It was already hard enough to focus on class because of the teacher, but being half-day on Saturday just made it worse. Mercifully Hikari already set the precedent of this being a computer day, so if the class was going to cut loose and be wild, it wasn't obvious.

Shinji usually used this time to get work done quietly, but today he found it hard to focus. Trying to work on his paper was making him feel uninspired, and his mind kept wandering over the events of the past few days.

Glancing at the back of the class rep's head, he found he didn't know how he was feeling about this connection growing between them. While it touched him to know she was easier to talk to, and she understood some of his struggles, he didn't want to lean into it for fear of doing something wrong. And that could happen without knowing.

This reminded him of his fiasco last night with dinner. Though a part of him was resigned to the fact that he would never impress Asuka, another part of him still wanted to try. If only he had actual skills with cooking...

His eyes slid back to the best cook he knew personally. The one that seemed excited to help him improve.

It would be a harmless ask, surely. Though Shinji hated imposing on anyone, maybe it was worth putting himself out there again. She'd be happy to help... and Shinji liked the idea of learning from Hikari.

The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea.

Hikari had been zoning out for much of the day, partly out of a rough night and partly from exhausting herself with overthinking this boy situation. Helping nothing was knowing she was wasting time and energy on this when there were other things she should be doing. Guilt was setting in over being a distracted Class Rep and a flighty homemaker. All because of boys.

When class ended she set into her work and tried to ignore focusing on Shinji or Toji too much. She was interrupted when the classroom was almost empty except for a couple of students.

Shinji asked. "Uh, Class rep?"

Hikari jumped a little as she faced Shinji. "Oh, Ikari! Hello! What could I do for you?"

Shinji hesitated. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to bother you…"

"Ikari, I'm always happy to hear how I can help you." Hikari said. She smiled a little and added, "Even if I can't get to it now, I would like to know how I can help in the future."

"Oh! Um… in that case… " Shinji said, pushing past his hesitance, "I was wondering if you could teach me to cook? I wasn't really happy with what I made last night. I want to do better… and I figured… um…"

Hikari absently squeezed her book bag as she answeredi, "I would be happy to teach you, Ikari." Without thinking she asked, "Are you free this evening?"

"Uh, no.." Shinji said as Rei finished packing and stood behind Shinji. "I have Eva tonight. What about tomorrow? At Misato's apartment?"

Hikari smiled. "That's best! It can be problematic to schedule things at my house. This way, I can teach you in your kitchen."

"Sounds great!" Shinji replied. "Well… see you tomorrow!"

"Okay!" Hikari replied, still smiling. She watched Shinji and Rei depart to leave her alone in the classroom. A minute later what just happened occurred to her and she froze.

She wasn't able to get close to Toji at all today. It hadn't even occurred to her to try with the funk she was in. Instead, she eagerly took up Shinji's request to teach him how to cook.

It's because he talks to me. He's approachable, her senses told her. When has Toji asked you for anything?

Hikari swallowed as trying to settle her feelings before they got the better of her. One thought managed to keep them in line:

You don't know Shinji that well. You don't know how he feels.

Her mind offered a rebuke as she closed up the classroom.

You can, soon.

Shinji sighed in the elevator as he realized once again that he and Rei were traveling to the base without Asuka. The redhead's mood was probably still sour from losing the dinner date with Kaji, but there seemed to be little he could do about that. Besides, it was hard to feel completely sympathetic to Asuka getting excited about spending time with another guy- much less an older one.

Shinji grunted with disgust at his own immaturity. It shouldn't matter, Asuka was Asuka, free to like who she liked. Why did he care?

He glanced at Rei, wondering if she heard him.

As what happens in moments like this with her just standing there, he flashed back uncomfortably to that time he toppled onto her. It was the only experience he had with a girl who was naked, and it always tripped him up whenever he remembered. Especially because, more than once, he had fantasized where that encounter could have gone. It was one of his favorite fant-

"Ikari." Rei said suddenly, derailing his train of thought.

Shinji stammered as he tried to come back to the moment. "Uh, what ? Yes?"

Rei paused because she was about to point out his rumination again. Instead, she said, "How is your paper progressing?"

