Shinji walked into his classroom letting out a yawn as he crossed the doorway. That yawn caught the attention of Miyashima, who waved to him as Shinji sat down. He returned the wave, which was soon followed by Miyashima taking the desk right next to him.
"Why are you so damn tired?" Miyashima asked.
"Slightly weird dream, no big deal," Shinji replied. "What's up?"
"Nothing too much. I was just wondering if you have read the latest Duke LaCrosse novel?"
"No, has it already come out?" The space adventure novels were pretty popular among both among the student body, and the general public. While he had to do some catching up, as Shinji only had read the first book because Hood brought him a copy along with some other reading material when he was in the hospital, he had soon read them all in quick succession.
"You bet," Miyashima replied as he brought out the book from his bag. "You want to take a look?"
"Sure," Shinji answered.
"A word of warning though," Miyashima said as he handed Shinji the book. "The beginning is something that will knock you on your ass."
"Really?" Shinji asked as he flipped to the first page thinking his friend was engaging in hyperbole. He recalled that at the end of the last book, things were looking rather bleak for Duke as his friends, or what was left of them. The first scene appeared to take place in a hospital room with Duke visiting one of his female friends. As he continued to read, his hands, which were holding the book, started to shake. After a minute of continued reading, Shinji slammed the book shut, giving a shock to some of the students nearby. He shifted his eyes from one end to another seeing if anyone was looking over shoulder before getting close to Miyashima so no one else could overhear them.
"Was he-" Shinji whispered.
"Oh yeah," Miyashima answered.
"But he was-" Shinji continued, but was interrupted again.
"I know, I was as shocked as you were."
"I mean, you know, she was comatose, and well…I mean…he got it on his hand! What kind of person would do something like that?" He slunk down on his chair, staring at his desk.
"That's so fucked up," he half whispered.
"It's just what I said," Miyashima stated. "On your ass." He grabbed the book from Shinji and put it on his lap. "Do you want to read mine after I'm done with it, or are you planning on buying your own?"
"I'll get my own," Shinji replied. "I have to find out what's going on in in that-" Instead of finishing, he caught a figure over his friend's shoulder. He saw Miyoko looking into the classroom straight at him before quickly walking away. Shinji looked at the now empty doorway for a few seconds before the back of Miyashima's head got in his way.
"What are you looking at?" he asked Shinji as he looked in the same direction.
"I thought I saw…oh, never mind," Shinji replied as the bell began to ring, signaling the beginning of class.
"Please refrain from yawning," the Ayanami type said to Shinji.
"Oh, sorry," Shinji reset his head to where she had told him to place it, away from her so that his profile was facing her and the head was titled upward at a slight angle.
"You seem to be tired," she told him as she concentrated as her sketch pad.
"Yeah, a little," he replied remaining in his set position. "There was this weird dream I had last night. Made it hard to get to sleep the rest of the night."
"A dream?" she asked not looking up from her pad.
"I mean, it wasn't as if it was a nightmare or something. I don't even remember what most of it was about. The part I do remember was that I was outside on a grassy field. I turn to the south, don't ask me how I know it was that direction, and I see a distant light, and that light was calling to me. As I said, it was weird." She stopped her sketching for a good ten seconds before she began again.
"Have you had other dreams that were similar?" she asked.
"I think so," Shinji replied. "I mean, it's not like I have them every night, but they do happen pretty often.
"I…see…" she said. "I'm finished." Shinji stood up and stretched while she removed the sheet from the pad. She then went over to her desk, which was littered with previous drawings along with others posted on the adjoining wall. Shinji looked at his portrait. It wasn't exact, but it got the main details right. He joined her at her desk where she laid the drawing on it. Shinji noticed one of the drawings on the wall.
"What is this?" he pointed at it.
"Self portrait," she replied. Shinji took a closer look at the work. The hair looked like hers, but it was the face where there was a problem in that there was no face. Instead, there was a black smudge with specks of white in it. Shinji could swear that it looked like a star field.
"It's…interesting," he remarked.
"Indeed," she replied. There was a pause in the conversation Shinji was familiar with. Based on how well they had been talking, he decided that this was as good as a place to end the visit as any. Besides, he had an appointment to keep.
"Well, I guess I'd better get going," he said.
