Shinji Ikari was for once seething. It all started he found himself in yet another argument with one Asuka Langley Sohryu this morning, the result of which ended with him being left utterly defeated and his S-DAT broken. Not Asukas' fault for the last problem, but his own, in his anger of being unable to actually stand up for himself he had hurled the small music playing device at the wall. He couldn't blame anyone beyond himself, and this put him in an assuredly abject mood towards others and as usual himself.
Today was going to be a bad day.
Hikari Horaki was always in her favoured position in the class room. It was situated near the door so she could cut people off before they left, and thanks to the windows in them, the reflections allowed her to quietly survey her surroundings, she noted that Shinji looked more upset than usual, and that Asuka was looking at him. That almost always meant they had been arguing again. She hated that, for both of them. Asuka didn't need to pick on Shinji to feed her ego, and Shinji was too much of a kind person to deserve that treatment, she would have to talk to Asuka about it, and hopefully reach some sort of middle ground.
Today was going to be a tough day.
Asuka Langley Sohryu wore a bored expression as she watched Shinji from the corner of her eye, he looked like his usual moping self, but, it was different, he look more angry than normal. Their argument this morning wasn't anything out of the ordinary; she liked to goad the Third Child as often as possible. He had a spark of personality waiting to come out, the fact he hurled his much loved personal music player against the wall was proof of that. He wasn't the kind to speak his mind if that meant offending others, but he was changing, thanks to her.
Today was going to be a mediocre day.
Rei Ayanami placidly looked out the window of the class as she usually did, but this time however, she did not look beyond the window into the horizon, but into it, to watch the activities of her classmates. She had noted the change in demeanour of the Third Child, Shinji Ikari, as he was usually susceptible to bouts of depression; however she found the term, Agitated more applicable today. Her thoughts towards the Third Child had been mixed, he had injured himself while freeing her from her entry plug after the defeat of the fifth angel, and he had asked her to smile. She would need to observe him today, and learn what made him so agitated.
Today was going to be a fruitful day.
Mana Kirishima was excited; it had been a week since she had transferred to Tokyo-3. She had made friends with the class representative and even tried to get to know the quiet girl that was Rei Ayanami with some mild success. She had become... associated with Asuka, their red hair giving some similarities, but that's as far as they would reach. She found Asuka to be very... abrasive. In opposition to that was the very quiet and subtly charming Shinji Ikari. Who at this point looked mad at something? Maybe they could talk about it at lunch, she very much wanted to be friends with the male pilot, and talking about his feelings was certainly a good way to get on his good side.
Today was going to be a good day.
It was the period before lunch and the teacher began to announce their new social studies assignment.
"For this semester we will be looking at symbiotic and supportive relationships and home units. For those of you who aren't paying full attention we will be talking about making families."
Some students poked their heads up many were on the verge of asking the unaskable question.
"No, not like that." the teacher assured as if knowing his students minds. "Home units, live in relationships of budgeting, and mutual coexistence with others. I will begin by firstly randomly assigning a number, and then pulling out class members names from this," he explained as he took a hat from his desk. "And they will be grouped together to decide how they wish to maintain their home unit, be it as room mates, a couple and so forth. Now while I begin to place names into this hat, will representative Horaki please hand out these task sheets? As I call out groups feel free to break into them and discuss possibilities."
Hikari stood and took the pile of notes and began to hand them to each class member, she couldn't help but think that it would be fun to plan what it would be like to have a family, even if it was pretend.
Shinji took the sheet from Hikari and looked over it. Back at his old school he had to do something similar for budgeting in an economics class, this would make his job a lot easier, all it really depended on now was his team mates. But going for his standard run of luck he'd get stuck with Asuka, which was both good and bad. But mostly bad.
Asuka took a look at the sheet given to her with disinterest, it was a paltry assignment at best, not really worth any thing, and she'd probably just end up forcing others to do it for her. It was beneath her after all.
Rei took a moment to regard the sheet of paper extended to her from the Class representative, and then resumed looking out the window.
Mana looked over the sheet, it was certainly different to what she was used to, but it sounded like a lot of fun. Maybe she would be lucky enough to get paired with Shinji.
The teacher drew a number, "Two, looks like we have a pairing." He then drew out the name "Aida... and Suzuhara."
"Alright!" Touji called out, and then high five'd his good buddy, with Kensuke on his side he wouldn't have to settle for a C grade.
"Room mates?" Kensuke asked.
"You know it." Touji agreed.
Shinji sighed to himself as his two friends immediately moved to the back of the room to full begin discussing their plan, his hopes of working with friendly faces dashed he resigned himself to his fate.
The teacher went on and called a few other groups out and Shinji began to read over the sheet before him looking over the criteria for the assignment.
"Five" the teacher called, "Horaki... Sohryu..."
