Hey. I just managed to finish this one right in time for Valentine's day, a chapter that is a little bit longer than usual
A quick WARNING: this chapter mentions sexual acts and relationship between adults, but not in a way that would affect T rating. The movie that plays with those themes and tropes is also not M rated, so I guess it will be fine.
So, have fun with this classic movie, revisited by Shinji and Asuka. And, once again, thanks for reading and for all the support and feedback.
Take care and until the next one.
It was the end of another workday for Ritsuko Akagi when her cell phone beeped, reminding her of an international video conference.
The woman sighed deeply, tidying her brunette hair that was beginning to show some white strands and turned on her camera, starting the meeting.
"Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuten Morgen, Rits!"
"It's already night time here in Japan, Asuka." - she replied in a voice devoid of emotion, contrasting with the young woman's animated voice. "Tell me, is everything ready for your trip?"
"So, I'm calling to cancel the extra ticket. I will be going alone, I am inf fact boarding right now."
"What? Asuka, that wasn't the deal. What happened with your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend is a very strong and completely wrong expression to apply to him, Rits. In short, he was very annoying and I broke up with him. I could never spend 15 hours flying for him and still attend an important business event without him bothering me."
"Asuka" - she said, bringing her hands to her head - "You are impossible! I can't believe you did that. Sometimes it feels like you're about 14 years old and not nearly 30. Don't you remember what I said? Here in Japan things are different and your sexy appeal and mind games won't work. I know better than anyone that it's so sexist and old-fashioned, but no one will take an unaccompanied foreign woman seriously for such an important business meeting! That's why it is crucial that you show up with a fine man by your side, even more so when dealing with..."
"Relax, Rits. We will find a way. You always did with the technical issues and I always did with negotiations. Besides, we are the heirs of the two women who saved this world, remember? They dismantled an international conspiracy and managed to ensure that an alien technology was used to build the world after the Second Impact, instead of destroying it. It's not possible that..."
"Asuka, the world has changed. People have short memories. To these vultures, only money and power matter. They don't care about who we are and what our mothers did anymore. So why do you..."
"Aaaaah... Sorry Rits, I'm boarding now. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything, okay? Trust me. I'll see you when I get there ok? Everything is under control. Bye-bye."
"Wait Asuka! Once you arrive there you must. Oh that little b…. always a brat!"
"Scheiße! Scheiße! Scheiße!" - Asuka screamed as she lamented her situation. Her phone battery had died and the stupid Japanese plugs were not compatible with her charger. Although she spoke Japanese fluently, she had great difficulty reading the kanji and was completely lost.
But she would never admit that. Her pride would not allow it. Instead of seeking help to contact Ritsuko and relying on her memory of the times she had visited Gehirn's Japanese headquarters, she decided to take the subway, even though it was already past midnight.
However, soon after boarding, she realized that she had made the wrong choice. The train car was relatively empty, but at the next station it was occupied by a bunch of people who looked at her in a very unfriendly way.
A gang of nine drunken men stared at her with a malicious eye, licking their own lips as the nightscape drifted away from the center of the Japanese capital towards the suburbs.
They stared at her like vultures, and Asuka realized that she was in danger. After a few minutes, they started walking toward her.
"Hey there little redhead. What have you come to do so far away from home?" - said one of the men with a cynical and terrifying smile.
"Look at the way she's dressed! I'm sure she's in the mood for some action. - said another, while licking his own lips.
Asuka stared at the situation trying not to show fear, as she watched the light signal showing that the next station was approaching.
As soon as she felt the train slow down, she headed for the door of the car, but the men quickly stood up and made a blockade in front of the door and around her, surrounding Asuka like a prey before a flock of vultures.
The train door opened, and the men began to laugh as she tried, in vain, to disembark.
Asuka foamed with rage and even felt like crying. At that moment, she couldn't help but think about how her arrogance actually hid a weakness and insecurity to face the world alone.
And how could she?
Her mother, Kyoko, was a heroine who saved the world from a catastrophe and revolutionized all scientific paradigms while Asuka was still a child. Together with Naoko Akagi, she turned Gehrin into the most important scientific foundation in the world, all of that while giving Asuka all the love of a mother and the best opportunities of advanced education.
So when Kyoko decided to retire and move to the United States to help to take care of the elder Ms. Langley, it was only natural that the transition would occur. Kyoko gave an emotional speech to the world, announcing that Asuka was ready to take on the responsibility of continuing to honor the legacy that her mother had built.
