Chapter 1: A New Morning
Six Months After Prevented Third Impact
"Hey, Shinji. Wake up." Kaji said in a hushed tone as he shook the disoriented teen.
Despite a few incoherent groans, the Third Child showed no intentions of waking from his rare, deep slumber.
This was one of the few occasions that he slept in his bed through the night ever since their victorious stand against SEELE.
Luckily, Misato gave the pilots a well-deserved, long break from any and all things Eva related. One of the conditions of said time off was that the kids would work on their physical fitness and conditioning in order to mitigate the possibility of coming off too sluggish when Eva training resumed. Besides, Misato reminded the kids that they won't be young forever and needed to take better care of themselves.
Easy to say for a woman who barely exercised, drank a 12-pack of beer a night, and yet somehow had the physique of a Pilates instructor.
Kaji was also included in Misato's new fitness plans. He thought if he had to take up running a couple of hours before dawn three days a week he was definitely going to drag Shinji with him.
Whereas Shinji immediately obliged, Asuka was more adamant that 'she didn't need silly boys slowing her down since that they won't be in shape enough to keep up with her.'
"Come on Shinji it's Monday, you know what that means." Kaji was more forceful this time.
"Ka...Kaji…what time is it? Is the sun even out yet?" Shinji said in a groggy voice.
"Five past 4 in the morning. C'mon 'Invincible Shinji' we've been doing this for weeks now."
Shinji shot up at that and let out a half- asleep sigh. "I told you not to call me that."
"What? It got you up didn't it? Plus, I'm surprised I didn't have to throw you off the couch this time."
"It's a comfy couch…" Shinji whispered.
"I did buy it for a reason, none of which included you sleeping on it so much. You have this bed you know?" Kaji suddenly went from sarcastic to serious. He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from the teen himself.
Shinji looked down at his sheets before getting out of bed and grabbing his running gear. "I have trouble sleeping still. These last few months after that fight have been…hard."
Kaji noticed how dejected the boy got all of a sudden. "Do you want to talk about it? You and Asuka have barely told me or Katsuragi a word about that battle since it happened."
Shinji shook his head and began stretching. "No, not really. Let's just get this run over with so I can get breakfast going before school."
"Don't worry Shinji, I'll have you back in time to cook Asuka, I mean, all of us some Western-style breakfast you suspiciously started preparing every morning out of nowhere." Kaji wasn't done messing with the half-awake boy just yet.
"Will you quit that already!" Shinji shouted as Kaji shushed him while holding in a laugh as to not wake up the apartment's other two inhabitants. Even in the dark, he noticed how much Shinji was blushing as he shouted.
"Alright be outside in two." The man walked towards the kitchen to wait. He did overhear Shinji mutter how he and Asuka have barely talked much the last few months anyway as he was ushered out the door.
Shinji finally joined Kaji and the two headed to the destination of their every-other-morning workout routine. As they left the apartment, neither of the two noticed the redhead peering her head out of her bedroom door.
"Idiot Shinji." Asuka said to herself as she closed the door and went back to bed.
Despite the early morning humidity that had been mainstay in Japan's endless summer since Second Impact, the morning was brisk with a light breeze.
Kaji and Shinji both bent over panting and drenched in sweat as they completed another long exercise.
It consisted of a three-mile run followed by three circuits of pull-ups, push-ups, and sit-ups. A regimen the Third Child quickly, and surprisingly, grew accustomed to while Kaji didn't have as much luck. This fitness disparity was the one thing Shinji can quip back at Kaji with in order to retort his insistent teasing of the boy.
"Sheesh…you sure… you haven't done this before?" Kaji gasped out between breaths. Shinji took in some air and smirked.
"No, you're just getting older. Maybe you shouldn't smoke so much."
Kaji smiled as they made their way over to a nearby bench and sat in silence for a bit. They observed the pond in front of them as it began to be lit by the creeping twilight.
The older inspector and new Chief of Operations over at Jet Alone's new private defense contracting company finally broke the silence and spoke. "Well, T-RIDEN-T'S new pilot program better make sure they have only the best if they're going to keep up with the First, Second, and Third Children."
Shinji immediately frowned and looked down at his shoes. He had forgotten about the synch test next week. Forgotten about Rei's current condition. Forgotten that SEELE's leaders and his father were still at large along with the blueprints for the Mass-Produced Evas. Forgotten that the war to protect humanity from Third Impact was unfortunately far from over.
Noticing Shinji's mood, Kaji tried to recover.
"Shinji, I know you don't want to talk about it. I know these last few months have been tough for you and Asuka, especially after the incidents both of you had in the core of your Evas when we won against those demonic-looking bastards that day."
Kaji took a deep breath and continued.
"However, keeping it in and shutting down won't do you much good. It's important that you talk to people who care about you guys in order to let loose the burden all those emotions carry. Don't you think?"
Shinji did not look up. Instead he opened and closed his right hand while letting out a sigh.
"Did we win though? Sure we beat those…creepy Evas SEELE attacked us with. We stopped my father. We should all be happy. But why does it feel like we didn't win anything at all Kaji?"
Shinji quickly brushed his hand over his shirt where one of his three souvenirs that day was located just under the sweaty, dry-fit cotton. The biggest one of the trio.
He closed his eyes for a second, then looked ahead again and continued."Tokyo-3 is still rebuilding. Ex-residents just started moving back to the city. Asuka and I still have to get ready and train as if the Angels are about to come after NERV again. And…"
Shinji paused for a second and clenched both his fists. He glared and bitterly said his next words.
"Rei is probably going to have to as well whenever she wakes up."
He looked around at the surrounding construction before continuing. Kaji really wish he had a cigarette at the moment.
"And now we have these pilots in some new 'defense support' program your company has been working on since before the Jet Alone incident? What about them? Are they ready for whatever 'fight' is next? Or are they just going to get hurt like Asuka, Rei, and I have…or worse?"
Kaji lifted his hand up and began. "Shinji…"
"What did we really accomplish, Kaji? Asuka's barely talked to anyone except Hikari these past few months. Everyone in school looks at us as if we are more different now than during the Angel War. Our friends know little details about what her and I had to do that day…to save us all from…who knows what…"
Shinji now looked at Kaji directly in the eyes.
"I don't really feel like anything's changed at all. What's going to happen next? Will we…" He couldn't finish the sentence.
His train of thought was lost in his stupor. What the Third Child did know was that he was tired. Tired of all the fighting and pain it brought to him and those he cared about. Tired of constantly having to be ready for battle at any moment even though it's all supposed to be over.
