chance, he found himself at the main control room.
Hiding behind one of the computer terminals, he surveyed the interaction between the three 'Bridge Bunnies.'
As Cupid observed a conversation between Maya and Shigero, he began to feel strong feeling directed at the female tech coming from the long-haired man, feelings that can be compared to the beginnings of love.
When Cupid tried to see what feelings and emotions Maya was going through as she talked with her co-worker, he couldn't find anything that resembled love. Only friendship.
"We'll soon change that!" He said to himself excitedly, and took aim with one of his magic arrows.
Of course, these arrows were invisible to normal humans, so it went completely unnoticed as it soared across the room and dodged out of the way of people who passed by, adjusting it's aim accordingly.
Maya was half way through her conversation with Shigero when she felt a small prick, followed by the warming sensation running through her body.
She looked around the room for a moment, but then on retrospect turned back to Shigero.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah." She replied. "I just felt strange for a moment there."
"I bet." He smiled. "You work too hard."
"I guess so." She turned around and continued typing stuff in to her computer.
Across the room, Cupid stood agape.
"What the?" He couldn't believe it. "My arrow had no effect?"
At that exact moment, Ritsuko Akagi came up in the elevator. As the blond haired doctor approached Maya and leaned over her shoulder to examine the data on her computer, Cupid began to feel some strange feelings coming from the short-haired young woman.
"Wait a second." The action figure now wore an expression of suspicion. "She likes-?" He realized what was going on.
"No way."
---
Kensuke, who was no practically dragging Touji behind him, made good on his promise and carried the Jock all the way back to his house.
*Ding Dong*
He rang the bell, and it wasn't long before Touji's father came to answer the door.
"Oh, hey guys." He paused and looked at his son. "What the?"
Kensuke gave him a false smile. "It's a long story."
"Touji, what happened to you?" His father was now concerned.
Touji struggled to get the two words out. "Red." He coughed dramatically. "Devil."
"What?!"
*******************
Misato stepped in to her NERV office, hoping to finish whatever work she needed to do quickly, so she could take the rest of the day off.
"Hello."
"Kaji!" Misato was startled, as she hadn't seen him when she entered. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I just like spending time with you." The man flashed her his trademark lady knockout grin.
"Well," She rudely walked past him to get to her desk. "I'm rather busy right now."
"Hey, c'mon." He gave her a cute pleading look. "Friends shouldn't act like this."
"Friends?"
Kaji beamed. "Sure!"
Misato shuddered at the thought.
Unknown to both, the action figure known as Cupid had walked in to the room whilst they were busy talking.
Suddenly, something in his tiny head clicked. 'That's the guy who was at Shinji's apartment the other week.'
Deciding to spear the man a break, he loaded one of his arrows and took aim.
'As long as there aren't any more surprises with sexual preferences, it should work this time.' He though hopefully as he let the arrow lose and it flew straight for the unsuspecting NERV major.
"Listen Kaji, the closest you'll get to being my frie-" She stopped mid sentence, as a strange feeling of warmth she hasn't felt in a long time travelled through her body.
"Misato?" Kaji didn't know what had caused her to stop.
She looked up at him with an entirely different expression from the one she wore moments ago.
Cupid smiled evilly as he sprinted out of the office. 'Damn I'm good.'
---
"Hey Shinji!"
The boy's head popped out from behind the kitchen door to see why he was being called upon. From his vantage point he could see Asuka sitting on the living room couch.
"What is it Asuka?"
"Where's Misato?" She looked at him. "I just noticed she's not here."
"She had to go to work." Asuka didn't look satisfied by the answer. "She said something popped up and she had to take care of it."
"Oh, okay then." She smiled. "Shinji?"
"Yeah?"
"GET BACK TO WORK!"
In his rush to get back to his task of cooking, Shinji tripped up and fell to the floor with a somewhat loud thud.
"Ouch."
"Are you alright?"
The brown haired boy looked up to see a concerned looking Asuka standing over him.
"Yeah." He struggled to get himself on his feet for a moment. "I'm fine."
She smiled. "Doomkphof."
"Wha-?" Shinji looked even more confused. Instead of giving him an answer though, Asuka simply pulled him in to a tight hug.
"You're such an idiot." She said quietly. "My idiot."
She smiled again as she pulled away. He couldn't help but smile as well.
---
Rei had just finished some synchronization tests with the Dummy Plug and was heading back to her apartment.
On her way through the long dark corridors, she heard some strange shuffling noises coming from one the rooms she passed by. Rei looked at the label on the door.
*Major Katsuragi*
Deciding it was none of her business what her superior officer was doing, she continued walking down the corridor. She was about to exit the building, when she felt a strange presence at the edge of her senses.
"Cupid is here."
She turned around and began to scout the area in order to find him.
---
Mister Suzahara had demanded that Kensuke should come in, and explain to him, exactly what happened to his son.
After a brief re-telling of events, Kensuke fell silent, and awaited a comment from his friend's parent.
"Let me get this straight." Touji's father said as he looked at Kensuke. "Touji got beat up by a girl?" He shot a glance at his convulsing son.
"Sort of."
"Any reason behind this attack?"
Kensuke gave out a fake cough, remembering how he had conveniently left out the parts of the story concerning the scam they pulled on her and Shinji.
"Nope." He finally said.
"Who is she anyway?" Touji's father pressed on.
"Asuka Langley Sohruy." Kensuke said with mock respect.
Touji's father looked thoughtful for a moment. "That name sounds familiar."
"Well yeah." Kensuke smiled knowingly. "She is an Evangelion pilot."
"Hold an a second." Touji's dad looked stunned. "She's really an Eva pilot?"
"Yeah." Kensuke replied.
Touji's father had nothing to say for a moment. Kensuke and the man could both hear quiet painful moans escaping from Touji himself, as well as the occasional muttering: "Devil girl."
"It doesn't mean she can just get away with anything." The man finally said.
"I agree!" Kensuke exclaimed. "I feel threatened to have her in my class."
Touji's father looked thoughtful again. "I might have to place a formal complaint to the teacher."
"Mister Suzahara!" Kensuke looked absolutely thrilled. "That would be a grand idea!"
Touji's dad was confused at the boy's reaction, but decided to shrug it off.
'Maybe I can actually get rid of her once and for all!' Kensuke though to himself, an evil grin forming on his face.
---
Rei felt the presence of Cupid grow stronger, which meant he was near. Walking through a final door, she entered in to a moderately small office room. She looked around, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary - hold on.
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at an action figurine that stood on the desk in a dramatic pose.
"How much longer do you intend to pretend?" She asked him in a monotone voice.
The figure suddenly began to move, and surprisingly burst out in laughter.
"What is so funny?" Rei demanded.
"You rhymed." He said happily. "I had no idea you were so poetic." He started laughing again.
"Quiet!" She said suddenly. "Someone's coming."
Rei grabbed hold of Cupid, who had grown still, and turned to face the door. Indeed, who-ever was outside was headed this way, as it wasn't long before it opened.
"Rei?" A voice said. "Is that you?"
It was commander Ikari.
"Yes sir." She replied monotone.
Cupid felt an immense aura of cold hatred flowing within that man. If the action figure had muscled, they would have been stiff as a rock.
"What are you doing here?" He asked her.
Rei looked around for a moment, looking for an answer she could give him. Eventually, her gaze fell down upon the object in her hand.
"I am… playing." She finally said, the answer sounding fake, even to her.
Gendo raised an eyebrow.
"Don't let me spoil your fun." He told her as he grabbed one of the folders that was on the cabinet and exited the small office.
---
Back at Misato's place, Shinji and Asuka were enjoying a nice home cooked meal.
"This is great Shinji." Asuka said with a smile, and then crammed her mouth full of food.
"Thanks."
The phone rang and Asuka was about to go and pick it up when Shinji stood up and said: "Stay here and enjoy your meal. I'll go get it."
With that he left the table and went to pick it up.
"I wonder who it could be." Asuka mused as she continued stuffing her face with Shinji's excellent cuisine.
Moments later, Shinji returned to the kitchen. He looked ghostly pale and shocked.
"Hey Shinji."
He didn't answer.
"Shinji!" Asuka was getting worried.
"Misato." He said.
"What about her?" Asuka pressed on.
"She's… getting married."
"WHAT?!"
"To Kaji."
"WHAT?!"
*******************
There is a person we all hate.
To be more precise, this person is a girl. She goes to class A2 in one of Tokyo 3's reputable schools, she is fourteen years of age, has many friends, and her name is Sakuya.
She is the very same Sakuya who played an important role in the plan attempting to put an end to Shinji and Asuka's relationship. The very same Sakuya who is now an abject of the intense, pure hatred of a certain German redhead…
The very same Sakuya who now finds herself bored, lying on her bedroom floor, blissfully unaware of the negative feelings and emotions that exist against her.
