Disclaimer: see part 1 for full disclaimer.
The Complexities of Human Interaction
By Random1377
Contact 8: Can I Ask You Why?
Avoidance, Hikari decided, needed to be her keyword as Friday morning stretched endlessly before her. Could this get any worse? she thought miserably, glancing from Asuka (who was staring at the chalkboard with a little too much interest) to Shinji (who seemed to be just looking away every time her eyes found his). And Touji's out too! Man, the only way today could be worse is by being tomorrow!
She sighed, trying to forget that Saturday would bring her face to face with her sister Kodama, shatterer of eardrums and stomper of feet – the very bane of her existence.
If it wasn't for that fight, I'd be sleeping in my own damn bed! Hikari thought angrily, And if I was sleeping in my own damn bed, my best friend wouldn't think I was a bisexual floosie, bent on stealing the guy she claims she can't stand! Damn it – this is ALL Kodama's fault!
She closed her eyes, keeping them shut for a minute and taking a deep breath before forcing them open.
Plus I'm soooo tired…
"Ayanami?"
Hikari looked over her shoulder, frowning as she noticed that Rei was not at her desk. "She's absent, Sensei," Hikari said, rising to her feet, "I'm sorry I didn't report it sooner."
"No, no," the teacher said patiently, "I understand Miss Ayanami's commitments. Please sit back down."
"Thank you, Sensei," Hikari bowed, taking the chance being upright gave to glance at Asuka's face.
What she found was not soothing.
Oh, she looks like she's pissed! she thought nervously, retaking her seat, I'll talk to her on lunch – Shinji too… damn it, things are getting all messed up!! Gotta… she yawned broadly, gotta get it all straightened out… forget avoiding it, I need them both to know… how I feel…
Hikari yawned again, sitting up straight in her seat and rolling her shoulders in an attempt to revive herself, then slowly, gradually slipping lower and lower until finally, her eyes rolled closed.
"Miss Horaki!"
Hikari's eyes flew up and she jerked upright, bowing quickly as she found her teacher standing directly in front of her desk. "Yes Sensei!" she said quickly, "Everybody rise… bow… dis-"
"Miss Horaki," the teacher cut in patiently, "class has been over for five minutes."
Hikari glanced around, finding only a handful of students – most of them snickering at her – in the classroom. "I'm… sorry, Sensei," she said awkwardly, frowning as she noticed that neither Shinji nor Asuka was present. "It won't happen again."
"I'm sure that it won't," the teacher sighed, hesitating a moment before adding, "I understand that you're having a hard time at home right now, Miss Horaki, so we'll just… pretend this never happened."
"Thank you, Sensei," Hikari bowed, gathering her books into a neat stack on her desk and reaching under her seat to grab her bento as the teacher nodded and walked away.
She froze as she happened to glance out the window.
Is that… Ayanami? she thought, confused. Why is she talking to Touji?
She stared up at the pair of youths, trying to puzzle out what they could be discussing – and why they would need the privacy of the school's roof to do it. "Probably just… talking about an assignment," she told herself, knowing that this explanation was about as plausible as Touji deciding that he wanted to take up floral arrangement.
Rei, to Hikari's knowledge, did not seem quite aware that she was in school at all. She almost never turned in her homework, barely paid attention in class, and never – as far as Hikari knew – filled out more than half of a test before going back to staring out the window. It was almost as if the girl looked at school as an inconvenient distraction, forced upon her by whatever guardian (Hikari had never met him or her) she had at NERV, and tolerated with totally unconcealed boredom and apathy.
But the teachers don't seem to care, Hikari thought absently, frowning as Touji's lips moved, clearly saying something to Rei through a small, amused smile. And is she… blushing??
"Hey Hikari!" a voice called from the doorway, "You wanna have lunch?"
Hikari nodded. "O…ok," she said uncertainly, taking one last look at the two before turning to find, "Asuka??"
"Who did you think it would be?" the redhead asked testily, "Joan of Arc?"
"Well… I thought you were mad at me," Hikari mumbled, averting her eyes. "About… about this morning."
