Points of Divergence: Episode 11: Sakura

Even though Toji is off on the class trip, Shinji is determined to keep up the visits to see Toji's sister, but with Toji away he doesn't have an excuse to explain his absence.

"Don't worry about dinner Misato, I'll cook when I get back."

"Where are you going?" Asuka tried to be nonchalant, but even though she failed miserably, Shinji didn't notice. She didn't actually need to know, she just didn't want to be left out of yet another thing after being told they couldn't go on the school trip. That was it. It had nothing to do with the annoyance she felt when she didn't know where he was, or the annoyance that that annoyed her in the first place.

"Just to see someone," He was going to see Sakura but he wasn't going to say that, Misato would probably ask if he had a date. He usually went with Toji, which helped in some ways and not in others - Toji had forgiven him in the face of his sister's persuasion, that didn't mean he'd ever forgive himself, but this was the first time he'd be going by himself. It was the least he could do to visit while Toji was away, he'd spent enough time in hospital beds to know just how boring it got.

"Oh? Got a girlfriend?" Misato teased.

"Huh? No! I'm just visiting Sakura." So much for that idea. He is tense, it's uncomfortable going to see her, knowing she was hurt because of him, but she is always so enthusiastic when he does. Neither Asuka nor Misato notice of course, they are seeing what they expect to see, embarrassment not unhappiness layered guilt layered on despair. Misato of course has to make it worse.

Asuka glowered, there was no way the idiot had managed to ask anyone out. If he did it would be one of the only two girls he'd ever even had a conversation with: Hikari or Wondergirl - both of which were as ridiculous as her wanting to know, not that she did - who this Sakura was that no one had even mentioned before.

"So you're going to see a cute girl we don't know about who's not your girlfriend? Does your main girl know?" Misato winks at Asuka, who returns it with a death glare.

"Cute? I suppose so," Toji had called her that, among other things, so he had no reason to doubt the description. His tone is dead, flatter than Ayanami's as he continues, "And you do know who she is Captain. Suzahara Sakura. She's listed under civilian casualties from my first battle."

"Sorry. I have to go," and he disappeared out the front door before either of them could say anything.

Misato sat looking at the door for a long moment, "Shit."

She'd screwed that one up worse than usual. Shinji wasn't supposed to know about the battle casualties, fighting the Angels was expensive in both money and lives but the alternatives were far worse. If anything they had gotten off lightly so far - after the first unexpected attack people got to the shelters quickly, since then most of the casualties had been military and there had been little she could do to reduce those while the idiots insisted on throwing things uselessly against AT fields.

Asuka sipped at the tea the idiot had made before he left. If anyone had told her the name of Jock Stooge's sister she hadn't remembered it, but the idiot's actions made more sense now. Of course he wasn't going off to see a girl, he was feeling guilty but there was more than that in his tone. Her curiosity as to what was actually going on battled with her knowledge that if she went after him to find out Misato would make some stupid joke again. Ugh, she could be so annoying sometimes. It was too late now, if she went after him she'd have to run to catch up and she certainly didn't want to give him, or Misato, any thoughts about that - they'd both be insufferable in completely different ways. So she'd make him take her next time and see what he was actually up to.

She looked up at Misato, who was looking unusually thoughtful. Boys were simple things, the Idiot was not. Just when she thought she was starting to work out how his brain worked he'd do something like this. Which fit, now that she knew about it, but hadn't been something she'd expected, which was aggravating. How was she supposed to avoid him if she didn't know what he was going to do? At least when she could see him she could manage that. Misato on the other hand... well she was probably going to say something even more stupid and he'd hide in his room rather than making them dinner.

"Don't say anything when he gets back."

Misato looks up at her.

"Worried about your boyfriend Asuka?" Misato attempt at lightening the mood was all the evidence Asuka needed.

"Not. A. Word." She growled. She wasn't dating the idiot. She didn't care about the idiot. She just wanted to actually eat something edible, which would not be the case if Misato decided to cook in his stead. She'd rather cook herself, which would be disappointing and not as good but less likely to kill her.

"Fine. Fine. Don't get your panties in a bunch. I'll be good."

Asuka sighed, that was probably the best she was going to get. She got up to make them both tea, the last thing anyone needed today was a sloppy drunk trying to drape herself over them.