Asuka & Shinji's Infinite Playlist
Chapter 10: This Life, No, All Future Lives
Shinji rubbed his eyes, a half-remembered dream lingering heavily on his mind. A bathtub. Clothes. A girl. Emaciated, alone, empty. Despair.
He shook his head, hoping to make sense of it or clear it away before finding a half-dozen unread text messages from Asuka on his phone. The groggy teen read the most recent one first and, even more confused, went to the beginning of the chain. His mind spun, struggling to grasp what exactly was occurring, the words and their intentions confusing him so early in the day.
[ASUKA] Are you awake?
[ASUKA] I was hoping I could talk to you.
[ASUKA] Shinji
[ASUKA] I'm so lonely out here.
[ASUKA] I don't know what I'm supposed to do.
Twice he reread the messages in order until the last of the messages leapt out at him, his head cleared enough to grasp beyond the words. Sitting fully upright in a panic, Shinji felt his heart take off: the final four words had violently forced off any mental fog and his mind was now racing to a dark, unforgiving place.
[ASUKA] I need you.
[ASUKA] Thank you for everything.
That girl... in my dream...
The panicked boy pressed the DIAL button and waited for what felt like an eternity. Come on, pick up, pick up. Please…
"Hallo, Sie haben das Telefon von Asuka erreicht. Bitte hinterlassen Sie eine Nachricht. Ich werde Ihnen so schell wie möglich zurückrufen. Vielen Dank und schönen Tag!"
No, no, no, he thought, hanging up and dialing again. Shinji's mind raced as he tried to recall the dream again, but it was fading, only general shapes could be made out. But he remembered the despair.
"Hallo, Sie haben das Telefon von Asuka erreicht. Bitte-"
I should've responded sooner. I should've woken up! he scolded himself. I can't lose someone else... no...
"Hallo, Sie haben da-"
Please...
"Hallo, Sie haben da-"
No...
"Hallo, Sie haben da-"
"Hallo-"
"Hallo-"
"Hallo-"
"Hallo-"
"Hallo-"
"Hallo-"
"Hallo-"
Asuka, please. Fearful tears ran down Shinji's face as he checked the time again: 6:41 am. He dialed again, ready to repeat the action until the end of time.
"Shinji?"
His thumb had instinctively reached for the END CALL button, but he caught himself. Barely able to speak through the tears, he simply cried on the phone.
"Asuka, I... I..." he sobbed. Her voice was the most reassuring thing he could remember hearing, no matter the distance between them.
The redhead on the other end sat in silence, beginning to empathically sob with him. Asuka wasn't entirely sure what she had done to deserve such a reaction, but hearing Shinji in pain, for any reason, broke her heart.
After a few moments, she tried to get to the bottom of it, "Shinji, is everything okay?"
"I- yeah," he replied with a few sniffles. "I had a terrible dream, and then your texts, and..."
'And...' what? Asuka thought, considering the content of the messages. It was only when she considered the link between his repeated calls, sobs, and her words that she realized what he thought.
"Oh, Shinji, no! I'm okay!" she tried to soothe him. "I couldn't hear the phone over the vacuum!"
"I was so worried I'd lost you, or... worse."
Asuka's eyes widened and she took a deep breath, "I would never. I'm sorry I scared you into thinking that."
The boy smiled through his tears, "Well, I'm glad. I don't know what I'd do without you."
The two teens sat in silence, simply listening to the other breathe. If they were quiet enough, it was if they were together, cuddling on a bed.
"Lie down, Shinji."
"Huh?"
"Please, just- just lie down."
He obeyed and laid on his back, closing his eyes. He imagined Asuka pulled up close to him, resting her head and arm on his chest. The two were together, and would be together.
Asuka had rolled onto her side and snuggled a pillow against her, trapping it between her thighs and resting her upper body onto it. It wasn't as warm as she imagined he would be, but his gentle breaths through the phone were enough.
"What time is it?" Shinji asked.
"What?"
"You said you were vacuuming: isn't it past midnight?"
Asuka exhaled heavily on the phone, "Not quite, but almost. And yeah, I had to: there's, uh, sand everywhere?"
Shinji chuckled in disbelief, "Sand?"
"Or something. Whatever, I just didn't want the cleaners to say anything to my father. Not like I need another reason for him to be upset," Asuka mumbled the last sentence nearly to herself, but Shinji heard.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah? No? I, I had another fight with him," Asuka answered. She recalled her outbursts in the kitchen and his lack of reaction to any of it. "I did my best to try and stay level-headed and talk about coming back to Japan, but he wouldn't hear any of it."
Shinji exhaled, a heavy sigh weighed down by sadness. He had little hope she would return, but he believed if anyone could do it, it was Asuka. "It's, it's okay..."
"After he brushed me off for more work, I came back to my room and started texting you. I'm sorry, I knew it was early, I shouldn't have," the girl apologized. Her tears would have wetted Shinji's chest, but he wouldn't mind.
"It's fine, Asuka. I'm glad you messaged me, I wish I would've been awake to talk to you."
Asuka blinked away the last tear, feeling as it crested her nose and rolled down the opposite cheek onto her boyfriend's pillowy torso, "It's better that way. I feel like I got something off of my chest."
Shinji was silent, his heart beating faster. He hadn't taken the time to consider the confession she had made, the only moments of consideration he had his mind went to a dark place and panicked him.
'I need you', he thought. The words scared him: he felt it, too, but it was a lot to handle at his age.
"At least I got a song out of it."
His eyes widened and he felt a smile grow across his face. It wasn't his primary intent of shipping the SDAT to Asuka, but he hoped she would make something happen to show he'd made the right decision. Unfortunately, Shinji hoped that sign would be her somehow returning to Japan to be with him, but it wasn't meant to be.
Yet, the optimist inside him thought. It was a small part, but Rei had always scolded him for being too negative. Just under two weeks remained before the start of the semester: there was still hope, as little as it may be.
"Yeah? That's great!" Shinji congratulated her, returning to the conversation.
"Is it?" Asuka sighed against his chest. He could almost feel the air pressure. "I don't like that we're getting songs separately. I'd rather get them together."
Shinji agreed, stating as much. His conversation with Masaru rang out in his head, "But maybe we need to figure our family issues out before we can be together again: 'Montagues and Capulets'."
The redhead chuckled, feeling her head bounce against Shinji's chest, "By the way, could you have picked a more obscure reference?"
"I didn't pick it," he playfully countered. "Mr. Grant did. Shakespeare's not really taught much in Japan."
"Well, how did you get the reference?"
"I've learned parts of Gounod's opera which Mr. Grant performed when he was in London, and he told me the story. It's tragic, really," Shinji recalled some of the cello passages in his left hand, imagining tapping them on Asuka's arm.
"Makes sense," Asuka replied with a stifled yawn, slowly falling asleep on the phone.
"Hey Asuka, do you want me to let you get some sleep?"
"What, I'm not sleeping," she protested, pulling herself back conscious.
"I heard you yawning."