"So boring." She muttered quietly.
All was quiet and still for a few moments, but then…
"Ouch!" She yelped as she bolted upright. "What the hell?"
It felt as though someone pricked her with a pin on the back of her neck.
"Huh?" There was no one else in the room, and moments later the pain was gone.
---
Across town, in the faithful Katsuragi residence, a different girl, one we all know and love, was focused on the trivial task that was at hand.
"Hey Asuka." A voice startled her from her concentration. "What are you doing?"
"Just testing something." She answers.
"Let me see." Shinji comes up behind her to get a better view of what she's doing.
Asuka smiles innocently when he sees what's in her hand.
"Is that a doll?" He asks. "How come it has a needle in its neck?"
"Well you see…" Asuka trails of, suddenly aware of her foolishness.
"Hold on a second." Shinji suddenly looks serious. "Are you practicing voodoo or something?"
"Err." She looks even more nervous. "Well, I'm so pissed at that bitch Sakuya…"
Shinji starts laughing. "Y-You were practicing voodoo on Sakuya?"
"Sort of." She smiles slightly as well. "I don't think it's working."
"Well, I think you'd better stop." Shinji looks down at the doll. "What would people say when they found out that the great Evangelion pilots are practicing dark magic?"
"Yeah, I suppose you're right." She takes the needle from the doll's neck. "Just to make sure though..." And with that she impales the doll in the back.
---
On the other side of the city, in Sakuya's room:
"Wah!" She bolts upright again. "What the heck?"
She rubs her back, which feels like it's just been impaled by a sharp object. Again, moments later, the pain was gone.
"I don't get it."
---
Back in NERV HQ's dark office room…
"You should not have come here."
"Oh relax." The little figure made an impassive gesture. "Nothing to worry about."
The expression on Rei's face remained neutral, though her eyes spoke of the emotion raging inside. "The Commander suspects something and will now have me under constant surveillance, the chances of us recovering your pod have been drastically cut, and yet you can just tell me that there is nothing to worry about?"
"Pretty much."
Rei almost, ALMOST threw her hands up in exasperation, but considering who she was, a change in her usual cool demeanour was enough.
Taking a deep breath, she glared at the Cupid figure. "We are leaving."
"Sure thing, Blue!"
Rei tensed up as her anger rose, but instead of acting on it, she calmly walked out of the office, followed by the small action figure.
---
Time passed quickly for the two young Eva pilots that stayed home. It wasn't long before Misato herself returned to the apartment, however, on this occasion she brought home a guest.
"Hey guys." She called in to the apartment. "I'm home."
"Hey Misato." Both Asuka and Shinji came to greet her. "Oh, hey Kaji!"
"Hey kids." He winked at Asuka, but she just glared at him. "Tough crowd." He smiled.
"So, you heard the big news?!" Misato asked them happily.
"Wait a second." Both Asuka and Shinji looked shocked. "You were serious?"
"Oh boy." Kaji smiled again. "Can we go and sit somewhere? I don't like telling stories while standing in a corridor."
"Yeah, sure." Asuka and Shinji led the two adults in to the kitchen, and sat at the dinner table.
Now that they were all seated, Asuka close to Shinji, and Misato and Kaji on the other side of the table, the two young charges observed their guardian, and what was now her fiancé, awaiting an explanation.
"Well you see." Kaji began first. "I was in her office and we were having a friendly chat."
"And…?" Both Shinji and Asuka pressed on.
"She just kinda looked at me." Kaji said with a smile.
"Yeah, I looked at him." Misato added dreamily.
Kaji smiled even bolder. "And then she asked me if I felt like doing something stupid."
Asuka smirked at this. "And as usual, being the daring fool, you agreed to this?" She crossed her arms. "Man, I have no idea what it was that I ever saw in you."
Everyone at the table was stumped at this.
"Err, thank you for your opinion Asuka." Kaji smiled uneasily. 'It's weird how Asuka's and Misato's roles have reversed like this.' He though to himself, Shinji was also thinking along those same lines.
"Anyway." It was Misato who broke the silence this time. "We decided to get married, so here we are."
Kaji took a small box from his pocket. "She made me buy a ring." He told the two Eva pilots. "Kinda strange having the woman you're marrying choosing her own ring."
"At least you'll know she'll be happy!" Misato exclaimed happily, suggestively elbowing her new fiancé.
That was enough for the young German girl, as she stood up and spoke out: "Okay, this is just too weird." She grabbed Shinji's hand and pulled him to his feet. "Me and Shinji have seen enough."
Misato and Kaji could only watch in amusement as she literally dragged the boy out of the kitchen.
---
*Living Room*
Asuka and Shinji both sat on the couch. Shinji was reading a magazine and Asuka was leaning up against his shoulder.
"Shinji?"
"Mmm?"
"About Kaji and Misato…"
Shinji turned his attention away from the magazine and now looked at the redhead who was using his shoulder as a pillow. "What about them?"
"I was just thinking about what they're doing…"
Shinji choked on the very air he breathes. "You want to get married?"
"Not now silly." She smiled and looked up at him. "Sometime in the future."
"I didn't think you were in to that sort of stuff." He grumbled.
"Well, I was just thinking about it." Her eyes became distant for a moment before they came in to focus on him and she smiled. "It would mean we'd never be apart."
Shinji wasn't sure how to react to this sort of thing.
"I don't know, Asuka." He finally said.
She stood up and kissed him on the cheek. "You think about it, okay?"
Shinji watched her as she walked toward the door. "I'm going to have a shower." She told him as she walked in to the bathroom.
Now that the boy was alone, all he could do was think about what she said. In the end it all came down to one question.
"Do I love her?"
*******************
*Streets of Tokyo 3*
"Hey Rei!" Cupid's voice sounded laboured.
"What is it?" Rei looked down at the action figure she was holding.
"You're squeezing too tight." He pointed to the firm grip that she held around his tiny plastic body.
Rei relaxed her hold. "I am sorry."
"It's okay."
Rei continued walking on the way to her apartment, but then the small figure spoke out again.
"Hey Rei, isn't that the guy you shot down before?"
The blue haired girl looked up and saw that it was indeed the boy who had asked her out the previous week.
"Goro." She said simply.
"Ahh, so that's his name." The little figure grinned. "Why don't you call him over?"
"I do not wish to speak to him." Replied Rei.
"You're so uptight, here, let me." Before Rei could respond, the little figure that was Cupid whistled loudly.
Of course, it got the boy's attention, and he soon spotted Rei and began to make his way over to her.
"Why did you do that?" She asked quietly.
"Just having some fun." He replied.
Any further questioning was cut by the arrival of the boy.
"Hey Rei!"
"Hello."
"What's up?" The boy asked her.
She looked at him in a weird way, probably thinking that the question was literal.
"Err, what are you up to?" He corrected himself.
"I am on my way home." She replied stoically.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I'm holding you up."
"It would be best if my journey is not interru-" She was cut off as sharp pain suddenly started coursing through the palm of her hand. Looking down she saw that the small action figure had pinched her.
Goro followed her gaze down to the "toy" which she held.
"I didn't know you were in to that kind of stuff."
Rei didn't reply.
---
*Katsuragi Apartment*
Two figures could be seen as they made their way towards the exit at the end of a dimmed hallway.
"I'll see you later then?"
"Bet on it." Misato winked as she led Kaji to the door.
The man grinned, still not having grasped the events that had recently transpired fully.
"Bye." He said finally as he walked out and Misato closed the door behind him. She was smiling softly.
She was still smiling as she entered the living room.
"Hey Shinji!" She said cheerfully as she saw him sitting on the couch.
Shinji was startled and looked up at Misato. "Oh, hey. I didn't see you there."
"I can see." Her smile fell slightly. "What are you thinking about?"
"It's something Asuka told me. Well, something she asked me actually." He replied.
"Want to talk about it?"
"I could use some advice." Shinji told her quietly.
Misato sat besides him and turned to face the boy. She wore a calm and understanding expression on her face, giving the over-all impression that she was here to listen and not to judge.
"What's troubling you, Shinji?" She finally asked him, breaking the awkward silence.
He was silent for a moment, choosing the words he would use.
"Asuka asked me if… if I love her." He said finally.
"Do you?" Misato frowned slightly. Although at first she didn't approve of the way Asuka had changed her feeling towards Shinji, at one point she had come to realize that they were indeed genuine.
"I… I'm not sure."
"Shinji, you either do or you don't." Misato told him sternly. "Asuka's a nice girl, you wouldn't want to hurt her."
"I know." He said solemnly. "But it's just so confusing."
"Love is always confusing." Misato said gently.
Shinji looked up at her with an expression that said: 'You really aren't helping.'
