"You never see the one that gets you."

Shinji remembered reading that in a story once. Now though, if he could talk to the author, he would tell them just how wrong they were. Shinji could see what was about to get him as plain as day. The glittering steel bumper of the delivery van was steadily bearing down on him as he fell to the ground, his feet having slipped out from under him as he tossed the girl back to her brother on the sidewalk.

He saw Toji snatch the girl from the air with the strange clarity that often comes with the release of massive amounts of adrenaline. Time seemed to slow, just like in the movies, and he turned his eyes towards the other person on the sidewalk. She was reaching for him, her red hair flying out behind her. She was screaming something that Shinji couldn't understand. He tried to reply, but his mouth refused to work.

He could, cruelly, turn his head quickly enough to read the letters and numbers on the license plate attached to the bumper.

And this trip was going so well...

() () () ()

Two days prior:

Asuka walked out from under the shade of the small hut, two brightly colored drinks in her hands. She glanced around and started back towards the beach, the ice clinking in the glasses as she walked. She soon arrived at the beach chairs they had rented and took a seat, the cushion warm from the sun. He wasn't there but she knew he'd be back soon. She sat the drinks on the small table between them and laid back in her chair, pulling her floppy straw hat over her eyes.

"Asuka. Wake up."

Someone shook her shoulder. Her eyes shot open. She must have dozed off, the late afternoon heat making short work of her. She looked up at Shinji as he stared down at her, that smile on his face.

"Already had too much to drink?"

"Nope. Just relaxed. Between the heat and these chairs, I couldn't really help it."

"It must have gotten windy," Shinji chuckled.

Asuka blinked.

"What? Why?"

Shinji's eyes darted down and then back. He wiggled his eyebrows.

Asuka looked down. Her eyes widened. She grabbed her dress and yanked it back down over knees, her face turning nearly as red as her hair.

"Shit!"

Shinji laughed as he sat down and picked up his drink, the purple glass slippery with condensation, and took a large sip.

"You're wearing a swimsuit, Asuka. It's fine."

"Yeah, well, it's the principle of the matter. You know this dress doesn't behave in the wind."

Shinji flashed her a wicked grin.

"I know. That's why I asked you to wear it."

If Asuka had an extra pillow she would have thrown it at him. Instead, she grabbed her own drink, bright red this time, and began sipping on it, pouting the entire time.

"I hate you."

"No you don't."

She scowled at him, or at least attempted to, before breaking into a goofy smile.

"I suppose you're right. I mean, if I did…"

She raised her left hand. The golden band on her third finger shone in the late afternoon sun. She smiled.

Warmly.

"I wouldn't be wearing this right now."

Shinji looked over at her before glancing at the matching ring on his own finger.

"I guess not."

Asuka lowered her hand to the cushion beneath her. Shinji reached over and grabbed it, squeezing tightly. She smiled at him, and he did the same. They sat there for a while, comfortable in the relative silence of the beach, the crashing of the waves and the occasional joyful squeal of a child their only companions.

"I can't believe we did it."

Asuka looked over at Shin… No, at her husband, and perked up an eyebrow.

"Did what?"

He met her gaze and brought up his left hand, wiggling his ring finger.

Asuka didn't try to hide her blush.

"I can. We've been talking about it since we were 16. It was bound to happen eventually. At least you had the good sense to propose when you did, before all our friends left for their N.E.R.V assignments. The looks on their faces when you dropped to one knee at that dinner party…."

It was Shinji's turn to blush. Asuka giggled.

"Yeah. They were almost as good as their faces when we dropped the wedding on them. They thought this was just a long weekend trip to the beach. Well, weren't they surprised."

They looked over their shoulders at the other set of beach chairs behind them. Toji and Hikari were only making use of one of them, laying side by side and quietly talking in the now-evening light. Kensuke was elsewhere, probably with his camera plastered to his face. Kaji and Misato had retired to their hotel room to take a "nap."

"You think they'll be next?" Asuka asked, staring at Toji and Hikari as they snuggled together, "I think it's about time."

Shinji chuckled.

"I think it'll be sooner rather than later."

Asuka rolled towards him.