Asuka turned bright red, looking up at Shinji. Except he wasn't there, only another pillow. The illusion had been shattered, if just for a moment, but she shut her eyes hard and pulled the pillow tight against her, "Shut up and don't move. I'm just resting my eyes."
Shinji smiled, imagining the angry girl squeezing his torso. It was enough to bring him comfort, even if only temporary. "Good night, Asuka."
"Good night, Shinji."
And the two slept together. Worlds apart, yet still together.
Hikari had relently rushed Shinji the last few days, ensuring he was packed and ready to go for the trip to Tokyo. He'd been dreading it for quite some time, the lack of update from Asuka's side only fueling his avoidance, but his best friend stayed on top of him.
"You're not bringing your cello?" Hikari asked, double-checking her friend's bedroom for missing items.
Shinji shook his head, "I wasn't planning on it."
"Why not? They have a music program."
He shrugged, "I don't know, I don't really feel like it. And if I change my mind, I can come back and grab it over a weekend."
Hikari frowned, "Okay..."
Putting the last supplies in his duffle bag, Shinji zipped it shut and looked at the pendant hanging from the strap: a simple white cross of equal lengths on all four sides, it hung as a gentle reminder of his past life. He was Tokyo-bound now, despite what felt like several attempts to sabotage his future.
"Shinji, let's go! Train leaves in an hour!"
"There are other trains, Hikari," Shinji retorted.
"We need to make this one."
He sighed at Hikari's urgency and stacked his bag onto his luggage. This is it... no Rei, no Asuka...
Emerging from his bedroom, Yui, Teiko, and Nozomi were all waiting in the living room, reluctantly excited to see the teens off. Kodama had already begun attending the University in Tokyo the prior year, and with Rei's passing and Shinji and Hikari leaving, only Nozomi remained in Otsuki; a lonely one-fifth of the children remained.
Tearing up, Teiko wiped her eyes, "I can't believe I'm losing another two of you!"
"Oh Mom, we'll be back often," Hikari rolled her eyes, attempting to cover up her own tears.
"Kodama said that, too!"
"Kodama has a job," Hikari corrected. "I promise we'll be back often!"
"Shinjiiiiiiii!" nearly bawling, Nozomi ran towards the boy and gripped him tight. "I'll miss you!"
"I'll miss you, too, Zuzu," Shinji smiled as he squeezed her tight.
"Say 'hi' to Asuka for me."
Suddenly regretting the decision to attend the Academy, his heart sank at the mention of the distant girl. It took every bit of strength within him to hold on, but Rei wouldn't let him back out now.
"Nozomi!" Hikari stomped her foot.
"Oops!" the little girl covered her mouth.
Shinji chuckled, knowing she didn't fully understand what happened with the German sister she learned to love, "I'll call her and tell her."
Nozomi smiled and nodded, "Okay!"
Yui stepped forward to the two teens and spoke softly, "Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to Tokyo? It really wouldn't be a bother."
"Oh, come now, Yui, let them be grown-ups moving to the big city," Teiko chuckled. "They're little adults."
"Okay, okay. You'll call me if you need anything?"
"Yes Mother."
"And you'll call me if anything happens wit..." the woman tapered off, the implication being Gendo's reemergence at Myojo.
"Yes Mother."
"You know I'll come down without hesitation."
Shinji chuckled at the thought, "Yes Mother."
"Aunt Yui, we'll be okay. And we'll let you know if anything happens," Hikari appeased the woman.
"Anything," she reinforced.
Hugging everyone tightly one last time, Shinji bid the family farewell as he and Hikari walked out to the train station. Winter had made way for Spring, and the thick blanket of snow had long since melted. Heavy clouds hung atop the peaceful mountain town, and a gentle breeze seemed to wave goodbye as the train door came shut.
"Are you ready?" Hikari asked, sitting down against the window.
"I think so," Shinji replied, leaning back against the seat.
Hikari took her honorary brother's hand and slipped her fingers between his, the gesture bringing the boy's attention to hers.
"No matter what happens, we'll be there together."
Shinji squeezed Hikari's hand and smiled, "I know."
"Rei would be proud of you."
"I know," he replied, softer.
He let go of his best friend's hand and reached into his bag for his SDAT before remembering where it was. Settling back against the seat again, Shinji sighed, looking across the aisle and out the opposite window.
The culmination of months of hard work, all based on an empty arrangement from his now-deceased twin sister, Myojo Academy always seemed like a far-off dream: a future he would never arrive at. Now he and his childhood friend were mere hours away from that future.
Rei's absence lingered heavily over his mood, Shinji unhappily rewriting all of his visions of the three of them taking this train together with actual memories of making the journey with only Hikari.
Even Asuka was absent from this timeline. He recalled the strange vision in the library, her blue uniform and the unfamiliar classroom.
Even if everything else is as we saw, she won't be there, Shinji sighed.
"Everything okay?" Hikari questioned.
"Huh? Yeah, just... thinking about how much I miss her."
"Rei?"
Asuka.
"Yes," he lied.
"I do, too. I'd always envisioned the three of us doing this together," Hikari smiled sweetly at Shinji. "But, now we'll carry on in her memory."
He nodded in agreement, his thoughts again drifting continents away.
"Today's going to be crazy," he mumbled.
"You have no idea."
"Hey! Wait! WAIT! I need to get off! Let me through!"
Shinji Ikari turned as he heard a voice: a familiar voice. A very familiar voice. He craned his head around the group of people on the subway car looking for anything to confirm his suspicions.
It can't be.
"Hey, uh, are you okay?" he asked into a wall of bodies still on the subway car he had just left, searching for the voice's owner. It has to be.
A lone hand shot out and the voice commanded, "Take my hand!"
Instinctively, Shinji obeyed, pulling the hand and voice from the crowd. As the owner emerged from the sub car, he saw fire red and ocean blue, a rare sight in Japan, but, in that moment, they were the most important colors the young man had ever seen.
Asuka Langley Soryu, who should've been in Brandenburg, Germany, stood in front of him, in Tokyo, Japan. Mouth agape in disbelief, he was unable to decide what to do next: he must be dreaming.
"A- A- I- A-" he stammered, bewildered.
"Thanks! You're a life-saver!" the girl smiled, pausing a moment before looking down at their still clasped hands. "You can let go now."
"Asuka?! How did you-"
"You asked if we've met before," she interrupted him, still holding hands.
"What?"
"Ask me if we've met before!"
Unable to tear away from her eyes, Shinji did as instructed, "Uh, have we met before?"
The redhead pulled away, "No. I don't know you!" Her tone was direct, but playful, "Are you hitting on me?!"
"Huh?" Shinji was getting flustered: if this was a dream, it was truly cruel.
"No?" she asked as she turned, rubbing her chin. "That's too bad... Oh well."
"Wait, I didn't say 'no'."
"You definitely did."
"No, I didn't."
"You sure about that?"
"I'm so confused."
"Well, thanks for helping me! Danke schön!"
She turned to leave, but Shinji reached out and grabbed her hand. If it was real, Shinji was going for it. And if it wasn't, who knew what would happen next.
