Shinji lay in his bed. Today was his birthday. He had never liked his birthday. Shinji remembered watching as all the other children talked about the presents they got for their birthday. He was never given presents; he was never allowed to have a party. Normally, Shinji would just go about today as any other day. He didn't want to tell the other's that today was his birthday because he wasn't use to anyone making a big deal about it; and he didn't want to start now.
"Don't do that," he heard someone heated try and whisper.
"Why not?" the other person asked, failing just as badly at being trying to be quiet as the first person.
"Cause it's not suppose to be on fire!" came the slightly louder first voice.
What the hell are they doing? Shinji asked himself. I better go make sure they don't burn down the house with me still inside it.
Shinji opened his eyes and rolled over, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and slowly made his towards the commotion. Upon opening his door, a groggy Shinji Ikari watched in intense shock and horror as Misato and Asuka were standing over pots and pans at the stove, trying to, dare I say, cook.
"Happy birthday Shinji!" Misato happily greeted, showing all of her teeth.
"Happy birthday, Third," Asuka politely and happily added.
Shinji just stood there, trying to process what was going on. Whatever was in the pots and pans was now on fire and smoking heavily. "What are you doing?" Shinji asked, pointing to the source of the thick black smoke.
Misato looked down, "Ah!" she screamed. She grabbed a cover and began trying to clear the smoke away.
"I told you not to put it on that high," Asuka smirked.
"What were you trying to do? I'll make breakfast if you just give me a minute," Shinji offered.
"No, no, no!" Misato shouted. "Today is your birthday and you are not allowed to do any of the cooking," Misato said, while still trying to clear away the black smoke. She succeeded in putting the pots and pans in the sink to cool. "Let's go out for breakfast," she suggested, putting on a nervous grin.
"I'll see you guys later, have a good day at school. Have a happy birthday Shinji," Misato called out as both Shinji and Asuka exited the blue alpine.
"Bye, Misato," Asuka said.
Shinji just looked back at his guardian, "Bye," he said, raising his hand and giving a small wave.
Misato grinned and sped off.
"Hurry up, Third child. You don't want to be late, do you?"
"No, I guess not," Shinji mumbled to himself.
Shinji made his way over to Toji and Kensuke, who were sitting next to each other in the middle of the classroom.
"Happy birthday, Shinji," Kensuke greeted as Shinji approached.
"Yeah, 'Appy birthday man," Toji added.
"Um…thanks," Shinji said politely, looked at his shoes.
"What's wrong?" Kensuke asked.
"Why is everyone making suck a big deal about my birthday?" Shinji asked, bringing his gaze up to look from Kensuke to Toji.
"Cause i's ya birthday man, dat's why," Toji exclaimed.
All three boys were quiet for a moment, each in their own thoughts. "You've never had a birthday party before, have you Shinji?" Kensuke quietly asked.
"No," Shinji responded.
"You've never gotten birthday presents before either, have you?"
"No," Shinji responded, again.
"What d'ya mean, you've never 'ad a party or presents?" Toji asked.
It was when Kensuke slapped Toji's arm that you could see the realization setting in on his face. "Oh," was all the boy could say.
"Kaji, what a nice surprise!" Asuka screamed loud enough so that she was sure Shinji would overhear.
"Hi, Asuka," Kaji greeted. He noticed Shinji making his way towards Asuka and himself.
"Can we go to the mall? I want you to help me pick out a new dress," Asuka excitedly explained.
"Hi, Kaji," Shinji greeted, now standing in front of the tall man sporting a ponytail.
"Actually, I'm here to take Shinji somewhere, for his birthday," Kaji replied, looking at Shinji. They had worked this part out so Shinji wouldn't suspect anything. "What da ya say, Shinji? Wanna go for a ride?"
"Umm…I…I guess so," Shinji answered while receiving a glare from Asuka.
"Hop in and let's go," Kaji told him.
"But Kaji," Asuka whined.
"I'll see you later, Asuka," Kaji said, winking at her as Shinji walked to the car.
As Kaji turned around and began walking to his car as well, Asuka turned to face Hikari, Toji, and Kensuke. "Well, what are you all standing around for? We have to go set up for the party!" Asuka yelled, causing her three fellow classmates to cringe and take off running towards Misato's condo.
"Hey Asuka," Hikari called from a few paces ahead. "Is Ayanami coming?"
"Um…I think Ritsuko's bringing her over after her sync test," Asuka said slightly annoyed that the First Child was coming.
"So Kaji, where are we going?" Shinji asked from the passenger seat.
"You're fifteen today, Shinji. You're growing up, becoming more mature. You need something to let people know that you're becoming a man," Kaji exclaimed.
"Kaji…I don't think I…I mean I don't want to…"
"No Shinji, that's not what I meant. When I was fifteen my older brother gave me a present that told people I was a man, that I could handle pain. It was nothing to intense, just a little prick and it was all over."
"Kaji…are you taking me to get…to…"
"If you want to, it'd be my pleasure," Kaji stated.
Shinji thought about the idea for a moment. Misato and Asuka would both look at me differently. Toji and Kensuke would have more respect for me. "Let's do it," Shinji said with the widest grin ever seen on his face.