Hey guys, I back, again. I'm really sorry about the slow updates as I haven't had the time needed to write and since it's been so long I decided to cut my newest chapter in half so that you guys have something. Again I'm really sorry about the delay. I'm sad to report that all my future updates are most likely going to be REALLY slow. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the half chapter.

Chapter Five Part One

And so it Begins

The next day before school starts

I was right, my period started today. 'Damned menstrual cycle!' Anyways, the rest of yesterday was relatively calm, just answering Shinji's shy questions about my life before I moved in; he even had the balls to ask me about my love life. It was nice to see as our conversation (aka, interrogation Shinji-style) continued Shinji seemed to become more comfortable around me.

Today we're going to school, it's now Thursday. We've already gotten onto campus and have to split up to go to our lockers before class. As I open my locker to retrieve my textbooks I suddenly feel like I'm being watched. I take a quick scan of my surrounding and spot Jiro Hayase peering at me from an adjoining hallway. 'I knew he was stalker material.'

I quickly grab the materials I need and then walk to class while making plans on how I can seal my locker. I can hear his footsteps as he follows me to our classroom. As I get into the classroom I feel a great amount of relief when I spot Shinji, Kensuke, and Touji already in their desks. Even after I'm seated I can feel Jiro staring at me.

Touji notices my discomfort and whispers, "You okay Tomoe-san?"

"No, Jiro-san has been stalking me since I got to my locker and he's still watching me," I answer honestly.

"The Hayase kid? Ya want me to rough him up a bit afterschool?"

"No thank you. If he continues any further in his stalking I'll let you."

"Okay, it's your call. Just stick close to me, Ken, and Shin-man."

"I will."

"I'll ask Sector 7 to keep Hayase-san out of our apartment complex's perimeter," Shinji interjects.

"You guys can hear us," the jock asks, surprised.

"That's kind of insulting, of course Kensuke and Shinji can hear us, and they sit right next to us. It's not like their deaf."

"What she said," Kensuke adds.

"Gomen, gomen [1]. Jeeze."

Time-skip

During P.E.

On my first day here, Tuesday, we didn't have P.E. Turns out we only have P.E. on Mondays and Thursdays. Today the teacher is making the class run track, not that I'm complaining. I like a good run, it's very refreshing really. My only problem is that Jiro is still watching. The boys aren't running track like the girls but they're off to the side doing some strength-training-esc exercise with weights, poor Shinji. Thankfully Horaki-san is able to somewhat distract me from the disturbing stare of Jiro.

"Kitajima-san, have you thought of what club you're going to join?"

"To be honest, I forgot taking part in a club was mandatory. What clubs do we have anyway?"

"We have band club, afterschool sports, calligraphy club, robotics, student council, writing club and I think we even have a fashion club."

"Are you in any of them?"

"I'm in calligraphy and student council."

"I'm probably going to join fashion and calligraphy, maybe band."

"What instrument do you play?"

"I play the piano."

The teacher blows his whistle and yells at us to go change before the bell rings.

Time-skip Lunch

We're eating lunch on the roof again; it's a relatively nice day with the sun shining and a gentle breeze.

"So, what clubs are you guys in," I ask.

"I'm in robotics," says Kensuke.

"Basketball," drawls Touji.

"I'm in band and calligraphy," Shinji mumbles.

"Have you decided what clubs you're going to join," Touji inquires.

"Calligraphy, fashion and possibly band," I reply.

"I would like it if you could join band," Shinji says shyly.

'Aww, he's like a puppy.'

"Do they have a pianist?"

"No."

"Then I'm in."

Shinji gives me a small smile until the school announcement speakers start up.

"Kitajima, Tomoe and Ikari, Shinji, report to the house office immediately."

"Did you guys do something," Kensuke asks, looking somewhat concerned.

"No," Shinji nervously says.

"I have a bad feeling about this," I mutter.

At the Office

I see Misato and Dr. Akagi waiting for us in front of one of the private office doors.

Dr. Akagi says, "Come in," and we all go into the office, closing the door behind us, and sit down.

"On Saturday we're going to rendezvous with the Second Child and Evangelion Unit-02 aboard the "Over the Rainbow," Dr. Akagi states.

'Oh great, Asuka.'

"You guys can invite your friends to come with us if you want," Misato offers.

"Okay," replies Shinji.

"Anyways, I'm going back to the car. Meet me there Rits' when you're done."

Dr. Akagi turns to Shinji and says, "Could you excuse us, I need to talk to Tomoe in private."

"Uh, okay."

'Wait, what? Why does she need to talk to me in private of all people!?"

As soon as Shinji leaves the room and closes the door Dr. Akagi turns to me with a serious face.

"Tomoe, I know you probably don't want to deal with this, but, you have been selected as a candidate for the place of the Fifth Child and, unfortunately, at the moment there are no other candidates at the moment."

"Fifth? Who's Fourth?"

'The sad thing is that I already know.'

"You don't need to be concerned with that. All you need to know is that NERV needs you to take synch tests with all of the Evas we currently have if you consent to becoming the Fifth Child."

I start to think about the pros and cons of becoming a pilot.

'I could help Shinji… and I could die again in an equally horrific manner. I could be a badass Angel killer or the side character who dies Attack on Titan-style. I could save the world or epically fail trying (a.k.a. dying). No matter what, if I choose to be a pilot I'll have to tread carefully around Commander Ikari and other agents of SEELE. The cons far outweigh the pros, but, I want to be able to support Shinji and the other pilots… primarily Shinji.'

"Well, what'll it be," Ritsuko asks, interrupting my thoughts.

"I'll do it."

Ritsuko looks surprised by my answer.

"I didn't expect you to accept. You usually follow your extremely strong sense of self-preservation."

"I want to be able to support Shinji in more ways than just a pep talk or two."

"I see, guess love really does make people do crazy things," says Ritsuko as she gives me that look.

I flush a bright red and stutter, "I don't l-like Shinji t-that way!"

"Of course," she responds with an amused smile, then she gets serious again, "We'll need to have you tested on Sunday afternoon after we've had Unit-02 settled in."

"I understand, I'll see you later," I say as I get up to leave. Right when I get to the door Ritsuko says, "I sincerely hope you know what you're getting into."

"Don't worry, I know," I state grimly.

And that's a wrap on this half chapter. Do you guys like it? Have any constructive criticism? Tell me with your reviews, I appreciate them all greatly

Referential Guide of Awesome:

[1] - Gomen is an informal way of apologizing in Japanese.