"For the last time, I'm serious! I am not wearing this!"

"Oh, please! This is what you get for not contributing during preparations - I don't know how you didn't see this coming, Idiot Shinji!"

Shinji balled up the fabric in his fists angrily. "'Not contributing?!' I wrote all of the recipes for what we're serving tonight! They're all hand made, and they took me days to come up with!"

Asuka scoffed, scribbling something on a clipboard. Her and Hikari had been chosen as the lead organizers for their class since no one else volunteered, and since she knew it would mean she'd be in near total control of all the details, however small. Details which included making Shinji dress up in this stupid costume.

"Yeah, right. 'Cuz baking cookies in the kitchen all day is soo difficult. Hikari and I were working our butts off for days making costumes - you think telling someone else how much flour your cakes need is on nearly the same level?"

Shinji bustled around his classmates, following Asuka. Everyone's tone was generally excited as they filed about the classroom, filling it with chatter. If Shinji wasn't so stressed about his particular arrangement, he might've understood why everyone was so excited. Culture festivals didn't come around so often.

"You told me to write those recipes! I was just doing what you asked!"

Asuka made a check mark on her clipboard, eyeing the group of students putting up fake cobwebs near the ceiling. "Yeah, well, it's not like you ever offered to help me. You'd think living in the same house as me, you'd notice how sore I was getting from hunching over a sewing machine. But noo, you were just too busy. I can hear when you're playing video games through the wall, you know!"

Shinji's face tinged slightly red. "But do you seriously have to get back at me like this...? Asuka, you have to understand how embarrassing this is!" He looked around, lowering his voice. "There are plenty of other people who contributed even less than me, so why do I get the short straw?"

They'd walked away from the most crowded part of the room. Asuka sighed, giving him a grudging look. "Okay, listen. Obviously, you're oblivious to this, but - God I can't believe I have to be the one to tell you - you're more popular than you think."

Shinji blinked. He didn't know what she meant, nor what that statement had to do with the costume. "Um, th-thanks...?"

She scoffed. "Ugh, you're so clueless! What I'm saying is that a lot of girls in this place actually think you're really cute; I'll never understand their taste." She continued, not giving Shinji the time to recover from his shock, "And I mean a lot - I've even heard some girls on other floors talking about you."

Shinji's voice cracked as he blurted out, "Th-that's not true! No girl has ever liked me before!"

Rolling her eyes, Asuka looked back down at the clipboard. "God, boys are always so stupid. You need to get a clue." She checked off another item on the list, writing a note next to it. "Whatever, the point is, since you're getting so popular with girls, and since we need to attract attention to our class exhibit, I figured I could use your popularity to my advantage." She smirked. "If I make you wear that doofy outfit, girls will be squealing whenever they pass - they won't be able to resist coming in! You're the perfect eye candy."

Shinji flushed a deep red. "Are you serious?! You're gonna objectify me just so our class can win the vote?!"

She shrugged, still smirking. Shinji felt more humiliated than ever. "Well, not just you. There's someone else who'll be out there with you attracting customers. I figured you'd make a good double act." She glanced across the room. Shinji warily followed her line of sight, his heart twanging oddly when he realized who she was looking at.

Kaworu was halfway across the room, handing up fake spiders to another classmate standing on a ladder. Shinji deflated, leaning against the wall.

"Oh, come on, Asuka! Kaworu-kun didn't do anything to you - what are you picking on him for?"

"Same reason I'm picking on you. Because girls really like him."

Shinji made an uncomfortable noise in the back of his throat. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about Kaworu wearing the kind of costume he was holding in his arms. It felt sort of odd, but he almost cared more for Kaworu's sake than his own. Maybe it was because Kaworu didn't have quite the social awareness to know it was meant to be embarrassing.

Asuka was watching him with an unimpressed expression on her face. "I don't care how many 'but's you give me, the two of you are dressing up and greeting people at the door, and that's just how it is. You got that? The festival is starting in half an hour, so there's no way I'm making any sudden changes!"

"Okay, fine..." Shinji muttered.

"Good," she said firmly. "Then you're gonna get dressed within the next thirty minutes." She pointed her finger into his face. "And if you try to sneak out just wearing your school uniform instead, I swear, I'll make you do my chores for the rest of the month!"

