Essence of Shinji
By: Kristoffer Remmell
Summary: Shinji is a natural even in cooking. Asuka, like in Evas, is determined to show him up. A funny story of Shinji and Asuka's relationship. Mild language and violence. A humorous story with subtle romance between Shinji and Asuka.
Category: Humor/Romance
Disclaimer: I hold no copyright over Neon Genesis Evangelion. That is held by GAINAX and Anno. I am writing this story as a fan of the series and for my own enjoyment.
Rating: T (minor coarse language, and some violence)
A/N: This is a rather long chapter. Lot of dialog and emotions to run through.
I was pleased the reaction the dream sequence got from chapter three. That's as about as hot as things are going to get. I really look forward to my reviews and the questions people have.
I have noticed in a lot of fan fictions they give the people in Eva current technology. I tried to take something that is current, but tweaked it a bit. best example is on the movies they pick. I got the idea from things like those direct tv options, and download able shows for I-Pods. I thought. What if in the future it's common place to be able to download any movie whenever you want. Some things give you this option, but only a select few movies. I just took it to the next level.
Hard core Eva fans will recognize a name appearing in this chapter. Oh yeah, and Misato is half naked. My bit of fan service.
This chapter has had some editing after some of the reviews. I realized that I really didn't sell the moments and I wasn't getting across the feel I wanted in certain moments.
Chapter 4: Blind, Deaf and Dumb Date
Deep under the high tech city of Tokyo-3 in the Geo-Front is the NERV Headquarters. Employees were mulling about on random duties. It has been weeks since the last Angel attack. One would think for NERV HQ that would be a great thing, but when your whole purpose surrounds destroying the Angels that can make for very little to do.
In NERV's cafeteria sits four of NERV's more important officials. Many of which have been close friends since college. Their own personal histories have lead them to work for NERV. Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, chief science officer, is lazily glancing through past research notes, and sitting to her left Maya Ibuki, control room operator, is smiling and flipping through a novel.
Misato Katsuragi resting her head on the table upon her crossed arms. Her meal is barely picked at, but her beer is well more then half gone. To her right is NERV special investigations officer, Ryoji Kaji. He sits leaning back, arms limp at his side, and head tilted back. He would appear to be dead if it wasn't for the fact his eyes are blinking, looking to the ceiling, and moaning in boredom every five minutes.
"So Asuka was pretty upset by that time." says Misato looking across the table to her friend Ritsuko. "She just kept grumbling and didn't say anything to Shinji."
"Guess no one ever told her that boys really have no control over that sort of thing." says Ritsuko putting down her notes and starts eating again. "You could always give her 'The Talk'."
"Oh yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun." says Misato rolling her eyes. Kaji chuckles picturing that conversation. "I don't think she was mad about that as much other things. I loaned her some of my clothes to wear. They didn't fit her too well and I think that was a blow to her pride. A reminder of how immature she still is."
"Or a reminder of how much bigger you've gotten." says Kaji. Misato gives a jerk and Kaji suddenly yells, "Aggh!". Misato gives a devilish smile from the swift kick she just delivered to his leg.
"So Shinji was just a target for her frustration?" says Maya.
"Well, he is her favorite target." says Misato.
"Their school will be out for summer break this week, right?" asks Ritsuko.
"End of next week." says Misato. "We'll need to find something to keep them busy, or… from killing each other."
"Well, we have a synch test scheduled for them Sunday." says Ritsuko. "Commander Fuyutsuki was also talking about running some battle simulations in the Geo-Front."
"It's a pity really." says Kaji still looking to the ceiling, and the ladies look to him for explanation. "They can't just be like kids and enjoy their youth."
They sit in a thoughtful pause for a few minutes. Maya says, "Is there any explanation why there hasn't been an Angel attack?"
"If there is no one is telling me." says Ritsuko.
"How many weeks has it been already? I've lost count." says Misato.
"Six." answers Ritsuko.
