True Love Waits Chapter 3
Adam Kadmon
Disclaimer: hated chapter 2? Wait until you read this one! Seriously, I don't own Eva or Radiohead.
"Ikari Shinji-kun?"
"Huh?"
He looked up and found the pretty lavender haired woman who had wheeled him out of the hospital three months ago.
"Katsuragi Misato-san?" he said, finding himself pleased he remembered her. She grinned as he said her name.
She was out of uniform, wearing, in Shinji's naïve opinion, a very short skirt and a beaten up leather jacket. Clothes fit her very well, he decided.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. He was, honestly, the last person she ever expected to see in Tokyo again.
"I was, uh, transferred," he replied, still in shock, "to the main branch."
"Of Ichiban Industries, right?" she asked, already knowing the answer. He still doesn't know he really works for the JSSDF?
"How did—" He stopped himself, realizing who he was talking to. "Of course you'd know that."
An awkward silence fell over them, and Shinji stared at the ground. Misato tried to draw his attention again.
"Maybe, I don't know… I'm not busy right now. Do you want to grab a coffee or something?" Seeing his slightly frightened face, she quickly covered her mistake. "I mean, it isn't a date or, or anything, just, you know, coffee. I could, uh, tell you about other interesting people I've wheeled out of hospitals."
He looked at her, almost through her.
"I'm sorry," he said slowly. Misato noticed how tired he looked. "I don't think that would be a good idea." He waited a moment, unsure how to leave politely. "Well, it was… nice seeing you again, Katsuragi-san." He gave her an awkward wave and left.
She watched him disappear into the throng of humanity, swallowed up whole.
She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
True Love Waits
Chapter 3
It was a mistake, Misato thought. A stupid, weak, infantile mistake.
She massaged her temples as she waited for the elevator doors to shut.
It was just a one-time slip up, nothing more.
"Hold that elevator!"
Misato jammed the shut button without opening her eyes. She felt a rush of wind.
"Whew! Made it." Kaji bent over, panting. "Good morning, sunshine."
Yes, definitely a mistake.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"You're awfully uppity this fine morning. What's got your panties in a twist?"
"You should know, you son of a bitch!"
Kaji flinched, but retained his smile.
"Well, straight to the point as always, I see." He chuckled, at what, she did not know. "What's the problem? I thought that after last weekend we were back together."
"I did. You didn't. I wasn't the one to go out and find the most available thing on two legs the next night!"
"Oh, come on, Katsuragi. That was nothing. I had a few too many drinks. Besides, it's not like we have a leashes around each other's necks." He thought. "Unless you want leashes."
"Why can't I ever have a real discussion with you? This is serious."
"It was just a fling." Kaji vainly fought to see Misato's logic. "It doesn't matter."
"I don't…" She struggled for the right words. "I don't have 'flings' anymore, Kaji. I'm not some horny teenager looking for a cheap lay. I'm almost—" Misato deflated. "I'm almost thirty." She looked at him. "We can't play around forever, Kaji. It's time to grow up."
His smile vanished, and he adopted a grave air.
"Your words have touched me, Katsuragi." He went down on one knee. "And I have seen the error of my ways. Misato… will you marry me?"
She was not impressed.
"Uh huh. Marry you. Right. Where's the ring?"
"Um…. I hadn't thought that far ahead."
"You thinking ahead would be out of character."
"Now hold on I—" He stopped, puzzled. "Why, wait, what's this in my pocket?" He reached in, fishing. Soon he pulled something out, carefully covering it. "What could this be? It almost feels like…"
Misato held her breath.
"…a ring."
Kaji unfurled his fist and let her see.
"A… condom, Kaji?" Misato's hands became fists. "You pig."
She started hitting him. Not playfully, but with intent to harm.
"Katsuragi, I—ow—just thought—ow—that was what you wanted to hear. Ow." Kaji rubbed his battered arms.
"You don't propose to someone just because you think you should!"
"Then when do you?"
She flushed angrily.
"You know damn well when!"
Kaji coughed. He decided on a different approach.
"Come on, Katsuragi. That girl meant nothing to me."
"And that makes it okay?"
"Alright… she meant the world to me. There. How about dinner tonight?"
Misato pulled her hair.
"You just don't get it!"
"I suppose not. Care to show me?"
He pinned her against the elevator wall, grinning.