"Oh? And what makes you say that?"

"He's been talking about it recently."

Shinji looked at Asuka and grinned.

"That, and he bought a ring a week ago and it's currently sitting in their hotel room safe."

Asuka's eyes flew open, her mouth silently moving up and down before breaking into the biggest, brightest smile Shinji had seen on her face in a while, at least since the ceremony.

"Really?" Asuka practically squealed, her smile growing.

"Yep, but don't say anything. I think he's going to pop the question tomorrow night after dinner. When we're all good and tipsy."

Asuka shook her head.

"My lips are sealed. But I can't wait."

"Me neither. Until then, though…."

Shinji rolled over on his side and stared at Asuka.

"How about we go take a nap of our own?"

Asuka's cheeks started burning and she turned away, a small smile spreading on her lips.

"I… I'd like that."

She squeaked when she looked up and his face was inches from her own. He placed a feather soft kiss on the tip of her nose.

"I love you, Mrs. Ikari."

She smirked.

"I love you too, Mr. Ikari."

Asuka's eyes flew open. She sat straight up in her bed and bit down on a small scream. She looked around her room as she steadied her breathing.

Of course it was a dream. It always was. The same kind of dream she'd had at least once a month for the last year or so, only this time it was…. More. The other ones usually ended with a kiss or at least a shouted confession of love. This one though…

We got…. Married?

Asuka put her head in her hands and exhaled. She sat there for a few minutes, breathing deeply as she made sure to commit as much of the dream to memory as she could. She finally looked up and around her room, her eyes settling on her phone where it rested on the nightstand. She picked it up and opened the messaging app. She clicked through to her saved conversation with Hikari and started typing. After a minute or so, she pressed send. She then glanced at the status bar at the top of the screen and noticed the time.

3:27 AM.

"Oh crap. There's no way she's awake…."

He phone dinged almost immediately. Asuka blinked. She opened the message and started reading.

H. Horaki: So, that dream again, huh?

A.L. Soryu: Yeah. Wait, why are you awake?

H Horaki: Couldn't sleep. Been up since 1. Too excited about tomorrow. Tell me about the dream, though. You said it was different this time?

A.L. Soryu: Yeah... We skipped the usual stuff. No confession or anything like that. Just…

H. Horaki: Yeah?

Asuka swallowed before starting to type.

A.L. Soryu: We were married. Just married, it seemed like. I got the impression we were still getting used to it.

H. Horaki: WHAT? That's so cooool! What did it feel like? Were you happy?

H. Horaki: Did you guys… You know…..

Asuka's face started burning.

A.L. Soryu: I think we were about to, but then I woke up. It felt… Really, really nice. And of course I was happy! I was married! We knew with 100% certainty how we felt about each other. It was great.

H. Horaki: That's awesome! I just wish you guys could have that, you know, NOW.

A.L. Soryu: I mean, we're 16. Well, Shinji is about to be 17 but still…. That's not exactly a great age to get married. Also, I don't think he would go for it even if I ever told him.

H. Horaki: I've told you this a thousand times, Asuka. I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is paying attention to him. He is head over heels in love with you! And you obviously are with him, so you two dorks just need to sit down and talk it out. I WANT TO BE YOUR MAID OF HONOR!

A.L. Soryu: I know you've told me. I just…. I've tried to talk to him. But every time, something comes up and we can't have any time alone. I'm starting to think the universe is conspiring against us.

H. Horaki: Wellllll, we are about to spend almost four days at an amazing theme park/resort. Maybe…. Sometime then? You guys could ride the Ferris wheel and have a romantic talk while you looked over the park at night?

Asuka shook her head and smiled. She knew the kind of books Hikari liked to read, and that scenario was straight out of roughly half of them.

A.L. Soryu: I mean, if it works out that way I wouldn't complain…. Oh! I almost forgot! You guys were there, too. You and Toji and Kensuke and Misato and Kaji, though I only saw you and Toji. But I knew the others were around somewhere. You know how dreams work.

H. Horaki: Oh really? What were we doing exactly?

H. Horaki: If you don't mind telling….

Asuka grinned.