She stalked off quickly to check on the other preparations, leaving Shinji to stand there in sulky humiliation. After all the work he did, he wouldn't even be able to hand out the menu items he'd come up with. And on top of that, he was meant to stand outside and entertain passerbys in this stupid, girly costume. He looked nervously over at Kaworu again, who was interrupted in his conversation with another student when Asuka tapped him on the shoulder. She held a costume in her arms. That must've been what he was going to wear.

Shinji sighed. At least Kaworu's outfit looked a little less gaudy than his, not that he could see it all that well - it wasn't furry if anything.

"What do you look so freaked about, Ikari?" Kensuke came up to Shinji's side unexpectedly, making him jump. "Eh-? Are those cat ears?"

Shinji quickly turned and balled the costume up behind his back. "H-Hey! What are you doing over here - I thought you were helping with the baking?"

Kensuke craned his neck curiously, though Shinji shrunk further away from him, shielding the outfit. "Well, everything's nearly finished, so I'm not doin' much to help. I figured I'd come out here to see Toji, but it looks like he's busy." Kensuke snickered, nodding over to where Toji was standing. Him and Hikari were in an unheard but heated argument, if the angry hand gestures and expressions were anything to go by. He nudged Shinji. "Trouble in paradise, eh?"

Shinji fidgeted in place. "You better not let Asuka catch you slacking off. She'll probably chew you out like Hikari's doing just now."

Kensuke shrugged. "I've got an excuse." He held up his video camera. "See? I'm on the yearbook committee, so I can just lie and say I was gathering footage of the festival." He let the camera fall, catching on the strap around his neck. "Anyway, I'm sorta glad I get to walk around and take videos. That way I don't have to wear some stupid costume like everyone else... how 'bout you?"

Shinji blushed. "U-Um, my costume is, uh..."

"Shinji-kun?"

Kensuke swore and Shinji jumped again. Kaworu had silently walked up beside them without their notice.

"Damn, Nagisa - I know its Halloween but that doesn't mean you have to do that!"

Kaworu laughed lightly. "My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you both." He turned to Shinji, expression shifting in a way he couldn't quite put his finger on. "Anyhow, would you accompany me to get changed, Shinji-kun? Since we'll be at the same post, I think it would be fitting."

Kensuke raised an eyebrow. "Same post? You guys aren't selling food and waiting tables like the rest of the class?"

"Oh, actually, Shinji-kun and I will be out greet-"

Shinji quickly talked over Kaworu, face tinging a darker red. "I-It's not that important! Anyway, we'll be changing now! S-See you after the festival, Kensuke!"

As Shinji walked off quickly, balling up his costume tight in his arms, Kaworu followed close behind, looking rather confused, though he had the courtesy not to ask. The last thing Shinji needed was for the kid with the video recorder to catch him wearing this outfit. With any luck, he'd be able to avoid his classmates' attention, seeing as he'd be standing just outside the classroom. That was his goal, anyway.

They'd both walked into an unused classroom to change. The stupid, fluffy costume looked even worse when Shinji laid it out on a desk. He nervously looked over his shoulder for a moment to see Kaworu already with his shirt off. He took one more breath before he turned back around and started undressing too.

Goosebumps erupted down his neck as he slipped on the top, its fluffy collar unpleasantly ticklish. He could practically feel himself shaking in embarrassment as he pulled on the shorts, which were equally as fluffy and awful. The worst part of it was that Shinji didn't realize how small the items were before he put them on. The shorts were barely a foot-length of fabric, and the sleeveless coat completely exposed his midriff. He felt like he was wearing a costume for a five-year-old.

The rest of it wasn't much better - The bell on the stupid ribbon chocker clanged when he bent down, and the clip-on tail brushed against his ankles whenever he moved. At the very least, the socks - as awful as they were - covered more of his legs.

He sighed, straightening up. He must've looked so ridiculous. At least Kaworu would be in a similar outfit, so it wasn't as bad as-

""Oh, my, Shinji-kun..."

Shinji turned around at Kaworu's awed words. His heart backflipped.

"Wh-What are you wearing?!"

Kaworu was dressed in a full black suit, trimmed red and set with a number of intricate buttons and golden chains. Although form-fitting, the suit was incredibly modest; almost no skin was showing, not even his hands, which were gloved. In fact, the only remotely embarrassing thing about his costume was the oversized cravat around his neck, but other than that, he actually looked incredibly good.

"What are you wearing, Shinji-kun? Second didn't tell me your costume was going to be so-"

"Oh, God! What the hell is wrong with her?!" Shinji wrapped his arms almost defensively over his exposed stomach, pressing his legs together. He could've been sick. "I didn't do anything to deserve this, and now I'm gonna be a laughingstock in this stupid cat costume!"