"Asuka, wait!" he called out.
As Asuka's arm extended, connected to Shinji's, he gently yanked, pulling her into him. Cobalt met sapphire and immediately closed, lips meeting in the middle. They stood in the crowded subway terminal for an unknown length of time, connected at the hearts until Hikari tapped them on the shoulder.
"Okay, okay, you two, that's enough," she teased, smiling for both of them.
"We pulled it off!" Asuka pumped her fist before high-fiving the brunette. "I was so worried!"
"That was fun," Hikari continued to smile.
"Yeah! And you're a terrible actor," Asuka teased Shinji.
"What? I didn't know what I was doing!"
"I'll say."
Shinji was still collecting himself, trying to figure out if this was actually occurring or a part of his dreams. "Asuka," he asked softly, not wanting to end the dream prematurely. "Is it really you?"
"Yup," she answered with a smile.
"H- how?!"
"My father pulled some strings with the science department and got me in at the last minute. Hikari and I have known for a week. I'm sorry I didn't say anything, I really wanted to surprise you," Asuka explained with a quick bow.
"And Nozomi almost spoiled it today," Hikari giggled. "I'm sorry, Shinji! I knew you'd be so surprised! Please don't be mad at me!"
The boy wanted to fake anger, fake betrayal, fake any emotion, but his joyous relief was overwhelming and he couldn't do anything but smile.
"Well, that was sweet and perfect, but I'm off to wait for Toji: he's supposed to be here in ten," Hikari hugged both of them.
"Do you want us to wait with you?" Asuka offered.
"No, it's okay. I'm surprising him here, too!"
Hikari left with a wave and a smile, leaving the freshly reunited couple to enjoy each other's company for the first time in months.
Hand-in-hand, Asuka and Shinji left the subway station, happily chatting about her last-minute return to Japan. The sun had defeated the thick cloud cover and shone bright, reflecting the boy's current mood. He could hardly believe it: she had made it after all.
As they stopped at the crosswalk before the school, Asuka pulled an object out of her bag. Presenting the SDAT player to Shinji, she returned the loan, "And here's this back."
"Asuka, I gave that to you," he protested.
"We're here, together, I think we can-" she stopped herself, eyeing the display curiously.
"Asuka?"
Wide, blue eyes took the object in, bringing it close for inspection. "How many songs are on here?"
Shinji thought to himself, finger tapping his lips, "I had number eight, and I think yours made nine. So, nine."
Asuka turned the SDAT towards him, presenting the LCD display. While the text was partially obscured by the wrapped earphone cable, it clearly displayed the number "10" at the far left.
"Does that mean…?" Shinji began.
"Looks like it," Asuka answered.
"How?"
The girl shrugged, starting to cross the street towards the Academy, "I don't know."
"You don't think it's the subway again, do you?" Shinji asked, walking briskly to catch up.
Asuka shrugged again, "Maybe?"
"That feels kinda like cheating."
"'Cheating'? We don't even know what this is or what the rules are. How is it cheating?"
"I don't know," Shinji stopped at a bench near the entrance. "Hang on, I need to fix my bag, it's falling off."
Asuka huffed sarcastically and pulled her bags next to him, "This whole thing is weird enough. I don't think we can just say something's breaking the rules without knowing what the rules are."
While Shinji strapped his duffle to the top of his rolling suitcase, he noticed the redhead unwrapping the earphones from the device. "What are you doing?"
"I want to hear it," Asuka answered, handing him one end.
"Right now?"
"Do you really think we'll have time later today? Checking into dorms, unpacking, getting uniforms ready for tomorrow, catching up with everyone."
"Okay, okay," Shinji acquiesced and accepted the earphone, placing it in his ear. Sitting down next to his formerly long-distance girlfriend, he smiled and waited for her to press PLAY.
A gentle, repeating piano arpeggio gave way to lyrics, and Asuka and Shinji soared:
Caught in a never-ending game
Seems like the world's still trying to tame me
If that's the way, I will obey
Beautifully struggle every day
Should we have a little kiss?
While seeing both of our hourglasses
Let's make a plan to meet somewhere that is
The most far from "goodbye"
Asuka gazed out at the front courtyard of the school, watching as dozens of students made their way into the school. Her last week had been a blur, but capping it off in the subway made it all worth it.
Shinji couldn't help but watch Asuka as the music played. Her face was already the prettiest he'd ever seen, but the space between them had somehow refined those features. Everything that was past was past, and he could only look forward to spending time with her at the Academy.
Finally, the time has come
Everything up 'til yesterday was a prologue
Just skimming through the days of old
It's my turn to bear the load
With my experience and my skill
And all the courage I had let start to mildew
At an unprecedented speed, I will
Dive right into you
And when I dozed off into a lukewarm can of soda
I dreamed of a world so far from here
That's not on the map
Searching outside of the classroom window
Or in a summer morning that's brought from the commuting train
Oh
Words like "tomorrow" or "future" or "fate"
No matter how far they extend their hands
We breathe, we dream, we raise our love
In a timeless land that is far out of reach
Even the second, hour hands of the clock
They look at us sideways as they tick and tock
How I hope to have forever to spend
This life, no, all future lives
Right here in this world with you
The world was spinning, but the two of them remained motionless. Held in place by nothing but their feelings for each other, they were at the center of their universe and the stars and planets revolved around them as they listened and loved.
Let's put away them far ahead
"How do you do"s and all the "Nice to meet you"s
And breathe over a thousand-year
Cycle in a single day
How I hated lifeless world
That's made up entirely of dictionary words that
I saw through my kaleidoscope
On a monotonous August morn
When you appeared in front of me
You acted shy but I didn't miss your grinning face like
If it's the textbook of this world
Of how to make your smiling face
Two hearts drifted through the void, eternally intertwined with each other, searching for somewhere to land.
I've been looking for "incredible"s, the meaning of "unbelievable"
Even I hope for tragedies
If it goes with the thrill
But when you were standing in front of my door
With every piece in your hand that I could ask for
Oh
"Haven't we been here before?" the first heart asked.
Words like "tomorrow" or "future" or "fate"
No matter how far they extend their hands
Let's breathe, and dream, we'll play together in this place
What do you say?
"Every time," the second responded.
Even the way that you loved
I swear I could smell the scent of yours
And in the way that you walked
I could hear that bright laughter of yours
Since one day you will disappear
I'll keep every part of you
Make sure that it's burned into the back of my eyes
It's not a right that I'm due
My duty that is must have been kept
"I can't wait to meet you again."
Words like "tomorrow" or "future" or "fate"
No matter how far they extend their hands
We breathe, we dream, we raise our love
In a timeless land that is far out of reach
Even the second, hour hands of the clock
They look at us sideways as they tick and tock
How I hope to have forever to spend
This life, no, all future lives
Right here in this world with you
"Why are you nervous?"
Asuka looked at her brother and shuddered at the question. Gripping his hand tightly, she wrapped herself against his arm and held fast.
