-AN-

Had this chapter outlined on my pc for entirely to long, but here it is finally. Slow updates, but updates are coming all the same, hoping to come back to full speed with this fic soon.

-Story Start-

"So Shin-man, you wouldn't believe the sights we saw." Leaning in for a conspiratorial whisper, Toji was ready to update Shinji on all that he had missed out on from the trip. It had been a fun few week away from school, but now they were back and ready to spread some love.

Relaxing back in his seat, Shinji just smiled and shook his head, "Oh really? Well don't leave me hangin."

Kensuke was next to lean in, camera pushed in front of the Eva pilot, "Why settle for stories, we have full high def video." It had all been such a feast for the eyes. Kensuke would have no complaints for a few months yet.

Shaking his head as Toji bantered with Kensuke about just who they had gotten good shots with, Shinji considered something that was bothering him. While everything had been more or less normal with school starting back up, he couldn't help but feel like someone, or several someones, were talking about him.

Kensuke's voice pulled him out of his thoughts, "You know, I think we have some pretty good shots of a couple of the upper classmen."

Shinji ignored Toji's chuckles, idly focusing on other teasing material as he scanned the classroom, "Any footage of Hikari?"

Laughing as Toji choked on his spit, Kensuke leaned back over to Shinji, "Why I'm glad you asked. Toji requested his own memory card." Kensuke wasn't fast enough to escape the headlock he was now struggling out of.

"You keep those out of view, those are mine and mine alone." He didn't need a mirror to know he was blushing, but at least he was glad they were quiet enough that Hikari hadn't overheard them.

"Gck-air-Toji…need air."

Relaxing, Shinji decided it wasn't worth worrying over. This was school, the girls wouldn't do anything here. Maybe. Hopefully.

As the school day went on, Shinji would be proven right though he'd never find out about it. Because the school was buzzing with new rumors. The three pilots left out of the school trip together? Just what could they have gotten up to while everyone else was away. Though many thought the romance between Shinji and Rei was its own sensation, with ideas of how that started from Shinji heroically saving the albino from certain death to possibly the two being stuck together during a training activity gone wrong. Of course, no matter how much the pilots' fellow classmates might idolize their romance, there was a new player on the field.

Asuka had made an impression on everyone, she was fire and light and demanded attention no matter where she went. According to new rumors, more than a few people had caught the red head gazing softly at the only male pilot. Had something happened between the two? Was she looking to stake a claim of her own? Time would tell, but the building fantasies of the rumor mill didn't stop for anyone.

As lunch rolled around and Shinji stood to head to the roof, he paused as Rei came up to him quietly, "What's up Rei?"

"I've been called to the teacher's lounge, I'll rejoin you later."

Nodding and rooting around in his book back, he reached out and offered the girl her bento. Shinji shrugged any worry about odd feelings and premonitions away, "Want me to wait up for ya?"

Rei pushed said offering of food back towards him, "I won't be long, I'll rejoin you and we can eat together."

Nodding and watching Rei walk off, Shinji made his own way through the crowds and up the seldom used stairs to the roof patio. Asuka should be joining them pretty soon anyway, so it wasn't like he'd be alone.

Said girl nearly crashed into his back, laughing as Shinji gave her a look, "You looked like you were brooding earlier, you good?"

Rolling his eyes as he opened the door to let her through first, Shinji eyed the red head cautiously, "I feel like I'm being talked about. Know anything about that?" He was sure she and Rei were up to something. They were to sneaky not to be.

"A sad sack like you? No way." Giggling as they came around to the side of the exit, Asuka and Shinji took to one of the benches, Asuka graciously taking an offered bento from Shinji. "Mmm, this looks good."

"I'm surprised you haven't complained once about my cooking." Opening his own lunch and offering up a silent prayer, Shinji began to dig in slowly.

"These days? You're too good for me to pull that off anymore." Shining eyes turned back to face him, "I can find other things to complain about if you'd like." Asuka leaned in, looking up at the boy with a leer through her bangs.

Refusing to rise to the bait, Shinji remained calm, "Like we don't actually have a lot to complain about. Also, Toji and Kensuke should be here soon."

Leaning closer and putting down her food, Asuka's hands found their way to Shinji's legs, "But they aren't here now. Just a little bit? Pleeease?" Putting on a pout, she was close enough to almost see her reflection in Shinji's own eyes.