A.L. Soryu: Wellllll, you and Toji were snuggled up on a beach chair in the sun….

H. Horaki: AND?

A.L. Soryu: Aaand Shinji said Toji was going to propose to you the next day.

Asuka waited several moments for a reply, but the one she got wasn't quite what she expected.

Her phone began to ring. She looked at it strangely before answering.

"Hel…"

"HE WAS GOING TO DO WHAT?"

Asuka held the phone away from her ear. Too loud.

"Hikari!" she whispered harshly, "Calm down. It was just a dream."

Silence from the other end, followed by a long exhale.

"Sorry. It's just…. I had a dream like that a few nights ago, too. I didn't think to tell you then, but it was pretty great. Man, we must share a psychic bond or something. We've been having the same dreams for the last few months."

"Well, almost the same," Asuka whispered, "Yours usually take place at a ski resort or something, right? Lots of snow and warm fires and hot chocolate? Mine have almost exclusively been on a beach of some kind. Warm sun, cold drinks, blue water. I guess we have different ideas of romantic, huh?"

"I mean, anywhere can be romantic if you want it to be…" Hikari giggled. There was silence for a while, both of them resting in their respective beds, their phone pressed to their ears, "Ok, Asuka. I'm glad you talked to me about this. I know it sucks, trust me. But… I don't know. I have a good feeling about this trip. I feel like something good is going to come out of it. Especially for you and Shinji…"

Asuka narrowed her eyes.

"Hikari, I know that tone," Asuka replied worriedly, "Are you planning something?"

Silence.

"Hikari?"

"I'm actually starting to get really sleepy, Asuka. I think I'm going to try and go back to bed. I'll see you in the morning!"

"Hik…."

There was a click and the call ended. Asuka stared at her phone for a moment, frowning. She would have to have a chat with her in the morning. If that girl had some scheme cooked up…

She sighed and sat the phone back on the nightstand. She rolled over and stared at nothing for a while, replaying the dream in the back of her mind. She closed her eyes and smiled as sleep overtook her once more.

() () () ()

Hikari hung up the phone and lowered it, holding it in two hands in front of her chest.

I know it was just a dream, but… Both of us having dreams that similar, this close together? The universe has to be trying to tell us something.

She sat her phone back on her nightstand and pulled her blanket back up to her chin. She burrowed her head back into her pillow and was nearly asleep when a sudden fancy struck her. She reached over and grabbed her phone and opened the messaging app. She scrolled to her conversation thread with Toji and began typing.

H. Horaki: Hey. I know it's super early and I know you won't see this until the morning because you sleep like a rock, but I think I've got a plan for how to finally get Shinji and Asuka… Well, you know. We're going to try and get them alone together as much as possible on this trip. I'm sure it will take more than that, but we'll figure that out as we go. Fair warning, your participation in this is mandatory, so don't try to weasel your way out. See you in the morning!

She added a few emojis for good measure, not really paying attention as she pressed the buttons, and therefore not realizing that more than one of them was a heart. She closed her phone and sat it back on the nightstand, rolled herself up in her blanket, and fell back asleep.

() () () ()

"Toji! Wake up! Your friends are going to be here soon!"

Itsuki Suzuhara rapped on the door to his son's room three more times, the wood flexing with each hit. He turned and reached behind him and did the same to his daughter's room.

"You too, Sakura! If you're not up when they get here, I'm telling them to leave without you!"

He waited for a moment. Nothing. He sighed and raised his fist again, ready to knock even harder.

The doors slid open simultaneously as Toji and Sakura Suzuhara stepped out into the hallway. Itsuki noted that the boy was fully dressed, a rare sight for him, especially at 8:00 AM on a Sunday.

"I've been up for over an hour. I've been packing, dad."

"Well, I've been ready since last night."

Toji looked down at his sister and stuck out his tongue. She returned the gesture before disappearing back into her room.

Toji motioned behind him and Itsuki peered over his son's shoulder. Two good sized duffel bags sat neatly stacked by the dresser, a backpack resting on top of them. To top things off, the boy appeared to have already showered, shaved (it was mostly fuzz, but Toji wore it like a badge of honor), brushed his teeth and, miracle of miracles, had actually combed his hair.

