mStandard Disclaimer
Well college is back in session, my class load is heavy, I have a job.so what do I spend my free time doing? Writing fics. Should be sleeping, but NOOOO I have to keep these fics going! Be thankful that I'm an idiot :)
Well enough ranting, oh I'd like you all to say hello to Neko^2, my new laptop. Its all sleek and shiny.and well.more powerful than my desktop :(
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Out of Disaster Chapter 7- Communication Breakdown
Shinobu lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling, a stuffed animal in her arms. Her mind was in a state of total confusion. The previous day's activities still didn't make much sense to her. She was upset to have her visit with Shinji abruptly cut short, but she was more worried about that 'Rei' girl.
What confused her more was what happened when she finally returned home. 'I wonder why Kitsune-san looked so upset,' she pondered. She could also see what looked like depressed faces on both Keitaro and Naru.
As she clutched the bear tighter, "Hope they didn't have a fight."
Her mental revelry was disturbed as a slight knock was heard at her door. Sitting up and fixing her skirt she bade the intruder welcome.
Kitsune entered, again with a somber look on her face. "We need to talk squirt."
Expecting something had gone awry, "Has something happened Kitsune-san?"
'That's an understatement,' the fox girl thought as she walked closer and eventually sat next to Shinobu. "You left this out yesterday," she said as she handed Shinobu her sketchbook.
The color immediately drained from her face as the implications were now totally clear, "They looked in it?"
With a head nod, "They want to talk to you after school today. It was supposed to be a 'secret' but with what I know.I wanted to tell you."
Shinobu's head was swirling, Keitaro and Naru had seen her drawings.and now they wanted to talk to her. "Am I in trouble?" she meekly asked.
"Can't tell you one way or another. The just told me that if I saw you when you get home, to direct you to them."
"What can I do about this?" Shinobu asked with all the worry her voice could muster.
Sensing the girls fear about maybe losing her new bo, "You could lie about it. Only Haruka and I know you actually LIKE him. You could say you just saw him in the onsen and drew him because you were bored." Kitsune was never truly against white lies if they could prevent future calamity.
'Could I lie about it?' she thought. Standing from her bed, Shinobu headed towards the door, "Thank you for telling me. I better get going then."
Wishing the young girl luck, Kitsune secretly cursed the awful luck that had just befallen the dark blue haired child.
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At the Katsuragi residence a more gentile conversation was being had.
"GET GOING BAKA OR YOU'LL BE LATE!" bellowed a German girl as she clutched for tissue.
Setting a glass of water by her bed, Shinji took a step back. "Sorry, I thought Misato-san would have stayed home with you like she did with me."
After a bout of heavy sneezing, "I don't need her to watch over me. I'm not helpless."
"We don't have to go over this again do we?" Shinji said with a smile. The previous day's bonding session greatly increasing his ability to speak to his flat mate.
"We'll go over it until you understand it!" was her retort, but said with a smile, "Now get going. I'm sure Shinobu's going to 'love' your return to school."
Something about how Asuka rolled the word love off her tongue caused a spontaneous blush from Shinji. "I left some soup simmering on the stove for when you're hungry."
'It's almost too easy to tease him about her, but.' Asuka's mind was puzzled about something, "Shinji?"
Her sudden address caused the pilot to stop his departure and look back. "What is it Asuka?"
"Why do you think Wondergirl came over yesterday?"
Scratching his head, "She had to drop off some paperwork, but you knew that."
"Exactly, she could have gave them to me, and not have made an extra trip," Asuka said more to herself than to Shinji.
Sensing Asuka was now pondering something Shinji took his leave. He gathered the bento that he was hopefully to share with Shinobu, and the lunch he promised he'd make for Rei and headed for school.
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"I don't follow you Touji," Kensuke said as he walked along side his friend.
Coming to a stop at the corner they were to meet Shinji so they could journey to school as a group. Touji said, "I've just been thinking it's odd."
"You thinking, that's a new one," Kensuke scoffed.
Raising his fist, "Watch it! Have you actually thought about it though?"
Shaking his head, "I don't really see how Shinobu and Rei have anything in common."
"One- both have blue hair, B- both are shy, C- both are smart.I think," Touji recounted to his bespeckeled friend.
"So how does any of this help your belief about Shinji?" Kensuke still tried to comprehend.
Touji took a brief look around to insure nobody was watching or listening. He leaned over, and whispered his idea into Kensuke's ear. Kensuke's face, for his part, quickly turned from stable to upset.
"You know Shinji wouldn't use people like that," he said with scorn.
Putting his hands up in defense, Touji repeated, "All I'm saying is. Maybe Shinji had a crush on Ayanami, she didn't bite, and now Shinobu shows up. She's so much like her Shinji tries again and lands her."
Knowing Shinji didn't intend to 'land' her, and his previous reasons were far from romantic conquest. Kensuke was very skeptical. "So, how does this hurt either of them?"
"You notice how Miss Spooky's been hanging around him more right?"
The lunch incident entering his mind, Kensuke nodded.
Touji pressed on, "What if she makes a play for Shinji. Since he liked her first, he may dump Shinobu and take up her."