Which rolled as the boy finally gave in, "You're hopeless." Not like he could really complain that such a beautiful girl wanted to make out with him so badly.

"Hopelessly in love." Closing the distance between them, Asuka savored the feeling of her tongue dancing with his. With a barely held back moan she climbed up and into his lap, determined to make this one count. Further emboldened as Shinji's hands dove into her shirt, Asuka wove her fingers into his hair and deepened their kiss.

All of which was witnessed by the pair of Shinji's friends who had taken a bit longer to retrieve their food from the cafeteria. Toji hiding next to the door while Kensuke already had his camera out and rolling, "Oh man…the red devil herself couldn't resist Shinji's charms. Who woulda thought?"

Toji shook his head, "No no no. This is wrong. She'll corrupt him, we'll lose our best buddy."

"Yeah well, think of the money we can make. This is a scoop, a major scoop." Doing his best to whisper, Kensuke edged his camera around the corner a bit more, "Watch the door will ya?"

"Watch the door for what?" Rei's voice spooked them both, causing both of them to jump and turn to face her. How could this girl move around so silently? Was she actually a ghost?

Rubbing his hands together, Toji tried blocking the albino girl's way. "Ah, hey Rei. Ya know, we were just thinkin, it's a little hot out today. Maybe we should all eat inside for lunch?"

Tilting her head, Rei decided to just brush past them, "I'm sure I will be okay. I need to meet with Shinji-kun."

Kensuke wouldn't dare touch her or try to stop her, instead deciding watching the fireworks was better. "Just uh, don't be mad."

Rei came around the corner, spotting Asuka and Shinji sitting together and joking while sharing lunch. Raising an eyebrow at the idiot duo, she finally shook her head and continued to join her fellow pilots, "Weirdos."

Blinking and sharing a look with Toji, Kensuke sighed and put away his camera, "If I didn't get it on camera, I probably wouldn't believe what we just saw."

"Still, to think the red devil is looking to steal Shinji away from Rei. Who woulda thought." Toji shared another look with Kensuke, before they both nodded and turned to rush back down towards the classroom. "Best to get ahead of this one."

Kensuke was grinning as they moved, "There's money to be made."

Behind them and feeling an odd tingle, Shinji handed over Rei's lunch box with ease, "Wonder where Toji and Kensuke are."

Rei shrugged as she sat on his other side, happily eating her lunch, "Who knows how those two work."

Settling back and enjoying lunch with his two favorite people, Shinji put his worries out of his mind. He'd live through it most likely, so it wasn't something to worry about. "So, any plans of yours coming up?"

Asuka made a show of looking up into the sky to think about what angel was coming up next. "Isn't the weak one next?"

Sighing and shaking her head, Rei felt the need to defend this one, "Every angel is in and of itself a threat to mankind."

"But we don't never need our AT fields to kill this one."

"Well, yes."

Asuka kept going, smirking as she could see Rei deflating, "Hell, wasn't there one run we prevented the power grid going down and the city defenses actually did their job?"

Deflating further, Rei turned watery eyes to Shinji, "Asuka's being a bully."

Kissing Rei on the forehead, Shinji chuckled as he turned to the smug looking redhead, "Must you?" Sure Rei wasn't really an angel, at least not the world ending kinda. But she wasn't completely human either, something Asuka loved to poke about.

"I think it's weird that she likes this one."

Shinji and Asuka turned to look at the pouting Rei, who was mumbling something about it being cute. Shinji shuddered, "She likes things that scuttle."

"That, makes no sense." Asuka sighed and tried to rationalize it as an inhuman thing. She couldn't, but decided to stick it there anyway. "But, to answer your question, I don't have anything yet. What about you Rei?"

"I could take care of the doctor after we kill the angel. Shinji, I'll need you." Rei watched Shinji shudder, and gave him a soft pat on the thigh, "You'll like it this time, I promise."

Considering that he hadn't the last dozen times Rei had come up with revenge plots against the bottle blonde, Shinji humored her anyway, "Alright. Well, I'm thinking I won't have a chance at Fuyutsuki until I think the 14th, so I can go along with whatever you two would like." At least this time he wouldn't have to worry about being eaten by the Eva holding his mother's soul. Though a month to bond with her might be nice.

Rei smiled and leaned into him, "Perfect." The school bell chimed, and the three shared looks. "Poo."

Asuka stood, stretching and making a show of it, "Best to get back to it. I have a teacher to twist into knots."

