Disclaimer: Characters from Neon Genesis Evangelion have been used without permission. All characters contained in this work are copyright GAINAX, Project EVA, Movic, AD Vision and Manga Entertainment.
Nergal Fan Fiction LLC
A division of Nergal Heavy Industries proudly presents:
The Best Laid Plans 2.0
by Ryoma
Chapter Three "Games People Play"
Shinji glanced up from his bowl of cereal and watched his housemate silently enter the kitchen and open the refrigerator door. He was surprised to see her already dressed and ready for school.
Asuka rummaged through the icebox for a few moments before slamming the door shut. "There's nothing to eat in this damn place!"
"I...I made breakfast," Shinji said, motioning toward the other side of the table, and the plate of food lying out there. "It may look like a lot, but it's only thirty five points."
"Thanks," the Unit 02 pilot said as she walked over and sat at the table. "Sorry I snapped at you," she said softly, "but this stupid diet is really pissing me off."
"I understand," he smiled, "if it helps, I'll do it too...for support."
"There's no need for both of us to suffer," Asuka said as she shook her head back and forth. "Besides, you're too skinny as it is. No, if Misato had any guts, she'd do the honorable thing and call off the wedding." The redhead paused for a moment of reflection. "Or kill herself. At this point either option is fine with me."
Suddenly it dawned on the girl that a large, untouched platter of delicious fruit was sitting in front of her. With a roar that would rival Unit 01 emerging from the Sea of Dirac, Asuka attacked the plate, forgoing any eating utensils and shoving one piece after another into her mouth.
"But wouldn't it be easier if-"
"Quiet," she interrupted, stopping her feeding frenzy for a moment as she glared at him. "Eating," she mumbled as a river of orange juice ran down her chin.
Shinji watched for the next few minutes as his girlfriend reverted to something akin to a pack of vultures assaulting a carcass. From time to time, she would pick her head up and search for potential rival scavengers before ducking back down and resuming her feast.
When it seemed like she was close to finishing, Shinji decided to speak. "I thought you were coming to see me last night?" he said apprehensively, absently pushing his spoon around his empty bowl.
"I just didn't have the energy," Asuka said, throwing the last piece of sliced orange in her mouth. "What's the matter?" she grinned mischievously, "doing it by yourself isn't as much fun?"
"Oh, I wasn't by myself," the Third Child smiled, recognizing her teasing tone. "I filled in with Misato nicely."
Asuka sacrificed her last banana slice as a projectile and hit Shinji in the face. "You should never use the words I, filled, and Misato in the same sentence," she growled. "It's an oxymoron." She crossed her arms on her chest and screwed up her most foul expression. "And you better not have fantasies about that walking donut disposal or they'll be the closest you get to any action for a LONG time."
"Sorry, sorry," Shinji said excitedly.
"You better be," Asuka said as she stood up and walked over to him. Crouching down, she took his chin in her hand and stared into his eyes. "If you're REALLY nice to me all day, tonight I promise I'll make it worth your while." She started to pull him closer, both of them closing their eyes as their lips prepared to meet. "We'll see if you can fill-"
All of a sudden the kitchen was filled with the sounds of alarm claxons and flashing lights. "Oh joy," Asuka sighed as she quickly pecked Shinji on the lips. "I do believe El Higgante has awoken."
"Shinji!" Misato screamed. "The net...accidentally...fell on me again!"
"Just a minute," he yelled as he watched Asuka walk over and pick up her book bag. "Do you want to wait for me?" he asked. "I should have her out in a couple of minutes."
"Nah," Asuka replied as she started down the hallway towards the front door to the apartment. "I promised Hikari that I would meet her before school this morning."
"Ah...okay," Shinji said as he watched her bend down and place her feet into her sneakers carefully arranged at the front door.
"SHINJI!" Misato shrieked even louder than before. "Where are you? I REALLY have to go to the bathroom."
"I better go," Shinji said as he watched the Second Child stand up and straighten her uniform skirt before pushing the button to open the door. "I'll see you at school."
"You got it," Asuka said as she started through the doorway. Suddenly she poked her head back in and smiled. "And don't get any ideas of taking advantage of Misato just because she's tied up."
"W...what?" Shinji gasped.
"Oh don't act so surprised," the redhead giggled. "I know all about you Japanese and your bondage fetishes. I bet you'd just LOVE to tie me up and have your way with me."
"Of course," he grinned, "I'm Japanese, that's the only way we know how to do it." He started walking towards her, arms outstretched like a zombie. "Only Asuka, only Asuka!" he repeated over and over.
"Ooooo, you're such a pervert," she said crossly as she stuck out her tongue. "This whole country needs a cold shower."
"And you Germans are that much better?" Shinji said nonchalantly as he returned to a more normal pose. "Or should I remind you of that video Kensuke showed us?"
"Scheisse," Asuka grumbled loudly as she shut the door.
"It sure was," Shinji frowned as he turned and walked back toward his irate guardian.
---------
Hikari entered the schoolyard, stopping to gaze around and noting the few other individuals also arriving early for class. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Asuka, sitting on a bench underneath a beautiful cherry tree, its leaves blanketing the stand with a shadow from the early morning sun. With a determined gait, she walked toward her friend.
"Thanks for coming," Hikari said as she looked down at her friend. "Sorry to make you come in so early."
"You look like hell," Asuka said as she finally had a chance to view the class rep up close. Apart from the jumbled mess that was her hair; Hikari's uniform was wrinkled and ragged and the bags under her bloodshot eyes made it clear that she hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. "Here...sit down," she said, moving her book bag to the ground.
"Thanks," Hikari whispered as she sat down and pulled her ponytail around to the front, sighing as she noticed the hastily tied ribbons. "I barely had time to take a shower, never mind fix my hair."
"Being our class rep all these years, I would think you'd be accustomed to coming in early."
"I am," Hikari nodded. "But last night I don't think I slept a wink. I was tossing and turning all night."
"Ewww," Asuka cried, pulling back from her friend. "I HATE it when you talk about your sex life with that idiot Touji."
"Please don't mention that name to me," the class rep said crossly, a pained expression growing on her face.
"What's the matter?" the Second Child questioned.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Listen," Asuka said softly, noting that the other girl looked like she was about to break down at any moment. "I'm your best friend...tell me what happened."
With a nod, Hikari acknowledged the reassuring smile the redhead gave her. Taking a deep breath, she finally relented. "I don't think Touji likes me anymore," she cried as her brown eyes began watering up, overcome by the release of finally speaking those words that haunted her to another. "I think he's going to break up with me."
"Oh come on," Asuka said as she watched the class rep bury her tearful eyes into the palms of her hands. "Touji may be a moron, but even HE isn't that stupid."
"D...do you think so?"
"Sure, he might have the intelligence and table manners of a dog, but the one thing I'm sure of is that he's loyal, well, also like a dog."
Hikari turned and looked at the redhead. "H...he's not a dog," she sniffled.
"Never takes a bath, fleas, sticks his head out the car window while riding around," Asuka said, flipping her fingers out one at a time for each response. "Runs around with his tongue hanging out...and don't get me started on the whole 'licking' thing because we both know if he could-"
"Alright already," the dark haired girl relented, using her palm to wipe away a stray tear. "I'll stop crying."
The Second Child smiled and nodded. "Good, now tell me what happened."
"He's been acting very strange lately," Hikari started as she fidgeted with her ponytail. "He completely changes the subject whenever I try to talk about how he's been doing on his college entrance exams or what the two of us are going to do after the summer. Now he's started disappearing for hours at a time without telling me where he's going. It was never like this before."
"So he disappears for a while...I don't see how that means he's breaking up with you."
"How about yesterday, after the game? Some strange man chased him. And I didn't hear from him for like two hours," Hikari said softly. Suddenly she turned and faced the Eva Pilot, a look a terror in her eyes as she spoke. "You don't think that guy was a jealous husband or a jilted lover or something?"