Kensukue thought about that concept for about two seconds. 'Shinji + Shinobu = Happy, Shinji + Rei = unknown.' "Touji," Kensuke said in all seriousness, "that is the dumbest thing I've heard in my whole life."
So as they waited for Shinji, Kensuke regaled Touji with the reasons Shinji had for talking to Shinobu in the first place. He then asked how Touji 'knew' Shinji liked Rei, how he 'knew' Rei had a thing for Shinji. And just before Shinji arrived, asked why Touji even cared. Touji's reply was he didn't, but he just didn't like to see people get used.
As Shinji walked up to them, the two boys cast an eye at what Shinji was caring.
"Why do you have two lunches?" they asked in unison.
Blushing softly at their combined attack, "Well you know how Shinobu and I eat lunch."
Touji looked at the second, smaller lunch, "And the other?"
'Why the sudden interest in my lunches?' Shinji thought before replying, "I offered to make Aya-Rei lunch because her normal one is so bland."
The two boys seemed, to Shinji, to exchange a glance before they headed to school. In both boys minds a sudden question entered their minds, 'Is he spending time with Shinobu because she reminds him of her?'
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Rei was actively watching the door of the classroom as the other students filed in. She knew Shinji would be returning to class today, and she wanted to make sure she witnessed it. She also wanted to see whether that annoyance was with him.
'She went to his home, but she had no reason to do so. I must ask Doctor Akagi about this.' She thought as she saw the idiot trio walk into the room. She noticed how his two friends seemed to be making harassing comments to him. 'The 2nd is not here.'
Just as she was about to make her approach towards the grouping, another student entered the room. 'Her.'
Shinobu and Rei stopped in their tracks as they noticed each other. Shinobu's continence dropped a bit while Rei remained unphased. After staring at each other, Shinobu broke away first and hurried over to her desk. Noticing class would soon be starting, Rei turned to go back to her desk. She'd talk to him later.
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The first half of class proceeded with a minimal of fuss. Hikari asked Shinji via her PC terminal about what happened to Asuka. Touji and Kensuke busied themselves with conspiracy theories about Shinji, Shinobu, and Rei.
Touji taking the side of a growing Shinji/Rei relationship as he spotted her passing glances at him. Kensuke thinking Touji an idiot didn't take any official stance but mentally hoped that his meek friend would go for the new girl.
Shinji actually paid attention to class in attempts to make up for his extended absence. He cursed the fact that while he was gone, the teacher had covered something other than the 2nd impact. Leaving him sorely behind.
Shinobu, while taking an occasional peek at Shinji and noticed he had several bento's. 'Why does he have two? It was his turn to cook, but why bring two again?' Memories of the last time he brought two lunches spurred her paranoia, is he going to eat with her again? As she thought about lunches, her mind wandered to what she should have done yesterday, but that lead to her current situation. 'What will they say to me?'
Rei.was Rei and looked out the window mostly. She'd spare a glance at her fellow pilot and think. She'd think about what Akagi told her, about her time with him, and about her true purpose for existing. 'If I do follow that command, it would make this concept pointless. He would become one with the rest of humanity. Do I want that? Do my wants matter?'
As each of our players went about their own particular activity, the time ticked by. Eventually the teacher dismissed them all for lunch.
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Shinji gathered his lunches and made his decision. He was thinking about what to do during this lunch break. He had enjoyed his new lunch ritual. He spent enough time with Touji and Kensuke outside of school so he'd spend it with others. After debating on just giving Rei the lunch he made for her and going to eat with Shinobu ended. He realized that doing so would be rude. So to avoid that.
He would eat lunch with both of them.
Walking over to Shinobu, he saw a worried look on her face. "Ready to go?" he asked.
'He still wants to eat with me!' Shinobu smiled and let out a sigh of relief, "Sure, but what's that other bento for?"
Blushing softly, "I thought we'd invite Rei to eat with us. She's usually along so why not include her in our little group?"
Anger and jealousy suddenly hit her, 'He wants to eat with both of us? Why do I have to eat with her? Doesn't he realize.realize.' Masking the sadness as best as she could she relented, he was kind and that is why he wanted to do this. She said it would be ok and headed off to their spot.
Rei had listened to the whole encounter, and while she wasn't overjoyed at the concept of this shared meeting, she'd take what she could get until she removed the girl from the picture.
So she didn't seem surprised when Shinji walked over to her, and in a broken voice asked her to accompany Shinobu and himself for lunch. She took the lunch he had made for her and smiled at him softly. She reveled in the response she got. He blushed. 'Again Akagi was right. By smiling at him he becomes susceptible. He doesn't seem to act that way with 'her.'
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Lunch did not go as Shinji had hoped. He thought that the two girls could become friends. He was not proven right in this instance.
Shinobu seemed to be more nervous than usual as he and Rei approached and sat. Rei remained silent as Shinobu eyes spiraled. Shinji couldn't understand why Shinobu was acting like this. She had spent a little time with Rei before.
He attempted to start several conversations as he did with both of them before, but either Shinobu would blush and cover her mouth, or Rei would remain silent.
'It's almost like Shinobu's afraid of Rei and that Rei doesn't like Shinobu.' Shinji mused. He just couldn't figure out why.