'That's fortunate' Shinji thought. Asuka in a group with her friend would definitely placate her.
"Ayanami..."
'Poor Rei,' Shinji though, 'She and Asuka can never get along'
"Kirishima..."
Shinji was surprised that the new girl was chosen that was unexpected, he sighed a little to himself realising it was a group consisted of only girls, and he wondered who he was going to be assigned with.
"And finally, Ikari." the Teacher announced.
Shinji would have cried out in utter surprise at the announcement, but his voice caught in his throat as he immediately collapsed onto his desk trying desperately to regain his breath all the while there were two mantras running through his head. 'Why me? I mustn't run away. Why me? I mustn't run away. Why me? I mustn't run away. Why me? I mustn't run away. Why me? I mustn't run away'
In some unheard corner of his mind was the part of his pride that actually said, 'Four girls? Score!'
Shinji was able to recover from his shock sometime later after he had been dragged off by Asuka into a small circle of the other girls and himself. He sat there quietly not quite sure how to act. It was an awkward group, to put it lightly. Asuka and Rei were as different as they come, fire and ice couldn't be a better description for the pair, and in many cases proved entirely inadequate. Hikari was a nice girl, she was someone he would consider a friend, but they never spent that much time together; it'd be nice to get to know her. He had heard she liked to cook, and maybe they'd have the chance to swap recipes. Then there was the new girl, Mana, she was kinda cute, and he could have sworn she was smiling at him a little over the week. But right now she was looking into her lap; her face looked a little flushed.
'Probably because she has to work with so many people. She's only new here after all.'
Asuka broke Shinjis' introspection by saying, "So, what kind of happy little family will we want to be?" There was a silence that hung about the other four as she got agitated, "Well what? Stop navel gazing and think of something!"
"We could be room mates." Hikari offered Asuka nodded, "that could work."
Rei spoke out quietly, "That would be unviable."
Asuka scowled, "And why do you say that wonder girl."
"Because there is no maintainable income for Representative Horaki to pay for even a share of rent." She replied placidly.
"Rei, my name is Hikari." She said.
Rei was a tad caught off, "Very well... Hikari"
Asuka was about to launch into another tirade over this little love fest, when Shinji quickly cut her off,
"Rei is right, I did something similar to this for economics at my old school, but we used projected budgets based on an assumed income." He offered.
Mana finally spoke up "We don't need to use true to life data, then don't we?" she asked. "We can just do that take assumed incomes and work out a budget?"
Asuka nodded, "You make a lot of sense new girl, and I like that"
Mana smiled and blushed a little at the praise.
Rei looked back at the assignment sheet, "The more true to life data we can procure the greater marks we will be given"
Shinji nodded, "Yeah I noticed that, it's too bad we don't have any true to life data to present, or we'd get an A plus."
Hikari Blinked, "But we do have real data for income, you three are paid as pilots aren't you?"
Shinji Asuka and rei all nodded in agreement.
Mana added, "They do, but we don't Hikari, the only way it would work that way is for us to either get jobs or be supported by the others."
Hikari blushed crimson, "You mean like married?"
Mana blushed too realising the implication of her words, "Y-yeah. I guess."
Shinji felt his mouth go dry at that comment, and his heart pace increased, he felt queasiness at the base of his stomach, and he didn't know why such a mention of marriage made him feel so queasy. Of course, he had no way of knowing that his system just delivered a fast shot of testosterone from the subconscious ego boost.
Asuka however flared up, "What kind of stupid idea is that! Married to this idiot, he's probably going to do something perverted when he's alone with you next!"
Shinji managed to get out a slight squawk at the implication but Hikari spoke out first.
"He's not like that Asuka. You've said so yourself!" She replied heatedly.
Shinji was blushing and keeping his head down hoping for it to blow over.
Asuka harrumphed and whipped her hair around, "Besides, Shinji can't marry both of you"
"That is incorrect." Rei said.
Everyone looked at her with a mild shock, and Mana swallowed some of her nerves and spoke out "She's right, after second impact UN laws were remade, along with Japanese governmental policy polygamous marriages are now legal as long as the right documentation was filed, and all parties consented." With each word Mana grew redder until she could only bow her head as she trailed off at the end.
Needless to say this made everyone very quiet and very still, even Rei was more than sufficiently embarrassed about the situation to blush. Regardless, she spoke out first, "Then would that not be optimal? For Hikari and Miss Kirishima to be married to Shinji?"
Mana opened her mouth to speak out an argument, anything, but all she was able to say was "Please call me Mana, Rei."
Asuka was fuming, she hated the notion with a passion, she barely knew what to say and finally it dawned on her, how she could oppose it without implicating herself in anyway.
"How do you know that Shinjis' income can properly support one wife left alone two?" She demanded.
