Chapter 10

An odd first morning

NeoAthena: Hey guys! I am sorry that this chapter took so long to get out. I lost the draft, then got a block, then lost it again, and I still think it came out bad. Or at least short. Any way, I would like to thank all of you who have reviewed so far! You are the motivation that keeps me going!

The next day Shinji got up, forgetting he was over Rei's house. He opened the door and mechanical walked to the kitchen, not being fully awake yet. He made himself some breakfast and went to go sit at the table, finally realizing where he was.

"Ah! Rei! Sorry!" He said, shielding his eyes and blushing furiously. Rei blinked and looked at him, as if saying 'why?' She wasn't naked, or at least completely. She had a towel wrapped around her as she sat at the table. She truly just didn't understand him sometimes.

Shinji felt around for an exit and wound up falling over the leg of a chair, hitting his chin on the table and falling on the floor.

Rei looked down to him, tilting her head to the side. What was wrong with him? Why was he apologizing and falling over things? What was the purpose for covering his eyes? Was she ugly?

"Is there something wrong Shinji-kun?"

"Umm, well, Rei, your kind of, umm, half naked and sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast," he says wondering if she sees the oddness in this. He gropes for an edge of the table, eyes closed, finally finding it and pulling himself up with one hand. The other was to busy trying to hide his blushing face and his eyes that kept snapping open.

Rei just watched him, sipping her tea delicately. A human body was a human body to her. Why should she be ashamed? Even if men lacked in certain areas, according to the books, and then women lacked in others, why did her wearing a completely good towel bother him?

"Do you not do this at your other residence?" Rei asked, standing up to put her cup in the sink.

"No, Rei-san, I mean, there are, uh, two genders now living here. Shouldn't you be more discreet?"

"I don't see why I should change my routine for you. Anyway, Dr. Akagi wishes us to be present at NERV at oh-ten-hundred hours. Tardiness, she said, is not an option."

As she stood and walked to her room to get dressed for the day, he watched her in disbelief. How could on girl be so multidimensional? How could he be the only one to notice it?

He ate his meal in silence, pondering about the girl and her odd habits.