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: You have NO IDEA how happy I was to see the positive reactions to that last chapter. I so wish I could of seen your reactions as you read through that last part from when Kensuke shows up.

A small few I think missed the point in the article. Originally, I had Asuka making some rather nasty comments during the interview. While they were very funny. I thought that would lessen any sympathy you would have for Asuka. It also makes a lot of those attacks less justified. Asuka may not of been nice to Mana, but she was never so nasty she deserved THAT.
I really like reading reviews, but if you are going to critique all I ask is you just explain what you feel is wrong in a bit of detail.

Chapter 7: Affirmation

"I don't see what's wrong so far." says Ritsuko, glancing from the paper in her hands. She sits at the lunch table deep inside the NERV cafeteria. Maya Ibuki is reading over her shoulder.

"Keep… keep reading." says Misato, waving down. She sits across from Ritsuko. Her head resting on the table buried in her arms. The group at the table is similar to that of a week ago. This time Kaji is sitting up, shaking his head in disbelief; and Shigeru Aoba, NERV control room technician, is sitting with them.

Ritsuko chuckles, "Twenty-six? I doubt that 'factual error' bothered you too much."

"Bitch." Misato grumbles, looking up from her arms. She drops her head again and waves. "Keep going." Ritsuko sits back and continues.

"You, Teaching Shinji to cook?" says Ritsuko. "People pray after they eat your cooking."

"Oh, Shut Up!" yells Misato. "Save the commentary till the end." There is a short pause and she groans, "I'm tired." Ritsuko takes the hint and starts to read on. Her eyes go wide.

She reaches the last third of the story. "Oh, my." Ritsuko says.

"Yeah, I know." Misato says.

Maya clamps her hands over her mouth as she gasps. Kaji, who has already read this, says, "Yep.". Ritsuko and Maya finish the article together.

"Pass that over here." says Aoba. Maya grabs the paper, her hands shaking. Aoba takes it from her and he starts to read.

"So,…what did she do?" Ritsuko asks Misato.

"What do you THINK she did?" she says, sitting up and rubbing her temples for a second. "Asuka, just flipped out. She tore the paper to shreds."

Maya looks to the paper Aoba is now reading. He can be heard chuckling as he reads and those laughs soon stop when he reaches the last third of the article. "If she destroyed it where did you get that?" Maya asks.

"Security had a copy they approved." answers Misato. She looks back to Ritsuko. "Shinji bolted into his room, and I could of sworn I heard him moving his furniture against the door."

"What did you do?" asks Maya.

Misato chuckles. "I followed his lead."

Aoba sets the paper down with a look of utter shock. "Damn." is all he says.

"She just went into a blind rage." Misato says. "I got worried when I remembered Rei was still sitting out there. So, I took a peak and there she was just sitting there reading while Asuka stomped around the room screaming a bunch of German curses. Some I knew and a few I think she was making up." Misato picks a carrot with her fork and she chomps down on it. "This went on for FOUR HOURS. Eventually, Rei just stood up and walked out." She keeps eating and continues once she swallows. "Poor Pen-Pen. He was still too scared to come out of his room this morning."

"Sounds like this Mana girl needs to be put in protective custody." says Aoba with a smile.

"How are the kids now?" says Kaji.

"Shinji was gone when I woke up. I'm not sure if Asuka even slept." Misato says. "She was sitting on her bed when I walked in. She was strangely calm." She shivers and continues, "We had a talk and agreed it was probably best she not go to school." Ritsuko gives her a disapproving look. "What? There are only two days left. All the test are done. They're just keeping the kids busy till the end of the week anyways."

"You really just trust Asuka to sit at home and do nothing?" says a surprised Maya.

Misato gives a sly grin and a wink. "Oh, I'm not that thick. I have security keeping an eye on my place. She can't go to the bathroom without me finding out about it." She sits back impressed with her own plan.

"Well, you all ready for that meeting Friday in Matsushiro with the UN representatives?" asks Ritsuko.

"I hate these long trips." says Misato. "Why do I have to go? The things are just a bunch of old farts whining."

"Because the commanders don't want to go. So they send you." Ritsuko looks to Kaji. "Least you'll have Kaji there to protect you from all those grope happy old men." Kaji looks to Misato and grins.

"That's like having the fox guard the chicken coop." says Misato, glaring to Kaji.

A moment passes, and her cell phone rings. Misato opens her phone and places it to her ear. "Hello." she says in a cheery tone. She jumps from her seat, slamming her hand on the table. "What!" Everyone looks to Misato. Kaji and Ritsuko are the only ones who don't look surprised. Misato starts talking into the phone with a pause between each sentence.