"Wow. How come I can't get you to do this any other time, huh?" his father chuckled, poking his son in the ribs lightly, "Come on. Kaji just called and said they're five minutes out. I'll help you with your bags."

Toji sighed and stepped back, grabbing one of the duffels and handing it to his fathe. The older man grabbed the carry handle and whistled.

"Have a lot of costume changes planned there, Toji?" he laughed as he slung the carrying strap over his shoulder.

"Well, the park is on a beach, and it's the middle of summer. I'm gonna be running around and sweating all day, so I wanna make sure I have fresh clothes I can swap in when my other ones start getting rank."

"Yeah, but did you have to pack a week's worth of clothes for a three-day trip? That seems a little excessive…"

"You know what mom always says about packing, dad," Toji replied, "It's better to have too much and not need it, instead of not enough."

"She has literally never said that and you know it."

Toji grinned and rubbed sheepishly at the back of his head.

"Yeah, well, she always overpacks and it's come in handy before, so I figure why not?"

Itsuki shook his head and grinned. For all the ways his oldest child was like him in almost all ways physical, Toji took after his mother in so many other small ways. He was loud and brash and suffered from an overabundance of confidence, but he always made time for everyone, whether they be classmates or just strangers on the street asking for help. Itsuki had lost track of the number of times he had caught Toji helping an elderly man or woman find their way through a crowded shopping mall or market, guiding them by the hand and reading signs for them if their vision wasn't what it used to be.

God forbid you mention it later, though. The boy would offer every excuse he could find as to why he did what he did, be it because, quote, "It's a man's job to help others," or because he was trying to impress a pretty girl from his school.

Itsuki smiled to himself. There were plenty of girls fawning over his son, he knew that. Itsuki had the same problem in high school himself, despite what his wife might tell everyone. Toji was tall and lean, he would be taller than his father before long, and played every sport you stuck in front of him. Of course, the girls flocked to him, and Toji ate up every second of it. But Itsuki knew his son better than that. He saw the way the boy looked at the Horaki girl differently than anyone else.

And, the way the girl looked at him the exact same way. He saw how close she sat to Toji whenever his friends came over for dinner, the way her eyes seemed to light up whenever his son said her name. He needed to tell that girl how he felt before she got tired of waiting. Itsuki had broached the subject of Hikari on more than one occasion, but Toji always changed the subject.

Sakura stepped back out into the hallway, her own duffel bag over her shoulder. She looked up at the two of them and started dragging the pack down the hallway, visibly straining. Itsuki sighed, handed the other bag back to Toji and grabbed Sakura's off the floor. She gave him a dirty look and said something about being able to do it herself, but her relief was obvious.

"Oh yeah, Hikari messaged me something strange super early this morning," Toji spoke up, throwing the duffel over his other shoulder, "She said she, and I quote, had a plan."

He did not mention the several heart emojis included at the end of the message.

Itsuki's brow furrowed.

"Exactly what kind of plan are we talking about? Don't tell me she's trying to sketch out every single second of your time at the park so that everyone has the 'perfect' amount of fun?"

Toji shook his head.

"Nah, nothing that complicated. No, she said she's got a plan for getting Asuka and Shinji to finally tell each other how they feel."

Toji smirked.

"It's about time. Those two have been dancin' around each other for years. Everyone can see it. Me, Kensuke, Rei, Hikari. Hell, even Mr. Kaji and Ms. Misato have mentioned it before."

"I think they're perfect for each other," Sakura chimed in, her bright red backpack slung on her back, "I hope they get married."

Itsuki nodded, a small smile on his lips.

"So, did she give you any specifics on what this plan might entail?"

Toji shrugged, dropping his bags by the front door.

"So far, the only step she's come up with is 'Get Shinji and Asuka alone together as much as possible.' It's simple, but I kinda think it needs a little something more, ya know? Some action, some adventure. I mean, we're gonna be at a huge theme park -slash- resort for three days in the middle of summer. I've seen those books Hikari reads, the ones with the pretty girls wrapped up in some guy's arms on the covers. I'm sure there are other steps, even if she doesn't realize it yet."