Rei ate her food, thanked Shinji for it, and as she handed the box back to him, took hold of his hand. Again her actions were prompted by coaching from Ritsuko. Shinji simple blushed and asked if she needed anything. Shinobu panicked that girl couldn't do that to her Shinji, she was the only one.
After a few moments of silence, Rei just inquired if he'd make her lunch again. He said he would, and offered that Shinobu could make food better than he. Rei declined the second offer and left.
The remaining time was spent with Shinobu recovering and spending a few minutes of quality time with Shinji. It was the most relaxed she'd been the whole day. He inquired if she would like to be walked to the train station again.
She smiled at him warmly, 'I don't have anything to be worried about,' she though, despite the growing fear she had. She accepted his offer as they walked back to class.
Unknown to the three, they had been watched during lunch. Touji, Kensuke, and Hikari had tagged along and viewed the whole encounter.
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The second half of school was pandemonium for Shinji and Shinobu. Hikari was venomant in her IM to Shinobu asking how she allowed Rei to make a play on her man. Shinobu meekly replied that Shinji wasn't 'hers.' Hikari's reply was short and to the point, 'He easily could be.'
Touji and Kensuke were merciless in their taunting. Asking how it felt to have two girlfriends, why he had both eat together, and who he was going to choose. Kensuke's comments were in jest, having his suspicion that Shinji and Shinobu were hiding things from the rest of the class. Touji, well Touji was being serious. He wanted to know what Shinji was thinking.
What Touji didn't tell Kensuke earlier that day was that he wasn't worried about Shinobu or Rei, but actually Shinji. He knew his friend had little experience in this part of life. He didn't want Shinji to be overcome by the developments and make a mistake that would hurt himself more than the girls.
'That idiot would do something to himself before hurting those chicks.' He thought.
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As the day drew to a close, Shinji received one final message. 'We have Sych Tests today at four o'clock.'
He didn't need to check the address of the sender to know who it was. He replied he'd go to Nerv shortly after he did one task. To him, getting Shinobu to the train station was more important.
The class was dismissed, and the students scattered. Shinji meet up with Shinobu at the door and they walked off together towards the station, with a follower in tow.
"You seem a little depressed today," Shinji asked her as he noticed a rather hang-dog expression on her face, "Something wrong?"
With a slight shake of her head, "It's nothing Shinji-san."
He didn't buy it, "Please tell me, I'd like to help if I could."
Shinobu didn't know what to do, could she tell Shinji about what she drew in her sketchpad? About the upcoming talk? Her fear of Rei?
She opted to make a compromise; she had to tell him something. Her experience with Keitaro reminding her that silence isn't always the best option.
"Shinji-san, I have to talk to Keitaro and Naru when I get home."
Recognizing the names, "Can you tell me what it's about?"
Taking a deep breath and grasping at the last of her resolve, "About us."
Blushing lightly, Shinji stopped walking, "Us?"
Nodding meekly, "Something's turned up and they want to ask me about you."
Now it was Shinji's turn to nod, he didn't know what to say. They walked the rest of the distance in silence. Shinobu wondering if she said too much. Shinji wondering if 'about us' meant something more.
As she walked onto the train she turned to face him. "Shinji-san.I.I have to tell you something else." Her mind a battle field, side A told her to confess, side B told her not to ruin things.
Shinji smiled at her and tried to encouraging her to speak.
"I think that I." her words cut off by a closing door. 'Damn' both though.
They waved to each other as the train speed off.
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As Shinji descended the steps of the station he noticed a familiar mop of blue hair walking down the street. 'What is she doing here?'
"Heading towards the GeoFront," she said with only a minor tremor in her voice.
'Is it on her way from her apartment?' he pondered as he fell in suit with her. "So." his voice died.
"You escorted Maehara to the station again." She said not asked.
"Yeah, I did," he replied with a small smile.
Looking at him, "Why? What does your escorting her mean?"
'Why do I?' he thought, "Why? Well mainly to talk with her I guess. Being a friend."
"Does our walking to the GeoFront have a similar meaning?" her face sporting a light blush that went unnoticed by her companion.
Scratching his chin lightly, "I guess it does," his face now sporting a smile of his own.
"Ikari-kun."
Noticing a change in her voice Shinji turned to face her, "Yes Rei?"
"What is love?"
'DAMN! Right to the point.' his mind halted, "W-why do you ask?"
"I have been reading on the subject, but it lacks definition. I wish to know more about it." Her voice again hinting at something else.
Shinji thought about her question, unfortunately not putting the who and the why of the question together. "I guess love is.understanding somebody really well, and wanting to be with them regardless of anything."
Rei remained in silent pondering for several minutes as the approached the entrance to Nerv. As the approached the card machine, she opened her mouth. "I heard a degree of physicality is involved as well."
Now sporting a healthy blush, 'Physicality?"
Rei noticed his composition and pressed on, "In the text, it claims holding hands, hugging, lip contact, and the exchange of bodily fluids," her face blushing as she spoke.
Shinji's mind was no longer functioning properly, Ayanami's talk causing a minor thought to enter his mind, and a tiny amount of blood dripped out of his nose. "I guess.it does. But I think it is supposed to be more about feelings emotionally not physically. Now.why are you asking me this Rei?"
