The movers came early that morning before Shinji and Asuka were even awake. They both heard the doorbell ring, but Asuka rolled over to face Shinji, and he took her meaning that he was supposed to answer the door. Crawling out of bed, grumbling as he did, Shinji answered the door. It took just under an hour for them to move everything into the apartment, including the couch, kitchen table complete with chairs, and a T.V. that Asuka had chosen.

After they left, Shinji made coffee, and it was likely the smell of this that woke Asuka up. Opening the door to the bedroom, she shuffled across the hallway to the kitchen and sat down at the table. Her hair was a mess, likely from tossing and turning all of last night. Shinji knew that he had a good amount of that himself.

She was sporting a white t-shirt that covered the majority of her waist, though if she moved in a certain way, Shinji could see a glimmer of white, indicating the underwear that she was wearing.

"Glad that we didn't have to wait long for the furniture," said Asuka, "though I would have preferred them to have come while I wasn't sleeping."

"At least they were done quickly," said Shinji as he sat down across the kitchen table from Asuka.

"Yeah," said Asuka with a shrug.

It was several more seconds after this that Shinji decided to ask her something.

"How did you sleep?"

"Fine overall...you?"

"Restless I guess," said Shinji. He had dreamed last night, but it wasn't something to discuss over coffee...or even mention for that matter. He didn't think he was ashamed of it; he had certainly dreamt about him and Asuka making love before after all. When they were sharing the same room like now though, it felt incredibly awkward to wake up and see that the person he had been dreaming about was within arms length from him.

"Is it fine then?"

"It is," sighed Shinji. "Sorry I was acting so stupid so yesterday, I think its just going to take some time for me to adjust."

"That makes two of us," said Asuka mildly.

"Hmm," nodded Shinji slowly.

With the addition of furniture, their apartment certainly seemed larger, but that still didn't diminish the awkwardness of the situation they found themselves in. Standing up, Shinji decided that he may as well begin making breakfast since they were both up. As far as food went, they had very few things currently, most of which Shinji had taken from Misato's apartment, knowing that she wouldn't have any use for them. Going shopping later seemed to be assumed, but Shinji didn't enjoy the thought of carrying everything back by bus.

While Shinji busied himself in the kitchen, cooking the rice and miso soup, Asuka leaned back in her chair as she sat at the kitchen table. For Asuka, her new surroundings and the prospect of living with Shinji wasn't the only thing weighing on her mind. Simply put, time was being unfair to her. Counting down the days in her mind, she realized she had exactly seven days left until Shinji's birthday, just a week. Of course, nothing had come to her mind yet. What with the move though, it was understandable that her thoughts had been elsewhere. Now though, she had to come too a decision sooner or later.

"Hey Asuka?"

"What?" she replied as she looked up. He was turned away from her, focusing on the stove in front of him instead of her.

"Do you want to go out later?"

"Out...why?"

"Truthfully, we lack a lot of essentials when it comes to food. We need to pick up a few things, and I kinda thought that I might cook something unique considering we did just move into this place."

Though Shinji didn't explicitly say this, Asuka took this as his attempt at lightening the mood. Their refrigerator and cupboards were bare, so that was at least understandable. Whether moving into this place warranted some sort of celebration, Asuka was unsure about this. This could also be taken another way, but Asuka tried not to think about that. They had spent enough time outside both Nerv, school, and Misato's apartment that the concept of a date didn't exist since they had always been around each other.

"If you think so, I'm fine with that," said Asuka as she shrugged.

"Okay, it'll be good to familiarize ourselves with the area as well."

"If you say so," mumbled Asuka.

At these words, Shinji finally looked over his shoulder at Asuka, and was surprised that she was staring back at him. Had she been watching him this whole time, or was this new?

"Is something wrong?" asked Shinji.

"No, not really," replied Asuka as she broke eye contact with Shinji.

Shinji's face grew puzzled, but thought he understood what was wrong with Asuka. It would take time for things to settle down for both of them.

Shinji didn't see this though, because he turned back to the stove, but Asuka let out an inaudible sigh. Resting her head on the kitchen table, she tried to ignore her emotions. When she was younger, she found that easier, but now, and especially since she was living with Shinji, it was increasingly difficult.