"I'm sooo bored." whines Maya. "I wish an Angel would attack." Even Kaji has lifted his head to look to Maya in silent confusion who has just realized what she just said. Blushing she says, "Oh wait! I-I didn't mean…" Cutting herself off she hides behind her book. Every Angel attack is a possibility for a Third Impact, in which would wipe out all of humanity.
Kaji always quick to a ladies rescue comes up with a plan to deflect the attention from the awkward silence that fills the group. "So Katsuragi," he says. "I thought last night you said the kids have been getting along better."
"Yeah." she says in surprise. "Asuka seems to be mellowing out a bit. Last night she actually made a really good meal."
"Asuka becoming a domestic woman?" chuckles Ritsuko.
"Hmm. Maybe love in in the air." Kaji adds.
"For those three minutes in the day they aren't at each others throats they do look like a rather cute couple." says Misato.
Ritsuko glances to her friends across the table. "Who does that remind me of?" she thinks with a sly smile.
"You should of seen the outfit she was wearing on that movie night." says Misato. "I wasn't sure if she was showing off for Hikari or Shinji." She looks to Ritsuko who seems as curious as herself. "Oddly enough I don't think Asuka is so much of a problem. Shinji just doesn't have much confidence with girls,….. or anything else for that matter."
"Maybe I could take him out to lunch." says Kaji. "Give him some of tips dealing with women."
"Great." chirps Misato. "After that I'll need to get him deprogrammed for a month." Maya and Ritsuko chuckle.
"Uh, is anyone else a little curious why four college educated adults are so interested in the romantic life of two teenagers?" asks a timid Maya.
"That's easy." says Kaji.
"We're bored." says Misato.
Ritsuko glows in the humor how they share the same thoughts. Amazing what can happen when a couple lives together for two years. "So… what was the movie you all picked last?" asks Ritsuko.
"Magic Number 7." sighs Misato. The two other ladies imitate Misato's moan. The movie is well known with almost all women.
Kaji looks up for the second time with a look as if he had just drank expired milk. "Oh lord!" he groans. "Not that movie." He leans his head back and finishes his thought. "You dragged me to that 'thing' three times. Are you trying to drown that poor boy in estrogen?" Kaji suddenly feels six pairs of eyes boring into him. He has just realized the company he is keeping. He's almost too afraid to make a run for it.
"Oh, crap." is all he manages to say before-
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Far above the Geo-Front lunch time in school has the teens sitting on the roof. Hikari, Asuka and Rei were sitting in a small group. Rei just sat silently eating not joining the quiet conversation. Kensuke had brought a collection of pictures he gathered on his last trip to an aircraft carrier.
"Look at these pictures" Kensuke says forcing several shots into his friends hands. "That jet was piloted by a real war hero. I saw the barracks. This shot is awesome. I got to sit in the gunners seat. I nearly got kicked off the boat for taking pictures here."
"Why can't you ever go to a beach and take pictures of girls?" asks Touji as he casually flips through the pictures. Shinji isn't even looking. He glances over to the girls who are a few feet away. Rei no longer has a bandage on her arm, but a slight bruise; Hikari has been acting nervous, and Asuka has still refused to say anything to him all day.
Touji slaps the back of your head with the prints. "Still in the dog house with the Mrs., Ikari?" he says.
Shinji looks back to his friend. "She's mad at me about something this morning." says Shinji. His cheeks glowing. Touji is about to lean in to interrogate his friend for the juicy details when the bell warning the kids that the lunch break has ended chimes. Kensuke gathers up his pictures and the girls walk back into the school. Shinji tried to say something to Asuka as she passed by, but he stops himself. "I'll just make things worse." he thinks.
"If you want pictures of girls I got this shot of the commander on the boat." Kensuke says handing Touji a few pictures. "She reminded me of Misato." Touji looks at the picture smiling.
"OH yeah." Touji says smiling. "Look at that butt. Makes me think about enlisting."
Shinji walks the halls looking to his shoes. He is suddenly stopped by bumping into someone. Glancing back up quickly he sputters, "I-I'm sorry I wasn't-".
