Evangelion Days

Calm before the Storm

My head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds as it rested on the wooden surface that was my desk. It was Saturday morning, and somehow I managed to keep true to my morning routine with Kokoro and made it to school on time. As to staying up and attentive in class... forget about it. I didn't really care what the teacher had to say anyway, it's not like their bullshit explanation of what really happened during 2nd Impact matters to me. Besides, call me a conspiracy theorist, but you're not going to get me to believe that 2nd Impact had anything to do with a meteor. What really happened during 2nd Impact? C'mon even knowing what I know now, I still don't have a single clue as to what really happened during 2nd Impact.

"Sazanami."

My ears detected what sounded to be the sound of a human voice... and it was calling out my name. But really, I was exhausted and completely absent minded, responding didn't seem important at the time. So, I ignored the voice. It seemed practical enough.

"SAZANAMI!"

"AH!" I screamed, completely startled and awake at that point. I jumped to a standing position in response.

The teacher had her hands on her hips, apparently me sleeping in class wasn't a part of her itinerary. I could hear the laughter from my peers to my sides, behind me, as well as in front of me. I never understood why people find others misfortune so humorous... people suck.

"Sazanami, I do hope you're done with your dream. Now if you would like to tell me what you know about 2nd Impact?"

"Uhh... well you see there was this impact in 2000, when the Aliens ship landed on our planet. Since then they have hidden among us in slow preparation to take over the world."

What? That's more closer to the truth than the stupid Meteor story fabrication. Of course this landed me with a mountain of extra homework. Funny how my peers laughed at that too... yeah, really funny... I hate people...

Luckily, my pain would end as I only had to endure a half day of school. Classes were only a half day on Saturdays, leaving the rest of the day to do whatever our young hearts desired. As I recalled, I lost my bet with Kokoro, so we were to go out and enjoy the day together. I tried to talk to her earlier about where she wanted to go, but she couldn't give me a straight answer and then even went as far as to say, "Anywhere you want is fine"... C'mon, that doesn't help me! How am I supposed to base anything off of that? I have no idea where I want to go, I had thought this whole thing was about where Kokoro wanted to go. Now it's her day to decide where she wants to go and she can't make up a decision...

"Sazanami-kun?"

"Yes, Kokoro, what is it?"

"Umm... nothing"

Yes, that was the extent of our conversation while leaving the school during our way to the subway terminal. It was almost frustrating. Did I do something wrong? Why wouldn't she open up and talk to me like she always had? While a lot was running through my head in terms of my thought process, those questions were the most prevalent. As we sat on the subway train during the ride home, I figured I should try to spark some conversation.

"Hey... Rei wasn't at school today."

"Yeah... doesn't she tend to miss a few days every so often every month?"

"Seems that way."

"..."

"..."

Damn it! Perhaps I should think of a different approach, I thought. Wracking my brain over what I should bring up next, I sat with my arms crossed in deep contemplation as the remainder of the subway ride followed through until we arrived at our terminal closest to our homes. Naturally, I couldn't think of anything else to say, at least during that point. During our walk home, at this point 'breaking the ice' didn't seem like it was working, so I resorted to my last line of defense, 'point blanking her'.

"Hey, Kokoro." I started saying as I stopped walking.

"Y-yes, Sazanami-kun?" Kokoro responded, a little startled.

"What the hell is going on? You've barely said anything to me all day. Are you mad at me or something? Look, I know I shouldn't sleep during school, but I was really tired. I was out late last night and..."

"No! It's got nothing to do with you, Sazanami-kun!" Kokoro almost bull rushed me as she was at that point almost directly in my personal space. She had grabbed my hand in hers to emphasize her point.

"Well... okay," I said scratching the back of my head, "Then, if it's not me, what's going on? You're usually always chatting away about this, that, and the other... and today you've barely said a word to me let alone your friends Hikari or Midori."

"Um... Sazanami-kun... Is... is there anyone you like?"

"Huh?"

I was floored, I didn't have any idea why she would suddenly ask me that. I know what you all must be thinking, "It's so obvious why she's asking you that!". But, I just had never really looked at Kokoro as anything else but as my childhood friend. Sure, she was very cute and pretty. She had brown hair that was just over shoulder length, which naturally waved and slightly curled at the ends. She always wore a deep azure blue headband on top of her hair. Her eyes were a deep caramel brown. She wasn't really tall, but that was her charm. She always would turn down boys out right who would ask her out, so I never gave it a thought as to if she was even interested in anyone. Of course, I don't need you guys to tell me 'why' she always turned down those boys. It's because she was interested in someone already...and that someone was...

"No. Not really, I don't think about stuff like that."