"Hikari," Asuka said sarcastically, "would you listen to yourself? I seriously doubt that Touji is leaving you for another man." She smiled briefly at her friend before being forced to turn away, the humor from the class rep's comment finally getting the best of her. "Although," she chuckled, "you should start to worry if he spends a lot of time with that new guy, Kaworu."
"I'm glad you think this is funny," Hikari said crossly as she watched her friend giggle as indiscriminately as possible, "but this is very important to me. I mean how would you feel if Shinji was sneaking around behind your back?"
"That's easy," Asuka smiled. "I'd sit down with him and calmly discuss why he was doing what he was doing."
"Sure you would," Hikari said derisively. "You've never done anything calmly in your whole life."
"Hey, I said we would DISCUSS it calmly...I never mentioned anything about what I would do later."
"Oh," the class rep gasped as a morbid grin grew across her friend's face. "OH!"
"So let me get this straight," Asuka started. "You're all upset because of what happened yesterday?"
"Well, yeah," Hikari replied.
"In that case, I think I can put some of your fears to rest," the Second Child said. "I saw him and the other Stooges on the town yesterday."
"What were they doing?"
"Actually," Asuka said pensively, "I honestly don't know. I mean I was going to ask Shinji when he got home, but I completely forgot."
"And this is going to help me how?" Hikari frowned. "I mean if you don't know-"
"I may not," the redhead grinned, "but I know someone who does." She reached down and picked up her book bag. "Come on, we need to find Ayanami."
---------
"Shinji!" Touji raised his arm and waved as he quickened his pace. "Ikari wait up!"
Shinji stopped and turned toward the sound of his friend's voice. "Good morning," he smiled.
"Morning," Touji said, sounding a bit out of breath. "On your way to class?"
"Yeah."
The track-suited Stooge glanced around nervously. "Hey, where's Das Bitch: U-69 this morning?"
"Why do you always say things like that?" Shinji frowned. "I wish the two of you would stop calling Asuka names."
"Did I screw it up?" Touji said curiously, scratching his head. "I could have sworn it was Das Bitch. Something about how she's always cold and damp on the inside, is really only useful when she goes down, enjoys being filled with seamen-"
"Please stop now," Shinji sighed.
"Don't blame me," Touji shrugged. "Aida thought up this one."
"Speaking of which, isn't that Kensuke?"
The jock turned and followed the direction that Shinji's finger was pointing. In the distance, a very ragged and disheveled looking young man walked slowly towards them. His once white and neatly pressed uniform shirt was now untucked and full of stains as he held his dark jacket loosely over his shoulder. Running a free hand through his hair, he attempted to straighten it out, only succeeding in making it look worse. Fellow pedestrians on the sidewalk gave him a wide berth, neatly splitting in two to move around the boy, fearing that he, like so many other beggars before, might be anxious for some spare change. Glancing up, he finally noticed his friends and began moving with a more determined pace.
"Looks like you had a rough night," Touji winked as the spectacled teen stomped up next to them. "Sneaking around Ayanami's apartment building all night again?"
"Shut up," Kensuke muttered sharply.
"Hoping to catch a glimpse of her silky calves-"
"Shut up."
"Her luscious thighs-"
"Shut up!"
"Her MAMMARIES," Touji continued, ignoring his friend's increasingly hostile requests and reddening face. "You better be careful of NERV security's going to pick you up for questioning...again."
"Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!" Kensuke said loudly as he jumped up and down, finally succeeding in silencing his friend. His rosy cheeks puffed in and out with each deep breath he took. He glared up at Touji and pointed an accusing finger at him. "SOMEBODY dragged me across town on another one of his idiotic jaunts and then didn't have the decency to make sure I had the means to get home!"
"You didn't go home last night?" Shinji questioned.
Kensuke shook his head. "Nope. I didn't have enough money for a cab, so I decided to take the train. But I got on the wrong line and ended up even FARTHER away from home. Before I realized it, the train and bus service had shut down for the evening."
"So you walked all night?" the Third Child said as he watched his friend begin to tuck in his uniform shirt.
"I sure did...and I've got this horrible chaffing because I don't have any-" he started, suddenly cutting himself off. "Yes, I walked all night."
"You must be tired."
"Not really," the other teen said, "you'd be surprised what the fear of being murdered on some dark, deserted street will do for one's stamina."
"Don't forget raped," Touji offered. "You could have been gang raped and then killed."
"I hate you," Kensuke growled faintly before the Unit 01 pilot quickly stepped in between them.
"Here, use my comb," Shinji said as he handed his friend the grooming object.
"Thanks," Kensuke smiled as he started working the plastic tines through the knots in his hair. "Say, where is Das-"
"Bitch: U-69," the Eva pilot interrupted with a frown. "Touji already used that one this morning."
"Now you're stealing my material!"
"Eh, it was stupid anyway," Touji said as he turned away indifferently. "I screams 'I'm military obsessed and I like to play with my gun'. Can't we just go back to calling her plain old bitch?"
"To answer your question," Shinji said angrily as he balled up his hands into fists. "She left early to meet Hikari before school."
"Today is certainly starting off great," Touji grinned. "I don't have to put up with that annoying voice the entire walk to school."
"She is not annoying!" Shinji snapped.
"Oh come on," the jock said knowingly. "A lot of people I've talked to can't STAND her voice. It just doesn't sound natural for a girl her age."
"Well I happen to LIKE it."
"Even you have to admit," Kensuke started, "that she still sounds like a forty year old TRYING to sound like a fourteen year old, and failing miserably." He paused for a minute, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, those same people say your voice is too whiny and-"
"Can we PLEASE change the subject?" Shinji cried - frustrated that yet again, they were getting into the same argument the trio had gotten into a hundred times before.
"Answer one question first," Touji said. "Why is she so damn mean? It's bad enough she's called me a moron in front of the whole class more times then I can count, but did she really need to rent out that billboard in the center of town?"
"That was pretty funny," the Third chuckled, glad that the subject seemed to change from his whiny voice. "Remember when they covered it in the evening news?"
"And what about the picture she chose?" Kensuke said shaking his head. "How did she ever get a picture of you with your finger jammed up your nose?"
"I don't know," Touji said as he furiously dug at the inside of his ear with his index finger. Pulling it out he glanced at the orange goo before wiping it on his pants. "Just lucky I guess."
"If you think Asuka was bad then," Shinji said, quickly turning away as Touji began working on his other ear. "You really should avoid her the next few days."
"Why?"
"She and Misato are on a diet," Shinji said. "And they are both...acting...really," he added, his voice trailing off as he noticed the interesting stares his revelation was receiving. "I did NOT just say that," the Eva pilot lamented, slapping himself on the forehead. "Tell me I didn't say that!"
"Oh you did," Kensuke grinned, "but don't worry, we won't tell her it was you."
"Please don't tease her," Shinji warned. "Attempt to be mature about this for once."
"Us? Mature?" Touji said taken aback. "Never!"
"This is NOT going to be good," the Third Child said shaking his head as in the background the two other Stooges began plotting. "Not good at all."
---------
"Damn," Asuka muttered as she entered the classroom and saw that Rei's chair was empty. "Of all the days to be late."
"It's not like her," Hikari offered. "She's usually here before me."
"Oh well," the Second Child said as she dropped her book bag on her desk. "I guess we wait."
"Yup."
"Hey," Asuka said as she watched Hikari unpack her belongings. "I meant to ask you, did you hear anything from Kei University yet?"
"Yes," Hikari replied with a slight nod.
"And?"
The class rep stared blankly ahead, her stoic visage giving no hint as the red head looked anxiously on. After a few moments of silently reflection, Hikari spoke. "I was...accepted!"
"Congratulations," Asuka said as she gave the girl a hug. "I always knew you could do it."
"T...thanks," she replied. "I got the letter in the mail yesterday."
"And you didn't call to tell me?" the German frowned. "Here I thought I was your best friend."
"You are," Hikari apologized. "In fact you're the only person I've told. I haven't even told my father or sisters yet."