"Oh! Um, fine. Just fine." Shinji replied. Over the past few nights he had been putting in time to read because he didn't want to face the class rep again empty-handed.

"Have you learned anything?"

"Uh… sort of. Random stuff, I don't know if it's useful."

"I see." She said.

Shinji was a little disappointed that Rei hadn't requested to elaborate. He said, "U-um, have you learned anything?"

"I have been learning a great deal." Rei replied, "Would you like to hear about it?"

Shinji perked. When she was done he could ask if she wanted to know more about his paper. "Uh, sure!"

"I have learned that the theory of Existential Self began with the White Marker paper published in Dusseldorf, Germany 1972. It gained a revival after the Second Impact in order to explain some high level phenomenon experienced by 12% of the population after the impact occurred. The White Marker paper is recognized as the genesis of modern metaphysical science, and one of the key foundations of our current operational processes at NERV. Without which, we likely could not have accomplished much of the task of creating the Evangelions, much less operate them. The paper was criticized originally by Doctor M'benga, a then prominent scientific mind who-"

Shinji had been trying to follow on with utterances and nodding, but he found his mind wandering.

"-twenty unknown backers signed on to the project, which-"

The elevator opened to the base then. Rei turned her head. "We have arrived, Ikari."

"Oh! Uh, good!" Shinji said. Rei went out the elevator soundlessly and Shinji followed.

Rei asked as they walked, "Did you find my topic interesting?"

"Ah, well, it sounded pretty complicated." Shinji modestly had a hand on the back of his head. "I had a little hard time following."

"I see." Said Rei. "Then I should work on making it more succinct. Thank you."

"Y-youre wel-" was as far as Shinji got before they arrived at the lockers. Rei continued walking ahead to the female side, leaving Shinji alone on the gantry just outside of both doors. With a sigh, he went into the locker room he shared with no one.

Ritsuko had stared at the readout for twenty minutes before giving her first report. "Hmm."

Misato turned her head. "Hmm? What does that mean?"

Ritsuko was writing notes for half a minute. Misato's attention was about to jump when the head scientist of NERV finally replied. "Shinji is not where we expected him to be."

Misato walked to Ritsuko's station. "Is it something to be concerned about?"

"No, but probably." Ritsuko replied. As she felt Misato's eyes drilling into her, the scientist pulled her glasses off and said, "Shinji up until now has demonstrated steady progression. If he continues, he's expected to surpass Asuka."

"That's not happening?"

"Trends here suggests it will, but, later. Asuka is gaining as expected."

"So not a problem now, but probably later because Shinji isn't a steady increase anymore."

"Correct."

Misato stared a moment as she wondered if this was information worth discussing. It wasn't. "Okay. Are we done?"

"We got what we needed to, so yes.

As he made dinner Shinji was painfully aware that the soup in the pot was, likely in Asuka's eyes, little better than the instant crap Misato ate. Asuka's words from yesterday echoed in his head… all the more reason to ask Hikari for advice…

Shinji sighed as he considered the meal. Steam wafted from the noodles mixed together with eggs and chopped vegetables. He didn't consider himself a foodie, but it did look appetizing. "Dinner is ready!" He announced.

Both women were here. Misato had driven him home and Asuka was somewhere in the apartment already, still snubbing them. As he got a bowl and served himself some of the raman, he wondered briefly why Asuka had been in such a sour mood of late.

Misato, at least, was supportive. "This is delicious Shinji! But, I hope you don't mind…" she grabbed one of the curry packets from the cupboard.

"No, I don't." Shinji replied modestly with a small smile. Misato was Misato.

Shinji took a seat as Misato poured it over the bowl of ramen she had, and got herself a beer. "How did school go?"

"Uh… nothing out of the ordinary." Shinji replied, which was true. He then remembered the arrangement he made with Hikari and wondered how to raise it with his roommates. Then it occurred to him how awkward it was going to be to tell Asuka he invited her best friend to the apartment without telling her. He froze.

Just then Asuka came into the room. Her bony heels hitting the floor announced what mood she was in before they saw her face. For his own safety, Shinji kept his head down.

Asuka dropped into the seat beside Shinji and silently ate her food, fork crashing into the noodles and dinging on the bottom of the bowl.

Misato decided to prod. "So how was your day Asuka?"