"It's alright." says the short haired brunette girl. Her hair is choppy, but well kept. Her eyes are bright and friendly. The red ribbon of her uniform is untied. "You looked pretty deep in thought." Shinji just gave a weak smile. "Hey, your Ikari the Eva pilot aren't you?" the girl asks. Shinji just nods not sure if she means that as a good or bad thing. She smiles. "Oh cool. My names Mana. I'd really like to talk about-" She is cut off by the last warning bell. "Oh darn, " grips Mana. "I got to go. I can't afford to be late again." She runs off in a mad sprint. "See you around."
"Later." says a confused Shinji as he walks into class 2-A. Kensuke and Touji have waited for him at the door and saw the whole little conversation with the cute girl, Mana.
"You shopping for a mistress?" Touji jokes.
"Wow, she talked with you." says Kensuke watching after the girl. His eyes following her every move.
"Huh?" says Shinji. "Who is she?"
"That's Mana Kirishima." says Kensuke. "She works for the school paper. She's in our grade." His mood drops as she turns the corner and is out of sight.
"Yeah." says Touji. "She was one of those girls the ball player was cheating on. I heard she could be a real bitch when she wants to. Nice legs though."
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They walk back into class and the rest of the school day goes by at a slow pace. On the walk home Shinji tried to think of several ways he could make up for this morning's misunderstanding, but shot down any plan that started with an apology. That always just seemed to make her more angry. They got home and Asuka changed into the clothes Misato loaned her.
Misato tried to stir a conversation between the three during dinner. All attempts were unsuccessful. During the meal Asuka ask someone to pass the salt. It was sitting right in front of Shinji. He tentatively lifted it and passed it to her. They looked into each other eyes and she said simply, "Thanks.".
Misato just smiled as she watched them. "Well, it's progress." she thought.
They all finished their dinner and Shinji gathered the dishes. Shinji sat at the TV table doing his homework. Asuka, who had already finished her work, laid on the floor flipping through a magazine. Misato was sitting a few feet away from the teens. While reading her new pop culture magazine she heard Shinji groan about his school work. "What wrong now?" asked Asuka in dismay.
"I'm just having some trouble with this." Shinji said waving to his laptop screen.
Rolling her eyes Asuka gets up and sits next to Shinji. "Move over, Stupid. Let me see." she says in a huff.
Misato smiles as she watches them talk about school work. Asuka was pointing out Shinji's mistakes and he sat listening carefully to the explanation. "They are so cute together." Misato thinks. She reads her magazine glancing to the couple after every few pages.
It was movie night again and this is week was Misato's pick. Shinji was done with his homework and was very grateful to Asuka. Has an act of gratitude he prepared the snacks. He took small scoop-able tortilla chips and put together a big rack of little bite sized tacos made with Asuka's favorite ground sausage.
Misato was very careful to pick a movie everyone would enjoy. It was an edgy comedy, but nowhere near as wild as the one Shinji and Asuka watched the other night. It was about a wild college guy who lives to do nothing, but party. His father pulls his money, and the guy hires his skills for planning parties out to anyone who is willing to pay. There was a rather gross scene with some very "special" desserts. Asuka had covered her eyes during that scene. At the end of the movie Misato was wiping a tear of laughter from her eye as she changed the channel. Asuka asked for the remote and Misato tossed it to her.
Asuka mostly just surfed the channels for a few minutes until she came to something that caught her interest. She barely watched it. She just kept eating Shinji's snacks and flipping through some magazines. Misato relaxed and talked with Shinji casually for the rest of the night.
"Night kids." Misato said. "Thanks for cooking Shinji. Those were really good. Be sure to write those chips down on the grocery list for next time." She walked past Shinji and stroked the back of his hair. It sent tingles down his back.
"Yeah, they were good." said Asuka dropping the last taco chip in her mouth. "Night Misato. Night Third." Asuka got up and walking past Shinji she smacked him in the head. She walked into her room and shut the door.
