Shinji Steel 22
Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.
The sight before Ritsuko is startling to say the least. Disturbing to say the most. Psycho, wearing Deidre's red apron and a pair of 'Smiley'-face boxers on. She blinks once, twice and thrice before realizing that she is not hallucinating. By the time she's realized it, Psycho's turning around and smiling widely at her.
"Good morning, Ritsy. How would you like your sausages?"
"Cooked." Psycho's laughter is equal parts amusing and unnerving before she asks, "Why are you laughing?"
"I've an old recipe from a magazine I read once. It's called 'barbecued breakfast sausage' and I thought I'd try my hand at it. Just to see if I can avoid disaster."
"Are you any good at it?"
"Well, the kitchen ain't on fire. You tell me."
"I'd say you're doing a good job so far, then."
"Marvy! I finally got it right!"
"You mean you burned up a kitchen before?"
"Damn right I did!"Seeing a question on her face, he cuts her off, saying, "You don't want to know what happened. Trust me on that. I'll tell you this much, though. Dread wasn't too happy with me when he saw his kitchen."
Ritsuko can't help but giggle at his reply. Instantly, though, she can't help but feel bad. Along with a particular emotion.
"Okay. You win. I'm officially confused as Hell."
"About what?"
"Just a couple weeks ago, you came to my school, telling me Shinji's 'dumbass of a Father' wanted me disappeared. Yesterday, before breakfast, before eggs, scrambled." As he chuckles, she does as well before going on.
"And now, you're here in my Mother's kitchen, wearing a pair of boxers and my Mom's apron. Making breakfast and talking to me like a Father-figure would." Much to her surprise, Psycho smiles sheepishly.
"Yeah, I see your point. If I was in your shoes, I'd be confused as Hell too. But, let's table the topic for now so you can eat breakfast."
"Okay. What about Mom, though?"
"I'll be giving her breakfast in bed today." Preparing a tray to do just that, he lightly grimaces before asking, "Should I go in without a flower in a vase or is it necessary?"
"Dunno. Off-hand though, it's not really important. Nice, but not important."
"Got it. Thanks." Giving her as gentle grin as possible, he adds, "Go get ready for school. Try to have fun today, too. For tomorrow, we begin."
"Begin what?"
"Your training." Before Ritsuko can even ask what he means, a knock on the door is heard. "Ah. Your cavalier has arrived to accompany you to school today, no doubt."
Ritsuko gives him a nod before going to the door and opening it to a crack. Much to her disappointment, however, it's not Shinji she's answering for. It's Hikari.
"Class Rep, good morning."
"Good morning, Ritsuko. I thought I'd come by here and walk with you to school today. Unless, of course, you'd rather wait for Shinji to get here." Hikari's face has a smirk on it so wicked, Ritsuko can't help but chuckle.
"Can you give me about ten minutes, please? I gotta get dressed and all. Hopefully, by that time, Shinji'll be here and we can walk together with you."
"Okay." Looking down at Ritsuko's hands, Hikari's eyebrows go up and her cheeks go red. "My, Ritsuko, that's an interesting Halloween costume you've got there."
"Huh?" Looking down at her hands, she goes beet red herself before grinning. "My bad. I was just looking over an old Halloween costume that belonged to Mom. I think it might fit me, albeit a bit loosely around…"
"Oh! I see!" Giving Ritsuko a cheeky grin, she then asks, "Any idea as to what Shinji'll dress up as?"
"Um, no. But if he wants to surprise me, I wouldn't mind it."
"You two are so made for each other! I can… oh. Hello."
"Hello." Psycho's voice behind Ritsuko causes her to jump before Psycho goes on. "Ritsy will be out soon, Miss…"
"Horaki. Hikari Horaki."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Peter Sychola." Smiling wryly, he adds, "I'm an old friend of her Mom's."
"Ah. Nice to meet you, Mr Sychola." Giving him an apologetic grin, she adds, "I must admit, I've never heard of a name like that before."
"Yeah, well, if you think that's something, wait'll you get a load of my nickname."
"Oh?" Before Hikari can even ask, Ritsuko cheerfully interrupts.
"I'm afraid we don't have time for Peter's nickname!" Herding Psycho back into the house, she goes on. "I gotta get ready for school! Be out in ten, Hikari!"
