Standard Disclaimer
I as a fanfic writer have no ownership of either Evangelion or Love Hina. I am merely borrowing the characters to weave an original story, which I hope you enjoy.
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Out of Disaster Chapter 2- Getting Acquainted
Awaking with fresh vigor, Shinji set about his morning chores with abandon. Making a small but elegant breakfast for himself and roommates, his mind formulating plans. Sitting down to eat the fruits of his labors he was joined by his superior.
Addressing her as she sat, "Morning Misato-san."
"Somebody's feeling energetic today," she replied with a horse dry call.
Shinji started into his food while Misato cracked the seal of her first beer, Misato eyeing Shinji wearily. She hoped the increase in his focus and energy would bear positive ends and not cause him to withdrawn even more from others.
They ate in relative silence, both postulating moves in the chess game that was their lives. That is until Asuka joined them at the table.
Looking at the table spread, "Whoa! Is it Misato's birthday or something?"
The boy looking up from his plate, "No, just woke up early and thought I'd cook a little something special."
Asuka quickly assaulted the plate of food that was prepared for her, noting several distinctly non-Japanese dishes.
She nodded in approval, "Not bad, not bad at all."
Shinji looked shocked, Asuka had actually complimented his cooking. He smiled a small smile, hoping that the small compliment was a sign of better things to come.
His fellow flat mates noticed the smile, "Ew baka, don't go thinking hentai thoughts about me just because of what I said!"
His face faulted but before he could squeak out an apology, Misato interrupted.
"Oh, Asuka, Shin-chan isn't used to compliments that's all," she shot him off a wink.
"Whatever, hope you made are lunches this well too," that said she finished her plate of food and gathered her school gear.
Shinji did the same, but stopped to wash the few remaining dishes and to set a plate of fish out for Pen-Pen.
They said their good-bye to Misato and were off to school. Misato, after they had left, called Shinji's section-2 officer and told him to take a few surveillance photos. --------------------
The walk to school had been in silence. Shinji didn't want to alter the slightly more positive view Asuka had of him, and Asuka couldn't think of anything she felt the 3rd child needed to hear.
Arriving at their classroom they took their separate ways, Asuka to talk to Hikari, and Shinji his fellow stooges.
Shinji quickly made his way to Kensuke's desk after a fleeting glance at Shinobu's empty seat. He didn't know if he was upset or relieved that she hadn't shown up yet.
Right to the point he asked, "Hey Kensuke did you learn anything?"
"Don't I get a hello first?" Kensuke shot off while adjusting his slipping glasses.
Blushing slightly at his impulsiveness, Shinji bowed slightly, "Sorry, hi Ken no Touji?"
"No, the dufus got sent to the principles office for some comment about one of the teachers," he said between small fits of laughter.
Shinji remember how Touji had a slight problem with women, actually a large problem. He couldn't keep his mouth shut around them, often blurting out embarrassing or harassing comments.
"How long will he be gone?"
Tuning his computer on "Should be back after lunch. If his arms don't break off due to the buckets."
Eager to get back to the point before his newfound enthusiasm dissipated. "Did you learn anything about her?"
"Did I learn anything about her, do you know who you're talking too?" puffing his chest out to emphasis his point.
Under his breathe, "Yeah, the guy who was to eager to see battle damage on his 'friend' than to check up on the new classmate."
"I got your information. Old school, address, family status, blood type, and what bus she rides to school. All this information can be yours, for a price."
Shinji's face fell as he heard this. Kensuke was going to try to extort him for this information. He could feel pangs of anger rising as he saw how Kensuke snickered slightly.
Reluctantly, "What's your price?"
Pushing up his glasses again and lowering his voice, "One of two things, 1. One of Misato's bra's or her sizes."
Shinji's face now flushed deep red, "YOU WANT HER WHAT!?"
"Ssshh! It's not to much to ask for, I could ask you to do that for Asuka."