"The results are the results," Kaworu reassured her in German before using a Japanese idiom: "'After the rain, Earth hardens.'"
"'After'...?" Asuka repeated in German, looking up at his pale face.
Ozvaldo turned back to the children and gave him a soft glare, "There is no 'after', Kaworu. Everyone will be getting through this together."
Cold, red eyes turned towards the man, but the boy never moved, his sister still holding his arm tightly. He responded in Japanese, nodding towards the gentleman coming down the hall, "He has a different definition of 'together' than I do."
David Langley joined the trio in the lobby, a pretty, young research assistant following behind, clipboard in hand. He spoke to the group in German, "Everyone, this is Camille Lyon, a graduate student and junior researcher with the Marduk Institute. She'll be helping with these initial tests."
The short-haired brunette extended a hand, "Bonjour, je m'appelle Camille. Je suis ravi de vous rencontrer."
Asuka glared at the woman, while Kaworu remained unaffected by her. Both were silent. After a few moments, Oz reached out and shook her hand, responding, "Enchanté de faire votre connaissance."
"You speak French?" Asuka asked in German.
After the handshake, Oz responded with a wink, "Just the pleasantries."
"Good morning!" Misato Katsuragi was greeting every student as they entered the building, propping the door open with her body. "Welcome! I'm so glad to see you all!"
Students filed in one-by-one after greeting the woman with either a bow, a handshake, or even a high-five, depending on their familiarity with her. Asuka and Shinji stood together in line shuffling forward every few seconds while relistening to the newest entry on the SDAT together, earphone cable stretched between them.
As they approached the door, the purple-haired woman gave a big smile towards the couple, "Good morning! How are you, Miss Langley?"
Asuka removed her earphone and answered the woman, "Good morning. I- I'm good, thank you."
"Great! We are so happy to have you here at Myojo Academy."
"Uh, Miss Katsuragi?"
"Yes ma'am?" she replied.
"How'd you know my name?" Asuka asked.
The woman beamed, her bright brown eyes exuding her positive energy, "You're famous... at least in our biz."
Asuka seemed to shrivel away, "Scheiße, well, thanks."
This isn't going away, is it? she thought.
"Good morning Miss Katsuragi," Shinji attempted to deflect attention away from the girl as she rolled her bags through the door.
"Good morning to you, too! Welcome to Myojo!"
As Shinji pushed forward through the door, his rolling suitcase toppled over, dumping the duffel bag stacked on top of it. Asuka attempted to grab it, but nearly knocked over her own luggage set, retreating to keep hers precariously stacked upright.
Misato smiled and bent down, assisting the boy in picking up his bags, when an object caught her attention. She lifted the duffle, carefully eyeing the object tied to its strap.
Shinji smiled at the woman, "Oh, that was a gift from my cello tutor."
Her smile slowly faded as she turned the small charm over in her hands. A puzzled expression overcame her, and a brief flash of something else, but she returned the bag with a new smile after a few short moments, "Welcome..."
Shinji and Asuka entered the school building, returning to the campus for the first time since their extended stay several months prior. It was again buzzing with energy, but now of a different kind: where there was once a looming anxiety about tests and acceptances, here was an enjoyable sight of rekindled friendships and excited plans for the following school year.
Cliques and groups had formed, congregating throughout the lobby. The couple nervously shuffled through the vast space, sidling through the clusters of teens.
"That was weird," Asuka commented, pulling up to the dorm registration line.
"What?" Shinji asked, standing his bags upright in the line.
"The thing with Miss Katsuragi."
"How?"
"You didn't notice? She-" Asuka started, but was interrupted.
"It's about time you showed up."
"Excuse me?" Asuka turned to the source of the comment and was greeted by a taller girl. The redhead put her hands on her hips and stood as straight as possible. "Can I help you?"
"We have all been waiting for Her Royal Highness's presence," the girl explained, bowing sarcastically. The taller girl stood upright, peering down on Asuka. Her dark, auburn hair was pulled into twin ponytails, while fierce teal eyes watched from behind red-framed glasses.
"Mari, who's this?" another girl asked, joining the commotion.
"This pretty little number is Miss Asuka Langley," she spoke with a haughty, foreign accent: Japanese clearly wasn't her primary language
Asuka stepped forward, correcting her, "Soryu."
"What?"
"It's 'Asuka Langley Soryu'."
"Are you sure about that?"
"About my own last name? Ja, evolutionsbremse." Asuka glared at the girl. It was too early in the morning to deal with catty girls, but she'd dealt with enough of them in Germany.
"Bist du dir da sicher, Prinzessin?" the girl replied in an annoying sing-songy tone.
Asuka's focus broke and her eyes widened, speaking softly, "No..."
Mari cackled and threw her head back, "Around here, you're not as special as you think, even if Daddy buys the building."
"Asuka, what's that mean?" Shinji interrupted, thrusting himself into the conversation. The bespectacled girl was almost a head taller than him, and she peered down at him through her glasses as well.
"Ask her," Mari crossed her arms. "Or do the Langley's not deal with common folk?"
"Soryu," Asuka corrected.
"I'm not calling you that."
Asuka balled her hands at her side and stepped forward, but was interrupted by another of the girl's entourage, "Leave the first-year alone, Mari. She's not worth your time."
Mari blew air out of her mouth and turned away, her long, auburn hair whipping behind. Before leaving, she glanced back at the shorter redhead and scoffed: "Children."
The final comment enraged Asuka, who took another step after the older girl but was blocked by Hikari, who intervened with a soft hand to the girl's chest.
"Hey, hey, Asuka, calm down. I know what you're thinking, and it's a bad idea."
"You don't know what I'm thinking," Asuka replied flatly.
I want to smack her.
"You want to smack her."
Asuka paused in contemplation before nodding slightly, "Okay, you know what I'm thinking."
"That's a really bad idea," Hikari reiterated, still standing in front of her.
Shinji added nothing, but nodded in agreement, slightly afraid at the girl's wild reaction.
The redhead watched the older student give a gentle wave from a distance and asked through clenched teeth, "Why?"
Hikari tried to soothe the girl, speaking gently, "She's a fourth-year, and the student body president. It would not be a good idea to challenge her."
"I don't know who she thinks she is," Asuka continued to seethe.
"Her name is Mari Makinami Illustrious-"
"'Illustrious'? Sure..." she grumbled under her breath at the last name.
"And, from what I've heard, she's pretty well connected with the staff," Hikari ignored the interjection. "It would be best for everyone involved if you left her alone."
Shinji had been rubbing the fiery redhead's back, attempting to calm her temper. Learning as much as he did about the older girl, his attention turned to Hikari, "Wait, why do you know so much about her?"
"I, uh, I," Hikari began to blush and stammer, "I was trying to get on the student council myself..."
"Traitor!" Asuka fired off, before immediately changing her tune, "No, wait! You can watch her on the inside!"
Hikari put her hands up in protest, "No, wait, that's not why I'm doing it!"
Asuka grinned like a shark, "You can do this, Hikari. I believe in you."