"Maybe one of them could be put in danger and the other one has to come rescue them!" Sakura offered, her eyes twinkling. Toji looked at her askance. Hikari must have let the girl read some of those books.

He sighed.

"I'm just along for the ride, I guess."

Itsuki went to reply when the sound of a vehicle turning into the driveway stopped him, the wheels crunching on the gravel by the front porch. He opened the front door and stepped outside. The rental van shone in the morning sun, the tinted windows standing out against the stark white of the paint. The side door flew open and out stepped Hikari Horaki. She held a hand up to her eyes to block the sun before sliding the door back closed. Itsuki only got a brief glimpse into the van's interior, but he instantly recognized the flash of red hair sitting in the middle seat. Hikari started walking towards the man, offering a small wave as she did.

Toji stepped out behind his father and squinted in the sunlight, and Itsuki stepped back. He glanced from his son to the girl and back and watched two things happen simultaneously.

First, Toji noticed Hikari and his breath caught ever so slightly, his body stiffening, and…

Second, Hikari noticed Toji and picked up speed, her eyes widening as a small smile crept onto her lips.

She made it to the door and stopped, offering Itsuki a small bow as she greeted them good morning.

"Hey there class rep," Toji said. Itsuki noted the effort the boy put into keeping his voice steady, along with subtle way the boy slouched down, assuming an air of deliberate nonchalance, "You ready for the trip?"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"Oh yeah! I've never been before so I'm super excited. Are you ready to go? Misato and Kaji are itching to get on the road."

Toji nodded.

"Yep! Just let me do one more quick check…"

He turned to the bags just inside the door and starting counting things off on his fingers, satisfied until he reached number eight or so. He turned to Hikari, a small panic in his eyes.

"Oh crap! I forgot to make lunch for the van! You asked me if I would and I said yes and I forgot. Damn it!"

"Language, young man," Itsuki spoke up, grinning as Toji's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, "Don't worry, you've got time. Go and make whatever it is you said you'd make, and I'll get your bags into the van."

Toji nodded and walked into the house and towards the kitchen. Hikari hesitated for a moment before running in after him, kicking her shoes off as she entered the house.

"Hey, wait up! I… I'll help."

Toji stopped and turned to her, his brow raised.

"Uhh, thanks."

Isuki didn't need to see the girl's face to see the blush form on her cheeks. She followed after Toji as they made their way across the living room and into the kitchen at the far end and began digging out ingredients. The older man sighed and reached down to grab one of the bags, but found it already hanging at the side of the man now standing in the doorway.

"Morning, Itsuki."

"Morning, Kaji. How are ya?"

The younger man shrugged and smiled.

"Any day I get to be out of the lab and still get paid is a good day in my book," he said before glancing over his shoulder, "Especially with company like this."

Itsuki shook his head. He didn't have to look where the younger man was gesturing to know who he was talking about.

"What company?" came a voice from behind Kaji. He seized up for, only for a heartbeat, before relaxing again. It was only due to Ituski's long friendship with the man that he noticed the momentary lapse in his typical casually aloof demeanor, "What were you guys talking about?"

"I thought you were staying in the van."

The raven-haired woman stepped from behind Kaji and bowed slightly to Itsuki before wrapping her arm around the older man's waist and giving a small squeeze.

"Good morning, Misato. Your beauty gives even the sunrise a run for its money, as usual."

Misato Katsuragi, head liaison between N.E.R.V and Toji's high school, blushed despite herself. Kaji stared at the older man and slowly shook his head, a small grin on his lips.

"Why thank you, Itsuki. You look… Um..."

"Distinguished? Worldly? Like a man who commands the universe through sheer force of will?"

He grinned.

"Or old and tired and in desperate need of a shower and a shave?"

Misato chuckled.

"Let's go with the first three, shall we?"

Itsuki smiled. He knew he wasn't that old, being only barely into his forties, but there was still something innately satisfying about constantly bemoaning his age. Something so "Dad" about it that it was almost an instinct. It was mostly to get a rise out of his children, and occasionally his wife, but it still brought him no small amount of pleasure when someone refuted his claims of personal senility and decrepitude. Especially someone like Misato. He looked on as she turned her attention to Kaji, their small talk fading into the background as he watched them.