"Why the big secret? I'm sure they'll be thrilled."
"I'm not worried about them," Hikari sighed. "I have to figure out how to break the news to Touji. He's going to be crushed."
"Crushed huh?" Asuka said excitedly. "Let me tell him! Let me tell him!"
"NO!" Hikari gasped. "And you have to promise me you won't tell ANYBODY until I say so. That includes Shinji."
"Fine," Asuka mumbled, crossing her hands on her chest. "I don't see what the big deal is anyway. We both know you're going to find someone better at college next year and dump his sorry ass."
"Why should I want somebody else?" the dark haired girl said. She clasped her hands to her bosom and twirled around, her uniform skirt billowing up slightly with the motion. "I love Touji with all my heart and soul."
"I think I'm going to need a bucket," Asuka complained sarcastically. "You're pathetic."
"Stop teasing," Hikari smiled. "If I were to become Misses Touji Suzahara, it would be the happiest day of my life."
"It would?" the redhead questioned flatly.
"Yes," the class rep nodded enthusiastically before her mood changed and she hung her head and stared at the floor below. "Now maybe you understand why I'm so worried all the time. I'll be going off to college and I have no idea what's going to happen between us."
"You're acting like its permanent or something. It's only a few years and you can always come back and visit from time to time."
"That never works," Hikari said shaking her head. "My sister Kodama had a boyfriend in high school, and they broke up shortly after he went away to school."
"But that's just one example," Asuka said, a smirk slowly growing on her face. "And a bad one at that. No offense, but your sister 'got around' quite a bit. She might have had a boyfriend, but Shinji and I bumped into her more than a few times at the movies with other guys."
"That slut! I can't believe she was running around the whole time behind Onizuka's back. I never knew she could be so conniving."
"Come on, you can't be THAT surprised," the Second Child teased. "After all you remember how she tricked you and Maya under the mistletoe that one Christmas."
"Don't remind me," Hikari blushed, eventually joining her friend in a chuckle at the embarrassing memory.
"So what are you going to do?" Asuka said as the laughter died down. "If you're worried about him cheating, Shinji and I will still be around here to spy on him if you want. I'll tell you if he even LOOKS at another girl."
"No thanks," the other girl shook her head. "It's not fair to him. Or you two."
"What about if you-"
"Don't worry," Hikari interrupted. "I'm sure Touji and I will come up with some level headed and well thought out solution."
---------
"Tonight's the night," Touji said confidently, as he held out the ring box. "I don't think I slept at all last night, I was so excited."
"Tonight?" Shinji questioned, a concerned look coming over his face. "So soon?"
"Yup," the jock nodded, snapping the container shut as he put it into his pocket. "I have dinner reservations at Café Yume for five. I figured I'd drop the question right before the meal."
"It's POP the question," Kensuke muttered as he desperately tried to rub a stubborn stain off his glasses. "And this means you're really going through with it?"
"Sure, why not?"
"I thought by now you might have come to your senses," the smaller teen shrugged. "You realize this plan is almost as bad as the one you had to make your own electric chair when we were playing cops and robbers as kids."
"And what was so wrong with that?" Touji questioned. "I thought it was a great idea."
"First of all," Kensuke said, putting his glasses back on and adjusting them on his nose. "Two stripped wires, a wall socket and an aluminum folding chair are not exactly what I would call a great idea," he grumbled, "never mind the fact I'll have the scars on my ass cheeks for the rest of my life."
"I was only carrying out the sentence of the court," Touji said shaking his head. "Don't blame the man, blame the system."
"Can we please get back to the point?" Shinji interjected.
"Sure," Kensuke nodded, anxious to forget that traumatizing afternoon at the Suzahara household. "Do you realize how desperate this whole thing sounds?"
"But you don't understand, I AM desperate," Touji exclaimed. "If I don't do something to make Hikari stay with me, I'm going to lose her forever."
"That still doesn't make it right!" Kensuke pleaded. "Shinji, you're always the levelheaded one, YOU talk to him."
"Yes," Touji said, joining his otaku friend and turning toward the Third Child. "What do you think?"
"Well," Shinji began, pausing to clear his throat, "someone long ago once said, 'if you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it is yours. If it does not, it was never meant to be.'"
"Very nice," Touji nodded. "Is that from a song or something?"
"They're not song lyrics," the Third Child sighed. "It's a famous poem I thought you might want to hear."
"Not much of a poem," Touji grumbled, "it doesn't even rhyme."
"The version I've heard," Kensuke interjected, "ends with 'if it doesn't, hunt it down and kill it."
"I don't see how murdering Hikari solves anything."
"NO," Shinji shouted. "That's not what I meant." He paused for a moment to calm down. "I thought if you heard this poem," he said, "you might figure out the meaning behind it and how it relates to you."
"I don't really care," Touji said shaking his head. "I'd rather do things my own way."
---------
Rei paced anxiously back and forth on the sidewalk; pausing every few moments to glance in the direction she assumed her quarry would approach. After many sleepless hours of analysis the night before, she finally decided the best and most logical course of action was to wait for Kaworu here, on the exact spot they had collided only twenty-four hours earlier.
Her patience was ultimately rewarded as she watched him draw near, the smile on his face unmistakable as he caught sight of her.
"Miss Ayanami," Kaworu said confidently as he stood next to her. "How wonderful to see you on this lovely morning."
"You remembered me?" Rei said nervously, finding the young man's self- assurance somewhat discerning and yet at the same time, strangely exciting.
"Of course," he replied. "Though I have to admit seeing you in person again, you are far more beautiful than my memory served me. Truly an angel."
"T...thank you," she said, struggling with the words as her cheeks began to flush bright red.
"So tell me Ayanami," Kaworu smiled as he watched her lower her head in embarrassment. "Is it fate that the two of us meet here again, or is another force at work?"
Slowly Rei picked her head up and looked at him. "Another force?"
"Yes," he continued. "Though today's meeting did not have the same...impact, as yesterday's, I find it odd that we run into one another two days in a row."
"Your suspicions are correct," she said. "Today's encounter was prearranged. I had hoped you would be here."
"Really?"
The First Child didn't immediately answer, instead crouching down and placing her hand into her book bag sitting on the sidewalk below. After a few seconds she pulled out a brightly colored beverage can. "Look," Rei said as she stood up and held the drink container out in front of her.
"Nagumo's Own Tomato Juice," Kaworu said as he read the brilliant, blue kanji. "I've never tried this before."
"I bought it from the vending machine in my apartment building," she said as she handed the can to Kaworu. "I thought you might enjoy it."
"You are very kind," he said as he took a moment to open the canister. The Eva pilot watched intently as he took a long drink. "This is good," he said with a smile. "Aren't you going to join me?"
"Yes," Rei nodded. "It is strange," she said as she knelt down and rummaged through her book bag, her hand finally emerging with an identical can. "I have walked past those machines for nearly five years without the slightly temptation to purchase anything. However yesterday I found myself unable to resist."
"And?"
"Although loaded with chemical preservatives and flavoring, the taste is unexpectedly...refreshing."
"I told you so," Kaworu said as he watched her take a sip of the liquid, her lips gaining a slightly deeper tinge of red as she did. "It's exciting to try new things in life, isn't it?"
"You could say that," Rei said as she brought the can down and held it near her side. "But tell me, don't you desire something that is more...nutritious?"
"Why?" Kaworu replied. "Please don't take it the wrong way but you need to understand that for my entire life I was raised on wholesome, natural foods. My caretakers deemed what you would call junk food an unnecessary luxury. However, when I was forced to strike out on my own a few months ago, I was exposed to many new and strange things, one of which were these amazing machines that distributed wonderful flavored drinks."
"Why did you leave home?"
"I didn't leave so much as was forced," Kaworu said softly. "The man I had known as my father died and took with him everything I had ever known, all that I was."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Rei said.