"Not only Asuka, but you've been reserved yourself these last few months. Heck, this is the first time you've really talked about that day with me or Katsuragi. I'm happy you're at least talking about it now, but you have to learn to give yourself more credit and not fall into that pit of self-hatred, Shinji."
Kaji spoke and sounded as sincere as he possibly could. He needed to be as he led into his next question.
"For what it's worth, you're taking this whole 'back to piloting' thing a lot better than I thought you would, but I have to ask."
"Well, do you want to pilot the Eva?"
Kaji had been dancing around this conversation for some time now. However, it was the question that finally needed to be asked. For everyone's sake, and more importantly, for the sake of the closest person whom Kaji could call a son.
"It's your decision, Shinji. No matter what you decide, I won't hold it against you. You've done more than enough, and I'll support you any way I can, but you have to choose. You can't just delay it any longer."
Kaji let that hang in the air for a bit. He noticed Shinji look down at his hands and open up to reveal red calluses in the shape of a circle on each palm.
Battle scars from that fateful day that would eventually heal physically but would never leave the boy completely. Just like the large one under his shirt. Just like the one his co-pilot currently wore on her face.
Before Kaji could make a comment, Shinji looked up and let out a smirk the man could have almost mistaken for a smile.
"I do."
Shinji had a more apparent smile after his answer. Then he glanced at the pond and began to speak as if he was releasing some heavy weight off his marked chest.
"Had Misato asked me to do this a week after Asuka and I came home from the hospital, I might have been angry and said no. But it's been a long few months. And…well, I have people that really matter to me, a lot more than even I thought was possible."
He stared at the inching sunrise in the horizon as he continued to speak in a low yet partially upbeat voice.
"You kept your promise to me that day Kaji, and so did Misato. You guys still do by taking care of Asuka and me each and every day." Shinji was practically gushing with gratitude as he laid out his reasoning to the surprised former spy.
"Toji, despite his injuries from my, uh, the Dummy Plug and the Thirteenth's Angel doing, continues to do his best and make the most out of his life. And he…doesn't blame me somehow."
Kaji listened intently to every word Shinji said as he had waited for months for him to finally speak about what was on his mind. If only he or Misato could have had better luck with the Second Child.
"And Asuka, well, despite everything, she wants to stay and fight too. I can't leave her or Rei hanging to do this alone. What type of person would that make me? I have people I care about who fight every day. I owe it to them to not run away in case they need me."
He rubbed the spot on his shirt where the scar was.
"I don't think running away or doing nothing ever did me any good. You helped me see that Kaji. I think I owe it to you guys and maybe even myself to stay and keep fighting until it's finally over."
Shinji's smile stretched a little bit wider now. However, his smile was nowhere near as big as Kaji's.
While the boy was still filled with doubt and had issues appreciating himself, he was trying. The fact that he had spent the last few months with Kaji's words to him on his mind was a testament to that.
It was a nice moment of serenity between the two until Shinji's next comment really shifted gears.
"Besides, Ayanami and Unit-01 are…" Shinji closed his eyes shut for a second. Almost as if he was trying to stifle tears. He looked away and continued, voice barely above a whisper.
"My last connection to my mother. Leaving the Eva would mean leaving her and…"
The Third Child again found himself unable to finish. Why couldn't he just walk away from all of this? Third Impact and the Human Instrumentality Project were prevented. He and Asuka won that day. So why couldn't they just move on with their lives and be normal teens?
He knew the answer to this already.
Truth be told, it was more than just his mother and his friends. There was one friend in particular that he felt he owed. Especially after that day, just when he thought he stopped the spear from impaling her, they were blind-sided.
"How can I make it up to those I've allowed to get hurt?" Shinji's voice began to rise, "Especially Asuka on that day when I-"
"Okay now this is where I stop you from finishing that sentence." Kaji said in a semi-angry voice.
Maybe he spoke too soon. No, he didn't. Shinji has done a lot of growing up these past few months. However, he is still a self-deprecating teenager. One who hated himself to a fault. He still had work to do in order to get past that personal strife.
Kaji stepping in to call him out on that would hopefully help him get past that flaw.
"You and I both know she does not blame you for that." Kaji said.
Shinji looked down and mumbled. "She doesn't act like it…at least not most of the time."
Kaji leaned back and sighed. "Looks like you're missing the forest for the trees again, Invincible Shinji."
Shinji glared at him. "I said stop calling me that!"
The man chuckled at this outburst. "For a battle-hardened kid who helped save humanity from God knows what, you are way too easy to provoke."
The boy simply groaned and looked ahead at the pond again. That was, until Kaji's next words caught his attention.
"You, Asuka, and Ayanami are heroes. Katsuragi and I are proud of you. Your friends are proud of you. Most importantly, I'm sure your mothers are proud of you guys too. You know that right?"
Kaji said as firmly as possible without sounding like he was just telling him empty words he thought he wanted the teen to hear.
He meant every word.
Shinji didn't move. He only took in a deep breath and continued looking ahead. Kaji faced the same direction and continued.
"So stop looking for excuses to hate and belittle yourself. You'll never grow as a person or be happy if you keep doing that."
That one hit a little too close to home for the both of them.
The Third Child's eyes went wide, and he simply nodded as the two continued to look at the peaking sunrise across the pond.
It was another 15 minutes before Kaji suggested they start heading back to Misato's place before they were late, and she ended up making breakfast. An idea they both laughed at to hide their disgust at whatever science experiment she would attempt to conjure and call a meal.
As they began walking in silence, Shinji asked Kaji a vague question that froze the man in his tracks.
"Kaji, how do you do it?"
The only sounds were the bushes rustling from the breeze and birds beginning to chirp.
"What do you mean?" Kaji finally said in an uncharacteristically low voice.
"I mean how do you…deal with it. You know? When you hate yourself? When you…think about…" Shinji didn't know how to finish that question without coming across as too intrusive.
He didn't want to make Kaji uncomfortable, but he needed an answer. Selfish as it might be, he was hoping Kaji would at least give him advice on how he dealt with his own demons.
"My brother? And you, Misato, and Asuka? My…" He visibly tensed up and contorted his face as if the next words were going to be the hardest thing he's ever had to say out loud.
"My family." The man said strongly.
Shinji gasped and looked up.
They really meant that much to Kaji. Shinji knew the man cared about him and the others. However, hearing those words out loud put a feeling in his chest that he can't remember ever having.
He didn't know what to say to that. For the first time since that battle, Shinji truly felt like they had won. He understood what Kaji meant the night before the siege when he told him men fight for those they care about.