Shinji gathered the dishes and washed them. He went to his room and turned out the light. He took a quick glance around the dark room. He sniffed the air checking for a scent. Not finding anything odd he laid down and smiled. It was a nice dream that found him that night.
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Asuka woke up late Saturday. Tucked under her blanket she stretched and groaned. She reached for her alarm clock to check the time. "Damn, running late." she says dropping the clock to the floor. Tossing the covers off she can still feel the chill in the air. "If I ever get my hands on that jerk who is suppose to get this fixed I'm shoving his wrench right up his ass." she thinks.
Asuka passed her mirror and stopped. She examined herself. Seeing these baggy clothes she frowns. She pulls the clothes taunt to her skin and strikes several poses. Trying to improve how she looks in these grown woman's clothes if they would fit. Letting go she huffs in frustration. "Maybe Hikari will be up for some shopping after the arcade." she says. Scratching her head she walks out of her room.
First site greeting her is Shinji sitting at the table listening to his SDAT player. Pen-pen sits in the seat next to him and just watches. He's wearing a reversed yellow hat, red shirt, green drawstring shorts, and sneakers. Asuka glances over him and thinks, "Hmm, looks like he can dress himself when he wants to.". She walks past him to the bathroom. She freshens up, combs her hair, and walks back into her room to dress.
Opening her closet she scans for some cute outfit. She grabs a black shirt with orange sleeves, blue military short-shorts, thin black knees socks, red shoes, and a red visor from her closet. Asuka dresses, and stands in front of the mirror again. Fixing her hair she avoids her neural clips and instead picks her red hair bows. Fixing her makeup she spins in front of the mirror to examine her work. Smiling she thinks, "Mmm, Cute.". Winking to herself she walks out of her room.
Shinji is still sitting there listening to his player. Asuka shakes her head in frustration and grabs some peanut butter toast with orange juice. Only now does she notice Misato sitting and watching TV. She glances at her watch. It's time for her to leave if she is going to meet up with Hikari. "Misato, I'm going out." she says. "I got my phone."
"I'm going out too." says Shinji sitting up. Asuka looks to him for a second, but just walks out the door. "Bye kids. Be careful." Misato calls out to them.
The pilots walked for about five blocks when Asuka noticed that Shinji was still behind her. Spinning on her heel she looking to Shinji. "Quit following me!" she says, and stomps on his foot.
"Ow! What was that for?" says the shocked boy.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"The… arcade. Hikari, invited me."
Asuka looks confused. "Hikari what? She didn't tell me-"
"ASUKA! Ikari-kun! Hey!" Asuka is cut off by Hikari in the distance running toward them. Shinji is bouncing on one foot and Asuka looks angry and confused. Hikari runs up to them panting. She's dressed rather casual for the usually modest class representative. A striped shirt and coverall styled dress, knee length skirt. Smiling brightly she rests her hands on her knees and tries to regain her breath. "I'm so glad you two are here. " she says. "Is Touji here yet?"
"Touji?" asks an angry Asuka. "Who all did you invite?" Hikari gives a weak smile. She opens her mouth, but before she can start to explain another person turns the corner.
"Hey all." Touji comes around and he's dressed as casual as usual. Jogging pants and shirt. Touji walks up to Shinji and gives him a punch in the arm. "Hey man. This should be great. I heard this arcade is jam packed with cool stuff." he says.
Asuka looks to her friend for a fast explanation, but Hikari isn't looking to her. She's staring at Touji. Her fingers are crossed, smiling, and blushing as she eyes him. Asuka looks from Hikari to Touji and back to her friend, and it all falls into place. "She didn't." Asuka thinks. Grabbing Hikari by the arm she turns to the boys and says, "Stay Put!". She pulls Hikari a few yards away and the boys start their own conversation.
"You didn't do what I think you just did?" asks an infuriated Asuka.
"Huh?" says Hikari.
"You set yourself up on a blind date with that goofball."
"Oh, Asuka." Hikari says. Her plan found out. "I'm sorry. It's just. I- I just want him to see me as someone other then the class rep." She looks like she may cry. "I want him to see me as a girl who can have fun too."