Closing the door sharply, Ritsuko takes three deep breaths to calm down. Before turning toward a grinning Psycho. Being sure to keep her voice low, so Hikari can't hear her, she begins.
"What the Hell do you think you're doing, Psycho?"
"I don't know what you mean, Dragonette." At the new moniker, Ritsuko's eyes go wide. Psycho nodding in agreement. "I know it's not what you expected, Ritsy, but your Mother and I agreed that we'll train you. Together."
"Train me to do what, Psycho? Hurt Shinji more than he's already been hurt?"
"No, Ritsy." The sound of Deidre's voice gets their attention as she goes on. "The total opposite." As Deidre walks into Ritsuko's view, she sees Ritsuko about to ask when she intercepts. "Not now, Ritsy. Tomorrow morning seeing as it's the weekend. Okay?" Curious as to what they mean, yet knowing she has to wait until the next day, Ritsuko nods in agreement.
"Okay, Mom. I'll just go get ready now."
Deidre gives her a nod as Rits goes past her. Intent on getting ready for the school day. Seven minutes later, Ritsuko comes back to the door and sees Deidre and Psycho standing together still.
"I'm off to school now, Mom. 'Peter'."
"Have a good day, kiddo. Oh, here's your breakfast and lunch." Psycho's reply is only nodded at as Ritsuko accepts the food, opens the door and exits before closing it. "Oh, man. She hates me. Doesn't she?"
"She just doesn't know what to make of you. Or me. Last night threw her a massive curveball that beaned her in the head. I can only hope she'll keep it quiet until after we've explained things." Looking down at his legs, and seeing his boxers, Deidre can't help but chuckle. "I can't believe you have those still. Where'd you get them from, anyway?"
"Well, I got them from Dread after being called 'Smiley' by Steel for the first time. The man thought it funny as Hell." Chortling lightly, he adds, "I guess I did too after a while. Not like I ever told him that, of course." Deidre can't help but giggle herself, finding the story too funny for words.
(Katsuragi/Ikari apartment)
As Shinji gets the day's breakfast and lunch ready, Misato comes out. Clad only in her sleepwear and scratching her belly. As her usual norm.
"Good morning, Shinji." The sleepy tone in her voice never fails to bring a soft smile to Shinji's face.
"Morning, Misato. Breakfast'll be ready soon. As will lunch."
"Okay." As his sleepy guardian opens her beer fridge, Shinji counts down until he hears her beer cheer. "YEE-AHH! Now that's the way to start a morning!"
"Sure, Misato. Whatever you say."
"Oh come on, now. Didn't you know a traditional Japanese breakfast consists of miso, rice and a little sake?"
"I'm not exactly traditional, you know." Misato can't help but chortle at Shinji's glib comment before he goes on. "By the way, I believe it's your turn to do the laundry."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll do it while you're at school today. Honestly, are you so fastidious when it comes to these things?"
"It's either that or we all traipse around naked. And, well, no offense, but the only woman I want to be seen naked by is Rits. Same with when it comes to seeing a naked woman."
"Well, I wouldn't really have a problem in traipsing around naked. I'm pretty sure Rits wouldn't either."
"I'm just glad she's not here to hear you say that. If she was, she'd happily strip down before dragging me to my room."
"I could always…"
"No, Misato. No. Please." At her uninhibited chortle, Shinji rolls his eyes and asks, "You have no inhibitions at all, do you?"
"You live with me. What do you think?"
"You need to get married."
"Are you proposing to me? What would Rits say?"
"MISATO!"
Fifteen minutes later, as Shinji walks toward the school, he smiles upon seeing Ritsuko and Hikari walking together ahead of him.
'At least she saved me the trip of heading to her house!' Running on, he calls out, "Morning, Rits! Class Rep!" Rits and Hikari look before Rits' face alights in a brilliant smile.
"Shinji! Good morning!" As Shinji catches up to them, Rits launches herself into his arms. Plastering his face with kisses. "Oh, my warrior!"
"My damsel." Rits can't help but giggle as she wraps her arms around him. Squeezing him tightly to her. Allowing him to feel her breasts against his chest. Grinning cheekily, he starts bringing his hands down to her ass before Hikari clears her throat.
"While it's nice you two are in love with each other, we don't really have time for you to engage in foreplay."
"Oops. Sorry, Class Rep." Their tandem reply gets a light chuckle out of Hikari before she nods.
