Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1.
Chapter 7: Wisdom
The silver-haired Fifth Child was able to locate Room 325 with little effort, but found actually crossing the threshold more difficult. He tentatively stepped into the room to find none other than Shinji Ikari already there, sitting with his arms atop the back of the chair, staring at the room's only other occupant.
"Hello, Shinji."
The boy turned his head around to see the victim of the only impulsive action he had made in his life. Kaworu was a bit surprised when he saw Shinji's face; it was worn more than it had been a week ago, dark bags had formed under his eyes, and he sounded as though he was half-asleep.
"...What the hell do you want?..."
He didn't sound angry, just tired, so Kaworu assumed it was safe to continue speaking.
"I came to visit the First, of course," he said with a smile. His earnestness was lost on Shinji, who thought the smile to be patronizing.
"Didn't you say that she was 'rash and foolish?'"
Yes, I admit I did," Kaworu said with a hint of humility. "...But she isn't dead, so I stand corrected."
Shinji wanted to punch Kaworu again for his 'apology,' but he barely had enough energy to raise his hand to stifle a yawn.
"...Have you really been here for the last two days, Shinji?"
He was quiet for a moment before he answered.
"...Yeah...I guess I have."
"No food or sleep?"
The teenager in the chair reached up to massage the back of his neck, trying to loosen the stiff muscles.
"Well, nothing that bad...they've got a cafeteria downstairs, and I was able to nap for a few hours yesterday..."
"You know, she probably wouldn't be happy if she knew you were losing your health over her like this," Kaworu said with the slightest hint of a grin.
Shinji had to stifle a laugh, just because he knew the other boy was right. But it faded as quickly as it came-- he wouldn't let Kaworu think for a minute they could ever be friends... not after what he had said about Rei.
"...Well, then, it's good to know my visit won't be a total waste."
Shinji looked up at Kaworu, a slight frown (whether it was in anticipation of another slight on Rei or if he was curious about what he meant, he wasn't sure) outlining his features.
"What do you mean by that?"
The current pilot of Unit-02 stopped to collect his thoughts, still smiling. "Well, the Major asked me to fill in for you, so that you could get some rest."
The boy only stared silently at Kaworu, pondering what he had just heard. He knew Misato had only meant him good by sending Kaworu to maintain his vigil, but he somehow didn't like the idea of leaving Rei alone with him. He felt it again-- the odd tremor in the pit of his stomach when he had first met the Fifth Child. It felt a little like when he had first met Rei, but unlike her, his initial impression of alienation had not gone away, rather it had intensified over time, and was especially obvious now.
"...Do I have to?"
Kaworu looked surprised at Shinji's hesitation.
"Well...she didn't say you were required to, but I assumed that you would not reject the opportunity to sleep."
Shinji let out a sigh. He couldn't deny that he was tired, but his own health wasn't what was important to him at the moment.
"Sorry, Nagisa-kun...but I'm staying here until she wakes up."
"You are aware, Third Child, that that day may never come?"
The boy looked shaken at what Kaworu had said; the Fifth flinched slightly, wondering if Shinji was going to punch him again, but he simply sighed again, letting his frustration out in a single breath.
"...If that's the case...then I should be the one here."
Kaworu narrowed his red eyes ever so slightly.
"Shinji, are you here because you feel responsible for what happened?"
Shinji was quiet again, thinking about that question, which he had been asking himself practically the whole time: Why was he still here?
"...Well...I guess it's partly that, but..."
"Then what is the other reason?"
The answer came not from Shinji's voice, but by what he did next. The Third Child turned his face away from Kaworu to look at the First, but the red-eyed boy just barely caught a glimpse of the look on Shinji's face. It was a strange expression, at once concern and pain and desperation and longing at the same time. Kaworu didn't really understand the emotion (though he was familiar with it), but a look of comprehension dawned on his pale features.
"Hmm... Well, then Shinji--" the boy snapped back to reality; he almost looked like he had forgotten Kaworu was there, "--since my efforts have proven fruitless, I will now take my leave." He smiled again (Shinji cringed, this odd teenager was really getting to him) and prepared to head out the door.
"...Nagisa-kun?"
Kaworu stopped with the door halfway open, he turned around to face Shinji, who was looking at the wall.
"...I'm sorry for hitting you. I got...carried away."
Kaworu's eyes widened in surprise, but he knew that Shinji wasn't actually trying to make up with him-- that was just the way he was. He instictively smiled again.
"...It's not a problem, Shinji. My words were, well...more than a little unneccessary." With that, he left the room.
The Fifth walked away, still smiling. He had spent the last week wondering why Shinji had acted so impulsively over what he had said a week ago, but the look on the boy's face he had just seen spoke volumes. He pondered over his mission. It had been difficult to report to SEELE that he had made no progress towards gaining the Third Child's trust, but with this new bit of knowledge in hand, he might be able to alter the situation in order gain the Committee's desired outcome.