Asuka didn't mind. In fact, she rose up to the challenge. Her negotiation skills put her in the position of the most famous businesswoman under 30 in the world. But as much as she exuded confidence in her professional abilities, her personal life and her eccentric, arrogant attitude had always been her Achilles heel.
And because of her stubbornness now she was in this situation. Completely surrounded, in the middle of a hostile crowd, unable to escape this situation on her own. How disgusting. If only someone could appear and...
Suddenly, she felt something touching her right hand. And a brief instant later, a hard pull made it possible for her to break through the blockade of her assailants, causing her to disembark from the train just a moment before the door slammed shut, leaving the men in the carriage completely enraged as the train continued its journey.
Asuka looked forward and saw the figure of a beautiful boy in front of her, dressed in an overcoat and a scarf.
"Thanks! You've really saved me this time."
She watched more closely as he helped her to her feet and realized that although her savior's features were kind and his eyes looked like those of a frightened dog, he was actually a tall and even a bit intimidating man who was looking her directly in the eye.
"But hm... for how long are you going to hold my hand?"
He quickly let go of her hand, startled.
"S-sorry! Are you ok? A lady like you shouldn't take this train at this time of the night, let alone in this region. It's too dangerous."
Asuka looked at the man with a mixture of curiosity and interest. How could the same man who had bravely saved her act like a scared and fearful child just a few seconds later? But at the same time, years of conditioning caused a latent anger and aggression to take over her thoughts and her lips.
"Are you stupid? I didn't intend to take this train, I just didn't realize it until... shit! My suitcase was left behind! Aaargh... I hate this place and... hey, where are you going?"
The man - who had already turned to walk away - stopped and looked again at Asuka, with sad eyes.
"Sorry. I am in a hurry. I have to work."
"Work? But it's the middle of the night. What kind of work do you..." - she stopped talking as soon as she observed that, underneath his overcoat, the man was practically naked, clad only in a thin sticky cloth that appeared to be made of latex.
He looked at her briefly with a sad smile and then quickly turned away, embarrassed, and continued walking toward the station exit.
Asuka watched him go, incredulous, staring at the man's backside as a mischievous smile began to appear on her lips as she whispered her favorite mantra. "Chance!"
"Hey! Wait!"
The man again stopped, just in front of the staircase. But he didn't turn to look her in the eye. Asuka approached, confidently, and as she came close to him, she spoke in a low voice.
"How much is it for the night?"
"What?" - he turned around quickly, with a mixture of astonishment, fear, and indignation on his face.
"I know I'm not your type of customer, but I'm tired from traveling, I have a lot of things to take care of tomorrow, my phone doesn't work, I can't read this kanji crap, and I just want a place to sleep. And you are a nice guy who needs the money, aren't you? So, I will pay to sleep with you. It's the most appropriate solution. But just sleep, ok? Is there a problem? You have a place nearby where we can spend the night, don't you?"
"Are you serious?" - he said, astonished - "You are a beautiful foreign woman that just arrived at this late hour in one of the worst parts of the town, almost got assaulted by a gang of freaks and you are asking a person like me to sleep with you?"
She looked at him and just smiled. "And what is the problem with that?"
"Well… what if I am a sexual predator? Aren't you afraid that I might strangle you at night and steal all your belongings?"
""Are you stupid?" - Asuka put the tip of her finger on his forehead - "You saved me just now. You put yourself at risk to save someone you didn't know. So, no. You won't convince me that you aren't a good guy. And I am indebted to you. Since I know you wouldn't accept money for your good deed, I'm giving you a chance to continue helping me and I am simply making up for the amount you were to receive tonight. Do you understand? So, will you at least be professional, do your job and make a woman happy or will you run away?"
"Yes, but I don't... I mean, you don't..."
Asuka laughed internally as she saw the man's nervous look gradually change to one of understanding, admiration, and finally resignation.
"Ok… for spending the night with me in the regular room it will be 6,000 yen."
"That's it? You are selling yourself short."
"It's not a five star hotel and you will only sleep, so it's the price." - he said, harshly - "If you don't want to, that's ok."
"Hey, hey calm down. Lead the way mister…. Hm, how can I call you?"
He looked at her with some hint of embarrassment and said. "It's up to you. But usually people call me Shinji."