'And I still can't decide what to get him either,' thought Asuka glumly. Something unique was ideal, or something that held significance; something that reminded him of her. Finding such an object was the problem. But did it necessarily have to be an object?

After they finished breakfast, Shinji cleaned up while Asuka took a shower and changed. When she was done with both, and it was Shinji's turn to shower, it took him several minutes before his mind was prepared for such a task. He only succeeded by telling himself it was no different than when they had lived at Misato's. That was technically correct, but something still felt completely off in that regard. Asuka's smell still lingered in the bathroom, and Shinji had difficulty with certain urges when faced with such a situation.

Feeling that several years of his life had nearly been shortened, Shinji left the bathroom wrapped only in a towel. Asuka was sitting in the living room, watching the T.V. calmly. Thankfully, the couch was facing away from the bathroom, so they were able to avoid an embarrassing situation. Even so though, Shinji felt that he could sense a tense atmosphere resonating near Asuka.

After Shinji changed, he found Asuka waiting beside the front door, her shoes already on.

"Ready?" she asked simply.

"Yeah," said Shinji.

They left their apartment, which was still a strange idea, locked it up, and went across the street to the nearest bus stop. Never had Shinji wished he had a drivers license more than right now. Maybe that was something he should work towards. After piloting an Evangelion, driving a car shouldn't be a problem after all.

Climbing onto the bus when it arrived, Shinji and Asuka sat side by side again, the only two people that were present at the time. As the bus continued driving, more people climbed on, and then shortly departed, getting off after only one or two stops. Talking points didn't exist between either of then, as both were overly conscious about the other. They had ridden on the bus many times before when they had lived at Misato's, but this was wholly different. Maybe because there wasn't a third party, Misato for instance, that they had to keep in mind as they went shopping, that the situation felt different. Once or twice, Shinji felt about commenting on something, but only ended up closing his mouth; he wasn't sure what to say.

After nearly twenty minutes of this, the bus came to a stop across the street from a supermarket, and they both got out. Crossing the street, they walked across the parking lot, Asuka slightly behind him Shinji as she followed him. Other shops lined the parking lot, and Asuka's gaze glanced at all of these. She didn't have much hope in seeing something that would spark an idea for a present, but she checked all the same.

When they entered the store, Shinji grabbed a cart, and started walking down the isles, Asuka in tow.

"Did you have something in mind when you mentioned cooking something tonight?" asked Asuka, speaking for the first time since they had left.

Shinji was startled by being asked this, but he didn't let this show on his face.

"Honestly, not really."

"Mind if I make a suggestion then?"

"Hmm?"

"Sukiyaki."

Shinji was surprised that she hadn't said something German related instead.

"I thought you would have suggested German food instead."

"Would you prefer I'd said that instead?"

"No, sukiyaki is fine. I just never expected you to be the one that suggested Japanese food."

Shrugging, Asuka said, "After living in the country for almost four years, I've become used to the culture and food. Besides, isn't sukiyaki used for celebratory means sometimes?"

"Well, true," said Shinji as he frowned slightly.

Having settled with that, Shinji bought both beef and vegetables to go along with it. Asuka wouldn't settle for anything less than the premium stuff, and Shinji felt his wallet groan. Asuka did at least say she'd help pay for some of it. Because of this discussion, at least they were able to talk easier for the time being.

Besides the beef and vegetables, Shinji bought many other things, all of which were essential ingredients he used on a regular basis at Misato's. In all, he spent close to one hundred dollars on groceries.

With two bags each, Shinji and Asuka left the store, climbing back on the next bus that arrived at the stop. They talked much easier this second time around, and hardly noticed the time passing as they returned home. The journey back went certainly quicker than the arrival, but this was just as they perceived it.

After climbing the steps to their apartment, Shinji opened the door and they both entered. They took their time putting away the groceries, and afterwards, Shinji made a quick lunch which they ate in the living room.

They were becoming more accustomed to the new living environment, and more readily able to accept the fact that they were living together. As Asuka had said before, there wasn't much difference compared to how they had been living before. Misato was rarely home as it was, and they had already been taking care of themselves for a while. Sharing a bedroom was certainly new, but they would become used to that eventually.

"Hey Shinji?"

"What?"

Asuka asked this towards Shinji who was sitting on the carpeted floor in front of the couch where Asuka sat.

