Fifth and sixth child, suit up! Well not really... yet
(Ryoko was the fourth child, I had completely forgotten to point this out, I'm sorry. Haruhi is the fifth, and Mikuru is the sixth. Ha, bet you didn't see Mikuru becoming a pilot, did ya?)
Chapter Seventeen:
A Blessing in Disguise?
"The thread of human hope is spun with the flax of sorrow"
-Koaru Nagisa
I was still despairing away on the bench ten minutes later, why I was back in the locker room is beyond me, I guess it's a nice quiet place to have a breakdown.
I sat there and let the whole situation wash over me, fully taking in the horror of my position.
Would I be ordered again to kill a human being in the near future? Could I actually do it, and even more so, could I kill to protect Haruhi and Mikuru? I thought about that, not just protecting the people I care about, but taking a life to protect another... could I bring myself to do it?
I just couldn't believe the situation, why would that bastard have me kill his own daughter? What would that prove? Regardless of what his intentions were, I knew he meant business when he threatened to fry Haruhi and Mikuru's brains. Just how did things get like this? What did I do wrong?
"...Things aren't looking so good, are they?" said a voice next to me.
"No shit, what was your first clue, Shinji?" I answered agressively, I didn't bother to look up.
Shinji stayed quiet for a moment, as if he was choosing his next words carefully, then spoke again.
"I'm sorry, Kyon... But there was just no way I could have known this would happen, not like this anyway..."
What did he mean, 'not like this'?
"This happened to you differently then, I take it?" I asked quietly.
"Yes, sometimes Touji was in that Eva, and sometimes Asuka was in it, Touji usually died and Asuka had always ended up like Ryoko," He said sadly, "but things are out of order, Bardiel never attacked this soon..."
I looked up finally, to see Shinji sitting on the floor in front of me, with his head in his hands just like I was a few moments ago.
He continued on, "And my father... he's using Suzumiya and Asahina to control you," Shinji looked up to me with tears streaking down his cheeks, "He's used blackmail on me before, but never quite like that, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, you don't deserve this, I'm so-"
I couldn't take it anymore, and I had just realized something,
"Knock it off!" I yelled, standing up, "Stop wallowing in your own pity, you brought me here to fix this, and I'll be damned if we're just gonna sit around and have ourselves a pity party! I've been doing nothing but complain for years, and frankly, I'm sick of it!" Shinji looked up again, confusion and a bit of bewilderment was written all over his face, "After I got out of Nagato's world, I promised myself that I wouldn't just stand on the sidelines, I promised to take the role of an active defender of my world, and while our worlds are merged, that includes yours!" I grabbed Shinji's hand and pulled him up, "So what do you say we stop crying about the situation and do something about it?"
A determined expression came across Shinji's face as he looked me in the eye, "You know what, your right, Kyon! We'll fix this together, no matter what hurdle pops up at us, we'll soar over it!" I think we're both starting to sound like Haruhi,
"I like the way that sounds!" I gripped his hand tightly, "Nothing's going to stop us, you with me buddy?"
Shinji gripped my hand back, "You're damned right I am!"
We let go and continued to look each other in the eye. I felt pretty damned good, to hell with Gendo and the Angels! I've got Shinji and Haruhi on my side, nothing's going to stop us!
"So what do I need to do next?" I asked confidently
Shinji focused of on the distance,
"Nothing for right now, but don't worry about my father, just do what he says for now, alright?"
I smiled, "Alright then"
Shinji looked around anxiously, "I've got to go now, good luck... buddy"
And with that, he popped out of existance.
"Kyon? You in here?" I heard a voice ask. Could that be... Misato?
I got up and walked around the lockers to see Misato standing in the doorway, she was pretty banged up with her right arm in a sling and bandages wrapped around her head.
"You're alive!" I called out happily
"It'll take more than an angel attack to take me out" She replied cheerfully, then looked at me strangely, "Who were you talking to?" She asked.
That's going to be hard to explain, so I didn't.
"Nobody," I frowned, "Just what the hell happened? Is Ryoko alright too? I heard she was put in a quarintine..." I trailed off as Misato's smile faded.
"We still don't really know what happened, Kyon-kun. We don't even know if she'll make it..."
I sighed sadly, I know I was just getting all fired up a minute ago, but it's hard not to be constantly sobered by this deppressing situation.
"I see... are you coming home or do I need to walk back to the apartment?"
Misato groaned, "No, I still have to give a full report, I'll be home later tonight"
"Alright then" I said quietly as I started walking out the door, I was stopped when Misato wrapped me in a hug. Despite the fact that she could only currently use one arm, I was hit with the sudden realization of another side to Misato. She wasn't just a happy go lucky drunken slob, but a very determined mother figure. It's not that I didn't trust Misato before, but at that moment I realized that if there was anyone in this world other than Nagato who I could really depend on, it's Misato.
"Stay strong Kyon-kun, we still have a long way to go if we want to win this war, but I believe in you, one hundred percent"
I broke off the hug after a few moments, "Thanks Misato, I'm going to go now"
"Be safe, Kyon-kun" She said as I walked away.
I had decided that before I go home, I'd at least figure out where Rei's hospital room was and visit her, maybe she could answer some questions. I had not expected, however, to see Haruhi and Mikuru waiting for me by the entrance to the NERV hospital, it was a different hospital than I was in the first time, NERV has several hospitals around, some in terminal dogma, and some out in the countryside of the Geofront, this one was obviously deeper in the base.
"Oh, hey Kyon!" Haruhi greeted happily, sitting on a bench in the hallway, next to a very nervous Mikuru.
"What are you two doing here?" I asked, honestly surprised. You'd think they'd be wandering aimlessly around NERV, gennerally annoying the hell out of any unfortunate staff nearby. Well You'd think Haruhi would anyway, she'd probably just drag Mikuru around, regardless of what she'd want to do.
"We heard Ayanami was injured in the last battle, so I thought we'd visit her," Haruhi frowned, "The only problem is, I can't figure out how to get through the this stupid door!" She declared, pointing an incriminating finger at the mechanical security door.
I fought the urge to face palm and said, "That's a security door, you need an access card" I said bluntly, pulling mine out and swiping it through the register on the wall.
With a green light and a bing! Noise, the door opened, as I stepped inside, motioning for the other girls to follow me. I turned to Mikuru, who still looked pretty nervous and stopped just outside the door
"What's wrong Mikuru?"
She played with her hands, "Oh, um... I don't really like hospitals..."
"Don't be such a baby, Miku-chan!" Haruhi teased. Mikuru flinched slightly at being called a baby, probably from Sohryu's bullying.