"I'm not mad at you, stupid," Asuka grumbled, "it's just… oh forget it – I'll tell you some other time."
Hikari nodded, sensing that – for now, anyway – Asuka's anger was not directed her way. "Alright," she said quickly, "let's get Ikar-"
"No," Asuka cut in flatly, "I don't want to see him right now."
Too tired and confused to argue that she had invited him to eat with her, Hikari just nodded, glancing back up to the roof and finding it empty as Asuka started towards the door. She did not see Shinji as they wandered through the halls to the exit, but she dared not mention this to Asuka for fear of having a sharp barb or snide comment hurled her way.
Once outside and seated comfortably on the grass, Hikari decided to break the uncomfortable silence that had fallen between them. "I just… saw Ayanami talking to Touji," she said reluctantly. "They were pretty close," she risked a look at the redhead, finding her unpacking her lunch with a carefully neutral expression. "Do you think she was asking him out?"
"No," Asuka replied immediately, not looking up from her food as she broke her chopsticks apart.
"She blushed," Hikari pressed softly, "and… and he was smiling, and-"
"Look," Asuka cut in, scrubbing a hand over her face in a clear sign of annoyance. "You know how bad Shinji is with talking to people right? Well if Shinji's lead when it comes to stuff like that, Wondergirl's off the atomic scale!"
"Really?" Hikari asked hopefully.
"Yup!" Asuka said decisively.
And for a moment, Hikari had the distinct impression that Asuka had forgotten about whatever was bothering her. The moment passed, though, and the smile that had formed on the redhead's lips faded away, leaving her with a distant, decidedly unhappy air.
"What do you see in that stooge anyway?" Asuka whispered, slowly stirring her lunch with her chopsticks.
Hikari blushed as she remembered the warm, gently concerned expression on the boy's face whenever he talked about his sister. "I see his sensitive side," she said, turning away and trying to hide the color in her cheeks.
"Whatever," Asuka sighed, "hey listen, me and Shinji have to go in to NERV after school, so here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small key card. "We should be back before dinner time." She began gathering up her bento, concluding, "And we'll have someone else with us, so don't freak out."
"Who?" Hikari asked uncertainly, taking the key with a frown as her friend rose to her feet. "And umm, what about lunch?"
Asuka regarded the closed box for a moment before whispering, "A babysitter – and I'm not that hungry anymore." She turned away. "I'll talk to you later, Hikari, and really… you should forget about that stooge, ok? He's… it… you should just forget him."
"Wait!" Hikari called, but her friend ignored her, striding quickly back towards the school without once looking back.
Well that was… weird, Hikari thought, picking at her own lunch with the tips of her chopsticks, I don't think… ASUKA couldn't like Touji, could she?? No way! But it makes sense, kind of, I mean- She cut the thought off and shook her head.
"That is the stupidest thing I've ever come up with," she told herself, trying to ignore her clamoring thoughts, "I think Asuka would rather go out with Ayanami than Touji."
This brought a small smile to her lips, and she hurried through her lunch, hoping to catch Shinji on the way back to class. Unfortunately, when she did spot him, he was walking with his friend Kensuke… and when she waved at him, trying to get him to come talk to her, he lowered his eyes and pretended not to see her.
Great, she thought with a mental groan, now he's all shy again – I just can't win!!
With no way to get the boy to talk to her, Hikari simply let it go, hoping to catch him between classes. Her hopes went unfulfilled, however, as Kensuke manipulated Shinji's time, repeatedly asking him about 'the new one' and saying 'I could do it if they would let me!' to which Shinji simply shrugged.
As the last bell rang, Hikari found herself no closer to resolving any of her issues than when the day had begun – and it seemed that in spite of her best efforts, she had somehow managed to end up with more on her mind than when she had dressed.
At least I don't have cleanup duty, she thought glumly, waving halfheartedly as Asuka hustled Shinji out of the classroom, clearly complaining that they were going to be late, so I can go straight home… well, you know – back 'home.' She sighed as she gathered her things. I guess it's ok to call it home for now, she thought, slipping her books into her backpack, I'm sure not going to MY house until… well, until after tomorrow anyway.