Shinji sighed as they cleaned up their lunches and stuffed the remains into his bag, "We never should have taught you how to properly read kanji." The chuckle that left Asuka's lips was full of mirth at least, most likely she wanted to spout off that she would have learned it eventually on her own. He had not doubt she would have, the genius.

Down below the three pilots and back inside the classroom, Hikari was having a crisis of her own. Doing her best to manage a spread of new rumors that she was trying and failing to control. Someone had apparently released a video onto the school net, of Asuka and Shinji in a heavy make-out session. And while she was happy her friend was enjoying her youth, this was school! They were here to learn, not succumb to childish rumor spreading and talking behind other's backs. Who cared if Shinji was apparently man enough to handle two beautiful women. No, none of the boys had confirmed the only male pilot was apparently very well endowed. Yes Shinji and Rei were officially dating but no that didn't mean Asuka was apparently their unicorn. And just what in the world was a unicorn anyway? That next internet search on her pc set off enough school network warnings for her to stop that line of inquiry right away. Just what was their class coming too?

Though the room seemed calm as the three pilots rejoined everyone just before class was the resume, it was Shinji who could feel multiple eyes on him. Making eye contact with Toji who was face deep in a text book, while Kensuke was typing away on his laptop, the hair on the back of his neck started to tingle. They were hiding something. He just knew it. Toji needed to learn that reading a book upside down didn't work, and Kensuke kept forgetting that he could see his screen from here. Coming to his desk and opening his own laptop, Shinji already has a feeling for what is going on. So up his messenger went.

'Would you two knock it off? Please?' He knew rumors were spreading about them, he wasn't stupid. The only issue he had, was the two biggest contributors to them were the girls themselves. Toji and Kensuke joining in would not help him. But for not he addressed Asuka and Rei directly.

Asuka was the first to respond, 'Oh let us have our fun. It's harmless.'

'Yes love, no one will be harmed.'

Rolling his eyes and knowing he wasn't going to win this argument, Shinji let it go. At the least, he knew they weren't going the harem route this time. So he could rest easy. Even so, maybe he could shift some of the students attention towards Toji and Hikari. Maybe help things along. Looking up at said classrep, he didn't like the way she was also looking back towards him occasionally. What was with that look? Had he done something? No, there was a flush on her face. Nope. Time to fast track Toji confessing his feelings. Another message group set up between him, Toji and Kensuke, and Asuka and Rei, Shinji sent out another message.

'Party at my place?'

Toji was quick to reply, 'We're in!'

All of them could hear the snort from Asuka, 'We'll invite Hikari.'

Decided on his course of action, Shinji relaxed some. He would not let the girls get away with pimping him out this round. No sir, he had better things to do. Like figure out how to use Adam to turn Fuyutsuki's body inside out.

Because that miserable old man deserved some real pain and torture.

Rei however was next to message him privately, 'I know what you're trying to do. And it won't work.'

'Sure it will.' Shinji idly tried to pay attention to the lecture, not that it was anything new. Sanitized information about second impact. Oof, if only they knew.

'Anata, you poor deluded man.' Shinji could practically feel Rei's smile from his desk. But that was fine. He'd outsmart them. One way or another.

-b-

Evening fell on Tokyo-III, and Shinji was half enjoying not having to cook for the party that was coming into full swing in the Ikari/Katsuragi apartment. In Misato's own words, parties meant junk food and cheap drinks. Not full cooked meals and hard labor. Deciding not to fight against the woman, Shinji sat back on the couch and watched the proceedings with a happy smile and a cup of juice in hand. The pitcher of juice on the table was starting to get low already.

Sitting before the tv, Asuka, Rei and Hikari were all together already. Chatting away about who knew what girls talk about while occasionally eyeing the only boy in the group. Whatever they were planning, he'd knock it off course. He had his own scenario after all. The doorbell rung and with hope Shinji was up with a grin. He was quick to make it to the door, finding Toji and Kensuke on the other side with wide smiles.

"Hello Shin-man!"

"Thanks for having us!"

Shinji nodded as he ushered both boys inside, "Thanks for coming. Toji, try to keep ogling the class rep to a minimum." Dodging away from the swipe towards his head, Shinji laughed as both boys followed after him.

Toji did his best to control his blush, "You ass, I keep telling you it isn't like that." Of course once they reached the living room he shut up right away. It was weird to see Hikari out of her school uniform and in casual clothes.