Why did I say that? I don't know... I felt that if I said that, then it would make her feel better. Somehow, even then, deep inside I knew she was looking to see if I liked anyone else. If I said "no", then I would be giving her the answer she was looking for... or so I thought. After I said that, I saw tears starting to well up in her eyes.

"Hey, Kokoro, what's-" before I could finish the sentence she had taken off running. If she wasn't mad at me before, she probably was now. I couldn't stand around in contemplation, I had to go after her. It's not like she was exactly in the best state of mind. Knowing her, she would end up getting herself into some sort of trouble running off half-cocked like that. I broke out into a steady paced run, I shouldn't have even stood around for a few moments like I did. In the time I was busy thinking, Kokoro had managed to get out of my direct sight. Of course, whenever Kokoro was feeling sad or upset, there was always one place she would always go. And that's Lookout Point, the point where you can overlook the entirety of Tokyo 03. There were many times that Kokoro and I had overlooked and watched the buildings rise and lower into the Geo Front below. With those memories in mind, I headed towards Lookout Point...

When I had gotten there, it wasn't Kokoro that I seen, but there was a woman standing there. Not too far away was a really nice looking blue Renault Alpine A310. I walked up towards her, over looking Tokyo 03 below.

"Excuse me, Miss... have you seen a brunette teenage girl wearing a school uniform?"

"If you're looking for her, you just missed her. She's cute, is she your girlfriend?"

"N,no... we're childhood friends..."

I wasn't really startled by the topic of conversation more so was I startled by this woman's beauty. But I didn't have time to hang around here, if Kokoro wasn't here then I didn't need to be either. I started to turn to leave, but the woman stopped me and continued to talk.

"She said she was going to go to the park, I'm assuming...there," she pointed down towards the city below at the largest park located within, Southern Park.

That's right, more times than I could count have we spent time in Southern Park. It was the largest public park in Tokyo 03, and it was constructed by NERV – a government funded agency. We all in Tokyo 03 knew of NERV, but what we didn't know was what their 'real' role was in our city and nations defense.

"Thanks," I replied

"No problem, I'm Misato by the way, I had a talk with your 'girlfriend' Kokoro... try to treat her better alright?"

"I said before she's not—heh, okay, I get what you're saying," I said, "I'm Shu, it's nice to meet you Misato-san."

Nice woman, I think I had seen her up at Lookout Point before when Kokoro and I were there in the past... but I wasn't sure. Anyhow, I was off to Southern Park. If Kokoro was there, then I knew exactly where inside she would be.

Southern Park was constructed from the ground up completely by NERV. All the trees, wild life, all of it was imported from various parts of the world. The trees re-planted carefully in bi o-engineered soil to ensure continual long-lasting life. The ecosystem was set up so that all wild life would be able to flourish, including the proper food chain so that all life would be continually sustained. It was a modern marvel, and one of the must see places in Tokyo 03 for all tourists... not that we get much tourism in this day and age...

While I jogged through the park entrance, I couldn't help but notice all sorts of people who were picnicking throughout Southern Park. It really was something to behold. In a post-2nd Impact world, it really was wonderful to see people still surviving, living and enjoying life day by day. I only remembered stories of how life used to be before 2nd Impact. For me, this was all I knew...

"Kokoro... where are you?" I thought as I stopped to take a breather. When I had stopped, I noticed an umbrella in the distance. Surely it seemed odd, I mean, there wasn't any sign of rain. Yet someone had an umbrella on such a beautiful day. As I approached, I soon understood the purpose of the umbrella. Rei Ayanami, whom I hadn't seen at school earlier today, was holding an umbrella shielding the sun's rays from her fair skin. She was knelt down, looking down at something... from my distance I couldn't tell. It was heart warming to see her outside, even if I knew she couldn't be out for long without that umbrella. She must've noticed my presence, as eventually she looked up at me.

"Sazanami..."

"Ayanami, hey, have you seen Kokoro Oboro?"

"Oboro... yes, actually. She was just talking to me earlier."

"I see... how was she?"

"She was crying... I didn't know what I should do. Was it my fault?"

"No, it wasn't your fault, Ayanami. It was mine... I need to find her, do you know where she might have gone?"

"I believe...since the sun is beginning to set soon...she was going to head home."

"Home...is really far from here on foot...that's it-The Station! Thanks Ayanami!"

"...You're welcome."

I broke into a sprint, if I was fast enough, I knew I could catch Kokoro before the train arrived at the terminal. Looking at my watch, I knew I at least had twenty minutes or so before the next train arrival, considering that Kokoro had not arrived twenty minutes sooner and I was gaining ground on her that is...