"I'm warning you, Kaji…"
"Just forget it, Katsuragi. You're the only one I care about."
God, he just has to keep wearing that amazing aftershave, doesn't he?
"Then act like it."
She slapped him when she felt his breath on her face. He staggered backwards.
"That hurt."
"Good!"
She hit the emergency stop button and forced the doors open.
"Don't follow me!"
Misato struck the basement switch and stepped off.
"Katsuragi—"
"Go to hell!"
"Why did I sleep with him?" Misato whined.
"I didn't really want to know that," Ritsuko said.
The two women were in Misato's cramped office, hiding out from actual work. Sitting, the two couldn't see each other over the pile of papers on her desk. That was just fine, Misato reasoned. She didn't feel up to facing anyone right now.
"I feel sorry for you," Ritsuko went on, "but you knew his history, his pattern. You knew him. Did you forget why you two broke up in the first place?"
"I know, I know. But he can… he can be real charming sometimes. And it was fun. Being with him is fun."
"That's what the other girl must've thought, too."
"Why'd I bother telling you anyway?" Misato grumbled.
"I'm not entirely sure of that myself."
Misato decided no more was needed on the topic and fell silent. Ritsuko, not completely comfortable with the subject to begin with, deferred to her. The major squirmed in her chair, the quiet too big and lending itself to depressing thoughts; she needed to speak about something else to distract herself.
"You'll never guess who I ran into yesterday," Misato said, peeking over the desk.
"Who?"
"No, come on, guess. It'll be fun."
"I'd rather not."
"It will be fun," Misato growled.
"Okay, okay. Um, I don't know, your military school academy teacher."
"Nope."
Ritsuko sighed.
"Okay… one of Rei's friends."
"Nuh uh, not even close."
Ritsuko was tempted to strike at a sore spot.
Your father?
"I give up," she said instead.
"It was—" She stopped suddenly. "Actually, never mind. You'll make a big deal out of it. Like I'm stalking the poor kid."
"Well now you have to tell me."
Misato mumbled something.
"I promise not to tell anyone or freak out," Ritsuko said, angry at how much like a school child she sounded.
"It was… Ikari Shinji."
The doctor blinked.
"Oh! Him! What in the world is he doing in the city?"
"He was transferred to Tokyo. Convenient, huh?"
Ritsuko frowned.
"Too convenient. He still doesn't know, does he?"
"No," Misato sighed.
"Hold on. You won't tell him, will you?"
The major waved her hands.
"Of course not. It's not like I even know where he is. Besides, you said it yourself. It isn't my problem."
"I did say that, didn't I?"
Misato squinted angrily.
"What are you implying?"
"That you have no professional detachment. You get too close to your missions and you always feel bad when they turn out poorly."
"It's not my fault I was blessed with an abundance of human compassion."
"In this line of work, it's more of a curse."
"Well, what do you think of Hitori Kozu?"
"Cute, not much of a talker though. Major issues."
"Okay," Hikari said. "What about Kiseki Daisuke?"
Asuka stretched and sighed.
"A loudmouth with a serious ego."
Hikari frowned.
"If you're so picky you'll never get a boyfriend."
"And if you're so shy, you'll never get one."
The brunette recoiled from the personal attack and turned to Rei.
"How about you? Anyone catch your eye?"
The three girls sat in the living room of Misato's apartment, the TV and stereo blaring, food and drinks spread around them, some indistinguishable from the junk on the floor. School was out for the weekend, Misato was at work, and life, for the moment, was good.
"Ha!" Asuka laughed. "The day wondergirl gets a boyfriend is the day I dye my hair black."
"Asuka! Don't be mean." Hikari switched to class rep mode without thinking. "Really, Rei, is there anyone?"
"No," she said, blankly staring at the TV.
"Don't worry; puberty will catch up to you one day."
"Asuka!"
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
The redhead stood up and went to the kitchen. Hikari turned back to Rei.
"I swear I won't tell anyone," she whispered quickly. "Please tell me."
Rei stared at the screen.
"There has to be someone."
The albino girl shut her eyes.
"One thing for your guardian, Ayanami," Asuka said, returning with more food. "She always has interesting junk around. Though how she can drink this domestic swill is beyond me." Thus stated, Asuka took a Yebisu and helped herself to a mouthful.
"Asuka!" Hikari yelped, outraged. "You're only fourteen!"