"Shinji-kun," her hand reaching for her ID card, "I believe I have such feelings for you, and would like to procede to the other elements of a relationship."
'WARNING NERVE CONNECTION FAILURE ABORT RETRY FAIL' was all that entered Shinji's head. He had stopped thinking and just walked forward in shock. He wasn't expecting Rei to EVER say something like that, he hoped to have a relationship with Shinobu, but he couldn't deny the crush he had on Rei before.
Rei ran her card through the reader and frowned, "The power is off..."
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As Shinobu walked up the stairs to meet her destiny, the next angel was attacking Tokyo-3. She wasn't even thinking it was a possibility, her mind was focused on one thing, 'Should I lie or tell the truth?'
"I'm home," she heard her voice meekly saying.and as she walked in she was greeted.
Keitaro was standing by the door, "Shinobu-chan."
Naru right beside him, "We have to talk."
Nodding softly she followed her two elders into the other room and sat on the couch, Motoko, who witnessed her arrival, followed silently and stood outside the room.
"I'm sure you know what we want to talk about, right Shinobu?" Keitaro asked.
Again she nodded.
Naru took up next, "Care to explain?"
Deep in Shinobu's subconscious a battle raged, To lie or to tell the truth.
"Why did you draw such things in your sketch pad?" Keitaro asked.
Naru again complementing Keitaro's words her voice a touch more angry, "Why that boy from the other day."
"Shinji," Shinobu said.
"Yeah, why him? Was it because he flashed you?" Keitaro asked, only to be punched in the back of the head by Naru.
"Why would she do that you pervert! But seriously Shinobu, you drew the two of you." Naru trailed off.
Shinobu made her choice, "I like him."
Nursing his sore face, "But you only meet him that one day."
She shook her head, "I've been spending time with him since I started school in Tokyo."
A look of shock was mirrored on all three listener's faces. Keitaro and Naru exclaimed, "YOU HAVE!"
Naru's face was a mask of rage, but she was able to contain most of it, 'how could she do something like this?'
Shinobu then went into a detailed explanation. She told her elders about the lunches, about the missed trains, and about the confusion before the onsen incident.
Keitaro smiled at the younger girl, 'guess she's growing up.' Speaking, "Just be careful Shinobu-chan."
Keitaro excused the young girl so he could talk to Naru, "What do you think of this?"
"I think it's a bad idea, she's so imprecionable. He could.do.things to her."
"I doubt that, from what she's told us he's been the perfect gentleman."
"I guess, but I don't have to like it," then Naru asked "Back to what we were talking about before Shinobu showed up, what did Kanako tell you?"
"Oh that, well it seems that Nyamo was sent to live with us."
"Nyamo? Why is she moving to Hinata?" Naru asked puzzled.
"Her island's break water finally failed, she has no place else to go. Seta is bringing her with him on his next visit."
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In the hall, Motoko smiled. She liked the meek boy she had met. He would suit Shinobu well. Her mind returned to her thoughts about the boy's Ki, "Maybe if he does see Shinobu, I can train him to harness it before it consumes him."
Shinobu smiled to herself as she ascended the stairs. She felt great; all that worry had been lifted off her chest. She thought about calling Shinji and asking what he was doing. Now that she had admitted it, she could see him openly.
She tried the phone number but got an error message. 'Guess the phone lines went down.' She smiled broadly again as she began to think of what to cook for them tomorrow.
Her mind was so overjoyed at the moment, that the idea of Rei didn't even enter her mind. 'Maybe things will be getting better, and I'll actually be able to confess my feelings.' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
Well it took awhile but I'm finally getting a chance to write again. Due to classes I'm finding it harder and harder to find the time to do it.
Hope this chapter meet up with your expectations. As for Rei's comments, if you didn't know anything about a relationship.and didn't have tact, I think you'd ask similar questions.
Well enough defense. Hope you liked it
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)
OMAKE!!
Misato wasn't a very happy camper. She just got off a very long and painful shift and wanted nothing more than to get drunk and fast. Grabbing her first of hopefully many Yebisu's she saw Asuka watching television.
"Where is Shinji? Though Shinobu and he were going to be here." She asked.
"They are, just in his room," came the red heads reply.
"In his room?" Misato repeated, not really liking the sound of it. Her mental processes were cut short as she heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it, probably the commander with birthday presents for Shinji."
Opening the door, Misato saw a smiling Kitsune, "Hi, just came to pick up Shinobu."
Nodding, "Figures, this way."
Misato lead Kitsune to Shinji's room, "The two of them are in there."
A mallisious smirk appeared on the Fox-girls face, "Lets take a listen shall we?"
Misato couldn't resist her sinister urges and the two placed their ears to the door.
"Shin-chan."
"Shin-chan."
"Shin-chan."
Five minutes later, "That's it I'm going to the bar to get wasted."
Kitsune mimicked her, "That was just to sweet.you have to get him to change his name."
"Who was even talking.I couldn't make out the voices."
"Does it matter.Shin-chan over and over again! Those two need to either get naked or get new names!"
Misato nodded, "Enough talk, lets get drunk."