I was right, she was there at the station. She was sitting down on the wooden bench, her school book bag rested on her thighs. It appeared as if she was waiting for the train to arrive, as I had surmised. Walking up to the bench, I was breathing pretty heavily. I wasn't exactly out of shape, but I wasn't a cross-country runner either. All that running had taken a toll on me. But still, I wasn't upset, I knew that this whole ordeal was because of me. And it was up to me to make it right again. Kokoro always seemed like she was really tough, not letting anything bother her... but I think, deep down, she always wanted someone to lean on. Why couldn't I of seen that? I was her friend since the beginning. I was there from when we were small, little kids who didn't know any better...and yet, I couldn't even realize it when things started to change between us. If I had paid more attention, I think I would've been able to see the signs that Kokoro had started to develop feelings for me. I felt like such an idiot, for not just making a girl cry, but for causing emotional pain to my best friend I ever had.

"Kokoro..."

"Sazanami-kun..."

Kokoro looked up at me, it seemed she was done crying, but her eyes still seemed a bit reddened. I walked up to her and looked down at her.

"...I'm sorry..."

"Huh?"

"I'm such an idiot..."

"S-sazanami-kun?"

"I want you to ask me that question again. Could you do that?"

"W-what question?"

"The one you asked me...before I had to chase you down across what if felt like one end of Tokyo 03 to the other."

"...Oh, 'that question'... Why do you want me to ask you again? I don't want to hear that answer again..."

"The answers changed. And not because I realized the answer I gave was inadequate or that it upset you... it's because I just realized it myself."

"...Sazanami-kun, please, you don't have to force yourself. You don't have to... say what I want to hear just to make me feel better..."

"But I'm not going to do that!" I didn't mean to raise my voice, but I didn't want this conversation to take the direction it seemed like it was going.

"...Sazanami-kun... is there anyone you like?"

"Yes, but up until now, I hadn't realized it. Out of all the girls in our school, I hadn't really found myself attracted to many of them. Many of them were 'fake', their character at school not true to their real character outside of school or at home. Many of them just wanted to be 'popular' or date the most popular guys, which didn't include me. Many of them wanted to changed the guys they started to date, and I didn't want to be changed by anyone. Then, I realized, I have this friend. Who has been by my side since the beginning. She's smart, funny, cute, and I have a blast each and every day I'm around her. Her name is... Kokoro Oboro..."

"Sazanami-kun..." She said my name with tears beginning to well up in her eyes yet again. I was seriously worried, had I said the wrong thing? Did I come on too heavy?

"Kokoro, I didn't mean-"

Before I could finish what I had started to say, she was crying against my chest. Very gently, I placed my arms around her in an embrace. She told me the reason she was crying wasn't because she was sad, yet because she had not been so happy in all her life...

"Liar..." I looked down at her with a soft smile.

"I'm serious, Sazanami-kun... I never thought you would ever notice. But, I thought I was happy with just being by your side. But... after yesterday, walking with you and when you put your arm around my shoulder... when I felt you touch me... I just knew I couldn't be just happy with just 'being by your side', I wanted to be your girlfriend."

"Kokoro... I should have noticed sooner..."

"No, it's not your fault."

"Sure it is, if it wasn't, I wouldn't of had to chase you all over town now would I?"

"Oh Sazanami-kun...Hey...this won't change anything will it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You and I... if we... become boyfriend and girlfriend...we'll still be friends, right?"

"Of course. We've been through a lot in these past ten years. I don't think there's anything that could get in between us now."

"Good." Kokoro said in reply with the most wonderful smile I think I had ever seen from her.

Afterwards, we stood there together at the station house still in our embrace. I'm not sure who made the first effort to break our embrace, but eventually we ended up sitting side by side on the bench. My right hand was clasped in with her left hand. We ended up talking, just like we would every morning on the route to school. However, even though this was our usual routine, it felt a little different now. It felt...right. I'm glad I met that nice woman, Misato, at Lookout Point, she pointed me in the right direction. And if it hadn't of been for Ayanami, perhaps I wouldn't of been able to catch up to Kokoro. I couldn't have rectified this situation on my own. Because I was offered the help of others and chose to rely on it, I was able to set things right with Kokoro. I can honestly say, this was probably one of the happiest days of my life. Taking my relationship with Kokoro from a long lasting friendship to that of now being my girlfriend... I was happy. But good things never last forever... Yes, this was truly the calm before the storm...

Next time on Eva Days...

It was like a science fiction movie come to life. A giant wreaking havoc amidst out glorious city. The weapons of our military were rendered completely ineffective. But then a giant of it's likeness emerged from the Geo Front to fight it... Just what the hell was going on? What was our world coming to? Just what was this creature that had attacked us? Were there more coming? All I know, is I don't really care about any of that. I just want Kokoro to be happy. Even if the world goes to hell, I want Kokoro to be happy. Next time on Evangelion Days... Angels and Evangelions.