Act III, scene XIII: The New Home
"Hi guys, I'm home…" Misato declared in a tired voice. "Mm, how I love that smell", she added as she paused just for a moment.
"Hello, Misato-san", Shinji greeted her happily. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, in general… but you wouldn't believe the day I had", she answered, shaking her head.
"You wouldn't believe the night we had", Asuka chimed in as she emerged from her room and immediately became aware of two pairs of eyes locking on her. "Okay, that came out very wrong. Um… tell us about the day?" she tried.
"Asuka?" Misato's glare turned inquisitive and insistent.
"It's not what you think and it's definitely not what it sounded like", Shinji barged in, his tone betraying slight annoyance. "We were just… busy."
"You're not helping, idiot", Asuka interrupted, rolling her eyes. "We simply have something to discuss with you, and before you ask, I'm not pregnant and we're not about to end the world. Yet."
"I dearly hope this 'yet' concerns the end of the world", Misato let out a heavy sigh. "Guys… I'm already on the hook with the Medical Department for having elevated blood pressure, please don't make it even worse, okay? Now… where was I… ah. Yes. Changing", she decided as the started toward her room.
"Will you want some of the dinner, Misato-san? I was about to serve, and there's enough–"
"Nah, Kaji had stuffed me already", Misato replied in her invariably tired voice – and it was her turn to become suddenly aware of two glares. "What?"
"And you dare to accuse me of impropriety", Asuka huffed. "Adults! Indecent adults!"
"It's not what I – why did you even think – never mind", Misato's palm met her face. "Shin-chan, just make me some soft coffee, would you? I think we need to talk. And you… you should have your supper before we do, I guess…"
Kids exchanged glances as their guardian disappeared behind the door to her room.
"Do you think it's wise to bother her right now?" Shinji asked once it was safe. "She looks like someone hand-washed her and then put her through the wringer. Several times."
"In other words, like after half the workdays at NERV?" Asuka countered with a dismissive shrug. "That's how she is most of the time if you haven't noticed. And trust me, this is the best moment, we won't get any better for weeks. And if she can't muster enough brainpower… well, we'll try again tomorrow or sometime soon. Now, let's get the food part over with, I'm starving!"
"It was your idea to make food after we were done with your… part of the plan", he pointed out.
"Because otherwise we'd get interrupted!" she explained in a tone suggesting that she was speaking to a particularly slow child. "Now, less talking, more cooking!"
Shinji turned back to the tabletops with a sigh and an eyeroll. Asuka became more understanding, yes, and less violent, but absolutely nothing happened to her attitude and her tendency to boss people around.
'Well… this could've been far worse I guess', he shrugged – and carried on. At least this was something he was good at – and this brought him a measure of calm.
Of course, it was a measure of calm before the storm – and this did not put him at ease at all.
...
"Okay, kids, you wanted to talk, right?" Misato started as she emerged from her room. "Oh. Thanks", she smiled at Shinji, seeing a big cup of milky coffee on the table. "What is it?"
"We made a friend. I think", Asuka started. "And that friend is in a bit of a… mess? I suppose we can say it like that? And we want to help."
Misato gave her a confused look. "You're awfully vague, Asuka. Is this a 'we found a stray cat and we're keeping it' story? Considering Pen Pen is here…"
"Well, she does like cats", Shinji interjected with a small smile. "If I may, Asuka… we visited Ayanami-san, and she lives in a really, really horrible place. I… I should've said something the first time I was there, but… well, I didn't", he admitted out of the blue with a sudden blush on his face. "We'd… we'd like your help with moving her. Preferably here. Most apartments in this building are empty, right?"
"Um… I was told, in no uncertain terms, not to do anything about Ayanami, I'm sorry", Misato shook her head. "She's directly under Doctor Akagi's control."
"Did you even see how she lives?" Asuka scoffed angrily. "Most bums in this city squat in better places!"
"I have not", Misato admitted. "But my orders–"
"Whose orders, Acting Commander of NERV?" Asuka interrupted her with an insistent expression on her face.
"Yes, exactly, Acting", Misato pointed out. "It's not that I can countermand every single order–"
"Oh come on, not long ago you made a point of being able to make decisions on your own, right?" Asuka pointed out in an increasingly angry voice. "Also, if it's that much of a problem, then make it temporary", she added with a shrug, shooting a quick triumphant glare at Shinji, almost like saying "I've got it all figured out". "Most of those are NERV-owned, right? For officers, officer families, and such. Take a small one, assign Ayanami to it, temporarily, for any reason, it might be even… say, for budgetary reasons? So Section Two can watch one location instead of two?"