Misato sighed. "I'll tell you what."
Shinji was paying attention again.
"Try and imagine yourself without her," she grinned. "You'll find your answer then."
Saying no more, the purple haired woman stood up and exited the room.
'Myself without Asuka?' Shinji questioned himself.
---
*Suzahara Residence*
Touji was stealthily making his way to the front door, obviously attempting to sneak out of the house.
"Where are you going?" The stern voice from behind startled him.
"Ahh!" Touji spun around. "Dad, what are you doing there?"
"You still haven't answered my question."
The jock looked uncomfortable for a moment. "I was going to visit Mari in the hospital." He said honestly.
"I your current condition; I cannot allow it." His father told him.
"But, I promised!" Touji took a large step forward, quickly regretting his actions, as his "groin" was still to recover fully. He gasped. "I promised I'd visit her today!"
"I'm sorry son, not today." His father understood how his son felt. "Don't worry though, I'll go and see her and tell her why you can't come."
As Touji disappointedly made his way back to his room, he had a single thought running through his head.
"Kensuke my old friend, I'm going to put you through a world of hurt when I get out of here." He said to no one in particular is he closed the door behind himself.
---
*Katsuragi Residence*
Asuka had just got out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her body, and was heading back in to her room to put some clothes on. She was startled when she opened the door.
"Shinji!" She gasped.
"Um, Hi."
"What are you doing in my room?"
"I wanted to tell you something." He answered quietly.
"I'm sure that it could wait till after I'm dressed." She paused and then grinned.
"Oh, I get it now." She said slyly.
"Huh. What?" Shinji was surprised.
"You wanted to have some fun with me, didn't you?" She grinned even more when he started blushing.
"W-WHAT!?"
"Oh, don't lie to me Shinji." She teased. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"B-But-" He was cut off as she promptly made her way over to him and pushed him on to the bed.
"You picked a great time Shinji." She smiled. "I couldn't have been any more in the mood."
"B-But." He kept on stuttering.
She kept on talking as she positioned herself over him. "Although there are better ways to tell a girl, I'm surprised at your boldness."
"But… I…"
Her smile broadened, and that's when Shinji regained his senses.
"W-Will you get SERIOUS FOR A MOMENT?!" He finally yelled.
Asuka stopped dead in her tracks. "Fine." She got of him and sat down, soon Shinji sat up as well.
"Thank you." Shinji said after a while.
Asuka grinned. "You need to relax more, you know that?
Shinji actually laughed at this. "You don't have to make it so hard for me." Asuka joined him as well, and they both shared a good-hearted laugh.
"So, what was it that you had to say to me?"
"I've done some thinking." Shinji said.
The seconds rolled by. "And?" It was Asuka who prompted him to continue.
"I just wanted to tell you that I do."
"Do what?" Asuka wasn't sure what he meant.
"I love you."
This she had not expected.
"Y-You do?" She asked hopefully.
Shinji just nodded with a smile.
"Really?"
"Really."
The boy gasped as the wind was knocked out from him when the red head pulled him in to a tight embrace.
"I knew that-that you wouldn't let me down." She said in between sobs.
Was she crying? Did Shinji's love really mean so much to her? It warmed his heart to know that there was someone who cared for him like this.
"You don't know how much this means to me."
Shinji returned the hug, but soon pulled himself away from her.
"It's the least I could do." He smiled again.
Asuka however, needed to hear no more, and she grabbed a hold of his collar and again, pulled him in to one of her aggressive and passionate kisses.
During this rather intimate encounter, the towel draped around Asuka's naked body began to slide off, and because the two teens were so engrossed in their kiss, neither one noticed.
Misato walked in to the room.
"Hey you two, what's all the noise abo…" She trailed off as she saw the state Asuka was in.
"What in the hell are you two doing?!" She shouted.
---
Rei had left the apartment after having a talk with Shinji, who was now left alone with the German girl, although she had made no signs of coming out of her room. The boy noted that the apartment was way too quiet, even for his liking.
---
*FLASHBACK*
Rei and Shinji sat at the kitchen table, observing one another.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about Rei?"
"I just wanted to make sure." She said.
"Make sure of what?" Shinji winced at the pain from his bruised lip.
"Shinji." She spoke calmly. "When the time comes, will you help me?"
"Help?" He asked, unsure of what she meant. "Help with what?"
"I can't say." She said nonchalantly.
"Huh?" The boy looked even more confused now.
"Listen to me Shinji." She spoke again, her voice sounding more urgent. "Tell me, when the time comes, will you help me out?"
He stammered. "I-I guess."
Rei looked satisfied, and with that she stood up and exited the apartment.
*END FLASHBACK*
---
That was weird. It wasn't until she had left that Shinji noticed that she was wearing an odd looking hat.
The Unit 01 pilot was tired from all the things that had happened. He had tried to watch TV, but his mind always wandered. He had tried to listen to his SDAT, but the music couldn't reach him. He even tried to read one of the NERV manuals, but found that he had already memorized every page of it.
Lucky for Shinji though, the silence didn't continue for much longer. The apartment door opened and Misato stepped in, carrying the bag that Asuka had dropped downstairs.
"Hey Asuka!" She shouted in to the apartment. "I found this bag, is it yours?"
No answer.
"Hello?" Misato looked around. "Is anyone home?"
"Shhh!" The startled woman turned to see Shinji behind her with his finger placed over his lips. "Keep it down, Misato. I think Asuka's asleep."
"Oh, okay." The Major looked closer at Shinji's face and gasped. "Shinji?! What happened to you?"
"Don't worry about it." He replied as if he didn't care. "We'll talk about it tomorrow, I'm off to get some sleep."
"Oh." She was worried about him, but now wasn't the time. "Well, good night Shinji."
A simple "Yeah," was heard as he walked to his room and closed the door behind him.
Misato placed the bags down on the floor and retreated to her own room, too tired from the long day at work.
---
Now it really was getting late, and one of the few people that were still out at this time was Rei Ayanami, who was currently heading back to her apartment after visiting Shinji.
"You didn't tell him anything." Cupid told her in a somewhat annoyed tone.
"We know that he will help us." She replied monotone.
"Yeah, but he doesn't know what he's helping us with!" Cupid protested.
Rei didn't reply.
"Anyway, just how will he be able to help me with finding my pod?"
Again, Rei didn't reply.
"Okay, so it's ignore the hat day!" Cupid was getting aggravated, but still, he had no room to talk.
---
Surprisingly, sleep had not come easily to the NERV major easily that night, and she had not slept much at all. Because of this, she got up very early, even before Shinji usually did. The apartment was again, very quiet, as her two charges hadn't woken up yet. The first thing Misato did was to go in to the kitchen and pull out a nice six-pack of her favourite brand: "Yebisu" beer.
She opened the first can and practically downed it in one go.
"YEEAA-" She clasped her hand over her mouth, remembering that Asuka and Shinji were not yet up. "Better keep it quiet."
"No need for that now." Misato gasped and turned around, the voice having startled her.
"Asuka?!" The major calmed down again. "Why are you up so early?"
"I'm going over to Hikari's." The girl replied.
"It's 6:30 Asuka." The major told her with a flat voice. "Do you think she'd be up at this time?"
"I don't care!" The German girl raised her voice. "I'm going there anyway." And with those words, she walked to the door, with Misato following her.
"Aren't you at least going to say goodbye to Shinji?" The Major offered.
"Why the hell would I want to talk to that Baka anyway?" Asuka bit back.
'So, that's what this is all about.' Misato thought to herself. "Well, I guess I'll see you later?"
Asuka didn't look back as she closed the door behind her and left. "What- ever."
When Misato walked back in to the kitchen, she saw that Shinji was up, and was currently making breakfast.
"Morning Misato." He said without turning from his task.
"Morning Shinji." She replied as she sat back down. After taking a few more gulps from a new can of beer, she spoke again. "So, are you going to tell me what happened?"
Shinji sighed and stopped what he was doing. He then turned around and sat down on the table opposite Misato.
*******************
Misato had a weird expression on he face now that Shinji had finished re-telling yesterday's events.
"And she just punched you?" Misato asked in disbelief.
"Yes." Shinji replied. "I honestly don't know what's going on."
"Something must have happened, Shinji." Misato said thoughtfully. "Maybe you screwed up."
"Maybe." Shinji said, but then fell in to silence as he thought hard for a moment. 'It couldn't be that could it?' He wondered. 'How could she find out anyway?'
Misato observed Shinji as his brow furrowed, she wasn't sure what, but something had happened that had caused this.
---
Most people in NERV had no idea about the investigation of the crashed pod that was going on behind their back, and thus, found their job very boring. Those who worked at the bridge were no exceptions.
Makoto yawned. "Man, I almost wish an angel would attack."
