Shin Seiki Evangelion - Seasons
Haru – Shinji
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 - Shinji
"You're not running away?" Ken-kun asked as we walked towards the park.
I shook my head, a slight smile on my face. It's been a long time since I felt so light on my feet.
"There they are," Ken-kun said as he spotted the girls. Aoki-iincho, Imai-san, and their friend Madoka-san who seemed a bit embarrassed not to have a third boy in the group.
"Think of it as a group date," Ken-kun said with his usual wit as we walked towards Mi-chan's. I tried to pay attention as Ken-kun chatted up Madoka and for some reason he seemed to be riling up Aoki-iincho.
I noticed Imai-san looking at me, a shy smile on her lips and I can't help but smile back. "Are they too noisy?"
"No, it's sort of normal for them," Imai-san replied.
"But you seem to be the quiet one."
She laughed lightly but otherwise remained silent.
"Yes, Keiko-chan's not really used to speaking to people," Madoka-san replied as she put her arms around Imai-san's shoulders. "Sorry, to intrude but Kumi-chan and Aida-sempai are starting to get on each other's nerves over there."
We all looked towards the front where Aoki-iincho and Ken-kun were almost shouting at each other. Again, I'm a bit surprised that Aoki-iincho was publicly displaying her belligerent side instead of her princess mode. I'm actually a bit worried that she'll deck Ken-kun. She reminds me of how Asuka used to be. Asuka also used to have two sides that she showed - one as the genius pilot, charming good girl; the other as the passionate, often acerbic red demon. Now she only has one - the moody, jaded young woman.
I felt a pang of yearning for those bygone days. Strange, but true. I think we were more alive back then, but were unable to appreciate it.
I look at Imai-san, no, Keiko-san with a feeling of guilt. Here I am with her but my thoughts are of another.
"Well, here we are," Ken-kun announced as we stopped in front of Mi-chan's.
"Here?" Aoki-iincho asked skeptically.
"What's wrong with this place?" Ken-kun asked innocently.
"The place's for adults," Aoki-iincho replied, wrinkling her nose for emphasis as if the word 'adult' was a disgusting word.
"What do you mean?" Ken-kun probed, and I knew that he was baiting her.
"I mean it's a single's bar," Aoki-iincho exclaimed with annoyance. "You know, where people go to get to... 'Know' people."
"Ah, you mean where people pick up dates," Ken-kun said as he looked at the sign as if he just noticed it. I do have to say that for years the pink neon kokuneko, the beckoning cat, was just a regular sign to me, picked out by Misato for no particular reason. Now as I watched it waving its paw, I finally understood why Misato chose it. She's the naughty type.
"Yes," Ken-kun continued, "I do believe that such a place is beneath our ojosama." Aoki-iincho visibly bristled. Ken-kun turned to me as Aoki-iincho began to open her mouth to retort. "Shinji-kun, you'll have to go in and tell the Major that we'll have to go to another place. We don't want to risk someone seeing Aoki-ojosama and spreading nasty rumors about her low habits."
Everyone looked at me as the meaning of Ken-kun's words began to sink in.
I looked at Ken-kun, wondering why he was getting on Aoki-iincho's case. But he does know that I will almost always be on his side.
"Well, I guess I can ask Misato, if I can miss it this year," I said with just the right amount of dejection. Acting was something I learned from Asuka - specifically, it was a skill I picked up so as not to get Asuka mad at me. I think I'm rather good at it by the strained look on Aoki-ojosama's face.
I really have to commend Aoki-iincho as she immediately went into princess mode before pushing the door open. Madoka-san and Keiko-san followed their friend. Ken-kun grinned at me over Keiko-san's head. One of these days I really have to get him to tell me what that was all about.
"Irashaimasse," Misato greeted at the door. If I didn't know her, I would've never had noticed the slight show of surprise as she noticed that the girls were with Ken-kun and I. "Oh my," she said, a grin on her face as she looked at us appraisingly. "My boys are growing up." She even wiped at mock tears from the corner of her eye.
"Very funny, Misato," I said as I bowed to her. "Aoki Kurumi-san, Imai Keiko-san, Madoka Kei-san, this is my guardian and owner of Mi-chan's, Katsuragi Misato."
Misato chatted a bit with the girls and I can see them being impressed by Misato's regal air. Tonight she was wearing a red kimono with white cranes, her long raven hair done up and held in place by lacquered wooden hairpins. I love the way that Misato smiles, the way that she can be so carefree at a moment's notice - and unlike Asuka or Kurumi-san, she is not acting happy. It's as if she has this deep reservoir of happiness that she can draw from. She looked at me, her eyes suddenly searching.
"Ken-kun, I've reserved the usual table for you guys, I'll just take Lover-boy over here for bit," Misato apologized to the girls as she had Ken-kun lead them to the table as she pulled me over into her office.
"Shinji, what happened?" Misato asked as she used her fingers brushed my hair away from my forehead. I gasped as she probed at where I had hurt myself. I heal fast and the wound had already closed, leaving only a bruise around the broken skin. It still hurts like hell though.
"You've got sharp eyes you know," I joked as I pulled away from her. "I fell."
"Don't lie to me," Misato hissed.
"I'm not." Technically I'm not. Crashing into a table can be considered as falling.
Misato glared at me. "I was hoping you and Asuka would've come together."
"Well, you know Asuka," I replied lamely.
"Yes, I do," Misato said as she looked at my forehead again. "Shinji, have you given up on her?"