"How long ago?"

"…"

"Wha- How the HELL-? You were supposed to be watching her! Where were your men?"

"……"

"Ouch. Is he alright?"

"……………………………..."

"How many stitches!" Everyone at the table cringes. Their imaginations run wild.

"………………."

"Of coarse I want you to find her, you Jack-Ass!"

"…………"

"Where the HELL do you think she's going!" Misato ends the call abruptly. She braces her hands on the table, and she sheds a cold sweat. Misato brakes off into a mad sprint.

The group watches her out and they look to each other. Kaji says "Mount 'Suryu' erupts.".

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The bright sun masks the dark cloud making it's way to the First Munipal Jr. High School. All day the halls were filled with laughter. People were either reading the paper or laughing about it. Shinji had never felt so uncomfortable. People who normally would never look at him suddenly wanted to congratulate him on his skill. Patting his back and shaking his hand.

"Come on people make some room!" Touji said, clearing people away. "Let the hero get to his classes." Shinji and Hikari just gave him a nasty look. Hikari grabbed Shinji and rushed him from the gathering crowd. They could hear Touji making some stupid joke about Shinji giving out autographs after school.

In class the teacher was showing some movie. The only light coming from the windows. The old man, who normally would be droning on about life before Second Impact, was fast asleep at his desk. Seems talking was the only thing that keeps the man from passing out. Students had their desks in small clusters. Touji and Hikari gathered their desks to surround Shinji on both flanks to shield him from the eyes in the room. They had to move Rei's desk with her in to get her to join their gathering. Kensuke is nervously shaking at his desk.

"How could she do that?" says Shinji.

"I told you. I heard she could be a bitch." says Touji. He looks to Kensuke and pats him on the arm. "What's wrong with you?"

Kensuke flinches. "It's nothing." he says. His eyes filled with paranoia.

"Is Asuka…. alright?" asks Hikari in a small voice.

"She was sooo angry, but she's not here. I guess she's staying at home." says Shinji.

"Probably ashamed." adds Touji. Hikari was about to scold Touji when Shinji's reaction catches her eye.

He clenches his fist. His expression is too hard to read. Is he depressed or angry? "She didn't deserve that." he says.

"All you're doing is complaining." says Rei. "If you want there to be change - take action."

"I need to go out for a bit." Shinji says to Hikari. Out in the halls students are laughing and sharing their favorite quote from the paper. All of them have to do with Asuka.

"Don't fall in, Ikari." Touji says, as Shinji calmly walks out of the room. Touji slides over a seat to sit next to Hikari.

"I can't believe all those lies Mana wrote about Asuka." says Hikari. She bolts from her seat and slips out the door. Touji looks disappointed as he was just about to slip his arm around her shoulder. He watches the dull movie for about five minutes.

The mood out in the hall changes. There seems to be a panic in the air. The class room door slams open. A young boy with a buzz cut looks like he has seen the devil. "S-she's been spotted in the building! Soryu's Here!" Boys and girls gasp in the panic. Rei is the only student who has no reaction.

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The crowds of students filling the halls part like the red sea. Asuka walks in a quiet rage. No Angel has ever seen this look in her eye. Her hair flows behind her like a fire. No one makes a sound as she passes. Her piercing blue eyes dart back and fourth as she scans the crowds.

She comes to a stop and the students gasp. Asuka suddenly points to a person just outside of her blind spot. The target is a mousy looking fifteen year old boy. "You!" she says. The boy flattens against the wall by some invisible force. Asuka walks up to him and the other students move out of the way. The boy starts to sweat. "You look like the kind of boy who would know where they make the paper."

"I-I-Uh." the boy mutters. "I'm n..n..not s… sure."

Asuka swings a punch that barely misses his head and slams into the locker behind him. She removes her fist to show the metal door is dented. No words. She just glares. The boy glances to the metal crater. "Second floor. Northwest wing." he says.

Asuka smiles and starts back on her way. Students scatter to clear a path. The mousy boy passes out. Only one jock, three times Asuka's size, is stupid enough to stand in her way. He is left in her wake groaning on the floor, holding his crotch. A single thought runs through her head. "Dirne sollen wurfel."

The hall on the second floor is clear of all students. The red head juggernaut comes close to her target. She comes to the door and shakes her head. The room shouldn't of been hard to find. The sign on the door says:

School Paper Staff

She is about to grab the door when sounds of someone yelling comes from inside. She listens to the door. Who ever it is sounds almost as angry as her. "SHUT UP! How could you!" someone screams inside the room.