Shinji stole a glance at Asuka, who was now looking right at him due to his outburst. 'If she thinks I meant her.I'll be lucky to make it home alive.' Luck was on his side as she went back to her conversation with Hikari. 'Misato's would defiantly be easier and safer to get.'
"I'll see what I can do. That good enough?"
Contemplating his pilot friends offer he relented and handed over a print out of the information he got on Shinobu.
With the paper in hand Shinji returned to his desk. As he went about reading it, Shinobu made her entrance. Shinji found himself staring at her again, a fact Ayanami Rei was aware off.
From her desk by the window, Rei watched as Shinji followed Shinobu's movements from the door to her seat before re-reading the paper he had. She dismissed the encounter, but a new feeling came over her, she was curious.
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School had passed uneventfully as Shinji still wished to be sure of his guilt before he embarrassed himself in front of his girl.
He and Kensuke ate lunch together as Touji was suspended for the rest of the day. Kensuke asked Shinji what he planned to do if he had in fact caused Shinobu's misfortune, a question Shinji still had no answer to.
Kensuke noted how Shinji's gaze continually drifted to the petit girl. He saw nothing overly special or noticeable about her, but he could feel Shinji thought differently.
Asuka, for her part, only lightly smacked the back of his head for staring at the girl and accused him of being peeping tom. Shinji hadn't noticed it himself but after her comment he did feel like he had again wronged the girl with his incessant stare.
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Arriving at the apartment both teens set upon their homework. Asuka did so more out of boredom than for any real reason. Shinji only wished to pass time until Misato arrived and he could ask her about Shinobu's school.
Time didn't pass as quickly as he would have liked. Asuka finishing way before he did turned her stereo up disrupting his concentration.
Fumbling with his eraser, 'Why do I have to take calculus anyway, isn't it enough that I pilot?'
He gave up trying to answer the problems and donning his sdat began to cook. Something he had begun doing a lot more of lately. The simple act of cooking food for himself and others was strangely calming to him now.
Smelling the food, Asuka was drawn to the kitchen. She found Shinji in Misato's apron (which she never used) and burst into a fit of laughter.
"You are house whipped aren't you?" she had to hold her side to stop the growing pain from her laughter.
Putting the spoon down and turning the heat lower, "So...sorry, I just thought you two wouldn't mind if I made dinner. It was your turn after all."
Her laughter died in her mouth, she had forgotten. "I guess its ok, you did a good job on the bento's so I guess we can let you try again. Hope it wasn't only a fluke though.
He nodded again and apologized to the fiery redhead and watched her as she grabbed one of the cooling meat buns he had made. She left with the food in hand and he turned back to his cooking.
By the time Misato had returned home, Shinji had made a three coarse meal and cleaned up the mess.
Looking slack-jawed at the bountiful meal Shinji had made she thanked Kami for the blessing he had given her. 'Taking him as my ward has got to be one of the better choices I made in my life.'
Shinji called out to Asuka that the meal was finished and she joined them. They all ate in the customary fashion of Asuka and Misato stuffing their faces, and competing against each other as to who could say the most in the least amount of time.
With her food devoured Asuka announced her departure from the apartment and headed to Hikari's. Shinji looked at the empty plate in front of him and debated whether to ask his guardian now or wait.
"Something on your mind Shinji-kun or you trying to push the plate with your mind?"
Meeting her gaze, Shinji found himself handing her the print out.
Misato took the paper from his slightly shaking hand and looked it over. "Maehara Shinobu?"
"That's the girl who transferred.could you see if we caused it?" his head dipping down.
'He had the courage to ask me,' she smiled, "I'll look into it tonight alright. Just promise me that if it turns out you did cause it, don't do anything foolish ok?"
He nodded and withheld the slight smile of triumph that was threatening to cross his face. He retired back to his unfinished homework while his mind wandered to other things. ---------------------------
Over at Hinata lodge, another troubled child pondered.
Shinobu busied her body and mind by doing chores. After supper she had volunteered to wash and put away the dishes. She was far from happy.