Kaji looked at her like a child looks at a puppy or a small kitten, with absolute, unfiltered adoration. His eyes constantly flicked across her face, and occasionally down to her chest and hips. Her legs were exposed up to her mid-thigh in the jean shorts she wore, and he took those in as well. A purple tank top, a pair of sandals and a floppy straw hat completed the ensemble, and to Kaji that was enough.

Itsuki turned his attention to Misato and saw pretty much the same thing, her eyes darting across the taller man's face, staring at the deliberate amount of stubble he left on his chin. They made their way down to the Hawaiian shirt he wore, the top few buttons left undone, and the surprising amount of muscle that dappled his chest.

The elder Suzuhara was many things, but blind was not one of them. He watched the two people in front of him, and he saw. He saw a longing that was not so much hidden as it was standing on a rooftop with a bullhorn, announcing its presence to anyone and everyone that cared to listen. He sighed.

"These two, Toji and Hikari," he thought to himself, "and, apparently, Shinji and Asuka. There better be some changes when they get back from this little trip. This is getting to be too much. I can only handle so many oblivious people in my life."

"Miss Misato! Mr. Kaji!"

The two of them turned at the sound. Sakura barreled out of the house, aiming directly for the two of them. Kaji dropped the bag he carried, dipped, and in one smooth motion caught the girl under the arms, picked her up and spun her around before planting a small kiss on the top of her head and passing her to Misato. She caught the child and gave her a spin of her own before pulling her in for a tight hug.

"Hello, Sakura! I've missed you!" Misato exclaimed, propping the girl up with her arm and looking at her, "Are you excited about the trip?"

Sakura nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah! I'm gonna ride everything!"

Misato chuckled.

"Me too!"

Itsuki started to make a comment about minimum height requirements, but before he could the side door on the van slid open again. Out stepped a boy the same age as Toji, slightly shorter and leaner, a near carbon copy of his father, only not quite as tall, though Itsuki was sure that would change. The boy carried himself like his mother though, a constant awareness in his eyes tempered by an aura of deliberate relaxation.

He moved from the van and another person emerged, a girl this time, with flaming red hair and eyes so blue they made the ocean look dull, just like her mother's. Also like her mother, those eyes contained an intelligence and vitality that seemed too deep for a single person to contain. Itsuki caught the stare she gave the boy in front of her before she fell in behind him. They walked up to the small group gathered on the porch, looked at each other, nodded, and poked Misato and Kaji in the ribs from behind, each chuckling at the adults' small jump. Sakura giggled.

"I thought you two were in a hurry to get on the road," said Shinji, smiling as Kaji and Misato glared at him, "We've been here almost fifteen minutes already. Where's Toji?"

"And Hikari for that matter," Asuka added, glancing around.

Itsuki leaned his head past the doorframe and looked to the back of the main room. He grinned and turned back to his guests. He placed a single finger to his lips and motioned toward the door with his thumb.

"Look" he mouthed as he stepped back. The gathered friends leaned forward and stared into the house, Kaji and Misato taking one side of the door while Asuka and Shinji took the other, the taller man and boy leaving room for their counterparts to stand beneath them. They squeezed together, Kaji and Shinji leaning over Misato and Asuka respectively, their backs pressing into the boy's chests. Itsuki caught the small look the Soryu girl chanced at the face hovering over her, her cheeks reddening ever so slightly. The four of them let their eyes adjust to the relative darkness of the house's interior for a few moments, before all four of them broke into warm smiles.

Toji and Hikari were still putting together the sandwiches and other assorted snacks for the occupants of the rental van. The counter they stood at was easily two meters long, with plenty of space for them to work, but they stood so close together that Hikari might as well have been standing on the tops of Toji's feet. They worked smoothly, and other than the occasional request for an ingredient or a muffled apology for bumping into the other person they worked in silence.

