A man and woman are leaving the train station.

"So, what do you think, puppy? It's a brand-new world to explore and conquer. A world without Evangelions, just like you asked for."

"Well…. I'm sure that I made the right call, but right now I realized something. Asuka said that the village was a place that she wanted to protect. And… I like the idea of protecting people. Even without piloting Evangelion, I think I can do something to protect people in this world."

"Oh… Is that true? Well… just to be sure. Are you trying to punish yourself and living as martyr because you think you've failed them? Or maybe you want to follow that path because you want to see her again in this world, right?"

"I-I… no… it's not like that. It's all in the past and…. I don't think that I will… and she also won't…"

"Hey, hey… where is the confidence you showed a few minutes ago? If you really want to try to live like this, it's alright. I can make some connections and try to make you join the police, what do you think? Detective Shinji Ikari!"

The guy looks at her with a strange, but determinate look.

"Yeah, Mari! I understand! Thank you! I think I got my groove back. Hey, watch out world! Sexy train is leaving the station, check out this caboose. Yo, b*tches! Shinji Ikari is in the town!"

Mari just looks at this new, crazy and confident Shinji Ikari with a dumbfounded face.

"Great job, puppy!"


Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion (yet). I guess that nothing is better to avoid writer's block than writing two different series at the same time ^^.

In this chapter, our penultimate chapter of Shikinami saga, with a new, but already classic comedy series. After this one, one more chapter of Shiki and let's move on for classic Asushin in NGE and EoE.

Special thanks to Nonameasushin, calborghete, YourBlandestNightmare, SheriffJohnStone, tomdj1701, Author0fntent, HydrationStation, Lovmemichi, Tnomart, deathbringer374 , Western-Otaku, Xce, MAD Marty, zevallos0910 (welcome, buddy) and our Guests, for the support and for keep reading and enjoying this little game.


"M-mari, are you there?"

"Danm it, puppy! It is way past midnight and you decide to call me? I'm just in the middle of a steamy marathon of sex and you are interrupting."

"Oh really? Can you get me some of your sex tapes?"

"Lame. But despite of your bad sense of humor it's nice to know that you at least still can talk like a grown up, even though your voice is shaking. What happened.?"

"I… I can't go on. I will quit tomorrow's mission."

"Puppy, puppy… you've decided to become a police officer in this world, remember it? And don't get cocky, but you are good at it. You've been doing great in the past few years. There is no one better than you to go on any kind of mission."

"Thanks Mari, but you know that…"

"Oh yes… 'princesstonyte'. I forgot about that. Your 'princessfobia' is cute and make you feel like the old puppy again, but I thought that you were ok with that. You said that you would always be glad just for being able to meet her again in this world."

"I am! It's just that… It hurts. I didn't think that we were gonna to meet every day and work together."

"Puppy, that's kinda what you were hoping for, right? Saying goodbye and everything else… just a spell for meet each other again"

"That's not the point. The point is that she doesn't want anything with me. I tried to flirt, be confident, easy going, push back at her… heck, I even confessed to her again. Twice. But she was already in other relationships. Or at least she told me so. And even after she broke up with them, she keeps saying that she won't date cops, because it would be unprofessional and make things complicated."

"I know. I was watching both of you in the past years too, remember? And even so, you continue to work and fulfill your duty. So, what's different now?

"In tomorrow's mission… they want us to pretend that we are a couple to get evidence for an investigation."

"Oh, that's awesome! Please send me pictures, ok? I was saving a picture frame for the day of your wedding, but if that's the closest that you guys would ever be, I can take that."

"I'm serious. She said: 'this is a case, nothing more; we work cases together all the time, and we're really good at it, so, you know, we're professionals.'."

"Well, well… it's like a scene that I've just watched in an odd TV Show. Don't think about it as an awkward situation. Think about that as a…. chaaaance."

"Ok, Mari, that was awesome. Thanks! Good night. I'm gonna pretend that you managed to make me feel great."

"Title of your sex tape."


"Hi. T-table for two, please." – Shinji said, in an awkward way. He managed to get dressed in a nice suit, but Asuka was simply gorgeous, looking like a movie star in her stylish red dress. The confident and cocky detective Shinji Ikari looked just like a shy teenager in front of her. That situation could blow their cover, and he knew that.

"I'm so sorry. There's nothing available. We're totally booked up." – said the attendant.

"Oh, no, that's horrible. Tonight's a really important night for us. This idiot and I just got engaged, and this is where our first date was." – Asuka said in an overly dramatic voice. Shinji took a second to realize what was happening, but got the clue.

"Oh, yeah, it would mean so much to us. I would have made a reservation, but I didn't know if she was gonna say yes, so..."

The attendant smiled. "You are just so sweet together. You know, I'm sure I can find room for two young lovers. Please, just follow me."

Asuka made a happy face as she gave a kiss on Shinji's cheek.

"Yeah, we are lovers... together... in beds."

As they got on their table, Asuka said in a soft whisper.

"Hey Shinji… I'm… sorry about springing the engagement and romantic stuff on you."

"No, no, no. That was great. I mean, it's what got us in here."