Shigero didn't reply. It looked as though he was completely absorbed in his air guitar.
"Misato's got it so well." He said wistfully. "She only really needs to be here in case of an emergency. Kinda boring without her too."
Again, Aoba didn't reply.
"Hey, are you even listening to me?" Makoto raised his voice as he turned to face his companion.
Shigero snapped out of his trance and looked around, grinning sheepishly. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
Hyuga just shook his head. "Never mind, you know, if you-" He stopped himself as he heard the elevator behind them begin to move, and he turned to see Gendo Ikari approach them.
"Anything new to report?" He demanded.
Both techs stood to attention, and replied: "No sir!"
"At ease." The commander told them, and they both sat down again.
"All systems are nominal, and the Magi are operating at their optimum efficiency." Shigero told him.
"Very well." Gendo replied. "Inform me of any new developments." He turned and began to walk towards the elevator, but before he stepped on, the Alert siren went off.
"What's going on?!" He demanded with a loud voice.
"Sir!" Shigero exclaimed. "Someone's trying to hack in to the Magi!"
"Initiate the security procedures!" He ordered.
"Negative!" Makoto said in alarm. "This guy has the board mapped out! We're not slowing him down!"
They both stared in horror as a message appeared on the holographic display before them.
---
'Not long now.' - ChinnaBoy08
---
"He's cocky too." Aoba murmured to himself.
"Activate the newly installed Firewall!" Gendo yelled at the two techs.
"Yes Sir!" They both scurried as fast as they could and began to type commands in to their terminals.
---
'You can't stop m-'
---
"Connection has been severed!" Makoto announced. "The attack has ceased."
Commander Fuyutsuki had arrived, unnoticed by all the commotion.
"Do you think that they suspect something?" He asked the supreme commander.
"It would be the only explanation behind these attacks." Gendo answered. "It would be foolish to think that no one detected the approach of the pod other then us."
"I see," the old Sensei sad thoughtfully. "They hope to get their answers from the Magi?"
"Of course." Gendo replied with a grin. "That is why I had doctor Akagi re-enforce their defence."
"You have to hand it to them though." Fuyutsuki chuckled. "These hackers come up with the funniest of names."
---
Hikari stumbled out of bed as she heard knocking on her front door. She prayed that none of her classmates would ever see her like this. Waking up early took its toll on any person.
When she opened the door, she saw Asuka standing on the other side.
"Asuka!" she exclaimed blushing. "What a surprise, I didn't know you were coming over."
"Hikari, can I talk to you?" Her voice was very weak for the characteristically loud red head.
"Um, sure, come in." Hikari moved aside and let her in.
"Where are you sisters?" Asuka asked, not really wanting to impose on her friend.
"Oh, don't worry." Hikari smiled. "My older sister is out of town, and Nozomi's at a slumber party."
"Oh, okay." A small smile escaped Asuka's lips.
"Oh, by the way." Hikari turned to look at her. "Could you wait for me in the living room? I need to get washed up."
Asuka went in to the living room and sat down on the large sofa. She had a good look around, and noticed that the house was generally very clean, a mark of Hikari's handiwork. It was also nicely decorated, sticking to a more wooden theme. Over all, it was much nicer then Misato's place.
She was quite caught up in her analysis, and didn't notice as Hikari returned and sat besides her.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
The startled Evangelion pilot turned to face her friend, and then spoke.
"Shinji." She said simply.
"Well, I don't know Shinji all that well," Hikari began, "so I don't know why you came to talk to me about him, you are his girlfriend after a-" She stopped when she saw the eternally sad look on Asuka's face.
"Asuka, what's wrong?" She asked. "What happened?"
"S-Shinji." The red head was actually crying now. Hikari, in all the time of knowing her had not seen her cry openly in front of anyone.
"Asuka?"
"H-He" The girl hiccupped. "He cheated on me!" She managed to get out, in a rather forceful yell.
"HE WHAT?!" Hikari was sure she heard wrong.
---
Back in HQ, Makoto and Shigero were deep in discussion about the recent attack on the Magi.
"I ran a background check on the hacker." Makoto said proudly.
"Oh yeah?"
"Well, this 'ChinnaBoy08' is apparently one of the most wanted hackers in the world." He said.
"Obviously, he'd have to be really good to even link up to the Magi in the first place." Shigero said half-heartedly.
"Well, he couldn't get passed Akagi's firewall, that's for sure." Both men fell silent at this, confidant that the genius doctor had provided them with an adequate defence.
---
Back in Misato's apartment, Shinji and his older roommate were eating the breakfast that he had made. The strange thing was that the usually happy morning atmosphere wasn't there. Both of the ate in silence, but the ringing of the bell interrupted them. Shinji stood up and was about to go and check who it was, but Misato told him to stay.
"Eat your breakfast Shinji, I'll go get it."
"Okay." He replied as he sat back down.
Misato went over to the front door, and when she opened it, she saw Kensuke and Touji standing on the other side.
"Hey guys. It's a bit early isn't it?"
They didn't answer for a moment, instead, chose to gaze at Misato's skimpy attire.
"Um, we wanted to talk to Shinji." Touji finally said.
"Oh?" Misato looked at them both for a second. "Well, come in then." As they walked in to the apartment she said: "You guys really picked a lousy time."
"Why is that?" The both asked.
"Something happened between Asuka and him." Misato told them. "He's not really very talkative at the moment."
The major missed the guilty looks on both boys' faces.
"I'm sure he'd want to hear what we have to say." Kensuke told her.
Misato gave them both a suspicious look before she led them in to the kitchen. There they saw Shinji quietly eating his breakfast with a somewhat dejected look on his face. Not to mention the black eye and swollen lip.
*******************
Shinji watched as Misato walked back in to the kitchen. He was about to ask who it was, but before he did that, he saw his two best friends walk in after her.
"Hey guys." He said half-heartedly. "What brings you here?"
"We wanted to talk to you Shinji." Kensuke replied, as him and Touji took a seat at the table.
Misato chose to observe the situation, so she leaned against the kitchen sink and waited to see what this was about.
"Um, Misato?" Shinji asked. "Are you just going to stand there?"
"I want to see what this is about Shinji." She told him calmly. He just sighed, knowing it would be futile to argue against her.
"So, what's up?" He said as he turned to his two friends.
"Did Asuka do that?" Touji asked, pointing to Shinji's bruised face before Kensuke could start talking.
"Yeah." Surprisingly, Shinji smirked. "She punches a lot harder then you."
Touji was about to remark, but then remembered the true reason why they were here, and instead chose to remain silent, passing the torch on to Kensuke.
"Shinji, we really think you should know this." Kensuke said uncomfortably. Misato was now starting to pay real close attention to the conversation.
After staying silent for a moment, Kensuke spoke again: "We set you up."
Shinji frowned. "What do you mean set me up?"
"You know what happened with Sakuya?" Touji asked him.
"How did you know about th-" Realization struck. "Oh."
"Well, we kinda took pictures." Kensuke said guiltily.
"Pictures?" Misato asked, having no idea what they were talking about.
Shinji just ignored her. "You did what?!" Now he was certain of what they were talking about.
"And, we kinda showed them to Asuka." Touji finished.
"WHAT?!" Shinji was mad. "Why the HELL did you two do that?" He yelled at them from across the table.
"It wasn't just us!" Touji pleaded desperately.
"Sakuya was in it too!" Kensuke protested, although he felt extremely guilty, knowing it was mostly his idea.
"Who's Sakuya?" Misato asked, but she was ignored again.
Shinji was speechless. He was angry, and he felt betrayed. Betrayed by two people who he trusted.
Unfortunately, any further conversation was cut off by the ringing of the doorbell. Misato quickly rushed over to see who it was and exited the kitchen, leaving the three boys alone.
Kensuke and Touji observed Shinji's strange expression. He looked like he was about to do something, but was restraining himself with all he had. Because both of his hands were resting on the table, they could also see the methodical clenching and un-clenching of his fist.
Suddenly, they heard quick footsteps approaching the kitchen from the front door, and soon Hikari made her presence known.
"SHINJI IKARI!" She shouted at him. "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ASUKA?!"
Moments later when he didn't answer she slapped him. Misato rushed in to try and stop Hikari but it was too late.
"Hikari!" Both Kensuke and Touji yelled desperately. "Relax, we can explain!"
She looked from Shinji to Kensuke and then to Touji, a deep frown forming on her face.
---
Back in Rei's apartment, the love bringer found himself very bored by the Blue Haired girl's routine. Cupid had reverted himself back in to his misty shadow form, and was restlessly circling around the room.
"Rei?" He broke the silence.
"What?"
"Um, aren't you going to do anything today?" He asked her.
"No."
"You're just gonna lie there?" If he had a face his expression would have dropped.
"That is correct."
