BEGIN.
As the soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through the window, Shinji stirred from his slumber, slowly awakening to the promise of a new day. With a familiar ease, he fell into the rhythm of his daily routine, his movements almost automatic. He dressed in his usual attire, a blend of comfort and simplicity, and prepared himself mentally for the day ahead.
But, just as he was about to leave his apartment, he found himself face to face with Asuka, standing by the entrance. Surprise flickered across his features as he took in the sight before him. She held a carefully prepared bento box in her hands, a gesture of thoughtfulness that caught him off guard.
Her voice carried a blend of pride and sincerity as she presented him with the homemade meal. "I made this for you," she announced, her eyes searching for a reaction from Shinji. "Mari mentioned that you're constantly in a rush, so I thought you could use something to eat on the go."
Shinji's response was hesitant, his voice betraying a mix of appreciation and unease. "She did, huh," he muttered, accepting the box with a grateful yet uncertain expression. "Thank you, Asuka. That's really kind of you." The weight of their past experiences hung between them, or at the very least raged within him - intensifying the palpable tension in the room.
A fleeting moment of silence passed between them, and Asuka's gaze softened. "You know, you don't always have to run everywhere." she remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of concern. "I could give you a ride if you want."
Shinji hesitated for a moment, contemplating her offer, but eventually shook his head. "No, thank you. I prefer to run," he replied, a sense of determination shining in his eyes. "It's my way of staying connected with the world around me."
Asuka's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Suit yourself, Mr. Endurance," she teased. "But don't blame me if you're all sweaty and exhausted by the time you get there."
Shinji's response came in a hesitant and uncomfortable tone. "Okay," he muttered, his voice lacking the same level of playfulness.
With a casual wave of her hand, Asuka bid him farewell, her vibrant facade momentarily fading. As Shinji walked away, the forced smile on her face dissolved, revealing the trace of disappointment and unresolved tension that lingered beneath the surface.
Once he was gone, Asuka began her mission. She methodically combed through Shinji and Mari's apartment. Every drawer was opened, every shelf scrutinized. She was determined to uncover any clue that could shed light on the enigmatic individuals dubbed of Shinji Ikari and Mari Makinami, desperate to know the truth that lay hidden beneath the surface.
An hour passed as Asuka meticulously examined every nook and cranny, her eyes scanning for any fragment of information that could unravel the mystery. But despite her thorough search, the apartment yielded no secrets. It seemed as if Shinji and Mari had carefully guarded their personal lives, leaving no trace for her to discover.
Frustration gnawed at Asuka's resolve as time slipped away. She knew she had limited hours remaining before she had to report to Neo-Nerv, and her investigation had led her nowhere. Doubts began to cloud her mind, questioning the futility of her efforts. Perhaps she was chasing shadows, seeking answers that would forever elude her grasp.
Asuka's gaze fell upon a photograph on the wall—a snapshot of Shinji and Mari, their smiles frozen in time. She stared at the image, contemplating the depth of their connection, the bond that seemed to elude her understanding. There was more to their lives than meets the eye here, she still had much to learn.
Taking a deep breath, Asuka reluctantly abandoned her search, realizing that she may not find the answers she sought within the confines of the apartment. She closed her eyes briefly, regaining her composure, determined not to let her frustration consume her.
After tidying up the apartment, she left, her mind abuzz with unanswered questions. She would have to find another way, another avenue to uncover the truth. Neo-Nerv awaited her, and she knew that within its walls lay the potential for answers—answers that would lead her to the truth.
After a lengthy and immersive practice session with the orchestra, Shinji felt the familiar resonance of the cello echoing within him. The music flowed through his fingers, each note intertwining with the melodies of his fellow musicians.
With each stroke of the bow and press of the strings, Shinji poured his heart into the instrument. And the cello responded, its deep, resonant tones reverberating through the rehearsal room. His fingers danced across the fingerboard, caressing the strings with precision and grace.
Amidst the harmonious blend of sound, Shinji could feel the unity that came from shared passion and dedication. Each member of the orchestra played their part, their instruments merging together in perfect harmony. The conductor guided them; their motions synchronized as they breathed life into the composition.
As the final notes of the piece faded, Shinji set down his bow, his fingers still tingling with the lingering vibrations. Taking a moment to catch his breath, he stepped away from the ensemble and found a secluded spot to make a phone call.
Dialing Mari's number, he waited patiently as the call connected. The sound of ringing filled the line until finally, Mari's voice came through. accompanied by a loud yawn that permeated the air. "Hey," she greeted him, still recovering from her weariness.
"Hey," Shinji responded, his voice carrying a tinge of fatigue from the day's activities. "Look I...I wanted to talk about... Asuka."