Shinobu couldn't keep the image of her Keitaro-sempai and Naru's growing relationship. She had hoped and prayed that he would fall in love with her and she would be happy. Shinobu hadn't heard much from her estranged parents and her old friends had transferred to other schools. It was only thanks to her dying devotion to Keitaro that she transferred to the junior high in Tokyo-3. She still aimed for Tokyo-U.
Sighing heavily she put the last of the dishes away and sluggishly made her way to her room. As she made her way she had to dive to the floor to avoid Suu's mecha Tama-chan.
"Oyi Shinobu, Gomen!" the overly energetic foreigner hollowed as she followed her mechanical contraption.
Shinobu envied Kaolla. She was happy, smart, and well liked by almost everybody that meet her, aside from her questionably devotion to her older brother.
She passed the empty room of Motoko and she wondered what special training she was on now.
Then came Keitaro's room, she was tempted to find away to avoid his room, but it was pointless right now. Keitaro and Naru were down at Haruka's diner with Mitsume having a reunion of sorts. So she simply stared at his door longingly then continued on.
Unknown to her, Kitsune had been following her since her melancholy trip began. So when Shinobu entered her room and flopped down on her bed, Kitsune was quick to enter.
Sitting down next to her, "Something wrong kid?"
So deep in her own world, Shinobu was surprised. She shot out of bed and her arms were flailing. "Ki.Kitsune-sempai, when did you get in here?"
She smiled at the girl before speaking, "Just now, you were oozing so much angst I couldn't leave you alone. What's wrong Shinobu, still thinking about Kei?"
Calming down enough to form coherent thought, she responded, "That and a few other things."
Shaking the small bottle she carried, "want some sake then, help calm your nerves?"
"No thank you Kitsune-sempai," she said as she latched onto her larger teddy bear.
"How about you tell me what's 'is' bothering you then." Kitsune could still remember the shattered look on Shinobu's face when she heard the news about Keitaro and Naru. It wasn't the look she had now, so she figured it was something new.
"I guess we can."
"So, what's on your mind, new man in your life?"
Shinobu eeped slightly as she remembered the boy that for two days watched her during class.
Kitsune's face regained its fox-like smirk as Shinobu's response helped her gauge the situation. "I'm right aren't I?"
"No.not really, its just the new school that's all," her blush telling a slightly different story.
"New school could be hard, no connections, no nothing but I'm sure it's nothing new for you." Probing deeper.
Sure enough the situation wasn't new to her and it was nothing she couldn't handle, it was the pilot boy that kept looking at her.
Taking a quick swig of sake, "So what is it?"
"A boy, he stares at me during class sometimes," her grip tightening further.
"Stare as in he may like you or stare as in he wants to kill you?" Kitsune started going over the prices of pepper spray in her mind.
Looking out the window, "I don't know.he's a really important person so it's not possible that he likes me."
Important struck a cord in her mind. Important people + Kitsune = profit.
The drive for money taking over, "Important how?"
"You remember those robots that destroyed my school.well he's one of the pilots."
"SHINJI IKARI! Shinji Ikari is looking at you in class!" Kitsune's mind went into profitability overload.
Shinobu had to think about the past few days of class and finally remembered the boy was referred to as Shinji. She dismissed how Kitsune already knew that.
"I guess so. Somebody that important couldn't look at me like that."
"But he is looking at you in class."
Shinobu admitted, "Yes, ever since I saw him in class he started taking sidelong glances."
"He cute?"
Shinobu flushed deeply and she dropped her bear as she frantically thrashed on the bed.
"I.um.he's very cute.but.but." recovering, "he couldn't possibly."
Trying to hold back from laughing at Shinobu's textbook response. "You don't know that do you. You could try talking to him."
"I couldn't, there is no reason too."
Kitsune nodded softly. So her problem was she was thinking about a new boy. 'Good thing too, I was worried she was still obsessing over Keitaro."
"Answer me this then, why does he look at you?"
Shinobu thought about why an important person such as that boy would look at her.