Hikari blinked as she found herself in a most unique situation: it had taken so long to get her things together that she was alone in the classroom, and since she knew Asuka and Shinji were not going to be home when she got there, she decided that maybe she could linger a little longer – just to unwind a bit.
"What do you look at all day, Ayanami?" she mused, wandering to the back of the class and sliding into the blue-haired girl's seat. "Nice view," she whispered, resting her chin in her palm as she had seen the other girl do so often, "wow… you can see pretty much everything from here, can't you?"
Hikari smiled as she glanced out the window, letting her mind wander. From this angle, she could see most of the school grounds and much of the city, giving her a fairly unobstructed view of the sunset. With all of the things on her mind lately, she did not have much of a chance to appreciate anything strictly on an aesthetic level, and while the city itself – all glass and steel and bustling crowds – was not beautiful… the outlaying area certainly was.
Mountains, she thought idly, so heavy… but even that can change if you give it enough time. Blue sky… stretching on forever, just a few clouds… so pretty. Sun… only one Sun – unique in the universe, like the people I know… each one of them like a flower in a field, just existing without purpose. Beautiful… but pointless…
She blinked as she realized that she was on the verge of tears.
"Yeah, you really do have a good view, don't you?" she murmured, wiping at her eyes as she rose to her feet. "You just keep watching the world, Ayanami… I can't blame you for not wanting to do your schoolwork when you've got such a nice view – and you guys have so much on your minds already that…" her voice trailed off as she spotted someone out on the school grounds.
Timing!
Quick as a flash, Hikari grabbed her school bag and hurried outside, feeling her heart swell as her ruminations on the First Child's motivations were instantly forgotten.
This was her chance. Maybe she could resolve something today, if she was strong enough.
She dashed through the school, waving to the few remaining students still cleaning their rooms and pausing at the front door to catch her breath before strolling – casually – outside. "Hey Suzuhara," she whispered to herself, walking boldly towards the lone figure on the basketball court, "I was just thinking that… if you're not busy… we could…"
She swallowed, catching the boy's profile as he bounced the ball once, twice, and finally a third time before holding it up over his head, a determined smile lighting his features as he let the ball go.
Swish.
"Suzuhara…?"
The tentative murmur was far quieter than the bold approach Hikari had planned, but now that the silence was broken, she felt that she had to press forward… though she still could not bring herself to follow her original path.
"Didn't see you in class today," she said lamely, "everything ok?"
Stupid, she berated herself as the boy stooped to pick up the ball, stupid stupid stupid!
"Yeah, it's alright," Touji shrugged, bouncing the ball a few times before putting it up once more, "I had something I had to take care of for my sister."
Swish.
Hikari nodded as the ball bounced off the concrete and rolled slowly back towards the young man. Of course, she thought, feeling suddenly embarrassed, she's been in a NERV-run hospital since her accident… so he was probably asking Ayanami to check up on her. She warmed to this idea immediately, ignoring the fact that it was rather full of holes and concentrating on the positive convenience of it. And he wouldn't ask Asuka, because they don't get along, she reasoned, and he probably didn't want to bother Shinji, since he's got so much on his mind lately… yeah, that makes sense!
"Well, I'm glad things are ok," she said honestly, trying to gather up the courage to ask something more substantial – like 'it's pretty late, how about some dinner,' or 'hey, since I'm headed that way, let's walk to the train together' or maybe 'I really like you, and I want to go out with you some time.'
Right, she thought dismally, like I could ever say that…
"Heard you're staying at the Devil's place," Touji said suddenly, sounding as if holding up a conversation was taking a great deal of effort on his part.
"Yeah," Hikari nodded, "I had a fight with my sister." Inspiration struck with all the force of a lightning bolt. "Hey, I'm just headed back there to cook dinner for Shinji and Asuka… your dad's working tonight, right? Why don't you come with – it'll be… it'll be fun."
Yes! She thought triumphantly. I did it! I DID it!!
Her moment of victory was short-lived.
"No thanks," Touji said coolly, "I gotta go do something tomorrow." He shook his head ruefully, not noticing Hikari's slumped shoulders. "I'd really rather hang with you guys than go – believe me… but I have to do this, ya know?"