A pattern emerged wherein Hikari would slowly stop her preparations and let her eyes wander over to Toji's hands, and then to his arms and from there all the way to his face. She would stare at him for a while until he noticed and looked at her. She would immediately turn back to her work, only for Toji to repeat the exact same steps only moments later. Both wore an ever-darkening blush on their cheeks.

The four observers were so caught up in the spectacle in front of them that they failed to register the sound of the van door sliding open and closed. They didn't hear the crunch of footsteps on gravel, and certainly didn't notice the new presence standing behind them. Itsuki looked at the new addition and nodded in greeting. The boy nodded in return before lifting a small camcorder to his face and pointing it inside the house. He zoomed in, the sensors in the camera automatically adjusting to the lack of light in the room and smiled. He stood there for several minutes, taking in the sight of two of his closest friends being about as obvious as they could be without saying a word.

He chuckled. All four people crowding the doorway jumped and spun on him.

"Damnit, Kensuke," they all managed in unison.

The boy lowered the camcorder, flipping the small display closed, and grinned.

"I was wondering how long it was going to take for you guys to notice me," he spoke, barely above a whisper. He didn't want to interrupt Toji and Hikari, after all, "I got some good footage. I think I'll play it at their wedding."

Misato shook her head.

"Kensuke, don't…"

"Ummm, what are you guys doing?"

Everyone gathered by the door, well four of them at least, jumped at Toji's voice from behind them. He stood in the doorway holding a small cooler. Hikari stood beside him, glancing from person to person, an inquisitive look on her face.

"Yeah, what's going on?"

She spied Kensuke and, more importantly, Kensuke's camera, and blanched.

"W… Were you recording us?"

"Maybe," Kensuke grinned. Sakura giggled in Misato's arms.

Toji started to complain when Kaji cleared his throat and held up his watch.

"Okay, we've stalled for too long. We've got a five-hour drive ahead of us and we need to get going," he looked at Toji, "I'll grab your bags. Bring the cooler and I'll show you where I want it to go."

Toji looked like he wanted to say more, but a glance at his father and the look on the older man's face told him to let it go, at least for now. He had three days to get back at Kensuke, along with other, more pressing matters. He glanced at Asuka and Shinji.

Toji followed Kaji and helped get the bags and cooler arranged, Itsuki carrying over Sakura's bag and adding it to the pile. The van was meant for 12 people, but with only 8 of those seats taken there was plenty of extra room. Itsuki walked over to Misato and pulled her aside, whispering something to her. Her eyes widened, a small smile spreading across her face as she glanced from Toji to Hikari. She looked at the older man and nodded.

"Alright, is that everything?" Istuki asked, looking around at the gathered travelers.

"I believe so. Let's get going everyone. Make sure to say goodbye to Mr. Suzuhara before we go," Kaji spoke up.

Itsuki shood his head.

"I've told you a hundred times not to call me Mr. Suzuhara." There was no heat in his voice, only the bare hint of a smile, "I am not old enough to be called Mister."

Everyone chuckled as they offered the elder Suzuhara small hugs and goodbyes, Toji waiting until almost everyone was in the van before giving his father a short but firm hug. At least he intended it to be short. Itsuki wrapped his arms around the boy's back and swayed back and forth a few times. He looked over Toji's shoulder at the grins coming from the van, along with the glint of sunlight off the camera lens.

"Dad. Cut it out..." Toji whispered frantically, turning to glance over his shoulder, "You're embarrassin' me."

"Good. That's why I'm here, and don't you ever forget it," Itsuki whispered back, "Oh, and good luck with The Plan. I'm sure Hikari has some hijinks in store for you two. However…"

He pulled back, holding Toji by his upper arms.

"Don't let that distract you."

Toji's brow furrowed.

"Distract me from what?"

Itsuki looked over his son's shoulder. Toji caught the hint after a moment and turned slightly. Hikari was standing by the van, her arms folded across her chest as she waited for the boy.

"From what's right in front of you."

Toji turned a bright shade of pink.

"I… It's not like that! W…We're just…. Friends. She…"

He stopped, his lip starting to quiver, and for a moment Itsuki thought he might have pushed too far.