Kensuke had eyes only for the older bombshell in the house, "Thanks for having us over Katsuragi-san!"

Misato waved them off while a beer can came to her lips, "Oh it's fine it's fine. We all need to blow off steam from time to time don't we?" Seeing the equal mix of boys and girls come together, Misato felt an idea form in her mind. "And I have just the thing to get things going!" Standing and rushing off to her room, the remaining children all stared at each other.

Asuka turned to Shinji first, "What'd you do to our guardian?"

"Nothin today, I don't think." Shrugging at the disbelieving look from the red head, Shinji was already turning back to the two boys who were taking to the couch, "Can I get ya anything? Water, juice?"

Toji was already leaning forward to pout himself a cup, "I'm all good Shin-man."

Turning a smirk to the blue eyed boy, Kensuke smirked, "So domesticated, you'll make a good housewife one day."

Shinji hummed at that as he made his way back to the kitchen, on the hunt for more snacks, "Being a househusband doesn't sound so bad."

Pointing a well manicured finger to the idiot due, Asuka gave them a bored look, "And this is why you're going to die virgins. No one likes someone who can't take care of themselves." Of course, that had been her once upon a time. All the academic achievements she might have made, she couldn't keep a house to save her life. She had ended up a junk food snarfing Misato more than once in the beginning of their loops.

Hikari nodded, "Sometimes it's nice to have someone else take care of you for a change."

Crossing his arms and feeling haughty, Toji shook his head, "A man's place is not in the kitchen, that's women's work."

"So barbaric." Asuka's replay was instant, and sent Rei and Hikari giggling.

They all were interrupted as Misato came lumbering back into the room with a large speaker and what looked like a pair of microphones, "How about the greatest past time ever! Karaoke!"

Asuka eyed the machine as if it was a larval angel, "You have to be joking." Seeing Misato set up the machine in the corner where in a different life they might have performed synchronization training, Asuka was learning that Misato was in fact very serious. "You're drunk."

"Maaaybe." Misato chuckled as she finished plugging everything in, "Com'on live a little miss college grad! You've gotta have fun when you can." Keying up a song and deciding to start things off, she chose something with a pop flare.

Asuka did her best to ignore the very off key older woman, "More like some people need to act their age."

Giggling and enjoying the mood, Hikari shook her head, "I don't know, she has a point doesn't she? Plus it's fun."

"Riiight fun."

Laughing along and pointing at the red head, Toji was getting into the swing of things, "The devil wouldn't know fun if it hit her full in the face."

"Wanna test that theory?" Asuka was already rising to her feet.

Kensuke already had his camera out, ready to record his friend's death for prosperity. "You just had to open your mouth."

As Asuka set upon Toji while Misato continued to sing, Rei considered her own options. Sing or sneak off to find Shinji? Seeing said boy returning to the living room with more snacks to add to the table she shelved that idea for later. Instead she turned to Hikari, "How is the punch?"

"Really sweet, but it's good." Hikari flushed at the red eyed girl leaned in close to her. Those eyes were so clear and calm, did anything rattle her?

Finishing up her song as Shinji dragged a kitchen chair into the room so he could sit, Misato held the mic out to the only one she knew would need some real coaxing into singing. "Com'on Rei, you're next!"

Not putting up a fight, Rei stood quietly as all eyes turned to her, "As you wish."

Grunting as Asuka released him from a headlock, Toji leaned over to Kensuke, "What do ya think she'll sing?"

"Can she sing?" Kensuke was still amazed Rei could be as open as she had been lately. But imagining the girl getting in front of everyone and singing was not on his bingo card for this year.

Misato dropped between the two boys, grinning and waiting for Rei to get started, "Our little Rei is just full of surprises." Watching the girl scroll through the music selections, she noted that the girl seemed to be hovering around several love songs. Curious.

Shinji was not surprised in the slightest as Rei started up with a slow moving love ballad. Because of course she would try to set the mood. He'd have to sing something off key and horrible. Maybe something punk rockish. He noted Asuka pushing two cups worth of juice to Toji and Kensuke both, so she could be nice to them when she wanted. Huh, Asuka was being nice to his friends? Why did that set off more alarm bells in his head.

Kensuke was already leaning into Toji again, voice low in a whisper, "Say, think Rei might know what Asuka's up to?"