No not just men, people, like Kaji, Asuka, Misato, Rei, and Toji, have other people and bonds they think are worth living for. Those bonds are worth fighting for in order to protect.
Aside from Kaji, he didn't know where the others stood with him. Did he matter to them as much as they mattered to him? Shinji wanted to know, but deep down he knew that wasn't important right now because they mattered to him.
Shinji was sure he wanted to pilot the Eva. Not just for him, not just for his mother, but for them too. He was ready to fight to protect what mattered to him until the end.
"Does it ever get easier?" Shinji muttered while looking down.
Kaji glanced at him and let out a sympathetic smirk.
"Too be honest, it never really does get easier Shinji." Kaji said with his familiar confidence. That got the boy to meet his eyes.
"Those memories, those scars, and that pain…it never really goes away. Just like my hurt is a part of me, yours is a part of you, whether you want to accept that or not." Kaji put his hands in his pockets and looked out at the horizon as the sun started to come up just a little bit more.
Shinji was about to blurt out something, but Kaji went on.
"But that's the thing, just because it's there doesn't mean it has to define you. We just have to recognize that it's there and keep moving forward little by little each day with that and those you live for on your mind. That also includes living for and accepting yourself too." Kaji stretched his arms out before pressing on.
"Life isn't just those lows. That's a miserable way to go about one's existence. It's also full of highs with the potential for more." Kaji said.
"And more pain." Shinji rebutted in a sarcastic tone.
Kaji thought it was at least good that the boy had developed a more humorous, although cynical, side to him these last few months.
"You are way too young to be this pessimistic." Kaji chuckled.
"Wha- easy for you to say. Why don't you try piloting Unit 01 against the Angels." Shinji tried to sound serious, but he couldn't stifle his laugh.
"Are you sure your mother would like that? She probably wouldn't mind but can't say the same for you or Katsuragi." Kaji was unsure if he should have said that, but the low-hanging fruit was just too easy of a chance to pass up.
"Kaji!" Now that struck a nerve with Shinji as he jumped back and glared. He didn't even use Asuka against him this time, yet he still got him flustered.
The man almost fell over from laughing so hard. Even Shinji gave in and started chuckling too.
It seemed laughter really was infectious.
After the laughter faded, the guys decided it was time to head back home.
"So what's for breakfast today?" Kaji asked, hand over his stomach. The post-workout hunger now taking over.
"German potato omlettes. Think I finally figured out how to get the taste just right. Might even make some sausage too!" Shinji stated with some rather peculiar enthusiasm.
"German cuisine again, huh? Well that's one way to get into the heart of one spec-"
"No! No! Not this again!" Shinji looked down and put his hands over his face. He still couldn't hide the color on his cheeks.
"It's not like that and you know it! Haven't you teased me enough already for today? It's barely morning."
The two began making their way out of the park towards Kaji's car as the dawn sky began hanging over them in the background.
Both of them were in a much better mood than when they came here an hour ago to slog through this way too early workout. Maybe Misato was right, exercising consistently didn't seem so bad after all.
Day of the Siege on NERV, Six Months Prior
Shivering thanks to the freezing temperatures of the NERV medical ward, Shinji gasped and shot his eyes open. With his earbuds in and SDAT on the floor, he had been curled up in a fetal position thanks to the lack of an available blanket, leaving him a bit stiff. At least he was able to get some sleep after plugging in his earbuds and replaying the conversation he had with Kaji last night in his mind.
'Check-in with Asuka and Katsuragi.'
'It may be too late for me to undue my mistakes, but it's not too late for you despite what you think.'
'Asuka may think many things, but I would be willing to bet that deep down, she doesn't hate you.'
'Only you can decide what to do tonight.'
'I promise I'll have your back this time Shinji. I will fight with you.'
He kept replaying those phrases from Kaji among others over and over again. He sat there in his thoughts for several minutes longer until a sudden voice took him out of his head and back to reality.
"Mr. Ikari, she's in room 303 whenever you are ready." Said the upbeat day-shift nurse, blissfully unaware along with the young pilot of the events that were about to take place.
Shinji stood there shocked for a second. "How did you know that I wanted to see her?"
"Major Katsuragi tipped us off that you might want to when the Second Child was brought in here." The nurse said.
Shinji clenched his fists and looked down.
"Thank you." He said without meeting her gaze as he began moving towards the hallway.
"No problem! Let me know if you get lost. Although I'm sure that won't be a problem for one of our regulars." The nurse blurted out in a poor attempt at humor.
The Third Child nodded awkwardly and continued down the hall at a faster pace to get as quickly away from the waiting room as possible.
Shinji arrived at Asuka's hospital room and slowly opened the door. He was not prepared for what was on the other side.
There she was, the once prideful and unstoppable pilot of Evangelion Unit 02, reduced to a pale and comatose shell hooked up to all these wires and tubes connected to beeping machines and liquid bags.
The boy started letting warm tears roll down his face. The guilt of his past failures to her re-entered his mind.
"Asuka…"
He carefully noted the IV tubes in the veins of her arms. Shinji's eyes traveled to her wrist, where she had semi-fresh cuts and scratches along with some bandages.
It was even worse than he could have imagined. What happened to her?
"Asuka…I'm so sorry." Shinji moved closer to her and began clenching his fists again as he looked away for a second.
The minutes felt like an eternity as he stood there in horror. The only sound being his sniffling and the beeping of the machines.
Shinji regretted coming here. He didn't have a plan as to what he was going to say to her, as if she could even hear him. He never knew what to say to Asuka, whether conscious or not. The boy finally blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.
"Asuka…Kaji….he's alive. I talked to him last night."
No answer. More agonizing minutes of silence. Same painful image before him. Even more tears.
Shinji wiped his face and continued. "He's worried about you too. He also warned me about some big fight…and made me promise I'd fight with him but…"
He couldn't continue without alternating sad looks at her and the floor.
One of his closest friends, despite all the pain she caused him, lifeless and unable to even open her eyes. Perhaps she thought differently, but to Shinji, she was a friend.
Shinji wanted her to wake up and notice him there at her bed side. Just like Rei had been there for him all those times he woke up when he was in her position under an unfamiliar ceiling. He wanted her to insult him and call him an idiot like she always did. Call him a pervert for coming into her hospital room unannounced while she looked her worst and was dressed in nothing but a small hospital gown.
He wanted her to wake up and gush about Kaji being alive. Scream with gleeful joy at how excited she would be to see him again.
She didn't even need to apologize to him for how she treated him the last time he saw her conscious, when he broke the news of her former guardian's disappearance before she ran away.