"I'm not a baby!" She shot back, pouting adorably and stepping in.
As we walked to the reception counter just down the hall, Haruhi just had to ask the question,
"So what happened? I heard something about an Eva being completely destroyed, was it Ayanami's?"
Images of Rei's Eva having it's armor ripped apart flooded my mind, causing me to shiver.
"No, and I really don't want to talk about it, okay?"
Haruhi gave me a worried look, "Was it that bad?"
"Yes" I stated blankly, causing both girls to go silent.
Moments later we reached the receptionist and asked for Rei's room. I wasn't surprised when she eyed the girls strangely, word probably hasn't got out yet that those two are Eva pilots yet.
The walk up to Rei's room was mostly a quiet one, so I broke the ice during the long elevator ride,
"So... you tell your dad about being an Eva pilot, or is he home today?" I asked, looking straight ahead.
"Yeah, he freaked out and started yelling at us" Haruhi replied grouchily.
"I don't think I've ever seen Haruhi's dad so upset... it was really scary to see him like that!" Mikuru added
Haruhi huffed in annoyance, "He should be proud, I'm defending humanity now! Some people just have no common sense..."
Oh~ I could so make a witty and sarcastic comment on that note, but I won't.
"He's just worried about you two, so am I"
Haruhi smiled brightly at me, "You won't have to worry about me, Kyon! Nothing's going to happen to us!"
Please never tempt fate and say 'nothing's going to happen' because it will. Fate is a heartless bitch like that.
"Just don't forget who the team leader is, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah..." She huffed, annoyed at me.
"I mean it Haruhi, if I tell you to run, you'd better" I said seriously.
Haruhi didn't say anything back, but Mikuru decided to ask something,
"Um... Kyon-kun?"
"What's wrong, Mikuru?"
She fidgeted nervously behind us, "Does it... does it always hurt like that?"
I thought about that, she was refering to that little 'plug incedent' last year. I really don't like thinking about it, the thought of Mikuru being hurt just makes my blood boil.
"And Haruhi's to blame for that" the darker part of my mind thought.
"No. Haruhi is Haruhi, and I should have seen that one coming" I still had conflicted emotions about that day, but I know more than anyone that you can't blame Haruhi for being Haruhi anymore than you can blame a hurricane for... well, being a hurricane. Haruhi is a force of nature as much as she is a human being.
"You get used to it" I answered her half heartedly.
"Oh... okay then..."
No... that was kind of tactless on my part, I don't want to worry the poor girl, she probably has enough on her plate.
I turned around and put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry about it, I'll be there to protect both of you" I meant it to.
Mikuru smiled back at me and perked up, she didn't seem nearly as nervous as before, "Thanks Kyon-kun"
I really hope this turns out better than the time I told her I'd protect her from Haruhi, after that computer club incident...
"And you've got me too!" Haruhi threw in, "Not to mention Ayanami, we won't let anything happen to you!" Haruhi cheered.
I couldn't help but smile at her optimism, it was something I really needed at the time.
After the long elevator ride and some more pep talk, we found ourselves on Ayanami's floor. After a quick search we found her room and entered.
It was a really deppressing thing to see too, Rei was laying on her hospital bed, attached to an IV and some monitors, I had wondered if she was even awake.
Mikuru gasped at the sight, I couldn't blame her either. Seeing Rei like that didn't exactly inspire confidence.
"Ayanami... what happened to you?" Haruhi whispered.
"I was attacked by the angel and rendered unconcious from sympathy pain" She stated bluntly
The three of us jumped as Mikuru let out a frightened "eep!" I had thought she was in a coma for sure.
"It really hurt that bad, Miss Ayanami?" Mikuru asked.
Great, all that pep talk for nothing...
"Yes"
"I see..." Mikuru whispered, bowing her head and playing with her her hands again.
"So what happened exactly?" Haruhi asked, sitting down in a chair next to Rei.
"That is classified to civilians"
I sighed, knowing what Haruhi's reaction would be. She perked up and smiled, "You don't have to worry about that! Your boss made Mikuru and me pilot's today!"
If Rei was drinking something, she might have done a spit take, she looked up to me with a quizical expression, "Is this what is called 'humor'?"
Needless to say, Haruhi looked kind of put off at that remark.
"Unfortunately not..." I said with another sigh.
"I see..." Most people would have missed it, but I could definitely tell Rei was not happy about this situation, and I didn't blame her one bit.
She turned to Haruhi and Mikuru and told them most of what happened, leaving out the arguement with the commander and Sohryu's and my temporary incarceration. It's probably best that they don't know about that.
After 'story time' was over, Haruhi and Mikuru decided to go home, after wishing Rei to get well soon, Haruhi asked, "You coming, Kyon?"
I waved my hand in her direction, "I'll catch up" I said.
After they left the room, there was a silence between Rei and myself.
I sat down next to her and broke the ice, "Why did Gendo-"
"The commander" Rei corrected.
Like hell I'm going to refer to that son of a bitch as 'commander' when he's not around!
"...yeah, so why did he do that, order us to kill Ryoko, I mean?"
Rei lay silently, as if contemplating what to say next.
"I do not know, I am just as confused as you are"
She avoided my gaze, looking guilty.
"I am sorry, I did not want Ryoko to perish either, her company was considerably pleasant"
Part of me wanted to scream at Rei, ask her if she was familiar with the Nuremburg defense and just walk off, but another part of me realized that something wasn't quite right with her. That same part of me pitied her, maybe it was because she was so similair to Nagato, or maybe something else? I didn't know, what I did know however, is that Rei was the most dependable person in my squad. I guess I wouldn't feel right being angry at the only person who's ever really had my back so far.
"Don't blame yourself Rei, it was beyond your control, and just know that I don't blame you, alright?"
She nodded, still avoiding eye contact, "I... see"
After a moment of silence, I finally decided to ask her something that had been bothering me for a while now,
"Rei, how much do you know?"
She looked at me quizzically, "About?"
"About Haruhi, you seem to be aware of something, care to tell me what it is?"
She looked out the window, with a thoughtful expression,
"I do not know how I know, but I am aware that she is not an ordinary human, and something about her both comforts and frightens me"
Both comforts and frightens her? Yeah... I think I can understand that, but how could she be aware of this?
I remained silent as she continued, she turned back to me and looked me in the eye, "There are individuals here that do not belong, including you," She went silent for a moment, not breaking eye contact, "I feel impelled to help you, however, and will do all that I can, but I cannot betray the commander. I will withold information from him if I must, but that is all I can guarentee"
I had wondered about that for a while now, why is she like this? I bet that asshole brainwashed her or something!
