Shinji was told Asuka was in the lecture theatre with the other new employees undergoing
induction, by a woman who he assumed was his fathers secretary though as she seemed to see
Anyanami's lack of emotion as a trait to copy he didn't ask her if that was correct and hurried on
his way.
NERV's base was large and a lot of it was unknown to Shinji, though actually it was fairly easy to navigate once you learned the layout so he quickly found himself outside the lecture
theatre even though he had not known it existed 5 minutes before. He steeled himself knocked and went in.
The lecture theatre was large but mostly empty the rows nearest the front were filled though evidently spreading out was not allowed. The group was a collection of people in NERV uniforms and civilian clothes even some section two members in their obligatory suits they
looked as bored as Shinji did in School. He bowed politely and asked for Asuka to be released for
pilot duties and with only have to introduce himself to the new recruits with a short speech they were free.
As soon as they were out of earshot Asuka let out a sigh "Thanks for the save Butterfly
I don't think I could have lasted much longer death by power point is not how I wish to die"
"Butterfly?" Shinji asked confused.
"From Madam Butterfly I was going to go with cabin boy, but, Butterfly works better"
"It's a nickname if Misato going to foist Fish bait on me you can be Butterfly Rei can be Smurfette"
"Why?"
"Because she has blue hair obviously
"No why butterfly!"
"Tessa is an American sea captain and your Japanese and you will probably be staring out to sea pining the first chance you get" Asuka smirked back.
Shinji just frowned at her in reply
"Oh cheer up no one gets to choose their call sign it's something your fellow pilots chose
it is a time honoured tradition!"
"So I have to think up one for you do I?"
"Well between you and Rei and it better be a good one as it will echo down the centuries
I am saving the world after all"
Shinji again found himself wondering if Asuka was joking or was she really that self centred he could see Rei would be annoyed with her call sign well, as annoyed as she got. He would have to think of a call sign for Asuka something loud annoying and German sprang to mind
maybe he would ask Tessa for a suggestion as nothing sprung to mind other than those dive bombers with the Sirens whose name he couldn't remember though that was probably out world war
two was not popular with Germans.
Walking through Tokyo 03 Shinji was beginning to regret wearing the uniform Mithril had given
him the camouflage pattern was unique so seemed to attract people to it wanting to thank them for what Mithril had done and when they realised it was being worn by Evangelion pilots well Shinji
was half hoping he didn't survive the war if this was going to be his future as prophesied by Asuka
he returned salutes shook hands and posed for photos and signed stuff people asked him too.
Eventually the arrived at the department store that sold school outfits Asuka looked crest fallen
as she viewed the racks of school uniforms
"Misato wasn't joking about me going to school was she?"
"Would you rather hang around the geofront and let Doctor Akagi experiment on you?
"She is not too bad she is not going to tell Misato about what happened on the TDD-1 and I trust you are not"
Shinji was not suicidal so had not intention of raising the incident.
"Oh she must have been in a good mood as she was nice to me as well though she is making me cook supper when she visits tonight."
Shinji didn't even have time to think oh shit before Asuka seized on that little nugget of information.
"Oh and what has she got you on Shinji"
"Tessa kind of bite me"
"Ha so you got a love bite on your bum" She cackled.
"Bet your looking forward to gym class" Shinji turned red and in a small voice said.
"She is giving me a note to excuse gym till the bruises go away.
"Don't you want to flaunt the fact you have a girlfriend to your friends?"
"No I don't. I don't know if Tessa and I have a future Asuka we just spent a night together, I don't know when or if we will see each other again and NERV want to split us apart, and, who would
believe I have an American teenage submarine captain for a girlfriend?"
"Your a teenage giant robot pilot"
"Your point this isn't an animé"
"Well of course it isn't you'd be better looking and be hopelessly in love with me, well, you could be the plucky comic relief, who dies saving the heroine who then uses your death to drive on to final victory"
"Great thanks" Shinji replied sarcastically.
"Oh cheer up I'm sure it will be a heroic death and if it makes you feel better Tessa and I will
Look stunning in black. Asuka was smiling at Shinji as if dying to give her an excuse to buy a new dress was an ambition he should gladly embrace. Shinji thought about a reply realised it would get him a slap, but, decided to go with it anyway.
"Well if it was an Animé wouldn't you and Rei console yourself in each others arms over my death?" He leered at her. Asuka was stunned into silence and then slapped him with a cry of
"Pervert!" she stormed off to buy uniforms.
Miles away Rei's contemplation of the tree outside the class room was interrupted by a strange desire to slap Ikari's face again.