"Thank you," he nodded. "Though he lived a long and rich existence, I would be lying if I didn't say if my father's life wasn't unfulfilled. He had many plans and goals in life, but much to his dismay they were never realized. After he his passing, I found myself without a mentor, without a family, without a purpose anymore. In an effort to move on, I decided to attempt to pick up the pieces of my shattered life with the little bits of knowledge he had imparted on me about my reason for being. To that end I came here to Tokyo-3."
"You and I are in similar situations," the First Child said. "Both trying to find our place in this world."
"I would like to hear your story someday," Kaworu said before taking a sip of his tomato juice. "But unfortunately if we don't continue on to class, we shall be late."
"You're right," Rei said as she reached down to pick up her book bag, only to find Kaworu had beaten her to it. "I'll take that."
"If it's just the same," he replied with a grin, "I'd like to carry it to class for you. After all I still owe you for ruining your breakfast and the bump on the head."
"T...thanks," the First Child said softly turning away. They continued walking along in silence for a few minutes, Rei occasionally sipping her beverage and stealing glimpses of her companion. Finally she worked up the courage to ask the question of him that had kept her up most of the night.
"D...do you wish to attend Major Katsuragi's wedding ceremony this Saturday?" She paused for a minute, realizing that he had no idea who the Major was. "Myself, Ikari, Sohryu, and the others will also be attending," she quickly added.
"Let me ask you something Ayanami," the usual confidence in his voice slowly waning. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
"No!" Rei replied quickly, immediately giving in to her defensive impulse. Her heart rate increased as she rapidly clenched and released her free hand nervously. "I mean it's simply a social gathering, and since you are new to the area I thought that-" she said quickly, almost stumbling over the words before stopping herself mid-sentence. "Do you want it to be a date?" she asked curiously.
"I don't know," Kaworu whispered lowering his head and gazing at the sidewalk below. "I have never been on a date before."
"I have found them to be very awkward and confusing," Rei frowned.
"In that case I don't think we should call this a date," Kaworu smiled.
"That would be wise," Rei said, a hint of regret in her tone as she looked away.
"Yes," he added, also with the same hint of disappointment. "It would be wise."
The two stood silently, looking in opposite directions for a few moments, the air crackling around them as their respective AT fields were raised to full power.
"But even if it is not a date," Kaworu said, breaking the calm. "It will be enjoyable to spend more time with you."
"Yes," Rei nodded as she turned and tossed the empty can into a large dumpster parked just off the sidewalk next to a restaurant. "It will be enjoyable."
If fate had forced either of them to remain just a few moments longer, they might have noticed a form begin to move around in the depths of the trash container, awakened from a long slumber. Slowly the figure came to life, his arms and legs moving about as he worked to free himself from the slop and refuse that surrounded him. He rose up, his naked body covered with bits of food and waste as he placed his filthy arms on the edges of the metal box, Rei's recently discarded can in his left hand. With his free hand he wiped a large pile of ramen noodles off his face.
"Where am I?" Makoto Hyuga lamented as he rubbed the spot on his head where the container had impacted.
-------
The pony-tailed man's skull felt as if it had been run over by a tank, repeatedly, as each beat of his heart added to the pain and pressure within. The previous night's festivities haunted him, ringing their protest through every body ache, every throb of his pounding headache as he lay face down on his desk. All these symptoms pointed to only one cause: the reckless abuse of common distilled beverages. Booze. Beer. Bourbon. He apparently drank way too much the night before; although that could only be treated as pure conjecture due to the relative blur which was his short- term memory. The only positive he took out of the whole affair was that he apparently was in his office, even if how he got there was a complete mystery. And though he smelled of spilled beer, vomit, and strippers, he was alone, which was a good thing because a voice tucked away in the recesses of his mind prompted him that his fiancé was overdue to meet him for breakfast.
Unless, of course, he had done something REALLY wrong the night before.
His anguish only intensified as a loud knock registered from his door.
"You're late," he whispered into the desk, unable or unwilling to move his head.
Given the low volume of his response the knocking continued, only louder this time.
"Just shoot me already," he said loudly, deciding that a quick death was better than the hell he was experiencing now. "Please." His only wish was to die, and a part of him prayed that a nameless, faceless member of Section 2 or SEELE came through that door, drew their gun, took aim, and removed a sizable portion of his skull.
Of course he knew that would never happen. Misato was at the door, and no matter what anyone thought, she could never do that to him.
"Good morning Kaji," she said as she opened the door and jogged into his office. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" she giggled as she looked down at the prone figure.
He slowly picked his head up from his desk and looked up at his bride to be. She was running in place, her breasts bouncing in time with each step, barely contained within the cut-off pink half shirt that framed the top half of her bare stomach. The black nylon of her jogging pants made a rustling sound as it rubbed across itself and her legs with each step. Normally the sight of the purple haired woman all hot and sweaty aroused the man.
Today he wanted to throw up.
"What are you doing?" he asked, placing his head back down on the desk. "More importantly can you do it quieter?"
"Have a little too much fun at your bachelor party?" Misato teased as she continued her paces. She placed her forefinger on her neck and stared down at the wristwatch.
"It was fine...though I think I might have gotten a touch of food poisoning. I feel kinda sick. "
"Sure," the Major said sarcastically, "food poisoning. I understand."
"So what exactly are you doing?" Kaji questioned, anxious to change the subject.
"I'm making sure I hit my target heart rate," she replied, suddenly stopping and falling into the chair in front of him. "And I did. Whew, that's tiring."
"Are you running to get ready for the honeymoon?" he said, a glimmer in his eye. "Those marathon sessions."
"Yeah, right...with you it's more like a sprint to the finish. Always trying to beat your best time."
"Ha ha," Kaji deadpanned.
"So what did you do last night?" Misato said, combing her fingers through her damp purple hair. "Must have been good because half the male NERV staff on duty today either called in sick or are missing in action. Speaking of which you'd better avoid Ritsuko, I heard she's pretty pissed."
"Now what?"
"She's blaming you because only she and Maya are getting ready for Von Scherbach's visit this afternoon. Shigeru called from the police station, he made bail but won't be in until this afternoon and no one's heard from Makoto yet."
"The first two parties weren't this bad," Kaji smiled as best he could, given his condition. "I guess everyone thinks we're actually going to do it this time."
"Of course we are," Misato nodded, "I got the dresses squared away yesterday so all that is left are the minor details that keep popping up."
"Like what?"
"Well, for instance Rei asked if she could bring a guest."
"I thought the seating was full?" Kaji frowned.
"It is," Misato replied, uncrossing and crossing her legs as she fidgeted around in the chair. "But I told her we could uninvite someone and make room."
"Let me guess...first it was my cousin so your building superintendent could go, then it was my aunt and uncle so the guy who delivers your food and HIS date could go."
"You have to admit, Fujiwara is fast," the purple haired woman chuckled.
"And now my mother can't go because Rei has some mystery man," Kaji grumbled.
"See, I knew you would understand," Misato smiled. "I'm glad that was easy."
"You know, you COULD leave that damn penguin at home."
"Pen Pen?" the Major cried. "But he's like one of the family!"
"But my mother IS one of the family!" Kaji retorted. "And she's human."
"So what's Rei's date? An angel?" Misato shouted. "Besides, your mother hates my guts. She's hated me from the moment we got together in college."
"She does not hate you!" Kaji exclaimed, slamming his hands down on the desk and fighting back the throbbing in his head. "Sure she was disappointed I didn't marry Aoi Sakuraba, but you have to look at it from her position. She saw Aoi as a guarantee of success and wealth. She didn't understand I wanted to choose my own path in life and it didn't involve an arranged marriage."
"And ever since then she has treated me like dirt because I ruined her plans."
"That was in the past, she's over it now. If you would give her a chance I'm sure the two of you-"
"Why should I give her a chance?" Misato growled. "I've tried to be nothing but nice to her and all I get is crap in return."
"But you never even try! You act as if you don't want to have a mother again!"
"She will never be my mother," Misato snapped. "My mother died of a broken heart almost twenty years ago."