He would just be happy to know that she was awake and okay.
He wanted, no, needed her to acknowledge him right then. Maybe even stand by him and fight whatever was coming.
Even if she wasn't up for it, he wouldn't blame her. How could he? He was still unsure if he was willing to fight.
She would at least be alive and awake to give him an answer.
"Asuka…I need your help…" Shinji looked down at her and began again.
"I think something bad is about to happen to us and everyone here at NERV. At least that's what Kaji said. He promised he'd have my back and fight with me, but I can't just believe that's going to be the case. I can't do this alone. I'm just some useless coward, remember?" Shinji almost chuckled.
She just laid there, unmoving. Shinji started to yell.
"Didn't you hear me Asuka?! I think we're in danger! I can't fight alone! Please wake up! Promise you'll fight with me! Call me a wimp for even asking you right now! I would deserve it! I know that! But Asuka please just wake up!" Shinji pleaded as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Asuka wake up!" The boy shook her once and was now shouting as the tears started falling off his face and onto her sunken cheek.
It was then that he stopped and took a step back. A new pang of guilt all of a sudden struck him and made him realize what he was doing.
'There's more to Asuka than she lets other people know.'
Kaji's words from last night barged into his mind, whispers coercing him to stop, and he listened.
Was he really this selfish and self-centered? Asuka was in no condition to fight right now, let alone wake up on her own. How could he look at her closed eyes and ask her to do anything for him right now? He wasn't sure if a word Kaji said actually broke through to him.
Did he expect her to just wake up and immediately join him in this ominous endeavor? Wake up and tell him what he wanted to hear from her without even taking into consideration her needs at the moment?
Is that what he wanted from her? Just to be some crutch he could lean on only when his persistent self-loathing came about without doing anything for her in return?
Kaji was right. He wasn't really trying. He was just using that small glimmer of hope that she might wake up to make himself feel better.
And that feeling killed him as he backed away from the bed, turned his back to her, and shot his hands up to his face.
"I really…can't do…anything for you Asuka. I never could…" The boy let out in between whimpers. "I can't help you…I can't protect you…I can't even hope for you to wake up without thinking about myself…I don't deserve to fight by your side…I don't deserve to be near you."
"I really failed you Asuka, didn't I? I'm…the lowest of the low."
Shinji stood there and cried into his hands. Realizing that whatever ounce of hope and motivation Kaji instilled in him last night was slipping away from his grasp. He was pathetic.
The boy was so caught up in his self-deprecating episode that he didn't even hear the commotion that was happening outside the hospital room. The sound of the door hitting the wall caused Shinji to look up at a face he hadn't seen since Kaji's return.
Standing at the threshold at the door was Misato, clad in her typical NERV uniform, gun in hand, and a face that was battle hardened and looked like she was about to shoot a man point blank. Shinji also couldn't help but notice what looked like a blood stain on her jacket.
"M-Misato?" Shinji said wiping his eyes.
Upon seeing her two charges, Misato's expression immediately changed to fleeting relief. "Shinji! Thank goodness you two are here in the same place." Misato said.
Before Shinji could utter another word, the Major lunged at him and pulled him into a tight bear hug before almost immediately letting go, confusing the boy as he tensed up.
"Misato, what's going on?" Shinji finally managed to blurt out.
The boy's guardian put her free hand on his shoulder while she pointed the gun down and away in the other hand. "Shinji, we have to move. I'll fill you in on what's happening on the way. I promise, but right now, I need you to help me move Asuka and get you two to the cages." Misato said in a soft tone, bringing the reprieve of the temporary reunion to a grinding halt.
"Why?" Shinji whispered.
"We won't be safe here. That's why we have to get you two in the Evas for protection. We have to move."
Nurses filed in to remove Asuka's IV and disconnect the heart monitors.
Shinji felt paralyzed. What was going on? He couldn't really process everything that was happening.
That was, until two simple words Misato had uttered finally sunk into his brain: 'I promise.'
This was the second adult who said those words to him in the last twelve hours. Only this adult was probably the most important one to him. The flawed stand-in mother who showed more care and concern for the boy than any other person had.
Now it was time for him to make that choice. The choice to fight and redeem himself with his loved ones.
Misato broke him out of his thoughts by nudging him to the foot of Asuka's bed while she headed for the opposite side. They both unlocked the bed's wheels and began pushing and pulling it out of the room.
The two slowly made their way outside of the hospital room and towards the direction of the cages. There was a small unit of armed guards in riot gear covering their backside while a couple of Section 2 agents led the way in front of them.
Shinji and Misato were moving on autopilot with Misato leading the way. The impromptu escort to the cages gave Shinji enough time to focus on two thoughts.
One was that he still hadn't had the chance to tell Misato that Kaji was alive. The second was that he had to put his trust into a couple of promises both Kaji and Misato had made to him in the last several hours.
He hoped that he would make it out of this day alive long enough to share with his guardian the former.
Present Day
Asuka pulled the cover over her head to shield her from the day's first sunlight. She wasn't able to fall asleep after she was politely woken up by Shinji's uncharacteristic shouting and Kaji's juvenile laughing just a couple of hours ago. Just like Shinji, sleep did not come easy to her over the past few months.
"Those two dummies really get on my nerves," She grumbled as she mentally prepared for the day.
She began rubbing her eye when she heard someone knock.
"Go away, I'm obviously awake." She said in a put-upon tone.
"Good, I wanted to talk to you," Misato said as she opened the door already dressed in her NERV commander uniform.
Asuka scoffed as she turned to face the wall. "About what? Do you think we have to have some lame girl-bonding now because Kaji decided to make that idiot his only priority and take him everywhere?"
"Asuka, don't say that. You're just as important to Kaji and me as Shinji is." Misato gently said as she sat at the foot of her bed.
Asuka rolled her one good eye at this and bit back.
"Oh please Misato, don't make me laugh. Stupid Kaji thinks he can all of a sudden come back into our lives and pretend to be a dad or something? All you and he have done is pay attention to Shinji these last few months while completely ignoring me!" The girl was now sitting up and beginning to shout.
"You two didn't save the world from that wimp's bastard father and his goons, we did! Except Shinji got off with a few little scars and I get the handsome reward of one stupid eyepatch!" she pointed at the souvenir on her face.
The pilots were laughably dubbed the 'Preventers of the Human Instrumentality Project" by the Bridge Bunnies. How cringey. Worst of all, the cost of victory for her was her left eye.
"The idiot even said I looked like a pirate…" she said in a low tone looking down at her hands.