"There's only seven days left till you turn eighteen."

Turning towards her, Shinji raised and eyebrow and said, "I thought we already discussed this."

"That was then when we were living at Misato's...before we decided to live together."

"I don't see how that changes things."

"You don't?" asked Asuka.

"No, I don't," replied Shinji.

His gaze was fixed on Asuka, and he was unblinking. At the sight of his set face, Asuka turned away from him.

"There isn't anything you want, anything at all?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"No."

What Shinji said, wasn't exactly truthful though. Wanting something was far from actually obtaining it, and obtaining what he wanted wasn't possible as things were currently were. Maybe he was afraid of that feeling that he had difficulty explaining.

"What if I decide to just get you something then? You won't be able to refuse at least."

Shinji hadn't expected this tactic from Asuka. She was looking back at him, and grinning now. Well, she was right. If she did get him something, he couldn't refuse it, as that would be an insult to Asuka's attempt at finding him something.

"Fine, you win," said Shinji with a sigh.

"You better appreciate it, whatever it is I get you."

"Since its something that you're actually considering, and not something you usually get me with halfheartedness, or because Misato forced you into it, I'll appreciate whatever it is."

What Shinji said, caused Asuka to lose her earlier composure, as her face turned scarlet briefly. Standing up abruptly, Asuka left the living room, seeming to retreat into the bedroom. Scratching his head, Shinji wondered whether he said something he shouldn't have. Well, either way, things would return to normal eventually.

The day waned onward, while Shinji and Asuka kept to themselves mostly. At one point, Asuka came back into the living room, and started watching T.V. Taking this opportunity, Shinji entered their bedroom, deciding to rearrange some things on his side of the room. The room wasn't huge, and was divided into halves, one side for each for them. Asuka's side was slightly larger, but Shinji didn't mind this.

As he finished this, he rested on his bed, sitting on the edge of it. He hadn't moved his bed much, and it was still within arms length of Asuka's own bed. They had only slept in this bedroom once, and the prospect of doing it again was trying his nerves.

"Hey Shinji, are you going to start dinner soon?"

While Shinji was sitting on his bed, wrapped in his thoughts, Asuka stuck her head into the bedroom and asked him a question.

"I probably should. Are you hungry?"

"Hmm, a little," nodded Asuka. As Shinji was about to stand however, Asuka entered the room further, and sat down on the edge of her bed, directly across from Shinji. Drawing her legs up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them and looked towards Shinji.

"Its strange, being here with you like this," mumbled Asuka. "I never imagined that I'd end up living together with you."

"...Does it feel wrong?" asked Shinji after a moments pause.

"No, not wrong," replied Asuka as she slowly shook her head. "But I was thinking back to our first meeting, when we piloted my Eva Unit together. Had I known then, what I know now, I wonder how my fourteen year old self would have reacted."

"Probably negatively."

"Thats rather rude, though you are likely right. I was still a kid back then after all."

"Yet you're still not an adult yet either."

"Not technically I suppose, but I feel like I'm getting there. What about yourself though Shinji? For all intents and purposes, you're legally going to be an adult in a week. Doesn't that mean something to you?"

Shinji didn't immediately reply, directing his gaze towards the ceiling instead.

"I told this to Misato, when we talked after your mishap at Nerv, but I was ready to lead my own life. Everything I've done before now, was because somebody else told me to, or because I felt that I needed my fathers praise. Turning eighteen, is just another number to me I guess. Society will recognize me as an adult, which is fine, but that doesn't really matter to me. Whether I'm an adult or not, I want to live my own life."

"Does that life include living with me?"

Asuka probably could have asked almost any other question, and Shinji wouldn't have had as bad a reaction as he did then. He had been sitting on his bed, but he was now on the floor, owing to the fact he had fallen off in his surprise. His brain was having difficulty registering what Asuka had just asked. He kept his face pointed towards the ground, conscious that his face was bright red, and suspected that Asuka's was similar. Why had she said something like that?

"Um..." began Asuka, trying to correct the embarrassed silence that engulfed them, but Shinji said something instead.

"-I think thats...something I thought of maybe. I don't rightfully know myself, but I don't dislike you Asuka, if that means anything."

