Chapter 5- Encounters of an Odd Kind

Shinji thought about his father's words. He must have been lying. HE was actually considering sharing a roof with his own son? How odd. Maybe his father realized that he was the only family he had left? It wasn't likely since Gendo had been pushing family away for all these years, but then again anything was possible.

Anyway Shinji had picked Rei. Not only because they were… he supposed friends, but it was hard to tell with her, but he liked her. Plus he didn't want to be responsible for what he might say to his father. He had a life now, why would he ruin it for a man he hardly knew and had no intention of getting to know?

Shinji walked out the exit and took a deep breath. He enjoyed the silence that night always brought. His father had said something about Misato waiting outside. He looked around for her, but saw Rei first. Her pale skin glowed slightly in the moonlight and her blue hair stood out, swaying ever so gently in the midnight breeze. He stood there, watching the girl with a tender smile.

Misato, who was standing on the other side of Rei, watched Shinji come out and where his attention was drawn to. Why didn't I notice this before? Maybe the feeling is mutual, she thought with a mental chuckle.

Rei had turned her head and, having seen Shinji, was now walking calmly over towards him. Misato followed, about five steps behind, observing the two closely, trying to pick up things that she had missed before.

"Hello Misato and Re-, uh, Ayanami," he stuttered, unsure of how to address her.

"Hello Ikari," Rei replied quietly. "Misato and I thought it would be nice to pick you up for dinner since you will be staying with me."

"Oh, yeah," he responded, smiling a little. "You don't mind, do you, Rei?"

This was one of the few times he had used her name. She found it made her feel warm inside and tingle with anticipation. Is this happiness? she thought a bit off the subject. Can I feel happiness? I think this is happiness, and I am happy that I can feel it.

Rei shook her head in reply, the question of no concern anymore. Then there was profound silence. Both parties wondered if the other was about speak or should they speak first instead, and what about messing up?

Misato couldn't stand just stand still and stay quiet at the same time, so acting upon instinct, she put her arms around them. It shocked them both, eliciting a quiet gasp from Rei and quite the shriek from Shinji.

"Where are we going to eat?" she asks rather excitedly, trying to get rid of the tension. She dragged the two teens off and started rambling off places, most of which were cheap, but hey, it IS food.

Rei and Shinji glanced at Misato who was practically skipping now. Shinji shrugged, and began to keep up and make it easier for her. Rei, on the other hand, hesitated for a moment, unsure if this was appropriate behavior in public, but walked after them all the same.

Misato then took the lead, Shinji behind her and Rei at a slight diagonal angle from him. Rei was afraid of getting close and Shinji was afraid of allowing Misato to see him. Then again, Misato was too busy talking about whatever food came to mind, missing three restaurants and two ramen carts on the way. Shinji's stomach began to growl violently, making Misato stop in her tracks and turn to face him.

"Are you really that hungry?" Misato asked doubtfully.

"Yeah," he replied, head dropping a bit. "Asuka took my lunch and there was nothing to eat at NERV."

Rei heard this and an odd look came across her face. It looked like she was almost disgusted, but not quite. Like she couldn't put her finger on what she felt… maybe it was anger too? There were so many emotions to choose from and such little time to express them. She wasn't even sure why she felt this way, but she had a feeling it had to do with Asuka.

"Misato," she said, "can we just eat at the next place? We still have to get Shinji's things ready."

"Misato looked strangely at Rei. Two different accounts of forwardness in one day! But this one had more to do with logic. Yet, it was proof enough that she was having more human thoughts.

"Sure, Rei," she replied. "Shinji, what do you want?"

"Um, I don't care," he answered, shrugging. "Whatever you would like is okay."

Shinji glanced at the two women, feeling as though he was being ganged up on. He had planned to ask Rei out soon, even though she would probably be clueless. The plan, though, had included Misato not being there and him having some money. But this wasn't a date, or at least as far as he was concerned.

Rei, on the other hand, was jittery on the inside, unsure of what this was. She had heard of people going out to eat as a date. But was that also for three people? Could it be for three people? Japanese culture traditionally did not believe in polygamy, but these were modern times, of which she knew little about. This was just another question for Misato when the time presented itself.

Finally, Misato stopped at a suitable-looking place and decided to order some food. Shinji was about to sit next to the blue-haired albino, but Misato quickly sat in between, a bit nervous of what that could lead to right now. Rei looked quizzically at Shinji, but it was not noticeable to passersby and Misato. She felt something, but was unsure what it was.

The sound of screaming floated to their ears from across the street. Two people were arguing, a common enough scene in the world. That must be true anger, Rei thought. So when I wish to scream, is that anger as well? What if it is a positive scream? Would it be happiness?

She did not feel like screaming now. She felt like disobeying Misato, like going against her orders and just pushing the woman aside so she could sit next to Shinji. So then what was this?

"Rei," Misato called, bringing the girl back to from her reverie, "What would you like?"

"Just some vegetable ramen if I may," she responded quietly, looking down at the counter in front of her.

Misato nodded slightly and fed the order to the waiter, allowing Rei to return to her previous thoughts. She couldn't feel this way towards Misato, especially after all the help she had given her. After all, she was acting on motherly instinct, or something like that right? It was all explained in her psychology books. Shinji was the child that needed to be protected, and Misato would perform that task flawlessly.

Rei smiled, happy with her conclusion and unknowing of Shinji's gaze on her. He watched each motion the girl made diligently and tried his best to memorize each delicate feature on her face.

The waiter placed the order down, bringing each teen back to the present. Misato slurped down some noodles noisily, much to the disgust of nearby fellow customers but never noticing the dirty looks they constantly threw at her, and cleared her throat dramatically.

"As your superior and someone who cares, I feel that I need to set a few… rules before the two of you start living with each other."

Shinji looked at her in disbelief and Rei just nodded in reply. Man, were they in for an earful.

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NeoAthena: Hi guys! This chapter is taking so long because I am getting it beta read and stuff. And thanks so much to my prereader Lone Wulffe! I don't own Eva and R&R in all ways possible!