"Then why are me and the idiot here too?"
"I was afraid. If I asked him to just go out with me he wouldn't come, and I knew if it was you and me he most certainly wouldn't come….. So I invited Shinji too." Hikari looked honestly upset. She bows her head and pleads with Asuka. Asuka just cracks under her compassion for her friend. "I take it you want me to keep Shinji busy so you can get all lovey-dovey with the block head?" Asuka says.
"Yes, Please."
"You set me up with Ikari didn't you?" Asuka asks with a narrow look. Hikari just smiles as a response. Huffing in disbelief. "Okay. ONLY, because I owe you one for teaching me that recipe." she says shaking her finger. Asuka not even looking to the boys grabs Hikari and starts walking. "Get a move on, Losers!"
Glancing back Asuka notices they haven't moved. "Schnell!" she hollers. Shinji just raises his finger and says, "Uh, aren't we waiting for Kensuke?".
"He was invited, right?" adds Touji.
Asuka glances to Hikari and the look on her face says she just realized a flaw in her plan. Reluctantly Asuka put together an idea. "We can't wait any longer." Asuka says. "If he's running late we can just meet him there. Now MOVE!". They all start walking and Hikari jumps to Asuka hugging her around the neck.
They arrived at the arcade. It was just as amazing as everyone had heard. Tons of fighter, sims, drivers, dance, and grabber games. The four of them played a few of the multi player games together and even competed as couples in the dance simulator. Asuka and Shinji won easily despite Shinji tripping at a few steps. At one point Hikari tripped and fell right into Touji's arms. Asuka was suspicious if that really was an accident.
"It's about lunch time." says Hikari. "Where do you all want to eat?"
"I saw they have vending machines in here" says Touji. "Looked like nice stuff too."
Everyone agreed to this and walked back and bought their food from the machines. Sandwiches, onion rings, fries, and sodas. They sat outside under some shade and ate their meals. Everyone was pretty happy with the food, but Asuka. "Shinji makes these boxed things better." she thinks.
Once they were all about done with their meals Asuka and Hikari excused themselves to the bathroom. "Why do they always leave in packs?" asked Touji and Shinji just shrugged.
"You having fun, Asuka?"
"Yeah, this has been a pretty nice date."
Hikari thinks, "She called it a date.". "Could I ask one more favor?" she says smiling and flashing puppy dog eyes. Asuka just stands in silence waiting for the penny to drop. Hikari, not hearing a no, continues, "Could you take Shinji so me and Suzuhara can be alone?"
"Alright." Asuka says rolling her eyes.
The girls walked out freshened up. Before anyone could say much of anything Asuka grabbed Shinji by the wrist. She says, "Come on, Idiot. I want to play the grabbers.". She glances back and sees Hikari and Touji sitting and looking rather adorable. Asuka tried several times on the claw machine to catch this little red teddy bear. She loved it, because it was the same color as her Eva. It grabbed every time, but slipped from the claws grip. "Ach!" she hollered as it missed for the fifth time. "It's a freakin' jip! It's rigged!" She proceeded to start kicking it. Shinji just stood in silence as she has gathered a crowd from her outburst. "Can I try?" he asks.
Asuka stands a side to give him a try. Shinji is very skilled and catches the red bear on the first try. He grabs it from the door and hands it to Asuka. "You can have it. It's too girlie for me." he says. She looks down to it and to Shinji. She smiles and take it from him. She slips it under her belt so she wont have to carry it. A game catches her eye. Laughing she grabs Shinji by his collar and pulls him to the robot fighter.
They climb into the pilot seats. "Get ready for some punishment, maggot." Asuka laughs. They play several rounds. They even gather a small crowd to watch on the screen above. Asuka wins the first few matches. When Shinji won two she got frustrated. Something caught her eye about the way he was playing. She purposely left her guard open and noticed Shinji made no effort at all to attack. "What the hell do you think you're doing!" says Asuka. Shinji just looks surprised.
