Hey guys, I'm back with a long character-focused chapter.
This starts only a few hours after the previous chapter, that is an important note.
Here's chapter 9 "Sohryu"
"I'm not strong, I'm just lucky. That's what I used to think, but Asuka was the one who showed me what you can do when you actually try. She had a willpower that I didn't have at first. That's what friends do, they bring out the best of you. They make you better."
- The Broken Man
Geofront, 2:00 a.m.
Nerv HQ, Commander Ikari's office.
"The Fourth Child... she's wild, uncoordinated, and rebellious. But she's fast. Very fast."
Ritsuko reported over the phone, reviewing the available footage of the attack on the Pacific Fleet.
"She lacks control. No sense of responsibility. She would have sunk the Over the Rainbow if not for the Third Child," Gendo replied over the phone, speaking for the first time in several minutes.
It had been a little over 24 hours since the incident with the Pacific Fleet. And in that time, Ritsuko had been going over the reports and the sync ratios of all three pilots.
You really can't bring yourself to call him 'Shinji'? Ritsuko thought.
At times, Ritsuko thought she understood Gendo. They'd shared a bed more than once, and yet at other times, she found herself surprised at how cold the man was. It said something that even her notoriously sterile heart could be surprised by Gendo's lack of empathy.
"Indeed, but I noticed something interesting. Their sync ratios, all three of the pilots' had a higher rate during the attack," Ritsuko said flipping through the results. Not that Gendo could see.
"What of the Third Child? He has never achieved a 91% sync again. Why is that?" Gendo asked clinically.
Shinji's sync ratio during the attack at the Pacific Fleet was confirmed at a steady pace of 44%. Higher than both Asuka and Mari, but still lower than normal for him. For several days now he had been having lower sync ratios. High enough to operate the Eva, yet not the amazing records he'd set in the first two times he'd piloted.
Ritsuko sighed. "I'm not sure. I think it could be trauma from the seizure. Given his medical files, I don't believe counseling would help him. He seems to distrust hospitals and medical staff. However, the boy noticeably improved when working with other pilots. He had higher ratios with Rei, and now with Asuka and Mari."
"Yet even with those bumps, the Third Child has never come close to what he did on his first run," Gendo said coldly.
"... true. I cannot say why. All I can recommend is that we take this information into account. We have four Evangelion Units now, and our top pilot does better when he's not alone," Ritsuko said.
"I will take it into consideration. That will be all Dr. Akagi," Gendo said about to hang up.
"Sir. Is there... is there anything else you need?" Ritsuko said hesitantly just as Gendo's finger hovered over the end call button.
"Tomorrow night. My office at eight," Gendo said after a moment of silence.
"Yes sir," Ritsuko said.
Gendo ended the call unceremoniously.
She set her phone down and took another whiff of her cigarette, another lonely night at Nerv HQ. She and Gendo didn't have a very romantic relationship, but people had needs. Even people as cold as the two of them. Or at least, that's what Ritsuko told herself at night.
Director of Nerv's private office
Hanging up his phone, Gendo turned back to his personal computer and scrolled through the encrypted video files on display before finding the one he was looking for. His sub commander Kozo Fuyutsuki had seen the footage as well and had reported the curious incident.
No one else besides the two men had access to the file, and though he'd seen it once before he made it a point to listen to his sub-commander when the man reported something of interest.
A single video file from the day of the third Angel attack, the day Eva Unit 01 was shot through the head and its pilot went into shock. The day Shinji Ikari suffered his first seizure in over a year. Footage that was taken directly from a hidden camera inside the entry plug of the Eva.
The footage showed Shinji Ikari screaming in agony as the phantom sensations brought the feeling of being shot through the head directly to his brain.
Gendo watched wordlessly as Shinji flailed around inside his entry plug before slumping into his seat. He watched as Shinji breathed slow heavy breaths, his eyes wide as he went into shock. He watched as Shinji was lost in his 'madness', seeing things that no one else could. It was unnerving, seeing the boy's eyes dart back and forth overwhelmed by images only he could see.
"Shinji! What's wrong!" Misato's voice cut into the footage as she spoke into the comm.
The footage showed Shinji shuddering and convulsing violently. Silent, his eyes wide and foaming at the mouth, the boy in the throes of his seizure. Gendo watched as 01 was shot again and the entry plug shook, sending the boy's body sliding off to the side.
Six times he was shot, Gendo thought, offhandedly remembering the old reports.
He watched as Shinji's body was tossed from side to side by the impacts. Then the incident occurred, it was sometime after Rei had been deployed that Shinji had suddenly snapped up in his seat again... his seizure forgotten even as blood and foam trailed down his face
The footage unnerved Gendo as he watched it again, the brief second where Shinji lay convulsing in the entry plug before he stilled and snapped up to attention.
What was that?
The video showed a strange trance-like Shinji wiping the dried foam from his mouth and taking control of Eva Unit 01.
From there, the footage showed a surprisingly calm Shinji pilot the Eva, dodging the Angel's attacks and escaping to the launch pad all while keeping his head downcast.
There. Gendo thought, freezing the footage just as 01 made its escape down the launch pad. For just a brief moment, Shinji raised his head and looked directly into the hidden camera with hollow empty eyes. Eyes that no child should be capable of having.
As if Shinji was looking through the display and right at Gendo. As if the boy had known the camera was there.
It had taken multiple viewing of the footage to catch that moment, it lasted for less than a second before Shinji looked away and broke back into his seizure where he ultimately recovered long enough for Dr. Akagi and the medical team to stabilize him.
"32 seconds," Gendo muttered to himself as the footage continued, showing Shinji leaving the entry plug in a daze and landing in the hanger flailing wildly before Dr. Akagi calmed him.
32 seconds where Shinji had piloted without answering his comm. Had piloted the Eva as if it were alive and not a machine. A gap where Nerv, even with all their surveillance equipment, did not know what had happened...
Elsewhere.
Misato's Apartment.
Asuka Langley Sohryu got up from her new room in Misato's apartment, it had been a pain dealing with these small Japanese houses, but she could deal with it, she could deal with anything.
Now if only she could get some sleep, she thought she'd heard something and had woken up laughing inwardly at herself. Asuka did not get scared of the dark. No, she just needed some water to help her sleep. Not that she needed help to sleep at all.
Asuka opened her door leaving her room.
Damn these Japanese... what kind of people don't have locks?
She headed for the kitchen and ended up stopping in her tracks. She spotted a figure standing on the apartment balcony.
What... what is the idiot doing? Asuka thought as she realized who it was.
Shinji Ikari, the Third Child, stood in his nightclothes atop the apartment balcony with his back to her and his head tilted upward. Asuka shook her head and loudly opened the sliding door stepping outside too. She enjoyed how she could pick on him, the weirdo.
"Hey, idiot! What are you doing?" Asuka snapped coldly to his back. Ever since she'd arrived in Misato's apartment hours ago, and they'd been forced to live together, and he'd been avoiding her or tried to until she'd corner him and order him around.
The idiot ignored her.
Asuka glared.
She walked around to stand in front of him... and saw that his eyes were closed. He looked like he was praying or something. Asuka raised a hand to pinch his face, smirking as she said: "Hey, idiot!"
SNATCH.
The boy grabbed her by the wrist so fast that she gasped.
"Ahh!" she stammered.
He had moved so fast she could barely believe it... he didn't even open his eyes. It was like she was of so little importance that he barely had to pay attention to her at all. That pissed her off. No one ignored her.
Asuka seethed as she pulled her hand back, only to find Shinji's grip unyielding. She physically couldn't break free.
What the?!
Shinji opened hollow empty eyes and spoke in a calm quiet voice.
"Hello, Asuka. What do you want?"
The boy still didn't look at her, he kept his eyes forward as he spoke.
Asuka glared seething, "let me go."