There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line, and Shinji could sense Mari gathering her thoughts, sensing the weight of the topic about to be broached. "What about her?" Mari asked, her voice carrying a touch of concern, as if she already knew the gravity of the matter.
"You invited her into our space." Shinji stated, his words laced with an undercurrent of awkward reluctance. Expressing his unease about Asuka's presence was difficult, but he hoped that Mari would understand without him having to fully voice his discomfort.
"I'm so sorry," Mari responded, her tone tinged with melancholy. "There was no time, and Neo-Nerv didn't have the proper accommodations, so..."
"You thought it was best if she lived with us?" Shinji inquired, his puzzlement evident in his voice, struggling to comprehend the logic behind Mari's decision.
"For now, yes." Mari affirmed, her voice gentle yet firm. "She's my friend, she's your friend." Mari emphasized the shared bond they had with Asuka, as if reminding Shinji that their connection extended beyond personal comfort. "We owe it to her, don't we?"
Shinji sighed, searching for an alternative perspective. "You know, all this time, for the past five years, we've had each other's backs through thick and thin."
"Yeah," Mari agreed, acknowledging their steadfast bond.
"So why did you lie about the Trident?" Shinji asked, the weight of honesty in his words palpable. He wanted to understand Mari's motivations, to unravel the tangled web of half-truths.
"To protect you," Mari answered, her voice laced with sincerity. "But if you knew about it, why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I didn't want to upset you," Shinji responded truthfully, his words carrying a sense of vulnerability. He had withheld the information out of a desire to shield Mari from unnecessary distress.
"Look... I'm coming home this weekend. We'll talk it out, the three of us," Mari proposed, her voice holding a glimmer of hope for resolution.
"Fine." Shinji agreed, a sense of relief mingling with his fatigue. "I would just like a heads-up the next time you decide something so important... the only secrets you should keep are personal ones."
"No lies, puppy," Mari said, her words carrying a mix of affection and admonishment.
"Bye," Shinji bid farewell, feeling drained by the emotional weight of the conversation that had unfolded, a weight he found to be more exhausting than even his participation in the orchestra. With the end of the phone call, he went back to the orchestra, leaving the complexities of Asuka and Mari behind, if only for a short while.
Mari let out a sigh of fatigue and frustration, dropping the phone onto her desk. She raised her hand to her forehead, feeling the weight of the day bearing down on her.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Kaworu's voice broke through the air, and he extended a bottle of water towards her. She accepted it gratefully, taking a long sip to quench her parched throat.
"So that was Shinji, huh?" Kaworu remarked, his tone filled with empathy. "Sounds like a tough conversation."
"It's on me, I should've told him," Mari replied, her focus returning to her work. "There's nothing wrong with Hitomi's nerve links... it's Kaede's new layer of Armor. It's making it difficult to repair, and it's not bonding with the LCL."
"That's because it's not alive," Kaworu remarked, his words carrying a hint of intrigue. "Not yet, anyway."
"Don't you dare," Mari warned, sensing his playful nature creeping in.
"I'm kidding," Kaworu reassured her, seeing the seriousness etched on Mari's exhausted face. "You should take a day or two off, let her handle Shinji."
"I can't really trust her, and you know why," Mari said, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern.
"I have a hundred different eyes and ears - you'll all be fine," Kaworu assured her, his words intended to offer reassurance. "Be not afraid."
Mari glanced at him, momentarily finding solace in his presence amidst the challenges of the office space. With a faint smile, she returned to her tasks, knowing that there were still hurdles to overcome, but finding comfort in the support of her trusted colleague.
Asuka pushed open the door to Mari's office, her presence interrupting the quiet atmosphere. "Sorry to interrupt, but where can I buy teddy bears?" she blurted out, her tone slightly impatient.
Mari looked up from her work, taken aback by the unexpected question. "Teddy bears?" she echoed, trying to process the random inquiry.
"Yeah... teddy bears," Asuka confirmed with a hint of determination in her voice.
Caught off guard, Mari hesitated for a moment, racking her brain to come up with an answer. "There's a store on the way back to my apartment," she finally responded, her words carrying a sense of awkwardness.
Kaworu, who had been quietly observing the conversation, couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "Perfect timing," he interjected, motioning for Asuka to close the door behind her.
Asuka complied, shutting the door firmly behind her. Kaworu placed the water bottle he had been holding onto the table and gestured for her to take a seat.
"We're bringing Shinji into the fold," Kaworu announced, his voice carrying a note of significance.
"Ikari? But he's just a civilian," Asuka countered, her confusion evident in her tone.
"No... he isn't," Kaworu shook his head, his expression serious. "He knows a lot more than he lets on. Take a seat, Asuka. There's much we need to discuss."
END.