"This… this isn't that bad of an idea", Misato admitted after a few moments of pondering. "I thought you didn't like Ayanami, though?" she checked carefully.
"She grew on me, like a mold", Asuka admitted, her eyes escaping to the side. "And it's the idiot that convinced me to press the issue", she pointed to Shinji with a gesture of her head. "Also, you know, not getting killed is high on my list, and I'm quite sure she'd get better synch scores once she doesn't have to sleep in a damp, loud place without any air conditioning."
Misato considered this for a few moments, then nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll take a look at the matter. Remember, there may be some reasons for her living there that were kept secret."
"I'm quite sure that 'living like a person' is a reason enough to negate them", Asuka shrugged. "By the way, the best spots would be the studio at the end of the hall or the two-bedroom suite next to it", she added as she pulled the building plan and tapped at the area in question.
"I see you gave it a lot of thought already", Misato remarked, her voice filled with surprise. "And where did you get that floor plan?" she asked in a confused voice.
"Old evacuation display on the top floor", she replied with another shrug and in a dismissive tone. "I'll put it back later. Not that anyone is going to miss it, that floor is entirely empty, I think. And could you please do a bit more than 'take a look'?"
Misato let out a sigh – but could not hide a smile. "No promises. But I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you, Misato-san", Shinji chimed in.
"You can thank me if something can be done", she replied. "Speaking of things to be done…" she sighed and took another, bigger sip of the coffee. "There's a minor legal issue. The Commander didn't take much care about the formal side of your presence here, I'm afraid, and while I am your guardian when it comes to many things, school included, some decisions have to be stamped by him… which is now impossible. I don't think he ever thought that he might become… incapacitated. I think we can do some legal maneuvering to get me all the legal rights for the time being, but that would need your consent. In writing."
"Why don't you just adopt him?" Asuka asked suddenly. "You're already a parent to him in everything but name", she pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone.
Two pair of eyes rested on Asuka, then Misato turned to look at Shinji. "Um… would you like that, Shin-chan?" Misato asked after a few moments of silence.
"I… I think so?" he stammered out after an even longer time. "I mean… yes? But… how?"
"Well…" she pondered for a moment. "I think I can muster enough clout and have enough tricks up my sleeve to have that done. Even though I'm single", she replied with only a minimal twitch on her face. "The fact that I'm acting as your guardian may help a lot, too. Also, this applies to you, Asuka… if you want that, too, that is. That would make a few things easier, too, considering how far away your parents are."
"Um", Asuka paused for a second. "No offense, Misato, you're great, and my joke of a father and bitch of a stepmother can bite the curb while I jump on their backs for all I care… so I'd love to take you up on that. But that'd stop me from marrying the idiot, so – no, thanks."
Misato's glare momentarily turned into one of disbelief and confusion – but Shinji seemed to take that suggestion without a single hint of concern.
"You weren't paying attention in class, Asuka", he commented in a calm voice. "In Japanese law, adoption doesn't preclude mar–wait, what did you just say?"
"Oh great", Asuka let out a heavy sigh, her ears and cheeks now burning, her hands sweaty. "One slip of a tongue and I'm in deep shit, right?" she blurted out. "I… I just don't like to close my options, okay? So, if you're sure and if that's not an obstacle… I'll give it a thought. And now excuse me, I've got – I've got some homework to finish" she managed to say before standing up quickly and starting to walk toward the door of her room.
"But we fini–" Shinji started and interrupted himself as a glare more burning than Ramiel's rays touched his face. "Goodnight, Asuka?"
"Yeah, goodnight", she replied – and a moment later, she was gone behind the door of her room.
"Well", Misato shook her head. "That was unexpected."
"A little", Shinji agreed, his eyes still wide open and his tone suggesting what he thought of that understatement. "And, Misato-san…" he refocused on her and tried to collect his thoughts. "I'd like to. To go through that, I mean. But… I really don't want to cause you trouble once my father awakens. Asuka is right, Ayanami's case should be a temporary reassignment if you have concerns, but adoption… that's bigger. And my father won't be happy once he recovers."