"But she would not be replacing her, she would be-"
"I don't want a new mother!" the Major interrupted. "And I don't need a new mother. I'm perfectly happy just the way things are, on my own. If you can't seem to deal with that, then maybe this wedding won't happen."
"This is the same fight we've had over and over," the pony-tailed man said shaking his head back and forth. "It never ends. I can't keep doing this."
"Neither can I," the Operations Director said, huffing and puffing as she caught her breath. "I need to take a shower and get into uniform before the General arrives," she said standing and walking toward the door.
"Misato," Kaji said softly as the door opened. "Are we going to make it this time?"
"I don't know," she said, not bothering to turn around. "But this is the last chance we've got. If it doesn't happen this time, it's over."
The door silently shut behind her.
---------
"What a day for a sync test," Shinji sighed as he and Asuka walked down the sidewalk in the direction of NERV. "There isn't a cloud in the sky."
"Don't remind me," Asuka grumbled. "This sucks."
"It could be worse," he smiled, "we could be stuck in class like the others. Touji and Kensuke looked pretty pissed when we left."
"Speaking of which," the Second Child said inquisitively, "do you know why they kept oinking like pigs every time I stood up in class?"
"Heh, heh," Shinji attempted to laugh as he scratched at the back of his head innocently. "Who can tell with those two?"
Asuka watched Shinji's nervous behavior, shrugging it off for another time as a more important question entered her mind. "And just what exactly were you and the developmentally challenged duo up to yesterday on the other side of town?"
"H...how did you-?"
"I have my ways," Asuka said in her best Gestapo impression.
"W...we weren't doing anything," he said nervously.
"Don't lie to me Shinji!" she said, reaching out and pulling him to a stop. "I can always tell when you lying." Asuka grabbed the teen's collar and pulled it tight. "What were you three doing yesterday?"
The Third Child turned away, unable to look at her snarling expression. "N...nothing," he said softly, feeling his resolve slipping away.
Asuka was about to increase her chokehold when she caught sight of the First Child walking a little further up the sidewalk. "Fine," she said, "there's more than one way to find out." Releasing Shinji, Asuka turned and began quickly walking in the direction of Rei. "Hey!" she yelled out to her fellow pilot. "Wondergirl wait a minute!"
The blue haired teen glanced back for a moment before hurrying her pace.
"Damn it," Asuka mumbled as she broke into a dash and gave chase.
Rei dodged to the left and right, fighting the oncoming pedestrians; all the while she hearing the frustrated calls of the Second Child behind her. Fueled by the increasingly hostile requests to halt, she broke into a sprint of her own. Try as she might, Rei could not seem to shake the redhead, finally deciding that a strategic retreat might be the best approach. Turning a corner, she ducked into a convenience store, picking the first available aisle and moving swiftly down it.
Her escape seemingly secured, Rei bent over and tried to catch her breath. As she panted deeply, she noticed a pair of familiar white sneakers step into her view. Almost immediately one of them began tapping impatiently. Slowly she stood up, the irritated figure of Asuka now standing right in front of her.
"W...why didn't you stop?" Asuka wheezed.
"I did not hear you," Rei said, feeling the tickle of a bead of sweat running down her cheek.
"Were you trying to avoid me?"
"No," Rei said smartly.
"Then why did you duck into this store?" Asuka quizzed. "I think you came in here to hide."
"Me?" the First said as innocently as possible. "Untrue. I came in here because I needed to buy something."
"Sure," the redhead said sarcastically. The two stared at one another for a few moments. "So," Asuka continued, "what was it?"
"I do not know what Ikari and Suzahara were doing yesterday," Rei said in an almost panicked tone.
"I meant," Asuka grinned, "what were you buying in here?" She watched as the blue haired girl's shoulders slumped and she lowered her head. "But since you brought it up...what WERE those Stooges up to yesterday?"
"What do you mean?" the First Child said naively.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Asuka fumed. "You spied on them for me. That moron Touji is up to something...inviting Hikari on a super secret date tonight. I want to know what you saw yesterday. Give me the scoop!"
'I will keep the secret for Ikari,' Rei reflected as memories of the incidents in the jewelry store replayed in her mind. She had always detested lying, even for a good reason. It seemed so shallow, so base. She couldn't think of more than once or twice she had ever lied, and each time it made her sick.
But on the other hand, she knew that betraying Shinji's trust was not an option as Asuka's grin had turned to a scowl at the delay. Rei knew she had to think of SOMETHING to tell the Second Child or she would never make it out of that store alive.
"Suzahara was purchasing a gift for Miss Horaki," Rei finally said, figuring that a portion of the truth might be enough to satiate both her conscience and the Unit 02 pilot. The problem with that theory was Rei still had a lot to learn about human nature.
"What was it?" Asuka pressed.
"I...it was something personal," Rei continued, still trying the same approach. "I think he said it was in celebration of their relationship. I think he plans to give it her tonight."
"Ooooo," the Second Child exclaimed, sensing something gossip worthy. "Was it jewelry? A necklace? A ring perhaps?"
"No," Rei said quickly, deciding the honesty approach was proving about as successful as splitting an AT field with a butter knife.
"What than?"
Rei glanced around the shelves in the store aisle, desperately trying to think of something, ANYTHING that might prove a successful deception. As luck would have it, she picked the personal hygiene aisle to hide in. Surrounding her were a multitude of maxi-pads, tampons, and other feminine products, none of which made potential good choices.
"Ahem," Asuka coughed anxiously. "Today please."
"He purchased a couple of those," Rei said desperately pointing high on the shelf next to the redhead.
"Candles?" Asuka said curiously as she turned and recognized the wax products.
"Yes," Rei nodded. "Also one of those," she said pointing to a shaving kit.
"That idiot doesn't have facial hair," Asuka said bewilderedly. "What is he going to shave-"
"A package of these," Rei said as began backing down the aisle and pointing to a six-pack of 'D' batteries. "One of those."
"A rubber hose?" the Second Child said as she followed the girl back towards the door.
Bolstered by her perceived success, the First Child began pointing to various random items as they made their way to the front door. "One of these, one of those, this, these," she said motioning to the left and right.
"Latex gloves, a gallon of distilled water, petroleum jelly, cigars?"
"Yes," Rei said, silently letting out a sigh of relief as she saw the entrance to the store just in front of her. She was just about to point to a bunch of banana's sitting on the counter when Asuka's hand reached out and grabbed her.
"Hold on!" the redhead shouted, her tone sounding terrified as she desperately pressed at the buttons of her cell phone.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like," Asuka said as she finished dialing and put the phone to her ear. "Calling Hikari and telling her to lock herself in her room. You Japanese are SICK!"
---------
"And here is the Control Center," Misato said as she led the way into the expansive heart of NERV tactical operations. "I trust you will find everything in order."
The Operations Director was not wearing her usual red flight jacket, but rather her black dress uniform, complete with matching red beret. Following her through the door came a tall man, his muscular frame neatly contained underneath his flawlessly tailored gray uniform. Taking up the entire left side of his chest were various colors of ribbons and shiny gold awards, the most distinguishing feature - the Iron Cross which rose and fell with each step as it hung from the end of its red, white, and black ribbon. Underneath the matching hat, his head was completely devoid of hair, save for his eyebrows, eyelashes, and his mustache, all of which were salt and pepper gray.
He walked with a determined step as he trailed the Major, his head swiveling to the left and right as he seemed resolute to see everything. Misato stopped at her usual position in the middle of the floor and turned to address her guest.
"This is where all battle operations are carried out and monitored," Misato said as cheerily as possible. "These are Lieutenants Hyuga, Ibuki, and Aoba," she added as the three stood at attention and saluted.
"Very good Major," General Von Scherbach said as he returned the salute and walked over and began inspecting the monitors and equipment. "As you were," he added as the three returned to their stations.
"In the holographic viewer," Misato said as she pointed to the florescent green images that seemed to float just out of reach in front of them, "you will see graphical and computer generated readouts of data we need to know when attacking an Angel. Everything from maps to power levels can be accessed simply by pushing a button."