"Nice to meet you, Shinji. I am Asuka Langley Sohryu. Charmed, huh?"
Asuka woke up the next morning feeling the warm scent of coffee being prepared. She looked at the floor and could still see the pillow and the cover that Shinji used to sleep there last night. She checked her purse and realized that she would have so many things to catch up with today. Call Rits, find new clothes and…
"Sorry." - the man said, interrupting her thoughts. "Here is your breakfast. He said, offering her coffee and some scrambled eggs."
"I thought you said that this wasn't a five star hotel." - she said while realizing that she was really hungry and starting to devour the food.
"Also…" - the boy said. "I found an adapter, so you can recharge your phone too."
"Whagh?" - she said, with her mouth full, rapidly swallowing the food. "So this is really a five star hotel after all! Thank you!"
After a while, she recharged her phone and managed to call Ritsuko, while Shinji started to retrieve and clean the dishes.
"Hey Rits! Guten Morgen!"
"ASUKA!" - the rage, intensity and volume of the angry shout from the other side of the call could be heard even by Shinji - "Are you insane? How are you? I got the police looking for you already! Where are you? Don't tell me that you… Oh dear! Frankly, you are impossible. You are just like my old College roommate that always…"
"Relax Rits! I am alive, I am ok. I will just need to buy some new clothes for tomorrow's meeting." - she looked at Shinji doing the dishes - "and I think I just found a solution to that other problem too."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't do this kind of thing."
"I thought you were a professional."
"I am. But there are certain kinds of things that I am not comfortable doing. And that request is one of them. You would be better with another person, I can recommend some to you."
"Come on! You let me sleep here without any kind of… regular activities. You also fixed me breakfast and even went out of your way to buy an adapter for my phone! See! You can do it! That's exactly what a 'boyfriend experience' is. Or… " - she smirked and faked a surprised voice - "did you do all those things because you weren't being…. strictly professional, Mr. Shinji?"
Shinji turned away from her, hiding his face.
"It's one thing to do it here, under this familiar ceiling. To go outside and talk to other people. Pretending to be someone that I am not… I am sorry, that's too much."
She approached him, looking straight at her face.
"How much?"
"It's not a matter of money. I just can't do what you are asking me to do."
"Are you stupid, Shinji? I am not asking for an escort. I am asking for you! I need you! It has to be you to accompany me to that business meeting tomorrow."
"Why?"
"It's a matter of trust, ok? That's the way I am. I can't just pretend to get along with someone I don't trust and my trust is not earned that easily. It's not like I will meet any other man that would save me from a gang of thugs out of the blue, right?"
He sighed - "You are just trying to use me."
"No, I am not. I am being completely honest and explaining to you why I am desperate and I have no other option. I know and understand that it's uncomfortable to you, but I am once again asking for you to reconsider, since you are a professional and I am willing to pay as much as you want. Just give a number."
"Sorry Asuka. I can't. I really can't."
"200 thousand yen!"
He looked at her, shocked with the proposal.
"400 thousand!"
"Done."
"Holy shit..." - he said in disbelief, staring at the woman's triumphant smile and mumbled an answer.
"Just for you to know, I would have agreed to do it for 200."
"I would have paid 600." - she answered with a grin - "Now, come on, we have a lot of shopping to do."
The day was really fun. One of the best days Asuka had in her entire life. After they brought new clothes for the meeting - and Asuka selected a nice suit for Shinji that made the tall man feel embarrassed like a small boy - she decided to enjoy her "boyfriend experience" package and decided to have a date.
She was surprised that he chose to go to an amusement park, but she didn't mind. Not even the long lines and the waiting time bothered her. She took the opportunity to show off her skills and won a bunch of prizes, bragging about it all the time. Shinji didn't mind. The fact that she couldn't tell if he was being professional or honest was starting to annoy her. So she made her move.
"Hey Shinji. Let's have sex."
"What?"
"Sex. Have you ever done it?" - she said, ironically.
"Well, ok but…" - he said nervously, looking at the crowd.
"No, not here, idiot. Let's go back to your place. And that way I will be able to see if my money really brought me the best boyfriend experience of Japan."
"Mein Gott!" - she said, as Shinji went to the kitchen to get her a glass of water. She had some relationships in the past. Some guys managed to make her reach there once. A few ones had been able to do it twice. But thrice upon a time? That was a mind fuckery! How could this man be so good? Her thoughts were interrupted when he returned, still up for one more round.