Shinji gulped a little and responded, "I-it's enough to support others, but savings would be a little tight, and we'd be scraping a bit, especially if taking cost of education into account"
Asuka smiled in triumph Shinji was helping her cause perfectly.
Rei however had other ideas, "And If I were married to you as well Shinji? How would that affect the budget?"
Asuka was left speechless.
Shinji smiled weakly, "That'd help a little if your pay is the same as mine. The budget would work out, maybe a little tight, but comfortable. Just don't expect to be able to buy a house on what we save any time soon." he added jokingly.
Asukas' mind was working on overdrive, she was losing this battle, and she was never going to admit the truth, not to anyone, and especially herself, and she immediately took on a resigned look, "Fine, I guess I'll be stuck marrying the dork as well. I don't want to fail this assignment; Misato is giving me enough trouble about my grades as it is. Besides, it's not like any of it is real anyway"
Shinji let out a relived sigh, the first hurdle was crossed, "So, our plan is to act out and maintain a budget as if we were all... married." He tried not to sound too distraught. He even managed a partially convincing smile.
Mana smiled a little herself, it was a shaky start, but things were working out. Hikari smiled as well, it would definitely be fun now they finally got beyond the argument stage of it all. Rei found her lips curling up a little at the corners, wearing a small and mysterious smile. Asuka wore her usual bored and annoyed look.
Shinji began to read over the assignment sheet and chuckled a little to himself. "What's so funny, Third?" Asuka demanded.
"Uh, I was just looking over the sheet, its asking for a lot of relevant data; stuff like that. It's too bad we couldn't live together for a month and use an actual budget for the report among other things for full marks." Shinji said a little light-heartedly.
"Then why don't we?" Mana offered. Everyone stopped to look at her as she delivered her opinion.
"We could find an empty apartment someplace and rent it for the duration. It's not like there's a lack of living space in this city. Then use the actual information for our final report." She said.
Shinji nodded a little, "That could work, and there are enough empty apartments in Misatos' building that we could use. I mean we need to ask our guardians permission and all. But it would work our pretty well."
Asuka called out, "Who died and put you in charge Third?"
He frowned, "I'm trying to be helpful Asuka."
She rolled her eyes but Hikari spoke first, "I think it sounds like a good idea, but it will the three of you who will be paying for all this, so it's up to you."
Rei nodded, "The idea is acceptable."
"I guess it sounds okay. What do you think Asuka?" Shinji offered.
"I think its stupid, but I don't care, fine, we'll do it, as long as you get all the paperwork done Shinji." Asuka said
Shinji assented, "I'll take care of it, but I'll probably need your signatures on a few things. You do want me to get as much relevant stuff as possible for this assignment, right"
All four girls nodded.
Shinji nodded and stood, "Okay, I'll start doing some print-outs and call Misato during lunch, I'll be back soon."
As he walked off Asuka took a predatory grin, "So Kirishima, you sound very much liking of this idea, do you have naughty thoughts about our little Shinji?"
Mana blushed a bright crimson but it was Rei who responded, "There is no need for that Asuka, You seem amiable with the idea also, and was quite... agitated when it was suggested that Hikari and Mana act as his wives. Nor were you too pleased at my decision to do the same."
Asuka was about to pop When Hikari stepped in, "Hey this is just an assignment, no-one is really getting married, sure we might share a place for a while but this is no way to start things off."
Asuka pouted a little, "Fine, this is all so stupid anyway. Oh well, I live Shinji already, and he's not that bad, but I know he's tried to sneak a look at me while I was in the bath."
Mana was shocked, she never Shinji was never capable of that sort of thing, "Are you serious?" she asked feeling more than a tad tense.
"I haven't caught him if that's what you're asking, but he is a boy, and all boys are perverted." Asuka said simply.
Mana let out a relived breath and Hikari let out a sigh.
"Why are you so hard on him Asuka? I know he makes lunch for you every day, and I bet he cooks for you at home." Hikari asked.
"And he has done many things you ask of him at NERV I imagine he is as well mannered at home." Rei added.
"What is this? Everyone one loves Shinji day? Don't make me sick." Asuka complained The other girls found themselves blushing for no particular reason, before Mana spoke out,
"Then what did he do to you to deserve this kind of treatment?" She asked This caused Asuka to pause because she never had an answer to give. Fortunately she was spared by the ring of the bell for lunch, she took her bag and left to go eat it outside.
Hikari Sighed as Asuka ran off, "I'm going to go call my parents to make sure this is okay, How about you? Rei? Mana?"
Rei nodded, "I will inform the commander of the changes."
Mana blinked a little, "Yeah, I'll make a call too."