Asuka recognizes the voice. She thinks, "Is that Shinji… yelling?"

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Mana stands in front of her desk in the room students make the school paper. Shinji holds his ground a few feet ahead of her. A line has been crossed and he can no longer control his own thoughts.

"What are you complaining about?" Mana says confused. "Everyone in the school thinks you're a hero now."

"I never asked you to do that!" Shinji hollers. "I don't want it. I'm no hero!"

"Neither is that bitch, Asuka. I know while she's been here she's never won a single battle on her own.

"Where did you hear that?"

"Well, a few kind words, well placed hand, and your lil' friend Aida can be quite the talker."

"Damn, Kensuke. Hacking on your dad's computer." Shinji thinks. "That's not her fault! It's the same for me. I'm no good. I have always needed help. Asuka is closer to a hero then I ever will be."

"How can you defend her?"

"She at least knows why she pilots! My heart is weak, but her's is strong. She doesn't need me."

"I've seen the way she treats you. Pushing you around, and treating everyone else like they aren't good enough for her."

"You don't understand her! That gives you no right to lie about her like that!"

"She's not your friend, Shinji." Mana says.

Those words cut into Shinji's heart. "I know…. I know she doesn't like me. She may even hate me."

"So why would you put up with that?"

"Cause I'm her friend! She may not care about me, but I care about her! I..I need her, and I wont abandon her." There is a long silence in the room. Shinji turns and walks to the door.

"Don't go, Shinji."

"Just leave me alone." he says, opening up the door, and his eyes meet with Asuka. Her cheeks flush, standing in complete silence. Her anger is gone, replaced by confusion. Shinji realizes she must of heard every word. Her heart skips a beat and she runs down the hall to the stairs. Shinji leans out the door calling after her. "Asuka, Wait!" He hears a muffled gasp from the other end of the hall. He looks to see Hikari standing there, hand to her mouth. The blushing tells him that she must have heard him as well.

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Half hour later a lone girl sits on a bench on the bluff that overlooks Tokyo-3. She closes her eyes as she feels the warm sun. The birds singing in the trees. She's filled with peace and confusion, slowly tapping her feet on the ground. This calm is broken by a soft voice that calls out to her. "Asuka?"

Asuka glances to her right and sees her friend standing there. "Oh, hey."

"You alright? I was worried about you." Hikari says.

"Class Rep, you worry about everything." says Asuka looking to the flying birds. "That's your problem." She pats on the bench next to her gesturing for Hikari to join her.

"And your problem is you don't talk when you need it." she says, taking a seat. They sit together for a few minutes. Hikari can understand why Asuka came here. It's so calming.

"How did you find me?" Asuka asks.

"I guessed." Hikari shrugs. "This is… a place we've come to talk before."

Asuka murmurs a sound of her understanding. There is another short pause in the conversation. "Me and Shinji - talked here while we were training together. After I ran off."

"I remember that. I yelled at him to go find you."

Asuka chuckles, and says warmly, "That's why? He's such a dork. You have to tell him to do everything.".

"That Mana is such a bitch." Hikari says with venom. Asuka glances to her friend in surprise. Hikari gathers her calm again. "Want to know what happened after you left?"

"Okay." she says in a removed tone.

"The principle found out about all the lies that were in that story."

"How?"

"I told him."

"I didn't ask you to do that you know?" says Asuka a bit upset.

"I know. I wanted to. No way I was going to let her get away with that." Hikari sets her bag on the ground. "Mana was called into the office. She was told they found out about her lies, and she tried to argue. She said she didn't make up any quotes."

Asuka looks upset. "I have never dated any of those pigs at school!"

"I know. Turns out the boy who said it was Haru Fuso."

"Ew, that nerd who smells like he doesn't bath?" Asuka says disgusted. "I don't even like the idea of the rumor that I would touch him."

"She just took that rumor, that he started of coarse, and used it in the story. She knew it was a lie. It just fit into her design." Hikari can't help a smile as she knows Asuka is going to like what will come next. "She was ordered to make an apology. She refused, and was told if she didn't she would be banned from the school paper through her junior and high school career."

The red head chuckles. "Bet she didn't like that."

"Nope. She wants to go to school for journalism. You know they look at your past works when you file for admittance? It wouldn't look too good if her last big story was found out to be full of lies and personal attacks."

"She'd wind up a tabloid reporter, or working for Faux News."

"Yeah. So now not only does she have to write a special edition for tomorrow. She has to read it over the PA to the whole school."