He ignored her again, his eyes focused on whatever the hell he was looking at in the distance. Curiosity got the better of her, and Asuka followed his gaze seeing only the outskirts of the city and the Geofront where Nerv HQ was housed.
Is he looking at Nerv... weirdo, she thought.
"Let me go," Asuka hissed.
The boy ignored her again, his unblinking gaze fixed towards the distant Geofront and not even bothering to face her. Then, suddenly he turned to look at her and released his grip.
"Idiot," Asuka muttered holding her wrist and glaring at Shinji. Only this time the boy didn't cower or shrink before her glare. He only looked at her with those empty hollow eyes of his and if anything... there was a hint of amusement on his lips.
Was he laughing at her?! Oh, this idiot was getting on her nerves.
She continued glaring at him and was surprised once again at how little he seemed to care.
Why doesn't he say anything? Asuka thought unnerved as he stared silently waiting for her to speak.
"What are you-" Asuka began in her usual bossy tone.
"Do you want some water? I'll get you some."
The boy spoke softly, his voice quiet and low, as he turned and stepped back into the apartment.
Asuka stared after him frowning before following him back in. She watched as he grabbed a cup, filled it with ice from Misato's freezer, and started pouring water into it from the faucet. He was so quiet as he moved, probably didn't want to wake Misato.
Well, the idiot must have woken me up. I knew I heard something, Asuka thought. She crossed her arms and he calmly offered her the cup of water.
Asuka took the cup without thanking him and asked, "what were you doing out there? Spying on the neighbors you pervert?"
"I couldn't sleep. I'm sorry if I woke you," Shinji said keeping his eyes downcast.
Asuka took a drink of water and barely noticed as Shinji walked off again heading for his room. She nearly spat out her drink in frustration.
How rude! What the hell happened to the spineless loser! He just walked away from me!
"Try not to wake Misato. Remind me to make you breakfast in the morning."
She seethed as the boy disappeared back into his room.
"Weirdo," Asuka muttered heading for her bedroom, water in hand, and quite angry at the strange boy who had woken her in the middle of the night.
…
Later.
Early morning.
Shinji Ikari woke with a groan and shivered in his bed. He was so cold… why was he so cold?
Knock.
He flinched at the sound of someone banging on his door. Shinji slowly rose into a sitting position on his bed wondering why he felt so tired.
"Idiot! You said you'd make me breakfast! I'm gonna be late for school!" Asuka shouted outside his room.
What? Did I? When did I do that?
"… okay," Shinji said tiredly. He just wanted his new roommate to stop yelling at him. Honestly, he tried to stay out of her way and do what she told him to so she'd leave him alone.
He made to get up but fell over landing face-first on his bedsheets.
"Uhhh," Shinji breathed as he ran a hand across his forehead and felt a layer of sweat. That was odd.
"Hey. Leave Shinji alone."
He could hear Misato shouting to Asuka from outside his room.
Forcing himself to get up, Shinji groaned as he felt his limbs ache. He found his way to his door and left his room heading for the kitchen.
Asuka was already there waiting in her school uniform.
Crap… she goes to school with me too. Why me? Why? Shinji thought at the sight of her. He still hadn't completely gotten over the shock of finding out she was going to be living with them now.
Why couldn't it have been Mari instead of her, a part of him wondered.
"You look like shit," Asuka said in greeting, her arms crossed. She watched him walk by and start to make breakfast for her.
"I do? I… okay."
He didn't want to get into another argument. Asuka seemed to always want to pick a fight with him or something, and he just wanted her to leave him alone. Better to just agree and let the insults slide.
She's not insulting you. Not this time.
Shinji flinched and almost dropped the food he'd been preparing for Asuka. Thankfully, he managed to catch himself at the last minute.
"Hey! Be careful!" Asuka said, eyeing her upcoming breakfast.
"Sorry," Shinji muttered as he finished making her a simple breakfast of miso soup and a bowl of white rice that he'd gotten good at making. He handed her the breakfast and she took it without saying thanks.
Figures, he thought.
"Stupid Japanese breakfast," Asuka cursed under her breath as she left him.
Shinji watched her walk off with the food before putting a hand to his head and taking a deep breath, he felt like he was going to fall over.
You should lie down.
Need my pills, Shinji thought just as Misato entered the kitchen in her nightclothes. He made sure to keep his eyes up so she wouldn't tease him again.
"Hey what's up with Asuka? I heard her yelling… whoa. How are you feeling?" Misato said, frowning in concern as she strode over to him and felt his forehead.
"I… I promised to make her breakfast," Shinji said trying to shrug but finding that his body ached too much.
"Damn. You're burning up," Misato said, removing her hand from his forehead.
"I'll be fine. Have to go to school, Rei is probably waiting for me," Shinji said just as he heard the apartment door open. Asuka had left without so much as a goodbye.
"Oh no. You're not going to school like this," Misato said grabbing him by the wrist. She pulled him along to the breakfast table and made him sit down.
"I'm fine. Need to get to school," Shinji was saying as he tried to get up and nearly fell again.
"Sit. Let me get a thermometer," Misato said heading for the medicine cabinet in her bathroom.
Listen to her.
Go away. I'm not supposed to talk to it. Shinji thought bitterly.
"Oh come on... I have to have one somewhere," he heard Misato say as she looked through her modest medicine cabinet.
"Misato... you don't own a thermometer, do you?" Shinji called hazily from the breakfast table.
"... no. I'm sorry! I'm not used to being responsible!" Misato called back more embarrassed than anything.
Shinji found himself laughing despite how terrible he felt.
Nearby.
Rei Ayanami stood outside in the street waiting for her friend to arrive. He was unusually late today it seemed.
She was already dressed in her school uniform and patiently waiting as she always did. She could have walked to school on her own, but she had come to enjoy Shinji's company. Even in school, he was usually around and she often joined him with his other friends and vice versa.
Yet today he was late. Shinji was never late to the best of her knowledge.
He was not injured as far as I am aware. Rei thought, remembering the reports of the attack on the Pacific Fleet. Of the two Evangelions activation at sea less than 24 hours ago.
Minutes passed and still, Rei did not move.
More time passed, she calculated she would have trouble getting to class on time. She found herself at an impasse for perhaps the first time in her memory.
If she waited for Shinji to appear, which seemed increasingly unlikely, she would be late. However, Commander Ikari had ordered her to go to school for basic education. She did not like this choice forced upon her.
Rei looked up at the apartment complex Misato and Shinji lived in, she wanted to go and find their room number. She felt a foolish urge to demand to know what had happened to Shinji. But Gendo had commanded her to go to school, and she was risking being late as it was already.
With a strangely unfamiliar feeling in her chest, Rei turned and headed for school… alone for the first time in weeks.
Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow making a mistake. She did not like this, she followed orders, and yet this time a part of her did not want to.
How unfamiliar.
Back in Misato's apartment.
Sometime later.
"You realize that you have Nerv's head scientist making a house call? Like some private pediatrician?" Ritsuko said irritably.
"Oh come on, what are friends for? And you have to look after the pilots anyway," Misato said, watching over Shinji as Ritsuko held a thermometer inside the boy's mouth taking his temperature.
Misato had been worried that it might be something serious and had called Ritsuko. The moment she had suggested going to see a doctor, Shinji had said he'd rather not. Misato couldn't help but notice that the boy really did not like hospitals. So she called the smartest person she knew.
The thermometer beeped and Ritsuko pulled the device out to inspect the readings.
"38.3 °C he's definitely got a fever," Ritsuko said.
Misato paced back and forth throughout her kitchen thinking things over.
"I'm fine. It's not that bad," Shinji said looking between his guardian and Ritsuko.
"Well Shinji, in my extremely overqualified opinion you are not fine. You're sick, stay home, take some medicine, and get plenty of bed rest," Ritsuko said standing up.
"How did he get sick? Is it the flu maybe?" Misato said glancing over at Shinji, who was seated at the breakfast table.
