"Budgetary concerns? Those fat parasites ask no questions whenever Nerv wants a new coffee machine, but our army? Bastards. We'll see about this…" Field Marshal Chiso Motichka upon hearing that the National Diet would divert defence funds to its Nerv contribution. The motion was swiftly overturned soon after.
XIII
"In our cafeteria. Down that corridor and to your right." The receptionist, a spindly woman in her fifties, indicated.
"Thanks." Misato said before turning to Ritsuko. "I'm off then. See you later. Say hi to Rei from me."
"Will do. See you." Her friend nodded as Misato walked off.
The Convalescent Home was probably one of the parts of Levav Base she liked most. By contrast to the humid, claustrophobic and steel CIC, it had obviously been designed by someone else. Surrounded by nature and filled with natural light, the home was an island of peace in Nerv's seething rabbit warren.
Tenka-san, we don't deserve you. Misato could only wonder just how much trouble it had been to get the CEO's approval for this place. Then again, anything was worth an escape from below.
The corridor was mercifully empty and open. An advantage to the convalescent home's purpose and being situated out here was less of a need for staff. A dozen or so nurses kept the place running along with a few doctors. A far cry indeed even from Levav Base's medical ward.
Weird to think we haven't needed them until now. She paused at a window directly looking out over Nakisawame. There were more columns of smoke than she'd initially counted. We'll definitely be needing them now.
One or two Nerv staff hobbled past, bandages wrapped around an arm or a leg. The Seraph hadn't got into Levav Base, but the tremors it caused had still injured half a dozen personnel. Only one, a man with crutches who weakly saluted as she passed, really needed help. The red beret on his head made Misato return the salute with a smile; he was one of hers.
After exiting the corridor, she turned right and found the cafeteria. Like everywhere else here it was nice and cheerful, tables spaced out across its cream tiled floor which gave room to breathe. Sunlight drenched wooden tables of a warm colour. Immediately, the rich scent of coffee and tea assailed her nostrils, as she eyed up the various sandwiches, pastries, and sweets on display next to the till.
Should have got a job here.
Shinji sat all alone at one of the central tables, steam wafting from a mug of hot drink. He wore the cream tunic and white trousers of Nerv, which he looked oddly smart in. His face was one of stone as he absently stared into his drink.
You've been through it, haven't you, Shinji-kun. She felt her chest tighten a bit.
"Hey." She offered.
Shinji stirred from his stupor and looked up at her. "Oh. Hello, Katsuragi-san."
"Please, you can call me Misato." She pulled out a seat and sat down with him. "How are you holding up? Tenka-sensei says you're still a bit shaken from yesterday."
Can't say I blame him.
"Yeah." Shinji murmured, then forced a weak smile. "Thanks for taking care of my backpack."
"No problem at all." She beamed, quickly moving on.
Was a teenager myself not so long ago. I know what "I don't want to talk about it" looks like.
"Smells nice." She gestured at the mug.
"Sencha tea." Shinji's forced smile became genuine. "Been drinking it since I was young."
"Always been more of a coffee person, myself."
"Eh." He shook his head. "Too bitter for me."
Heh, "bitter." That's probably why Rits likes it even more than me.
Misato waited for him to say anything else, but Shinji instead shifted beneath her gaze. He dropped his own back into the sencha. After a few minutes, he sighed.
"I-I'll just get my things together-"
"Shinji-kun, it's fine." She raised a hand. "We're in no hurry. Take your time. Tea shouldn't be rushed after all."
He smiled weakly again.
"Look, you went through a lot yesterday. If you ever want to talk about it at all-"
"No!" He blurted out. "Sorry, I'd just…rather not."
"Okay." Misato didn't press. She leaned back and took in the cafeteria. Aside from herself and Shinji, there were two nurses on their break, and the cashier and barista behind the till.
I need caffeine. She found herself having to stifle a yawn. Work had not stopped the night before, so somehow poor Shinji had a better rest than her.
"Just going to get something to drink." She said. "Be back soon."
"Mm." Shinji kept staring into his drink.
Misato stood up and walked over to the counter. As she approached, the cashier stirred from a half sleep.
"Good morning, ma'am." Middle aged and plump, the cashier gave a respectful nod of the head.
"Morning." Misato smiled back. "Coffee please. No milk, no sugar. Was on the night shift. I need something strong."