"Thank you for your concern, that's very much like you", she smiled tiredly as she sipped from her cup. "But… I'm willing to take that chance. I think this can be done in a conditional manner if we do a legal trick or two. You know, to be automatically reversed once he recovers and objects", she explained. 'I suppose this is not the best moment to tell him that this may never happen, right? The boy has enough shocks as it is…'
"If you think this is safe, Misato-san… I'll be happy to", he paused, looking for a phrase. For some reason, 'have a real family' suggested that this one was not real, 'take your name' sounded vaguely wrong, and 'do it' was just weird. "Happy to accept", he finally decided.
"Lawyer time it is", Misato smiled the same smile in reply and finished her coffee. "I'm off to bed… well, bathroom and bed. Thanks", she pushed the cup away. "And… you might want to talk to Asuka about what she said sooner or later. I guess it's better to be sooner than later…"
"Can't this wait until the adoption is done? I think my gravestone would look better with Katsuragi on it", he replied with a smile of resignation on his face.
Misato stared at him for a few seconds before bursting into an uncontrolled giggle. "It can't be that bad, Shin-chan", she finally said, her tone amused. "She might even like you a little bit!"
Shinji did not reply; he just gave Misato a doubting look as he collected the empty cup from the table.
"Talk to her", she repeated. "And goodnight", she added and shuffled towards the bathroom.
...
Shinji did not have to wait long to face his potential doom; once Misato's snoring began, Asuka's face appeared in the crack in the door to her room.
"Damn it, you're still–" she started in an annoyed and surprised tone.
"Asuka", he interrupted her. "We–"
"If you say 'we need to talk', I'm murdering you on the spot for being stereotypical, oaths be damned", she warned with a stern look as she emerged from the room and slid the door close behind her.
"Well… it is what I wanted to say", he admitted sheepishly. "But if it makes you feel better, 'Do you have a moment?' will also do. I know it's late, but… I'll sleep better tonight if it's not hanging over me. And I think you'll, too. I can make tea."
Asuka stared at him with hesitation in her glare for a few moments before nodding carefully. "All right. For the sake of your sleep", she agreed.
"Thank you", he smiled carefully and started the kettle. "Do you want something else?"
"[Just the truth, all truth, and nothing but the truth]", she listed in English and, seeing his confused face, carried on in Japanese. "Okay, let's skip the jokes. Let's just… let's just get the things straight."
"Agreed", he nodded and once the water boiled a few moments later, poured it into the teapot and quickly filled the infuser with leaves.
"God, could you not make it a whole tea ceremony?!" she grumbled in response. "Just… sit down!"
Shinji let out a sigh as he set the tray down. "You never had a proper tea ceremony, did you? This is not even close."
"Not really. Teachers in Germany tried to make me demonstrate one for the class, but Mum never really taught me", Asuka explained with a shrug. "Okay. What exactly do you want to talk about?"
"Well…" he gestured randomly. "Us, I think? You… kind of stumped me with that mar–"
"Don't", she demanded. "It may happen, it doesn't need to happen, but I'm not discussing this again. Not in a decade or so, okay? And you better not, either. But if you have to know, idiot, I kinda like you, and don't find the thought of being around you entirely revolting."
"That's–" Shinji started.
"–the best you'll get for a while", Asuka finished for him with enough insistence to make him stop questioning her. "I don't hate you, okay? But don't expect me to be wide-eyed about you, or swoon at your voice."
"Ew", Shinji's expression suddenly turned to genuine revulsion. "That wouldn't be you."
"Exactly. And I'm sure you wouldn't want to live the rest of your life with some impostor or a changeling, right?" she said – and once a few moments passed and the meaning of those words settled in, she went red again. "I mean–"
"Don't", Shinji requested. "I get it."
"I hope you do, because if you–"
"Asuka, stop", he demanded. "Please."
"Okay", she looked aside, her face still red. "What now?" she asked after a few seconds' worth of pause.
"I guess I get to the tea", he declared, his voice still nervous – and slid the infuser inside the teapot. "Panic is scheduled for later that night."
"I told you I may like you, and you're going to panic?!" Asuka sounded openly offended.
"Hey, I agreed not to run away, there was nothing about not panicking", he countered. "And it's not just about you, I didn't get to panic over a few things yet."
"Either your sense of humor has improved dramatically over the last few days, or you're even more of an idiot than I thought", Asuka rolled her eyes. "Which one is it?"
"I don't know", Shinji admitted. "But really, not being able to just run makes a few things easier, I guess."
"Paradox of choice", Asuka chuckled.
"Mm?" he furrowed his brow, his expression suddenly confused.
"Never mind, we'll get back to that", she shook her head. "Shouldn't this tea be ready yet?" she poked the teapot with her finger and immediately waved her hand to cool it.