"What is there to watch?"
"Yeah, you could provide intel and plans."
"She's not your enemy, Asuka: she's just another student," Shinji continued his attempt to bring her down.
"Don't placate me," Asuka glared.
The pigtailed girl gave a nervous giggle and backed away, "Well, I'm gonna go chat with Mana really quick, so, uh, I'll check into my dorm later."
As Hikari left, Asuka turned her attention back across the lobby towards Mari as she shuffled to the front of the line, "I don't like her."
Shinji chuckled, "We haven't been here a day. And she's a fourth-year, so how often do you really think you'll see her?"
"Good morning!" the registrar smiled. Shinji recognized her as one of the chaperones that caught them in the library, "Name and year?"
"Ikari, uh, Shinji Ikari. First."
The short-haired woman flipped through several files and pulled out an envelope. "Ikari, Ikari, ah! Here you are: room 218. First-years are on floors two through six. Your roommate assignment and class schedules are in the envelope. And welcome to Myojo Academy: we're so glad to have you!"
Shinji bowed and stepped slightly out of the way while a still smoldering Asuka approached.
"Asuka Langley Soryu, first-year."
The registrar flipped through her files multiple times before going to the attendant on her left. She whispered in her ear for a moment before the other woman shrugged.
"Would that be under Langley? Or Soryu?" she asked as she switched folders.
"How should I know?" Asuka answered, annoyed.
Returning to Asuka, the woman began to speak until Misato interrupted her. Covering her cell phone briefly, she assisted, "Sorry for the intrusion, just passing by: Maya, she's not in the first-year dorms, check in the fourth-year file."
"What?"
"She's staying with the-"
"Oh, right, I remember now. Thanks Misato!"
Miss Katsuragi smiled before turning back to her phone call and speaking angrily as she walked away, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing?"
Shinji watched Asuka nervously, seeing the slight panic in her eyes as the registrar pulled an envelope out of a different set of files with the name 'LANGLEY' written on it.
"Sorry, Miss Langley, I completely forgot: you won't be staying in the first-year dorms. We have you on the top floor, in the fourth-year apartments."
Asuka's eyes dropped to the floor, "I really don't need that."
"It's not a big deal. Plus, there are perks to it: each senior apartment has separate bedrooms, a living room, a private bathroom, and a full kitchen. You're going to love it!"
The irritated redhead made some nondescript sound of annoyance and gave a forced smile, "Thanks."
"You're welcome! And welcome to Myojo Academy!"
The young couple left the counter silently, joining their friend group towards the back corner of the lobby. Shinji eyed Asuka, watching the conflicted reel of emotions betrayed by her constantly shifting eyes.
It's just one day. You can handle one day, she coached herself.
As they approached, Mana and company turned and opened the circle to accompany the latest additions, "Hi Asuka, hi Shinji!"
"Mana," Shinji replied with a smile. Asuka remained silent, still working things out.
"It's so good to see you all! Where are you staying? I'm rooming with Keita!"
Toji stepped forward and smiled, "And I'm rooming with my man Kensuke!"
Shinji turned his head, just noticing the newest member of the friend group, "Oh, wow, Kensuke, when did you meet Toji?"
The jock wrapped his arm around the shorter boy and squeezed, "Kensuke was working on some film project and wanted to shoot the 2-on-2 basketball tournament in Tokyo a couple months back. We've been the best of buds ever since!"
"Toji was a huge help for my project!" Kensuke grinned. "And he's smarter than he looks!"
"Watch it, pal," Toji fired back with a light punch to his arm.
Musashi took a step into the circle and patted Shinji on the arm, "You and me, buddy."
"Wow, that's great!" Shinji replied, relieved to have a familiar face in his room.
"So, hopefully that leaves Hikari and Asuka?" Mana asked, driving the conversation again.
"No," Asuka sighed.
"No? That stinks," Mana commented.
"I'm on the twentieth floor, with the fourth-years..."
Jaws dropped, the group began loudly speaking over each other, congratulating the girl and exclaiming their disbelief.
Hikari was the first to pick up on her obvious mood, "Asuka, what's wrong? Aren't you happy?"
"I am, but," she answered with a sigh, "I just wanted to be treated like a regular student."
"I'm sure it can't get any worse, Asuka. It's just a dorm room. They probably just think they're doing you a favor since your dad donated money, nothing more," she smiled sweetly. "Once everyone's settled in their rooms, this will all blow over."
'All blow over', Asuka chuckled internally. Naturally.
The group all parted ways to drop their bags in their rooms with the agreement to reconvene for lunch. Asuka remained silent all the way to the top floor until the doors opened. Looking down the hall towards her door, she couldn't help but smile at the cosmic coincidence that fate had left at her feet.
A taller, auburn-haired girl repeatedly swiped her card against the door, only for it to blink red and deny entry. "What's wrong with this damn machine?!" she roared in the hallway.
Asuka slowly approached the situation, smirking internally but somehow bewildered at it all.
"They just issued this card! Why won't it take it?"
As she arrived at the door, Asuka's luggage set knocked over Mari's pink bags, alerting the girl to her presence.
"Hmm?"
The redhead just stared.
"Well, well! What are you doing here?" Mari asked, hand on her hip.
Asuka remained silent, leaning past the girl and swiping her card against the door.
"What on Earth are you doin-"
It blinked green.
"YOU?"
And Mari shrieked.
Shinji slipped the black, silk tie off of his neck in frustration and balled it up, throwing it violently out of the bathroom doorway. His hands gripped the countertop, whiting under the pressure. He was losing control.
A man stooped down and picked it up, joining the younger boy at the bathroom counter.
"Would you like me to show you how to tie this?"
Shinji didn't move, his blurring gaze affixed to the sink below. As a tear slid down his cheek, he could feel his shoulders manually turned toward the guest.
Masaru Grant slid the tie around his pupil's neck and began to weave the knot, speaking softly, "You can race through a four-in-hand like a cheap salaryman, but on the stage, a Windsor exudes the power of the music."
"This isn't a stage. And no one's performing," Shinji replied coldly.
"'All the world's a stage', Shinji," the old man sighed. "'And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances.'"
He frowned at the remark, tears splashing onto the obsidian fabric knotted around his neck.
"Rei, she-," the old man cleared his throat, "she simply exited. But she will return for the curtain…"
Asuka stood at the mirror and stared at herself in uniform. Smirking at the striking resemblance, she pulled out her phone and took a picture in the mirror, immediately sending it with a follow-up message.
[ASUKA] Vest & tie? I'm turning into you!
[OZ] You wouldn't catch me dead in a four-in-hand.
Asuka chuckled at the message, thinking of his expertly knotted ties and perfectly tailored suits. She'd never seen Oz in anything but, regardless of time of day.
[ASUKA] It's too early, and I don't have someone to show me how to tie it correctly.
[OZ] I've shown you plenty of times.
[ASUKA] You have not!
[OZ] In the decade I've known you, I don't think you've ever retained a thing I've taught you.
[ASUKA] I've retained plenty!