"That should be obvious," sighed Asuka. "So, you gonna start dinner or not?"

"Oh, right, sorry," said Shinji as he stood up, leaving the bedroom and started preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Asuka, meanwhile continued sitting on her bed, wondering why she had asked such a stupid question.

By the time Shinji had finished cooking, Asuka's spirits were back, and she was eagerly looking forward to the sukiyaki. I wast rare for them to have something like this, so Asuka planned on taking full advantage of it. When Shinji brought the large dish over, Asuka immediately started stealing pieces of meat off the plate, stuffing them directly into her mouth. It was very unlike her to do something like this.

"Don't take all of it," groaned Shinji.

"You're too slow," smirked Asuka.

"I'm the one that spent the time making it, so I should at least get my fair share."

"Well, since you don't have to set any aside for Misato, you get extra."

"...I hadn't thought of it that way," replied Shinji.

It was true. Now that they weren't living Misato, Shinji didn't have to cook extra, or set aside some for her when she came back from Nerv. Thinking about that though, the realization that they weren't living with Misato anymore sunk in.

"I wonder what she's doing right now," mumbled Asuka as she set her fork down briefly.

"Drinking probably."

"Hmm yeah."

"She'll be fine," said Shinji.

"Still, I never thought I'd miss hearing her stumble around at eleven at night when she'd come back drunk. It really is a different feeling...living on your own."

Shinji glanced across the table at Asuka. She didn't look sad or depressed, but her expression wasn't as happy as it had been moments before.

"Yeah, it is different, but we're here at least."

"I'm still having difficulty figuring out how that happened," sighed Asuka.

"Regretting your decision?"

"Nope," said Asuka without a moments pause. Shinji was surprised she could so easily reply to that.

When they finished dinner, Shinji began washing up, and was pleasantly surprised when Asuka joined in. Well, she hadn't helped in the preparation, so at most she felt that helping him wash up was showing her appreciation. And Shinji was grateful.

Afterwards, Asuka went into the living room, and Shinji could hear the sounds of voices coming from the television set. Deciding to make tea, Shinji brought the kettle out, and filled it with water before placing it on the stove. Finishing with this, he leaned back and looked passed the kitchen table, and down the hallway towards the living room. Everything was starting to sink in, the reality of what they had decided. Shinji wondered how long it would be until he forgot what Misato's apartment was like.

Minutes later, a high pitched whistle sounded from the kettle, and Shinji removed it from the stove. Hearing footsteps, Shinji turned and saw Asuka standing near the kitchen table. She had clearly heard the whistle, and had come to investigate.

"You made tea?" she asked

"Yeah, want some?"

"Sure, why not."

Pouring some into a cup, Shinji passed it to Asuka who clasped it between her hands. It wasn't cold out, being summer, but it still warmed her up.

"I was thinking," began Shinji, "how long it'll be before we forget what it was like to live with Misato."

"You actually think we'd forget that?" wondered Asuka.

"After a while, I think we'd naturally get used to live like this," shrugged Shinji.

"Thats under the assumption that we'll being living here for a while."

That made Shinji paused for a moment.

"...You don't think we'll be here for a while?"

"I don't know," said Asuka as she shook her head.

Shinji frowned at this, but didn't know what else he could say on the subject. Having nothing else to say, Asuka returned to the living room, continuing to watch T.V. Shinji on the other hand stayed in the kitchen, wondering if the current time between them was just a fleeting moment in their lives. He didn't like that thought, and yet, he couldn't explain why either. Why didn't he want things to change? Why did he want them to stay as they were? Or was that just him being selfish? How did Asuka feel?

Pouring the remainder of his tea into the sink, he left the kitchen, pausing at the living room briefly. If Asuka sensed his presence, she didn't give any sign that she recognized he was standing there. Without saying anything, Shinji entered the bedroom, and laid down on his bed.

'What do I want?' he wondered, 'how do I feel about Asuka?'

Shinji thought long and hard about this, but he couldn't come to a satisfactory answer.

He laid in bed for a longtime, thinking about this, and hardly even noticed when Asuka opened the bedroom door. She didn't say anything, but quietly crawled into her own bed, seeming to fall asleep instantly. Truthfully, Asuka had just as difficult a time as Shinji falling asleep, while similar thoughts about him plagued her mind.