Well college is back in session, my class load is heavy, I have a job.so what do I spend my free time doing? Writing fics. Should be sleeping, but NOOOO I have to keep these fics going! Be thankful that I'm an idiot :)
Well enough ranting, oh I'd like you all to say hello to Neko^2, my new laptop. Its all sleek and shiny.and well.more powerful than my desktop :(
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Out of Disaster Chapter 7- Communication Breakdown
Shinobu lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling, a stuffed animal in her arms. Her mind was in a state of total confusion. The previous day's activities still didn't make much sense to her. She was upset to have her visit with Shinji abruptly cut short, but she was more worried about that 'Rei' girl.
What confused her more was what happened when she finally returned home. 'I wonder why Kitsune-san looked so upset,' she pondered. She could also see what looked like depressed faces on both Keitaro and Naru.
As she clutched the bear tighter, "Hope they didn't have a fight."
Her mental revelry was disturbed as a slight knock was heard at her door. Sitting up and fixing her skirt she bade the intruder welcome.
Kitsune entered, again with a somber look on her face. "We need to talk squirt."
Expecting something had gone awry, "Has something happened Kitsune-san?"
'That's an understatement,' the fox girl thought as she walked closer and eventually sat next to Shinobu. "You left this out yesterday," she said as she handed Shinobu her sketchbook.
The color immediately drained from her face as the implications were now totally clear, "They looked in it?"
With a head nod, "They want to talk to you after school today. It was supposed to be a 'secret' but with what I know.I wanted to tell you."
Shinobu's head was swirling, Keitaro and Naru had seen her drawings.and now they wanted to talk to her. "Am I in trouble?" she meekly asked.
"Can't tell you one way or another. The just told me that if I saw you when you get home, to direct you to them."
"What can I do about this?" Shinobu asked with all the worry her voice could muster.
Sensing the girls fear about maybe losing her new bo, "You could lie about it. Only Haruka and I know you actually LIKE him. You could say you just saw him in the onsen and drew him because you were bored." Kitsune was never truly against white lies if they could prevent future calamity.
'Could I lie about it?' she thought. Standing from her bed, Shinobu headed towards the door, "Thank you for telling me. I better get going then."
Wishing the young girl luck, Kitsune secretly cursed the awful luck that had just befallen the dark blue haired child.
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At the Katsuragi residence a more gentile conversation was being had.
"GET GOING BAKA OR YOU'LL BE LATE!" bellowed a German girl as she clutched for tissue.
Setting a glass of water by her bed, Shinji took a step back. "Sorry, I thought Misato-san would have stayed home with you like she did with me."
After a bout of heavy sneezing, "I don't need her to watch over me. I'm not helpless."
"We don't have to go over this again do we?" Shinji said with a smile. The previous day's bonding session greatly increasing his ability to speak to his flat mate.
"We'll go over it until you understand it!" was her retort, but said with a smile, "Now get going. I'm sure Shinobu's going to 'love' your return to school."
Something about how Asuka rolled the word love off her tongue caused a spontaneous blush from Shinji. "I left some soup simmering on the stove for when you're hungry."
'It's almost too easy to tease him about her, but.' Asuka's mind was puzzled about something, "Shinji?"
Her sudden address caused the pilot to stop his departure and look back. "What is it Asuka?"
"Why do you think Wondergirl came over yesterday?"
Scratching his head, "She had to drop off some paperwork, but you knew that."
"Exactly, she could have gave them to me, and not have made an extra trip," Asuka said more to herself than to Shinji.
Sensing Asuka was now pondering something Shinji took his leave. He gathered the bento that he was hopefully to share with Shinobu, and the lunch he promised he'd make for Rei and headed for school.
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"I don't follow you Touji," Kensuke said as he walked along side his friend.
Coming to a stop at the corner they were to meet Shinji so they could journey to school as a group. Touji said, "I've just been thinking it's odd."
"You thinking, that's a new one," Kensuke scoffed.
Raising his fist, "Watch it! Have you actually thought about it though?"
Shaking his head, "I don't really see how Shinobu and Rei have anything in common."
"One- both have blue hair, B- both are shy, C- both are smart.I think," Touji recounted to his bespeckeled friend.
"So how does any of this help your belief about Shinji?" Kensuke still tried to comprehend.
Touji took a brief look around to insure nobody was watching or listening. He leaned over, and whispered his idea into Kensuke's ear. Kensuke's face, for his part, quickly turned from stable to upset.
"You know Shinji wouldn't use people like that," he said with scorn.
Putting his hands up in defense, Touji repeated, "All I'm saying is. Maybe Shinji had a crush on Ayanami, she didn't bite, and now Shinobu shows up. She's so much like her Shinji tries again and lands her."
Knowing Shinji didn't intend to 'land' her, and his previous reasons were far from romantic conquest. Kensuke was very skeptical. "So, how does this hurt either of them?"
"You notice how Miss Spooky's been hanging around him more right?"
The lunch incident entering his mind, Kensuke nodded.
Touji pressed on, "What if she makes a play for Shinji. Since he liked her first, he may dump Shinobu and take up her."