"Thanks, Sherlock. You solved another one. Calm down. I've been drinking since I was a kid. In Germany it's no big deal."
"Which would explain a lot of things," Rei muttered.
Asuka cringed as she finished the can, sticking her tongue out to show her distaste.
"Yuck! And she actually has a fridge full of this stuff? That explains a lot of things."
"Asuka! You shouldn't take Katsuragi-san's things. What if she notices?"
The redhead made a show of looking around the apartment.
"Like she'll notice one empty in this sty. Cool off." She saw Rei. "What? Is she zoned out again?"
Hikari shrugged.
"Sorry," Asuka said, "I forgot boys make her uncomfortable. Hell, people in general make her uncomfortable."
"She just needs to meet the right one." Hikari thought, tapping her chin. "How about… Nagisa Kaworu?" She colored a little as she imagined the lithe upper-classman.
"He's a homo," Asuka said, sniffing.
Hikari's fantasy crumbled.
"W-what? Really?"
"A total guy-magnet. Trust me." She snickered. "He might be a match for frosty here. They look enough alike."
"Don't make fun of her condition!" Hikari hissed. "You promised me to try and be nice!"
Asuka held up her hands.
"Alright, alright." She slumped down on the couch. "You could tell her to be a better hostess, you know."
"It's her house; she can act however she wants."
Rei wondered when Misato was getting home.
"Besides," Hikari confessed, "guys aren't everything."
"Admitting defeat? I'm not. I just haven't found the right man yet. I tire of the perverted little boys at our school. I wish a real man would come into my life."
"We're fourteen, Asuka. If a man came into your life I'd have to call the cops."
"What do you mean? I'm already way more mature than you two, or anyone else in our grade. It isn't my fault no one can match my natural intelligence and greatness. That's why I need a man."
Hikari sighed.
"Asuka…"
"I'm so bored of grade school. I wish my mom would just let me skip. But no, she says I need a well-rounded education. Whatever that means."
"Asuka, your mom is just doing what she thinks is best." Hikari had forgotten how many times they'd had this conversation. "And besides…"
"Besides nothing. I'm sick and tired of everyone treating me like a kid when I'm clearly not." The redhead kicked her feet in the air. "I need another beer."
Hikari gave up, reclining into the couch. She turned to Rei, unsure if she was asleep or awake.
"Oh," Asuka sighed, full of drama as she headed for the kitchen, "when will a real man notice me?"
Ibuki Maya made her way to the vending machines, intent on buying a sugary soft drink. When they came into view, she frowned. Her plans were to make a quick stop. They did not include interacting with the new guy, a scruffy-looking older man with a penchant for hitting on every female within earshot.
Maybe he'll leave me alone, she hoped.
He did not.
"Hey, Maya-chan. How are you?" Kaji asked, hopping off the bench. He tossed a canned coffee into the trash.
"We…we hardly know each other, agent Kaji-san, please don't refer to me so familiarly."
In all fairness, Maya did know a little about him, mostly gossip overheard between the major and the blonde doctor. Her own sempai, Dr. Soryu, was indifferent to the man.
"Then we should spend some time together, get to know each other. After all, we are co-workers. Say, over dinner tonight?"
"Um, I'm really quite busy with Dr. Soryu and the computer systems." She fidgeted as Kaji maneuvered himself between her and the soda machine. "I won't be free for awhile. Um, sorry."
Kaji frowned. Even his frown looked like a weird grin, Maya thought.
"Hmm, that is tragic. Well, how about now? You're on break, aren't you?"
"Um, actually, I just came down here to buy a soda."
Kaji leaned against the machine.
"You drink sodas and still manage to keep that girlish figure?" he asked. "I'm impressed. You must work out."
Maya sighed, but reminded herself to stay polite.
"No, not really. Work keeps me pretty busy."
Kaji laughed.
"You know what they say about all work and no play." He slowly started towards her. "It seems like you could use a little more play."
"Soryu will skin both of you alive if Maya isn't at peak performance," Misato said, quickly covering the distance from the elevator to the vending machines.
"Major!"
"Katsuragi," Kaji said, frowning. "Come to spoil my fun, are do you want to join in?"
"Shut up." She shoved Kaji out of the way. "Get your drink, Maya. I'll personally escort you back to the lab."
The young tech bowed quickly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Kaji watched with waning libido as Maya selected her drink, Misato standing guard like a junkyard dog.