"Why are you so loyal to him?" I asked curiously
"I cannot divulge that information"
"Why is that?" I asked
"I cannot say"
I guess it was pretty dumb to ask.
I got up and stretched, "I'm going to walk the girls home, get well soon Rei, you're the best in our squad"
There was something akin to a smile on her face, was she feeling pride? I think she deserves to feel proud after all we've been through in this war.
"That is beyond my control" She replied.
I smiled, "That's an order, pilot"
Understanding my attempt at humor, she smiled back fully. What is it about her and Nagato smiling that makes me feel so happy?
"Very well, I will make an effort"
I left and waited in the elevator by myself, thinking about everything. It really bothered me about what happened to Ryoko, that feeling of despair hit me out of nowhere. All she wanted was to please her father, and she didn't even get to pilot her Eva. That was enough to make anyone want to cry, I was never particularly close to my father, but I know he'd never put me through something like that, and I realized just how much I appreciated him, in fact this whole merged worlds situation makes me appreciate just how easy I had it before.
"You don't know what you've got until it's gone" Said a quiet voice behind me.
"That's the only thing about all this that I'm grateful for, Shinji. How did you stay sane through this?"
Shinji let out a forced chuckled, "Well, sometimes I didn't, but let's talk about something happier"
"Like what?" I asked, turning around to see him smiling slightly,
"I was thinking over the various recursions I went through, and I have a very good feeling Ryoko will make it, Asuka almost always did, so why should this be any different?"
"You think so?"
"Yep, and on another note," He grabbed me by the collar, "How do you do that?"
"Do what?" I yelled, pulling his hands of me.
"Get Rei to talk so much, she never talked to me like that!"
I hadn't realized this was such an issue, I shrugged and said, "Well, she's a lot like Nagato, so I guess I have experience with this sort of thing"
Shinji furrowed his brows in thought, "Hmm... I guess that makes sense," there was a ding! As the elevator doors slid open, "Well, I gotta go again, I'll see you around"
"Take care" I called after him before he disappeared,
"You too, buddy" He said with a smile.
I headed down the hall only to see Haruhi and Mikuru sitting on a bench by the exit. Haruhi was crossing her arms with an annoyed look while Mikuru was sitting patiently.
"About time you showed up!" She spat as I headed over.
"Sorry, I forgot that you two didn't have your access cards yet" I said, swiping my card through the register for her.
I walked down the sun scorched sidewalk with Haruhi and Mikuru, I had noticed that it seemed to get a little hotter everday, but the fact that I've been gone for three days only made it feel hotter.
"So how come you and Sohryu were gone for three days?" Haruhi asked, pronouncing 'Sohryu' with a healthy dose of venom.
I really didn't want her to know I was thrown in the slammer with Sohryu for three days, so I lied.
"I can't talk about it" I said, hoping she wouldn't pry, thankfully she didn't.
"Oh... well alright then," She had a melancholy expression as she walked, a thought must have hit her.
"So... do you think Ryoko will make it?"
It felt like a rock had hit me in the stomach, I didn't like thinking about that.
"I don't know... I hope so" I replied quietly, knowing that she probably would since Shinji thought so. It was still deppressing though.
"Kyon-kun?" Mikuru asked, with a worried expression, "Are you alright?"
"Huh? I guess so, why?"
"Well... uh, you don't look so good" She explained.
"Yeah, you look sad again, did I make you upset when I mentioned Ryoko?" Haruhi asked
"I'm fine, don't worry about it" I said, trying to keep her from feeling guilty.
"I don't think so, you're coming over for dinner tonight!" She declared, dragging me towards her apartment complex, which was convieniently close to the NERV exit we came out of.
"Uh... that's alright Haruhi-" I tried to politely refuse until she cut me off,
"-I've made up my mind! Me and Mikuru are going to make you dinner, and you better like it, or it's the death penalty!" She said seriously.
I tried to keep a straight face, I really did, but I couldn't help it as I burst out laughing.
Haruhi stopped and looked at me like I was insane.
"What's so god damned funny?" She asked angrily, "I mean it, you will get the death penalty if you don't like it!"
Still laughing uncontrolably, I wrapped the confused girl in a hug, elliciting a surprised Mikuru esque eep!
"...Why are you hugging me?" She asked nervously, I could feel her heart beating faster,
"It's just..." I took a deep breath and wiped a tear from my eye, "That's so you!"
"Umm... Okay?" She replied, having no idea what I was talking about, then she nervously tried to break the hug, "C-could you, uh, stop hugging me now? It's wierd"
"You hug me all the time" I countered, still hugging her because, hey, I like making her feel awkward. Consider this vengence for all the crap she puts me through.
"I-it's different when a girl initiates a hug!" She tried to explain, while Mikuru giggled in the background.
"How so?" I asked, tightening the hug, making her pulse go even faster.
"W-when a girl does it, it's cute! When a guy does it, it's just creepy!"
I let go and smiled, "You loved it" I said, teasing her.
Her face went beat red and she turned away, "You're a jerk, Kyon"
"I know, so what are you making for dinner?" I asked, showing mercy by changing the subject.
We began walking again.
"I don't know," She said, calming down, "I'm kind of in a beef ramen mood"
"Haruhi, we had that last night, I'm sick of beef ramen!" Mikuru whined adorably.
"Did we? I've been such a spaz lately!" Haruhi said cheerfully, it sounded a little forced to me.
"I guess I've had other things on my mind..."
After another long elevator ride to the very top floor, Haruhi unlocked the apartment and we took our shoes off by the door. I was met with the sight of a moderatley clean living room with a kotatsu(that's a very small table, by the way), a few bookshelfs with various trophies that I assumed were Haruhi's and a flat screen TV. The walls were plain white, and adorned with family photos of a very young Haruhi and who I assumed to be her parents, there were photos that appeared more recent with Haruhi, Mikuru and the same man that must be Haruhi's dad.
"Just make yourself at home, K?" She said unceremoniously as she headed to what I'm guessing was the kitchen.
I turned to Mikuru who was still standing next to me, "Are you sure her dad won't mind me being here?" I asked.
She nervously played with her hands again,
"Oh... uh, probably... We kind of have a no boys rule and um..."
Haruhi poked her head out of the kitchen holding a pan, "Dad doesn't have to know, now does he?" She called to us mischeviously.
Mikuru chuckled nervously, "Oh... heheh yeah..." She then guided me to sit down at the kotatsu in their living room, "Umm... I'll go make tea, make yourself comfortable!" She then nervously ran off to the kitchen.
I hope they don't get in too much trouble if Haruhi's dad finds out I was here...
