CONCERT
Chapter 8
by Gunman
Disclaimer: I own nothing because I have two jobs.
Thank you to all those who reviewed my stories. And just let me say, that I have no intention of abandoning my stories. But doing bulk-updates is a little hard on the body sometimes.
Nightmare2046: That whole picnic in the park was the date, but if you were looking for the study-date thing, that might be in the next chapter.
Ahven: I actually have a blind Asuka in this story.
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Shinji and Asuka had been gone an hour when there was a knock on the front door.
"Wonder who that could be?" Misato wondered as she walked over to the door. She opened the door and was greeted to the sight of a teenage girl probably about 17 years of age.
"Ms. Katsuragi?" the young woman asked.
"Yes."
"My name is Kodama Horaki."
"Horaki? As in..."
"I'm Hikari's big sister."
"Please, come in."
"Thank you."
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"So, what brings you to my door?" Misato asked as she served her guest tea.
"Shinji and Hikari's relationship." she said outright.
"They have a relationship?" she said, feigning ignorance at this.
"Hikari's been happier than I've ever seen her. And I'm sure Shinji's happy too. My sister isn't that much of a cold fish."
Misato giggled at that reference. "He has, actually. And I have noticed, its just... rare that he has any reason to be happy, and I didn't want to spoil it by teasing him."
"I understand that you do that a lot."
"Probably more than I should."
"Yeah. I'm like that with Hikari too."
The pair continued to laugh and share stories about their respective relations.
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(School...)
"Asuka, I'm still your friend, but what you did was wrong. I just...I just need a little time away from you right now." Hikari said.
"So you're trading me over for the baka." Asuka accused.
"I'm not trading you, Asuka, and he's not a baka. He's kind, and sweet, and considerate of others." she said, then decided to add something else. "And he's a good kisser too."
"What? You kissed him?" the shocked girl asked.
"Actually he kissed me."
Asuka's lip was trembling at that. "He...kissed...you? That's impossible."
"Well, it would have been, if he hadn't drunken all those beers."
Asuka pounced on that. "AH-HA! So he was drunk! That's the only reason he kissed you."
"At least it wasn't out of boredom!" Hikari spat back, not liking the inference.
"What? He...he told you about that?"
"Yes, Asuka, he did. And you know what? He said I was pretty." she blushed at that. "He actually said I was...pretty."
"Hikari, he was drunk!" she protested.
"That doesn't mean he wasn't honest!" she shot back. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go. I've got a date to prepare for."
"A date? With whom?"
"Who do you think?"
"SHINJI?"
"Yes. We're doing a report on Mozart and he's coming over tonight."
A study-date.
"Maybe dinner too. At least he could appreciate my cooking, unlike Toji who just eats." she mumbled the last part. "I'll see you later, Asuka."
With that, the class rep left the German firebrand to muse. She was having an internal debate with herself that was so intense she failed to hear the bell sound calling students back to class.
Hikari found Shinji wandering back to class and noticed his mood.
"Shinji-kun? Are you alright?" Hikari asked the boy.
"Fine, fine."
"Shinji."
He looked at her.
"What's wrong?"
He sighed. "Misato. She was teasing me about our da...picnic the other day." he quickly corrected himself. But Hikari caught it.
"You mean our date." she said with a smile.
"Sorry. I'm... not really used to that... term when it applies to me."
"God! What AM I going to do with you, Shinji?" she giggled as she wrapped her arms around his and lead him into class.
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School was over for now and Asuka was quickly escorted by Section 2 for more special training at NERV. Actually, more like continuing punishment.
"Shinji-kun." a certain blue-haired girl said as she approached the boy.
"Rei-chan. Are you alright?" he asked.
"I am well."
"Did you need something?"
"I wish to speak with you about your relationship with representative Horaki."
"Uh.. What about it?"
"Are you... happy?"
Shinji blushed a little. "Well... I like her. She's a good person. And she treats me a lot better than Asuka does."
That is not difficult to believe. She thought. "But, are you happy?"
Shinji paused for a brief second before answering. "Yes. I am."
"Then I am as well." she said, giving him a lite smile as she stepped into the girls restroom.
Rei's happy for me? That's rather unusual.
"Yo, Shinji, I hear you're dating the class rep." Toji said as he suddenly approached the boy.
"Uh... yeah. I am." Shinji replied.
"That's cool. Especially after what the demon did to you."
Huh? "You know about that?"
"The whole school knows by now."
"Oh... boy."
"It's not your worry. Good luck with the class rep."
"You're not... upset?"
He looked at him, as if confused. "Why would I be? I'm not dating her."
"Alright." he said, wondering if he realized that Hikari did have a crush on Toji. "I've gotta get going now. I'll see you later, Toj."
"Later, Shin-man." he said as he watched the boy go, only to meet up with the class rep, the pair walking out arm-in-arm.
Rei stepped out of the restroom and looked on as the pair walked off. There was something in her mood that was so obvious Toji actually caught it. Something that he would have missed months ago.
"You okay, blue?" Toji asked.
"I am well." she assured him.
Toji was wide-eyed. Rei never spoke to anyone but Shinji and Asuka. He figured that was because they were NERV pilots as well.
"You're sure." he asked again.
She turned to face him. "Why are you concerned?" she asked.
"I just..." he said, unsure where all this need to comfort the girl was coming from. Heck, he wondered how he knew she needed comforting. "Uh, are you doing anything tomorrow?"
"I have no plans in particular." she said, looking away.
"Would you like to see a movie tomorrow?" he asked.
Rei looked back at Toji for a second, as if trying to figure him out. She was silent and staring for several minutes before answering.
"What movie?" she asked.
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"So, we're agreed. More teasing and butting into their lives." Misato said.
"Agreed." Kodama smiled, the pair clinking their cups.
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Asuka had just completed another arduous training seminar and was now set up for combat training.
At least this halfway fun. She thought as Rei in Unit 00 came out.
"Are we ready?" Ritsuko asked both girls.
"Hai." Rei said.
"Fine, let's get this over with!" Asuka spat.
(Five minutes later...)
"LET ME GO WONDERGIRL!" Asuka screamed as Unit 02 had Unit 00 in a headlock.
"Never. It is time for NOOGIES!" Rei cried as Unit 00 started grinding the head of the red Eva.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!" the redhead cried out.
(A half hour later...)
"GOD! Haven't I suffered enough?" Asuka whined as the black blindfold was securely tightened over her eyes.
Misato looked at Ritsuko. Ritsuko looked at Maya. Maya looked at Misato.
They all shook their heads.
"NO!" they cried in unison.
"Begin... BLIND TRAINING!" Misato shouted.
Of course, being blind, Asuka was tackled fiercely by Unit 00 dropping the red mech to the ground in a heartbeat.
GOD HATES ME, I KNOW IT! Asuka mentally whined as Unit 00 started dragging her around the Geofront.
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Author's Notes:
Well, here it is. Chapter 8 of Concert.
Not much to say about this.
Not a lot of Shinji/Hikari interactions, a hint of Toji/Rei romance, (I'll probably add something more to this in the next chapter, whenever I get around to that) and a short piece of Asuka getting more punishments from the others. And Misato and Kodama meet to discuss Shinji and Hikari.
I know, it's pretty short, but considering I finished this up at 3:00 in the morning, it's not bad.
Any comments you have about this chapter please let me know.
Depending on the kinds of reviews I get for this story, I'll consider updating it.
And as always, please Read and Review.