Disclaimer: see part 1 for full disclaimer.
The Complexities of Human Interaction
By Random1377
Contact 5: Can I Try Again?
Dinner, Hikari decided, did not taste as good when it was seasoned with guilt. True to her word, Asuka had talked Shinji into making a fantastic meal… but every time she glanced at the boy, frowning as he simply pushed his food around on his plate, Hikari was faced with the same question: Who is he?
Was he Shinji the introvert, keeping quiet and slouching in his seat at school? Shinji the savior, gently cleaning her wounds and letting her sleep in his clothes and then going off to slay angels with a smile? Or Shinji the pervert, peeping at Asuka (and possibly her) every chance he got?
"Well," Misato said suddenly, drawing everyone's attention as she pushed back from the table, "I don't know about you girls, but I'm stuffed. Thanks Shinji… that was really good."
The brown-haired boy nodded. "Are you leaving?" he asked quietly, not looking up from his plate.
"Yeah," Misato yawned, "got some stuff I gotta take care of at NERV, so don't wait up." She smiled at Hikari. "And you two – no ganging up on Shinji! I know what it's like when friends hang out, but he's got homework to take care of… so no tormenting, k?"
Hikari blushed. "Yes ma'am," she said quietly, stealing a look at Asuka – who looked decidedly put out. "We'll just stay in Asuka's room."
Asuka rolled her eyes as Misato glanced her way. "Fiiiine," she sighed, "who would want to waste time with him anyway?"
Hikari frowned as the older woman blinked, seemingly taken off guard.
"Well," Misato said smoothly, "I guess… I'm out of here, then."
Asuka rose to her feet and put her plate in the sink as the woman made her exit. "Come on Hikari," she said excitedly, "I wanna show you this new outfit I got."
The class rep hesitated, biting her lip pensively and looking down at the remains of dinner as her friend walked out of the room. "I'll take care of your plate," Shinji said after a quiet moment, reading her delay as uncertainty.
"Hikari!"
Hikari jumped as Asuka's shout reached her. "R-right," she stammered, standing and walking out of the room with a confused backward glance.
No, she thought, something doesn't add up…
She tried to relax and enjoy herself as she spent time in her friend's room, but thoughts of the brown-haired boy continued to surface in her mind. Two hours after dinner's conclusion, Asuka announced that she was going to take a bath.
"Just stay in here," the redhead advised, "there's no telling what might happen to you otherwise, you know?"
"Right," Hikari agreed, nodding her understanding.
She waited until she heard the water running in the bathroom to climb off of Asuka's bed and head into the kitchen, determined to figure out which of the Shinji's in her mind was the real one.
"Hey."
Shinji's face registered a mixture of fear and wariness for a moment before settling into a collected, noncommittal expression as he glanced up from his homework. "Hello, Miss Horaki," he said quietly, looking back to the paper in front of him.
"What'cha working on?" Hikari asked lightly, taking the seat next to him and cradling her chin in her palms.
"English," Shinji said quietly, scribbling a note in his textbook.
"That's a pretty tough subject," Hikari observed, "English is hard to translate…" She paused, waiting for a reply. When only a nod was forthcoming, she ventured, "Need any help?"
Shinji shook his head. "No… thank you."
The class rep frowned, leaning a bit closer to allow the front of her shirt to part slightly. Just to check! She thought, hoping she was not blushing. Just… to make SURE.
Shinji looked up at the movement, then blinked and looked hurriedly away, his cheeks reddening as he closed his notebook and stood. "D-do you want a drink?" he stammered, fumbling for the refrigerator handle.
"No," Hikari shook her head, a sudden feeling of foolishness washing over her as she leaned back and refastened the top button on her shirt.
The boy retrieved a can of soda from the fridge and started towards the living room. "I'll just… you can… I'll go…" he stammered, his fingers struggling to work their way under the pop top.
"Wait…"
Shinji gasped as Hikari's hand shot out, catching him around the upper arm. "W-what is it, M-miss Horaki?" he managed, keeping his eyes averted.
"Well, for one thing," Hikari said quietly, "you can use my first name."
The boy swallowed. "I don't think you want me too…" he whispered, running a finger nervously around the rim of his drink.
"Shinji."
The Third Child tensed. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry," Hikari said gently. "I've been… a real bitch today. Can you forgive me?"
Shinji finally turned his head, his eyes wide as he gaped at her.
The class rep offered a tentative smile. "I'm sorry…"
The boy averted his eyes. "It's ok," he said quietly, looking at her hand for a moment, then back to the floor, "I know you were just tired when you said that… I won't hold you to it."
Hikari's brow wrinkled. "When I said… oh! You mean about being friends??"
Shinji shrugged minutely. "Like I said," he murmured, "I know you were tired…"
"But…" Hikari found herself at a loss for words as she slowly pulled her hand away.
That's why he was avoiding me yesterday! She thought suddenly, He's afraid I'll think I'm obligated to be his friend or something… God, he's so… her thoughts trailed off as the boy began moving towards the living room. She stood up quickly, meaning to tell him that she meant what she said, but as she rose, her hip glanced off the edge of the table, sending a blast of sharp, jagged pain through her and throwing her off balance. She stumbled, her mind whispering, Always the graceful one, as she wavered.