After a short squabble with Mikuru over what to make, Haruhi decided to just wing it and cook up a stir fry consisting of green peppers, steak, rice, onions and soy sauce, pretty simple, but it was delicious. Of course Haruhi would be a good cook, she's amazing at everything she tries.
After finishing the meal, Mikuru took our dishes in the kitchen to wash, I tried to offer her some help, but she stubbornly refused.
Haruhi stretched back and looked at the clock, "Oh! It's eight o'clock, cowboy bebop's on!" huh, I didn't think she cared much for that kind of anime.
She grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV like it was a reflex, just in time too.
"I think it's time we blow this scene, get everybody and the stuff together. Okay three, two, one, let's jam!"
So we sat and watched cowboy bebop at the table, Haruhi was actually sitting quietly, paying attention to something for once. I think i was right about her having ADD, Because she was completely zoned out. Mikuru sat down and joined us later.
During the middle of the episode I noticed Haruhi had something in her mouth, and she exhaled what looked like... "Are you smoking?" I yelled, swiping the ciggarette out of her mouth.
I know I don't have any place to reprimand her since I ocasionally drink with Misato, but the sight of her smoking one of those cancer sticks really pissed me off.
She jumped in surprise and angrilly cried out, "Hey! What's the big deal?"
"I'll tell you what the big-" It was then that I noticed I wasn't holding a ciggarette at all, but something that resembled one. it as bigger and harder-
That's what she said!
...Shut up, Shinji.
-like it was made of some sort of plastic or metal,
"...The hell is this?" I asked, confusedly.
Haruhi swiped it out of my hand, "It's an electronic ciggarete, baka. Do you really think I'd be that stupid to start smoking for real?"
Mikuru was watching us nervously.
"Electronic?" I asked, still not understanding.
Haruhi made 'oh' expression, "You've never heard of these?"
"No, I haven't"
She then began to explain to me all about electronic ciggarettes, apparently you only inhale steam, but still get a tobaco buzz, or something like it, Haruhi said it was more like the head rush you get when you hold your breathe for a long time, so I guess it isn't that unhealthy. Wierd though, I wonder if we have those in my old world.
You do, but there's not as much of a demand like there is in my world
Oh, well it's still wierd.
Yeah, what will they think of next?
"So why do you have them?" I asked
"My dad's trying to quit, so he has plenty of them, I just lifted one off him"
She seems to take advantage of her dad a lot, I wonder if he's at his wits end with her?
"But you don't smoke"
"So? It's fun and harmless"
"Oh" I said, knowing better than to argue with her, if it were real ciggaretes however, I wouldn't care how pissed she got, I'd make her stop.
"Wanna try it?" She asked, offering it to me.
Ah, what the hell, why not?
I took it and inhaled, it kind of hurt and made me cough a little, but I did get a small headrush.
"Tastes kind of like cofee" I said, handing it back to her.
"Yeah, it's flavored" She said
"Neat"
"Yeah"
Later that night, Mikuru excused herself to bed, so I attempted to go home, 'attempted' being the key word, but Haruhi grabbed my arm as I got up. Whoa, more deja vu.
"What about your homework? You need to get caught up!" She declared, looking at me with puppy dog eyes.
Gah! How did she learn to do that!
"You really want me to stay a little longer, don't you?" I asked, causing her to blush slightly.
"Is it that obvious?" She asked, not making eye contact.
"Yeah"
"Won't you stay just a little longer, then?"
I had nothing to go home to except a very moody red head,
"Sure, what the hell" I said, sitting back down.
We never did get caught up on my homework. after a few more episodes of cowboy bebop and an anime I hadn't heard of before called Requiem From the Darkness, Haruhi finally spoke up,
"So... Kyon, do you mind if I say something?" Haruhi asked, turning away from the TV but not making eye contact.
"Uh... sure" I said awkwardly, I had a feeling where this was going.
"I've been wanting to say this for a while... your the only guy I've ever been close to" she said, blushing heavilly.
"That can't be true, you're a good looking girl, certainly you've had guys lining up to ask you out?" I said, remembering the stories Taniguchi told me a long time ago.
She blushed more, "Well, not really, I kind of scared them all away, defending Mikuru and all... but that's not the point!" She said, getting frustrated, "The point is... I like you, a lot"
Even though I had been expecting this for a while, it still surprised me, mostly shocked that this was Haruhi of all people confessing to me.
I didn't say anything for a moment, I was trying to collect my thoughts.
"D-do you feel the same way?" she asked anxiously
"Well... yeah actually, I just never thought you'd be the one to confess first"
Haruhi smiled awkwardly for a second then frowned, and then became very angry,
She hit me in the arm, "You knew I liked you this whole time and made me get all worked up to confess!" she thundered
"Ow! What's the big deal? it's out in the open now!" I tried to counter.
"That's not the point! A girl should never have to confess! That's a man's job!"
Weren't you defending gender equality when you defended Rei being a slob last year?
"I only confessed because I thought you were oblivious!" She continued, as if reading my mind.
"Sorry... I just didn't really know how to say it" I said awkwardly, rubbing my shoulder.
She sighed and took another drag of her E-ciggarette, I still don't like seeing her do that by the way.
"I guess we should become a couple now" She said, smiling slightly.
I smiled back warmly, "I'd like that"
She scooted over next to me and leaned on me, causing me to immedietley wrap her up in a hug.
Most people would say that this is moving a bit fast, but I've known Haruhi for quite a while now, whether she knew it or not. That sounded creepy didn't it? You know I was talking about the old world right?
Speaking of the old world, Haruhi asked something that kind of surprised me,
"Kyon, I Don't know why, but I feel like I've known you for a long time. Do you feel like that too?"
"Yeah, I do actually" That's not exactly a lie, though, is it?
Haruhi chuckled softly,
"What's so funny?"
"Hmm?" She looked up, then said, "Oh, it's just that I used to think that stuff like love and soul mates were just a bunch of crap, but I'm starting to wonder if it really is true. It's wierd how you can meet one person and all the things you used to believe change"
I can definitly identify with that, I can honestly say I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't met this girl.
"Hey Kyon?"
"Hmm?"
She had a determined look in her eyes, "Have you ever been kissed before?"
Oh wow... didn't see this coming either.
"Well once... a long time ago, but that feels worlds away" pun intended, "Why do you-" She cut me off as she reached up and kissed me on the lips, it wasn't a passionate kiss, more like an exploritory kiss, she didn't really seem to know what to do.
After a few moments, the shock wore off and I kissed back, I knew just what to do.
I could feel her pulse quicken as I deepened the kiss, I'm no expert at kissing by any stretch of the imagination, but I could tell she was impressed.