Shocked, Kaworu watched Shinji wail. "But Shinji-kun, I don't think it's stupid at all, I find it quite-"

"How couldn't it be stupid?! Look at me!" Shinji held out his arms.

"Oh, I am looking..." Kaworu murmured, His eyes flicking slowly up and down.

Shinji crossed his arms, hunching. "Then you have to understand how embarrassing this is! Kaworu-kun, what am I supposed to do...?"

He blinked in surprise, looking up as Kaworu walked within a few inches of him and put his hands on Shinji's shoulders. Kaworu was smiling slightly, and... blushing?

"Shinji-kun," he said steadily, "forgive me, but I don't see what you're so worried about. I think this costume is absolutely perfect for you."

"Wh-What? But it's so..." he trailed off, swallowing, before he muttered, "girly." Saying it out loud made it worse.

Kaworu hummed. "You know, I never really understood why you lilin assign genders to clothing. If you didn't have such standards, I would've seen you wear something this cute sooner."

Shinji's face grew hotter. "What are you talking about, Kaworu-kun...?"

Kaworu smiled wider. He raised his hand and scratched the top of Shinji's head affectionately, just under the cat ear headband. "In other words, I think you make an absolutely adorable kitty!"

Stomach squirming intensely, Shinji slapped Kaworu's hand with more force than necessary. "S-Stop that! I don't need you making fun of me before anyone else!"

Kaworu flinched, though he didn't replace his hand. "But I wasn't making fun of you. I really do think you look good."

Shinji crossed his arms over his stomach again, not saying anything.

"Shinji-kun..." Kaworu carefully approached him this time, lightly grabbing one of his hands and holding it up in his own. Shinji swallowed.

"I-I'm sorry I hit you, but I just-"

"That's alright. There's no need to apologize." He stroked the back of Shinji's hand with a gloved finger. "Obviously you're distressed. Although, I must say, you ought not to care so much about what other people might say about you."

Closing his eyes, Shinji muttered, "It's not that easy... I can't just not worry about what other people might say. I don't want anyone to think badly of me."

"But how could they? What is there to look down on you for?"

He turned away, "For putting this stupid thing on!"

Kaworu clicked his tongue softly, "Really, but what does it matter? Most of the students will be conducting their displays in their own classrooms, so you won't be seeing many peers at all. Even your own classmates will be inside."

"But that doesn't mean people won't see me! Family members, people's friends, kids from other schools-"

"Again, Shinji-kun," Kaworu stressed, interrupting him, "Why does it matter? How often do you really interact with those people? Likely, they'll only see you once and then never again. I personally doubt they would take the time to remember your face when there is so much going on, don't you agree?" He smiled, "Not to say your sweet face isn't worth remembering."

Kaworu cupped his cheek. Shinji blushed, looking wide-eyed back at him. "They're strangers, Shinji-kun. Only strangers. And anyone who's worth the time of day won't judge you for wearing something you were forced into."

Shinji opened his mouth without knowing what to say, but before he could think of anything, a loud series of bangs issued from the door of the classroom.

"I know you're in there, you weirdos! It's been nearly fifteen minutes; there's no way changing takes that long!"

Feeling as though they'd been caught doing something they weren't, Shinji quickly pulled away from Kaworu. "Okay! We'll be out in a second!"

Asuka shouted back, "Open up, I've got something else for you both to wear!"

Groaning, Shinji muttered under his breath as he walked to the entrance. "More...?"

Opening the door, Shinji met Asuka's eye. She'd changed into a witch costume. Carelessly, she shoved a set of furry somethings into his arms. "Put those on, and give these to the Angel."

"Don't call him that..." Shinji said wearily, accepting whatever else Asuka handed him.

She rolled her eyes. "That's what he is."

Shaking his head, Shinji looked over his shoulder. "Kaworu-kun! These are for-"

His voice died in his throat as he looked down at what was in his hands. Cat paws. Two ridiculously large cat paws.

"Are. You. Joking?" he deadpanned.

"No, I'm not. Now put them on already, events are starting soon!"

Kaworu came up behind him. Shinji grudgingly gave him the large, black, demon wings Asuka had indicated. As he inspected them curiously and slipped the straps over his arms to keep them in place, Shinji mumbled angrily.

"Could you at least tell me why Kaworu-kun gets a cool costume while I'm stuck with this?"