Misato let out a sigh and looked down at the floor in front of her. While she was happy that Kaji was back and very much a mainstay in her life right now, words could not describe how proud she was at her two wards for their heroic stand that day.
She couldn't imagine what that fight took out of them nor would she ever. She was even more disheartened at the fact that she needed them to start getting ready to train again.
Something that, to Misato's surprise, the Second Child wasn't too enthusiastic about. She thought that Asuka would be elated to jump back into an entry plug after the revelations that came out about the Evas to the young pilots that day.
However, Asuka seemed indifferent. This shock came with the impending news of NERV's future plans for the pilots Commander Katsuragi had to deliver. The woman was still unsure of how she was going to break the news to them, nor did she know how they would react.
That would have to wait. Right now, she needed to be there for Asuka. She has to be the guardian the girl desperately needed ever since she first arrived in Japan on the 'Over The Rainbow.' To Misato and Kaji's credit, they both have tried to reach and help Asuka these past few months.
All those efforts have yielded no effect. Sure, Shinji and Asuka's relationship appeared to be slightly better despite the few words exchanged between them on a daily basis. They still walk to school and hang out with their friends together. They would sometimes go on swims in the pool at NERV headquarters as part of Misato's fitness demands.
Well, Asuka did most of the training in the pool. Shinji was still learning how to swim properly, which seemed to be the only thing to make Asuka smile or laugh these days as she teased him.
Asuka never, however, said anything about the giant scar Shinji had acquired from their battle against the Mass-Produced Evas that ran from his chest across his abdomen. Even she had a line that she would never cross simply for the cheap thrill of a laugh at her co-pilot's expense.
There were plenty of other times for that chance.
Then there were the moments the teens were together in the apartment. Sometimes, the two would quietly watch TV or play video games together after finishing their homework. There wasn't much work left to do for the kids in school with the end of middle school so close. This meant Shinji and Asuka had a lot more down time at home.
Misato also remembered those mornings where she woke up to Shinji on the new couch in the living room and Asuka on a futon next to him on the floor. Shinji spent more nights sleeping on that couch than his own bed, something the boy justified as "trouble sleeping."
She never directly asked Asuka why she slept on that futon when he was there. When she tried to subtly inquire about it one day, Asuka got defensive and said it was none of her business and that she slept well on that futon anyways so why did it matter.
As far as her and Kaji were aware, neither of the two had spoken about that impromptu sleeping arrangement, but Shinji knew she was there. This was despite the fact that Asuka always woke up before him and hurried away before he could wake up and notice her.
Why does she do it? That was something Misato and, she thought, Asuka would like to know.
Misato finally got out of her stupor and began speaking again, unaware how long the two have been sitting in silence.
"Asuka, he was high on painkillers after that battle and you know it. He didn't mean it as an insult either. From what I recall, his exact words we-"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I remember what he said dammit!" Asuka shouted as her cheeks turned the same color as her hair.
Misato smiled at her. "Besides, we haven't ignored you, we try don't we? You close yourself off and don't talk to or acknowledge us. You still haven't talked about that day or what you saw in the Eva since."
"Nor am I going to now so don't even bother asking." Asuka quickly bit back.
Misato wondered if she should press the issue. She had a better grasp on Asuka at this point after living with her for just under a year. She knew that Asuka talked when she was ready, but where was the line? Where was the line between giving her space or coming across as if she was ignoring the girl?
Maybe she didn't know anything about her ward at all.
The woman knew damn well how much she failed her and Shinji as a guardian during the Angel War.
Misato knew that she should have done more for Asuka and given her the attention she needed. Something she still shifted blame at Kaji towards despite knowing deep down she couldn't put that on him. She was the one that chose to continue his crusade to find the truth after all.
After helping the kids get to the Evas that day and nearly losing her life shielding them from the JSDF gun fire as they sortied, she swore to herself that she would be the guardian those kids needed as long as she lived.
After all, despite knowing about the true nature of their respective Evas, her and Kaji were all the that the kids had left.
"Okay, so I won't ask. But Asuka, there is something I do need to ask you." Misato tried to maintain her soft tone.
Asuka turned her head and tensed up "Yes, I'm still following your dumb 'fitness plan' on my own, you nag."
Misato shook her head. "No, that's not it." Twirling her purple hair, the Commander finally came out and said it.
"Asuka, are you happy here?"
The two sat in silence for a couple of seconds. Asuka's face then turned into a snarl.
"So you're trying to get rid of me, huh?" She said through gritted teeth.
"No no no! Asuka why would you think that?! I'm just concerned about you!" Misato held up her hands in a stalling motion.
"Ha! Concerned about me? You? That's rich!" Asuka bit back.
Misato hung her head in shame. Her ward was right. Misato was one of the last people on Earth who should be saying that to Asuka. She failed that poor girl towards the end of the Angel War worse than even Kaji did.
Even before then, she remembered the conversation the two had at the hot springs after defeating the Eighth Angel. Asuka, out of the blue, asked her if she knew about her past. Almost like she was trying to reach out and discuss with Misato a painful memory. However, Misato simply shrugged it off as 'the past is the past, just move on.'
All this talk about Idiot-Shinji, it should be Idiot-Misato instead.
Not only had she almost lost Asuka against that Angel, but she almost lost Shinji too. The two teens who saved the world were alive today because of their courageous actions each battle no matter what was thrown at them.
Shinji that day at Mount Asama showed everyone the type of hero he was capable of being. Asuka herself knew it, regardless of whether or not she'd ever admit it.
Maybe that was why she was so harsh on him.
"Asuka, I'm not going to make any excuses for the guardian I was six months ago. I tried but I didn't try hard enough. However selfish it may be, I want to be there for you guys, and I want to be the adult you guys need in your life. So please talk to me, let me help you."
Asuka's face stayed contorted, but she seemed to be considering something. She even appeared like she was going to let her guard down after all these months.
Finally, she began, "It's just…"
"We're home!" Kaji announced as he and Shinji made their way to the kitchen. They slid on their slippers and began making a ruckus.
Misato looked at Asuka, waiting for her to finish. Asuka simply looked away. Misato sighed.
"This isn't over, we'll talk about this after your fitness session at NERV." Misato said standing up and slowly making her way to the door.
"Don't count on it." The words were hard and definite coming from the redhead.
With that Misato slumped her shoulders and made her way to the door, defeated as usual.
Asuka sat there for a second and listened to the small chit-chat going on outside as Shinji started collecting pots and pans to prepare breakfast and bentos for their lunches.
"Yeah…we're home."