"She doesn't wanna be with someone like me. She's got the best grades, she's one of the top students in our N.E.R.V internship. I'm just… I barely pass my classes. And even then, it's only because she makes me study with her. The only reason I'm still in the internship is because I'm the most athletically inclined, so they can run me ragged while testing different nutrition supplements. I'm just a meathead who knows how to handle a basketball."

Toji hung his head.

"She deserves someone better, someone… more… than me."

Itsuki placed his hand under Toji's chin and lifted his head towards him.

"And yet, she chooses to spend as much of her free time with you as she can. How often is she over here after school? How many times a week does invite you to her house for dinner? You said it yourself, son, she's always helping you study. She likes you, Toji. Don't put yourself down. No one thinks you're just a 'meathead.' Not me, not your mom, not Shinji or Asuka or Kensuke or Misato or Kaji."

He poked Toji in the chest.

"And certainly not her. Don't keep her waiting, son. I did with your mom and I nearly missed out on something incredible."

"Hey! Can you guys have your heart to heart after we get back?" Kaji called over to them, hanging half out of the driver's side window, "We got..urghh!"

A slender pair of arms reached around his neck and yanked him back into the van. Itsuki grinned as Misato lit into him.

"I've kept you too long, Toji. Your friends want to get going. But remember what I've told you, son. She thinks you're worthy of her…"

He pulled Toji into a final short hug.

"Even if you don't. Now go. I'll see you in a few days."

Toji took a deep breath, managed to drain the color from his cheeks, and turned to his waiting friends.

"What was that about?" Hikari asked as she climbed in the van, Toji getting in and sliding the door closed behind him.

"It was nothin', class rep. Just my dad tryin' to embarrass me in front of my friends."

"Oh. O…Okay," she responded, her face scrunched in confusion. She stared at him for a few moments before he looked at her.

"What? I got somethin' on my face?"

"Ah… Nope, sorry!"

Hikari spun around in the seat and started fussing with Sakura's seatbelt, the girl struggling to get the buckle to work. Behind them, Shinji and Asuka watched, smirking. Behind them, Kensuke chuckled slightly, his face hidden behind his camera yet again. He turned the lens on the boy and girl in front of him, discretely of course. He saw the small smirks fade as they looked at each other, their faces slowly turning as red as Asuka's hair. They looked away, each pulling out their phones and opening some application or another.

Kensuke grinned. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out, the flashing symbol on the screen indicating a new message. He clicked the messaging app and opened the text. He read over the contents, his smile growing steadily.

"Kensuke, you good?"

The boy looked up at Toji and grinned.

"Oh yeah. Just got a message that… Uhh a couple of friends of mine are on their way. They should arrive at the park shortly after we do. I'm planning on meeting them tonight for dinner."

Six pairs of eyes turned to stare at Kensuke, only Kaji abstaining, though he did throw the occasional glance at the rearview mirror.

"Friends?" Shinji asked, one eyebrow raised, "Do… Do we know them?"

"You know one of them. The other one, well…"

He blushed slightly, the shadows in the back of the van the only thing preventing his friends from catching it.

"I met her last month at that science camp I went to in Tokyo-2. She convinced her parents to come to the park on the same dates we were."

Twelve eyes stared at him even harder, their gazes threatening to push Kensuke out of the van.

"She?" they all asked in unison.

He nodded.

"Yep. She's really cool. I can't wait for you guys to meet her. We… Have a lot in common."

Toji's eyes narrowed.

"I don't believe you. You woulda said something by now. You would've definitely shown us pictures. I think you're just messing with us."

Kensuke put his hand on his chest in exaggerated shock.

"You think I don't know how to talk to girls? I'm hurt, you guys. Give me some credit."

Toji's eyes narrowed even farther, until they suddenly shot back open.

"Wait, you said a couple of friends… Who's the other one? Do we know them?"

Kensuke nodded.

"Yep. You know her. But I'm not telling you who she is. You'll just have to wait and find out."

This time, Kaji did turn to stare with everyone else, though only for a moment before turning back to the road.

"SHE?" they all exclaimed, louder this time.

Kensuke just smiled. This was going to be an interesting trip.

() () () ()