"Very impressive," he nodded before working his way over to Maya's post. "Tell me Lieutenant," he said as he stood over her. "Where is your standard issue firearm?"
"I...I can't shoot," the terrified woman stammered.
"Why is this woman not wearing her sidearm?" Von Scherbach said crossly.
"We have found," Misato said quickly stepping between Maya and the German general, "that small firearms are basically useless in an Angel attack, therefore we have abandoned their requirement for all non-security personnel."
"Where is your gun now, Lieutenant?"
Maya looked up at the Major for support before slowly sliding open the draw of her workstation. Gently she pulled out her standard issue Glock 9MM, using her thumb and forefinger on the trigger guard to keep the weapon as far away from her as possible, looking much like someone holding a particularly smelly diaper away from their nose.
"Let me see that," he said ripping it out of her reluctant grasp. He tried to cock the weapon, but found it rusted shut. "What are these?" he cried as he examined the stock.
"Stickers," Maya mumbled.
"WHAT?!?!"
"Stickers, sir!" Misato interjected. "They appear to be Hello Kitty."
"I can see that," he shouted. "Why are they here?"
"It is a popular cult icon here in Japan and around the world. Trademarked by the Sanrio Corporation, Hello Kitty-"
"I know what Hello Kitty is!" Von Scherbach growled. "What I want to know is why they're plastered all over your gun! And why is the barrel inscribed 'I LUV Ritsuko'?" He prepared to throw the pistol down when a shot rang out to his left. Instinctively the general dropped and rolled to his right, springing up to his knees and aiming his own chrome plated weapon in the direction of the blast.
"Oops," Hyuga said sheepishly as he stood next to his post, brandishing his own firearm. Von Scherbach kept a steady bead on the man as Misato walked over.
"Ahem," the Major coughed and held out her hand.
"Sorry," he said guiltily as the spectacled lieutenant handed over the still smoking gun.
Von Scherbach holstered his weapon and walked over. Looking down he noticed a freshly blasted hole in Makoto's station- right next to another, older one. Glancing around he suddenly began to find more and more, the entire workstation looking more like a firing range target than a computer terminal.
"I'll take those," Misato smiled as she unloaded the weapon and pocketed the bullets before returning the firearm to Hyuga. "We'll try again next month."
"Thanks Major," he said as he placed the gun back in his drawer. "I'll call maintenance right away to get this fixed."
"You do that," the Operations Director nodded as she turned and pointed up at the dais where her two superiors usually sat. "And up there are Commanders Ikari and Futyutsuki's stations, if they were here which they are not."
"Yes, how unfortunate that Ikari could not be here," Von Scherbach noted as he walked over to Aoba's area.
"He assured me it was an emergency," Misato said as she nervously watched the German general go through the items on Shigeru's desk. "And he will return shortly."
"I trust so," he replied as he pulled the daily NERV logbook off the longhaired lieutenant's desk. As he flipped through the pages of reports and procedures a copy of J-POP Guitarist's Weekly fell out on the floor.
"Damn," Misato and Shigeru mumbled as they watched Von Scherbach bend down and pick it up. A noticeable frown appeared on his face as he turned over a few of the pages. "Tell me Lieutenant, where is your firearm?"
"I do not currently have a firearm, SIR," Shigeru replied quickly.
"I thought all NERV employees were issued pistols?" the general snapped as he turned toward Misato.
"Yes sir, they have," the Major nodded. "However, this person's firearm has been confiscated by the Tokyo-3 Municipal Police Department."
"That's impossible!" Von Scherbach shouted. "NERV is an autonomous entity. Without a Special Order 801, the government of Japan, much less the local law enforcement agency has no jurisdiction over what we do. Please explain this to me!" he said turning back toward the lieutenant.
"Apparently my ex-girlfriend's lawyer is more powerful than NERV," Shigeru shrugged as he reached into his pocket, unfolded and held out a formal letter the bold kanji reading 'NOTICE OF RESTRAINING ORDER' across the top. "I accidentally, sorta took her Vespa motorbike one night to get to a gig. So I come home and the broad goes postal on me. Starts hitting me on the head with her guitar. Total downer, you know what I mean? So I figure if she wants to go...we'll GO. I grab my trusty Fender and line up her melon..." He finally noticed Misato standing behind the fuming general, drawing her finger across her lips in an effort to get him to shut up. "I'll think I'll stop now, Sir!"
Misato was sure she could see little traces of steam coming from Von Scherbach's ears as he threw the magazine at Shigeru, hitting him squarely in the chest. "Incompetent!" he shouted as he took turns looking at each of the three bridge personnel. "You should all be ashamed. I will not tolerate this type of behavior at any NERV branch, much less headquarters! Consider yourselves on report."
He stormed out of the Control Center, Misato doing her best to keep up as he made his way around the halls of NERV. He said nothing as he entered Commander Ikari's office and took a seat in his chair. Cautiously Misato walked up to the desk. "In defense of those three," she said as she stood at attention in front of the man, "it has been over three years since the last Angel attack. Even you have to admit it is impossible to keep on one hundred percent ready status at all times. It's only natural to let our guards down just a little."
"And that's precisely the problem with you Japanese," Von Scherbach said, slamming his fist on the desk. "Always excuses why things can't be done, rather than solutions. I can assure you in Germany, we would never tolerate insubordination like this."
"With all due respect, sir," Misato began, "the German branches are research and manufacturing facilities. They have never experienced an Angel attack first hand. These people have looked death in the eye many times and performed above and beyond the call of duty. We may be lax in some of our procedures but you can be sure if another Angel shows up, we'll deal with it."
"So you are telling me the German branches are inferior? I'll have you know we do simulated Angel attacks every week."
The purple haired woman did her best to hold in her growing rage. She experienced Von Scherbach's attitude while stationed in Germany years before and had always assumed it was because he lost a bitter fight to have the Evangelions based there instead of Japan. He abhorred the fact that despite his impassioned pleas to then-chairman Kihl Lorentz, the old men of SEELE did not see things his way and offered no explanation as to why. He had been quite vocal in his assumption that Ikari was behind it all, going so far as to demand that Unit 02 be transported to Japan via ship rather than aircraft, as was standard procedure. According to what Kaji had told her, Von Scherbach decided that 'Ikari could wait for his toy.'
Apparently the old wounds had still not healed.
"Permission to speak freely?" Misato said.
"Yes," the general nodded as he looked over some of the memos on the Commander's desk.
"Having been stationed at the Second German Branch for some time I can say that it was efficiently run and an honor to all of NERV. However, it must still be remembered that it is only a testing facility and with no budget for additional Evangelions on the horizon, that's all it will remain."
"On the contrary," Von Scherbach smiled as he looked up at the woman. "Shortly the Second Branch will be getting an Evangelion of its own."
"Excuse me sir," Misato said anxiously as she suddenly felt a pang in her stomach. "But I was under the distinct impression that after the completion of Unit 05 in China two years ago, all work on subsequent Evas had ceased."
"Unfortunately that's true...without the Angels attacking every few weeks, it was impossible to justify the cost. But that doesn't matter anymore. I'll finally have my own Evangelion to command shortly."
The man resumed searching the Commander's desk, frowning as he pulled on a locked drawer. "But sir, I don't understand," Misato said, now sounding almost desperate as her pulse quickened, that gnawing in her belly growing as she asked the question to which she unfortunately knew the answer. "Without any additional Eva Units under construction, which one will you be moving to Germany?"
"Why, Germany's own Unit 02 of course," Von Scherbach smiled smugly, secure in the knowledge that he had effectively caught the woman completely by surprise. "I'm taking it back home with me."
"Is Commander Ikari aware of this?" Misato asked nervously, suddenly pinning her hopes on her enigmatic leader.
"He is not aware as of yet," the general smirked confidently, "however as acting chairman of SEELE I've decided he has no voice in the matter."
"And the pilot?"