"Aw man!" He protested. "C'mon! Let's go somewhere and do something!"
"Why?"
"Because it's boring here!" He exclaimed loudly.
She considered his offer for a second. "What would you like to do?" She finally asked him.
"Let's go out and spread love around!" He said happily.
It wasn't long before she replied: "No."
"What!?" He asked in surprise. "What do you mean 'No'?"
"I do not agree with the manipulation of people's emotions." She said simply.
Cupid thought about this for a moment and said; "Okay, how about this: We both go out, and you get to decide whether or not I enchant anyone." He was hopeful that maybe this will convince her.
Rei thought about this for quite a bit. "Alright." She finally said.
"Great!" Cupid said happily as he followed Rei out of the apartment. "We're gonna have a lot of fun Rei, I promise you that!"
---
Back in the other apartment, Touji and Kensuke had finished re-telling the story to Misato, Shinji and Hikari, this time with more detail so they would understand exactly what they meant.
Shinji had calmed down somewhat, Misato wore an expression of pure annoyance and Hikari was looking even angrier then before.
"How could you two do such a thing?!" She yelled at Touji and Kensuke.
"Sorry Hikari." They both said. "We feel bad enough as it is."
"Well it doesn't make it right!" The freckled girl then turned to Shinji. "I'm sorry for hitting you Shinji."
"It's okay." He replied without really turning to look at her.
"Anyway." Misato interrupted. "What you guys did was very wrong." She took another swig of her beer. "I'm very disappointed in you both."
This struck Kensuke and Touji pretty bad. Their object of affection and adoration was disappointed in them. "We're really sorry, Misato!" They both moaned.
"However." She interrupted again. "I'm somewhat impressed that you both owned up."
They both smiled again.
"It's not really my place to meddle." Misato added after a while. "You have to make this up to Shinji and Asuka somehow."
"Hikari?" Shinji suddenly spoke. "Where is Asuka? I thought she'd be with you?"
"She's staying at my place." She told him.
"That's good." Shinji smiled as well. Turning to his two friends he said: "I guess you should go over there and tell her what really happened."
"WHAT?!" They protested with looks of horror on their faces. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
"That's a good idea Ikari-kun" Hikari smiled. "I'll show them both the way, and they could go and apologize to her as well."
"Listen Shinji." Touji spoke calmly. "I know what I did was wrong but I don't exactly want to die at the age of fourteen."
Kensuke just sat by, still with the same look of horror.
"Sorry guys." Shinji said with a grin. "My mind's made up."
Touji's cool demeanour wavered and he too, developed a horrified expression like Kensuke's.
"Hey." Shinji said lightly. "Don't look so bad, she might forgive you."
"Somehow I doubt it." They both replied stoically.
*******************
Shinji put his hand on Touji's shoulder as he led him and Kensuke out of the apartment.
"So, I guess I'll see you guys later?"
Touji turned back to look at his friend. "Look Shinji." He sighed. "Is there any way we can get you to change your mind?"
Before he could respond, Hikari dragged the two boys out of the apartment, muttering something about: "Not getting out of it that easily."
Shinji just stood back, watching as Hikari literally threw Touji in to the elevator and dragged Kensuke in after her. Misato walked up behind him shaking her head.
"Those two really are idiots."
"Yeah." Shinji replied smiling slightly. "This will be good for them."
"If they survive, probably." Misato added chuckling as she walked back in to the apartment.
---
Cupid, who had again reverted to his hat state, was currently riding atop Rei's head as they walked around Tokyo 3.
"You are making my head itch." Rei complained quietly.
"Sorry, but not much goes with the school uniform. " He informed her lightly. "Would you rather have a strange black cloud trailing you everywhere?"
Rei didn't reply, and Cupid chose not to say anything further. He was way too busy scouting around for any potential targets. Travelling around with Rei was a lot slower then his usual method.
A ringing noise snapped him from his thoughts.
"Hey, what's that?" He asked.
"It is my cellular phone." Rei replied as she took it from her pocket and answered it. A few moments later she ended the call and put it away again.
"They want me to report to HQ for a series of tests."
"Oh, can I come too?!" He asked hopefully.
"I am not sure if it is wise." She said somewhat thoughtfully. "You might be detected, and people will be curios about my new appearance."
"Hmm." He though about it for a moment. "Maybe I could disguise myself differently?"
"I would not advise it." There was a soft finality in her voice.
"Oh, Alright." Cupid disengaged himself from his comfortable spot on her head, and reverted back to his shadow mist form. "I'll see you later?"
"Yes." Without saying anything else, the girl began walking in the general direction of the Geo Front.
"Aw man, it's gonna be so boring without her." He said to himself as he flew higher up and away from view.
Deciding that going against what he was told would be more fun then hanging around on his own, Cupid decided to follow Rei.
---
Back in Misato's apartment, the purple haired major was just finishing getting dressed for a day's work.
She exited the room and almost bumped in to Shinji as he was heading in to his own.
"Misato?" He looked confused. "I though you weren't going to work today."
"Same here, but I just remembered something that I have to take care of."
"Oh." He stepped aside to let her pass. "I'll see you later then?"
She turned just before closing the door behind her. "Yeah, don't wait up for me though."
With that she closed the door leaving Shinji alone in the apartment.
---
Hikari was leading the way to her home, followed closely by Touji and Kensuke.
"I want no acts of perversion out of either one of you." She said sternly turning her head to face them. "Especially you Kensuke."
"What have I done?!" He protested somewhat angrily.
Hikari did not answer him.
A minute or so later, Touji decided to speak up: "Um, Class Rep?"
"What is it Touji?" She turned to look at him again.
"You'll protect us right?"
"Protect you?" She asked with a somewhat amused expression. "Protect you from what?"
"From the Devil of course!" Kensuke butted in, somewhat exasperated.
Hikari giggled at this. "Oh, c'mon you two." She had a smile now. "Asuka's not that bad."
"Not that bad?!" Touji looked outraged. "Did you see what she did to Shinji?!"
"She had good reason to." Hikari said in defence of her friend.
"But she didn't even hear him out!" Kensuke half-yelled.
"She wouldn't have had to, if you two hadn't screwed up!" Hikari said yelled back, creating the impression that arguing with her was just exercising futility.
The two boys just groaned in frustration. Both had considered running away, but that was just cowardly.
"Well, that's my house over there." The pigtailed girl said as she pointed to a nice looking house further up the street.
"You live in a nice area." Kensuke told her.
"I suppose." She then turned to look at them again. "I hope you two appreciate the lengths I go to try and right your wrongs."
"What do you mean?" Touji and Kensuke asked in unison.
"Well, I showing two boys round to my house" The class rep replied with her usual bossy/informative tone. "I wouldn't usually do that."
The two boys sighed again.
---
"Man, I've never seen this place before."
Cupid was frantically trying to keep up with the train cart Rei was in, as well as observing his surroundings.
The train passed through another tunnel, transcending in to the giant underground sphere.
"So this is the Geo Front." He said in awe.
*******************
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.
---
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."
---
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.
*******************
Hikari and Kensuke sat on the living room couch observing Touji, who had still not moved ever since he had curled up in to a ball on the floor.
"Um, how long is he going to stay down there?" Hikari asked Kensuke after a while.
"Hmm." Kensuke prodded his fallen comrade with his foot. "I don't know. It's tough for a guy to recover after a blow like that." He said solemnly.
They fell silent and waited for a few more minutes. When it looked like Touji wasn't going to move Kensuke and Hikari decided to take drastic measures and tried to drag him to his feet. With a few attempts, they succeeded, but the Jock still needed the support of the two people to stay upright.
"Hey Touji." Kensuke spoke loudly in to his face. "Hey, you there?"
"Ken?" He squealed out.
"Yeah, relax buddy. Everything is going to be alright."
Touji looked like he was on the verge of tears. "No." He spoke in the same girly voice as before. "It won't."
"What's wrong now?" Being a girl, Hikari could not understand the inhumanity that the poor boy was going through right now.
"I can't feel it." Touji whimpered.
"Can't feel what?" Hikari asked him again.
"IT, DAMN IT! 'IT'!" He actually managed to yell that part out in a voice that resembled his own.
"Oh." Hikari didn't what to say.
"You poor bastard." Kensuke shook his head, imagining what his friend was experiencing.
---
Cupid had seen Rei enter through one of the doors that marked the entrance in to the NERV branch.
"Hmm, better keep a low profile."
Travelling around as black mist had its advantages, as he could easily seep in through the ventilation system.
As he travelled through the dark shaft, he suddenly heard a noise that sounded like machinery switching on.
"What the-?"
He didn't have time to finish that sentence, as two powerful fans at the other end of the vent activated and began blowing wind against him.
Of course, wind isn't a cloud's best friend.