"Okay," she said. "What was it that Commander Kaji wanted to see you about?"
"I'm not sure." While that was technically true, Shinji did have his suspicions, but he wasn't going to tell her. It would ruin the surprise if his assumption was right. "Anyway, I'll be on my way." He knocked on the door. "I'll see you in a few days, all right?"
"Sure," She watched him leave, with Shinji giving her a wave before the door closed. When she was alone, she let out a breath.
"So you're having them too," she said to herself.
Shinji squirmed a little in the rather comfy chair that was facing Kaji's unoccupied desk. He'd been in here for over ten minutes and Kaji wasn't here. He couldn't help but compare it to being in a doctor's office. He then heard the door open and shut behind him and saw Kaji sit at his desk.
"Sorry I'm so late," he said. "Some important matters come up, and I was delayed. How has your day been?"
"Good. It's pretty good," Shinji replied.
"I've been told that you saw the Ayanami type today," Kaji stated.
"Yes, I did," Shinji said. "Is she the reason you asked me to see you?"
"Oh." Kaji brought up some information on his computer. "It's not. But since you brought it up, we have read through your request and while I personally have no objections, that opinion is not shared by some, especially in the upper levels of command. They feel that because of the nature of the Ayanami types, they are not certain that it would be safe to have her around the children at the daycare center, due to various physiological and mental uncertainties. Between you and me though, I think their fears are overblown."
"I see," Shinji replied, letting his disappointment show on his face.
"The issue is not dead," Kaji declared. "They just need a little more time to be convinced. You understand?"
"Yeah." It didn't make Shinji feel any better. "Then what did you want to see me for?"
"Ah yes," Kaji tapped a few more keys. "I brought you here because there is something that you could help us with."
"Like what?"
"Answer this question first," Kaji replied. "When you look back at the time you were an active Eva pilot, do you think it would have helped you if there was someone who did these things before, to give you guidance about the ins and outs of being a pilot?" Shinji took a few a minutes to think about the question. He recalled the time when he first arrived in Tokyo 3 and all that occurred. Would someone had helped? Misato tried to be, but she wasn't adequate. He even remembered calling her out on it, accusing her of not understanding, saying to her that it was easy to give out orders because she was in relative safety. Ayanami was injured at the time, so she couldn't have been in that role either, and Asuka hadn't arrived at that point. It could even be argued that by the time Asuka arrived, he was the expert in some areas. Looking back at it all, he was ready to answer.
"I think it could have."
"I see," Kaji replied as he was tapping on a pad. "Take a look here." He turned the screen around to face Shinji, who started to browse through the data. The first thing that caught his attention was the girl's picture. Her dark medium length hair was layered in curls, but it didn't prevent him from getting a clear look at her dark brown face, her hazel eyes being the most prominent feature. Even though they ask for a neutral expression when they take a portrait, as Shinji could attest, he could still get a sense of sweetness about her. He looked at the other information that he could access such as her birth date, where she was from, which was Toronto, and even her measurements, which made Shinji blush for a brief moment. The last thing he focused on was the girl's name, which he spoke to himself.
"Joanna Kingston."
"She will be the pilot of Unit 11," Kaji stated. "We would like you to assume that kind of role for Joanna. With your experience, both good and bad, we believe that you are able to help guide her, not only to help her be a better pilot, but also to help her avoid some of the same mistakes."
"I'm not sure," Shinji replied, staring at his feet. Kaji leaned back in his chair, and gave an understanding nod.
"I realize this was thrust upon you rather suddenly, so you can take your time to make your decision. She won't be coming for about a week or so." Kaji stood up, followed by Shinji.
"Of course. I'll tell you before then. At the very least, thank you for the opportunity." With a bow, Shinji left the office. Kaji watched him leave and when the door closed, letting out a sigh before turning to other matters.
A couple of days later, Shinji was still mulling over the proposal. It occupied most of his thoughts during those days, and was still thinking about it even as Akane put a large floppy hat on his head. That action brought him back to the here and now, feeling the brim as the girl stood in front of him, hands on her hips.
"Excuse me," she said.
"Oh, sorry," Shinji said. "I can't believe I spaced out like that."
"And I still can't believe that you talked me into this." Those words came from Miyashima who had a pink feather boa wrapped around his neck, his face covered with gobs of blush and his lips covered in lipstick in a messy fashion.