"Probably a cold. Your reports say after the battle at the Pacific Fleet, when Shinji and the Fourth Child emerged from Unit 03, they were covered in water. That Eva was operational but not completed, water leaked in. Cold water. There's your answer," Ritsuko said simply.
"That Fourth Child!" Misato scowled, putting a hand on Shinji's shoulder.
Don't talk about her like that… Shinji thought with a flicker of annoyance. He had to stop himself from saying anything. Misato and Ritsuko just wouldn't understand, and he wasn't sure that he wanted them to.
Do not defend Mari.
Shinji nearly flinched but managed to hold it in despite the strange but familiar twinge of pain he felt inside his head.
Need my pills, Shinji thought. Distantly, he heard Misato and Ritsuko talking about something.
That girl nearly got you killed.
Go away, Shinji thought angrily.
You don't know Mari. Not anymore. You haven't seen her in years. Keep. Your. Distance.
Why does everyone hate my friend?! Even this stupid thing! Can't I just have one normal thing in my worthless life?
Shinji felt his hands clenching into fists.
You are not normal, but your life isn't worthless. Don't ever think that. If Misato heard you say that then she'd slap some sense into you.
Go away. I'm taking my pills the moment I'm alone, Shinji thought.
Shinji-
Go away.
Shinji. You need to-
NOT LISTENING!
Boy. You realize that-
Not listening! I'm going to take my pills! I'm not going to talk to it! I'm going to get better! I am not going back to the ward! I am healthy, Shinji thought over and over again in his head.
MISATO IS STARING. RITSUKO TOO. YOU HAVE IGNORED THEM BOTH.
... what-
TALKBACK BEFORE THEY THINK YOU'RE GOING CRAZY YOU FREAKING IDIOT.
… I am not- Shinji thought just as Misato tapped him on the forehead and snapped him out of it.
"Ah! Whoa? What?" Shinji asked. He nearly fell out of his chair startled by the concerned look on both Misato and Ritsuko's faces.
"We've been calling you for almost a minute now. You okay?" Misato said. She was peering down at him with a concerned frown.
"Um. Yeah, I just spaced out. I'm sorry, that was rude," Shinji said speaking a bit too quickly.
You're talking too fast. Slow down and tell them you think you really are sick. They'll believe it.
Shinji groaned inwardly but blinked saying, "huh, I guess I really am sick."
"That's it. I'm going to the store and getting medicine. Shinji, get your butt back into bed," Misato declared, deciding to be responsible in one of those rare moments where her charge actually made her grow up a little.
"Okay," Shinji said sounding defeated.
"Ritsuko, my best friend in the whole world. Can you watch Shinji for a minute? I'll be right back," Misato said pleadingly.
Ah, I didn't mean to make this into a huge deal. It's just a cold! Shinji thought. He opened his mouth about to say that he didn't need a babysitter and that he was fine on his own.
Be quiet. Let the adults do what they want so they'll leave.
Pills, Shinji thought longingly even in his fevered state of mind.
"Ahhh. Just be quick. I have actual work to do," Ritsuko sighed. Misato gave the woman a quick hug and took off for the store.
Ritsuko watched Misato go, watched as the apartment door opened and closed, before turning to Shinji.
"Are you alright?" the doctor asked.
Shinji shrugged awkwardly.
"I'm sick but it's not the end of the world."
"You spaced out there for a minute. Are you having issues with the voice again? The illness. You didn't lose your pills, did you? I agreed to supply them and not to tell Misato, but you have to keep me informed," Ritsuko said now that Misato was gone.
"No, I'm fine. Really. I mean… it's not my head," Shinji said speaking a bit too quickly.
Ritsuko raised an eye at him and crossed her arms.
"I take my medicine. I do. And I haven't had any more problems. I'm better. Honest," Shinji said calming himself as he felt his fever spiking.
"It would be okay if you're having trouble. You had a seizure. And this cold can't exactly be helping things either. You don't have to play the tough guy, I will understand," Ritsuko said looking him directly in the eye.
"I'm not tough. I've never been strong, I just… get lucky. I don't have problems with my head anymore," Shinji lied doing his best to meet her gaze back.
Ritsuko nodded saying, "alright. But if anything happens let me know."
"I will," Shinji said, grateful that she had dropped it.
Ritsuko nodded before walking to the TV and turning on the news while they waited for Misato to come back.
Shinji breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. That was close.
You just lied. Good, you need to get better at that.
Shinji rose to his feet feeling guilty. Ritsuko glanced at him as he headed for his room.
"I haven't had a chance to take my meds for the morning," he said.
Ritsuko seemed to accept that. She turned back to the news as Shinji closed the door to his room behind him. He let out a heavy sigh, the voice was coming back more and more lately.
Eva piloting... what if it makes me worse?
The thought sent a chill down the boy's spine. He shook his head, trying to forget it all, and rummaged through his bag pulling out his prescription bottle and swallowing his red pill for the day.
Hours later.
"Here you go. I bought take out, I know you 'don't appreciate' my cooking. How you feeling? Medicine help?" Misato said opening his door and stepping inside without asking.
She was carrying a bag of takeout food and frowning at him as he lay down underneath his bedsheets.
"A little better. Thanks for the food," Shinji said poking his head out from under his bedsheets.
She set the bag of food beside him.
"Glad to hear it. I'm sorry, I wish I could stay but I have to get back to work. I restocked the medicine cabinet, so if you feel any worse help yourself," Misato said, kneeling down so she didn't have to talk down to him like a child.
She noticed that Shinji always appreciated that, being treated as not just a child.
"It's fine, thanks Misato," Shinji said groggily through his fevered mind.
"I'll see you when I get back," Misato said giving him an affectionate pat on the head.
...
Shinji watched her as she got up and hurried out of the apartment to beat the traffic back to Nerv HQ.
He reached under his sheets, pressed the play button on his SDAT player, and rose into a sitting position to eat the food Misato had left him. He didn't have a tv in his room, and there wasn't much else to do.
"Is it safe to take more medicine yet?" Shinji mumbled to himself quietly, a bad habit he'd picked up from spending years in the ward.
The box said a dose every six hours... he wondered glancing at his medicine laden shelf courtesy of Misato.
Just sleep, that'll help more than anything else.
Oh great. This again. Time for more pills, Shinji thought, shaking his head with a scowl. Being sick put him in a bad mood it seemed.
Shinji grabbed his prescription bottle, today he'd had to be extra careful to keep it out of Misato's sight, and put another red pill in his mouth. He swallowed the medicine, put his prescription bottle back in its hiding place, and sat back down to continue his meal wishing he could be a normal health fourteen-year-old boy.
Just as he was finishing his meal he heard the doorbell ring.
I guess I have to get it, he thought.
Shinji groggily got to his feet, quickly put pants on, and headed for the door. He just wanted to lay down and rest, but when he opened the apartment door and found Rei standing outside, he almost forgot his fever.
"Rei?" Shinji said surprised to see her.
"You are unwell?" Rei said without preamble.
He blinked at the statement, and she looked him over, taking in his features, the complexion of his face, the light sweat, the hazy eyes.
"I.. yeah I have a fever. I missed school today," Shinji said rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Do you require medicine?" Rei asked glancing down the hallway. Shinji figured she was thinking about the fastest way to get to the store and back.
"No, it's okay. Misato got me some already," Shinji said.
"I waited for you in the morning, but you did not come," Rei said suddenly.
He noticed that she avoided his gaze. Both of them did that from time to time, though Misato had said she seemed to do it less and less since meeting Shinji.
Is she mad at me? I should have called to let her know I was sick, he thought. He figured he could read her emotions better than most, but there were times when even he didn't know what she was thinking.
"I collected your worksheets for the day," Rei said holding out the various papers for Shinji to take.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I- I should have called," Shinji stammered but Rei only shoved the papers into his hands.