"Holyyyyyyyyyy craaaaaaaaaap!" He yelled as he was literally blown away by the current.
---
"So, you guys gonna be okay?"
"Yeah." Kensuke smiled, but then grimaced as he struggled to keep his taller friend on his feet. "We'll be fine."
"Make sure you help Touji get home." Hikari ordered as she shut the door behind the two boys as they left.
The duo walked down the street for approximately 2 minutes before Kensuke started complaining.
"You know Touji, for someone as athletic as you, you sure weigh a lot."
"Shut-" The jock struggled to get the next word out. "-up."
---
Cupid found himself outside of the NERV facility one more time.
He sighed inwardly. "Well, I guess if a cloud couldn't crack it, I might as well try something more covert."
A weird popping sound was heard and Cupid transformed in to miniature action figure complete with stealth attire.
"And so it begins." The figurine smiled. "Solid Cupid must infiltrate the secretive NERV base in order to complete his goal!"
That's when the little figure sprinted off towards one of the entrances at a phenomenal pace.
---
Shinji had almost fallen asleep in front of the TV when a flurry of loud knocks at the front door jolted him fully awake again.
"Coming." He said half-heartedly.
As soon as he unlocked it, the front door swung open and Shinji was knocked to the floor by a force moving at a speed greater then what the human eye could see.
When he managed to get some air back in to his lungs, he tilted his head in the downward direction of his body only to see a mass of red hair firmly attached to his chest.
"A-Asuka?" He gasped.
"Shinji." She said lovingly.
He was relieved it was her.
"What, what's going on?" He asked.
"I know what happened now." She looked up at him with a tearful but smiling face. "I know that what I feared didn't really happen." Her smile dropped and tears threatened to pour out. "I'm sorry I hit you."
She tightened her hold of him.
"It's okay." He smiled reassuringly, but it did not seem to please the girl.
"No! You can't just forgive me like that!" She looked upset now. "I didn't trust you like I should have." She paused, now looking angry, probably with herself. "I gave you a black eye!"
Dislodging himself from the girl, and moving to standing position, Shinji smiled and offered her a helping hand up. When it looked like it wasn't working and she was still upset, Shinji just shook his head.
"Asuka, I'm telling you its okay." His smile dropped somewhat. "I'm not sure I would have reacted in the same way, but what you did was entirely understandable."
Asuka couldn't help but smile. Surprisingly, it was Shinji that pulled her in to a hug this time. Now she couldn't help but blush.
"C'mon." He said. "Let's go and watch TV."
Locked on to each other eyes for one last moment, the two walked in to the living room, hand in hand.
*******************
Cupid hid near one of the entrances to NERV and waited until a chance for him to enter the base presented itself.
Lucky for him, he didn't have to wait long, as he spotted a technician making his way to the entrance. Knowing that the worker would be admitted in to the base, Cupid stealthily started trailing behind him, hoping to enter at the same time he did.
---
The door opened admitting the NERV tech in to the building. As soon as he entered the complex, the large gate sealed itself shut behind him. Now that the man was in, he headed down the corridor to his usual work place.
Some strange sounding footsteps began to echo, the sound emanating from behind him. Despite himself, the NERV technician felt unnerved.
As soon as he stopped walking, the footsteps ceased as well. He turned around expecting to see someone, but found that the dark corridor was empty.
"Hmm." He looked suspicious.
Again, as he began walking, he heard those same footsteps coming from behind. This time, with no warning, the man quickly swung around, sure that he'd catch his would-be stalker in the act.
He saw no one.
"Is anyone there?"
No answer.
"I know someone's there!" His voice rose. "Show yourself!"
Still no answer.
More confused and scared than ever, the tech continued on to his destination. All was quiet for a moment, but then the echo of those same strange footsteps interrupted his walk, forcing him to break in to a run in his fright.
"I hate this place!" He yelled as he ran down the corridor at full speed.
Had the man looked down at his feet, before he broke in to a run, he would have seen the miniature figure.
---
"What a sap." Cupid chuckled as he continued on his way around the NERV base. "This is going to be a whole lot of fun."
---
Back in Misato's humble home, Shinji and Asuka were watching TV.
Well, they weren't really watching it, as they were currently too involved in their kissing. To the casual observer, the kiss looked like one of those you get in them cheesy romance movies.
Okay, in all honesty: it was indistinguishable. The only difference was the fact that the feelings behind this particular kiss were real.
As they broke apart, both teens were blushing and smiling softly. Asuka rested her head on Shinji's shoulder and their attention turned back to the program they were watching.
"So." Shinji broke the quiet. "You didn't hurt Touji and Kensuke too much did you?"
"Not really." She replied casually. "I still haven't decided how to repay the four-eyed geek."
"Oh." Shinji wondered what she could possibly do to get back at his friends.
"And that bitch Sakuya!" She suddenly said, raising her voice. "Who the hell does she think she is kissing you without my permission?!"
"Um, wh-?"
"I swear I'll get her back." She interrupted him. Shinji felt her hands tighten in to fists. "I swear."
---
Back in the Geo-Front, Cupid was casually exploring the gigantic NERV complex when, by complete chance, he found himself at the main control room.
Hiding behind one of the computer terminals, he surveyed the interaction between the three 'Bridge Bunnies.'
As Cupid observed a conversation between Maya and Shigero, he began to feel strong feeling directed at the female tech coming from the long-haired man, feelings that can be compared to the beginnings of love.
When Cupid tried to see what feelings and emotions Maya was going through as she talked with her co-worker, he couldn't find anything that resembled love. Only friendship.
"We'll soon change that!" He said to himself excitedly, and took aim with one of his magic arrows.
Of course, these arrows were invisible to normal humans, so it went completely unnoticed as it soared across the room and dodged out of the way of people who passed by, adjusting it's aim accordingly.
Maya was half way through her conversation with Shigero when she felt a small prick, followed by the warming sensation running through her body.
She looked around the room for a moment, but then on retrospect turned back to Shigero.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah." She replied. "I just felt strange for a moment there."
"I bet." He smiled. "You work too hard."
"I guess so." She turned around and continued typing stuff in to her computer.
Across the room, Cupid stood agape.
"What the?" He couldn't believe it. "My arrow had no effect?"
At that exact moment, Ritsuko Akagi came up in the elevator. As the blond haired doctor approached Maya and leaned over her shoulder to examine the data on her computer, Cupid began to feel some strange feelings coming from the short-haired young woman.
"Wait a second." The action figure now wore an expression of suspicion. "She likes-?" He realized what was going on.
"No way."
---
Kensuke, who was no practically dragging Touji behind him, made good on his promise and carried the Jock all the way back to his house.
*Ding Dong*
He rang the bell, and it wasn't long before Touji's father came to answer the door.
"Oh, hey guys." He paused and looked at his son. "What the?"
Kensuke gave him a false smile. "It's a long story."
"Touji, what happened to you?" His father was now concerned.
Touji struggled to get the two words out. "Red." He coughed dramatically. "Devil."
"What?!"
*******************
Misato stepped in to her NERV office, hoping to finish whatever work she needed to do quickly, so she could take the rest of the day off.
"Hello."
"Kaji!" Misato was startled, as she hadn't seen him when she entered. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I just like spending time with you." The man flashed her his trademark lady knockout grin.
"Well," She rudely walked past him to get to her desk. "I'm rather busy right now."
"Hey, c'mon." He gave her a cute pleading look. "Friends shouldn't act like this."
"Friends?"
Kaji beamed. "Sure!"
Misato shuddered at the thought.
Unknown to both, the action figure known as Cupid had walked in to the room whilst they were busy talking.
Suddenly, something in his tiny head clicked. 'That's the guy who was at Shinji's apartment the other week.'
Deciding to spear the man a break, he loaded one of his arrows and took aim.
'As long as there aren't any more surprises with sexual preferences, it should work this time.' He though hopefully as he let the arrow lose and it flew straight for the unsuspecting NERV major.
"Listen Kaji, the closest you'll get to being my frie-" She stopped mid sentence, as a strange feeling of warmth she hasn't felt in a long time travelled through her body.
"Misato?" Kaji didn't know what had caused her to stop.
She looked up at him with an entirely different expression from the one she wore moments ago.
Cupid smiled evilly as he sprinted out of the office. 'Damn I'm good.'
---
"Hey Shinji!"
The boy's head popped out from behind the kitchen door to see why he was being called upon. From his vantage point he could see Asuka sitting on the living room couch.
"What is it Asuka?"
"Where's Misato?" She looked at him. "I just noticed she's not here."
"She had to go to work." Asuka didn't look satisfied by the answer. "She said something popped up and she had to take care of it."
"Oh, okay then." She smiled. "Shinji?"
"Yeah?"
"GET BACK TO WORK!"