"All right," he said, momentarily defeated. "I can take a hint. Maya-chan, I'll see you later." He gave her wink. "Katsuragi, always a pleasure."
Misato watched him leave with a mixture of disgust and fatigue.
"Thank you, major," Maya said, retrieving a cola. "He scares me a little."
Misato smiled.
"He scares everybody. Don't sweat it."
They began walking together, back to the lab.
"Um, major?"
"Yes?"
"You, ah, you don't really have to escort me. I'm fine now."
Misato shook her head as she rang for the elevator.
"There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Oh, um, I'm really not interested in him, major. Don't worry."
The older woman tried not to laugh.
"No, no, that's not it."
They entered the lift, but Misato held off pressing for a floor. She cleared her throat.
"Can I trust you, Ibuki?"
"Major?"
"I'm looking for some information, but I can't go through normal channels to get it…"
Maya sighed. Being second to the head of the computer systems was fraught with peril. Everyone and their brother came to you looking for "information" that only she had access to. She was getting quite good at finding new and creative ways to say no. Even if it was a commanding officer.
"Major Katsuragi, I'm sorry, but I really can't help you."
Misato frowned.
"You're not even going to hear me out?"
Ibuki shook her head.
"Sorry, but I can't. Dr. Soryu is very strict about this sort of thing, and I don't want any trouble. Sorry."
"It doesn't matter that this is for a good cause?"
Maya cringed.
"I guess not," Misato said.
"Sorry, major," Ibuki said, believing she'd destroyed what little relationship she had with her.
Misato shrugged it off. As the elevator started down to the lab, Misato made her way to the command center, running ideas over in her head.
I could hack it myself… but then I'd probably be found and fired. I could ask Dr. Soryu… no. Ritsuko? Doubtful. Go after the old man again?
The command center was quiet, sparsely populated today. With no operations planned, the JSSDF facility could be run by surprisingly few people. She spotted Hyuuga and Aoba at their familiar stations, running diagnostics and maintenance checks.
"Good morning, major."
A thought made itself known, and she smiled.
"Makoto-kun, I need a favor."
Shinji sat in his cubicle, staring at his terminal, trying to stay awake. Finding an apartment in the city had not been as easy as expected, and with his limited funds, he was forced to stay in a seedy motel for the past few weeks. The dirt and ambience was bad enough, but the noisy neighbors were far worse.
He covered his mouth as he yawned, hunched over in his chair.
It's like I have two newlywed couples on either side of me, he thought. I really need to find a real apartment soon.
He tried to turn his attention back to work. Usually the system programs provided a leisurely type of entertainment, often challenging, sometimes enjoyable. He had long ago admitted this wasn't what he wanted to do with his life, but it was easier than thinking about what he wanted to do with his life.
I play the cello, he thought idly, moving the mouse to clear the screen saver. Maybe I could do something with that. He checked his mail, hoping for a distraction. Sure. Wanted: government black-listed son of a criminal with mediocre cello skills. Apply in person.
Shinji sighed. His life, although never particularly rosy, was looking worse every second. Having spent his quota of "Why me?"s for the day, Shinji refocused on work to take his mind off his current troubles.
His fellow employees, however, did not take kindly to Shinji's dedication. A number of catcalls and whistles worked their way to his office space, derailing his work ethic.
"Hey, new kid," his neighbor called over the cubicle wall, "check out the babe!"
Shinji, not in the least bit interested, did not look.
"Hey! She's coming this way!"
His neighbor, a pudgy man with thinning hair and thick glasses, smoothed his tie and hopped a little in excitement.
"I wonder if I'm her type?" he asked.
Shinji sighed and stood up, bothered enough to see what the fuss was about.
Almost every male employee and a few females were standing, openly staring at the beauty walking down the aisles, searching for someone. A few silent prayers went to God that they'd be found by her.
"Katsuragi-san?" Shinji said, wondering.
His neighbor whirled on him.
"You know her? Damn, kid, I never had you pegged as a lady-killer." He sat down in a huff.
"I don't know her. We met in the hospital a while ago."
"Oh. Get to play nurse with her?"
Shinji ignored the lewd comment and blushed a shade as Misato finally located him. She waved.
"What could she want now?"
"Ikari-kun!" Misato hurried over to him, a little out of breath. "Got a sec?"