"Good. Now let's get going, you two. Takamiya, it's pool day for us girls today. Ikari, you and the boys have track." Rits gives Shinji a slightly sad smile before sighing.
"Okay. Though I really wouldn't mind either being coed."
"You wouldn't, I know, but the school board might have a problem with it."
"Those fossils." Looping an arm into Shinji's, she murmurs, "I might as well relish the closeness as much as I can. Hopefully it'll tide me over until after school." Upon feeling Shinji leaning his head toward hers, Rits smiles happily. 'This feels so right!' As she watches the two, Hikari can't help but smile softly. Yet the smile has some sadness within.
'How do they do it? Make time to be so lovey-dovey with each other? I'm nowhere near that with… no. No. I've got important duties as Class Rep. But, yet…'
As they reach the school, they see Touji and Kensuke waiting for them. Kensuke's camcorder recording the young couple while the two lightly smile. Not afraid to show their status to anyone. When they get to Rei, however, they see an unsure look on her face.
"Hey, Rei. What's wrong?"
"Shinji, I regret to inform you that your gut feeling may not be able to be confirmed."
"Why's that, Rei?"
"Upon my arrival at my building last night, the blood stain and bullet hole were no longer there. I had told no one about them as you had requested."
"Okay. That's a minor setback. But oh well. Shit happens."
"Yeah. Maybe, if we're lucky, that pervert will be there again. If he's even alive still. Rei, did you see anyone wearing rags either last night or this morning?"
"No, Ritsuko. I did not." Giving Rits a smile, Rei adds, "It is likely the person you kicked had survived his gunshot wound and told his fellow transients what you had done to him. As such, they are likely avoiding the building in fear of you."
"Probably." Giving Rei a giggle, she then sighs before releasing Shinji's arm from hers. Shinji sighing as well. "I know, my love. Stay strong. I'll be back on your arm after school today."
"Right back at ya, Rits." She gives him a smile before Shinji asks, "Would you like to have 'lunch' with me today?" The tone in his voice is lost on all but Rits.
"I'd love to." Holding up a lunch box, she adds, "An old friend of my Mom's made it. He was so ecstatic at finally making breakfast and lunch without setting the kitchen on fire. He even gave me enough to feed two people."
"Well, golly gee. I made enough for two people too." Smirking, he asks, "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Half at lunch and the other half for a picnic today?" At his nod, she squeals out, "Then yes!"
Unable to help herself, she lunges herself at Shinji and plants her lips against his. With Shinji returning the kiss with gusto. As the two kiss, Hikari blushes beet red before noticing they're attracting a crowd. Along with the state of Ritsuko's skirt.
"Okay! Move along, people! There's nothing to see here! Aida! If I catch you taking up-skirt shots, you will find your cassette from the expo destroyed! Am I clear?"
"Yes, Class Rep." Pointing his camcorder elsewhere, he adds, "You're very clear."
"Good! Now move your ass!" As Kensuke rushes away from the scene, Hikari turns to Touji before gulping. "Suzuhara, I'm wondering, would you like to…" The hammering of her heart is so loud, she can barely hear her thoughts. But not loud enough to drown out the next words.
"Class Rep Horaki!" The sound of a boy's voice is heard. "Come quick!" Sighing dismally, Hikari looks up at Touji before holding up her index finger for 'one minute'.
"What is it, Mr Kotuna?"
"It's Coach Haganika! He's ill today! We've no one to monitor us doing track today!" Keeping his tone as innocent as possible, he adds, "I think we may have to have a coed pool day today!"
"Oh really now? Coach Haganika is ill today, Mr Kotuna?" At Kotuna's nod, Hikari smiles evilly before saying, "That's really funny. As I see Coach Haganika right behind you right now. And he seems to be feeling just fine. Isn't that right, Coach?"
"Indeed I am, Class Rep Horaki." When Kotuna turns around, Coach Haganika sneers down at him. "So, you think you could get a coed day in the pool today, Kotuna?" The boy's so jittery now, he can only nod. Causing Coach Haganika to grin evilly at him.
"Well, I'm sorry, but that's not happening, slick. I'll be happy to tell you what you do get for today, though. 150 laps on the track. All consecutive."
"But Coach Haganika…"
"No buts, Mister! Get your running gear on and report to the track in five minutes!" When Kotuna doesn't move, the Coach adds, "That means move your ass now, Mister!" He blinks. Kotuna's vanishing into the locker room door 25 feet away. Unable to resist a smirk, he mutters, "Perverts. Gets 'em every time."