We broke off the kiss, both breathing heavily for a moment.
"I take it that was your first?" I asked, somewhat short of breath.
"I guess it was pretty obvious, huh?" She asked, embarassed.
"It wasn't bad" I reasured her, wrapping her up in another hug.
"Thanks" she replied.
I was feeling proud of myself, although still a little awkward, what is it about a kiss that makes people feel the way they do? I guess there's something really meaningful about lips touching, I think it's a symbol of trust, I could be wrong though.
Did I trust Haruhi? I have to think about that for a minute, sure she's reckless and impulsive, but I know she means well. ...Yeah, I think I trust her.
I looked over at the clock, it was nearly ten.
"I think I should get going, Haruhi" I said, trying to break off the hug to get up.
She held me down, "No, wait! You can spend the night! Won't you? Please?" She begged, pushing me down on the floor and laying on top of me.
Wow, when did I become so irresistable?
"Uh, I don't know much about your dad, but I'm sure he'd be beyond pissed if he found out about this" I said, trying to get out of this situation before I end up doing something really stupid.
"He won't know! He won't be back for a few days!" She countered.
"W-well, what about pajamas? I can't sleep in my school uniform!" My throat felt really dry suddenly.
"You can borrow mine!"
"I can't wear girl pajamas!" I countered, trying to crawl out of her iron grip.
"I don't wear girl pajamas, I'm kind of a tomboy, really it's no big deal!"
I sighed, realizing I should stop resisting, first rule of the universe; whatever Haruhi wants, Haruhi gets.
"Is it really that important to you?" I asked, giving up.
"Yes" She said bluntly, releasing me.
We both stood up and dusted ourselves off, "So where am I going to sleep?" I asked
She smirked mischeviously, "Do you really have to ask?"
This is so wrong, but what choice to I have?
I changed in the bathroom, folding my school uniform in my arms and meeting Haruhi as I opened the door. She was already in her own pair of pajamas. Both our pajamas consisted of a pair of basketball shorts and a cotton T-shirt, Mine were blue and hers were orange.
Instantly she pointed her finger at me, "Okay, I've only got one rule, so don't break it or it's the death penalty!" She said aggressively.
I smirked at the death penalty remark,
"Get that perverted smile off your face, that's exactly what I'm talking about! I'm an Eva pilot now and the last thing I need to do is get knocked up, you got that?"
"Loud and clear" I said, still smiling.
"I mean it" She said seriously, her face inches away from mine.
"uh... right"
She turned away and led me to her room, then before opening the door, she turned back and said, "Oh, by the way, Mikuru has night terrors sometimes, so wake me up if she starts screaming"
"Alright" I said, trying to be quiet.
"And for some reason, she has dreams about me forcing her into embarassing outfits, which is really wierd, because I'd never do that to her. So don't freak out if she starts screaming my name"
Does Mikuru still subconciously hold memories from the old world? That really wouldn't surprise me.
"Um... okay then"
We entered quietly, I found myself in a small room with two pallets and a window. I couldn't make out much in the darkness, but I could see Mikuru laying on her side, holding a stuffed animal, could that be muu-chan? I couldn't tell, but it looked like it was.
Haruhi guided me to the pallet nearest the window, "Don't forget what I said, if you make a move, I will break your dick"
She's really serious about not doing anything innapropriate, although I'm not really complaining. I really don't want to mess up and be a teen father, not to mention it's a way to early in our relationship to be considering that kind of stuff.
She pulled back the covers to her bed and got in, motioning me in. This is so freaking awkward.
I laid down next to her, placing my school uniform on the floor next to me, pulled out my phone and began texting.
"What are you doing?" Haruhi whispered annoyedly,
"I'm telling Misato that I'm at a friend's, I don't want her to freak out and have section two search the city for me" Not to mention that when they found me at Haruhi's place, word would doubtlessly get back to her dad. I don't even want to think about that.
"Oh, okay then" she whispered, cuddling next to me after I put my phone down.
"Kyon?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for staying over, I'm sorry I begged so much"
"Don't worry about it"
And with that, she kissed me goodnight, smiled, and buried her head in my shoulder, falling asleep almost instantly. How do people do that? I have to lay in bed for at least a half hour to actually fall asleep, makes me jealous.
I had managed to fall asleep when I was awoken a few hours later by the sound of whimpering. I looked over to where the noise was coming from to see Mikuru holding her stuffed animal tightly in her sleep.
"M-miss Suzumiya, please let me go! I don't want to wear the bunny girl outfit!"
Miss Suzumiya? She's definitley dreaming about our world.
I tried to wake Haruhi up by nudging her shoulder, "Hey wake up, I think Mikuru's having a nightmare" I whispered, but it was pointless, she wouldn't get up,
"Five more minutes..." She murmured.
Well this sucks.
I lay there for at least a minute listening to Mikuru's nightmare fueled wails. That's it, I'm doing something about this, I can't stand idly by while Mikuru is freaking out!
I got up and crawled over to Mikuru's bed, and began stroking her hair. That seemed to calm her down. This is so wierd.
"Don't worry Miss Asahina, I won't let her do anything to you" I whispered, remembering the day I promised to protect her from Haruhi very clearly.
"...Kyon-kun?" She asked, still asleep.
"Yeah, I'm here"
"...Thank you..." She said, drifting out of the nightmare and into peaceful sleep.
Well since I was awake anyway, I figured I'd take a leak. I got up and went to the bathroom.
I had just pulled my shorts back up when I heard a voice, which made me jump out of my skin.
"That was really sweet of you, Kyon"
I fell into the tub with a surprised yell, "Shinji, what the hell!"
Shinji was chuckling at my misfortune as I got back up, yeah laugh it up you jerk.
"Sorry about that, I just couldn't wait to tell you the news"
I pulled the toilet lid down and sat on it, rubbing my eyes to wake up,
"What news?"
Shinji smiled brightly, "The new Evas are coming soon, they're really cool too! I think Miss Suzumiya and Miss Asahina will like them"
"New Evas huh? How soon will they be here?"
"Hard telling, Miss Suzumiya's is being sent by ship from America, and Miss Asahina's is going to be flown in from what's left of England. Her's is cute too, well as cute as an Eva can be anyway. But they should both be here sometime by the end of the week"
Okay so today's monday, or maybe tuesday depending on what time it is, so they should arrive in... I don't know about four or five days?
"Did you really have to freak me out in the middle of the night? And are you watching me?"
Shinji chuckled again, "I'm sorry I just couldn't wait, but I just happened to pop in when you were helping Miss Asahina out, I'm not some creepy astral stalker or anything"
"You better not be..."