[OZ] Where am I from?
[ASUKA] You're from Nurnburg.
[OZ] Incorrect.
[ASUKA] Stuttgart?
[OZ] Goodbye, Asuka.
[ASUKA] Munich?
[OZ] Enjoy your first day.
[ASUKA] You're not Austrian, are you?
[OZ] Salzburg.
[ASUKA] WHAT?!
[ASUKA] Does my father know this?!
[OZ] Go to class, Asuka.
Asuka chuckled and set the phone on her bed before looking over the school uniform again: a plain white blouse adorned with a maroon necktie, all covered by a heather grey sweater with a conspicuously deep v-neck. The bottom consisted of a black, pleated skirt and black knee-high socks.
This isn't right, she frowned. It's supposed to be some kind of blue, right?
Grabbing her book bag and leaving the room, Asuka encountered Mari in the living room, also leaving the apartment for school.
"Guten morgen Prinzessin. Wie geht es dir?"
Asuka rolled her eyes and responded in Japanese, "Your German is sloppy."
Mari replied with a devilish grin, "Sorry, my daddy couldn't afford the best German tutors."
"Leck mich," Asuka hissed as she opened the door to leave, her roommate following after.
The pair walked in silence to the elevators, stopping after pressing the call button. Several other fourth-year girls waited by the banks, nearly all of them towering over the suddenly self-conscious fourteen year-old.
Asuka admired their curves and style, looking down at her own still-developing body and trying to make herself smaller. She juxtaposed her short and relatively scrawny self against Mari's exotic blend of nationalities and full figure, feeling like a girl amongst women.
As the elevator arrived, the students slowly filed in, Asuka waiting for last so she wouldn't be forced to stand by Mari. However, as she stepped on, a hand extended, palm-out, and stopped Asuka in her tracks.
"Sorry, Prinzessin: elevator's full."
Asuka looked around the nearly half-empty lift and frowned, "You're joking, right?"
The doors slowly began to slide shut when Mari smiled sweetly through them, "No room for first-years. Tut mir Leid."
As the doors shut, Asuka cursed both in German and Japanese until a sweet voice from behind interrupted her, "Don't mind her, she'll get over it."
Asuka turned and grumbled, looking at the other girl through the corners of her eyes, "She better get over it quick."
"I was her roommate last year, too: Mari's a handful, but she'll come around when she gets to know you," the girl explained. She stood slightly taller than Asuka, but shorter than Mari, with long, raven black hair and large, round glasses. Rather plain in appearance, her looks came across much less threatening than the taller, more exotic girl.
Reaching her hand out for a handshake, Asuka introduced herself, "Asuka Langley Soryu."
"Mayumi Yamagishi," she replied with a smile, accepting the handshake. "Nice to finally meet you, Asuka."
"Oh, you're my other roomm- wait," Asuka narrowed her eyes slightly, "What do you mean 'finally'?"
"The student council handles all first-year intake: we assist with assigning homerooms, selecting rooms for those staying in the dorms, scheduling, et cetera. We've been talking about you for some time."
Her eyes slitted even more, "Explain."
"Well, it's why Mari's so obsessed with you: you're a threat, at least in her eyes."
Asuka was silent, still staring at Mayumi, awaiting further elaboration.
"You outscored her on the entrance exams. You scored the highest in Myojo Academy history, actually."
Asuka's eyes opened wide and she recoiled in shock. "I did?" she whispered.
Mayumi nodded and smiled, "I'm surprised you didn't know."
The redhead was stunned, a slight panic setting in her heart. As she was about to ask more, three fourth-year girls joined the two of them at the elevator and Asuka thought better of it.
"That explains everything," Asuka lied.
That doesn't explain a thing, she thought. I need to talk to Shinji.
At the bottom of the elevators, Asuka caught Shinji waiting on a bench near the bank. Smiling at her boyfriend, she snarked, "You clean up nice."
The boy's uniform was remarkably similar: white shirt with a maroon tie, heather grey sweater, and black slacks. And he knows how to tie a better knot, Asuka thought, admiring Shinji's work.
Shinji flushed slightly before responding, "You, too."
Asuka did a slow twirl, presenting herself, "You're sweet, but it's wrong."
Standing up to leave together for the auditorium, Shinji gave a confident smile, "I disagree. And when I'm right, I'm right!"
"Oh shut up," Asuka giggled as she led them following the rest of the students. Leaning close to whisper, "But seriously, the uniforms are all wrong."
He gulped as they entered the auditorium. It was something he'd also considered as he was dressing for the morning. The slacks and shirt were generic enough, he could ditch the sweater and tie and be close. But the colors did not match their shared vision at all.
Entering the auditorium, they were interrupted by a purple-haired woman before he could respond.
"Oh, perfect timing, I was looking for you. Miss Langley, could you please come with me?" Katsuragi asked with a smile.
"Uh, sure."
Asuka looked back as she was led away from Shinji, who could only offer a soft wave and a nervous glance.
"Good morning Myojo Academy students. I am Dr. Kozo Fuyutsuki, Director of Myojo Academy, and welcome to the spring 2016 semester."
The elder statesman smiled proudly at the students before him. Tall and lean, Dr. Fuyutsuki sported a dark grey suit with a maroon tie, matching the school's colors. Hands gripping both sides of a modern, dark wood podium, his presence exuded the school's confidence and regality.
Asuka stood backstage, nervously watching the auditorium full of peers. The last thing she wanted was attention, and now it was being heaped on her by the staff. Mari already made her into a target, and she definitely wanted to avoid making more enemies with special treatment and favors.
Eyes scanning hundreds of faces, crystal blue found its target and Asuka felt her heart calm. He hadn't noticed her, but the understanding that he was there with her was reassuring enough.
Deep breaths, Asuka, she slowly exhaled. It's just one more day.
After a brief introduction to the school and its history, the older man passed the stadium off to his second-in-command, shaking the purple-haired woman's hand before standing at the back of the stage.
Assistant Director Misato Katsuragi greeted the students and began to discuss the expectations for the school year.
Shinji shifted nervously in his seat, half-listening to the speaker, half-scanning the room for Asuka. She'd been whisked away so quickly, he wasn't sure if she was even in the room.
He smirked at the thought of himself looking around a crowd for a specific head of red hair again. And, just as before, he was unable to spot the particular color he was searching for. Asuka had a remarkable talent for disappearing, it seemed.
"And, now, for an exciting announcement, please welcome the faculty head of Myojo Academy's science department: Dr. Ritsuko Akagi!"
The announcement ended Shinji's covert search and his attention was brought back to the stage. Fortunately, the object of his affection followed the attractive blonde woman, standing slightly behind her by the curtain.
Asuka looked incredibly uncomfortable in the spotlight, her eyes darting around the audience and back to the speaker.
She looks like she's about to run, Shinji thought.
I could run and be out of the building before anyone caught me, Asuka considered as she trailed the older woman.
"This year, Myojo Academy has a very special guest that came with an incredibly generous grant!"
Oh no, Shinji thought.