I felt a chill run down my back. I froze, unable to move as Misato pulled me into her arms. Soft, warm, and scented with lavender. Before I know it my arms were around Misato's waist and my face pressed against her shoulder, my body wracked by sobs. I don't know how long I cried, I just hope that I did not bawl like a baby. All the while, Misato just held me, her hand caressing my back in a comforting manner.
Even after I've finished crying, I just held onto her, savoring the feeling of comfort. I felt sick at being so dependent and weak. I've wanted to be independent and strong - someone Asuka will respect - and yet again I have failed.
"How long have you known?" I finally ask.
"I had a feeling that you were beginning to like her after those days that you spent trying to dance with each other. For a short time after that, you were smiling more often. I'm really sorry to have pushed you guys so hard. I've taken your childhood away."
I laughed bitterly. "It's not your fault Misato. Asuka and I never had happy childhoods to begin with."
I could feel her tense up. "Did she tell you?"
"About her mother?" I finally push away from Misato. "Yes. And that was probably one of my happiest memories with Asuka. I was so glad that she trusted me."
"And when did that happen?" Misato wiped my face with a moist towelette. Just like a mother cleaning up a child.
"When we were in the hospital and I was visiting her." I blushed a bit as I remember that day. I was also happy for another reason.
"I see." Misato smiled. I'm not sure whether she also knows of that other reason I cherish that memory or if she would allow me that secret. "I think you should go back, we've been here so long they may think I've been molesting you or something."
I just grin at her. I think it's prudent not to tell her the rumors going around the school about her and me. I suddenly notice the wet patch on her shoulder. "I'm sorry Misato!"
"Don't worry about it," she replied as she took out her hairpins and shook out her hair so that her shoulders were veiled. "Now, it looks even more suspicious."
We both laughed at that.
"Shinji, I'm not going to force my hopes on you. I just want you to be happy." Misato said as she took my hand.
"I'll try."
I guess I did try to be happy. We were just talking, Ken-kun and Kurumi-san driving the conversation with their one-upmanship. It reminds me of the first time that I've felt like this, a long, long time ago. Misato just got promoted, Asuka just joined our little family, and Ken-kun decided it was enough of a reason for a party. It was my first party, the first time I was surrounded by friends, the first time I was comfortable with the noise of people living. Misato, Asuka, Ken-kun, Ritsuko-san, Horaki-iincho, Kaji-san, Toji…
The conversation at the table stopped and everyone was looking at me.
"W-what!" I was shocked to hear my voice crack. Without knowing it, I had almost started crying. The girls and I were a bit embarrassed at the show of weakness. Ken-kun took some tissues from the tissue holder and handed it to me without a word, his face blank except for the flicker of concern behind his glasses. Kurumi-san frowned.
"Konbanwa."
I look up as I heard the familiar voice that came out of the speakers, my heart skipped a beat.
She stood on the platform. Her red mane falling down her shoulders. The black sweater and white slacks hugging her slim body. The lights sparkled off her mirrored glasses and yet I knew she was looking at me. I felt a spike of excitement.
And then my Angel sang.
000
We've moved to the park to enjoy Flower Watching the old way. I was a bit surprised that Ken-kun was the one who suggested it. It was only when we got here that I understood why he was so insistent.
"S-sempai…"
I looked at Keiko-san who sat beside me on the park bench, "Yes?"
"What are you thinking?" she asked, her eyes guarded behind her glasses.
"It's nothing," I reply as I look away towards the moon's reflection on the boat pond. Across the water we could hear Kurumi-san, Kei-san, and Ken-kun screaming and laughing as they chugged around on children's bumper boats to the chagrin of the romantic boaters who thought that all the children should already be asleep by this time. Ken-kun was having a lot of fun.
"I see," she whispered. I couldn't help but tense up when she leaned against me, her head on my shoulder. "I see…" she whispered once more.
We sat there in silence before I had a sinking feeling. I pulled away from her and faced her, my hands on her shoulders. Keiko-san's tears flowed down her pale cheeks, sparkling streams in the moonlight.
"Keiko-san…" I took out my handkerchief and wiped her tears away.
"Stop!" Keiko grabbed my hand, but instead of pushing it away her grip tightened, pressing her cheek against my hand, and fresh tears flowed. "Please stop being so nice."
We sat there, Keiko-san crying softly into the handkerchief in my palm. After a bit she regained her composure and took the handkerchief from me.
"I'll return this after I wash it," she said as she gently dabbed at her eyes. "You should go back."
"What?"
"That girl who sang before you did, she's yours right?"
"What!" I cried out in surprise. Asuka! Mine! Is this girl crazy?
Keiko-san had a sad smile as she looked me in the eye. "I had a feeling that she was yours while I watched you watch her sing. When you stood up to sing right after she did, then I knew. She is yours."
"You've got to be kidding," I mutter as my heart began beating normally again.
"She told me that I can take you if I really want to," Keiko-san sniffled. "I guess she knew that I can't."
"You talked with Asuka?"
Once more that sad smile that was like a dagger in my chest.
For years, I thought I loved Asuka. Despite all the hurt, I've always believed that someday I will be with her as more than a friend.
I looked at Keiko.
Here was a girl who did not ask for anything. Who did not hurt me. Who was concerned about me. Who loved me. Someone who needed me.
On one hand was a cold, unreachable goddess. On the other, a kind, warm hearted woman. Asuka. Keiko. I closed my eyes, lost in between the two polar opposites.
I leaned towards her.
I had to admit that I was surprised when Keiko pushed me away. "Sempai, please go. Before we both regret it."
I could not look at her, the tears once more threatening to flow.
And like the coward that I am, I ran.
Tsu Zu Ku
Ojosama – literally: Lady. Here, Kensuke is inferring that Kumi-chan is a snob.