"Um, now?" Shinji saw his manager lumbering towards him. "Is it important?"
"Very."
"I guess I could take a break…"
Shinji's manager held up a sweaty palm.
"Ikari, get back to work." He looked at Misato, and the trail of eyes following her. "Are you responsible for all this commotion?"
"Oh, uh, sorry, sir," Shinji said, bowing. "It's my fault. She was looking for me."
The man scanned Misato, raising an eyebrow.
"Keep your personal life on the outside, Ikari. Get back to work." He spun around. "That goes for the rest of you, too!"
Soon the office was thundering with the sound of keystrokes. Shinji sat down and his fingers began flying over the keyboard with a mind all their own. He risked a nervous glance up at Misato, pleading with her to leave.
"Does this job mean so much to you?" she asked.
"It's all I have," he whispered.
Misato frowned.
I'm about to destroy what's left of his world.
The manager coughed, drawing her attention to him.
"Do you have some business here, miss?"
She looked past him, and stared at Shinji's cowering form. She had some inkling of how important her next action would be.
"I'm with the JSSDF," she announced, and flashed her ID. "I need to speak to this man."
The manager stepped back, glancing at Shinji. A round of murmurs broke out around him, and the gossip train was well under way.
"Did you hear?" asked a secretary watching Misato lead Shinji out of the building. "The cute new kid was arrested."
"Oh no. For what?" asked another.
"I heard it was treason."
"Really? I heard it was espionage."
"Wow. A spy novel in our little office. Who'd have thought it?"
Twilight bathed them. She led him to a bench outside the office, next to a bus terminal. She nodded at him to sit and he did. He waited for her with his hands in his lap, a light sweat on his brow.
How can I tell him? I'm about to destroy what little he has left.
"If… if this is about my leaving, I'm sorry," Shinji said. "I just couldn't stay with her anymore." Misato shook out of her thoughts and saw him near tears. "Please don't make me go back."
"So you left her."
He nodded quickly, ashamed.
"Did you love her?" she asked.
He nodded again, still shamed.
"But how could I keep doing it? She was tailored for me. I… I just couldn't."
Misato sat down next to him, the old wood creaking.
"Do you hate her?"
Shinji sighed.
"I don't know. I've had three months, and I don't know." He chanced a look at her. "Um, what is this about, Katsuragi-san?"
"Do you hate the JSSDF?"
"Yes."
His reply was immediate, automatic. Misato smiled softly.
"Do you hate me?"
"I hardly know you." Shinji shifted uncomfortably.
"I'm about to tell you something very important," Misato said. At great personal risk to myself. "Please listen to everything I have to say. Don't leave, don't interrupt. Okay?"
He scratched his arm.
"O-okay."
She sighed, hugging herself.
"Ikari-kun, I can't imagine how difficult these last few months have been on you, but I'm afraid I'm going to make them harder." She stared ahead, afraid to meet his eyes. "Do you know what you've worked on over the years?"
Shinji hesitated, unsure if now he could interrupt.
"Um, software for computers, some games…"
She gently shook her head, cutting him off.
"Your… your girlfriend Mana spied on you. Do you think that was the extent of the JSSDF's network for you?"
He gave her a look that asked there's more?
"There's a lot more. Ikari-kun, Ichiban Industries is, as far as I can tell, a front for you. Sure, it makes computers and games, but for you, your work is prioritized by the JSSDF." She glanced at him, hoping he was putting things together. He wasn't. Misato sighed through her teeth. "You've been working for them since you got the job. But you never knew. You were never supposed to know."
Shinji blinked.
"What?" he whispered.
"You work for the JSSDF. You always have." She rubbed her arms. "You probably always will."
They stayed on the bench, as the sun descended they stayed. The street lights blinked into existence, commuters came and went. Somewhere a siren wailed.
Shinji leaned back into the bench, gazing at the blossoming night sky. Misato followed him with her eyes, worried, waiting. She expected a lot of things. She wanted him to be angry, or cry, or show some easily definable emotion; then she'd know how to act. His quiet, lonely introspection was not what she'd hoped for.
I'm fucked, Misato thought. He's going to go public, or do something crazy, or—what the hell?
Shinji was laughing.
He held one hand over his eyes, the other hung limply on his thigh. He was smiling, but his lips wavered.
"You've got to be kidding me," he gasped out. "Please tell me you're kidding."