"Don't worry, we'll set you straight." The cashier chuckled, then relayed the order down to the barista. Cutlery clattered and the coffee machine hissed as it heated up. Misato considered getting something to go with it, but decided against it.
Hit the takeaway last night. She proudly patted her toned stomach. Don't want to overdo it. Maybe Shinji-kun might… She glanced over her shoulder.
He still stared at his mug.
Gotta be cool enough to sip now at least…
"How long has he been there?" Misato asked the cashier.
"About twenty minutes." The middle-aged woman frowned slightly as she put a plastic lid on a freshly filled cardboard cup of coffee. "He's a sad looking one, isn't he?"
"Yeah." Misato couldn't help but agree. She'd taken Shinji for a quiet one the moment she met him. Few acted totally submissive on the wrong end of the Kenpeitai. Most at least begged, blathering on about a mistake being made.
But Shinji? He'd just let it happen.
How does a person end up like that? Maybe I don't want to know.
"Could I have two Manju too? Takeaway?" She added.
"Sure." The cashier nodded. "That'll be five hundred yen."
Misato pulled out her wallet and paid what she owed, then returned to the table. Shinji's drink remained untouched.
"It'll get cold, you know." She gently chided.
"Huh?" Shinji blinked, roused from his trance. "Oh." He downed the lukewarm drink in one gulp.
Misato winced.
Crap, I didn't mean it like that.
"I guess we're off then?" He glacially stood up, then winced a little as he rubbed his chest.
"If you'd like to."
"I would." He said half-heartedly, then slung his bag over his shoulder.
The two walked out the cafeteria together. Misato could fortunately just about remember which corridors were the right ones. She would snatch a glance at Shinji whenever possible, without risk of being caught. He just stared into the floor as they walked, skin visibly pale and gaunt. This was a fifteen-year-old boy and he looked less healthy than some old men.
Did he have Antarctic Flu when he was little or something?
Even at half a head taller than her, Shinji still seemed small.
"We're going to Nerv Tower." She said as they reached the reception. "We'll get your accommodation sorted."
"Thanks, Katsuragi-san." Even when down, Shinji maintained his manners.
Sad looking, easy on the eyes and really polite. Rits wasn't joking, Shinji-kun. The girls will come running after you.
It was in the carpark where Shinji spoke up. He'd paused halfway through opening the left-hand car door.
"Katsuragi-san…there was one thing. About Ayanami-san."
"Rei-chan?" Misato tilted her head. "What about her? Bit strange, isn't she?"
"I…" He frowned, unsure what to say. "I've been made aware of what she is. In detail."
"They told you that?" Misato cocked her head in surprise. "I'm only cleared for the basic clone stuff, Shinji-kun. Definitely not where the material came from, or who the donor was. You're probably not meant to be talking about that."
"I thought as much." He sighed.
Whatever he found out, he doesn't like it. The whole thing is screwed up enough for me.
As they got in, Misato opened her mouth to say something, thought better of it, then turned the keys in the ignition. Her Renault roared to life and they pulled out of the car park. Nakisawame glittered in the distance, Japan's imperial capital unblemished by the violence it had seen.
Eight million people. And they'd have been just the start for that Seraph.
"Katsuragi-san?" Shinji said thoughtfully, as emerald hills whipped past them.
"Yeah?"
"When Ayanami-san is better…" He wistfully watched a flock of birds in flight. "I want to go home."
Misato's throat ached. "I don't blame you. But you saw what happened yesterday-"
"And I'm guessing that won't be the last time it happens. You wouldn't build all this for a one off."
"You're a smart kid." Misato grimaced. "Which is why we need all hands-on deck, everyone we can get."
"You wouldn't want me." Shinji chuckled humourlessly. "I almost got your robot destroyed. Ayanami-san's better. It's what you made her for, isn't it?" His tone, intentionally or otherwise, dripped with acid. He took a deep breath through his nose and balled his fist.
"Katsuragi-san, I don't have much in Kure. Over the last twenty-four hours I've learned that, somehow, I have even less here." He sagged a little. "I should never have come."
I don't want to force him. But we're really up shit creek, Shinji-kun. We need you. Misato opened her mouth to say something but found no words. She focused on the road. The rest of the journey passed in silence.
