Hey guys, this isn't the whole chapter but I figured since I won't be able to work on it for a while because of my broken finger that I should post what I have for now. It's nothing much nor is it very exciting but I hope you all enjoy it. It's really hard to type even just this announcement.

Chapter Six

An Absence of Altruism

Four in the Morning on Sunday

These nightmares of mine are really rather obnoxious, Asuka appeared in the one that woke me and now I can't fall back asleep. I suppose it's to be expected at this point that she would appear in my dreams after I met her considering all I've been able to think about is 'how in the hell can I protect her.'

I turn over after snagging my MP4 off the desk and press the power button. Groaning softly to myself when seeing it's only 4:15 AM and resign myself to a long morning spent preparing for the day ahead, I have to go for compatibility testing today. I pop my earbuds in and put on the theme for "Howl's Moving Castle" while getting up to walk to my wardrobe, picking older clothes that I usually wear when I haven't done the laundry or I'm doing chores and it's the weekend.

'Is compatibility testing considered a chore? Although, I might as well get some cleaning done with it being too early to cook dinner.'

With that thought in mind I set myself upon the task of cleansing the bathroom, every cleaners' greatest adversary, or at the very least mine.

One Hour and a Half Later

I have not only conquered the bathroom but the kitchen as well. I revel in my victory as I soak in the sight of a kitchen no longer infest by so many empty cans and food packages it looked like a landfill instead of a kitchen.

Now that I've had my fill of cleaning for the day, I evaluate our cabinets and fridge to see what we need. I grab the notepad I had found earlier buried underneath a mound of trash and proceed to write down a grocery list.

After having determined we need to buy the entire produce section at whatever supermarket I find nearby, Misato walks in looking like she still thinks she's dreaming.

"What happened?"

"I happened, also we really need to go to the grocery store."

She shrugs, "I figured, I probably won't be able to go anytime soon so you'll have to do it."

"I don't mind, I'm making an improvised miso vegetable soup for breakfast considering all we have is a couple packages of noodles, miso, and some sad veggies that have definitely seen better days."

"That sounds good to me."

About an Hour Later

I've already set the table after letting the soup cool a bit when Shinji stumbles in and takes a seat in his spot at the table next to Misato, still obviously half asleep.

"It's still hot," I warn him.

Shinji nods once before starting with Misato and I follow suit.