"Simple," She shrugged unapologetically. "There's two types of guys girls are attracted to: Cute ones and pretty ones. You're cute, he's pretty. Now get over it and put on the gloves."

Shinji put his hands in the paw gloves. They were heavy and hard to flex. "I'm not cute," he said derisively.

"Yeah, whatever, cat boy, now just do your job." Asuka pushed her hand against his back, making him stumble out of the room.

He shot her a glare, but walked forward, posture hunched in an attempt to make himself less noticeable. Although it was pretty useless - he was practically a walking alarm bell.

"Shinji-kun, it'll be alright..." Kaworu placed a hand around Shinji's shoulder. Shinji shivered. The glove was warm on his exposed skin. "It's only for a few hours, then you can go back to wearing something comfortable."

Shinji blushed and squirmed slightly. "D-Don't touch me like that when people are around!" He turned once they made it to the classroom door. Shinji made sure to stand at least a foot from the entrance just in case someone saw him from inside. "A few hours is still a long time... God I just want this to be over!"

"Ikari-kun..."

Shinji jumped. How many times were people gonna scare him today?

Rei appeared from around the doorway. She was completely dressed up in bandages, some of them dirtied with red and brown dust for added effect.

She held out her arms. "For you."

"Wha-? Oh..." Shinji accepted the large bowl of candy she gave him, holding it unsteadily in pawed hands.

"I suppose those are for guests, aren't they?" Kaworu asked.

Rei nodded curtly, then turned to leave.

"Oh, Ayanami! I, um, like your costume. Did Asuka make you wear that?"

She nodded, focusing her red eyes on Shinji once again. "I like your costume too."

Shinji smiled dryly. "What, really?" he asked doubtfully.

"Yes. You're warm and fuzzy."

The small smile on her face mis footed Shinji completely. He blushed and let out a little whine as she walked back into the classroom.

Kaworu hummed, smiling. "How eloquently put. That is exactly what I love about it too." He smiled even more fondly as Shinji continued not to speak. "You blush down to your chest too. I never realized."

Wishing he could just wipe his skin free of embarrassment, Shinji crossed to the other side of the doorframe. "P-Please just stop it... let me suffer in peace, Kaworu-kun."

As Kaworu giggled, Shinji held the candy bowl lower, happy that it could at least cover his stomach.

"Goodness, the festival only started a minute ago, and people are already showing up." He looked over at Shinji, who could see a few straggling people nearing the door. "Oh, that must be difficult to hold with those on. Would you like some help?"

"O-Oh, it's-" Shinji's voice fell off as Kaworu easily plucked the bowl from his hands and held it out slightly for the oncoming crowd.

"Hello, there! Welcome to our haunted cafe! Would you like a treat before you try our delicious food?"

Shinji supposed it could've been worse. Having Kaworu there to speak meant that he only really had to smile if guests acknowledged him too. It still made him uncomfortable that every person who came inside looked at him, even if they didn't say anything. Half the people who were just passing by in the hall did the same thing - which was worse, because smiling at them was awkward, so he just had to pretend like they hadn't made eye contact.

It was times like these he really admired Kaworu. Shinji was incredibly self-conscious standing here like this, and he couldn't think of anything to say to entice guests. Kaworu, on the other hand, was perfectly in his element. All of his greetings sounded natural, and everyone was incredibly receptive to him. He never even looked awkward smiling. As much as he resented her right now, Shinji had to appreciate Asuka's choice of greeter. He just wished he could be more like him.

"Hmm, we're running low on candy. Would it be alright if I left for a moment to get some more?"

"Oh, okay. I'll pass out what we have." Shinji took the bowl from him, careful not to drop it.

Watching Kaworu disappear back into the classroom, Shinji straightened up and looked ahead again. Aiming to fill Kaworu's spot as best he could, he hitched an uncharacteristic smile on his face, holding out the bowl to a group of girls who were eyeing him.

"Ah, um, hello! Would you like to come into the cafe?"

A creeping heat rose up his neck as the girls smiled back, two of them excitedly talking behind their hands. The girl closest to him looked back at her friends, before tilting her head. "What are you serving?"

Shinji brightened up more organically then. If there's anything he could talk about, it was the food he'd come up with. "Oh, there's plenty of options! Mostly desserts: shortcakes, cake slices, donuts; they all come in different flavors too!" He looked over at the other girls. "And there's the drinks. There are a few types of tea, but the frappes have been the most popular." He stood up more confidently.