"Yeah, yeah, so now that your awake, do you wanna see something?"
"Like what?" I asked, confused.
"I just thought I'd let you know a little more about Rei, you interested?"
"We're not going to be stalking her are we?"
Shinji thought about it for a minute, "Well... not exactly, but I think it's something you need to see"
I stood up and stretched, yawning, I said, "I might as well, where are we going?"
"You'll find out, hold my hand" he said, offering his hand to me,
"Do I have to hold your hand?" I asked
"Yes"
I groaned, "Fine, can we make this quick?"
"It shouldn't take too long"
I grabbed his hand, "Do I have to close my eyes or anything?" I asked, annoyed.
"Not unless you want to, Although I think it's pretty cool to see all the neat stuff that happens when I teleport"
"Alright I'm ready"
"Excellent!" He said cheerfully.
In a split second, the bathroom I was standing in began to melt and shattered into a million pieces, leaving Shinji and myself in complete darkness.
"This part is my favorite" He said as colors began flashing by in every possible direction, and a few impossible ones. I was starting to feel pretty sick,
"I'm not going to get a siezure from this am I?" I asked.
Shinji shushed me, "You're ruining the moment"
Before I could reply, I could see a million pieces flying up and position themselves perfectly to form a very dark room.
"Where are we?" I asked curiously
"Deep in the bowels of NERV" Shinji said non-chalantly.
I saw doctor Akagi walk down a hallway where a soft orange light was pouring out,
Shinji finally let go of my hand and motioned me to follow doctor Akagi, "Come on"
"Uh, don't you think doctor Akagi will freak out if she sees us here?" I whispered
"Don't worry, no one can see or here you, it's kind of like that story A Christmas Carol, except without Christmas"
"Okay then" I said, following Shinji into the hallway.
From my angle I could see doctor Akagi bathed in the orange light that was coming from both sides of the hallway, behind thick sheets of glass. she looked at something with an expression of what I could only identify as disgust before she wrote something down on her clipboard and walked off. What was she writing? And better yet, what was she looking at?
Shinji and I walked further down the hallway, until we could get a better look at what was behind the glass.
"Oh my god! What is this?" I screamed when I saw at least twenty naked Rei's behind the glass, all of them giggling and smiling in a really creepy way. My scream got their attention, causing them to shift their soulless gaze to me, still giggling and smiling.
"This... is the well of souls, or the Reiquarium as doctor Akagi calls it"
"You said no one could see or hear me, their looking right at me!" I yelled, seriously freaking out and backing up against the other sheet of glass.
"Yeah... they can always see me too, I never figured that out... also if this disturbs you, don't look behind you"
"Don't look at-" I started to ask, turning around against common sense to see more Reis, "-Oh my god!" I jumped into the middle of the hallway feeling my spine crawl.
Shinji held his palm up against the glass of the other tank, watching a Rei mirror him by putting her hand on the glass as well, looking at him with a curious expression.
"Their quite harmless, and they like to listen. I visit here every so often and vent" Shinji said, putting his finger to the glass and moving it around, causing the Rei to match him with her finger.
"Why are there so many Reis? I don't understand what I'm seeing." I asked, calming down, I was still creeped out though.
Shinji frowned, "Do you remember when Rei said she was expendable? This is what she meant. If she ever dies, my father can take one of these clones and put her soul into it, that's why she's so special..." He trailed off looking sad, "These are clones of Lillith, and a human being"
I'm never going to get back to sleep after seeing this...
"Who's the human she was cloned from?" I asked
"My Mom"
Did he just say his Mom?
"So... Rei is half angel?"
"Nephillum," Shinji corected, "But yes"
"Why do these things exist? What's the point of all this?"
"Don't call Rei a thing!" He snapped, glaring at me, "She's a person too!"
I backed up and raised my hands in a show of non-agression
"I'm sorry, I'm just a little freaked out right now"
"It's alright," he sighed, calming down, "I guess you don't see this kind of thing every day"
It tops everything Haruhi's powers ever threw at me, that's for sure!
"So why does this exist?" I asked
"Rei is very important for the end game, and therefore very important to me, you'll understand in time"
"Alright, I won't ask anymore about that, but why are you showing this to me?"
Shinji sighed sadly, continuing to play with the Rei clone that was copying him,
"To give you perspective, and I hate myself for what I'm going to say next," He bowed his head in shame, causing the clone to do likewise, "Things are only going to get harder, and people could die. I want you to know, if you must sacrifice one of your pilots, make it Rei"
"That's horrible, Shinji, you just said she was a person too!"
"It is imperitive that you keep Suzumiya Haruhi alive"
Shinji and I turned around and said, "Nagato?" in union. Well, he said 'Miss Nagato', anyway.
She was standing in the middle of the hallway, wearing a blank expression as usual.
"How did you get out of the Eva?" I asked, curiously.
"I did not, I have mastered the art of astral projection, what you are seeing is merely an image of me, a hologram if you will"
"Impressive" Shinji complimented, being ignored by Nagato, he then turned back to me, "She's right though, Miss Suzumiya must not die, and since the other pilots can't come back like Rei, you should try to keep them alive as well"
"I still don't like this"
"Sacrifice is a part of conflict" Nagato stated quietly, I could tell she didn't like it either.
"This is war after all, I don't like it either, Kyon, but it's neccesery"
"I won't let it come to that" I promised.
"I hope you can keep that promise, I truly do" Shinji replied, sadly
Nagato was watching the Rei clones with a blank expression.
"What's wrong, Nagato?"
For a minute she said nothing, then spoke, "Ayanami is like me" She said quietly.
"I definitley see the simalrities, Miss Nagato, but Rei is very different from you as well" Shinji said, standing beside her.
Nagato didn't respond.
"Is it because you have trouble expressing yourself, like Rei?" I asked
"That as well"
"Well, what else?"
"There are striking similarities between Ayanami's relationship with Lillith and my relationship with the entity.
"Like what?" I asked
"Yeah, fill us in Miss Nagato"
"It is beyond either of your understanding and my ability to explain"
We both decided to leave it at that,
"I must go now, astral projection is difficult to maintain"
"I guess I'll see you during the next sync test then?" I asked
"Yes" She stated blankly before disapearing.
Nagato must be so lonely...
"Miss Nagato is nice" Shinji stated, going back to the Rei clone he was playing with.
"Yeah... so is there anything else you need to tell me?"
Shinji looked up, realizing I needed to go back, "Oh! No, not right now," He offered me his hand again, "Be sure you keep this between us, the well of souls is pretty top secret, and it'd be best not to talk about it"
I nodded, understanding completely and took his hand.