Asuka said this to herself with a sudden smirk that could pass for a smile.
Breakfast was a peaceful yet lively endeavor. Misato and Kaji talked about how out of shape he was while Shinji chimed in and confirmed it. The smell of the German omelettes soon filled the apartment. Even Pen Pen emerged from his freezer to take a whiff of the foreign delight that was Shinji's cooking.
Asuka sat in her typical seat at the table in silence. She stared down at her coffee mug and began digesting the conversation that she just had with Misato.
She didn't even notice the plate of food Shinji placed in front of her along with cream and sugar for her coffee. She looked up with her one eye directly into the dark blue eyes that belonged to her complicated roommate.
Neither said a word, they just stared at each other for a second before he looked down at the breakfast cuisine from her homeland and let out a shy half-smile. What the heck was that dork smiling about, she mused before getting her silverware.
As Shinji started walking back to the stove, three words stopped him in his tracks.
"Thank you, Shinji." Asuka said in the softest voice he'd ever heard her say anything in.
Not only Shinji, but everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Misato and Kaji sat there with their mouths slightly agape. Did Asuka just say thank you? To Shinji of all people?
She instantly regretted it and let her now boiling anger known.
"What?! Do you all think I'm that awful that a 'thank you' is more shocking than an Angel attack?! Seriously, when will you all stop thinking so little of me?!" She bit almost rising from her seat.
After an uncomfortable pause, the household resumed with their breakfast before Kaji commented.
"Man, I forgot how hard it was to use silverware instead of chopsticks, it almost makes me want to ditch this for the traditional stuff."
"You didn't use chopsticks once when we were back in Germany, or are you trying your hardest to suppress those memories too?" Asuka's eye shot a glare his way.
Kaji tried to raise his hand and defend himself, but instead he sighed and went back to eating.
Everybody just turned back and went about their breakfast in too awkward of a silence even for them.
With breakfast done and everything all cleaned up, the two teens showered and finished getting ready before finally making their way to school.
"Don't forget, the two of you have to go to NERV after school today for fitness tests and some last-minute check-ups before next week's synch test." Misato called out.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever." Asuka scuffed.
"Fitness tests? But I already worked out with Kaji today." Shinji groaned. Since when were two-a-days part of the plan?
"The extra exercise will do you good, Shinji. Besides, It's already doing wonders in adding muscle to your lean frame." The boy's guardian playfully stated with a teasing smirk.
"Misato!" Shinji had turned red way too more times than he would have liked this morning.
Kaji let out a chuckle before explaining. "Shinji, you still need to finish learning how to swim anyways, think of it as a fun pool day instead of a second workout."
"Wow this all so entertaining. Now can we please leave before the idiot's nosebleed at the drunk slob's comment causes us to be late to school?" Asuka finally had enough.
"Have a great day"
With that, the teens were gone and Misato and Kaji looked at each other with their expressions going from jovial to dejected.
"She has a right to be angry at us you know?" Misato broke the silence.
Kaji sighed. He knew she was right. He had gotten closer to Shinji over these last few months and had a much easier time with the boy. But Asuka? Far cry from the days of her doing everything and anything to get his attention.
The man tried so many times to break through to Asuka since they stopped the Human Instrumentality Project from coming to fruition. He would even invite Asuka on his outings with Shinji every single time. Each time, he was met with a firm "no" and even more closed off responses. Shinji and Hikari were seemingly the only two people she would somewhat interact with. And in the case of the former, she still was cold towards him, just nowhere near as much as she was to he or Misato.
He didn't blame Asuka for hating him right now. How could he? He all but ignored her when they arrived at Japan when she needed someone to look after her, only for him to seemingly "die" while she went through hell with the Angels. When both she and Misato needed him the most.
He could thank his savior and now-boss, Daisuke Kirishima, for this second chance at life he got. Like Misato, he was not about to squander this second chance with her or the pilots.
No more running away or throwing himself in complicated conspiracies. What type of paternal figure would he be to Shinji or Asuka if he didn't practice what he preached?
This still didn't make it any easier on either of the adults.
"I know Katsuragi, I know. I really put you two through hell didn't I?" Kaji finally stood up and closed the distance between him and his partner.
Misato gave in and rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Yes you did jerk. I'm still mad at you too." She slowly reciprocated his hug.
"Yeah I deserve that don't I? I'll make it up to you and the kids. Each and every day I promise, Commander." Kaji said softly.
The woman blushed at this comment and sank deeper into his arms.
They stayed that way for a while until Misato broke the silence.
"We're all they have left. Those two need us. Now more than ever. We owe those two and Rei the world."
"Yeah, we do. That's why we have to keep trying with them no matter what. They'll come around. Even Asuka will too. I think I even made a breakthrough with Shinji today." Kaji pulled back and smiled.
Misato seemed confused and almost offended by this. "Of course you did! That little twerp hasn't given me anything no matter how many times I push. Let me guess, he told you he'd pilot the Eva too…"
"Well uhhh.." Kaji put his hand back and scratched his head.
"Unbelievable." Misato simply scoffed.
The two then chuckled and talked more for a bit before Kaji once again, asked the hard question.
"So when are you going to tell them of the UN's plans for them going forward?"
Misato looked away and sighed.
"I don't know. I really don't know how they're going to react. I wanted to do it next week after the synch test, but that might not be a good idea."
She paused for a second and then began again. "Maybe I'll wait until after Rei wakes up. After all, we need her to hear this and get up to speed too. Plus Gendo Ikari is still at-large along with the rest of SEELE. Even Professor Fuyutski doesn't know anything about their whereabouts, so what's the rush?"
"You and I both know that is a terrible idea. If you think Shinji and Asuka are being skeptical with you now imagine if they find out later…or worse, on their own." Kaji reminded her.
"Yeah, you're right." Misato sighed. "I just can't give them a break can't I? I don't know why I took this promotion."
Kaji chuckled. "Yes you do. NERV is in better hands for it. Now I think we should get to work." The two kissed and hugged one more time before going off to their daily routines.
For one thing, their new jobs were never boring or mundane.
The two pilots got off the crowded train that took them from the nearby station to the section of Tokyo-3 that was relatively unscathed from the Angel War. It just so happened to be the location of their temporary replacement school, along with a new bustling commercial and entertainment district in the city with so much of the city's economy and residents still recovering. The good thing for a city that was rebuilding meant plenty of new jobs and opportunities.
The two were a couple of months away from beginning high school. With the fallout from the Angel attacks and Shinji and Asuka's victorious battle to prevent Third Impact, the kids in the city were sent to a small satellite school outside the center.