Hikari nodded as he threw the ball once more.
Swish.
"I understand," she said lightly, "maybe umm… another time." She brightened. "I'll bring you some leftovers tomorrow."
"Not gonna be here," the boy sighed, "it's an all day thing."
"Oh," Hikari replied.
At least he'd rather hang out with… us. She contained her sigh, wishing 'me' could replace 'us' in that thought.
"Well, ummm… I'll see you Monday then, I guess," she said hesitantly.
Coward, she thought angrily, just ask him out! You were halfway there anyway!! Just say, 'Hey, let's hit a movie when you get back!' or something – do it! You know Asuka would!
Sadly, she realized, she was not Asuka.
"Guess so," Touji replied easily, "see you around, Class Rep."
Hikari waved… but the young man did not see her as he was too busy scrambling after the ball.
Why is it so hard? she thought, entirely frustrated. I want him to know I like him… but I can't even talk to him for five minutes without blushing – not that he noticed, of course.
"See ya," she sighed, heading slowly towards the exit to the school grounds.
When she glanced back to the courts, she found Touji back at the free throw line, setting up for another shot, and for some reason… the sight of him alone on the hard, unyielding cement filled her with sorrow. Trying to shake off the feeling – and telling herself she would ask him out some day – Hikari headed for the train station, feeling suddenly very alone, and very, very unhappy.
Continued…
Hikari's Excess Baggage
Hey, Hikari Horaki here! Sorry for the long wait, but it seems that the director had some type of personal issue he had to deal with before we could roll on this contact. Please accept our humble apologies.
For this contact, we have something a little fun! Touji kinda thought the scene between me and him was a little depressing, so he… well, I don't want to spoil it, just see for your self.
Begin Sequence:
Her moment of victory was short-lived.
"No thanks," Touji said coolly, "I gotta go do something tomorrow." He shook his head ruefully, not noticing Hikari's slumped shoulders. "I'd really rather hang with you guys than go – believe me… but I have to do this, ya know?"
Hikari nodded as he threw the ball once more.
Swish.
"I understand," she said lightly, "maybe umm… another time." She brightened. "I'll bring you some leftovers tomorrow."
There was a moment of silence, then Touji muttered, "The only thing that'll be left over is you."
"Huh??"
Touji grinned as he turned to face her. "You and me, baby… right now." He caught the ball on its next bounce and tossed it to a surprised Hikari. "Show me what you got – one on one!"
"Are you serious?!"
"As a heart attack!"
Hikari dropped her bookbag and stared at the ball. "Are we still rolling?" she asked suddenly.
"Yes," an exasperated voice called from off-screen.
"Good," Hikari muttered.
Before Touji could react, she shot past him, dribbling twice before firing the ball into the air.
Swish.
"Yeah, keep it rolling," the class rep said sweetly, "and I want a copy of the tape showing Suzuhara crying like a baby when I school his ass!"
Swish. Swish. Swish.
For the next three minutes, the sound of leather and lace passing through the net was the only sound that could be heard… the only sound besides the increasingly annoyed cries of disbelief.
"She's a freak!" Touji's shout echoed through the set. "What are you, some WNBA genetic experiment gone wrong?!"
"Don't start crying yet," Hikari replied, bouncing the ball off the backboard before slamming it through the hoop, "you mess with the best, you suck like the rest motherfu-"
"Ok, cut!"
End Sequence.
Ahem, yes, well… as you can see, I tend to get a little competitive when I'm challenged. Ahem!
So! Tune in next week for How did it Come to This?
…and in case you were wondering, I destroyed Touji 21-9. Hey, the kid's good – just not as good as me.
See ya later!
Pre-read on this contact was by Ryoma, who is positive that he would beat Hikari on the court. Sure you would, man… sure you would… ^_~ Oh, and a note on Touji's sister's location – I know in the show that he agrees to pilot to move her to a better hospital, but I figured since she was hurt in an EVA related accident, she might already be in a hospital owned by NERV… though maybe not the best. *shrug* so that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! :P
Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com