In a computer lab not far away Shinji was checking to see if the printer had enough paper to accommodate his multitude of print outs for his group. During this time he was smiling, honestly smiling, he allowed that little internal voice of macho-ism speak out about how awesome it was to score a team of four girls, and then have them assign themselves as wives to himself. He knew something was going to bite him in the ass for this, most things did, but right now, he was going to enjoy the inflated sense of self esteem, and ride it for all its worth. As he waited for the printing to be done, he took his cell phone and began to dial; idly wondering what kind of recipes Hikari used for the meals she made. He had heard she was a good cook. He dialled Misatos' number and waited for her to pick up.
"Major Katsuragi Speaking."
"Wow Misato, you sound so serious."
"Oh, shin-shin, it's you! Is something wrong?"
"Huh? No, why would anything be wrong?"
"This is the first time you've called me at work, and during school."
"Oh. No, I just need to ask your help."
"Sure, what do you need."
"I need your help to get a lease on an apartment."
"WHAT? You want to leave me? You never said anything was wrong!"
"No No, not that Misato, it's for a school project."
"A project? What kind of project."
"We've been put into groups and we need to simulate a home unit, the more information we can put into the report the higher our grade will be. So we decided using our combined resources we'd rent an apartment for the semester and use the practical data for our report. And I know there are a few spare apartments in our building, so that seemed like the best choice."
"That's so inventive Shinji! So, I take it that it will be a neat little bachelor pad for you Touji and Kensuke hmm?"
"Uh... no. The groups were chosen for us."
"Oh, new guys?"
"No... No. I know them well enough."
"Them? Shinji stop playing the pronoun game, who are you grouped with."
"Rei..."
The sound of laughter can be heard from the room, and a slight cough, "Go on."
"Asuka..."
More laughter
"Are you on the speaker phone Misato?"
"Just those two Shinji?" Misato asked with a strained voice.
Shinji sighed, "Hikari and Mana." he said quickly.
The laughter rang out again, louder than before and a male voice said.
"Four women Shinji? That's a little over-eager I think."
"Kaji?" Shinji asked.
"In the flesh. Misato, Ritsuko and I were talking about old times, it's also unfortunate that some of the bridge crew came by to make a report about the MAGI when you made your call, they're a little occupied right now though"
From the laughter he could tell Maya, Makoto and Shigeru were there, he sighed to himself.
"When Misato gets back in her chair, can you please let me speak to her in private"
There was a click and the laughter in the background died down while Misato said "So Shinji what do you need me to get again."
"I need you help me get the lease, and file it seeing as you're still my legal guardian." He had a thought about some more forms he'd need. "And there's some stuff I need you to sign, but it's just for the report, nothing legit, just the lease."
"Sure thing lady-killer." Misato said with another laugh.
"I'm going to cut back your beers at dinner tonight for that one Misato."
There was a slight wark sound akin to the time Pen Pen got himself stuck in the door before she said, "I'm sorry Shinji I'll behave. So this Mana, she's the new girl Asuka has been mentioning?"
"Yeah. But I'm kinda busy right now I need to finish these print outs and get them to the others."
"No problem Shinji I'll see you at home, behave yourself now." and the conversation was over.
Shinji sighed and started up another print out another set of forms. He came to one more and he stared at it for a long time, unsure of whether it would be wise, but they did agree on making it as true to life as possible. It's not like they were going to be filed. He hit the print key and closed the workspace down as he waited to receive the last copies.
The girls had eaten in silence after the earlier conversation, and were waiting around for Shinji to come back.
"Where is he, does he need to make the paper himself?" Asuka complained.
As they say, to speak the name is to invoke the power. Not a moment later Shinji came to find them, carrying a large bundle of papers with him.
"Mien Gott. Did you need to clear a forest for our report?" Asuka cried.
Shinji stared blankly at her before realising what she was talking about, "The reasons there is so many of them is because there's eleven copies of everything."
"Eleven?" The girls exclaimed, even Rei, as she thought it was a tad excessive.
"Well, that's so there's enough for everyone to have two copies, one to hand in, one to have as a backup, and a final master copy to keep somewhere out of the way in case there's any problems." Shinji explained.
"That seems appropriate." Rei agreed.
"Wow Shinji, that was pretty smart of you." Mana said with a smile.
"Its good how you look so far ahead Shinji, that's really responsible." Hikari added.
Asuka shrugged, "He must be learning from my shining example." She said egotistically.
Shinji gave her a blank stare "You complain you can't find your underwear most mornings..."
"What did you say!" Asuka exclaimed.
Everyone else began to laugh, even the stoic Rei Ayanami allowed herself a quiet chuckle at the Second Childs' expense.
Asuka was overcome by embarrassment and at down muttering dark curses in German. Shinji knew he was going to get it later.
To Be Continued...
- Fly me to the Moon -
- Let me sing amoung the stars -