Shinji brought a replacement uniform and a pair of shoes opting to buy the more expensive
ones than the economy ones his tutor had always brought him. He also brought some bento boxes
on impulse deciding he could at least make Rei lunches to pay her back for taking the Angel blast for him. He would have to see about finding her somewhere else to live Auska and Tessa would not
be happy with how she lived and it would be somehow be his fault he realized.
Asuka returned with her purchases which she handed to Shinji to carry.
"Where to next?"
"Food shopping and there is a shop you might like I want to show you"
"Lead on
The mall had a row of small food shops like a traditional market Shinji preferred to shop there
for food whenever he got the chance reasoning he had more choice than a supermarket when it came to cooking he was a bit of a perfectionist and liked to be in control of his ingredients.
The shop keepers recognised him while boys doing food shopping was not unusual one taking
an interest in what he was buying was, and, of course the presence of section two bodyguards
doing their best malevolent lurking had tipped them off to who and what he was that he occasionally dragged Misato around in a doomed attempt to educate her in the art of cooking only
enhanced his popularity with the shopkeepers and here he was resplendent in a Mithril uniform with
another beautiful girl. While Shinji tried to shop. Asuka happily lapped up the attention from the
shopkeepers. Yes she was an Evangelion pilot no she wasn't Shinji's girlfriend she simply wasn't his type He preferred older and higher ranking women than a mere pilot. Shinji was left red faced and
spluttering denials as the implications of what Asuka had said sank in. Misato would take the idea and run with it given half a chance. Asuka smiled smugly and denied all knowledge of doing anything, but, telling the truth.
Shinji reluctantly led Asuka to the last shop she really didn't deserve to know about this shop after
what she had done, but, he had already decided to buy a cake for dessert from here, and, she would also be mad as hell if she found out about it from anyone else, but, Shinji he realised.
The sign above it self read Heidi's in both Kanji and English and was decorated with a German
flag. It described it self as a cake shop and purveyor of fine German merchandise. Misato had shown it too him as she brought a particular brand of cookies from there she had grown to like
while based in Germany. It sold cakes and pastries and also German Merchandise as NERV had
a small band of ex patriot Germans here and also a lot of Nerv had worked or at least visited Germany and acquired a taste for some brands.
Asuka just stopped and stared she hadn't realised until now that being able to buy recognisable brands was so important to her. Impulsively she hugged Shinji and launched herself into the store.
Shinji followed to find the shopkeeper the Heidi deep in conversation in German with an excited Asuka who was swiftly filling a basket with German brand items. Shinji watched the two of them
converse he wondered what he would miss from Japan if he was suddenly sent to the other side of the world. He couldn't think of anything in particular though Asuka was quickly filling a basket of stuff and seemed overjoyed Shinji smiled he knew he had done a good thing. They finished off the
visit by buying an entire black forest gateau which Asuka was happy to carry while Shinji was left with the rest of the purchases they were heading home when a cry went out.
"What on earth are you wearing Shinji?"
They turned round to be confronted by a school girl her hair in pig tails and her freckly face with a look of concern on it. She was also accompanied by a younger girl whose resemblance to the older girl left no doubt that she was the younger sister.
"Um its the uniform Mithril gave me class rep I kind of lost my clothes in the battle"
Hikari gave him an exasperated look" I have a name you know Shinji. I hope you have a school uniform you know Kensuke would not leave you alone if you turn up dressed like that." And then
pointedly "Are you going to introduce us?"
Hikari liked Shinji he was kind and respectful and his actions in the Evangelion were Heroic she just wished he would smile more. He was also like most boys utterly clueless.
Shinji jerked at the realisation of his mistake.
"Uh right Hikara Horakiki meet Asuka Langley Sorrhyu pilot of Evangelion 02"
"Pleased to meet you" Asuka stuck her hand out smiling as Hikari shook it reluctantly Asuka knew the Japanese didn't shake hands, but, she did enjoy playing the ignorant foreigner sometimes.
"Are you really an Eva pilot like big brother?" the younger girl looked at Asuka in Wonder
"Yes yes I am" Asuka would have struck a pose, but, she was carrying a cake and anyway the
next words out of the little girl deflated her.
"Is it because you have funny hair like Rei Chan?"
Shinji inhaled waiting for Asuka to explode. He was to be disappointed if anyone else had tried that
he may have been right Asuka was not going to go off at a little girl she knew the evil that lurked in little girls.
"It takes more than great hair to be an Eva pilot. Though maybe we should dye Shinji's hair to see if it makes him a better pilot what colour do you think we should use?"