"Looks good on you," Shinji remarked.
"Shove it," Miyashima replied, "but you are right that that you do seem out of it. Is something wrong?"
"Something wrong…" Shinji had a three second debate in his head on whether to tell him or not. He concluded that as long as he remained vague on the main details, it should be all right.
"Well, I was asked to help with something long term. It's not wrong or anything, but I'm not sure if I can help the way the person who asked me to expects of me."
"I have a feeling that you can't give me a lot of details over this 'something.'" Miyashima said. Shinji nodded.
"Sorry about that," he added. "I don't know how much I'd be allowed to tell you about it. I can say it's nothing illegal or anything like that, but it's…sensitive to say the least."
"If you say so," Miyashima said. "Well, assuming that everything is on the up and up, I have to say that if you want to do it, you can tell this person that what you could do might be limited and that you can't guarantee success. You know what I mean?"
"I get what you're saying," Shinji replied. "But I'm not sure I should do it in the first place. You see, it involves helping a person through some stuff that I have been through a few years ago. I'm afraid that would fail this person, that what I can do might not be enough."
"I don't think you would fail if you could help just a little, it will be a good thing. Am I right?"
"I suppose," Shinji said.
"And who knows, maybe what you would say or do could effect others in the same boat."
"Yeah…" Those words from Miyashima made Shinji real quiet. It put him on a train of thought that was equal parts fascinating and disturbing in its implications.
"Hey Shinji, you all right?" Miyashima asked.
"Oh, fine. I'm fine." He said.
"Are you two going to listen to me?" Akane asked them, hands on her hips. "It's time to start to the play."
"Okay," Shinji said to her followed by taking a look a Miyashima, who had the combined look of fear and resignation that should be reserved for when someone is facing the firing squad.
"Well Shinji, have you thought about what we talked about a few days ago?" Shinji was back in front of Kaji's desk.
"I have," he answered. "I talked to one of my classmates about it too. Don't worry, I didn't give him too many details."
"It's all right," Kaji declared. "I trust your judgment. Did this classmate of yours help you make up your mind?" Shinji took a deep breath before he answered.
"He did help me think up a question."
"A question?" Kaji leaned back at his chair, studying his guest.
"What about the others?" Shinji asked.
"Others?"
"I mean, there was a Unit 8, and I was in Unit 13." Shinji said. "So, there had to be other Units. And besides me, there was only Ayanami, Asuka, and Mari. There are more Evas than pilots, so it makes me wonder who else was a pilot." Kaji took a breath before he spoke.
"Excellent question. Some of those Units were manned by Ayanami types, but there have been some that were manned by other pilots."
"What happened to them?" Shinji had an idea what the answer was, but was fearful that it would be confirmed.
"There were a few that fought for a while before retiring, and then there were…a few that…didn't survive combat."
"Oh," was the only thing Shinji said. Kaji leaned forward and placed his arms on his desk.
"This is why we want you take this position," he said. "You know that piloting isn't risk free. You can give Joanna all the help she can get. No one wants to see any more causalities. Will you join us?"
"What if I fail?"
"Even if something bad happens, if you helped her for the days before that, can you really say you failed?" Kaji stated. Shinji sat in silence, reflecting on Kaji's words. His thoughts boiled down to one question. Does he believe that this pilot deserves a better fate than he had or perhaps even Asuka and Mari? What other answer was there?
"I'll do it," he said.
"Are you sure?" Kaji asked him. Shinji answered by nodding his head. "I'm still afraid though."
"Okay then…" He then took a deep breath trying to get his thoughts in order. "It'll still be a few days before Joanna arrives. I will talk to Burke and he will bring you up to speed on the various workings here."
"Sure," Shinji said.
"I'd take you out the celebrate, but a commander's work is never done. Come here after school tomorrow. If you have your club, you can still go to it. At that point, we'll discuss further details. On, there's one more thing I have to add."
"What is it?" Shinji asked. Kaji stood up and offered his hand to him.
"Welcome to Wille," he said. Shinji stood up as well and gave it a firm shake.
"Thank you," he said.
"Great, see you tomorrow," Kaji said. After Shinji left the office, he stood there for a few seconds watching the door.
"I'm proud of you kid," he muttered to himself before returning to his work.
