Tokyo National Institute of Mental Services
Adolescent Residential Ward
Nurse's Station
Evening
"Despite his fear of piloting and the Angels, he seems more than happy to share his action figures with Asuka," one of the staff members observed while watching the camera feeds from around the ward.
The other staff member nodded in agreement. "It's most likely a coping mechanism for his own stress. Being an only child now, it probably feels nice for him to have someone to bond with, even if it touches upon his trauma."
They both sat at one of the desks, their eyes glued to the screen. Kaji stroked his messy stubble while watching the two teens play with the handmade action figures. Misato, on the other hand, just stared, feeling a mix of sadness and helplessness as she watched Shinji struggle.
She had known Shinji for a while and it pained her to see him in such a state. "Rei was such a nice girl... She and her father didn't deserve to die that day," she said softly.
Kaji let out a heavy sigh, stretched his arms, and got up from his chair. His back made a popping noise as he walked away from the desk. He took one last look at the screen before leaving the room.
Misato continued to sit there, observing the two teenagers as they played.
She knew that it was her responsibility to get them ready for bed soon and to prepare their nightly medication.
With a heavy heart, she got up from her seat and made her way to the ward, ready to tell them their nightly routine.
[Break]
Common Room
The lights through the windows began to dim down as the night began to rise. The time was still a bit early but people were already getting tired.
Shinji looked up away from the book he was reading and looked out the window at the setting sun.
An orange colored sky.
He felt anxiety rising within him. He didn't like the night, it brought out the bad thoughts in his head. His heart rate got a bit faster as he remembered the last time he slept.
When he was at home with Mother…
Asuka sat nearby watching some random show on TV, something about some master thief or something. She seems to have something on her mind, but Shinji didn't really want to do anything about it.
His mind was too focused on the inevitable fact he'll have to fight again.
Fight them.
Fight.
Fight.
Fight.
Fight.
He really didn't want to.
Misato came out with a nervous smile, her nurse's badge and keys jingling as she walked to the common room.
"Alright guys, it's time to head to your rooms for the night. Turn off the TV and put your stuff away."
She turned to Shinji, who shrunk in his seat.
"Shinji, can you hand me your figures and we'll keep them safe in the station."
He shook his head no, and held his purple one close to his chest. He needs Unit 01 to protect him when he fights the angels.
Frowning, Misato held out her hand, trying to be assertive to a boy she knew since he was 2.
"Shinji… Please…"
He looked at her with a saddened and scared expression. He was scared of being defenseless when fighting the angels.
He reluctantly handed it over to her, knowing that he could somewhat trust her with them. Asuka looked over at him and handed Misato Unit 02.
She gave them a small smile and nod before standing up straight.
"Alright everyone, lights out time, head back to your rooms and get ready for night meds."
The other kids sighed or groaned and began putting away their stuff, getting up to head back to their rooms.
Asuka groaned and stood up, cracking her back.
"Come on newbie, it's bedtime."
She began walking down the hall and turned into a room, but not before giving a small smile to Shinji.
"I'll see you in the morning."
Misato came back from the nurse's station and gestured to Shinji for him to follow her.
Reluctantly, he did, following her down the long hall past the other patients who paid no attention to him.
However one stood out the most.
A boy with badly bleached hair and somewhat pale skin. The boy simply stared at Shinji with an unnervingly wide grin.
Shinji recoiled slightly and kept walking behind Misato.
Soon enough they reached an empty room with a bag on the bed. It was his bag of books and blankets.
Misato stepped in and began setting up Shinji's bed. He watched with anxiety as he feared going to sleep.
A minute later, she finished setting up and placing his belongings on the shelf.
"Alright Shinji, this is your room and bed. You'll be staying here for your stay."
He looked around, it was rather sparse and bland. The walls were white and sterile…
…
It was time for bed.
Giving a few words of comfort, Misato left Shinji in his room, closing the heavy door behind her.
He stood there for a good moment before hesitantly walking over and laying down on his new bed. There was a light switch next to his bed. Slowly but surely, he flicked it.
And the lights turned off.
…
…
He was alone and in the dark.
He had to sleep now.
He had to go there.
He had to fight them now…
He didn't want to.
But he had to.
…
He must now.
He must sleep now.
He slowly closed his eyes.
And went to sleep.
[Break]
I decided to work on this more. Give more of a world into this.
Thank you for reading this chapter.
-Rits