"I don't know." ------------------------------------
Misato finally found her answer. 'Shinji-kun isn't going to like this.'
She made her way to his room and lightly knocked on his door.
A few moments later a visibly tired Shinji opened the door. "Yes Misato- san?"
Her face told him more than her words could have her face was downcast.
He blurted out before she could speak, "We did destroy it. Didn't we?"
"No Shinji-kun, you didn't do it, but the N-2 mine did. Of all the students there only a handful did transfer to your school, and she was one of them."
He nodded; he was expecting it after all. "Thanks Misato-san, thanks a lot."
Unnerved by his lack of change, "Now I have your promise not to do anything foolish right?"
"I'm going to apologize to her. That's not foolish is it?"
Sighing in relief, "Not at all Shinji, good luck. Now get some rest ok?"
He bid her goodnight and she shut to door, listening for a few moments. After sounds of cloths being changed she heard him climb into bed.
She was worried for him. To her, Shinji took to much responsibility for this war on his shoulders. She pulled out a reconnaissance photo of Shinobu she acquired from Section-2. She couldn't find anything particularly special about the girl, but she could see Shinji's sad face in hers.
'Maybe if he actually talked to the girl they could help each other.'
She checked on Asuka and went to take a well-deserved bath. ---------------------------------
Shinji woke up early as planned. He had already suspected his guilt from the beginning and set his plan into motion.
He made an extra large bento for himself, and left the apartment early to avoid any possible confrontation.
His fellow flat mates didn't mind as he left them a nice breakfast in his place.
He arrived at school and sat in his desk in silent contemplation.
'What if she doesn't except it? What if she hates me knowing that I caused her this pain? Should I stay and talk after I give it to her or should I leave?'
Hikari watched Shinji's internal debate as she prepared the classroom for the day, as did Rei.
The class eventually began to fill with other students, and when Kensuke and Touji arrived Shinji quickly called them over.
"So what's up?" Kensuke asked when he noticed the determined look in Shinji's eyes.
Touji asked as well, "Yeah, what's so important?"
Shinji looked at both of them, "I am responsible, and I'm going to try to make things up."
Touji was lost after not being in class the previous day, but Kensuke understood.
"So how are you going to do it?"
Shinji looked at the bento, "For starters I'm going to offer her lunch."
Touji's fist hit this other hand, "Shinji's trying to get a girlfriend!"
Kensuke slapped his forehead and then slapped Touji. Kensuke had a suspicion that Shinji may think that way about the girl but knew Touji wouldn't understand.
Shinji admonished his friend and told him his intent was purely out of regret, but he hoped to see her smile.
Shinobu entered the room and immediately both teens' eyes meet. After about twenty seconds of staring the resumed normal functions.
Kensuke nudged Touji and gestured about Shinji's behavior. Together "Good luck man."
Hikari signaled the beginning of class and the trio went about their normal actives.
As per usual the sensei droned on about the 2nd impact to the less than enthusiastic class. Both Shinji and Shinobu found themselves sneaking glances at each other. After what could have been considered a small eternity passed, the teacher announced lunch break and the students scattered.
On shaky legs Shinji approached Shinobu.
As he approached, Shinobu felt panic rising. Was he going to make fun of her, laugh at her, had he noticed her looking at him? She hadn't expected what he did in the slightest.
Shinji held the bento out to her and spoke with a very uneasy voice, "W.would you like to eat lunch.with me?"
He couldn't believe he said it, he had only wished to give her the bento not ask her to eat it with him.
Shinobu pushed her own bento deeper into her pack and took his bento into her hands.
To both of their surprise, "I'd love too."
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Author notes
My use of love hina stems from the manga, not the anime.
But if you've seen love hina again its possible you know about them. I'll try to fix this up so if you don't know love hina you understand but until then sorry.
I have to thank Golden Kitsune for pre-reading and the idea for the Shinobu/Kitsune talk.
Ideas? Comments? Questions?