The girl in front nodded, looking like she was holding back from laughing. Shinji twitched when she stepped a little too close and stuck her hand in the candy bowl. His face was definitely red now, and her friends were still giggling. What was happening?

She looked back at her friends one more time. "As long as you're on the menu, we'll definitely consider it."

Shinji blinked, dumbfounded. Her friends were giggling openly now, exchanging surprised, but excited glances.

Before he could crack out a response, the girl pulled out the remaining candy, and Shinji lost his grip on the bowl.

He swore under his breath, stumbling to catch it again.

"He's pretty clumsy for a cat," one of the other girls teased. Another girl nudged her playfully while the others laughed.

Reflexively, Shinji backed up till his heel hit the wall. "I..."

"Shinji-kun, I got more candy." Kaworu emerged from the class. The snickering girls went quiet. The looks they gave each other were suddenly a lot less teasing.

He smiled at them, looking slightly confused. "Are you all coming inside?"

They stared at him. Then, the girl who'd approached Shinji earlier grabbed her friend's arms and they all rushed inside the classroom, whispering energetically to each other.

"Well... they were quite odd, weren't they?" He shook his head. "Here, Shinji-kun." He took the bowl from Shinji and filled it with more candy. A concerned frown crossed his face. "Is something wrong?" He glanced into the classroom. "Did they do something to you?"

Shinji sighed and slid slightly down the wall. "When Asuka said girls thought I was cute, that's not what I thought she meant..."

"Hm?"

"Th-They weren't actually interested in me, they just wanted to make fun of me! I knew wearing this would turn out horrible!" Shinji covered his face in the paws. In the buzz of chatter in the hall, Shinji thought he heard another girl giggling.

"Shinji-kun."

Shinji blinked, surprised by how serious Kaworu sounded. "Wh-What?

He put his hands on Shinji's shoulders and said, with earnest, "I'll make sure no one else embarrasses you tonight."

Choosing not to comment on Kaworu's touchiness as being embarrassing in itself, Shinji just nodded. "Okay, thanks..."

Kaworu gave him such a warm smile, Shinji felt like it was indecent in public. When the sound of people approaching grew louder however, Kaworu turned around and continued to greet people as he had before.

It wasn't until another hour that things started to calm down a little. Shinji was getting antsy standing up so long, and his legs were stiff. Checking his watch, he sighed in relief, finding that only about twenty minutes were left of the festival.

"Worn out, Shinji-kun?"

He stretched. "Yeah..." he let his arms fall suddenly, realizing that raising them exposed far too much of his torso. "I'm definitely ready to go home and take this ridiculous thing off."

"Hmm, well, that's a shame..."

Shinji looked over, confused. "What?"

"Well, I was hoping I'd be able to see you wearing it for longer. I haven't been able to properly appreciate how you look since we've been so busy."

Shinji blushed wildly and was in the middle of stuttering a response when someone shouted nearby.

"That your pet, Nagisa?!"

Wheeling around, Shinji saw a tough looking boy he didn't know with his arm around a girl. They were wearing their school uniform.

Shinji quickly turned to Kaworu. "Why does that kid know your name!?" he whisper-shouted urgently.

"Pardon me?"

The boy briskly walked towards Kaworu, the girl hesitantly following. Shinji wasn't sure if he wanted to stay put or run away - he looked like he wanted to break Kaworu's neck.

"The fuck is your problem?!"

Kaworu retracted slightly as the boy got in his face and looked him up and down aggressively.

"My problem?" Kaworu asked, nonplussed.

"Riku, stop it..."

The boy threw off the girl's quelling arm. "No, Yuna! This little shit needs a lesson!"

Kaworu blinked, looking at the girl. "Yuna-kun?" Recognition seemed to swirl in his eyes.

"Don't you talk to her!"

Shinji yelled as the boy shoved Kaworu up against the wall by his collar. The candy bowl careened to the floor and clattered obtrusively.

"Hey!" A sudden rush of adrenaline spiking in his chest, Shinji shoved the kid hard. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Get off him!"

Sneering, he glanced at Shinji, who forgot he was essentially wearing two teddy bears strapped to his hands, so that shove was an incredibly stupid idea. Before he could register it, Shinji had the wind knocked out of him with a sure punch to his stomach. He gasped and fell to his knees in dazed pain.

"Stay outa this!"

"Shinji-kun!" Kaworu looked down at him, eyes wide with fear.

As Shinji tried to breathe normally, looking up with watering eyes, he saw an expression pass Kaworu's face he'd never seen there before. His aggressor looked faintly alarmed beneath his rage as Kaworu fixed him with a look full of malice.