After another acid trip like teleportation, I found myself standing alone in the bathroom, not that I know what an acid trip is like or anything, but I imagine it would look like that. I was still feeling a little dizzy, so I sat down on the toilet lid and tried to catch my breath, images of all those soulless Rei clones still haunted my mind. I guess cloning her was a neccesery step, but just how wil all of this play out? I tried to figure it out for a moment, then gave up and decided it was best not to dwell on it for now. I got up feeling much better and went back to Haruhi's room. I opened the door quietly to see Mikuru and Haruhi sleeping soundly, and quietly walked back to Haruhi's bed. As soon as I got laid down, Haruhi snuggled up next to me in her sleep. I said this was wierd earlier, but to tell the truth, it was kind of nice to have someone next to me in bed, it was comforting really. I got nestled in and before I knew it, I was out like a light.
I woke up to the sound of screaming and the sensation of being kicked in the face, repeatedly.
"Serial killer! W-what did you do to my sister you horrible man!"
My eyes shot open instantly to see Mikuru kicking me in a fit of panic.
"Ow! Mikuru, it's me! Ow! Stop that!"
She couldn't here me over her panic, she gripped the stuffed animal that was indeed muu-chan, and began throwing stuff at me.
"Mikuru, quit it, it's me!"
She stopped when she realized who I was.
"K-kyon-kun? What are you doing here?" she asked
"I... uh, spent the night" I said awkwardly, rubbing my cheek. Mikuru might not look like it, but she's got a strong kick.
The door flew open to reveal Haruhi holding a baseball bat, "What the hell's going on?"
Mikuru turned around, still holding the doll tightly to her chest, "Oh, I kind of freaked out when I saw Kyon-kun" she replied, chuckling awkwardly
"Oh, is that all?" Haruhi said, looking like she felt foolish, she then began explaining why I was here and that we were going out now. I took in my surroundings, trying to get woke up, the room was pretty bare, with a few stuffed animals lying around, a large dresser on Either side of the room and a few posters of the pop star Aya Hirano. Haruhi's bed was a vibrant yellow and Mikuru's was a hot pink, the room was pretty unremarkable really.
After Mikuru congratulated us, she realized what she was wearing and went beet red, she was only wearing an oversized T-shirt and panties, "Oh... uh c-could you get out now so I can change?"
After that awkward moment I went into the bathroom and changed into my school uniform, while Mikuru changed, we had school today, but that didn't really bother me, my shirt wasn't very wrinkled so that was alright. I opened the door to see Mikuru waiting outside in her school uniform.
"Oh... um Kyon-kun... I'm really sorry about this morning" she apologized sheepishly,
I smiled and reasured her, "Don't worry about it, I'd probably freak out too"
She smiled back and moved over so I could get out and went in, before she closed the door she said,
"Don't break her heart, I mean it" she said aggressively
"Huh?"
She looked at me strangely, "...I didn't say anything"
I pretended like I believed her and said, "Oh, alright then"
I think Shinji was right about Haruhi making her do that, I could tell she really had no idea she just said something.
I sat down at the kotatsu s Haruhi served us breakfast, she was in her school uniform as well,
"Thanks again for staying the night, Kyon" She said happily as she plooped down beside me.
We had a breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast,
"Huh, I didn't know you liked foreign food" I said as I took a bite, it was delicious by the way
"Yeah, I like to try new things, is it any good?" She asked anxiously
"It's wonderful" I said
She smiled and began to dig in.
"Haruhi?"
"Hmm?" she asked, pulling a piece of bacon out of her mouth.
"Are you... worried that I'm going to break your heart?" I asked.
She blinked a few times, "How did you get so perceptive? Yeah, I guess I am a little..."
I pulled her into a hug, "You don't have to worry about that, alright? I'm the one chosen by Suzumiya, and I'll be damned if I let you down" Oh wait... I shouldn't have let that bit about 'the one chosen by Suzumiya" out...
She started laughing, "You act like I'm so special!"
"You are" I said, smiling. She really is special, and not just because she's some kind of god, not to sound sappy or anything.
She blushed and went back to her breakfast, just in time for Mikuru to join us.
After breakfast, Haruhi packed our lunches, we got our schoolbags together, put our shoes on and headed to school. It was even hotter today, I wonder if it was because of the approaching spring? I hope I don't stick around long enough to find out what summer is like...
Haruhi hummed happily as we waited for a train to cross. It didn't sound like any pop song I had ever heard of, more like some kind of foriegn metal.
"Is that a Manson song?" I asked, remembering the time I heard her humming 'The beautiful people' in our world.
"Nope, Static X, you knew I liked that kind of stuff?" She asked curiously.
"Just a hunch"
She grabbed me in a tight hug, "I love how you know me so well, you're the best boyfriend ever!"
She's... squeezing to hard... organs... 'sploding...
thankfully she let go as after the train finally crossed, took it's sweet time too, and we reumed the long trek to school. She lives really far away from the school too, it was about double the time to get there compared to the distance from my apartment.
We bumped into a cheerfull looking Sohryu at the gates,
"So where were you yesterday, baka?" She noticed Haruhi holding my hand and chuckled, "So you finally figured it out huh?"
Haruhi latched on to me tightly and said, "Yeah! Look at you Sohryu, you're so jealous! I can see it in your eyes, yes, drown me in the water of your envy!" I couldn't help but be amused at Haruhi's taunting.
Sohryu looked at her like she dumb as hell and snorted, "As if, why would I want an idiot like Kyon when I can have a real man like Kaji?"
"Ew! He's like twice your age!" Haruhi shot back,
"And your point is?" Sohryu asked.
I stepped in before they got in a fight, "So... you're in a good mood today, Sohryu"
"You'd be amazed what a little alone time can do!" she declared flamboyantly
"Yeah... sure" I said as she walked away from us and headed to school.
"You can stop hiding behind me now Miku-chan, she's gone" Haruhi coaxed Mikuru cheerfully.
"You know, you can defend yourself, Mikuru, I won't let her hit you again" I said, reasuring her. I'd be damned if I let Sohryu hit her again, mostly because I couldn't stand the though of Mikuru hurt, but also because I didn't want Haruhi to go apeshit on her. It's hard enough to pilot when an angel beating the crap out of you, let alone when your already injured.
"Hey, now htat we're pilots, we don't have to worry about getting in trouble for fighting right?" Haruhi asked eagerly, cracking her knuckles.