"Here to unveil the 'Langley Foundation Science Hall'..."
Oh please no, Asuka pleaded internally.
"... please welcome Miss Asuka Langley, first year student at Myojo Academy!"
Schieße. Shit. the teens simultaneously thought, completely unaware of each other.
There was a round of applause as Dr. Akagi turned and waved the young woman up, "Please, come up and introduce yourself."
Asuka collapsed into herself, a black hole opening up on stage, consuming everything in its radius. Despite the wanton chaos and destruction, she could only hope to be the first swallowed whole by the force of nature. Sure, losing Shinji would be tragic, but it was almost preferable compared to the current situation.
As she nervously stepped towards the podium, her eyes glanced around the sea of students in front of her, her peers, all watching her every move. She tugged at the hem of her too-short skirt, closed up the top of her too-exposed sweater-vest, and adjusted the awkward neck-tie restricting her breathing.
"I'm Asuka Langley Soryu," she whispered, barely caught by the microphone. "Nice to meet you."
Shinji watched in horror as the girl tried to make herself as small as possible, wanting nothing to do with the spotlight thrust upon her by her father's donation. It may have been a blessing to get her accepted, but thus far the curse currently outweighed its effects.
As Asuka smiled softly and turned to walk away, Shinji overheard random students in the audience with him.
"She- she looks so cool," said one boy.
"Seriously cute. And her legs- so long!" whispered another boy.
"Check out her hair! Golden-red," a girl directly behind Shinji exclaimed. "And such body..."
This isn't right, Shinji thought, looking around the room. Why doesn't this feel right?
His eyes glanced around, looking for any hint to why it felt wrong, until he caught the look of another. Mari was on stage with the rest of the student council, glaring at the awkward redhead three years her junior.
Asuka never caught the look from the girl, instead finding herself unable to focus on anything in particular. The few steps off of the main stage felt like a marathon, and the girl feared she sprinted the whole thing, giving away her unease.
The students were all dismissed to their homerooms for first day introductions. Asuka rejoined Shinji just before the stairwell, her eyes averted the entire walk to their room.
"That bad, huh?" Shinji teased, coaxing her out of her shell.
"The last few months in Germany, all these people were laying on these thick, patronizing condolences about Kaworu. I was already not the most popular girl, but all of a sudden everyone was trying to act like they cared so much about me."
Shinji put his arm around Asuka's shoulder and led her into the classroom, choosing two empty desks near the back. Hanging his bag on the hook, Shinji smiled as Hikari entered the room, chatting with Mana.
Hikari glanced towards the back of the room and cupped her hands around her mouth, sarcastically shouting, "Shinji! Is that you back there? I can't tell, you're so far away!"
He laughed as she turned around with a wink and sat down, front and center in the classroom. Some things never change.
As students began settling in, a middle-aged woman entered, removing a laptop and tablet from her shoulder bag. She tapped the tablet a few times, looking around the room, before smiling and introducing herself to the class.
"Good morning everyone, my name is Miss Kano, and welcome to class 1B."
Yuri Kano was a pleasantly attractive woman. Standing only slightly taller than most first-year students, she had a kind, inviting face with large, light brown eyes and shoulder-length light brown hair. Several years of teaching first-year students honed a sharp wit and a firm grip: despite her physical stature, she expected the best and wouldn't let anyone talk her out of it.
"Today's going to be a weird day, as you'll be meeting all of your instructors and finding their designated rooms in rapid succession, but be ready for tomorrow, we're starting full-bore. Myojo Academy takes academics seriously: there's a reason we're the top school in Japan."
A hand shot up in the front, center desk.
"Questions already?" Miss Kano looked puzzled. She looked over the tablet and read aloud, "Uh, Hikari?"
"Yes!"
"This thing's handy. Anyway, what can I do for you?"
Standing tall, Hikari asked, "Have you chosen a class representative, yet?"
"Miss Horaki, we've been in class for less than five minutes, and I haven't even decided what I'm having for lunch yet." The comment was met with a chuckle from the class. "But, seeing as you're so gung-ho for it, would you like to be the class rep?"
"Yes, please, ma'am," Hikari beamed, still standing.
"We tend to rotate every semester, so you'll be it through the spring semester."
"Thank you, ma'am!"
"Please, sit down," the instructor smiled. "I'm going to need more coffee."
An imposing man stood behind the lecturn at the front of the classroom, hands gripping the front edge of the wooden podium. The entire front portion of the room, spanning the white board from wall to wall, was built on an elevated platform. Even from a seated position behind his desk, Gendo would be looking down upon his pupils. Standing stone-still, his eyes were the only sign of life as they darted around from student to student.
Shinji watched him cautiously as he sat down at his group table, between Asuka and Hikari. Across the table were Mana, Kensuke, and Toji.
After a few awkwardly silent moments, the teacher began to speak, barely moving anything beyond the necessary body parts.
"I am Gendo Ayanami, MpD. You will call me Dr. Ayanami."
Shinji internally flinched at the name, doing his best to appear unfazed by the man. He unconsciously clenched his fist and listened as the man spoke, noticed by Hikari and Asuka.
"Science is the study of the unknown," Gendo spoke deliberately as he walked out from beyond his podium, stepping down to the classroom floor. His steps were slow and methodical, carefully placed in the classroom. "And to wield science is to wield the unknown."
"That's a bit much," Asuka whispered to Shinji, trying to break the tension in the boy.
"What you do with that power will define who you are, and how you will be remembered. Will it be as a god, as the scientists of old are now revered?" Gendo stopped next to Asuka, peering down at the girl from the bottom of his glasses. "Or will you simply manufacture success and prestige, buying your way into history?"
The instructor lingered near the group, waiting in silence as the room followed suit. The redhead gritted her teeth, aware of the subtle slandering of her character on the first day. "I don't know wh-"
Gendo turned to the front of the classroom, his back towards Asuka, when he spoke, "You will speak when directed to, and at no other time."
There was a quiet commotion in the room, and Asuka, thoroughly embarrassed, sank into her seat. She was willing to move past it until Gendo decided to twist the knife.
"Am I understood?"
She nodded meekly, but the man was unsatisfied. He reiterated himself with more force, "Am I understood?"
"Yes…" she hissed through clenched teeth.
"Good."
"Wow, I really hate that guy," Asuka seethed as she left the classroom at an alarming rate, making her way towards the elevators.
"Asuka, slow down!" Mana called after, the group walking briskly to catch up.
"What was that all about?" Kensuke asked, looking at both Shinji and Asuka. "I mean, Dr. Ayanami really had it out for both of you."
"Don't call him that," Shinji whispered through gritted teeth as the group stopped while Asuka aggressively punched the call button with her finger.
Toji leaned in and remarked on the couple's identically angered expressions, "Wow, he's got both of you all worked up."
Hikari stepped into the center of the group and motioned for everyone to lean close, "This needs to stay a secret, but you all should know-"
"He's just a jerk, that's it," Shinji interrupted, glaring at Hikari.