"Sorry." he says. He climbs out of the seat with the game still in progress. Asuka has already gotten out and is making her way to him. As soon as he gets out Asuka is standing there.
"You JERK!" she yells poking him in the chest. "You were going easy on me!"
"Just that once. I-I'm sorry I didn-" he stutters.
"I don't need you to go easy on me, Third Child! Just… get out of my face! I hate you!" she pushes Shinji and runs past the gathered crowd, head down and very upset. Shinji collides with a machine and falls to the ground, his hat falling off.
"Does she yell at you like that all the time?" asks someone behind him. Shinji climbs to his feet and sees who is talking.
"Oh, You're Mana." says Shinji. Mana is wearing a white button up shirt and a short plaid skirt, a small bookbag slung around her shoulder. The girl smiles and hands Shinji his hat. He takes it from her. "Thanks."
"So does your girlfriend always treat you like that?"
"Yeah, but she's not my girlfriend." he looks to where Asuka had run off, but doesn't see her.
"Oh." says Mana smiling. "I only asked, because I sort of know about being in a bad relationship." Shinji knows she is talking about that ball player. "I don't know if you know this, but I work for the school paper."
"Yeah, I heard."
"Well, The school year is almost over and I'm planning a special year end edition. I'd love to get an interview with a pilot of the Eva." Mana says hopefully.
"Are you sure you wouldn't want to talk to the others?"
"I tried talking to Ayanami a while back. Before you came to town. Only thing she said was that she would only talk with me if she was ordered to. Weird, huh?"
"There's Asuka." Shinji says pointing toward the direction she ran off.
"Well, like most of the girls in school. I'm a little afraid of her." Mana says with a laugh. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a small card. "Here. This is my number. Give me a call and we can set up an interview."
Shinji takes the card and says, "I'm not sure if I can. Lot of the stuff is classified and-"
"Oh no." Mana interrupts. "I'm not looking for details about the robots or anything like that. I just want to know about the pilots. Who they are."
"I'll have to ask. If they're okay with it I guess I could." He puts the card into his pocket and feels a sudden, sharp pull on his ear. He sees Asuka dragging him out the enterance and into the streets. She seems very upset. Once she has dragged him several blocks away she lets him go. Shaking in fury she spins to face him.
"Tell me right now!" she yells pointing to the ground. "What did you think you were doing?"
"S-sorry." he stammers.
"STOP THAT! I don't need pity from anyone. Tell me now Shinji and don't you say 'Sorry'!" she says now pointing to him.
Shinji wants to tell her, but thinks, "I can't tell her. I'll just make things worse.". He just stands there looking to the ground and wont say anything.
Asuka looks like she doesn't know if she wants to scream or cry she is so upset. "You're such a coward." She storms off further into the city. "I can't even look at you. Just go home, Idiot. And don't follow me!"
Shinji just stands in place. She is three blocks away and he says, "I-I'm sorry.".
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It was a long slow walk home for Shinji. He thought about going to tell Hikari and Touji he was leaving, but he felt like he made Asuka angry enough. He didn't want to chance upsetting her more by disobeying her order. He walked into the apartment and was surprised how hot it was. It was warm outside, but it felt worse in here.
"I'm home." he called out.
"Hey Shin-chan." calls Misato from the balcony. Shinji walks in and see her sunning herself in a tight bikini, purple that barely coveres much of anything. Her skin has a sheen from the oil that covers every inch of her skin. Misato walks in and gives Shinji a hug. "Are you okay Shinji? Your shaking and the AC isn't working." Misato lets him go an she walks to the fridge. "Get this. The tech finally came to look at the conditioning for the building. He cut off all that cold air, but wouldn't you know. He didn't have all the parts to fix it. Now we have no cool air." Misato grabs herself a beer and sits at the table.
She just now notices the look on his face. "Shin-chan, what's wrong?"
He sits down across from her and says, "I messed things up. Asuka's angry with me."
"Damn, and things were going so well." she thinks.
"Oh, there was some girl from school. She wants to interview me. Not about the Eva's just about the pilots. Is that a problem?"