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Oh, God," he moaned. "This can't be happening. This has to be a joke."
"I'm sorry," Misato said again. He didn't look like he heard.
"First Mana, now this," Shinji whispered. "God, why did you tell me?"
"I just thought you deserved to know."
He barked out a short laugh. Misato cringed.
"Well thanks," he said. "You've made my day."
"Ikari-kun—"
"No, really. Why wouldn't I want to know? My entire life has been a joke played out for people to watch. This makes perfect sense." He stood on shaking legs. "Thank you, major, or lieutenant, or whatever you are. Please tell the JSSDF I'll keep up the good work."
He gave her a mock salute, and walked down the street. His head hung low, to hide his tears. She watched him leave. She watched until he was out of sight. There was nothing more she could say.
She still wasn't entirely sure what she was doing here. That night should have been the end of it. Her conscience should have been assuaged. She told him and accepted the consequences.
He really lives in this dive?
Misato knocked on motel room 24 and waited. Shinji appeared a breath later, his hair tussled and wet, a towel around his waist. Water cascaded down his slim frame.
"Sorry, Yasuda-san. I'll have the rent tomorrow, I—" He stopped and beat Misato's shade of red. "Ah! S-sorry, I—just a minute!"
He closed the door and she heard him change. The show gave Misato time to forget why she was there. He reappeared, his shirt buttoned wrong, his pants held up by his hand. His naked toes covered each other.
"Sorry," he whispered.
"You said that already."
"R-right."
They both waited, staring at the dirty floor.
"Did you want something?" he asked.
"I just… wanted to see how you were doing. You seemed pretty out of sorts the other night."
"Sorry about that."
Misato saw his free hand clenching and relaxing.
"I'm okay," he lied.
She frowned.
"You don't have to check up on me," Shinji continued. "I'll survive." He tried to smile. "And I won't tell anyone what happened."
That's not why I'm here.
"Don't worry."
"That's not why I'm here."
He looked up, confused.
"Why else would you be here?" His eye caught something and he squinted. "Your collar. It's different."
Misato blinked.
"Oh. Oh, uh, yeah," she said, amazed he noticed. "I was, ah, demoted, actually."
Shinji looked crestfallen.
"For telling me?"
She smiled, shrugging.
"For telling you."
He examined his feet.
"I'm sorry."
"It was my decision. Don't be sorry." She looked at him. "No one ordered me."
"Thank you," he said, after a time. "For telling me."
"We're not all bad people," Misato said, smiling.
Shinji nodded softly to himself and looked away.
"I'd invite you in, but I'm afraid I can't offer you much."
She checked her watch and grinned.
"We never did get that coffee," Misato said. "How about it?"
Shinji hesitated, and then smiled.
"Sure."
End of Chapter 3
Author notes: another one done. Yippee. Things are moving right along now. Actually, I think this is a nice end spot right here. But then all the parts with Rei would be pointless. Damn. I have to keep going. At least until chapter 5 when she meets Shinji.
(Cackles manically) Man, did I get some negative reviews. The sheer output of disappointment and anger at my throwing Mana out has me worried. Granted, I was waiting for someone to really slam me, and I was rewarded. In my feeble defense though, this is AU. Yeah, Shinji and Rei aren't acting like themselves, but this is a world without Eva. I apologize though. Is Shinji too OOC? I felt his anger towards Mana was justified.
Hitori Kozu and Kiseki Daisuke. Characters from one of my original stories (still unwritten) about Japan's first co-ed soccer league. Yes, it's as dumb as it sounds.
Ah, Kaworu. I'm actually a big fan of Tabris-chan (the anime version. Not the crazy cat-strangling manga version), and I apologize for Asuka's remarks. Just felt like something she might say. She did call him homo-boy on the drama track from Addition.
Hmm. The whole Maya and Soryu thing? I switched it because since Soryu is the top scientist at the JSSDF it made sense to make her Maya's sempai. Nothing more. But will there be sprinklings of shoujo-ai? Probably not. Not that I'm against it, but when dealing with it, I have kind of an all-or-nothing mentality. Meaning if I did decide to include it in this story, I wouldn't be able to give it the space and time I'd like to without taking away from the main arc. Hope you understand.
Mr. Yasuda. Fans of Gitaroo-Man will know who that is.
Big thanks to the Zone of the Enders: Anubis and ICO soundtracks. You help me write good.