Chapter One: No Leaf Clover
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Two Days Ago…
The orange hue of the twilight skies was the only thing greeting Shinji Ikari as he walked home from class. Usually he took the train but today he had been too late in catching it. The thought of calling Misato had came to mind, but he didn't want to be a bother; that is if she was even sober, or conscious for that matter. At first he thought a walk would do him well, but after a few miles he simply slumped his shoulders and trudged on. At least he wouldn't have to worry about missing the train in a few days once summer vacation started. His conflicting thoughts were soon disrupted by the soft rumble and familiar sounds of an oncoming train. "A train? Here?" Shinji didn't recall any nearby train tracks. Turning, his eyes nearly bugged out of his head as he saw a bullet train coming straight at him.
He never even got to scream…
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He doesn't look so good…
Of course he doesn't, baka! The poor kid just got ran over by a train!
I know that!! What should we do about him?
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Misato Katsuragi looked to the floor, guilt and a sense of helplessness haunting her. It had been hours since the phone call from the hospital, and yet no one knew what had happened to Shinji. Apparently he had somehow walked himself into the hospital, signed his own medical papers and just collapsed. Glancing up as she heard the sounds of footsteps, brief relief was given as she saw Ritsuko Akagi approach. Though she had asked Ritsuko to come just for company, it seemed that her help was needed with the lack of help at the hospital since the last Angel attack, "How is he?" Misato asked as she rose from the hospital bench. "Physically, all he has is a broken rib, fractured arm, and a lot of bruises…however that's the good news." Ritsuko replied. "Good news? What's wrong?" Ristuko shook her head, "It's strange. Shinji's mental stress has suddenly multiplied. It's like…I guess the best theory would be that it's like the personalities of multiple people were suddenly crammed into his mind." Ritsuko finally explained, yet found Misato's gaze elsewhere, "Hey! Are you listening?!"
Misato walked past her, forcing Ritsuko to look and see just what the other was so focused on, "Shinji!" Nearly tackling the poor boy off his feet, Misato beamed brightly as she finally saw the Third Child. Realizing his injuries, she quickly apologized before taking a step back. "Did they release you?" Shinji nodded with a smile, "Yes, the doctor said I should take it easy for a few days." Suddenly he found his good wrist grabbed before he dragged toward the door by Misato, "Let's go home! I'm sure Asuka and Pen-pen have been worried about you as well!"
Watching them, Ritsuko couldn't help but think that something was wrong. Just a moment ago the doctor and she had decided to keep Shinji under observation for a few days. Making her way to the doctor's office, she found the doctor was blushing and swooning over something, "Why did you let him go?" Ritsuko asked. The doctor gave a small giggle before she finally responded, "Shinji-sama had assured me that he was fine, so I let him. He certainly is a cute boy and those blue eyes are so beautiful…they're almost hypnotic…" Ritsuko couldn't hold back her confusion, "Blue eyes? Shinji doesn't have blue eyes."
Meanwhile as Shinji slipped into Misato's car, a brief smirk was given as his brown eyes flashed a bright blue.