"Uh, did you want to come in?" Shinji asked awkwardly.
"Do you want me to come in?" Rei asked deadpan.
He blinked not sure what to say. The pale girl was staring at him, waiting for an answer.
Why is this so hard? I... I don't know.
"I... Rei, I'm not feeling too good right now. I took some medicine already but I should really get sleep," Shinji said avoiding her gaze.
"I understand. Goodbye Ikari. I hope you feel better," Rei said turning to go.
Ikari? … I told her to call me Shinji... he thought.
The thing in his head started to stir, but he ignored it and shook his head walking out into the hall.
"Rei! Wait! I... I know you waited for me and that I didn't call but I'm sorry," Shinji said, following the pale girl out into the hallway until she stopped.
"You are unwell. There is nothing to forgive," Rei said turning to him and blinking in surprise.
Maybe she wasn't mad at me? I don't understand girls... Shinji thought.
"Hey, I know I'm sick but why don't you come over tomorrow. So... so you can help me keep up with school?" Shinji said trying to think quickly.
Rei only looked at him unblinkingly. He couldn't tell if she was mad, relieved, or bored.
"I could make you dinner if you wanted. It's the least I could do for your help. Besides... I like having you around. It's nice to talk to someone," Shinji said awkwardly.
"I will see you tomorrow," Rei said, her eyes seeming to brighten.
To Shinji, it wasn't that Rei was emotionless but that she didn't often show her emotions. If Misato was right, she seemed to change around him and at that moment he believed his guardian.
"Right. Tomorrow," Shinji said managing a soft smile as Rei turned to leave.
He didn't even notice the thing in his head had gone away without a fuss, maybe the day was looking up for him after all.
Five days, that's how long Shinji was bedridden.
Each day, Rei would come over after school with his worksheets provided by Hikari. He would mostly stay in bed until Rei arrived, then make her dinner while being careful to always wash his hands before handling her food.
At first, Misato wasn't happy about that. She had wanted Shinji to rest, not cook, but Shinji had shown a rare backbone saying that he might have been sick, but that he could still move around.
In the end, Misato ended up joining them a few times. Toji and Kensuke visited him twice, though they only stayed for a bit, never as long as Rei did.
Asuka hardly cared, only calling him a 'wimp' or else going over to Hikari's house for the night. Those two had become fast friends, how Hikari managed to put up with Asuka was a mystery to Shinji.
It was uncomfortable, his temperature rose and then settled down, his body had been riddled with aches, his head would start hurting but then it would stop randomly. He told Misato about it, and after her initial concern had passed she'd only teased him that maybe he was 'finally' going through puberty.
Regardless, on the sixth day, he felt fine.
He surprised both Misato and even Asuka when he woke up, took his morning meds in his room, showered and changed into a new pair of clothes, then made his way to the kitchen finding his roommates eating takeout breakfast.
"Whoa, you're feeling better?" Misato said as Shinji moved throughout the kitchen grabbing some of the food on a plate for him.
"Humph. About time," Asuka said crossing her arms.
"I feel fine. I only wish I could have gone to school yesterday," Shinji said honestly as he took a seat beside Misato.
Now when he had finally recovered, it was the weekend. He still had work to catch up on but at least his fever or whatever it was had vanished. Plus Rei made sure he never fell too far behind.
"Are you sure?" Misato asked standing up and feeling his forehead.
Shinji looked at her, thankful that she actually cared about him, saying, "I didn't wake up shivering again so that's good. I swear, if I weren't a pilot I think the school would have expelled me by now."
"Wimp," Asuka muttered under her breath.
What did I do to her? Shinji thought, a frown working its way onto his face. He considered responding, it was what Mari would have done, but he figured it was best to keep his distance and hope she eventually left him alone.
"Asuka, stop that," Misato said giving her newest charge an annoyed look.
The German Child Prodigy was about to respond, but then all three of their phones rang at exactly the same time.
Shinji froze. Asuka shot up smirking as she saw the number on her phone's caller I.D. Misato sighed just as the alarms started going off in the city.
"Another Angel," Misato said giving him a look that said she understood his frustration, the day he finally got better and he had to pilot. Just great.
The failure.
The battle lasted less than ten minutes according to the reports from the recovery team.
They reported Eva Unit 02 charging off on her own, telling her fellow pilot to 'cover her', and decapitating the Angel at the shore where it had first emerged.
According to the report, Unit 01's pilot was heard asking 02's pilot to wait for orders.
Instead of the Angel dying from being cut in half, it instead regenerated a complete body from each half. Where there had been one Angel, there now stood two.
From there, the recovery team reported that the two Angels overwhelmed the two Eva Units, who were completely uncoordinated and did not work together in the slightest. Reporting indicated that numerous German cuss words and foul language could be heard on the comm.
In the end, Nerv had had to call in the military for assistance and drop an N2 mine. The JSSDF had used overwhelming firepower to take the Angel down temporarily and recover the Evangelions.
Both pilots reported no serious injuries, protected by the Evangelion Units' tough armor.
The incident was considered an abysmal failure on Nerv's part, with the military having to come and save them.
Later
"That was an embarrassment to our entire organization!"
Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki shouted at both Shinji and Asuka in the conference room.
On the wall behind the older man were the projected images taken from the footage of the failed assault, the Evas being recovered, and the N2 mine dropped by the military to halt the Angels' progress.
"Sorry sir," Shinji said avoiding the older man's gaze. He never liked it when the adults yelled at him, so he tried to look away and let them tire themselves out.
"Sorry?! This isn't a game! You two have a job to do, and that is to defeat the Angels! We have not invested our time and money to see the two of you embarrass us! Needing the military to step in! Having to scrap our Eva Units out of the ground!" Kozo Fuyutsuki said glaring at the two pilots.
Kaji watched the scene, more of a support for Asuka than actually needing to be there, and he couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the two pilots of Eva Team One. Where Shinji stood shy and timid, staring at his feet, Asuka stood her arms crossed and glaring as only a child could.
Misato would have been there too, Kaji knew she would have wanted to be there for Shinji, but she was too busy dealing with the aftermath of the failed assault. As Operation Leader, she ended up taking responsibility.
"But it was his fault! I told him to cover me!" Asuka cried pointing at Shinji.
"Huh? Wait? What? That's... that's not fair. Sir, she ran off on her own without following orders," Shinji stammered looking between Asuka and Fuyutsuki.
She's trying to blame me! She's the one who ran off! Who didn't even wait for me! Shinji thought his hands clenching into fists.
"Oh, I see how it is. When darling Mari runs off on her own you're eating out of the palm of her hand! But when I do it you blame me for your failure!" Asuka shouted back at him.
Shinji shrunk beneath her glare.
Now that was the wimp she remembered, the one she could completely walk over and not the freak she'd seen in that early morning days ago.
"The Fourth Child is still being punished for her actions. Detained in her apartment, allowed to leave only for sync test, or have you forgotten Miss Sohryu?" Fuyutsuki said turning his stern eyes to her.
"No... I haven't forgotten," Asuka murmured under the older man's glare.
"The Angel- I mean Angels, are still regenerating from the N2 mine. The Magi Supercomputers estimate we have roughly a week before they become active again. By that time, the two of you will learn to work together and you will kill it. Dismissed!" Fuyutsuki said putting an end to the meeting.
Kaji calmly moved out of the Nerv Sub-Commander's path on the man's way out. He already had an idea for the Angels, but he knew Fuyutsuki was in a particularly bad mood at the moment.
"Don't talk about Mari like that," Shinji said suddenly once the Sub-Commander had left them.
"Hmm. What? You mad that I'm not all over you like that Psycho? I see the way she looks at you, damn weirdos. She runs off on her own too. Don't see you telling her anything," Asuka said glaring daggers at him.
"I... just don't talk about her like that," Shinji said not wanting to get into a fight, why was Asuka so violent?