"Purple"
Shinji look horrified and Hikari just gave an embarrassed smile.
Before anyone could say anything the young girl grabbed Shinji's hand and started to drag him off
"I forgot big brother they have new toys you have to get them for me"
Nozomi!" Hikari cried in vain as the young girl dragged Shinji away with a cry
"It won't take long sis"
Hikari was furious and embarrassed Nozomi had just dragged Shinji off and left her with a stranger.
Asuka took pity on the flustered girl she found the whole incident intriguing.
"Why don't I treat you to a drink while you explain just what happened" pointing to a nearby open air café.
Hikari felt uneasy the café was the probably the most expensive in Tokyo 03 not really the place for school girls. Asuka picked up on it
"Relax my treat I have six weeks of combat pay to spend"
She marched in to the café and asked for a table for two the waitress gave them a look which made Hikari feel she was totally out of place it had no effect on Asuka.
"You can't eat that cake in here" the waitress looking at the cake Asuka was carrying.
"Of course not bring us high tea for two I'm an Eva pilot look on this as a chance to prove your café is worth defending is tea okay for you Hikari?"
Hikari just nodded.
The waitress scurried off.
"That was."
"Rude and opinionated?" Asuka interrupted and continued before Hikari could speak again.
"I'm Evangelion pilot you have seen what I do on TV and anyway I am just a gaijin so can't be expected to be polite. If she annoys me some more I will leave a large tip. She laughed at Hikari's
look of horror.
"Anyway I'm under doctors orders to stuff my face and if you claim you don't want cake I will
have to slap you.
Asuka looked at the menu and did a quick conversion to Euros from Yen it was pricey well if it was poor she could always blow it up in the simulator and if it was really bad well collateral damage was a thing after all.
"So tell me what's your little sister game?"
"Nozomi friend has a big brother, but, she only has a two older sisters Shinji helped me bring some stuff back from school once" Touji having failed to take the hint she had dropped.
"She decided there and then to adopt him as a big brother"
"And Shinji just let her?"
"Well Shinji doesn't say no"
"No he doesn't does he and the toys?"
"Well we passed the arcade and she she saw the machines had been restocked so she wants Shinji to win her some it will take a while."
"Why is he that rubbish?"
"Oh no, quite the reverse he just lines the crane up and pushes the button at the right time every time. It might just take him a while to dig down to the right toy and then she gets Shinji to get anyone else who is watching the toy they want."
"And the arcade owner is okay with that?"
"Well with Shinji being a pilot and the section two goons looming over him he doesn't have a choice"
"Shinji gets the security to bully people?" Asuka was surprised that Shinji would do something like that. Though she realised she was stupid to even think that the way Hikari looked shocked that she could even ask such a question.
"Of course not he doesn't even know they are doing it.
"My father says section two is a bunch of delinquents who spent their school days being chased out of arcades so this is their chance to get their own back."
"Your father works for NERV?"
"Yes he is one of their engineers. I guess he will be even busier now they have another Evangelion to look after"
"Well I will make sure to win my battles without creating more work for him"
"As long as you win we will be happy"
That led to an unpleasant pause in the conversation which was stopped by the waitress arriving with their tea and cake and both girls took a while to eat and drink. Hikari was the one to start the conversation again.
"So where are you staying?"
"Oh I'm living with Shinji"
Asuka was surprised at Hikari blushing and gulping at her simple statement she then rolled her eyes at the assumption she was realised Hikari was making.
"Its not like that Shinji invited me to live in the apartment he is Sharing with Misato otherwise
I would be in a barracks underground as my old guardian is now too busy to look after me supposedly" She was angry with Kaji's excuse.
"Oh so you are not?
"What me and Shinji?" Asuka laughed
"First we only just met, and, I'm really not his type.
"He has a type?" Hikari was intrigued Shinji was nice enough, but, hardly seem interested in girls other than some fruitless attempts to be friend Rei and she thought that was because they were both pilots rather than any sort of boy girl thing.
"Oh yes he goes for older higher military ranked girls who have odd coloured hair." Asuka smirked as Hikari looked shocked she could see her putting two and two together and coming up with Misato. She could correct her mistaken belief, but, Shinji had told her to keep his relationship
with Tessa secret and anyway where was the fun in that?
"Really he is seeing who I think it is?"
"Are you thinking about a captain?"
"Yes when did this start?"
"I'm not sure, but, there was a party on the submarine and they both had a lot to drink and ended up in the same bed"
"Oh my and your sharing the same apartment. Isn't that awkward?"