"It will be, in a minute or two", he replied. "You can't just rush a good tea."
"Right", she sighed. "So… you're going with that adoption thing, I guess?"
"I am", Shinji confirmed solemnly. "My father… was never much of a father. If my mother was alive, I'm sure it'd be different… but that's not going to change. Misato-san cares for us, even if she's…"
"…a pain in the ass, sometimes?"
"I didn't want to say it like this", he chuckled.
"But this is what you meant", Asuka checked.
"Pretty much", he nodded – and checked on the teapot in an attempt to distract himself from the discomfort of thinking about her this way. "It's ready", he decided – and started to pour.
"Would you be willing to marry me?" Asuka suddenly asked – and Shinji cursed under his breath as his hitherto steady hand failed him as he was filling his cup.
Scrambling for a towel, Shinji shook his head in confusion. "That was a short decade", he remarked dryly. "What just happened to murder threats and 'not speaking about this again'?"
"Answer the question, smartass", she countered, a hint of a threat looming in her voice.
"I like you, Asuka, but aren't we too young to discuss… that?" he checked.
"Maybe", she replied with a shrug as she sipped on her tea and her face twisted as she burned her lip. "Discussion's done, I'll take this as 'likely yes' for now and that's enough", she declared.
Shinji sighed heavily as he hung the kitchen towel to dry. "This is not going to be easy, is it?" he asked rhetorically as he returned to the table.
"Hey, it's not you who promised to be the keystone of this whole… social construction", she retorted with a scoff. "That's hard."
"I'm sure you'll be up to the task", he replied with a smile.
A questioning raising of eyebrow clearly demanded some follow-up – but it never came.
"You better not be mocking me", she added threateningly. "An Angel or two already made that mistake."
"I'm not", he replied with a surprisingly warm smile. "How's the tea?"
"Decent", she replied – and immediately corrected herself. "No. Good, actually. I'll grant you that, you make good food and drink."
"I guess I found my role in the whole social construction", he winked.
"Are you being sarcastic or just a smartass again?" she asked, raising her eyebrows again.
"I wouldn't dare either", he replied sincerely.
Asuka pondered for a moment – and then just shook her head and sipped on her tea in silence.
Shinji did not see any reason to press further – and followed her lead.
"Thanks for the tea", she finally spoke as she put the cup down. "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow", Shinji replied with a smile. He dared not say what was rattling in his head: 'and the day after, and one after that, and for a long time coming'. It was a thought he both desired – and dreaded.
But he had to admit that in the end, it was a hopeful one.
...
About half an hour later
Shinji Ikari was looking at the familiar ceiling – or, more precisely, one that he was somewhat familiar with already. His head was full of conflicted thoughts and images, but one was dominating: the image of Asuka's face. They said a lot that night, and as much as chaotic those words were, they sounded genuine and allowed for some hopeful conclusions, questionable as they were.
He still could not tell if the whole affair with the night visitor was true or just some kind of collective hallucination – or perhaps someone's cruel joke. What he knew, though, is that it changed his life – and at least two more lives along with it. He stopped running away and started to stand up for himself despite the necessary effort and his fears. And, as an almost immediate result of that, he gained more acceptance and companionship than he dreamt possible. Granted, some of those came wrapped in a very Asuka-like manner, a manner he found – to say the least – troublesome and difficult to take. But anything was better than the loneliness he suffered before.
'Even if I just imagined all that, even if this was some odd spirit who took pity on me… that messenger was right on one thing', he mused. 'Once I stopped running, I am no longer alone.'
Happy with that thought, he could finally close his eyes and slowly drift away. He could not say anything about God being in His heaven – and, frankly, he did not care. But he knew that right now, despite not all being perfect, all was right with his world.
...
Asuka Langley Soryu was laying in her bed, her face grinning wide.
"{That's some quality conflict resolution skill!}" she praised herself. "{And he was smart enough not to mess that up!}"
She relaxed a bit. She still knew that this was not going to be an easy task; leading hearts and minds was never easy. But as much as the idiot annoyed her, he was shaping up as a useful help in that task, one she could rely on. Granted, his humor was odd and many of his behaviors were problematic – but in the end, he would grow out of them and become even more useful.
And as much as she simply knew she could make it on her own, she would not mind a helping hand of a friend. Or a boyfriend. Or a–
She stopped her brain before it went too far. There would be time for that. Right now, there was a lot to learn, a lot to find out, and a lot to fight against.
And she knew that she was ready.