"Are you ok?"
Hikari took a deep breath as Shinji hurriedly dropped his soda and reached out, steadying her by putting his hands on her shoulders. "No," she said honestly, her voice betraying the pain she was feeling, "that really hurt." She smiled as Shinji reached to touch her, then quickly pulled his hand back.
"Sit down," he said, turning red once more, "I'll get some ice for that."
"Why is it," Hikari said softly, reaching out and taking his hand, "that you're always there when I get hurt?"
For the first time since she had shown up at his door, Shinji gave her that elusive, playful smile. "Just lucky I guess," he shrugged, blushing as she squeezed his hand.
Hikari released him, covering her throbbing side with her palms and managing a smile as she sat back down. "I guess I am," she said softly. "Ice would be great, Shinji, thank you."
The boy smiled again… and Hikari knew which Shinji was real.
She leaned back in her chair, waiting patiently for him to get the ice. Why, then? She thought suddenly, Why is Asuka acting like that? All those times she said he was looking at her… those must have been accidents. She blinked as another thought occurred to her. Unless she was making it up – but why would she do that??
"Here," Shinji returned to her side, offering her a plastic bag full of crushed ice, "this should make it feel a little better."
Hikari took the bag, pressing it against her side with a pained hiss. "I'm ok," she assured the boy as he averted his eyes and apologized, "just… whacked it harder than I thought." She studied his face for a moment, an odd idea forming in her mind as she heard the bathroom door open. "Look at it for me, can you?"
Shinji immediately took a step back. "I don't think I should," he said quickly, "I mean-"
"Just for a sec," Hikari pressed, standing up and turning to the side, "it feels like it's right on the hipbone, so I can't really see how big a bruise I'm going to have unless I have a mirror. Just real quick, ok?"
The boy nodded reluctantly, and stepped over to her, fidgeting slightly as she pulled her shirt up two inches to reveal her side. "Doesn't look that bad to me," he said slowly, putting his hand on hers and starting to pull her shirt back down for her, "it shouldn't be a big-"
"What are you DOING?!?"
Hikari's lips compressed as Shinji jumped, and she let her shirt fall back into place, turning to face the music.
Or rather, the enraged visage of Asuka Langley Souryu. "I hit my hip on the table," Hikari said levelly, taking in the other girl's flushed face and clenched fists, "Ikari was just looking at it for me."
"I told you to wait in my room," Asuka hissed, casting a glance at Shinji out of the corner of her eyes and pulling her towel tighter around her body.
Hikari smiled apologetically at Shinji. "Night, Ikari," she said kindly, letting herself be dragged off.
Shinji looked confused, but managed to raise one hand in a timid, uncertain wave.
"What were you thinking?" Asuka demanded as she closed her door, "He was all over you!"
"Oh he was just making sure I wasn't hurt," Hikari said quietly, "why are you getting all freaked out?" She leaned closer to her friend. "Is there something going on between you and Ikari?"
"No!"
Hikari shook her head as the redhead tore her dresser open and yanked out some clean underclothes.
"Really!" Asuka snapped, "He's a pervert, I'm telling you! I don't know why you would think I'd like someone like him."
"I like him."
The Second Child stiffened.
"I think he's a nice guy," Hikari murmured quietly, watching her friend's responses very closely as she added, "I mean, I like Touji… but I think Shinji's very nice." The only reason, she decided, that she could see some of the tension leave the other girl's shoulders was because she was looking for it.
"He's… ok," the redhead admitted reluctantly, pulling her panties on and tossing her towel to the side, "but he does look at me all the time…"
Hikari smiled at the sullen defiance in Asuka's voice. "Can you blame him?" she grinned.
"Well of course not," the other girl said imperiously, slipping her arms through her bra straps and fastening the clasp, "I am worth looking at, you kn-"
"So why are you all bent out of shape?"
Asuka blinked, unprepared for Hikari's sudden, straightforward attack.
"Why does it bother you so much if a nice guy appreciates you?" Hikari pressed quietly, picking Asuka's tee shirt up off the bed and offering it to her.
"It doesn't… I don't mind being appreciated," Asuka sighed, taking the shirt and pulling it over her head, "but I don't like little boys like that, Hikari – you know that. I like older guys… like Kaji."
"Ahh yes," Hikari smiled, "the elusive Mister Kaji you keep talking about." She raised a hand as her friend's expression darkened. "Now don't get mad," she said quickly, "I'm not saying you made him up – Miss Katsuragi talked to you about him when you were doing that dance thing with Shinji, remember?" She waited for Asuka to nod before concluding, "I'm not telling you that you should go jump Ikari… just… maybe be a little nicer to him?"
Asuka slowly pulled a pair of shorts out of her dresser. "Maybe…" she conceded quietly.
Hikari sighed with relief. "Fair enough," she said quietly. "Hey, why don't we all watch a movie together or somethi-"
"Now," Asuka cut in, giving her friend a light punch in the shoulder, "you're pushing it."