Toji shook his head, lowering his voice into a whisper as well, "No way, they'd be at each other's throats by now don't you think?" That they had spread their little video along the school net went unsaid. They had made a bit of a profit from the move. They'd take out Shinji for an arcade day soon to repay him.

Clapping along as Rei finished her song and Asuka went up after her, Shinji noted the flushed face of Hikari and Misato, and the quickly draining pitcher. The final clue he needed as Asuka started up her own love song, something upbeat and passion filled, was that Rei seemed oddly calm. And she was staying away from the punch herself. Sighing and and reaching out for a new cup, Shinji served himself some of the juice and took a sip. Sweet. Some mix of berries. Yup, what he had missed on his first cup, alcohol. Leveling a bored look towards the angelic face of Rei, Shinji sighed and started for the kitchen. Best to fix this now before things went too crazy.

Having wandered into the kitchen and easily hiding away the sweetened sake that had been pulled free from its hiding place, Shinji rooted around in the fridge for more juice. He'd have to make a fix without drawing attention to it. Smiling as Asuka's voice rose in volume but was pitch perfect as expected, Shinji pulled back from the fridge as he considered the evening. This was, nice. Good. Warm arms circled around his waist from behind, but the body that hugged him was a bit taller than him. "Hey Misato."

Pouting but not letting go of the boy, Misato laid her chin on his shoulder, "I must be losing my touch, you don't even flinch anymore."

"Maybe I've gotten used to you?"

"That's no good Shinji. Women love the over the top affection their men give them."

Chuckling, Shinji looked at Misato over his shoulder, "Oh, so does that mean I'm your man then?"

Flushing and pulling away while swatting the boy on the shoulder, Misato gave him a point for effort, "You're a little young for me bold boy. Save that for someone your age." He would certainly be a regular heart breaker soon. She'd better make sure he didn't turn into Kaji.

Turning to his guardian as she leaned against the kitchen table and they both listened as things in the living room started to get real rowdy, Shinji smiled at his roommate, "Age shouldn't mean anything in love."

"Age of consent is very much a thing you little casanova." Yeah, she'd have to be careful with this one. "I wanted to say, I'm pretty happy right now."

Feeling the mood shift, Shinji eyed Misato cautiously, "What's up Misato?"

"Just wanted to say thanks, for staying with me. You're pretty capable, you could have struck out on your own if you wanted. But you stayed, and I haven't had this much fun in a long while. So thanks, for putting up with me."

"You make it pretty easy. You take care of me and actually worry over me, not like my father. I'll be here as long as you'd like." He meant it as well. Of all the loops and all her faults, Misato did her best to treat him kindly. Sometimes like a son. Sometimes like a little brother. And others. Well. There had been a lot of loops.

Smiling softly, Misato turned to return to the living room where it sounded like a cat might be dying, "Gotta say, you're a whole lot better than all the shitty boyfriends I've had up till now. Better be careful before someone snaps you up before you know it." Not her though. She had standards and UN regulations or not, she was not a pedophile. Even if the resident man of the house was proving to be a better prospect that most of the guys she either knew or met. Ugh, maybe she needed to get out more. She'd give Ritsuko a call.

Watching the woman stumble off and hoping she'd make it, Shinji turned back to find hopefully another bottle of either concentrate or regular juice. Best have options.

"Shiiiinnnjiiii~" A flirty voice that wasn't Asuka's or Rei's interrupted all of his thoughts, and he immediately decided Rei and Asuka could not be trusted. Turning back and finding a flushed Hikari there, Shinji sighed but put on a smile. He'd get Asuka back for this later.

"Hey Horaki-san, do you need something?"

Coming up to him and leaning over a bit, she looked up into his eyes, "That's no good Shinji. You have to use my first name. Say it with me, Hikari. Hi. Ka. Ri."

"Right, Hikari. Sorry. Are you okay?"

Shaking her head, Hikari leans against the counter next to him, "I actually, need some advice, and I can't trust Asuka to be honest or Rei not to tease me."

Shinji would have to file away the information away that Rei was in a teasing mood this time. This was perfect though. Maybe he could steer her toward Toji. "Sure Hikari, if I can help I'm happy to do so."

Nodding and giving him another bright smile that seemed to light up the room, Hikari tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "It's silly. But. If you had someone that you had known for a long time, but didn't seem to know you existed. Versus someone who seemed to shine and captivated your attention. Who would you rather pay more attention to?"