She watched him with curious eyes, "Shinji, don't you think-"
"He's one bad teacher out of everyone else. I can handle one jerk."
"Shinji," Hikari spoke softly, watching her best friend. The look he gave her was clear: Gendo's identity wasn't relevant.
The lift arrived with a tone and Asuka walked in, Shinji following.
"Wait, where are you going? Cafeteria's that way," Mana commented.
"My apartment, I forgot something."
"Go on ahead," Shinji encouraged the group, "We'll meet you there."
As the group waved and walked off, Hikari remained with the couple and joined them in the elevator. As the doors closed, she looked at her best friend, "So, are we not going to tell anyone about your father?"
"Nope." Shinji replied flatly, staring ahead at the elevator doors.
"And I'm assuming you don't want to talk about the assembly earlier?" Hikari turned to Asuka.
"Nein."
"Perfect. Super healthy, everyone. This will all clearly blow over with no other ramifications."
Shinji turned towards Hikari in shock, "I've never known you to be so sarcastic."
Hands on her hips, Hikari fired back, "You two have been so cagey about everything, going all the way back to December.
"Shinji, I love you, and I want to help you, but you didn't even tell me that Asuka wasn't going to come back."
The boy hung his head slightly.
"I feel like I shouldn't be a part of this conversation," Asuka mumbled.
"You're just as much to blame as anyone else, Asuka. Shinji's my brother, and he's been through enough this last year. We haven't had the time to talk your mess out, either."
There was a stunned silence on the elevator.
"I care for both of you, but I can't do anything for you unless you talk. This quiet brooding stuff gets you nowhere."
As the elevator opened, the trio walked towards the end of the hall in silence. Hikari had said her peace and Asuka would discuss it with Shinji later: perhaps having another ally in the mystery would be beneficial.
Shinji and Hikari gawked and gazed as they entered the senior apartment. Located on the top floor of the Myojo dormitory, the living quarters was virtually indistinguishable from an actual apartment you could rent in downtown Tokyo.
Asuka led them in, giving a brief tour of the layout.
"Holy cow, Asuka, this is where you're staying?!" Hikari asked excitedly, spinning around and taking the room in. She rushed over to the window and looked out at the Tokyo skyline. "This is amazing!"
The redhead opened the refrigerator and removed a can of soda before kicking it shut with her heel, shrugging as she popped it open, "I'd rather be with the rest of the first-years. I don't like the special treatment."
"But you have a full kitchen!" Hikari had left the window and started looking over the appliances. "We can cook here and everything."
Shinji smiled at the thought of cooking for his friends, "That would be nice. If it's the same as before, the cafeteria food is awful."
"We'll need to go shopping," Asuka commented, sipping on her drink. "There isn't anything in there."
"We can go after school," Hikari suggested, now looking through the cupboards at the cookware. "We have everything we need but a rice cooker."
"I already bought one," a new girl spoke softly as she entered the apartment. "It's in my room, I just haven't opened it."
"It's, uh, Mayumi, right?" Asuka asked the girl who responded with a nod. "Shinji, Hikari: this is Mayumi, one of my roommates. She's a fourth-year, too."
"Hi, ever-" she tried to introduce herself before being interrupted.
"Of course she is," another voice spoke as the front door closed. "Unlike the Prinzessin, the rest of the students on the top four floors are fourth-years."
Asuka rolled her eyes as Mari entered the apartment, "And this treasure is my other roommate: Mari."
Turning her nose up at the two guests, Mari frowned slightly and walked deeper into the living room, "Oh great, there's more of them."
"What?" Hikari asked, her handshake offer rebuffed.
"Children."
"Knock it off, Mari," Mayumi chided her. "This apartment is just as much Asuka's as it is ours. She can have friends over, too."
Mari scoffed before taking her things into her room and slamming the door shut.
Bowing slightly and extending her hand, Mayumi started over, "I'm Mayumi Yamagishi. My apologies for Mari, she's not used to not being the center of attention."
Both Shinji then Hikari returned the gesture and introduced themselves, with Hikari continuing, "Is she famous or something?"
"No," the taller girl responded, adjusting her large, round glasses, "she's just been the golden girl around here for a long time."
"She's a golden bitch," Asuka mumbled, still sipping her soda against the kitchen table.
"Asuka!" Hikari scolded her. "She's your roommate, be nice."
Asuka sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Mayumi, do you think we could cook dinner for everyone tonight?" Hikari asked, attempting to make peace through her culinary prowess.
The raven-haired girl adjusted her glasses nervously, "I, uh, I don't know how to cook..."
"Shinji and I can help you, and we'll teach you some basics!"
Shinji smiled and nodded in agreement, "Anything to help out Asuka."
Said redhead rolled her eyes again, "Why don't you just trade me dorms while you're at it?"
"Asuka," Hikari smiled and turned towards the girl, "sometimes it's best to play with the cards you're dealt."
Asuka's eyes widened, "Since when do you know how to play cards?"
The pig-tailed brunette reddened slightly, "My mom owns a restaurant: there's a lot a kitchen staff can teach you."
Asuka laughed at the girl, "You're just full of surprises, Hikari."
"Thank you," she blushed before getting back on topic. "Let's make a grocery list for this week: I can't stomach more than a few more days of this cafeteria food."
The couple nodded when Asuka pulled her boyfriend aside, "Hey, Shinji, can I talk to you for a moment? In private?"
"Huh?" The request caught him off guard. "Yeah, okay."
Asuka led him into her bedroom and closed the door behind her. She turned to see him nervously looking around the room before rolling her eyes at him, too.
"Notice anything?"
Shinji's eyes darted around the room, unsure of whether to mention the bras spilling out of her suitcase when answering her incredibly open-ended question.
"Uhhh," he tried to buy time before noticing her unmade bed and box of feminine products on her dresser. I don't know what to say...
"This apartment's not the one from the vision."
"Oh thank goodness," Shinji exhaled heavily before catching Asuka's confused expression.
What is he...? she pondered for a moment before spotting a blue and white striped object hanging out of her suitcase. Asuka looked at Shinji and watched his eyes dart back to the undergarment before she flicked him on the forehead, "Oh grow up!"
"Ow!" Shinji recoiled and rubbed his forehead.
Stuffing the bra back into her bag, she turned and sat on the floor, leaning against her bed, "There's no balcony, and the layout is completely different."
Shinji tried to recall the apartment in their vision and nodded, "And it's not mine, either. It's nothing like it. And I doubt the girl's dorm is it," he mentioned Hikari, Mana, and Keita's dorm.
Asuka sighed, her head rolling back and resting against the side of her mattress, "The uniforms are wrong, the apartment's wrong, the classroom's wrong... what are we missing?"
"I don't know."
"Oh, and there's another mystery to add to the pile."
"What's that?" Shinji asked.
"I was accepted: I scored the highest in Academy history."
Shinji was stunned and silent, unable to vocalize his fear. Fortunately, Asuka did it for them both.
"Someone didn't want me here."
Song: "Sparkle (English Version)" by RADWIMPS