Misato sits thinking for a second. "I don't see why not. You can talk about yourselves, but nothing about NERV or the Evas."
"Okay."
"Oh, one more thing." she smile. "When you get to me be sure she spells my name right."
Misato stayed in her bikini much to Shinji's frustration. He is too timid to look as he talks with her in fear he may begin to stare. The more drunk she got the more affectionate she became. "So Shinji. When did Asuka say she was coming home?" Shinji just shrugged his shoulders.
Asuka came walking in the door a few hours later. She was carrying two shopping bags. Still frowning and rather upset. She ignored Shinji, but was shocked by Misato. Holding her tongue on what was on her mind she asked another question. "Why is it so hot in here now?"
Misato told her all about how the AC was no longer working. "Verdammt!" Asuka hollers stomping her foot. "It figures just when I go out and get some warmer clothes to sleep in." She storms into her room. Asuka drops her bags and notices the red teddy bear under her belt. She removes it and just stares at it. Gently petting it.
"Why do I still have this?" She tosses it across her room and it hit's the wall. "Stupid, Shinji." She falls on her bed, hugs her pillow, and just lays till the sun starts to set.
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Misato ordered several pizzas for dinner. There was a meat lovers, for Asuka; an extra anchovy, for Pen-pen ; and a ham and pineapple for Shinji and herself. Shinji, on Misato's request, tried knocking on the door to tell Asuka dinner was here, but got no response. Asuka didn't come out until Misato called for her.
Misato had changed into the same clothes she wore on the sleepover movie night, and Asuka walked out in the same tight shirt and small tight shorts. Asuka sat silently through dinner. Misato asked Shinji about his day. He tried very hard to avoid anything that had to do with the event at the arcade that made Asuka so upset. They weren't talking with each other so Misato engaged them seperately. She thought if they heard the other talk they might be more comfortable to talk.
Misato then brought up that they had to get plenty of sleep tonight for their synchronization tests that they had tomorrow. There was also talk about war games and battle simulations. Asuka seemed interested and would on occasion glare at Shinji. This behavior eventually got to Misato.
"Asuka, is something wrong?" asks Misato.
This seemed to hit the pressure valve on the red head. "I'm just sick!" Asuka says standing. Her resolve noticeably weakened as she glanced to Shinji for just a second before returning her eyes to Misato. "I'm sick of the 'Invincible Shinji' treating me like some weak child. He's a JERK."
Shinji looked like he was about to say something until Asuka regained that lost passion and said, "And I'm sick of you." Misato just sits confused as Asuka was now pointing to her. Shinji lost his thought and Misato had no idea what she has done. "You're always getting drunk and pawing all over him, going out with my Kaji, and dressing like some tramp."
"She does realize she's wearing the same stuff?" Misato asks herself.
Asuka pointing to Shinji who sits quietly as Asuka vents. "Don't you know how impressionable this idiot is?"
"Hey! I wasn-" was all Shinji was able to say before-
"Aggh!" Asuka yells, storms into her room, and slams the door behind her. Misato and Shinji just sit in silence.
Confused Misato walks into her room. Shinji reaches into his pocket and pulls out the card with Mana's number. He picks up the phone and sits at the dinner table. His hand shaking he dials the number. The phone rings a personalized tone. A few seconds later the line is answered. "H-hello. Is Mana there?"
"Oh, hi."
"I talked with my guardian and she say's it's alright."
"We just can't say anything about NERV or the Evas."
"I'm not sure."
"Okay."
"When do you want to do this?"
"No. Not tomorrow. We have some tests and I'm not sure if there will be anything else."
"Monday is fine."
"Where?"
"I guess. The ice-cream shop on Main Street? I know where that is."
"Yeah that's good."
"I-I'm not sure."
"Maybe."
"See you then."
Shinji hangs up the line. He starts to get up and notices that Asuka's door is slightly ajar. He tries to look into the dark room from where he is standing, but the door suddenly slams shut. He looks to the door and mumbles. "I'm sorry, Asuka. You're not weak...I am."
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