Ja-mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com www.geocities.com/zentrodie.geo)
I as a fanfic writer have no ownership of either Evangelion or Love Hina. I am merely borrowing the characters to weave an original story, which I hope you enjoy.
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Out of Disaster Chapter 2- Getting Acquainted
Awaking with fresh vigor, Shinji set about his morning chores with abandon. Making a small but elegant breakfast for himself and roommates, his mind formulating plans. Sitting down to eat the fruits of his labors he was joined by his superior.
Addressing her as she sat, "Morning Misato-san."
"Somebody's feeling energetic today," she replied with a horse dry call.
Shinji started into his food while Misato cracked the seal of her first beer, Misato eyeing Shinji wearily. She hoped the increase in his focus and energy would bear positive ends and not cause him to withdrawn even more from others.
They ate in relative silence, both postulating moves in the chess game that was their lives. That is until Asuka joined them at the table.
Looking at the table spread, "Whoa! Is it Misato's birthday or something?"
The boy looking up from his plate, "No, just woke up early and thought I'd cook a little something special."
Asuka quickly assaulted the plate of food that was prepared for her, noting several distinctly non-Japanese dishes.
She nodded in approval, "Not bad, not bad at all."
Shinji looked shocked, Asuka had actually complimented his cooking. He smiled a small smile, hoping that the small compliment was a sign of better things to come.
His fellow flat mates noticed the smile, "Ew baka, don't go thinking hentai thoughts about me just because of what I said!"
His face faulted but before he could squeak out an apology, Misato interrupted.
"Oh, Asuka, Shin-chan isn't used to compliments that's all," she shot him off a wink.
"Whatever, hope you made are lunches this well too," that said she finished her plate of food and gathered her school gear.
Shinji did the same, but stopped to wash the few remaining dishes and to set a plate of fish out for Pen-Pen.
They said their good-bye to Misato and were off to school. Misato, after they had left, called Shinji's section-2 officer and told him to take a few surveillance photos. --------------------
The walk to school had been in silence. Shinji didn't want to alter the slightly more positive view Asuka had of him, and Asuka couldn't think of anything she felt the 3rd child needed to hear.
Arriving at their classroom they took their separate ways, Asuka to talk to Hikari, and Shinji his fellow stooges.
Shinji quickly made his way to Kensuke's desk after a fleeting glance at Shinobu's empty seat. He didn't know if he was upset or relieved that she hadn't shown up yet.
Right to the point he asked, "Hey Kensuke did you learn anything?"
"Don't I get a hello first?" Kensuke shot off while adjusting his slipping glasses.
Blushing slightly at his impulsiveness, Shinji bowed slightly, "Sorry, hi Ken no Touji?"
"No, the dufus got sent to the principles office for some comment about one of the teachers," he said between small fits of laughter.
Shinji remember how Touji had a slight problem with women, actually a large problem. He couldn't keep his mouth shut around them, often blurting out embarrassing or harassing comments.
"How long will he be gone?"
Tuning his computer on "Should be back after lunch. If his arms don't break off due to the buckets."
Eager to get back to the point before his newfound enthusiasm dissipated. "Did you learn anything about her?"
"Did I learn anything about her, do you know who you're talking too?" puffing his chest out to emphasis his point.
Under his breathe, "Yeah, the guy who was to eager to see battle damage on his 'friend' than to check up on the new classmate."
"I got your information. Old school, address, family status, blood type, and what bus she rides to school. All this information can be yours, for a price."
Shinji's face fell as he heard this. Kensuke was going to try to extort him for this information. He could feel pangs of anger rising as he saw how Kensuke snickered slightly.
Reluctantly, "What's your price?"
Pushing up his glasses again and lowering his voice, "One of two things, 1. One of Misato's bra's or her sizes."
Shinji's face now flushed deep red, "YOU WANT HER WHAT!?"
"Ssshh! It's not to much to ask for, I could ask you to do that for Asuka."