Kensukue thought about that concept for about two seconds. 'Shinji + Shinobu = Happy, Shinji + Rei = unknown.' "Touji," Kensuke said in all seriousness, "that is the dumbest thing I've heard in my whole life."
So as they waited for Shinji, Kensuke regaled Touji with the reasons Shinji had for talking to Shinobu in the first place. He then asked how Touji 'knew' Shinji liked Rei, how he 'knew' Rei had a thing for Shinji. And just before Shinji arrived, asked why Touji even cared. Touji's reply was he didn't, but he just didn't like to see people get used.
As Shinji walked up to them, the two boys cast an eye at what Shinji was caring.
"Why do you have two lunches?" they asked in unison.
Blushing softly at their combined attack, "Well you know how Shinobu and I eat lunch."
Touji looked at the second, smaller lunch, "And the other?"
'Why the sudden interest in my lunches?' Shinji thought before replying, "I offered to make Aya-Rei lunch because her normal one is so bland."
The two boys seemed, to Shinji, to exchange a glance before they headed to school. In both boys minds a sudden question entered their minds, 'Is he spending time with Shinobu because she reminds him of her?'
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Rei was actively watching the door of the classroom as the other students filed in. She knew Shinji would be returning to class today, and she wanted to make sure she witnessed it. She also wanted to see whether that annoyance was with him.
'She went to his home, but she had no reason to do so. I must ask Doctor Akagi about this.' She thought as she saw the idiot trio walk into the room. She noticed how his two friends seemed to be making harassing comments to him. 'The 2nd is not here.'
Just as she was about to make her approach towards the grouping, another student entered the room. 'Her.'
Shinobu and Rei stopped in their tracks as they noticed each other. Shinobu's continence dropped a bit while Rei remained unphased. After staring at each other, Shinobu broke away first and hurried over to her desk. Noticing class would soon be starting, Rei turned to go back to her desk. She'd talk to him later.
----------------------
The first half of class proceeded with a minimal of fuss. Hikari asked Shinji via her PC terminal about what happened to Asuka. Touji and Kensuke busied themselves with conspiracy theories about Shinji, Shinobu, and Rei.
Touji taking the side of a growing Shinji/Rei relationship as he spotted her passing glances at him. Kensuke thinking Touji an idiot didn't take any official stance but mentally hoped that his meek friend would go for the new girl.
Shinji actually paid attention to class in attempts to make up for his extended absence. He cursed the fact that while he was gone, the teacher had covered something other than the 2nd impact. Leaving him sorely behind.
Shinobu, while taking an occasional peek at Shinji and noticed he had several bento's. 'Why does he have two? It was his turn to cook, but why bring two again?' Memories of the last time he brought two lunches spurred her paranoia, is he going to eat with her again? As she thought about lunches, her mind wandered to what she should have done yesterday, but that lead to her current situation. 'What will they say to me?'
Rei.was Rei and looked out the window mostly. She'd spare a glance at her fellow pilot and think. She'd think about what Akagi told her, about her time with him, and about her true purpose for existing. 'If I do follow that command, it would make this concept pointless. He would become one with the rest of humanity. Do I want that? Do my wants matter?'
As each of our players went about their own particular activity, the time ticked by. Eventually the teacher dismissed them all for lunch.
----------------------
Shinji gathered his lunches and made his decision. He was thinking about what to do during this lunch break. He had enjoyed his new lunch ritual. He spent enough time with Touji and Kensuke outside of school so he'd spend it with others. After debating on just giving Rei the lunch he made for her and going to eat with Shinobu ended. He realized that doing so would be rude. So to avoid that.
He would eat lunch with both of them.
Walking over to Shinobu, he saw a worried look on her face. "Ready to go?" he asked.
'He still wants to eat with me!' Shinobu smiled and let out a sigh of relief, "Sure, but what's that other bento for?"
Blushing softly, "I thought we'd invite Rei to eat with us. She's usually along so why not include her in our little group?"
Anger and jealousy suddenly hit her, 'He wants to eat with both of us? Why do I have to eat with her? Doesn't he realize.realize.' Masking the sadness as best as she could she relented, he was kind and that is why he wanted to do this. She said it would be ok and headed off to their spot.
Rei had listened to the whole encounter, and while she wasn't overjoyed at the concept of this shared meeting, she'd take what she could get until she removed the girl from the picture.
So she didn't seem surprised when Shinji walked over to her, and in a broken voice asked her to accompany Shinobu and himself for lunch. She took the lunch he had made for her and smiled at him softly. She reveled in the response she got. He blushed. 'Again Akagi was right. By smiling at him he becomes susceptible. He doesn't seem to act that way with 'her.'
-----------------------
Lunch did not go as Shinji had hoped. He thought that the two girls could become friends. He was not proven right in this instance.
Shinobu seemed to be more nervous than usual as he and Rei approached and sat. Rei remained silent as Shinobu eyes spiraled. Shinji couldn't understand why Shinobu was acting like this. She had spent a little time with Rei before.
He attempted to start several conversations as he did with both of them before, but either Shinobu would blush and cover her mouth, or Rei would remain silent.
'It's almost like Shinobu's afraid of Rei and that Rei doesn't like Shinobu.' Shinji mused. He just couldn't figure out why.