"Thank you, Coach Haganika."
"No thanks needed, Class Rep Horaki. I figured that nosey little pervert would've tried pulling something like that sooner or later." Upon seeing Shinji and Ritsuko kissing, he grins and asks, "How long have they been like that now?"
"They?"
"Ikari and Takamiya." Hikari turns back to them and her jaw drops. "If they're trying to get into the Guinness Book of Records, they'll need a lot of practice for the world's longest kiss."Haganika's comment gets a nod and a blush from Hikari. Taking everything in him to not start chortling, he then says, "Okay, Ikari and Takamiya. You can practice for the GBR on your own time. Not the school's."
With that, the two separate. Their faces beet red from both lack of air and embarrassment. Shinji, not caring if anyone's watching, gingerly strokes Rits' right cheek and smiles at her.
"Sounds like a good goal, doesn't it, Rits?"
"It does, Shinji." Stroking his cheek as well, she pecks her lips at him and smirks. "I just wish we were doing a coed day in the pool today. Or even on the track."
"I know. But Coach Haganika said it's not happening today."
"Yeah." Her eyes suddenly glowing with mischief, she leans up to his ear and whispers, "Watch for me at the pool, Shinji. I'll give you a show you won't forget."
Giving him a tender peck on his cheek, she steps away from him, turns around and gives him a sultry wink over her left shoulder. As she walks away, she puts a soft sway into her hips. Mesmerizing Shinji to no end. Once she's left his sight, a giggling Hikari waves her hand before his eyes.
"Yoo-hoo. Shinji. Wake up, loverboy. You gotta get ready for track still."
"Allow me, Class Rep Horaki." Coach Haganika may be a no-nonsense kind of guy, but he was also a young man in love once. So it pains him dearly to do the following.
"Ikari!" Haganika's bellow gets Shinji's attention as he goes on. "Get a move on, Mister, or you'll be doing 100 laps instead of the standard 50! I'm talking full steam ahead! I've seen you run, son, and I know you can do it! Move it, move it, move it!"
As Shinji rushes to the locker room, Haganika can't help but sigh.
"I hated to do that, but we don't have time for boyfriends fantasizing about their girlfriends. I imagine Coach Hunotagu's the same way when it comes to her pool time."
"I understand, Coach. I'm sure Ikari understands as well. Rei, shall we?"
"Yes, Class Rep Horaki." As the two girls walk away, a perplexed Haganika can't help but notice the change in the school's enigmatic albino.
'Ayanami changed recently, didn't she? She's a little more, I dunno, lively than usual.' Looking toward the boy's locker room before toward the girl's locker room, he smiles and verbally adds, "It's gotta be because of Ikari and Takamiya. They brought her to life."
Five minutes later, on the high school track, Shinji's running his laps when he passes a wheezing Kotuna. For the second time in five laps no less while Kotuna's on his second lap. Hearing faint cheering from the pool area, he looks up and sees his girlfriend. Wearing her blue and white school one-piece swimsuit. Giving her a smile and a nod, he returns his attention to the track. Intent on watching for her on his next pass.
Up in the pool area, Rits cheekily grins as she snakes her hand down to her crotch. Making sure to move it away if any boy besides Shinji was to see her. Just as Shinji gets into view range for her again, however…
"Takamiya! You're up! So stop whatever it is you're doing and get up onto the starting block!"
"Coming, Coach Hunotagu!"
Giving Shinji a sad smile and a shrug, she gets one back from him before going to the diving line. Getting into one of two lines, with Hikari having saved her spot, she thanks her. Though Hikari only smiles and waves it off.
"You're welcome, Ritsuko. I don't really mind it, though."
"I know. Though truth be told, I'd rather be coming with Shinji right now." At Hikari's beet red face, she perches herself onto the block, she hears snickering beside her. Looking toward the source of the snickering, she asks, "Something amusing to you, Satosanu?"
"Just your frustration, Takamiya. Though I don't really know what it is you see in Ikari anyway. I mean, he's a nobody. Yeah, sure it turned out he's an EVA Pilot, but that's all he's good for."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Before Satosanu can even reply, Coach Hunotagu cuts in.
"Gossip on your own time, ladies! Not mine! Now dive, dive, dive!"