Hikari laughed. "Ok, ok," she said easily, "you don't have to get violent!"
Asuka relaxed a bit more, grinning as she murmured, "Alright… I won't hit you anymore…"
The class rep caught the glint in her friend's eyes a moment too late. "No!!" she laughed, trying to retreat as the redhead lunged, digging her fingers into her sides and tickling her mercilessly, "S-stop!!"
A maniacal cackle was the only reply as Asuka continued her assault, and soon Hikari was helpless on the bed, howling with laughter. She lay panting as the girl finally relented, smiling down at her and breathing hard herself. Friendship… she thought, gazing up into Asuka's brilliantly clear blue eyes, trust… why am I the only one she's given these things?
Abruptly she sat up, almost embracing the other girl before restraining herself. "Can you still see the scratches on my cheek?" she asked awkwardly, averting her eyes as her friend pulled back slightly.
Friendship… she thought once more, smiling as the girl assured her that her injuries were barely visible, and courage…
Asuka gasped as Hikari leaned further forward, carefully embracing her. "H-Hikari!"
"Oh stop," Hikari said quietly as the girl squirmed, "I'm just saying thank you…"
"You're welcome," the redhead said quickly, ceasing her struggles and briefly returning the class rep's hug before pulling away from her. "Man," she grumped, "I didn't know you were all touchy feely."
Hikari grinned. "You thought I was going to kiss you."
Asuka blushed immediately. "No I didn't!" she protested, "I was just… I did not!"
Hikari laughed. "Don't worry," she said dryly as the girl took another step back, "I'm pretty sure you're safe from me, Asuka."
In spite of herself, Asuka sighed with relief, drawing another laugh from her best friend. "Oh shut up…"
Falling back on the bed, Hikari continued laughing.
Friendship…
Continued…
Hikari's Excess Baggage
Hikari here. I hope you liked this week's Contact – I know I did. Getting closer to a friend can be painful and frightening sometimes, but it's so worth it. Today on Excess Baggage we have two scenes. The first is the originally scripted sequence where I confront Asuka about liking Shinji. It was changed when the director decided that it was a little too clear what Asuka's feelings were. The second scene… well, I hate to admit it, but it was my idea. We were shooting the scene with Asuka and I in her bedroom, and I just thought it would be funny to see her response.
I should have known she'd find a way to turn it around!
Begin first sequence:
Hikari smiled apologetically at Shinji. "Night, Ikari," she said kindly, letting herself be dragged off.
Shinji looked confused, but managed to raise one hand in a timid, uncertain wave.
"What were you thinking?" Asuka demanded as she closed her door, "He was all over you!"
"Do you think he's cute?" Hikari asked lightly, putting on a thoughtful, somewhat dreamy expression, "I think he's cute… and he's so gentle…"
She watched Asuka from the corner of her eye, suppressing a grin as the girl paled. "No," Asuka snapped, "I don't. He's just a dufus stooge!"
A stooge you like, Hikari thought confidently, but you'd never admit that to me, would you? The smile that had been threatening to appear on her lips never materialized as the angry expression on her friend's face hinted that, You don't even know what you feel…
"Do you think he likes me?"
When Asuka's eyes widened, Hikari's mind was made up.
"Asuka?" she said quietly, waiting until the girl stopped insisting that Shinji did not like her before murmuring, "you know I like Touji, right?"
End first sequence.
Begin second sequence.:
Asuka gasped as Hikari leaned further forward, carefully embracing her. "H-Hikari!"
"Oh stop," Hikari said quietly as the girl squirmed, "I'm just saying thank you…"
"You're welcome," the redhead said quickly, ceasing her struggles and briefly returning the class rep's hug before pulling away from her. "Man," she grumped, "I didn't know you were all touchy femplhf!!"
Her eyes widened in comical shock as Hikari yanked her back into her arms and planted a wet, smacking kiss on her lips. "There!" Hikari said grandly, "Consider yourself thanked!"
Asuka rolled her eyes, then clasped her hands in front of her. "Oh Hikari-sama!" she squealed, throwing herself at the other girl and hugging her tightly. "I never knew you cared! Kiss me again pleeeeeeeasssse!!"
"Ahh!!" Hikari cried, fighting not to laugh as the redhead puckered her lips and crossed her eyes. "Get her off me!! Cut!! P-please!! Ok, you win!!"
"Mah Hik-hik-hikawreee!!" Asuka drawled, leaning forward and licking the other girl's forehead, "Ah luuuuv ewe!!"
"Ewwww!!!" Hikari screamed, "Make it stooooooopp!!"
"Cut!"
End second sequence.
Ahem, as you can see… my little plan backfired a bit. I'm glad they cut when they did, because it would be hard to explain to my grandkids why there was footage of my friend drooling on me. Yeah, she went on for another couple minutes. Sheesh.
Anyway, I hope you liked this week's story. Be here next time for Can I Be Like You?
And I told you this one would be longer!
See ya next time!
Pre-read on this contact was courtesy of Ryoma… well, it was more grudging than courteous, but I still have to say thanks… -_-
Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com