"Don't you dare touch him!"

"Shouldn't you be more worried about yourself?" he whispered dangerously, wrapping his hand around Kaworu's neck.

Kaworu made a light gurgling noise, thoroughly frightening Shinji, who was helplessly watching his friend get choked from the floor.

"K-Kaworu-kun!"

"Riku, no!"

But suddenly, Kaworu's hand clamped around the boy's choking wrist. He pulled it effortlessly away from his neck and crushed it in his fingers. The boy gasped in pain, confusion in his eyes. He twisted his wrist around, unable to break free.

"Tell him you're sorry," Kaworu snapped at him.

Face twitching, he attempted to pin Kaworu with his other arm, But Kaworu moved too quickly. He kept hold of his wrist, sidestepped, and turned behind him. Still with that intense look of disdain on his face, Kaworu forced the boy's arm behind his back and pulled his wrist forcefully in a horribly wrong direction.

A deep, unpleasant pop sounded from his shoulder, and he gasped again. Shinji winced, watching the boy double up in pain, scrabbling his other arm behind him uselessly, trying to get a hold of Kaworu, who forced that wrist still too with his free hand.

"Apologize!" he demanded forcefully.

Breathing heavily, Shinji stared up at the boy from the floor. His face was twisted. "Get off of me!"

Kaworu yanked his wrist again, harder. The boy's scream rent through the hall.

"Okay! I'm, I'm sorry, I'm s-sorry! Oh, shit, please!"

"Dude, what the hell is going on out here?!" Toji blinked, staring dumbfounded at the scene in front of him: Shinji, slumped against the wall, candy covering the hallway floor, and Kaworu, breathing heavily with a student at his feet.

Asuka emerged not a moment later, her expression mirroring Toji's exactly. "Wh-What the...?"

"Kaworu-kun, let him go!"

Kaworu's eyes flashed down to Shinji's for a moment, then he suddenly released his grip on the other student, who fell unbalanced to the floor.

He whimpered, desperately cradling his shoulder. Shinji scrambled away from him, pressing against the wall, stomach still too unsettled to allow him to stand.

Seeming not to recognize their classmates, Kaworu continued to speak. "Get away from here. If you try that again I won't hesitate to do worse."

Stumbling, the student cast Kaworu an equally hateful and fearful glare, his face flushed. He slipped on one of the loose candies but managed to run off until he disappeared down the stairwell, still holding his arm.

"Oh, Shinji-kun!" Kaworu shifted his attention the moment the boy left his sight. He crouched down on the floor and wrapped his arms tightly around Shinji. "Are you okay? Oh, I can't believe I let that happen to you..."

"L-Let it happen...?" Shinji wavered. He wasn't quite sure if he was more admiring or terrified of Kaworu right now. Never in his life had he seen that side of him before; it felt like he had whiplash.

Kaworu pulled back and cupped Shinji's face in his hands. "Are you alright?" he asked solicitously. "That must've hurt..."

"I-I'm fine, Kaworu-kun." Shinji blushed and batted Kaworu's hands away, thoroughly aware of how many people were staring at them. "I think what you did must've hurt way more."

"Okay, would any of you explain what I just saw?!" Asuka looked around at them all.

The girl from earlier was still there, standing terrified with her hands half raised to cover her mouth. When everyone shifted their attention to her, she flicked her eyes around, then quickly turned and ran off.

"Shit! Did I miss 'em?" Kensuke appeared from around a bend in the hall unexpectedly, his camera pressed urgently against his eye. "Eh?"

"Dude, where'd ya come from?!" Toji incredulously threw out at him. "Didja see what happened?"

Looking incredibly confused, Kensuke pulled the camera from his eye. "Uh, well, I was just recording footage for the festival a couple classrooms over, when I saw this dude arguing with his girlfriend. He dragged her out by the arm; looked pretty pissed too." He looked down at the candy all over the floor. "Heard somethin' about some guy disrespecting him? I think some guy asked out his girlfriend and he was going to find him."

Shinji whipped his head around to Kaworu in alarm. "You asked out that guy's girlfriend and then put him in an arm lock?!"

Shocked, Kaworu stared back at Kensuke and shook his head, as if trying to displace a fly. "No... No, I've never asked anything of the sort before, not of any girl." He crossed his arms, looking more confused than ever. "I helped tutor Yuna-kun a few weeks ago... that's the only reason I knew her."