With that, the two girls dive. As Rits strokes through the water, she ignores everything around her except for the end line before her. Satosanu, on the other hand, is finding herself hard-pressed in keeping up with Ritsuko's powerful strokes. When Ritsuko's hand touches the end line first, Satosanu grudgingly nods at her.
"You're good, Takamiya. Enjoy it while you can though for I will surpass you. Just you wait."
"We'll see."
Getting up out of the pool and walking away from Satosanu, she goes back to where she was before the sprint. Upon seeing Shinji coming around, and seeing no boys looking her way, she gets ready to make her move. However, as she gets ready, Rits soon catches sight of Kotuna. Looking pissed at Shinji and having hostile intent on his face. Namely an evil smile on his face as he bolts onward toward Shinji.
"SHINJI! WATCH OUT! BEHIND YOU!" At her yell, she sees Shinji do a 360 donut on the track. Thus avoiding Kotuna's attack and causing Kotuna to miss him. Kotuna doing a semi-elegant face-plant into the track. She can't help but wince, muttering, "Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark."
"I'd say so, Miss Takamiya." Coach Hunotagu's voice gets her attention as the svelte woman gives Ritsuko a smile before adding, "If it wasn't for you, Ikari most likely would've been pushed down and possibly trampled over by Kotuna." They both look down and see two boys carrying a stretcher out to Kotuna and put the boy onto it. Face down and unconscious.
"But why, though? What'd Shinji do to him?"
"Nothing as far as I know. Could be that Kotuna was jealous of the affection between you two. Or he can't stand the thought of Ikari out-running him. Or rather out-pacing him." Ritsuko can't help but smile as she considers it.
"I think it's the latter. Shinji must've passed that pervert a few more times while I did my sprint."
"He might have. Ayanami?"
"Yes, Coach Hunotagu?"
"Did Ikari pass Kotuna any more times during Miss Takamiya's sprint?"
"I am unsure as I was readying myself for the sprint. Class Representative Horaki, perhaps, has the answer you seek." Hunotagu and Ritsuko both look toward Hikari and get a nod from her.
"Yes. He did. He passed Kotuna one more time due to Kotuna's pitiful state. It seems Kotuna didn't like that very much." Ritsuko can't help but snort out.
"Well, then, that's Kotuna's problem. Not Shinji's." Gazing lovingly at her boyfriend, she then sees him signing to her.
'Crazy 'bout you.' Smiling radiantly, she returns it. Along with an extra message.
'Crazy 'bout you too. We so need to fuck as you made me hot with your donut.' Much to her glee, Shinji signs right back.
'How about during the picnic after school? I've a spot in mind.'
'Sounds like paradise, honey.' Blowing him a kiss to signal the end of the communication, she gets one back. Turning back toward Coach Hunotagu, she sees the woman examining her intently.
"Something wrong, Coach?"
"Yeah. You need some soap to wash your hands with. They're absolutely filthy!"
"You saw and understood that?" At the Coach's nod, Ritsuko can't help but smile archly with a blush. "Sorry, but I just couldn't help myself."
"I understand. Just one thing, though."
"Yeah?"
"When did you and Ikari find time to learn sign language?"
"When we first got together officially, we decided to learn an alternate language to communicate any matters not meant for people's ears. Given a lot of people are familiar with spoken languages, Shinji suggested sign language. We also learned a form of semaphore as a backup option. Just in case."
"Just in case of what?" At that, Ritsuko can only shrug.
"Dunno. Shinji didn't say."
"Ah. Does the form of semaphore you two learned have anything filthy in it?"
"Doesn't every language?" Ritsuko can't help but giggle as Coach Hunotagu nods in defeat.
"Point to you, Miss Takamiya." As Ritsuko turns toward the pool, she adds, "Although I do find it odd that Ikari suggested a backup form of communication without saying why."
"Well, that's Shinji for you. He may be mysterious at times, but at least it's a good kind of mystery."
The tone in her voice is unmistakable, causing the woman to roll her eyes. For she knows the tone all too well. At that, Coach Hunotagu looks back down at the track and gazes upon Coach Haganika before sighing.
"Something wrong, Coach?" Ritsuko's question gets the woman's attention before she replies.
"No, Miss Takamiya. Nothing's wrong at all." Nodding to the pool, she adds, "You're up."
"Yes, Coach!"