Shinji stole a glance at Asuka, who was now looking right at him due to his outburst. 'If she thinks I meant her.I'll be lucky to make it home alive.' Luck was on his side as she went back to her conversation with Hikari. 'Misato's would defiantly be easier and safer to get.'
"I'll see what I can do. That good enough?"
Contemplating his pilot friends offer he relented and handed over a print out of the information he got on Shinobu.
With the paper in hand Shinji returned to his desk. As he went about reading it, Shinobu made her entrance. Shinji found himself staring at her again, a fact Ayanami Rei was aware off.
From her desk by the window, Rei watched as Shinji followed Shinobu's movements from the door to her seat before re-reading the paper he had. She dismissed the encounter, but a new feeling came over her, she was curious.
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School had passed uneventfully as Shinji still wished to be sure of his guilt before he embarrassed himself in front of his girl.
He and Kensuke ate lunch together as Touji was suspended for the rest of the day. Kensuke asked Shinji what he planned to do if he had in fact caused Shinobu's misfortune, a question Shinji still had no answer to.
Kensuke noted how Shinji's gaze continually drifted to the petit girl. He saw nothing overly special or noticeable about her, but he could feel Shinji thought differently.
Asuka, for her part, only lightly smacked the back of his head for staring at the girl and accused him of being peeping tom. Shinji hadn't noticed it himself but after her comment he did feel like he had again wronged the girl with his incessant stare.
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Arriving at the apartment both teens set upon their homework. Asuka did so more out of boredom than for any real reason. Shinji only wished to pass time until Misato arrived and he could ask her about Shinobu's school.
Time didn't pass as quickly as he would have liked. Asuka finishing way before he did turned her stereo up disrupting his concentration.
Fumbling with his eraser, 'Why do I have to take calculus anyway, isn't it enough that I pilot?'
He gave up trying to answer the problems and donning his sdat began to cook. Something he had begun doing a lot more of lately. The simple act of cooking food for himself and others was strangely calming to him now.
Smelling the food, Asuka was drawn to the kitchen. She found Shinji in Misato's apron (which she never used) and burst into a fit of laughter.
"You are house whipped aren't you?" she had to hold her side to stop the growing pain from her laughter.
Putting the spoon down and turning the heat lower, "So...sorry, I just thought you two wouldn't mind if I made dinner. It was your turn after all."
Her laughter died in her mouth, she had forgotten. "I guess its ok, you did a good job on the bento's so I guess we can let you try again. Hope it wasn't only a fluke though.
He nodded again and apologized to the fiery redhead and watched her as she grabbed one of the cooling meat buns he had made. She left with the food in hand and he turned back to his cooking.
By the time Misato had returned home, Shinji had made a three coarse meal and cleaned up the mess.
Looking slack-jawed at the bountiful meal Shinji had made she thanked Kami for the blessing he had given her. 'Taking him as my ward has got to be one of the better choices I made in my life.'
Shinji called out to Asuka that the meal was finished and she joined them. They all ate in the customary fashion of Asuka and Misato stuffing their faces, and competing against each other as to who could say the most in the least amount of time.
With her food devoured Asuka announced her departure from the apartment and headed to Hikari's. Shinji looked at the empty plate in front of him and debated whether to ask his guardian now or wait.
"Something on your mind Shinji-kun or you trying to push the plate with your mind?"
Meeting her gaze, Shinji found himself handing her the print out.
Misato took the paper from his slightly shaking hand and looked it over. "Maehara Shinobu?"
"That's the girl who transferred.could you see if we caused it?" his head dipping down.
'He had the courage to ask me,' she smiled, "I'll look into it tonight alright. Just promise me that if it turns out you did cause it, don't do anything foolish ok?"
He nodded and withheld the slight smile of triumph that was threatening to cross his face. He retired back to his unfinished homework while his mind wandered to other things. ---------------------------
Over at Hinata lodge, another troubled child pondered.
Shinobu busied her body and mind by doing chores. After supper she had volunteered to wash and put away the dishes. She was far from happy.