Asuka scoffed. "So, you weren't the one that started that fight? Well, you must've done something weird to make her boyfriend harass you like that!"

"Wait, fight?" Kensuke exclaimed.

"No, hold on..." Kaworu said slowly, disregarding Kensuke. "I did speak to her more recently, now that I think about it. She asked me on a date last week."

Toji snorted humorlessly. "Damn, I wish I lived in a world where I could jus' forget what chicks try to get wit' me!"

Shinji rested a paw on his stomach. "But, if she was the one who asked you out, why'd her boyfriend think it was the other way around?"

"Well, that's obvious, isn't it?"

Asuka groaned and rolled her eyes when the group of boys stared cluelessly back at her.

"Ugh, seriously, you men are so thick-headed!" She crossed her arms. "Obviously, if she was already dating her boyfriend at the time, she wouldn't want to be caught trying to ask out other guys. So, when she was caught talking to you and you said no, I bet she spun it to sound like you approached her first!" She smirked. "Saving her dignity and making herself look good at the same time."

Mouth open, Shinji stared at Asuka. "You can guess all that just with context clues?"

"That's what I'm sayin! Chicks are freaky like that!" Toji continued quickly at the look on Asuka's face. "A-Anyways, that dude probably didn't expect you to beat his ass. I mean, no self-respectin' tough guy would think you're a challenge, you're boney as hell, Nagisa."

Shinji sighed, finally standing up. His stomach was still sore. "Yeah, but that's not factoring in the fact that Kaworu-kun is way stronger than a human. I didn't really think about how unfair that would make a fight until just now." He shivered. "God, that kid, Riku, no way he'll ever mess with you again."

Kensuke moaned in astonished disappointment. "Aww, no way! You're tellin' me Nagisa beat some dude up, and I didn't even get to see it?"

Kaworu looked down at his gloved hand thoughtfully. "I've never been in a physical altercation before. That's the first time I've felt the urge to hurt a lilin - usually you're all so charming to me."

Toji made a distasteful look in response to that comment. Kensuke refocused his camera on the scene in front of him. "If you were the one fighting, how come Ikari was on the ground?"

Blushing, Shinji flexed his hand inside the oversized gloves. "Well, I tried to help, but y'know... it's me." He looked up at Kaworu. "Would you even have fought that guy if he hadn't hurt me? You seemed reluctant before I got punched."

A dark expression crossed Kaworu's face again. "I may not have the natural urge to fight, but if anyone tries to hurt you, I will assure they face proper repercussions." He crossed over to Shinji once again and hugged him. "I don't care what I must do."

Shinji held his arms out. "K-Kaworu-kun, not right now... Hey! Stop recording this!"

Kensuke smirked, but lowered his camera as Shinji pushed Kaworu's shoulders to stop him clinging. "A-Anyway, I'm kinda worried, now... You seriously might've broken that kid's shoulder! Or dislocated it at the very least! What if he gets you in trouble for it?"

Crossing his arms, Toji said, in a dignified sort of way, "Ain't no way a kid like that's gonna admit he got his shit pushed in by someone like Nagisa. Tough guys got pride to keep."

Smiling, Kaworu straightened Shinji's headband. "My, how sweet of you to worry for my sake when you were the one that got hurt."

Shinji looked away distractedly. "W-Well, you did defend me. Worrying about you is the least I could do." He was still so put off seeing Kaworu acting so kind now when he'd just been so violent.

"Ugh, would you two can it! It's making me sick," Asuka groaned. "Maybe I shouldn't have put you two outside. I didn't think it would be this big of a disaster."

The few straggling students still visiting the classroom started to file out, casting curious looks to the mess of candy on the floor. Shinji stooped to sweep it back into the bowl, Kaworu watching passively.

Toji grabbed a piece of candy from the ground and unwrapped it. He shrugged, talking through a mouthful of chocolate. "You're jus' overreactin.' It wasn' that bad at all. We made a buncha sales off people. Plus, I was workin' my ass off in there!"

Crossing her arms, Asuka hmphed. "Whatever... I guess since no one else is coming, we might as well get back inside and start cleaning up."

As Shinji stood back up with a full candy bowl, Kaworu unexpectedly placed an arm around his shoulder. "Actually, I think I should escort Shinji-kun back home with me."

Shinji blinked and stared up at him. "H-Huh?"

Asuka shot Kaworu a death glare. "Are you kidding? You can't just wiggle out of helping because you feel like it!"