Kaji stepped between the Eva Pilots.
"Shinji. I think you'd better go. Come on Asuka, I know a good restaurant we could go to, maybe cool down a bit. We have our work cut out for us," Kaji said interrupting the two teenagers before something started.
Shinji still wasn't sure if he even liked Kaji, but at the moment he didn't care. He was just glad that someone had gotten him away from Asuka.
"Bye," He said heading out while Kaji stayed behind to have a word with his 'partner'.
Asuka has a point.
The thing in his head was stirring again.
Shinji froze just outside the conference room. There it was again, no pain, no twinge, just the voice alone.
The pain, that little twinge that came when the thing in his head stirred, was gone. Now when it stirred, he only heard the voice and a kind of sense of awareness. Like a feeling of the wind on his face. Small, but not painful.
Shinji shook his head thinking about how Asuka had tried to blame him for the mission failure.
You're angry with Asuka for going off on her own. But you defend Mari for doing the same. That's called hypocrisy. They're both wrong, and yet you only called one of them out on it.
Mari killed an Angel, Shinji thought slowly.
And if she had failed? You would have told her 'not to go out on her own' like that. You know you would have.
Go away. Need my pills... Shinji thought, shaking his head and walking off. He tried to ignore the pang of guilt in his chest. The stupid thing in his head had a point.
The next day.
Nerv HQ.
Misato sighed going through another sheet of the stack of papers, formal complaints, inquiries, bills, etc from the Japanese public and government. At least she didn't have to deal with the public relations department, they were furious with Misato but they were at least professional enough to let her do her work.
Poor Shinji. He doesn't take failure very well. We put so much pressure on these kids and he really feels it, Misato thought. She'd seen him come home yesterday looking exhausted and avoiding Asuka at all cost.
It was almost enough for Misato to ask if Mari could pay him a visit, she may not have liked the Fourth Child, but the girl could cheer Shinji up. It didn't matter since Mari was still being punished for her actions aboard the Over the Rainbow, detained in her apartment except for urgent Nerv business.
"Well, don't you look professional today?" Kaji said stepping into her office and closing the door behind him.
Him! Misato thought, glaring at Kaji as he pulled a chair out and sat across from her desk, all without waiting for an invitation. She hated the fact that he would be working here now too, she had to run into him in the halls now whether she liked it or not. And she spotted him trying to hit on Ritsuko the other day, the guy couldn't even go a whole day without trying to seduce a woman.
"I'm busy. Just leave me alone," Misato said glaring at him.
Kaji smirked at her glare, he did that knowing that she'd glare even harder than before. Why was she looking at his lips? Focus. He's bothering me, Misato thought quickly.
"I have an idea on how to defeat the Angels. I ran it by Ritsuko and she thinks it's worth a look," Kaji said leaning back in his chair smoothly.
"Go on... " Misato said her eyes narrowed.
"I don't think our pilots are gonna like it," Kaji said.
He slid a folder across the desk to her.
…
"What?!" Asuka said nearly shouting in surprise.
"The two of you are gonna kill the Angel via a coordinated assault. A simultaneous attack on each target's core. You need to learn to work together and sync with the other perfectly. Congratulations, the two of you will eat, sleep, and train together all day, every day, until the mission," Misato said.
Misato was being completely serious, dressed in a plain tank top, her hair pulled back, and with tired eyes. Fashion tended to suffer in the wake of a workload.
"And to do this… we have to dance along with that music?" Shinji said staring at his guardian like she was a crazy person. But then again, who was he to judge? He heard things in his head for crying out loud.
"To help the two of you get in sync. The attack pattern is choreographed using the music we've chosen. Match the rhythm perfectly and you will kill both halves of the Angel," Misato said giving both her charges a stern no-nonsense look.
Why did it have to her? Why not Mari? Why not Rei? Shinji thought glumly. He glanced to his side at Asuka, who looked even more revolted than he did.
"The two of you will start tonight. We have six days to prepare," Misato said standing and up gesturing for them to follow her into the living room.
There they found the ridiculous 'training outfits' as well as the patted mats and music system waiting for them.
The two Eva pilots ended up practicing for most of the night under Misato's supervision.
And Misato could honestly say that they were both pretty terrible. Asuka was much too quick for Shinji, and Shinji was much more careful in his movements than her. Either Asuka would go too fast and mess up, or Shinji would fall behind, or else one of them would mess up throwing the other off sync.
This... is going to take a while, Misato thought. She shook her head at the sight of Asuka yelling at Shinji after another fail. Pen Pen, who had wobbled over for a laugh, only warked at her as if saying he agreed.
Two days later.
Kaji's office.
"Well my lovely ladies, it's not my fault they have trouble working together. The idea should work, the math checks out under the Magi simulations," Kaji said leaning back in his chair as he spoke.
Ritsuko giving him an annoyed look that plainly said 'don't talk about the Magi like you understand it'. To be fair, she was probably the only one in the entire building that understood the supercomputers.
"But what good is the idea if our pilots can't work together?!" Misato said getting just as frustrated as her charges were. She had the decency to hide her frustration at them at home and only be supportive, but on the inside she just wanted them to shut up and work together.
"This is our only option. Eva Units 00 and 03 are not operational. We have to use 01 and 02," Ritsuko added in, taking a whiff of her cigarette.
The three adults had crowded Kaji's office to discuss the operation, and more specifically how to get the pilots in sync with each other and the music after the abysmal reports Misato had turned in so far.
"Are you sure it's Asuka that's the problem? What if it's Shinji? He's a good lad but he seems kinda spineless. Maybe Asuka can give him what he needs, a backbone. She's bratty but she's got spirit," Kaji said.
"Don't bad mouth Shinji. He didn't even want to be a pilot, he did it because... because he had to. And he's more mature than anyone his age has a right to be. More mature than you, a grown-ass man," Misato said narrowing her eyes at Kaji.
Wow, when she did get so protective? Kaji thought.
Surprisingly it was Ritsuko who countered Misato, saying "Shinji is awkward. He's shy, quiet, and falls to pressure easily. He follows orders because that's all he knows how to do, the only exception is when someone he cares for is in danger. Then he steps up, but we can't fake that."
Misato crossed her arms looking at her friend in disbelief.
"I like Shinji. He's young with a good head on his shoulders. But you can't ignore his faults either. He does better when he's not alone, we've seen that with Rei and Mari, but he doesn't handle pressure very well outside a life or death situation. Training just doesn't bring that out of him," Ritsuko said simply.
"I know that... I just- I just see him struggling sometimes. Not just now, but through all this. He's not like Asuka, he doesn't rise to a challenge, he avoids the challenge. At times he seems so goddamn sad like something's bothering him... but he never talks about it," Misato said sighing.
Kaji thought all that over and realized that it was probably Asuka who couldn't work with Shinji and not the other way around. The German prodigy could be a handful, and that didn't bold well for someone like Shinji.
He stood up, his signature smirk planted firmly on his face and spoke saying, "alright. I got this. I don't know Shinji as well as you Misato, and Ritsuko is easily smarter than me."
"Easily," Ritsuko muttered taking a whiff of her cigarette.
"But I do know Asuka," Kaji continued.
Kaji turned, hands folded behind his neck in a relaxed pose.
"We need Asuka to take the first step and actually work with Shinji. Not boss him around. Knowing her, you can't just tell her not to yell because she'll just get angry," Kaji explained.
"Then what do you propose?" Ritsuko said.
"Misato, you're not gonna like it. We need the Fourth Child, and to do that we need to get her some time off of her detainment," Kaji said.
"The Fourth Child? That girl almost got Shinji killed!" Misato said in disbelief.
"It's not like she can pilot right now. Her Eva's still being repaired," Ritsuko pointed out seeing where Kaji was going with this.
Commander Ikari's office.
Nerv HQ.
"Absolutely not."