In his rush to get back to his task of cooking, Shinji tripped up and fell to the floor with a somewhat loud thud.
"Ouch."
"Are you alright?"
The brown haired boy looked up to see a concerned looking Asuka standing over him.
"Yeah." He struggled to get himself on his feet for a moment. "I'm fine."
She smiled. "Doomkphof."
"Wha-?" Shinji looked even more confused. Instead of giving him an answer though, Asuka simply pulled him in to a tight hug.
"You're such an idiot." She said quietly. "My idiot."
She smiled again as she pulled away. He couldn't help but smile as well.
---
Rei had just finished some synchronization tests with the Dummy Plug and was heading back to her apartment.
On her way through the long dark corridors, she heard some strange shuffling noises coming from one the rooms she passed by. Rei looked at the label on the door.
*Major Katsuragi*
Deciding it was none of her business what her superior officer was doing, she continued walking down the corridor. She was about to exit the building, when she felt a strange presence at the edge of her senses.
"Cupid is here."
She turned around and began to scout the area in order to find him.
---
Mister Suzahara had demanded that Kensuke should come in, and explain to him, exactly what happened to his son.
After a brief re-telling of events, Kensuke fell silent, and awaited a comment from his friend's parent.
"Let me get this straight." Touji's father said as he looked at Kensuke. "Touji got beat up by a girl?" He shot a glance at his convulsing son.
"Sort of."
"Any reason behind this attack?"
Kensuke gave out a fake cough, remembering how he had conveniently left out the parts of the story concerning the scam they pulled on her and Shinji.
"Nope." He finally said.
"Who is she anyway?" Touji's father pressed on.
"Asuka Langley Sohruy." Kensuke said with mock respect.
Touji's father looked thoughtful for a moment. "That name sounds familiar."
"Well yeah." Kensuke smiled knowingly. "She is an Evangelion pilot."
"Hold an a second." Touji's dad looked stunned. "She's really an Eva pilot?"
"Yeah." Kensuke replied.
Touji's father had nothing to say for a moment. Kensuke and the man could both hear quiet painful moans escaping from Touji himself, as well as the occasional muttering: "Devil girl."
"It doesn't mean she can just get away with anything." The man finally said.
"I agree!" Kensuke exclaimed. "I feel threatened to have her in my class."
Touji's father looked thoughtful again. "I might have to place a formal complaint to the teacher."
"Mister Suzahara!" Kensuke looked absolutely thrilled. "That would be a grand idea!"
Touji's dad was confused at the boy's reaction, but decided to shrug it off.
'Maybe I can actually get rid of her once and for all!' Kensuke though to himself, an evil grin forming on his face.
---
Rei felt the presence of Cupid grow stronger, which meant he was near. Walking through a final door, she entered in to a moderately small office room. She looked around, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary - hold on.
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at an action figurine that stood on the desk in a dramatic pose.
"How much longer do you intend to pretend?" She asked him in a monotone voice.
The figure suddenly began to move, and surprisingly burst out in laughter.
"What is so funny?" Rei demanded.
"You rhymed." He said happily. "I had no idea you were so poetic." He started laughing again.
"Quiet!" She said suddenly. "Someone's coming."
Rei grabbed hold of Cupid, who had grown still, and turned to face the door. Indeed, who-ever was outside was headed this way, as it wasn't long before it opened.
"Rei?" A voice said. "Is that you?"
It was commander Ikari.
"Yes sir." She replied monotone.
Cupid felt an immense aura of cold hatred flowing within that man. If the action figure had muscled, they would have been stiff as a rock.
"What are you doing here?" He asked her.
Rei looked around for a moment, looking for an answer she could give him. Eventually, her gaze fell down upon the object in her hand.
"I am… playing." She finally said, the answer sounding fake, even to her.
Gendo raised an eyebrow.
"Don't let me spoil your fun." He told her as he grabbed one of the folders that was on the cabinet and exited the small office.
---
Back at Misato's place, Shinji and Asuka were enjoying a nice home cooked meal.
"This is great Shinji." Asuka said with a smile, and then crammed her mouth full of food.
"Thanks."
The phone rang and Asuka was about to go and pick it up when Shinji stood up and said: "Stay here and enjoy your meal. I'll go get it."
With that he left the table and went to pick it up.
"I wonder who it could be." Asuka mused as she continued stuffing her face with Shinji's excellent cuisine.
Moments later, Shinji returned to the kitchen. He looked ghostly pale and shocked.
"Hey Shinji."
He didn't answer.
"Shinji!" Asuka was getting worried.
"Misato." He said.
"What about her?" Asuka pressed on.
"She's… getting married."
"WHAT?!"
"To Kaji."
"WHAT?!"
*******************
There is a person we all hate.
To be more precise, this person is a girl. She goes to class A2 in one of Tokyo 3's reputable schools, she is fourteen years of age, has many friends, and her name is Sakuya.
She is the very same Sakuya who played an important role in the plan attempting to put an end to Shinji and Asuka's relationship. The very same Sakuya who is now an abject of the intense, pure hatred of a certain German redhead…
The very same Sakuya who now finds herself bored, lying on her bedroom floor, blissfully unaware of the negative feelings and emotions that exist against her.
"So boring." She muttered quietly.
All was quiet and still for a few moments, but then…
"Ouch!" She yelped as she bolted upright. "What the hell?"
It felt as though someone pricked her with a pin on the back of her neck.
"Huh?" There was no one else in the room, and moments later the pain was gone.
---
Across town, in the faithful Katsuragi residence, a different girl, one we all know and love, was focused on the trivial task that was at hand.
"Hey Asuka." A voice startled her from her concentration. "What are you doing?"
"Just testing something." She answers.
"Let me see." Shinji comes up behind her to get a better view of what she's doing.
Asuka smiles innocently when he sees what's in her hand.
"Is that a doll?" He asks. "How come it has a needle in its neck?"
"Well you see…" Asuka trails of, suddenly aware of her foolishness.
"Hold on a second." Shinji suddenly looks serious. "Are you practicing voodoo or something?"
"Err." She looks even more nervous. "Well, I'm so pissed at that bitch Sakuya…"
Shinji starts laughing. "Y-You were practicing voodoo on Sakuya?"
"Sort of." She smiles slightly as well. "I don't think it's working."
"Well, I think you'd better stop." Shinji looks down at the doll. "What would people say when they found out that the great Evangelion pilots are practicing dark magic?"
"Yeah, I suppose you're right." She takes the needle from the doll's neck. "Just to make sure though..." And with that she impales the doll in the back.
---
On the other side of the city, in Sakuya's room:
"Wah!" She bolts upright again. "What the heck?"
She rubs her back, which feels like it's just been impaled by a sharp object. Again, moments later, the pain was gone.
"I don't get it."
---
Back in NERV HQ's dark office room…
"You should not have come here."
"Oh relax." The little figure made an impassive gesture. "Nothing to worry about."
The expression on Rei's face remained neutral, though her eyes spoke of the emotion raging inside. "The Commander suspects something and will now have me under constant surveillance, the chances of us recovering your pod have been drastically cut, and yet you can just tell me that there is nothing to worry about?"
"Pretty much."
Rei almost, ALMOST threw her hands up in exasperation, but considering who she was, a change in her usual cool demeanour was enough.
Taking a deep breath, she glared at the Cupid figure. "We are leaving."
"Sure thing, Blue!"
Rei tensed up as her anger rose, but instead of acting on it, she calmly walked out of the office, followed by the small action figure.
---
Time passed quickly for the two young Eva pilots that stayed home. It wasn't long before Misato herself returned to the apartment, however, on this occasion she brought home a guest.
"Hey guys." She called in to the apartment. "I'm home."
"Hey Misato." Both Asuka and Shinji came to greet her. "Oh, hey Kaji!"
"Hey kids." He winked at Asuka, but she just glared at him. "Tough crowd." He smiled.
"So, you heard the big news?!" Misato asked them happily.
"Wait a second." Both Asuka and Shinji looked shocked. "You were serious?"
"Oh boy." Kaji smiled again. "Can we go and sit somewhere? I don't like telling stories while standing in a corridor."
"Yeah, sure." Asuka and Shinji led the two adults in to the kitchen, and sat at the dinner table.
Now that they were all seated, Asuka close to Shinji, and Misato and Kaji on the other side of the table, the two young charges observed their guardian, and what was now her fiancé, awaiting an explanation.
"Well you see." Kaji began first. "I was in her office and we were having a friendly chat."
"And…?" Both Shinji and Asuka pressed on.
"She just kinda looked at me." Kaji said with a smile.
"Yeah, I looked at him." Misato added dreamily.
Kaji smiled even bolder. "And then she asked me if I felt like doing something stupid."
Asuka smirked at this. "And as usual, being the daring fool, you agreed to this?" She crossed her arms. "Man, I have no idea what it was that I ever saw in you."