"I can't believe in it! You really are 'invincible', Shinji. How can you still be ready to go without.. you know..."
"Well… you didn't tell me to stop, so..."
She spit the water she was drinking - "Oh, come on! I am really offended now. Are you sayingm that am I not pretty enough to make you reach there too?"
"It's not like that." - he turned away from her. "I am a professional, and that's why I can hold it." - he stopped, when he felt her embracing him from behind.
"You sure are. But today you are my boyfriend, remember? So, you can have fun too. I don't mind."
"Sorry, I can't." - he said, trying to escape her embrace, in vain.
"Why?" - she asked. Not with a commanding voice or a mocking tune. But more like a soft whisper.
"I… I don't know. I guess since I was a child I just do things to please other people. It's hard for me, especially when you work in this business, to try to do things for myself. When I am around other people doing those kind of stuff, it's like I'm wearing an armor. No, even more. It's like I have to get inside of a robot to protect myself and ensure that people won't hurt me."
She touched his shin and made him look at her. With a swift move, she threw them both at the bed. He was on top.
"So, Shinji. I have a request for you and you must comply, understand?"
He just nodded and closed his eyes, only to open them up quickly when he felt her hand gently caressing his cheek.
"Shinji Ikari." - she said, approaching her lips to his - "get out of this damn robot".
They stayed in bed for a few hours after that. Not talking. Just enjoying each other's company. Until Asuka broke the silence.
"Shinji…" - she said, tracing her fingers on his chest - "Tell me more about yourself."
"Why?"
"Because I am bored." - she purred, snuggling her face into his neck. He sighed.
"You know that all persons that work at my business usually have issues and don't want to talk about their past, right?"
"I know. You and I are such similar creatures, Shinji. We both screw people for money."
He laughed. A genuine laugh. And caressed the woman on her head.
"Well… when I was a little boy, my mother used to take me to the playground to play on the sandbox. Sometimes other children appeared to play with me, but I couldn't really talk or connect to them. I felt like they would hurt me or I would hurt them, as if I had a bunch of spikes, like a porcupine or something like that. So, I would build my own sandcastle, alone, only to destroy it later."
He held back some tears.
"But after my mother died and my father abandoned me I started to miss those days. Because the world wasn't a playground. No chance of just playing, having fun and connecting to other people. So, I frequently dream about being able to return to play on that sandbox. I would start building up a castle again and pretend that someone would notice me this time. Be kind to me. Rescue me from my sadness and my madness. Would save me from my destiny of being always alone, retreated on my shell. Then I…"
His speech was interrupted by a soft snore. He looked at the foreign woman and realized that she was in a deep sleep.
Shinji sighed and got out of bed, grabbing a sheet and getting ready to sleep on the floor on another cold night.
"In the end, you just want to use me too, don't you?"
The next day, Asuka woke up with breakfast served in bed. But no sign of Shinji. Only a written note: 'Don't worry, I didn't run away. I'll pick up the car at the rental place and come back at 11 to pick you up.'
Asuka took advantage of the time off to call Ritsuko again.
"Guten Morgen Rits. Everything solved and I am ready to go. Any last minute tip?"
"Asuka.. Just don't screw up ok? Gehrin is in a tough spot right now. Governments and companies from all over are pushing hard to cancel the treaties and get their hands on the Magi blueprints and use your mother's research about Dirac Seas and AT-Fields for military purposes. And Shiro will try hard to push the Japanese government against us. He will be there alongside the Minister and other seven key businessmen. Be careful."
"So it will be nine against one, huh? Kinda unfair. But don't worry. I can do this if I manage to get my five minute presentation. Now leave it to me. Bye bye, Rits"
Asuka hung up the phone and went to the bathroom to get ready. She looked at herself and whispered "You can do it, Asuka."
Everyone in the restaurant stopped to stare as Asuka and Shinji entered the room. The couple looked completely dazzling and stately, with Shinji wearing an elegant and stunning suit and Asuka wearing a stunning red dress.
They went straight to the special table reserved for authorities, where the Japanese government representative and the most powerful businessmen of the country were waiting for them.
Behind the greetings and smiles, Shinji could feel the animosity and fury that these people possessed. They were not very different from the gang of perverts who tried to attack Asuka on the train.
After the procedural lunch, Asuka had the opportunity to present her proposal.