I grabbed her by the arm,
"Haruhi, I understand that you're still mad at Sohryu, but don't just randomly deck her out of the blue"
"But-" I cut her off, "-No!" I said, pointing at her as if I was scolding a dog that had misbehaved, "I'm not happy about what she did either, but we need as many pilots as we can get"
"Fine..." She grumbled, then pushed my finger away, "And I'm not a dog! Stop that!"
The rest of the week went by uneventfully, except for when Sohryu ratted me out to Misato and told her I was spending the night at Haruhi's every few days, which caused Misato to tease me mercilessly and told me to have a condom in my wallet at all times, it was an order. Other than that, nothing of note really happened until saturday, when the new Evas finally arrived.
Haruhi and Mikuru finally recieved their access cards on that same saturday that the Evas arrived and joined me at NERV for a sync test.
The three of us stood outside of the Eva cages, inspecting the new Evas, much to Haruhi's delight.
I'll tell you about Haruhi's first; It was a vibrant yellow like her headband, with brown trim, the same shade as her hair. Unit five was bulkier than unit two, but smaller than unit one, with two eyes and curved head, it bore a pair of yellow horns that sprouted out of the back of it's head and curved towards it's mouth like a pair of mandibles, it was fearsome looking. We were told it was the third Eva meant for actual combat just like unit two, unit four being the second one from that particular line.
Now let me tell you about Mikuru's; unit six was a different kind of Eva, we were told it was meant for long range combat and not very good at hand to hand combat, unlike Haruhi's, which was undeniably meant to be a shock trooper. It was a bright hot pink, yes hot pink, with a light red trim. It sported a large pink horn much like unit one's except at a point where it was bent backwards and curved over the Eva's head. It also had two eyes, but unlike the others that glowed either green or yellow, one glowed green, while the other glowed with a dark blue. Aside from the girly paintjob, it looked awesome.
And needless to say, those plugsuits were killing me, especially Mikuru's. I knew her breasts were big but... damn! Ahem, I shouldn't be drooling over her like that, I apologize. Both girls' plugsuits matched their Evas; Haruhi's was a vibrant yellow and Mikuru's was hot pink.
That grin Haruhi was wearing... that must be how the vikings looked when they heard Rome was crumbling and ripe for plunder!
"I love it!" She screamed at the top of her lungs and began squeezing me in another tight hug, that plug suit left almost nothing to the imagination, and I found it really hard not to start bleeding from the nose as I felt every curve rubbing up against me, EVERY. CURVE.
"Yours is really cute too, Miku-chan!" Haruhi called over to Mikuru, who was looking at her Eva fearfully, as if it would pick her up and swallow her whole, not that I could blame her, both the new Evas looked pretty vicious.
"Hmm, their not to bad looking, but not as awesome unit two" Sohryu declared flippantly as she walked onto the catwalk.
"Psshhh! Whatever, Sohryu! Mine could take yours with both hands behind it's back!" Haruhi taunted, only to be ignored as Sohryu walked over to Mikuru,
"So what's got you so spooked? It's just a big doll basically, don't tell me your afraid of your own Eva!"
"I-im not scared, Miss Sohryu, I'm j-just nervous is all!" Mikuru shot back defiantly
Sohryu merely snorted and walked away, "Just don't get in my way" she warned, earning a glare from Haruhi.
The sync test was anything but dull, as Haruhi was gripping the controls excitedly and talking to me a mile a minute.
"Suzumiya, stop being so antsy and focus!" doctor Akagi barked, I could almost hear her pinching the bridge of her nose, "And Asahina, why is your heart rate skyrocketing? Are you feeling alright?" she asked with concern in her voice,
"Y-yes, I'm okay, I-i'm just nervous!"
Doctor Akagi seemed to have a soft spot for Mikuru, probably because she wasn't hyper active or narccicistic like Haruhi and Sohryu.
"It's okay, there won't be any fighting today, so just relax"
As a scientist, she should no better than to say that, I wouldn't be surprised if there was an angel attack just because she said that.
"O-okay, I'll try" Mikuru replied, trying not to cause any problems.
"That's all I ask for" doctor Akagi said cheerfully.
Later both girls managed to settle down and the sync test went by in no time.
An hour later doctor Akagi informed us that the test was over and gave us our results,
I scored a lowly sixty five while Haruhi's was a seventy eight, and Sohryu still held onto her record eighty five that she had been holding for a few weeks now. Mikuru's score however, blew us all away.
I heard doctor Akagi's voice over the comlink,
"Asahina, I'm seriously impressed! Your score is over ninety! That's the highest anyones ever got in a sync test so far! Good job!"
everything was silent for a moment, until Sohryu let out an earpiercing shriek of rage,
"WHAT?"
(A/N:
I think that may have been my longest chapter so far, I have to say I'm pretty proud of myself for that. I'm sorry if that romantic bit felt forced and wierd, I don't think I'm very good with romance, but that's where the story wanted to go, so that's where I took it. I think Haruhi's a bit out of character, and Kyon too. But I did say histories have been changed slightly, so I guess that's okay, as for Kyon, well, I don't really know, I guess he's finally used to the Eva universe now, so he knows how to roll with the punches, most of them anyway. I think I've written him to be a lot more perceptive than he is in cannon, but after all he's gone through, I think the tactical part of his mind has grown quite a bit, so has his potty mouth. But please tell me, do you guys still think their in character? I know Rei and Gendo have had a few out of character moments in this fic, blame Shinji, he did it for shits and giggles.
Next chapter is leading up Haruhi and Mikuru's debut battle, sounds exciting doesn't it? And I've finally found a use for that Ku-go device, I'm proud of myself. I have also brainstormed a few original angels for later in this fic, and I think their going to be pretty interesting, so you should look forward to that.
Any thoughts on the new Evas? I brainstormed for a while on what they should look like, I figured Haruhi's should be more of a brawler, since she has an in your face personality, it just made sense to me like that. Mikuru's eva is so her, I think. She does tend to do things from behind the scenes in cannon that most the other character's never see, with the exception of Kyon, so to me, a light and fast eva meant for long range made perfect sense to me as well. As for the colors, well isn't it obvious?
And just so I'm clear on this, I do not promote smoking in any way shape or form, as a guy who's been trying to quit for nearly a year now, it really is as hard to quit as they say. My advice to you: never ever pick up a ciggarete, don't even start, it makes you short of breath, and it's difficult to get warm, I think that's because it kills oxygen carrying blood cells or something like that, among other things, not to mention it's the leading cause of cancer.
And I wasn't promoting electronic ciggarettes either, I just thought I'd use that to give more insight to Haruhi's dad, who has yet to make an appearance. I also thought it seemed like something Haruhi would do, although I can see her smoking for real too, since she is kind of a bad girl)