"Welll, Ikari did get socked. I'd say that's a good excuse," Kensuke reasoned.

Asuka squinted at them. Shinji could tell she was thinking hard about something. She finally sighed. "God, fine, you can go! You better be grateful I'm letting you off this time." She nabbed the candy bowl from Shinji's paws and turned to walk back into the classroom.

Kensuke nudged Toji excitedly as Asuka disappeared. "Then that means more leftovers for us, eh?"

"Sweet! Seriously Ikari, them recipes are awesome! Ya guys sure ya don't want any to take wit' ya?"

"No, it's fine..." Shinji shrugged. "I could always just make some more for myself."

"Suit yourself then, and hey," Toji said, "try not to get inta a fight ever again. Ya ain't built for it, Ikari. I know from experience."

"Yeah, thanks..." Shinji muttered sarcastically.

Left alone in the hallway with Kaworu, Shinji nervously looked down at the ground again. He felt awkward, unsure of what to say, but he felt the need to say something.

"U-Um, listen, Kawo-"

"Here, Shinji-kun." Kaworu unwrapped a piece of chocolate and offered it to Shinji smilingly. "You deserve something sweet after what's happened."

He blinked. "I can't really eat anything with these gloves on."

"You're right. Why don't you open your mouth?"

Heart twanging, Shinji turned to Kaworu quickly and stopped walking. "Seriously! You don't have to do everything for me!"

Kaworu turned to him in surprise. "Shinji-kun?"

Looking down at the floor, Shinji continued. "I'm sorry... I'm really sorry."

Shaking his head, Kaworu watched him curiously. "Whatever could you be sorry for, Shinji-kun?"

"I've been so useless today... All I did was whine about my costume, and I didn't even help you bring in any guests." He sighed. "I couldn't even help you in that fight. I just made it worse."

Shinji twitched when Kaworu put his hands on his shoulders. "Shinji-kun, none of that was your fault. I don't want you to feel that way." He rubbed his thumb gently against Shinji's exposed arm. "You were forced to wear this outfit, and you were forced to stand outside and greet people. Second knows how much you dislike being around so many people."

Shinji crossed his arms with difficulty. "That doesn't mean I couldn't have tried to help more. All I did was stand there like an idiot."

"You still tried your best," Kaworu murmured. He pet down Shinji's hair lightly. "You shouldn't be so upset with yourself for everything you do. I promise you; I don't think you're useless at all." He smiled again. "Actually, I would say you were quite useful."

Shinji looked up at him doubtfully.

"Come now, I mean that, Shinji-kun. You know, I felt a little overwhelmed around that many people too."

"No, you didn't," Shinji pouted.

"Yes, I did."

Confused, Shinji replied, "But you like people, Kaworu-kun. You're really good at talking to them."

Kaworu laughed lightly. "I enjoy it, yes, but it can still become tiring. To be quite honest, I think the only reason I kept my energy the whole night was because you were next to me." He tilted his head. "You have this way of invigorating me just with your presence."

Shinji's mouth slackened as he met Kaworu's eye. He was always so blunt, and Shinji wasn't even sure if Kaworu had the capacity to lie, so he was sure Kaworu meant it. Even if he couldn't really see himself as useful, knowing Kaworu did was sort of comforting.

In Shinji's silence, Kaworu suddenly popped the unwrapped chocolate into Shinji's opened mouth. Surprised, he backed away and covered his mouth.

"Kaworu-kun!" he muffled embarrassedly around the melting candy.

Kaworu smiled wider than ever. "Hehe, sorry, Shinji-kun, I couldn't help it!"

Swallowing, Shinji blushed and started walking again. Kaworu fell into step with him and placed a hand to his waist. Shinji teetered on the edge of asking Kaworu not to touch him while they walked together, but chose not to speak. He knew how much Kaworu liked physical contact, and after the way he defended him today, Shinji thought Kaworu deserved the right to some PDA. If he ignored the idea of anyone seeing them, Kaworu's warm hand actually felt pretty nice.

"You know what the only thing I regret tonight is?"

Shinji turned to him. "What's that?"

"I didn't get to try any of those desserts you came up with. And they looked so delicious," Kaworu hummed mournfully.

Shinji smiled irresistibly. "If you really wanna try them, I could make some for you."

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Kaworu ruffled his hair again unexpectedly. "I couldn't imagine anything better than watching my dear, sweet, kitty-Shinji-kun prepare me sweets!"

Ducking, Shinji whined, "Don't tease me, Kaworu-kun!"