In a few minutes, she masterfully presented a business model in which all the advances and research developed by Gehrin could result in gains for all humanity and also financial returns for governments and the company.
She also exposed the risks of shutting down the institution and allowing all this knowledge to be placed in the hands of people and entities with no commitment to Gehrin's security protocols and principles.
Her arguments were irrefutable. She had won. Until someone started clapping, breaking the silence.
"Well done, Kyoko's daughter." - Said the husky voice of Shiro Tokya, a businessman in the field of war technology development industries. "Now, you have failed to mention when your wedding will be. And this boyfriend of yours, is he really that shy? Did the cat get his tongue? What is your name, beautiful boy?"
"The name is Shinji, sir." - he said while Shiro smiled a devilish smile knowing what would happen, since his subordinates were ready to ask for the man's ID. "Shinji Ikari."
The mention of his last name caused a stir among those present. Asuka didn't understand what was happening and Shiro took the opportunity to continue his attack. "Shinji Ikari! What a surprise. The son of the traitor Gendo Ikari, who tried to sabotage Gerhin and the efforts of Kyoko Zeppelin Sohryu and Naoko Akagi to save humanity from a third impact. I hear that you work in an interesting area. Tired of hanging out with guys now?"
Shinji bowed his head, not having the courage to look into the eyes of Asuka, who watched in disbelief at this Shiro didn't stop there.
"Or.. maybe the beautiful young maiden Asuka is in fact a cheating tramp, who has odd relationships with people of his kind and is also trying to betray Gehrin's principles for personal gain? If she walks with traitors and prostitutes, how can we trust her words?"
Asuka began to tremble as Shiro's words echoed and were followed by further insults from the other occupants of the table. She then felt for the first time in her life the bitter taste of defeat. She had failed. Disappointed Ristsuko. Disappointed her mother. And now she was there, being swallowed by these vultures and violated in her honor. Nothing made sense anymore. Her world had collapsed.
Until the laughter stopped and gave way to the sound of chairs and glasses flying as a body slumped to the floor, his jaw dislocated. Shinji had stood up and punched Shiro straight in the face, causing everyone there to stop their mocking and stare, terrified. Shinji then continued, speaking loudly so that everyone present could hear.
"I am far from being an authority or a person with study or social status like you. But I'm not stupid, and I don't think you are either. You heard her proposal. There are no flaws. If you want to throw it away because of pride and conservatism, you are really stupid."
As soon as he finished his speech, Shinji turned his back and promptly extended his arms toward the security guards and police officers who arrived to defend the authorities. He did not resist arrest.
Shinji sat down, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling of his cell. Alone. A few hours had passed by until a police officer appeared and told Shinji to accompany him.
He signaled for Shinji to get into the car. They would probably transfer him from the police station to a regular prison. He would have access to a public attorney, but considering the power of those people, he would probably spend the rest of his youth behind bars.
But that was ok.
For the first time in his life he stood his ground. He did something. And because he wanted to do. Not to impress anyone or because he was told to do it. That was good enough for him.
However, to his surprise, the car stopped in the middle of a park. The policeman ordered him out of the car, removed the handcuffs, and gave Shinji back his belongings and personal effects.
"Your bail has been posted." - Said the policeman, returning to the car and leaving Shinji in the middle of the park.
Looking around, it took him only a few seconds to see a familiar red-haired figure sitting in a sandbox obviously designed for small children, while trying to build a sand castle.
He approached slowly, and settled down on the floor in front of the woman.
"Would you like to build a sand castle with me?"
"Asuka… why did you…" - she interrupted him, by putting her fingers - full of sand - on his lips.
"Twice. You saved me twice. It is just payback. No big deal."
"Sorry, I should have told you that I..."
"Forget it. I don't care."
They stayed in silence, as Shinji started to help her build a sandcastle.
"Asuka, what will happen now? About Gehrin and everything else?"
"I don't know. We will figure it out. And once we do, all is gonna be right with the world."
They continued to build it for a few more minutes until they managed to finish it.
A sandcastle.
Rough, imperfect, ugly.
But something that they build together.
They stared into each other eyes, as their fingers gently touched, still dirt because of the sand.
"Hey Shinji, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"In your dreams, when you played alone in the sandbox... what happened after someone showed up to save you?"
Shinji looked into her eyes and gently caressed Asuka's face.
"I would save her too. Because she was also waiting for me."