"Not really I think it is cute the way they think they are keeping things secret. I won't stand in the way of their happiness how ever brief it may be?"
"Brief"
"We are fighting a war with the way Shinji is going do you think he will survive till the end? He has been getting bye on luck, but, it will run out sooner or later. As long as Humanity survives it matters not if any of the pilots make it. I long ago made peace with the fact I'm never going to have to worry about getting old."
Asuka could have laughed at the look Hikari gave her. She hadn't had the chance to play the doomed little soldier girl for years. Misato had come down on her like a ton of bricks when
she realised Asuka was basically scamming most of the UN military she came in contact with and especially the German forces who eat her act up of a child soldier doing her duty even unto death.
Not that Misato thought anything wrong with scamming she just wouldn't allow even a suggestion of losing the fight against the Angels to enter anyone's mind let alone her pilot. Asuka thought that
her having to display her normal attitude that she was the best and unstoppable because she was just that good. Had convinced the military she was just in denial and as a result were even more willing
to do whatever she wanted them to. Looking at Hikari horror filled expression brought a wave of nostalgia to her
"Oh don't look like that I'm a soldier I have trained all my life for this I wouldn't trade places for anyone even if I knew the next fight was my last"
Hikari gave her a brave smile. Asuka had to fight back the urge to laugh this girl was gullible sweet, but, gullible.
"Shinji never talks like that?"
"Oh there is a simple reason for that"
"What's that?"
"He is a boy not really equipped for thought are they?"
Hikari laughed at that.
"Just wait till he realises playing the doomed hero can get him girls"
"I thought you said he was in love with Misato"
"And the stories I could tell about her lets just say she likes to share"
Asuka laughed as Hikari eyes bugged out.
"I should report her "She primly declared
"Report who?" Nozomi asked suddenly appearing at their table making both girls jump.
"Don't do that Nozomi" Hikari glared at her sister who just smirked at her and showed her the
armful of toys Shinji had won for her.
"You spoil her Shinji" Hikari had to see Shinji in a new light after Asuka's revelations she really didn't know what to think or say. So tried her best to keep a neutral expression.
"Sorry I had to dig down to get the toy she wanted so it took me ten goes to get it"
Hikari rolled her eyes at the innocent look Nozomi was giving.
"Oh she made me get you this from another machine "
Shinji handed Hikari a little Sylvania family figure. Hikari's guilty pleasure was collecting them and Shinji had just handed her a particularly rare one which helped her complete a family decorum
Forgotten in the joy of the moment she hugged Shinji and then sprang back and apologised. Asuka just laughed at the two teens blushing and stammering at one another.
The two groups separated and head to their respected homes. Shinji and Asuka arriving with plenty of time to save the doctor from Misato's ramen curry surprise and thus their own skins.
Asuka laid the table while Shinji cooked by shear chance he had picked one of Doctor Akagi's
favourites so the night was a huge success not least the fact that after a few Drinks she started telling embarrassing stories about Misato at college which left them all helpless with laughter Shinji and Asuka left the two so called adults to carry on drinking while they headed for bed as they had
school in the morning.
Omake.
Sousuke is not a verb
Kaname stared at her civilian friends she had not treated them to a meal for this. Oh who was she kidding she missed this well not when they were picking on her. Still it was nice they still treated
her as Kaname Chidori not the Gunfighter girl as she called her bodyguard idol celebrity career persona Mithril had created for her at least she could dress down with a hat and sun glasses and not be
swamped by fans though her fans were all ways very polite probably because her reputation of
being a ruthless killing machine it wasn't her fault the Mafia had sent an Army of violent yet stupid
thugs after her in Switzerland ,and, several incidents since had her seen her fighting in front of the
media.
"It's not her fault Kaname been totally souskified "Kyoko defended her from the others accusation she was a psychopath and had stumbled into a career where her love of violence was
advantageous.
"Sosukified is not a word and even if it was I haven't been"
"What is in your hand bag then"
"Phone purse make up tissues painkillers you know the usual stuff"
"And the rest "Mizuki said reaching for the bag which Kaname quickly grabbed.
"OK spare magazines a couple of flash bang grenades, multi tool, lock picks, flash light
my favourite gravity knife"
"Your favourite gravity knife?"
"Well its a custom knife it Damascus steel and balanced so ideal for throwing as well as stabbing and slashing and Oh god!" Kaname banged her head against the table.
"Its true I have been Sosukified"
The others laughed.
Authors note.
Well it a long time between updates sorry. Will step it up and get it finished before I go off on my travels again.