Von Scherbach paused for a moment, looking up at the woman with an almost disdainful air for having been asked such a seemingly stupid question. With a sigh of indifference he said, "I'll be taking Unit 02...ALL of Unit 02."
---------
Hikari stared into her highly polished silver spoon, using the eating utensil somewhat as a secret mirror as she did her best to examine her makeup in the distorted face looking back at her. She twisted it right and left, examining her blush, eyeliner, pursing her lips, making sure the bright red lipstick was evenly spread across. Satisfied, she moved on to her hair, using her free hand for tactile feedback as she patted around her head, her long tresses rolled up into a bun and pinned into place with an assortment of hairclips.
She looked positively radiant in her lime colored sundress, legs crossed at the ankles as she sat elegantly in her seat, simply absorbing the ambiance of the place. Without question the Café Yume was the nicest restaurant Touji had ever taken her to, a monumental leap from the fast food joints and all you can eat buffets that usually defined his idea of a romantic dinner. The place didn't just hint at extravagance, it literally rammed it down her throat. From the three-piece instrumental band playing lightly in the corner, to the fully staffed sushi bar on the side, no expense was spared in providing the patron with the most enjoyable dining experience possible.
Her heart raced with a combination of excitement and anxiety as she tried to think of what could be the possible reason behind the impromptu date. On the one hand it was a timely rendezvous, as she thought of the letter sitting in her purse, and the joy its announcement she hoped would bring. But another part of her still harbored the growing feeling of uneasiness that plagued her recently. This was another in a long line of strange events involving her boyfriend that she witnessed over the past few weeks, all of which were starting to fray her nerves. Something was going on behind her back and she sensed that her answers would come tonight.
She glanced up at her date as he was busy rearranging his silverware. For such an athletic frame, he looked so vulnerable in his blue jacket and slacks, white shirt, and hastily knotted black tie.
"This place thinks of everything," Touji said as he looked at her. "They give you extra forks and spoons in case you drop one."
"Yes, very nice."
"And look at these beautiful candles," he said pointing to the pair of flickering objects on the table behind them. "We should ask for some. I love candles."
"NO CANDLES!" Hikari exclaimed, the frantic phone call from her friend earlier in the day suddenly making some sense. "Don't get any funny ideas Suzahara," she frowned as she quickly extinguished the flames. "I'm not that kind of girl!"
"Um...alright," Touji said as a perplexed look came over his face. "No candles."
A frozen silence fell over the table as both of them glanced casually around the room, taking in all the sights other than one another. Touji's left hand remained in his pants pocket, its sweaty grasp viselike on the velvet box that contained the ring. While Hikari's hand lay hidden within the purse that rested in her lap, her fingers running nervously over a freshly opened letter within.
"Would you like some sushi?" Touji said softly as he stared down at his plate.
"I...I'm not that hungry right now," Hikari replied, the butterflies in her stomach blocking out any desire for food.
"Yeah, me either."
Again an uneasy hush fell across their table. With his other hand he sipped his water, dribbling a bit down his shirt as his trembling hand nearly missed his mouth.
"T...Touji," she stammered, unable to look up at the teen. "I...I got something in the mail-"
"Hold that thought," he interrupted, standing up quickly from the table. He dropped his napkin on his plate and started to back away. "How about something to drink? I'll be right back!"
He made his way through the maze of tables and was soon standing in front of the well stocked bar.
Within seconds a bartender stepped over and looked the young man up and down curiously. "Whoever advised you to wear that outfit needs to be taken out and shot. Twice."
"Huh?" Touji questioned as he glanced down at what he was wearing.
"Nevermind," the older man smiled as he placed a coaster in front of the teen. "What'll it be?"
"I'd like two glasses of your best champagne, please."
"I have Dom Pérignon," the server said as he put two beautiful crystal wine glasses out. "But it's forty thousand yen a glass."
"Forty thousand?" Touji gulped, mentally calculating his current net worth in his head. "Um...how about something not quite the best?"
"Well I have something made right here in Tokyo-3 that's only five hundred yen a glass," the bartender said. "It's not from France, but I heard the guy who makes it visited there once."
"That will be fine," Touji said as he nervously started counting out the money.
"Are you okay?" the other man asked as he unscrewed the top off a large green bottle.
"Y...yes," the teen nodded. "I'm just a little anxious, that's all."
"Big date?" the bartender said as he topped off the first glass.
"The biggest," Touji replied as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring box. "I'm going to ask my girlfriend to marry me."
"That's great," the man in the tuxedo said as he extended a hand out to the jock. "Let me be the first to congratulate you."
"T...thanks," the dark haired teen said as he shook the man's hand. "But she hasn't said yes yet."
"Of course she will," the bartender said confidently. "You seem like a nice guy."
"I sure hope so," Touji said reluctantly. He opened the velvet box and examined the ring. "I can't give her much...except me I guess."
"That's all they ever want," the man said, "or need."
"Listen, could you do me a favor?" Touji questioned as he pulled the diamond ring out of his pocket. "Could you drop this in her champagne glass before you bring them over? I saw it done this way in a movie once and it seemed very romantic."
"No problem," the man nodded with a smile.
"Excellent," Touji said excitedly as he backed away from the bar, bowing repeatedly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Nice kid," the bartender said as he watched Touji walk quickly back to his table. The man regarded the ring in his hand with a smile, before placing it on the edge of the bar. He dumped out the two glasses of cheap champagne into the sink and began filling them back up with the Dom Pérignon. "Nice kid..."
---------
"So we basically did the sync tests for nothing!" Asuka grumbled as she followed Misato, Rei and Shinji through the darkened halls of NERV. Her hair, still damp from her recent shower, glistened as she passed under each overhead light.
"I'd like to think every test is important," Misato said thoughtfully as she stopped directly in front of an elevator. "You need to be prepared for anything," she said softly as she pushed the button. "Anything."
"But the General didn't even get the chance to see my superior ratio," the Second Child lamented.
"He was...distracted," the Major said as remembered the incident in the Control Room earlier. "But I'm quite sure that he'll make it to the next one."
"He'd better."
"So what's he like?" Shinji questioned.
"Who, General Von Scherbach?" Misato said, answering her own question. She brought her hand up to her chin in deep thought. "Let's see, he is a very big believer in discipline and the military way. He's German. He's bald. Not very good looking." She paused for a moment. "Did I mention he's very disciplined?"
"Yes," the Third Child exclaimed. "About four times since we left the changing rooms."
"Just making sure," the purple haired woman smiled.
"What did you two talk about?" Asuka questioned as she worked at straightening out her school uniform. Although there wasn't anything noticeably wrong with it, she seemed to be taking great pains in tying and retying the bow until it was perfect. "Did he remember you?"
"Oh yes," Misato sighed, "he remembered me."
Asuka looked at her guardian for a moment. "And?"
"And what?" the Operations Director said innocently.
"Did he talk about how things back at home or how my stepmother and father are doing? He must have told you something."
"You know the General," Misato chuckled, "all business."
"Did he tell you why he's here?"
---------
"I thought you were getting drinks?" Hikari questioned as she watched her date sit down across from her.
"They're bringing them over," Touji said as he placed his napkin back in his lap. "This place thinks of everything."
The class rep summoned all her courage, all her strength and took a deep breath; prepared at last to talk to her companion about the topic she had been dreading all day. "I finally received an answer from Kei University." She paused for a moment, gathering her last bit of strength as she pulled the letter out of her purse. "They said that-"
"Wait a minute!" Touji interrupted, looking visibly shaken. "Here are the drinks," he said, breathing out a sigh of relief at the timing. He acknowledged the bartender's nod with a smile before the man turned and walked away.
"I love champagne," Hikari said as she sipped just a little off the top. "This tastes like the good stuff too."
"Cheers," Touji said as he took a fairly large gulp of the bubbly liquid. "Now what were we talking about?"
"The future," she replied, "I was just about to tell you that-"
"That's right," he said, cutting her off again. "Hikari, I think we both know that our relationship as it stands now can't last much longer."