Rei ate her food, thanked Shinji for it, and as she handed the box back to him, took hold of his hand. Again her actions were prompted by coaching from Ritsuko. Shinji simple blushed and asked if she needed anything. Shinobu panicked that girl couldn't do that to her Shinji, she was the only one.
After a few moments of silence, Rei just inquired if he'd make her lunch again. He said he would, and offered that Shinobu could make food better than he. Rei declined the second offer and left.
The remaining time was spent with Shinobu recovering and spending a few minutes of quality time with Shinji. It was the most relaxed she'd been the whole day. He inquired if she would like to be walked to the train station again.
She smiled at him warmly, 'I don't have anything to be worried about,' she though, despite the growing fear she had. She accepted his offer as they walked back to class.
Unknown to the three, they had been watched during lunch. Touji, Kensuke, and Hikari had tagged along and viewed the whole encounter.
----------------------
The second half of school was pandemonium for Shinji and Shinobu. Hikari was venomant in her IM to Shinobu asking how she allowed Rei to make a play on her man. Shinobu meekly replied that Shinji wasn't 'hers.' Hikari's reply was short and to the point, 'He easily could be.'
Touji and Kensuke were merciless in their taunting. Asking how it felt to have two girlfriends, why he had both eat together, and who he was going to choose. Kensuke's comments were in jest, having his suspicion that Shinji and Shinobu were hiding things from the rest of the class. Touji, well Touji was being serious. He wanted to know what Shinji was thinking.
What Touji didn't tell Kensuke earlier that day was that he wasn't worried about Shinobu or Rei, but actually Shinji. He knew his friend had little experience in this part of life. He didn't want Shinji to be overcome by the developments and make a mistake that would hurt himself more than the girls.
'That idiot would do something to himself before hurting those chicks.' He thought.
---------------------
As the day drew to a close, Shinji received one final message. 'We have Sych Tests today at four o'clock.'
He didn't need to check the address of the sender to know who it was. He replied he'd go to Nerv shortly after he did one task. To him, getting Shinobu to the train station was more important.
The class was dismissed, and the students scattered. Shinji meet up with Shinobu at the door and they walked off together towards the station, with a follower in tow.
"You seem a little depressed today," Shinji asked her as he noticed a rather hang-dog expression on her face, "Something wrong?"
With a slight shake of her head, "It's nothing Shinji-san."
He didn't buy it, "Please tell me, I'd like to help if I could."
Shinobu didn't know what to do, could she tell Shinji about what she drew in her sketchpad? About the upcoming talk? Her fear of Rei?
She opted to make a compromise; she had to tell him something. Her experience with Keitaro reminding her that silence isn't always the best option.
"Shinji-san, I have to talk to Keitaro and Naru when I get home."
Recognizing the names, "Can you tell me what it's about?"
Taking a deep breath and grasping at the last of her resolve, "About us."
Blushing lightly, Shinji stopped walking, "Us?"
Nodding meekly, "Something's turned up and they want to ask me about you."
Now it was Shinji's turn to nod, he didn't know what to say. They walked the rest of the distance in silence. Shinobu wondering if she said too much. Shinji wondering if 'about us' meant something more.
As she walked onto the train she turned to face him. "Shinji-san.I.I have to tell you something else." Her mind a battle field, side A told her to confess, side B told her not to ruin things.
Shinji smiled at her and tried to encouraging her to speak.
"I think that I." her words cut off by a closing door. 'Damn' both though.
They waved to each other as the train speed off.
---------------
As Shinji descended the steps of the station he noticed a familiar mop of blue hair walking down the street. 'What is she doing here?'
"Heading towards the GeoFront," she said with only a minor tremor in her voice.
'Is it on her way from her apartment?' he pondered as he fell in suit with her. "So." his voice died.
"You escorted Maehara to the station again." She said not asked.
"Yeah, I did," he replied with a small smile.
Looking at him, "Why? What does your escorting her mean?"
'Why do I?' he thought, "Why? Well mainly to talk with her I guess. Being a friend."
"Does our walking to the GeoFront have a similar meaning?" her face sporting a light blush that went unnoticed by her companion.
Scratching his chin lightly, "I guess it does," his face now sporting a smile of his own.
"Ikari-kun."
Noticing a change in her voice Shinji turned to face her, "Yes Rei?"
"What is love?"
'DAMN! Right to the point.' his mind halted, "W-why do you ask?"
"I have been reading on the subject, but it lacks definition. I wish to know more about it." Her voice again hinting at something else.
Shinji thought about her question, unfortunately not putting the who and the why of the question together. "I guess love is.understanding somebody really well, and wanting to be with them regardless of anything."
Rei remained in silent pondering for several minutes as the approached the entrance to Nerv. As the approached the card machine, she opened her mouth. "I heard a degree of physicality is involved as well."
Now sporting a healthy blush, 'Physicality?"
Rei noticed his composition and pressed on, "In the text, it claims holding hands, hugging, lip contact, and the exchange of bodily fluids," her face blushing as she spoke.
Shinji's mind was no longer functioning properly, Ayanami's talk causing a minor thought to enter his mind, and a tiny amount of blood dripped out of his nose. "I guess.it does. But I think it is supposed to be more about feelings emotionally not physically. Now.why are you asking me this Rei?"