Yes, perfect, so she was waffling over her feelings for Toji. This was great news. Perfect even. Taking a moment to mull over the question seriously, Shinji shrugged, "It sounds like a question about staying with something familiar or leaping into the unknown."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Hikari took an unnoticed step towards him.

"Well, if you've known one for a long time, that's safe, comforting. Easy, so to say. But where's the fun in that some would say. You don't learn and grow that way, stuck in the same place. You have to push things. Make it happen yourself right? You can't wait around for things to come your way. Of course, leaping into the unknown has its own drawback, because you don't know if it'll really be better. But you can learn from it. Maybe you'll find something better, or not. But it'll be new." Shrugging as he realized a bit of his real feelings came out there, Shinji smiled at the slightly shorter girl, "For me, I'd like to try something new, but there's nothing wrong with something comfortable."

Smiling and nodding, Hikari was already turning away, "Thanks Shinji, I think I get it."

Shinji was already patting himself on the back for a job well done. "No sweat Hikari, say, you and-" Shinji didn't get to finish, as his arms were suddenly full of bubbly pig-tailed girl. "H-Hikari?"

"Thank you, for everything that you do." As quick as the hug was, Hikari was soon back out of the kitchen, leaving Shinji alone.

No. No no no no no. Shinji groaned and cursed his luck. What had those girls been telling Hikari! Walking back out to the living room with a bottle of juice in hand, he laid eye on a cackling Asuka and Misato while Toji did his best rendition of what sounded like an American country song. That the boy didn't know a lick of english wasn't helping his case. Nor that he was swaying on his feet. "Oh boy." He had his work cut out for him tonight it seemed.

-b-

Shinji was not one for paranoia, not normally these days. That said, the school rumor mill was certainly buzzing today, and he didn't really need to log into his computer to know why. Apparently the news that the pilots had a little get together had been made public news, so too, the knowledge that the class rep had joined them. Thanks Toji and Kensuke. That Hikari was now sporting a new look, hair down with a bright red headband had set everything further buzzing. Because why else would a girl change her look? Toji was sure is was because of him, and Shinji was happy to fan his flame, the slowpoke.

But right now that didn't matter, because the three pilots were walking towards an access elevator to Nerv, having to report for testing today. On either side of him both girls were the picture of calm and serenity. Only he knew better.

"Could you not pimp me out please?"

Asuka held up a finger sagely, "It isn't pimping if there's love involved."

Sighing and wishing he could do anything to stop the metaphorical train they had started, Shinji stuffed his hands into his pockets, "She's loved Toji forever, why not let that happen like normal."

Rei joined in this time, also raising a finger sagely, "Because he is a neanderthal and not worth her time. Plus, it'll give us more to work with in the future." What that future held was only known within Rei's head, and Shinji wasn't up to exploring it right now.

Shaking his head, Shinji noted that the city seemed oddly quiet for the moment. "Hmm, what's today again?"

Asuka looked up, noting what Shinji picked up on, "Aw, was that one today?" They could already see the street signs were down, and even the crowds around them looked confused.

Shinji nodded, becoming more insistent about their travel, "Of all our luck. We forgot this one?"

"Seems we did." Rei jogged along next to the two other pilots. "I could always kill it with the sensors down."

Shaking his head, Shinji saw the access terminal ahead, "Somehow I just know that'll cause trouble." They all leapt over the barrier, making for the access tunnel and the manual release he would have to operate. At least he had started working out again. "No chance you two will help this time?"

Asuka huffed at him as they came to the closed door, "Are you really suggesting us dainty flowers do manual labor when a man in present?"

"For shame." Rei's voice in its perfect monotone always put a grin on Shinji face in situations like this, even if it meant more work for him.

Coming to a stop before the large door, Shinji sighed and rolled up his sleeves as Asuka took his book bag, "Fine fine. Guess I'll get to being manly."

Rei nodded quickly, "Exactly, and maybe if we don't take a detour, we can find an empty office where you can be extra manly."

Asuka rolled her eyes as Shinji accessed the manual crank lever behind the card panel and began to crank away, the door creaking open, "You're so broken."

"Only as broken as Shinji has made me."

Shinji grunted and worked up a sweat, deciding that he could put everything else out of his mind for now. They had an angel to kill.

-AN-

I almost didn't think I'd get back to this one and nearly deleted it. But no. We gotta see the story through. I don't wanna be an author who refused to finish a work. Slower updates on this story though, even if I'm having fun with it, I just don't have as much time/motivation here. Till later.