"Sir. Shinji has been shown to-"
"I will not have the Fourth Child training with the Third. He has been partnered with the Second, that should be enough," Gendo Ikari said sternly from behind his desk. Tinted glasses covered the annoyed expression behind his eyes.
You can't even call Shinji by his name? He's your son! Misato thought, wanting to shout but didn't.
"It wouldn't be training, not really. Just one day, a few hours at best. Then Mari can go back to her apartment lockdown," Misato said standing before the Director of Nerv himself.
"It would serve as a motivator for Asuka to work better with Shinji. Their personalities don't mix well together at the moment," Kaji said trying to sound professional. He kept his cool, playing the role of an employee talking to a superior, but Gendo and he had already done quite a lot of business together.
"So you have said in your report. I expected 'challenges' when this operation was approved, but to think this was your solution? Playing on the emotions of teenagers? How petty," Gendo said. He spoke as if all of this was beneath him, a tone boarding on indifference.
"Sir, those teenagers are Eva pilots. I know Mari is being punished, and she deserves it, but this is a Nerv issue. Your orders were that she could leave her apartment for emergency matters," Misato said.
Kaji gave her a nervous glance. People normally didn't talk to the commander like that. Not if they looked forward to continued employment anyway.
Gendo stared back at Misato through his glasses thinking things over. They needed to kill the Angel and they only had a few days before it regenerated.
"Very well. One day, no more than two hours, and then miss Mari returns to her apartment to continue her punishment. Katsuragi, you will personally see to her transport," Gendo said.
"Thank you, sir-" Misato began.
"Dismissed," Gendo interrupted.
Kaji took Misato's hand and dragged her back outside. It was best not to push their luck, Director Ikari was a cold man, but they'd gotten approval and that was all that mattered.
Once outside, Misato snatched her hand back angrily. Kaji smirked even as she walked off, some parts of her still hadn't changed.
Misato's apartment.
"I can't believe this is actually a training session," Hikari said. The schoolgirl shook her head at the absurdity of what she, and oddly enough Rei, was seeing.
The sight of Shinji and Asuka, wearing almost matching outfits, playing a strange game resembling twister that involved a mat with various circles inlaid into it. The goal was to apparently earn points by rhythmically pressing the lit circle in time with the music, but they were both terrible at syncing with the other.
Toji and Kensuke had been there earlier, but Shinji kindly asked them to leave because their laughter only made him do worse which in turn made them laugh harder. Showing a surprising maturity, the two other boys had patted Shinji on the back and left him to it.
Hikari had come to check up on Asuka, whilst Rei had apparently arrived before she did to... to be around Shinji? Hikari didn't really know why Rei had come over. She had noticed Rei seemed to change around Shinji. She found it almost... sweet.
"Damn it! Keep up! You're throwing me off!" Asuka shouted bringing Hikari out of her thoughts, as the duo got an unacceptable amount of errors and the machine gave them a failing score.
"I'm sorry," Shinji said for the countless time, he did worse when people yelled at him. Normally he'd stay as quiet as possible until people left him alone, but he couldn't do that here. And Asuka got even angrier if he stayed silent, so he said sorry again and again until they moved on.
"That's all you ever say! Stop apologizing and do better!" Asuka shouted physically shoving Shinji to the ground and straddling him, her hand raised for a slap.
I can't hit a girl... Shinji thought in panic.
You should avoid it if you can, the thing in his head stirred.
Suddenly memories of Shinji's breakdown reemerged and without meaning to, he saw the image of his hands around Asuka's throat flash through his mind. He froze, momentarily lost in the flashes of his breakdown... Asuka lying comatose in the battered remains of her plugsuit with his hands around her throat. He felt his heart beating faster and faster, and he closed his eyes tight pushing the images away.
SLAP.
Asuka struck him across the face and he flinched back. The flashes were gone... the imagery vanished.
He breathed a sigh of relief and then realized that Asuka had actually hit him. It wasn't that hard, it didn't really hurt him, but he was surprised that she'd actually done it.
"Asuka just calm down-" Hikari was saying but Rei was faster. The strange pale girl, her face completely deadpan, rose from her seat and had rushed over with a speed that surprised everyone in the room.
Asuka raised her hand for a second slap, only for Rei to catch her by the wrist.
"Whoa," Hikari squeaked.
Asuka turned her glare to the pale girl but before she could speak, Rei pulled her off Shinji with surprising strength.
"You were ordered to train, not to assault Shinji," Rei said staring unblinkingly at Asuka.
Asuka narrowed her eyes at Rei.
Shinji blinked, breathing softly and focusing on the here and now. He had felt something earlier when the flashes had returned, but he needed to look away. He had no desire to remember, whatever was happening... he had to look away. The real world was more important, it always was. Whatever he saw, whatever he heard, it didn't matter. Only the here and now was real. A mantra he had learned from the ward.
He wrenched such unpleasant thoughts from his mind and watched his fellow Eva Pilots not sure what was going on. He did not understand girls, but he wasn't a complete idiot. He knew there was a potential fight brewing, and that he had to stop it.
Hikari watched as the tension filled the air. Rei and Asuka each staring down the other. But then Shinji rose and put a hand on Rei's shoulder saying, "it's okay. Just let it go."
Rei released Asuka's wrist and the Germany girl scowled cursing under her breath as she paced back and forth trying to blow off some steam.
Hikari stood up and joined Asuka to help calm her down.
...
"You are injured," Rei said simply. She was looking unblinkingly at the red mark on his face. It wasn't like the stare Rei had given Asuka, this was more concerned than anything else. He'd never seen her show concern for anything before.
"It's fine, I just... can't keep up. It's my fault and we're under a lot of stress," Shinji said as Rei looked over his face.
"She should not have done that," Rei said softly.
"I'm not getting any better. I probably deserved to get hit," Shinji said sighing.
You do that too much. You put the weight of the world on your shoulders. The thing in his head stirred without any pain. With Hikari, Rei, and Asuka all staying in the apartment for the past few hours, Shinji hadn't had time to be alone so he could take his pills. Now it was coming back to haunt him.
Need my pills... Shinji thought. He did his best to focus on Rei. It wouldn't due to lose focus again. He didn't want a repeat of what had happened with Misato and Ritsuko, or with Asuka just now, he needed to stay out of his head and stay grounded in what was happening around him.
Then he realized he was staring because Rei's face flushed and she avoided his gaze hastily saying, "you are improving."
"You don't have to lie. I know that I'm not very good," Shinji said offering her a small sad smile. Rei was his friend, one of the few people in the world who actually seemed to care about him.
The apartment door opened and Shinji turned to see Misato walking in with Ritsuko behind her... and... and Mari.
Be careful around-
Go away!
"Mari," Shinji said in barely a whisper, completely forgetting about how close Rei was standing beside him as he walked off. Rei only blinked at him feeling an uncertainty that she could not explain.
"Hey everyone! I'm back. And Shinji we have an idea-" Misato began, attempting to give Shinji a pat on the shoulder, only to stutter in shock as the boy walked right past her. Shinji had never ignored Misato before. It left a bad taste in her mouth.
The boy embraced his oldest friend.
"Hello to you too, dummy," Mari said laughing softly. She was dressed in a simple shirt and a pair of jeans, and she embraced him back before they parted ways looking considerably brighter than moments ago.
Ritsuko said nothing but gave Misato a raised eyebrow.
"Where have you been? You said we'd talk after we got back to Japan. It's been almost two weeks and I haven't seen you. I-" Shinji stammered not even sure where to being.
Seeing her again had been like something out of a dream. Then he hadn't heard from her in days and when he'd asked, no one had given him a straight answer.
"The Nerv Commander, your old man, has had me locked in my apartment except for sync tests and grocery runs. Seriously, what did I do to piss him off?" Mari said in answer.
"You went off on your own without orders. Or have you forgotten the battle at the Pacific Fleet?" Misato said scowling.