Asuka starts laughing. "Oh, that sounds like a blast. Too bad I wont be there to hear it."

"Wh-what do you mean Asuka? It's the last day."

"I know. I just don't want to deal with it all, or go to jail for murder." Asuka looks to her disappointed friend. "I'll call you. We'll do something this weekend." They both smile and look to the shining city.

Hikari bites her lip. "I… I heard it all you know. What he said. Have you talked with him?" Asuka just shakes her head. Hikari looks into the trees and sees a mother bird chirping around her nest. "That was pretty romantic." she says, speaking of Shinji's oath to never abandon Asuka.

"Yeah." Asuka says impressed. She catches herself and looks to her friend. "I didn't ask for his help either."

"I know, but he cares about you, Asuka. So do I."

"Why would he do that for me? I don't deserve it." Asuka looks to the ground in reflection, and her eyes return to the sky. "Hikari," she struggles with her thoughts. "do… do you think he… LOVES me?"

"No…"

Asuka bows her head in defeat. Memories of her past with Shinji fill her mind. "You're right." she says. "How could he? I've been horrible to him since day one. Always mocking him, hitting him. How could anyone put up with me?"

"That's not what I meant." Hikari says grinning from ear to ear. "I mean, how could he love you? When you've never even gone out on a date." She starts to giggle.

"Well, there's the arcade." Asuka says with a sheepish grin.

"That doesn't count. He didn't know it was a date."

"You're one to talk." The two look into each others eyes and share a hearty laugh. "I want to go home." Asuka takes Hikari by the hands and they start to walk back into the city.

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Shinji made his way home slowly. He walked out of school just after the confrontation with Mana. He didn't tell anyone he was leaving. Shinji found Pen-pen out of his room digging through the fridge. He tossed his school bag into his bedroom and walked onto the balcony.

The clouds drifted in front of the sun, casting at large shadow.

Some time later he is still outside. Shinji stands on the balcony of his apartment. Quietly, he scans the horizon. Shinji's eyes are filled with confusion. Something that Rei said just triggered something in him earlier. He confessed his heart. He didn't know at the time, but Asuka heard the whole thing.

"Some friend you are." A voice calls from behind. "At least Hikari was out there looking for me." He turns and sees Asuka, her hands on her hips and brows furrowed. She always looks so much more intimidating that way. "And where do I find you? Standing here and moping like an idiot." she says.

"A-As-" he says.

"Shut it!" Asuka says, hodling out her hand suddenly. She strides upon him with purpose. "How stupid are you? All this time living together." She starts poking him in the chest every few words. "Where the HELL did you get in that thick skull that I would hate you! That I wasn't your friend! I swear if you were any more dense your head would be made of stone." Asuka exhales as if she has just had a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

Shinji looks to her in absolute confusion. He holds on the railing in fear he may fall off and onto the pavement below. "About at school, Asuka. I just want to say I'm -"

Asuka is enraged. She cuts him off saying, "Don't You Dare! Don't you dare EVER apologize for that. If you ever apologize for that I really will HATE you.". She strikes him on the shoulder with her opened palm. "Got that!"

Shinji nods his head in agreement "Yeah."

Her expression softens and she smiles. "I never thought you had it in you. Shinji Ikari finally grew a spine." She takes Shinji by the wrist and leads him back inside. "Come on. I'm hungry, and your cooking tonight."

"Sure." he says. Shinji smiles as he notices her grip on his arm is much softer then he ever remembers.

Misato ran inside the apartment forty minutes later, her eyes frantic. She looks like she has been driving around town with her head out the window. "Shinji, is she here!" she says. She glances around, and is shocked by the sight that greets her. Shinji is carrying in a bowl of miso stew. Asuka is sitting on the couch flipping through a magazine, rather then reading it.

"Welcome home. I was just about to call you for dinner."

"What's happenin'." Asuka says, casually, raising her hand, not looking from her magazine.

Misato runs her hands through her hair. She walks up to Asuka. "You-you're here?"

Asuka glances around and looks to Misato. "Uh, Yeah. I live here."

"I know you left. You assaulted a member of security."

"I didn't know that. I had to go out for a bit, and I though he was a peeper." she says, looking as if she has absolutely no idea what Misato is trying to imply. Asuka looks over to Shinji. "Hey, food ready yet?"

"The vegetables will be one more minute." he says.

Asuka jumps from the couch and takes a seat at the table. Misato drops her phone in confusion. Pen-pen walks up to Misato to hand her a beer.

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To Be Continued...
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