Shinji sighed, sitting in the branches of the cypress. Sometimes, it's good to skip school.

At a noise he glanced downward to see a girl's uniform and blue hair and red eyes.

Shinji's breath caught in his throat. Will Rei report him to the school?

After a moment of quiet stillness, Rei moved. Hand over hand, she climbed without a sound until she reached his branch.

They sat silently for a moment, taking in the sights until Rei said, "It is really quite beautiful."

Shinji smiled. "Yes, it is."

They sat there until the afternoon, basking in the summer sun.