My father? Why does he hate Mari so much? Shinji thought.
"No, I haven't forgotten how I saved your ass. If that's what you mean," Mari said coolly.
The 17-year-old took a few steps into the apartment looking the place over, and Misato shook her head disapprovingly. Shinji laughed at that. Mari really didn't hold anything back.
Ritsuko tilted her head.
"She was being punished, Shinji. We managed to get her two hours away to visit and see how things were going with you two," Ritsuko said.
Shinji only barely heard her as he followed Mari into the kitchen asking if she wanted anything to eat. Mari shook her head saying, "I already ate. But that's so sweet, you haven't changed at all."
"Psycho," Asuka muttered at the sight of Mari in their apartment.
"Princess," Mari said in greeting.
Misato looked over the previous scores Asuka and Shinji had gotten over the last few hours and was not surprised at the number of failures. Nor was Ritsuko, but Kaji had said this would help.
You've forgotten Rei. Don't ignore her. The thing in his head stirred sounding angry. He couldn't remember the voice ever sounding angry before.
Go away, Shinji thought even as he saw Rei looking at him and Mari uncertainly.
"Uh... Rei, this is Mari. Mari, this is Rei. She's the First Child," Shinji said awkwardly introducing his friends.
"First Child huh? So it was you who's been protecting my dummy from the Angels," Mari said slinging an arm around Shinji's shoulder laughing.
Mari held out a hand to shake. Rei didn't take it.
"... Shinji is not unintelligent. Do not call him 'dummy'," Rei said slowly.
"She's joking, Rei. Uh, it's a joke. It's not serious. Like a nickname between friends," Shinji tried to explain clumsily.
Rei seemed to consider that.
"I see. Should I refer to you as 'dummy' from now on as well?" Rei asked looking only at Shinji. She almost ignored Mari altogether.
"Um- no, that... that's okay Rei," Shinji said. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"And now you've made it weird," Mari said sighing.
Rei never did shake Mari's hand.
Suddenly, a familiar voice got their attention again.
"It's not my fault! It's that idiot over there!" Asuka was shouting at Misato and Ritsuko as the adults looked through the previous scores on the machine.
Shinji winced silently.
Hikari was trying to calm her friend down, but Asuka was in full rant mode.
"He can't keep up. Mister 91% sync ratio isn't so great after all. Some golden boy he turned out to be," Asuka said, her arms crossed.
Shinji only shook his head knowing Misato would defend him when he probably didn't deserve it.
"Hey Princess, it takes two to dance. You ever think you're the problem?" Mari said, patting Shinji on his chest affectionately as the older girl strode forward on his behalf.
"Oh shut up Psycho. I'm not the one who let water leak into the Eva's computers. I'm not the one who can't pilot," Asuka sneered.
"No, you're the one who can't dance with a partner long enough to beat a stupid game," Mari snapped back coolly. Almost nothing ever got to the girl, nothing seemed to ever unnerve her, not even Asuka.
Misato was about to step in before a fight broke out but Ritsuko put a hand on her shoulder whispering, "this is going better than Kaji planned. Leave them be."
"What? You think you can do better with this idiot?" Asuka called, not backing down as she stood before Mari nearly glaring.
"Yeah, I think I can," Mari said simply. The girl spoke as if they were chatting at a coffee shop and not staring the other down. There was a reason Asuka had dubbed Mari, 'the Psycho'.
"Mari, it has to be me and Asuka. We're the only ones with working Eva Units" Shinji said hesitantly. He felt like he was being tugged along by the two girls, a mental image of both of them pulling him by an arm in opposite directions came to mind.
"This isn't the operation. This is training. Come on, Shinji. When a girl asks you to dance, you don't refuse," Mari called.
Shinji was about to respond, but Mari turned and grabbed him by the hand pulling him along.
Wow, that took less than five minutes... Misato thought.
"Okay. Seems easy enough," Mari said going over the dance with Shinji on the mat. She had been offered a 'training outfit' by Ritsuko but had refused in favor of her street clothes.
Misato, Ritsuko, Rei, Pen Pen, Hikari, and Asuka all watched from the couch as Shinji and Mari got ready to play the game Kaji had set up for them to train with.
"Begin," Misato called as she pressed the button and the music started.
At first, they were doing just as bad as Asuka and Shinji had to the Child Prodigy's amusement, with Shinji not being able to keep up with Mari's speed. Whilst Mari was fast, too fast even, she ended up getting ahead of the music entirely at times on the mat.
Asuka snorted at the low coordination scores. Even lower than hers had been with Shinji.
"Shinji, don't be afraid to take chances. You don't have to be so careful," Mari said pulling the boy aside after they failed the first game.
"I'm sorry. I'm just not good enough t-" Shinji began.
Only for Mari to cover his mouth with her hand to the surprise of everyone in the room.
"Don't finish that sentence. Okay, dummy," Mari said. She smiled at him with such warmth and understanding that Shinji felt his breath catch in his throat for a moment. A lost bond that he'd thought gone forever. His first friend.
Rei frowned watching Shinji unblinkingly as Mari lowered her hand telling Misato to set up the game again.
"Okay," Shinji said, not being able to stop the smile that came to his lips.
"I get too anxious and jump the gun. I hit the mark before it even comes up. Tell me when I need to slow down," Mari said. Her speed was a weakness here.
In their second game, Shinji and Mari did remarkably better. Shinji took more risks and tried to keep pace with his partner, and Mari did her best to match him and not strike out on her own pace as Asuka had done.
"Too fast," Shinji said once Mari missed a mark just as he hit it.
"Thanks," Mari said simply. She slowed down to his speed, letting him lead as he was more experienced and careful. They balanced each other out, caution and speed. They created rhythm.
When the game was over they had a near-perfect score matching the music to the dance.
"That's impossible," Asuka said in a barely a whisper, her facing falling. The German girl stood up in awe at the high score displayed on the game's screen.
"See? Maybe the problem's not Shinji after all. Who knows, at this rate maybe I should pilot Unit 02 instead. I think I could pull off the red plugsuit, do you?" Mari said coolly staring back at Asuka.
"No! That's not fair! I can't stand this!" Asuka said actually sounding hurt and distressed at that.
Shinji watched in disbelief as Asuka stormed out of the apartment going for a walk. He opened his mouth, trying to think of something to say, couldn't think of anything, and closed it again.
Misato got up following after Asuka, but the German girl was faster than she looked.
She… she was crying? Shinji thought in disbelief. He glanced at the open apartment door, wondering how far Misato would have to chase after Asuka. Shaking his head, he turned back to see Hikari had risen from the couch too.
"That was mean. I don't know you, but that was uncalled for. What's wrong with you?" Hikari said standing up to face down Mari. Mari however, didn't look like she cared. The height difference did Hikari no favors. Mari was even taller than Shinji.
Mari met Hikari's stern gaze with a cool expression, unfazed.
"Go after your friend," the older girl said simply, almost softly.
Hikari crossed her arms saying, "Shinji. Make sure to apologize to Asuka later. You and your friend made her cry."
"I… what?" Shinji said not understanding what had happened as Hikari went off after Asuka and Misato.
Ritsuko and Rei only watched from the sidelines as Shinji stared at the apartment door beside Mari, he'd never seen Asuka so upset.
"It's not your fault. The adults didn't say it, but I'm pretty sure they wanted me to do that," Mari said looking back at Ritsuko.
"My, you're a perceptive one," Ritsuko said.
Rei and Shinji only looked between the two not understanding.
"They wanted me to give Asuka a reason to work with you, and not boss you around instead. She needed a rival, a challenge to force her to let go of her pride. Me. Give her space and then try again later. All joking aside it's up to the two of you," Mari said.
The older teenager put her hands on Shinji's shoulders affectionately.
"I… this was all planned?" Shinji said, barely following it all.