"Cheek kiss was a bit too much?"

"Very wet. But I liked. I mean… well, the honeymoon's over. We're in and back to being Shinji and Asuka, two normal cops working a job."

"Yeah… right. According to my sources, the letter is right here in the S2-floor archives, cabinet L, section AS."

"Nice job. What's the plan?"

"You sneak in and get the letter. I'll distract the security. Apparently, he's is watching an anime about giant robots, so talking to a woman like me should blow his mind." – she said with a confident smirk.


"Did you get the letter?"

"Yep. Piece of cake. And just in time for our dinner."

"Wow, champagne and oysters? You really are overdoing this fake…"

"Well, well, well." – Shinji and Asuka froze as they saw the manager of the restaurant going towards their table. Chef Keel, a well known member of SEELE. The guy that was above the law. - "We are booked up, but it's always a pleasure to see young love. Are you enjoying the meal?"

"Well, thanks sir. It's really a special night." – Shinji responded with a fake confident smile.

"So... when did you guys meet?"

"Well, it was about three years…." Asuka said.

"We were teenagers." Shinji said at the same time and realized his mistake as he watched from the corner of his eyes some of the waiters starting to draw their guns. They were exposed. But Shinji continued his speech without flinching, raising his voice a little bit so Asuka would stop talking.

"Even if we are together for real for only three years, I always liked her since I was 14. But I was too much of a coward to act on it. So, I've missed my opportunity and we lost contact because I… had to move to a distant place. We've been kept apart for 14 years and when I finally managed to meet her again, she said that she liked me at that time, but had grown up and let that feeling die. I was heartbroken, but decided that it was for the best. After all, I was absent of her life for such a long time that I didn't deserve her anymore. I was just happy that I was able to see her again. I was resigned to the fact that this train had already passed and we could never be together, but…. I guess love always found a way, isn't so, honey? Damn, I love you so much…"

Asuka was stared, dumbfounded, as Shinji moved loser to her and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

Keel and the other members of SEELE, as well as most of the clients of the restaurant were staring, in awe, at the young couple, some of then even clapping and cheering.

Shinji breathed a small sigh of relief as he realized that the men were putting their weapons back into their holsters. There was no reason to suspect this couple. After all, a declaration of love like that could not be staged. It was certainly real.

They eat their meal, in silence, and leave the restaurant, holding each other's arms like a real couple.

As they finally got back to the parking lot, Asuka broke the silence.

"Shinji, it's okay. As much as I hate to admit it, your quick thinking saved the day. That story was… a little bit corny, but I kinda liked it. It sounded like a really good love story. But regarding that kiss…"

"Asuka, I…"

"Look! Never mind, ok? This whole night was really weird. I know. I just... ugh. I want everything to go back how it was, you know? It's so awkward."

"Yeah. And you're right. We shouldn't date cops, 'cause we're a great team. We work great together. I don't want to mess that up."

"Yeah, I don't want everything to change."

"Yeah, me neither. I will take you back to your apartment."

"Okay, then that's that, Detective Ikari." – she made an official salute

"Detective Shikinami." – he replied the gesture.

"See you around the precinct. Goodbye."

"Wait!"

He grabbed her by the arm and gave her a passionate kiss. One first real kiss. She didn't object. They kissed for a few minutes. That felt like several lifetimes.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I… I… well, you said goodbye and..."

"A-are you stupid? It's not like we aren't going to see each other again."

"I… just don't want to wait that long to see you again."

"Can't you just wait until tomorrow?"

Shinji looked away, in shame for acting like a small kid in front of her. Again.

Only to be surprised by a gentle hug from behind.

"Hey idiot. It's late and my house is not far from here. I… don't know why, but I don't want to say goodbye either."

"W-what about your rule about don't dating…" – he stopped talking when she pinched his nose and kissed him again.

"Shh… don't push it, idiot. We are not dating. We will figure out what this is."


"So, Katsuragi, tell me about your Detective squad."

Misato cleared her throat and turned towards the window.

"Um... well, those three are Toji, Kensuke and Hikari. They're pretty much worthless, but they make good coffee.

"Copy that."

"Now the good ones. Rei Ayanami. Tough, smart, hard to read, and really scary".

"Kaworu Nagisa. He's a dreamer and a kind guy, but a little weird. You know, he likes all those kinds of weird stuff that makes me wonder if he is really human at all."

"Asuka Langley Shikinami. She's the youngest in a family of seven children, so she's always trying to prove she's tough. She and her assigned partner have some big bet over who gets more arrests this year. Ever since the bet, their numbers have gone way up."

"Tell me about that guy."

"Shinji Ikari is my best Detective. He likes putting away bad guys and he loves solving puzzles. The only puzzle he hasn't solved is how to grow up."

"That's enough Katsuragi, dismissed."

"Yes. Sir."

"Well, well, well…so you also decided to return here to see how the puppy is?"

"Civilian administrators like yourself really have their ear to the ground. That's enough, Maria."

"Ok, ok sir. Give my regards to Prof. Fuyutsuki and the adorable penguin." – Mari says as she left the captain's office, leaving the man with his serious appearance hiding a subtle gay smile.