The school was conveniently located next door to their future high school, the NERV Foundation Academy. This was a prep school established by NERV over a year before. The new school was a contingency just in case there was a need for a new educational institution with the uncertainty of the war and the damage it would have on the city's infrastructure.
The academy was now complete and ready to begin instruction in the fall semester thanks to funding help from Kaji's new employer, the same employer funding the T-RIDEN-T program to help the Evas in future battles. With the Angel battles throwing a wrench in the school's academic instruction, high school would begin in the September for the students as opposed to the typical new academic year beginning in April.
The best part was the low number of students in the area meant that they didn't need to take entrance exams and were automatically going to be enrolled in the new academy come fall semester.
Shinji and Asuka began walking past the hordes of students and salary people towards the escalators in silence, just like how they were in the train ride.
When they first went back to school after coming home from the hospital, there wasn't a single word or glance exchanged between the two. They both were still uncertain about how to go about communicating with each other or their lives after the battle they had just fought.
Such was the cost of being chosen as humanity's protectors.
When they first would walk Shinji would try, albeit awkwardly, to talk to her. Each time was met with a snarky put-down or a glare from Asuka's eye, making sure the white eyepatch covering her other eye was in his view.
It didn't matter what Kaji said, he wouldn't stop blaming himself for her injuring her eye that day. Maybe one day he would. Her eye will heal, the doctors told her. And maybe, just maybe, it would regain its full eye-sight. It just needed time and extensive treatment.
He hoped that time came sooner rather than later. Whether she showed it or not, Shinji knew that her appearance with the eyepatch affected her self-esteem. He had to hope after all for both of their sakes.
Shinji looked at her when she wasn't facing him. Even with the eyepatch, he still thought she looked beautiful. He quickly noticed he was staring and looked ahead again so as to not get caught.
Whenever these walks would grow quiet, Shinji couldn't help but wonder how much Asuka hated him.
He remembered Kaji's lesson on how he and Asuka couldn't open themselves up to each other if they chose not to. His words on understanding where Asuka's coming from particularly started appearing in his mind. Neither of them owed each other that and Kaji tried to remind him that this was a part of life.
From his end, Shinji still tried. He still cooked for her, asked her how she was doing despite the angry retorts, and was just there when she needed him to be. Asuka may not have shown it, but he felt that deep down, she appreciated it.
He also got better at picking up on when she wanted to talk and hang out. Like when she would strike up a conversation first, or they would play video games together. They were usually one-word responses and nonchalant small talk, but it was something. Even this morning, while out of left field, the 'thank you' didn't seem too weird now.
There was also how she always slept next to him on the floor in a futon when he moved to the couch after having trouble sleeping in a night. Something he still hadn't worked up the courage to ask her about, but that didn't matter because slowly but surely, she was there for him too in her own ways.
Despite the progress they had made with each other, that still wasn't enough to overshadow her cold attitude towards him and their guardians.
Then he remembered Misato's words a few weeks back when he first started switching up the menu at home to include German food as well. Asuka always complained about how tired she was of Japanese food, despite the fact that she still always ate his cooking. So he purchased a German cookbook online and made one of her favorite dishes for dinner one night in an attempt to cheer her up or at least help her break out of the same downer mood he was in.
Cooking good food to help her feel better was at least something he could do for her. Instead, she scoffed at this gesture upon noticing him in the kitchen and went to her room for the rest of the evening.
Feeling pretty stupid for even trying, that's when Misato came in and cheered him up with some encouraging advice.
"Shinji, I know you care about her, and I know you want to help her right away. But sometimes, people won't want your help in the moment or at all. The best you can do is be patient. You just have to take it one step at a time. She knows you are there and will go to you for help if she feels up for it. I'm sure she appreciates what you're doing for her and what you have done for her more than you know."
He lightly smiled at this memory. Despite his frustrations in trying to reach out to Asuka, he still did care about her a great deal.
Perhaps more than even he realized himself.
She was still the same prodigy he idolized ever sense their synch training for the fight against the Seventh Angel. More importantly, she's a hero. The same hero who fought and saved humanity with him.
She was a special person in his life. What exactly that meant, well he was still trying to figure that out. Was it some duty to a fellow teammate who's been through a similar gauntlet that he has? Or was it a … crush?
"So I see you slept well last night."
Asuka's words broke him out of his internal monologue and prevented the heat from rising to his cheeks after thinking of her as his unrequited crush.
"Um, yeah. Better than most nights at least. Until Kaji dragged me out of bed." Shinji was thrown off by her conversation attempts and awkwardly chuckled.
Asuka slightly glared ahead and kept walking at a slightly faster pace.
The boy was a bit disheartened by this, but he wasn't going to let the conversation die at that if it meant she'd be in a bad mood at school the rest of the day. Even when he thought he understood why she was upset at the mention of Kaji's name.
"Asuka, wait." He said firmly.
That was enough to get her to stop and turn to him.
"What do you want now?"
She was the one who started this, why was she acting so callous now towards him?
"Asuka, are you okay?" He knew that was a dumb question and would only enrage her further. However, it was the question he needed to ask her.
"Am I okay? Really, Idiot? What do you think?!" She was now getting a bit madder and walked right up to him with her face inches away from his.
Shinji was assaulted by nervousness and quickly turned his head away. However, he had to show her where he was coming from.
He had told Kaji he wasn't going to run away from his duties as an Eva pilot anymore.
This also included his life outside the Eva which in turn, also included not running away from Asuka when things got too hard.
"I don't know Asuka, so that's why I'm asking. I want to know so I can help you. I know it's been a rough few months. I know that that battle was intense, but I.."
"Oh put a sock in it will you!" Asuka shouted.
Shinji timidly looked around at the people staring at them. Now he really regretted speaking up. This wasn't the time or the place.
However, Asuka wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily. Especially not when she almost let her guard down this morning and told Misato how she was feeling.
A sign of weakness, she thought, on her end that she was about ready to take out on the boy in front of her to make up for it.
"You don't mean that! Did Misato put you up to this? Or wait, did your cool, new dad Kaji ask you to do this instead?" That came out bitter and now made Shinji mad.
That was a low blow.
"Stop." Shinji stated as he glared at her.
"Stop what?! Did that line hurt you? Oh what, you just think Kaji can come back into our lives and teach you how to be a man while still completely ignoring me? Please, I thought even you weren't that dumb Third!"
Asuka was really mad and speaking as if unspoken words that have been piling up over the course of months were pouring out.