"It was necessary. 01 and 02 are the only operational Units right now. Neither Mari or Rei is compatible with 02. It has to be you and Asuka, Shinji. We need the two of you to work together," Ritsuko said coolly.
"And I figure that's my cue to leave. You're taking me back to my apartment... aren't you?" Mari said sounding disappointed.
Ritsuko stood up nodding sadly.
"Tell Misato I took Mari home, bye Shinji. I'm sure you'll do fine in the days to come," Ritsuko said in farewell.
"Thought so. Shinji, you can do this. I know you can, once this stupid punishment is over we'll talk more. Take care. Your dad can be a real ass hat," Mari said giving him a quick hug before being pulled along by Ritsuko.
Adults… I don't like adults. They manipulate, they always want something, Shinji thought uncomfortably. He watched Mari and Ritsuko leave the apartment. His first friend, and yet everyone seemed to have it out for her.
"Are you unwell?" Rei asked suddenly getting his attention now that it was just the two of them. She had a hand on his shoulder, almost like Mari, but she was awkward and uncertain where Mari was bold and warm.
Shinji took a noticeable step back saying, "yeah, I'm fine."
Later.
It was after sundown when Asuka returned. And by then, Rei and Hikari had gone home. The German girl was still in her training outfit, and she sat in a chair on the apartment balcony with a can of soda in her hand.
Shinji hesitantly came outside to join her, not realizing that Misato was watching them from inside the apartment.
"... I'm ..." Asuka murmured under her breath.
Shinji sat down on the floor of the balcony beside her. He noticed there was a certain mood around the girl as she spoke. Like she was angry but holding it in.
"What?" he asked slowly.
"I said I'm sorry!" Asuka scowled turning to him with narrowed eyes.
Shinji flinched avoiding her gaze.
"For what?"
"For hitting you! I shouldn't have done that! So... so I'm sorry, okay!" Asuka said. The girl sounded as if every word physically pained her to say it.
"Oh. That's okay, I forgive you," Shinji said quietly. He tried to remember that they were both under a lot of stress and seeing her like that, it had almost reminded him of the images he'd seen during his breakdown. Of Asuka crying.
"Thank you," Asuka said through gritted teeth. Once again, it sounded like it physically pained her to get the words out.
Seriously? How hard is it to say 'thank you'? Shinji wondered.
Hesitantly, she reached into a grocery bag at her feet and pulled out a can of soda for him.
"I'm not thirsty," Shinji said softly.
"Drink."
Shinji stared at her. Girls were so strange, he didn't even know where to start.
"Take the soda, you idiot. I'm trying to be nice," Asuka said.
In her own way, Asuka reminded Shinji of the day he first met Mari all those years ago. When Mari had shoved a cup of stolen pudding into his lap and told him to eat it.
Shinji took the soda and opened it.
"Drink," Asuka parroted.
This is so weird, Shinji thought.
He took a drink of the soda, sitting silently with Asuka on the balcony.
"Don't think this makes us friends! Hikari said I should apologize... so I did, alright," Asuka snapped at him.
"Okay," Shinji said stupidly, not sure what else to say.
You are friends now, she just doesn't want to admit it.
Gah! Go away! Need my pills, he thought frantically. He did his best to stay focused on the person in front of him, he didn't want a repeat of last time.
I'm leaving you alone now.
"We have to pilot. There is no way I'm letting that Psycho get inside my Eva," Asuka said.
"Please don't call her that," Shinji said oddly defiant.
"Why do you care so much?" Asuka said back at him.
"I... just don't call her that," Shinji said avoiding her gaze.
"Fine. But it's up to us. It's up to me," Asuka said getting out of her chair. She finished her soda with a final gulp and threw the can over the balcony.
"Up to you?" Shinji asked looking back up at her from where he sat.
"I"ll show Mari and Misato! It's a matter of honor, I have to avenge myself. I'm better than her. We're going to pilot, and we're gonna kill the stupid Angel!" Asuka said a fire in her eyes.
Shinji blinked in surprise at the girl beside him. She was bratty, and she scared him sometimes, but she was determined if nothing else. He could see it in her eyes.
"Get up. We're going to train harder than ever. I'm obviously too fast for you, so I'm going to slow down and you're to keep us in rhythm," Asuka said offering him a hand with that same fire in her eyes. A will that drove her to keep going no matter what.
The willpower that Shinji had never had.
He slowly took her hand and she pulled him up so fast that he dropped his soda, and she headed for the training machine with him in tow.
Asuka wasn't nice to him, she never was. But she seemed to make an effort not to yell at him, not to boss him around unnecessarily, and she slowed down for him. When she cursed, it was directed at the machine and not at him, and she kept pushing through no matter how many errors they got. It wasn't much but it was a start for them. It wasn't much, but she pushed Shinji harder than he'd ever thought was possible... it made him better.
Five days of training later, and the two of them had been able to get passing scores.
It had taken an absurdly long time for them to get into sync with each other, but they had done it. Asuka had insisted on countless hours every day just to play the stupid game, even going so far as to wake Shinji up extra early so they could try again.
If Shinji hadn't have been so sick of the game he would have thought it was amazing the amount of work Asuka put into something once she had a reason to. She often had to remind him that they had an Angel to kill whenever he'd slack and ask for a break, even when she was feeling tired too, but instead she kept pushing them forward.
On the night before the attack, when the pressure was at its highest for both of them, Asuka had opened the door to his room and laid down next to him. She hadn't said a word, and so he'd pretended to be asleep not sure what to make of it.
In the end, he waited until she was asleep then draped his blanks over her.
...
On the day of the attack, Misato saw the two of them off whilst Rei and surprisingly Mari watched on from the command center.
Shinji's hand shook, the nervous tremor he'd developed from the stresses of piloting, as they boarded their Eva Units.
"Hey, Shinji," Mari's voice called into his ear via the comm, Ritsuko's comm surprisingly.
"Mari? Ritsuko let you use her comm?" Shinji asked in surprise as he got into his Entry Plug.
"Just this once she did, I'm still being punished remember," Mari said over the comm.
"Yeah, my dad is a real jerk," Shinji said bitterly over the comm.
He heard Mari chuckle at that from over the comm before she spoke.
"I just wanted to say... don't be scared. The two of you got this," Mari said honestly.
Shinji took a deep breath and looked down at his trembling hand, watching as it calmed down and stopped shaking. Mari, he thought with a small smile.
"Thanks, Mari," Shinji said softly over the comm just as Nerv was preparing the Evas for transport to the shore again via plane. The shore where they had previously fought the Angel and lost.
Ritsuko took her comm back from the teenager, but Mari was smirking in spite of herself.
...
The battle ended up lasting less than five minutes with Kaji and Misato's strange battle tactics put in place.
Eva Units 01 and 02 had engaged the target with the aid of the military, as per the plan, with the massive machines moving in perfect rhythm to bring down their targets and destroy both Angel cores simultaneously.
The Nerv public relations department actually considered releasing some of the footage at the sight of the sheer coordination between the Eva Units.
But of course, both pilots ended up falling to the ground after the Angel had been killed. Falling literally on top of each other.
"Shinji!" Asuka shouted into the comm.
"It's not my fault. It's the ground! It's not level like the practice mats were," Shinji quickly stammered back over the comm.
And so began the very open bickering, mostly one-sided on Asuka's part, between the pilots over the open comm for all of Nerv to hear.
Sub Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki ended up ordering the PR department not to report anything other than the Angel had been killed. There were no complaints or questions from the PR department on that decision.
Kind of an abrupt end I know. This chap ended up really long.
There are so many characters to give breath to, but I enjoy the challenge. Lots of character interactions and ideas.
I skimmed over some action in favor of characters, hope you don't mind but I wanted to focus more on the characters than the action itself.
I included the overall dance coordination because I think it was good for Shinji and Asuka's portrayals, but there are slight twists in here too.
Thanks for Reading and please Review!