"It can't?" she echoed.
"No," he answered softly. "I mean where do we go from here? I think we're facing a problem."
"A problem?"
"Yes...I don't want to go on just seeing you anymore."
'He's breaking up with me!' Hikari's subconscious screamed. Finally it all made sense...the sneaking around, the strange behavior, and this date. Her face began to pale as she reached out and grabbed her glass, taking a large drink and hoping to choke back her tears.
"You deserve so much more," Touji continued as he watched her. He originally figured at any moment, the ring would pop out and do all the talking for him, but he suddenly found the words coming out, as if he had released the cork on long bottled emotions. "And the two of us dating isn't going to give it to you."
He looked away, out one of the large plate glass windows that opened out into a gorgeous view of the Tokyo-3 skyline. "The words have always been hard for me to say, Hikari...but that doesn't mean I don't feel them in my heart." Touji stopped and took a deep breath. "Hikari Horaki...would you marry me?"
He lowered his head and awaited a reply, but only heard the sound of a large 'THUNK' followed quickly by a scream.
---------
"Did he tell you why he's here?" Asuka repeated as she watched her guardian staring off into space.
Misato's mind tried to replay the message she had rehearsed a dozen times on her walk from the Commander's office to the changing rooms. She knew it went something along the lines of, 'Pilot Asuka Langley Sohryu, you and Unit 02 have been reassigned to the German Second Branch. From the entire NERV staff, let me be the first to offer congratulations on returning home and thank you for all your hard work. We will forever be in your debt.'
But for some reason the only thing she could focus on at this moment was the word 'forever.'
"Hello? Misato?" Asuka questioned curiously.
"H...he didn't mention it," Misato whispered.
"That's too bad," Asuka said as she turned to Shinji. "I was hoping to hear about some of my friends back at the Second Branch."
"It's been a long time since you've seen them," he said.
"Yup," the redhead nodded. "I would love to see the looks on their faces now that their little Asuka's all grown up."
"Maybe you could go for a visit," Shinji pondered aloud. "Like for summer vacation or something."
Misato frowned and began mashing her finger repeatedly into the elevator button. "Where is this stupid thing?"
"Continual depressing of the button will not hasten the car's arrival," Rei said as she watched the woman.
"It certainly doesn't hurt!"
Rei instinctively took a small step back. "You are correct," she whispered and lowered her head to look at the floor.
Shinji and Asuka looked on in silent disbelief. The four of them remained like this for a few moments until the doors opened with the familiar 'ding.' They shuffled into the car as Misato pushed the button corresponding to the Commander's office.
"What's the matter?" Shinji said to Misato as the doors slid shut.
"What makes you think something's wrong?" the woman said as she closed her eyes and brought her hands up to rub at her temples.
"Y...you seem a little upset," the Third commented as he watched the pained expression on his surrogate mother's face.
Misato slowly opened her eyes and immediately noticed the looks on concern on her charges faces as they stared back at her. "It's nothing," she smiled, "just stressed out from this visit."
Shinji nodded in approval, but Asuka was not so easily persuaded. 'She's hiding something,' the girl thought to herself.
The only sound in the elevator for the next few moments was the steady ticking of the floor indicator overhead as it counted off each advancing level. Misato again closed her eyes and leaned against the side of the car, deep in thought. Suddenly the elevator stopped and the doors slid open.
Shinji and Asuka immediately stepped out and started walking down the long hall that led to Commander Ikari's office, but Rei remained behind, seeming to wait for Misato to make the first move as she eyed her commanding officer. After a couple of frustrating seconds, the First Child gingerly tried to step past the woman, only to find her advance cut off when the Operations Director grabbed her arm.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you back there," Misato whispered.
Rei gazed at the woman with a blank stare. "No apology is necessary," she said with a slight nod. "My comments were out of line."
"No," the Major replied, "MY comments were out of line." She took a deep breath and looked into the blue haired teen's eyes. "On any other day I would have probably laughed at what you said," the woman said, her voice threatening to break as she spoke. "But not today."
"Is something wrong?" Rei questioned, sensing a change in the woman's mood.
"You could say that," she replied, sniffing back a tear that threatened to escape.
The Unit 00 pilot could feel her pulse begin to quicken. "Are you all right?" she said in an almost anxious tone, tentatively reaching out a comforting hand to the woman's shoulder.
"I couldn't even tell them," she sobbed, wiping a tear from her cheek with her uniform sleeve. "I'm nothing but a coward."
"Major...what is about to happen?"
"The end of a dream."
Authors Notes: No much to say. Deleted some scenes, added some, moved some around. Things will begin to get a little more serious from here on.
Special thanks again to my prereaders, Random1377, Rhine, and Jeff Alan; no matter what everyone says, I think you guys are great. Also thanks to Leper for his input on this version as well. C&C is always welcome at ryoma3000 at yahoo (Take THAT Spambots!)
OMAKE THEATER (Or 'Do you Preread to Abuse Others')
For the omakes, I thought I would delve into what went wrong with the old version of this fic. It's not that I'm disinterested in thinking up original omakes anymore, it's because I'm too lazy. There is a difference. Besides, not one reads this stuff anyway. Now to point out what when wrong the first time, I'm going to post some of my prereader's comments via AIM and email. These are the ACTUAL comments, I kid you not.
RHINE'S PREREAD
Ryoma's email question: I'm worried about BLP2, something feels off. Give me your honest opinion of this preread chapter and the fic in general. I'm counting on you...NO SUGARCOATING!
Rhine wrote: As much as I hate to tell anyone this, it needs a lot of work. And what I mean by 'a lot of work' is scrapping most of the current incarnation and starting from scratch, keeping at most one or two scenes.
Ryoma's reply: Can I have the sugarcoated version?
Rhine wrote: I go more in-depth in the pre-read, but here's my Standard Summary at the End: First, the things I liked: (edited for spoilers)
Things I didn't like: Just about everything else.
Ryoma's reply: You realized you just trashed 90% of my fic. Can I have a second opinion?
Rhine wrote: Yes, you're ugly and Renaissance is full of plot holes.
Ryoma's reply: Damn toady!
Rhine wrote: Okay, most of this section can and should go. It's a boring 5- page break in the story.
Ryoma's reply: It was meant as my homage to episode 14 of the anime.
Rhine wrote: Okay...as much as I hate to say this, this is weak. VERY weak.
Ryoma's reply: Wow, that's some harsh stuff. Sure, the content needs some work but I'm sure your feelings on the fic are good.
Rhine wrote: My feelings on the story from this point are pretty much "blah." It seems to have lost its focus and is meandering away into nowhere, and not in a particularly funny manner. Maybe, MAYBE if I knew what you had planned with chapter 6, I could see the point in this disconcerting shift of focus, but as it is, right now the story's a mess. Why?
Ryoma's reply: It could be any of a number of things. Global warming, terrorist threats, drugs, an unhealthy obsession with hentai doujishi.
Rhine wrote: Why do I get the feeling you've seen too many teen movies lately? This scene strikes me as something taken from a crapload of movies, from 'Revenge of the Nerds' to 'Army of Darkness' to god only knows what else. Hell, if ever there was a place for a 'Braveheart' gag, this is the place.
Ryoma's reply: Geez, I put in one scene with Shinji taping a chainsaw to his arm screaming, 'That's my pie', and you act like it's the end of the world. Fine, I'll cut this all out and replace it with Touji in a kilt.
Rhine wrote: Wow. That has to be the single most insensitive thing I've ever heard any man say. Surpassing the ever-famous "Okay, you win." From the 'The Bachelor.'
Ryoma's reply: Really? More insensitive than: "It's not that I don't understand why you're upset, it's just that I don't care." Or "No you can't stay the night, I'm done with you." Actually, come to thing of it the most insensitive thing I've ever heard was:
"Don't worry, I'm going to finish We All Cast Shadows."
Next Chapter Omake: Preread Comments on BLP2 from Random!