Shin Seiki Evangelion - Seasons

Haru - Filtered View

Neon Genesis Evangelion created by, registered, and copyrighted to GAINAX Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision holds the copyrights to the English version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. This work of fiction is not intended for any commercial purposes but was created for the entertainment of the Author and Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

No copyright infringement was in any way intended.

Seasons written by Jino Turtlegod

M Rating. For mature readers only. Some scenes, themes, language, and situations are not suitable for younger readers. Reader discretion is advised.

HTML ver 10 APR 08

Ver 1 – 22 APR 08

Haru - Filtered View

"Aida-Sempai!"

We both stopped and turned, a puzzled look on Ken-kun's face as we saw the pretty girl walking purposely towards us. She walked with a self confident, almost gliding motion. I know her, Aoki Kurumi - the heiress of the Aoki Heavy Industry Group. But mostly I know her from the Student Council as we are both Class Representatives. She may act prim and proper but she is also very persuasive and gets whatever she wants.

"Ikari-Iincho..." Aoki-Iincho's trailed off as she noticed the bandage on my head. For some odd reason, I felt gratified as she lost her composure a bit. Then the hesitation passed - "Please pardon my intrusion but I would like to discuss some matter with Aida-Sempai."

"No bother," I smiled at her. If she wants to 'discuss matters' with Ken-kun there's nothing I can do but be happy for my friend - I'm a bit worried that he is a bit too obsessed with that camera of his.  Personally, I think the guy's dense when it comes to girls.

As I turn to leave, Ken-kun lightly touched my wrist.

"Don't you go running away..."

I look into his caramel hued eyes. "I won't. It's about time for me to move on with my life."

He smiled, relief in his eyes as I felt his fingertips leave my skin.

We parted company for the moment.

000

I finished some paperwork in the Council Room as I waited for Ken-kun. Thankfully most of the preparations for the Graduation Ceremony next week are already finished. All I need is to close up my record book.

With some fondness I run my fingers over the plastic top of my portable.

High School life is the best... or so the old people say. I wouldn't know about that as I feel that I've barely even begun to live.

But I do have to admit that I had some fun.

It was enjoyable to explore my own personality, my own drive to become my own person - the fight against the dark tide of depression and self loathing that I had lived in since my mother's death.

I like stretching out my wings and finding my limitations. I've been complimented for my cooking. I've learned to sing. I've gotten better at dancing. Consistently in the top ten ranking. I've even tried mastering the cello on my own to limited success.

I lean back and enjoy the silence of the empty Council room. The ceiling is a familiar one. I put on the earbuds for my SDAT and listen to the pure harmony of Classical music. It is these small pleasures that make life bearable.

I hear the door slide open.

I turn to look at the door and saw a younger girl standing uncertainly in the threshold. She had a fragile and vulnerable air about her - someone who can call out to the maternal instinct in others.

I smile kindly at her, "Hello, Imai-san. Aoki-iincho isn't here yet."

"Y-you know my name?" the girl asked incredulously.

"Yes. You're one of Aoki-san's friends right?" I did not add that that was the only reason I knew of her. One of the things I've learned early was that one must always be careful of the words one say. Whoever believes that words can never hurt them must be a fool or friendless.

The girl nods and falls silent. Oddly enough, she seemed happy.

Moments pass.

She stood at the threshold while I sat by the window. Neither of us moved. It felt as if life passed by, continuing on its existence while we were frozen in a time capsule of contemplation.

I hate moments like that - pauses of indecision annoy me. They remind me too much of how I used to be.

I smile, hiding my annoyance before the girl misunderstands and thinks I'm annoyed at her. "Imai-san, sit down while we wait for them."

"Um, yeah. Thanks." She bowed before entering.

"So, are you girls going out flower watching later?" I ask as she sat down opposite me.

"Um, no..." the girl trailed off again into silence while I watched her. The sunlight glanced off her large glasses, making her eyes disappear in the glare. Her mousy brown hair was caught by a slight breeze and she tried in vain to keep it in place with one hand.

"Ken-kun and I are going flower watching later, why don't you girls meet us?"

She sat up straight as if shocked. And then a happy smile lit up her face. I do have to admit that she is very pretty when she smiles.

It was only a bit later that I realized that for the first time in my life I've asked a girl to go out.

We were ironing out the details - or rather I talked while she listened - when the door slid open and Ken-kun entered, his head bowed and his eyes covered by his eyes and lost in the glare of sunlight caught in his glasses. Imai-san and I became quiet as we noticed the red mark on Ken-kun's face.

"Ikari-sempai..." Imai-san's voice trembled.

Imai-san looked lost and crushed as she realized what the mark on Ken-kun's face meant.

"Don't worry Imai-chan, we're still going flower watching later," Ken-kun said as he kept the door opened. "We'll see you later."

"Hai." Imai-san bowed as she left. Ken-kun and I watched as the door closed behind Imai-san and then waited as her footsteps faded away into the distance. I walked over to the first aid kit while Ken-kun slumped down into one of the chairs.

How did he know I had invited Imai-san and her friends to the flower watching? I feel a frown on my face as my fingers stopped on the latch for the medicine cabinet.

"We got set-upped." We said in unison. I can't help but smile and yet...

"It's not fair, you know," Ken-kun said as I applied some iodine on his face where Aoki-san's slap had cut him. It seemed that Aoki-san can really pack a wallop. He grinned at me. "You get all the girls!"

I grin back at him. And yet there was a flash of regret and bitterness in his eyes.

"But why did she slap you?" I ask as I put a band-aid on him.

He paused as he thought. And then he smiled. "Because I told her that I've already set my heart on something! She does not appreciate it when people don't fall for her charms!"

I smiled as I nodded.

He knew I knew he was lying.

But even friends need to lie to each other sometimes.

Tsu Zu Ku

Sempai – Senior or Upper Classman