Shinobu couldn't keep the image of her Keitaro-sempai and Naru's growing relationship. She had hoped and prayed that he would fall in love with her and she would be happy. Shinobu hadn't heard much from her estranged parents and her old friends had transferred to other schools. It was only thanks to her dying devotion to Keitaro that she transferred to the junior high in Tokyo-3. She still aimed for Tokyo-U.
Sighing heavily she put the last of the dishes away and sluggishly made her way to her room. As she made her way she had to dive to the floor to avoid Suu's mecha Tama-chan.
"Oyi Shinobu, Gomen!" the overly energetic foreigner hollowed as she followed her mechanical contraption.
Shinobu envied Kaolla. She was happy, smart, and well liked by almost everybody that meet her, aside from her questionably devotion to her older brother.
She passed the empty room of Motoko and she wondered what special training she was on now.
Then came Keitaro's room, she was tempted to find away to avoid his room, but it was pointless right now. Keitaro and Naru were down at Haruka's diner with Mitsume having a reunion of sorts. So she simply stared at his door longingly then continued on.
Unknown to her, Kitsune had been following her since her melancholy trip began. So when Shinobu entered her room and flopped down on her bed, Kitsune was quick to enter.
Sitting down next to her, "Something wrong kid?"
So deep in her own world, Shinobu was surprised. She shot out of bed and her arms were flailing. "Ki.Kitsune-sempai, when did you get in here?"
She smiled at the girl before speaking, "Just now, you were oozing so much angst I couldn't leave you alone. What's wrong Shinobu, still thinking about Kei?"
Calming down enough to form coherent thought, she responded, "That and a few other things."
Shaking the small bottle she carried, "want some sake then, help calm your nerves?"
"No thank you Kitsune-sempai," she said as she latched onto her larger teddy bear.
"How about you tell me what's 'is' bothering you then." Kitsune could still remember the shattered look on Shinobu's face when she heard the news about Keitaro and Naru. It wasn't the look she had now, so she figured it was something new.
"I guess we can."
"So, what's on your mind, new man in your life?"
Shinobu eeped slightly as she remembered the boy that for two days watched her during class.
Kitsune's face regained its fox-like smirk as Shinobu's response helped her gauge the situation. "I'm right aren't I?"
"No.not really, its just the new school that's all," her blush telling a slightly different story.
"New school could be hard, no connections, no nothing but I'm sure it's nothing new for you." Probing deeper.
Sure enough the situation wasn't new to her and it was nothing she couldn't handle, it was the pilot boy that kept looking at her.
Taking a quick swig of sake, "So what is it?"
"A boy, he stares at me during class sometimes," her grip tightening further.
"Stare as in he may like you or stare as in he wants to kill you?" Kitsune started going over the prices of pepper spray in her mind.
Looking out the window, "I don't know.he's a really important person so it's not possible that he likes me."
Important struck a cord in her mind. Important people + Kitsune = profit.
The drive for money taking over, "Important how?"
"You remember those robots that destroyed my school.well he's one of the pilots."
"SHINJI IKARI! Shinji Ikari is looking at you in class!" Kitsune's mind went into profitability overload.
Shinobu had to think about the past few days of class and finally remembered the boy was referred to as Shinji. She dismissed how Kitsune already knew that.
"I guess so. Somebody that important couldn't look at me like that."
"But he is looking at you in class."
Shinobu admitted, "Yes, ever since I saw him in class he started taking sidelong glances."
"He cute?"
Shinobu flushed deeply and she dropped her bear as she frantically thrashed on the bed.
"I.um.he's very cute.but.but." recovering, "he couldn't possibly."
Trying to hold back from laughing at Shinobu's textbook response. "You don't know that do you. You could try talking to him."
"I couldn't, there is no reason too."
Kitsune nodded softly. So her problem was she was thinking about a new boy. 'Good thing too, I was worried she was still obsessing over Keitaro."
"Answer me this then, why does he look at you?"
Shinobu thought about why an important person such as that boy would look at her.