That still wasn't enough to qualm Shinji's now bitter frustration.
"That's not true! What the hell is that even supposed to mean?! He does try and talk to you! We all try and talk to you! But instead you just ignore us and don't say anything! How can we help you if-"
"I don't need anything from you guys! I don't need anything at all! I have my Mama in Unit 02 now! We would have been just fine without you that day too!"
She knew that was a lie. However, she felt that she needed to double down out of anger and stubbornness.
"Now what, you guys think poor Asuka lost her eye that day and needs more attention. Poor Asuka needs to be babied like the Almighty Invincible Shinji because she's some sad little girl who never was able to take care of herself in the first place. Poor Asuka won't talk to any of us. Oh, boo-who!" She stopped to catch her breath and continued.
"Well, I don't need you guys worrying about me! And I especially don't need you making some pathetic attempt to help me just so I can pay attention to you!"
She was now red with fury. Shinji could have sworn he saw her eye about to tear up.
However, she wasn't done yet. Now one hand was balled into a fist while she pointed and poked his chest with the other. She was ready for the kill-shot.
"And just so you know, you can lean on Kaji all you want. You can latch on to him, expect him to fix you, and make you a man from that broken shell of yours. Well, guess what? It won't work. You're still the same dense, housebroken doormat who wouldn't help me when I needed him back before SEELE attacked."
She almost sounded like she was saying this from her own experience.
"I don't care if we saved the world together. Look at what that got me." She pointed at her eyepatch and continued.
"You'll never understand me."
With those poisonous words, she turned around again and trudged on forward. Shinji couldn't help but notice some of their classmates looking at them and whispering amongst themselves.
Understand her? How could he even begin to understand her if she never even tried to talk to him?
He knew she didn't have to talk to him if she chose not to, but to then throw that in his face didn't sit well with him. Then belittle him and Kaji while basically stating he's never going to change or understand her? After everything he's done and tried, Asuka still didn't understand him nor even made an effort to herself.
And that did it. He was exhausted and over this.
Shinji had a line that he knew he shouldn't fire at her but could not help it. She crossed the line this time, and he wasn't going to go down quietly. Not anymore at least.
"How did that go for you last time?"
Shinji bit out lowly, but just loud enough for her to hear.
Asuka immediately froze. She turned to him somehow even more red with anger than she was just a moment ago and began dangerously marching towards him.
"What did you say, Third?"
Shinji's face immediately went white with fear as she reached out and grabbed him by the collar.
She once again brought him within a couple of inches from her face. Showing her gritting teeth like a vicious stray dog would. Shinji immediately looked down.
"Be a man and repeat what you just said!"
Shinji was paralyzed. What was he supposed to do?
Suddenly, she jerked his collar and dared him to speak again. This brought back his anger and he promptly allowed it to take over.
"I said how did that go for you last time. You know, not needing us. Thinking that you can do this on your own without us." Shinji said in a bitter tone.
"All that led you to was an abandoned bathtub, remember?" He said that more firmly as he glared at her.
Maybe he shouldn't have said that, but he couldn't take it anymore. It had been a rough few months for everyone; he was so tired off all the stress and pain. So tired of all the bitterness she had towards him for no apparent reasons he immediately saw.
This might be going against what Kaji said, but he was tired of it all. He was ready to make it known even if it meant hurting her and not being able to take it back.
He'd regret it and hate himself for it later.
Asuka was taken aback and gasped for a second, letting her mouth hang open. Then she immediately regained her anger, but not before a sole tear escaped her eye.
"How… dare you! What gives you the right to say that to me?! I swear Third I'm going to-"
"What?! You're going to what?! Hit me? Yell at me? Call me names? Wouldn't be the first time! So stop acting all tough for once and get it over with already!" He yelled from the top of his lungs.
Time completely stopped. People resumed to staring at them. Asuka regained her shocked face from a moment before. Even he was dumbfounded.
The boy had no idea he was capable of standing up to her like that. He even felt an adrenaline high from doing so.
That evaporated when he noticed Asuka slowly let go of him and put her arms down. She allowed her hair to obstruct the view of her face as she wiped her eye and looked down, almost ready to burst in tears.
Shinji immediately switched gears and felt instant guilt.
"Asuka I didn't mean to-"
"Get away from me. Now." She bit back in a low but still venomous voice.
Shinji tried to think of something to say or do, but he opted to just continue walking and start heading for school again as she stood there for a second. Today was going to be a long day for both of them and it was all his fault, he thought.
Before he got far enough away from her, he heard her ask a question.
"You really hate me that much, don't you?" The girl said in a broken voice.
Shinji wanted to immediately go and console her to undo everything. But instead, he took a couple of steps closer to her but stopped, maintaining a safe distance.
He felt his own tears start to come. He hated seeing her like this. Even though she started it and was completely in the wrong, he couldn't help but take the blame for them both.
Guess even when she was wrong, she was right. He'll never change.
"Is that… really what you took from this?" His voice quivering as he quickly wiped his eyes to conceal any tears.
"Idiot. Don't answer my question with a question! You hate me, just admit it already!" Her tears were gone, and that anger returned.
However this time, there was a pang of sadness in her voice. Almost like she created the answer in her head and was scared to hear it out loud.
Boy she could not be more wrong.
Shinji lightly shook his head but not enough to give an affirmative answer. He was still mad at her and didn't want to give her the satisfaction quite yet. She still needed to know she was wrong.
"Come on Asuka, I think you and I both know that's not true."
She looked up at him, her sapphire blue eye briefly meeting his dark blue ones. Hearing that response, she felt a temporary relief, despite what her face was showing.
After standing there looking at each other in silence while everyone around them continued about their day, Shinji finally spoke up.
"We should really head down the platform and get to school now. Toji, Hikari, and Kensuke are waiting." He turned around and began to walk slowly even though she just stood there.
It was then he stopped, half turned his head without facing her, and stated a phrase that he hoped would get her thinking.
"I'm not your enemy Asuka. None of us are. You can despise me all you want, but that fact won't ever change."
He then continued on to the escalators again.
Asuka stood there for another moment and processed everything that just happened. She didn't get what she wanted to hear or even what she thought she would hear. That eased her pain a little bit, but she still needed some time alone before she faced everyone and went to school.
"No, you are not my enemy, but you're still an idiot."
She moved towards a different escalator away from him. She didn't know whether she intended those words to be at him or her. Or both of them.
A/N: Thank you to deathbringer374, Glory-To-Our-August-King, and Shadowfang642 for helping me make sure this chapter was polished and ready for posting. To be continued and stay tuned for more.