Everyone at the table was stumped at this.
"Err, thank you for your opinion Asuka." Kaji smiled uneasily. 'It's weird how Asuka's and Misato's roles have reversed like this.' He though to himself, Shinji was also thinking along those same lines.
"Anyway." It was Misato who broke the silence this time. "We decided to get married, so here we are."
Kaji took a small box from his pocket. "She made me buy a ring." He told the two Eva pilots. "Kinda strange having the woman you're marrying choosing her own ring."
"At least you'll know she'll be happy!" Misato exclaimed happily, suggestively elbowing her new fiancé.
That was enough for the young German girl, as she stood up and spoke out: "Okay, this is just too weird." She grabbed Shinji's hand and pulled him to his feet. "Me and Shinji have seen enough."
Misato and Kaji could only watch in amusement as she literally dragged the boy out of the kitchen.
---
*Living Room*
Asuka and Shinji both sat on the couch. Shinji was reading a magazine and Asuka was leaning up against his shoulder.
"Shinji?"
"Mmm?"
"About Kaji and Misato…"
Shinji turned his attention away from the magazine and now looked at the redhead who was using his shoulder as a pillow. "What about them?"
"I was just thinking about what they're doing…"
Shinji choked on the very air he breathes. "You want to get married?"
"Not now silly." She smiled and looked up at him. "Sometime in the future."
"I didn't think you were in to that sort of stuff." He grumbled.
"Well, I was just thinking about it." Her eyes became distant for a moment before they came in to focus on him and she smiled. "It would mean we'd never be apart."
Shinji wasn't sure how to react to this sort of thing.
"I don't know, Asuka." He finally said.
She stood up and kissed him on the cheek. "You think about it, okay?"
Shinji watched her as she walked toward the door. "I'm going to have a shower." She told him as she walked in to the bathroom.
Now that the boy was alone, all he could do was think about what she said. In the end it all came down to one question.
"Do I love her?"
*******************
*Streets of Tokyo 3*
"Hey Rei!" Cupid's voice sounded laboured.
"What is it?" Rei looked down at the action figure she was holding.
"You're squeezing too tight." He pointed to the firm grip that she held around his tiny plastic body.
Rei relaxed her hold. "I am sorry."
"It's okay."
Rei continued walking on the way to her apartment, but then the small figure spoke out again.
"Hey Rei, isn't that the guy you shot down before?"
The blue haired girl looked up and saw that it was indeed the boy who had asked her out the previous week.
"Goro." She said simply.
"Ahh, so that's his name." The little figure grinned. "Why don't you call him over?"
"I do not wish to speak to him." Replied Rei.
"You're so uptight, here, let me." Before Rei could respond, the little figure that was Cupid whistled loudly.
Of course, it got the boy's attention, and he soon spotted Rei and began to make his way over to her.
"Why did you do that?" She asked quietly.
"Just having some fun." He replied.
Any further questioning was cut by the arrival of the boy.
"Hey Rei!"
"Hello."
"What's up?" The boy asked her.
She looked at him in a weird way, probably thinking that the question was literal.
"Err, what are you up to?" He corrected himself.
"I am on my way home." She replied stoically.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I'm holding you up."
"It would be best if my journey is not interru-" She was cut off as sharp pain suddenly started coursing through the palm of her hand. Looking down she saw that the small action figure had pinched her.
Goro followed her gaze down to the "toy" which she held.
"I didn't know you were in to that kind of stuff."
Rei didn't reply.
---
*Katsuragi Apartment*
Two figures could be seen as they made their way towards the exit at the end of a dimmed hallway.
"I'll see you later then?"
"Bet on it." Misato winked as she led Kaji to the door.
The man grinned, still not having grasped the events that had recently transpired fully.
"Bye." He said finally as he walked out and Misato closed the door behind him. She was smiling softly.
She was still smiling as she entered the living room.
"Hey Shinji!" She said cheerfully as she saw him sitting on the couch.
Shinji was startled and looked up at Misato. "Oh, hey. I didn't see you there."
"I can see." Her smile fell slightly. "What are you thinking about?"
"It's something Asuka told me. Well, something she asked me actually." He replied.
"Want to talk about it?"
"I could use some advice." Shinji told her quietly.
Misato sat besides him and turned to face the boy. She wore a calm and understanding expression on her face, giving the over-all impression that she was here to listen and not to judge.
"What's troubling you, Shinji?" She finally asked him, breaking the awkward silence.
He was silent for a moment, choosing the words he would use.
"Asuka asked me if… if I love her." He said finally.
"Do you?" Misato frowned slightly. Although at first she didn't approve of the way Asuka had changed her feeling towards Shinji, at one point she had come to realize that they were indeed genuine.
"I… I'm not sure."
"Shinji, you either do or you don't." Misato told him sternly. "Asuka's a nice girl, you wouldn't want to hurt her."
"I know." He said solemnly. "But it's just so confusing."
"Love is always confusing." Misato said gently.
Shinji looked up at her with an expression that said: 'You really aren't helping.'
Misato sighed. "I'll tell you what."
Shinji was paying attention again.
"Try and imagine yourself without her," she grinned. "You'll find your answer then."
Saying no more, the purple haired woman stood up and exited the room.
'Myself without Asuka?' Shinji questioned himself.
---
*Suzahara Residence*
Touji was stealthily making his way to the front door, obviously attempting to sneak out of the house.
"Where are you going?" The stern voice from behind startled him.
"Ahh!" Touji spun around. "Dad, what are you doing there?"
"You still haven't answered my question."
The jock looked uncomfortable for a moment. "I was going to visit Mari in the hospital." He said honestly.
"I your current condition; I cannot allow it." His father told him.
"But, I promised!" Touji took a large step forward, quickly regretting his actions, as his "groin" was still to recover fully. He gasped. "I promised I'd visit her today!"
"I'm sorry son, not today." His father understood how his son felt. "Don't worry though, I'll go and see her and tell her why you can't come."
As Touji disappointedly made his way back to his room, he had a single thought running through his head.
"Kensuke my old friend, I'm going to put you through a world of hurt when I get out of here." He said to no one in particular is he closed the door behind himself.
---
*Katsuragi Residence*
Asuka had just got out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her body, and was heading back in to her room to put some clothes on. She was startled when she opened the door.
"Shinji!" She gasped.
"Um, Hi."
"What are you doing in my room?"
"I wanted to tell you something." He answered quietly.
"I'm sure that it could wait till after I'm dressed." She paused and then grinned.
"Oh, I get it now." She said slyly.
"Huh. What?" Shinji was surprised.
"You wanted to have some fun with me, didn't you?" She grinned even more when he started blushing.
"W-WHAT!?"
"Oh, don't lie to me Shinji." She teased. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"B-But-" He was cut off as she promptly made her way over to him and pushed him on to the bed.
"You picked a great time Shinji." She smiled. "I couldn't have been any more in the mood."
"B-But." He kept on stuttering.
She kept on talking as she positioned herself over him. "Although there are better ways to tell a girl, I'm surprised at your boldness."
"But… I…"
Her smile broadened, and that's when Shinji regained his senses.
"W-Will you get SERIOUS FOR A MOMENT?!" He finally yelled.
Asuka stopped dead in her tracks. "Fine." She got of him and sat down, soon Shinji sat up as well.
"Thank you." Shinji said after a while.
Asuka grinned. "You need to relax more, you know that?
Shinji actually laughed at this. "You don't have to make it so hard for me." Asuka joined him as well, and they both shared a good-hearted laugh.
"So, what was it that you had to say to me?"
"I've done some thinking." Shinji said.
The seconds rolled by. "And?" It was Asuka who prompted him to continue.
"I just wanted to tell you that I do."
"Do what?" Asuka wasn't sure what he meant.
"I love you."
This she had not expected.
"Y-You do?" She asked hopefully.
Shinji just nodded with a smile.
"Really?"
"Really."
The boy gasped as the wind was knocked out from him when the red head pulled him in to a tight embrace.
"I knew that-that you wouldn't let me down." She said in between sobs.
Was she crying? Did Shinji's love really mean so much to her? It warmed his heart to know that there was someone who cared for him like this.
"You don't know how much this means to me."
Shinji returned the hug, but soon pulled himself away from her.
"It's the least I could do." He smiled again.
Asuka however, needed to hear no more, and she grabbed a hold of his collar and again, pulled him in to one of her aggressive and passionate kisses.
During this rather intimate encounter, the towel draped around Asuka's naked body began to slide off, and because the two teens were so engrossed in their kiss, neither one noticed.
Misato walked in to the room.
"Hey you two, what's all the noise abo…" She trailed off as she saw the state Asuka was in.
"What in the hell are you two doing?!" She shouted.