"Shinji-kun," her hand reaching for her ID card, "I believe I have such feelings for you, and would like to procede to the other elements of a relationship."
'WARNING NERVE CONNECTION FAILURE ABORT RETRY FAIL' was all that entered Shinji's head. He had stopped thinking and just walked forward in shock. He wasn't expecting Rei to EVER say something like that, he hoped to have a relationship with Shinobu, but he couldn't deny the crush he had on Rei before.
Rei ran her card through the reader and frowned, "The power is off..."
-----------------
As Shinobu walked up the stairs to meet her destiny, the next angel was attacking Tokyo-3. She wasn't even thinking it was a possibility, her mind was focused on one thing, 'Should I lie or tell the truth?'
"I'm home," she heard her voice meekly saying.and as she walked in she was greeted.
Keitaro was standing by the door, "Shinobu-chan."
Naru right beside him, "We have to talk."
Nodding softly she followed her two elders into the other room and sat on the couch, Motoko, who witnessed her arrival, followed silently and stood outside the room.
"I'm sure you know what we want to talk about, right Shinobu?" Keitaro asked.
Again she nodded.
Naru took up next, "Care to explain?"
Deep in Shinobu's subconscious a battle raged, To lie or to tell the truth.
"Why did you draw such things in your sketch pad?" Keitaro asked.
Naru again complementing Keitaro's words her voice a touch more angry, "Why that boy from the other day."
"Shinji," Shinobu said.
"Yeah, why him? Was it because he flashed you?" Keitaro asked, only to be punched in the back of the head by Naru.
"Why would she do that you pervert! But seriously Shinobu, you drew the two of you." Naru trailed off.
Shinobu made her choice, "I like him."
Nursing his sore face, "But you only meet him that one day."
She shook her head, "I've been spending time with him since I started school in Tokyo."
A look of shock was mirrored on all three listener's faces. Keitaro and Naru exclaimed, "YOU HAVE!"
Naru's face was a mask of rage, but she was able to contain most of it, 'how could she do something like this?'
Shinobu then went into a detailed explanation. She told her elders about the lunches, about the missed trains, and about the confusion before the onsen incident.
Keitaro smiled at the younger girl, 'guess she's growing up.' Speaking, "Just be careful Shinobu-chan."
Keitaro excused the young girl so he could talk to Naru, "What do you think of this?"
"I think it's a bad idea, she's so imprecionable. He could.do.things to her."
"I doubt that, from what she's told us he's been the perfect gentleman."
"I guess, but I don't have to like it," then Naru asked "Back to what we were talking about before Shinobu showed up, what did Kanako tell you?"
"Oh that, well it seems that Nyamo was sent to live with us."
"Nyamo? Why is she moving to Hinata?" Naru asked puzzled.
"Her island's break water finally failed, she has no place else to go. Seta is bringing her with him on his next visit."
----------------
In the hall, Motoko smiled. She liked the meek boy she had met. He would suit Shinobu well. Her mind returned to her thoughts about the boy's Ki, "Maybe if he does see Shinobu, I can train him to harness it before it consumes him."
Shinobu smiled to herself as she ascended the stairs. She felt great; all that worry had been lifted off her chest. She thought about calling Shinji and asking what he was doing. Now that she had admitted it, she could see him openly.
She tried the phone number but got an error message. 'Guess the phone lines went down.' She smiled broadly again as she began to think of what to cook for them tomorrow.
Her mind was so overjoyed at the moment, that the idea of Rei didn't even enter her mind. 'Maybe things will be getting better, and I'll actually be able to confess my feelings.' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
Well it took awhile but I'm finally getting a chance to write again. Due to classes I'm finding it harder and harder to find the time to do it.
Hope this chapter meet up with your expectations. As for Rei's comments, if you didn't know anything about a relationship.and didn't have tact, I think you'd ask similar questions.
Well enough defense. Hope you liked it
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)
OMAKE!!
Misato wasn't a very happy camper. She just got off a very long and painful shift and wanted nothing more than to get drunk and fast. Grabbing her first of hopefully many Yebisu's she saw Asuka watching television.
"Where is Shinji? Though Shinobu and he were going to be here." She asked.
"They are, just in his room," came the red heads reply.
"In his room?" Misato repeated, not really liking the sound of it. Her mental processes were cut short as she heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it, probably the commander with birthday presents for Shinji."
Opening the door, Misato saw a smiling Kitsune, "Hi, just came to pick up Shinobu."
Nodding, "Figures, this way."
Misato lead Kitsune to Shinji's room, "The two of them are in there."
A mallisious smirk appeared on the Fox-girls face, "Lets take a listen shall we?"
Misato couldn't resist her sinister urges and the two placed their ears to the door.
"Shin-chan."
"Shin-chan."
"Shin-chan."
Five minutes later, "That's it I'm going to the bar to get wasted."
Kitsune mimicked her, "That was just to sweet.you have to get him to change his name."
"Who was even talking.I couldn't make out the voices."
"Does it matter.Shin-chan over and over again! Those two need to either get naked or get new names!"
Misato nodded, "Enough talk, lets get drunk."