"I don't know." ------------------------------------
Misato finally found her answer. 'Shinji-kun isn't going to like this.'
She made her way to his room and lightly knocked on his door.
A few moments later a visibly tired Shinji opened the door. "Yes Misato- san?"
Her face told him more than her words could have her face was downcast.
He blurted out before she could speak, "We did destroy it. Didn't we?"
"No Shinji-kun, you didn't do it, but the N-2 mine did. Of all the students there only a handful did transfer to your school, and she was one of them."
He nodded; he was expecting it after all. "Thanks Misato-san, thanks a lot."
Unnerved by his lack of change, "Now I have your promise not to do anything foolish right?"
"I'm going to apologize to her. That's not foolish is it?"
Sighing in relief, "Not at all Shinji, good luck. Now get some rest ok?"
He bid her goodnight and she shut to door, listening for a few moments. After sounds of cloths being changed she heard him climb into bed.
She was worried for him. To her, Shinji took to much responsibility for this war on his shoulders. She pulled out a reconnaissance photo of Shinobu she acquired from Section-2. She couldn't find anything particularly special about the girl, but she could see Shinji's sad face in hers.
'Maybe if he actually talked to the girl they could help each other.'
She checked on Asuka and went to take a well-deserved bath. ---------------------------------
Shinji woke up early as planned. He had already suspected his guilt from the beginning and set his plan into motion.
He made an extra large bento for himself, and left the apartment early to avoid any possible confrontation.
His fellow flat mates didn't mind as he left them a nice breakfast in his place.
He arrived at school and sat in his desk in silent contemplation.
'What if she doesn't except it? What if she hates me knowing that I caused her this pain? Should I stay and talk after I give it to her or should I leave?'
Hikari watched Shinji's internal debate as she prepared the classroom for the day, as did Rei.
The class eventually began to fill with other students, and when Kensuke and Touji arrived Shinji quickly called them over.
"So what's up?" Kensuke asked when he noticed the determined look in Shinji's eyes.
Touji asked as well, "Yeah, what's so important?"
Shinji looked at both of them, "I am responsible, and I'm going to try to make things up."
Touji was lost after not being in class the previous day, but Kensuke understood.
"So how are you going to do it?"
Shinji looked at the bento, "For starters I'm going to offer her lunch."
Touji's fist hit this other hand, "Shinji's trying to get a girlfriend!"
Kensuke slapped his forehead and then slapped Touji. Kensuke had a suspicion that Shinji may think that way about the girl but knew Touji wouldn't understand.
Shinji admonished his friend and told him his intent was purely out of regret, but he hoped to see her smile.
Shinobu entered the room and immediately both teens' eyes meet. After about twenty seconds of staring the resumed normal functions.
Kensuke nudged Touji and gestured about Shinji's behavior. Together "Good luck man."
Hikari signaled the beginning of class and the trio went about their normal actives.
As per usual the sensei droned on about the 2nd impact to the less than enthusiastic class. Both Shinji and Shinobu found themselves sneaking glances at each other. After what could have been considered a small eternity passed, the teacher announced lunch break and the students scattered.
On shaky legs Shinji approached Shinobu.
As he approached, Shinobu felt panic rising. Was he going to make fun of her, laugh at her, had he noticed her looking at him? She hadn't expected what he did in the slightest.
Shinji held the bento out to her and spoke with a very uneasy voice, "W.would you like to eat lunch.with me?"
He couldn't believe he said it, he had only wished to give her the bento not ask her to eat it with him.
Shinobu pushed her own bento deeper into her pack and took his bento into her hands.
To both of their surprise, "I'd love too."
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Author notes
My use of love hina stems from the manga, not the anime.
But if you've seen love hina again its possible you know about them. I'll try to fix this up so if you don't know love hina you understand but until then sorry.
I have to thank Golden Kitsune for pre-reading and the idea for the Shinobu/Kitsune talk.
Ideas? Comments? Questions?
Ja-mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com www.geocities.com/zentrodie.geo)