"Fine." The girl replied flatly.

"Your report going well?"

"Yes. Leave me alone."

Misato stared at Asuka for a moment, then sipped her beer and went about eating her food. Tense silence hung over the table.

Shinji grappled with confusion over this. More than usual, Asuka was being ornery and disagreeable. What was going on? Was she really that broken up about Kaji's missed date?

Shinji didn't have time to think about what to do about the situation before Asuka finished her meal and pushed away from the table. "I'm done."

Neither Shinji or Misato said anything as Asuka got up from the table and left.

Once she was gone, Shinji breathed out a sigh of relief. He asked under his breath, "What's wrong with her?"

Misato stared out the archway where Asuka had gone, then shrugged and said, "Female problems, maybe. You'll understand when you're older."

Misato missed the look of irritation Shinji flashed in her direction. That hadn't told him anything. He also knew from past experience that inquiring further on something like this- while she was in house clothes- only opened the door to being teased. So, he just dropped the matter and focused on finishing his meal. He forgot to mention Hikari coming over.

—--

For Hikari, half day meant catching up on the big chores. Arriving at home she had a quiet lunch before embarking on the house wide dusting. With Kodama off at school and Nozomi at a friends' house, she was able to work uninterrupted.

She was able to think too.

Trapped in her own head as she moved about her house, she dwelt on the past week and what it meant. It seemed absurd that she was evidently falling so hard for Shinji so easily, but thinking about it, it was the same way with Toji. After learning he skipped class to be the only one visiting his hospitalized sister, it caught her attention and her sentiments. A boy dropping everything to care for one dear to him? She needed that.

Could Shinji provide that? Though he was clearly sensitive and noble, she wasn't sure. Toji seemed so self confident and safe, and she had crushed on him for far longer…

She sighed.

She was cleaning the bathroom when she heard the front door open. It was Kodama. "I'm home!"

"Welcome home!" Hikari called frim the bathroom. She pulled off her gloves and went downstairs to greet her sister.

Kodama had dropped her book bag and was in the kitchen making coffee. She looked up when Hikari came in and said, "Hi sis."

Hikari had been hoping on hearing their more intimate greeting and she stumbled a little whrn she didn't get it. Her pace resumed as she asked, "How is it going?"

Kodama uttered, "For once, I wish I was at the resteraunt."

Hikari's eyes bugged a little. Kodama found respite in the classroom since there she didn't face angry and entitled customers."That bad?" Hikari asked.

Kodama sighed, nodded, and said,"Let's just say a man decided to surprise me with the most awkward proposal for a date I've ever experienced."

"Oh?" Hikari reolied, leading against another part of the counter. She settled in to be the ear for another one of her sister's complaints.

Kodama started brewing her coffee, saying, "The guy is like two years my junior and makes some big spiel about being a child genius who admired me from afar and wanted to make himself know with a private outing and blah blah blah." She brushed hair out if her face and resumed, "It was awkward as hell, but I just know he's going to keep trying again because I told him I was too busy for anything."

"You didn't just tell him no?" Hikari replied.

Kodama said, "Did I ever tell you about the guy who asked me out at the resteraunt?"

"No."

"Some sensitive, poetic soul with a lot of the same lines. He broke down crying in the resteraunt in front of his friends and their girlfriends. I guess the guy had talked me up to his buddies, but honestly? I couldn't pick him out from a line up. I serve almost a hundred customers a day. With what they said to me and the circus that cased I'm astounded I wasn't fired. I don't want to do that again."

"So what are you going to do?"

Kodama started fixing her coffee. "I don't know, I have to think of something. Right now I need to get ready for work and try to avoid thinking of clueless boys."

"Oh." Hikari said.

Coffee ready, Kodama stepped away from the counter and stopped to ask, "What about you, hanging in there?"

"Oh! Um… I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"Yes, it isn't important."

"Okay. Im going to change upstairs and get going then."

"Alright."

Kodama left to go upstairs. Hikari stood in the kitchen once again, alone.

a/n: so im setting this a week before the eventful kiss which defines Eva's last act.

I try not to put out a chapter unless im one ahead, but the next one is being difficult to write and i didnt want to wait. Were closing in on the end of what i want to call part 1. After that more lines will start getting crossed.