PART I

ACT III

SCENE III

(A different part of the school. ASUKA and HIKARI sit together on a bench.)

HIKARI: With how much closer Toji and I have gotten I thought he would have told me about him being chosen to be an Eva pilot.

ASUKA: Hikari, that stooge… I mean, Toji… You know his sister in the hospital and I wouldn't be surprised if he is scared. Almost all of us get scared from time to time. Me, Shinji… I doubt Miss Perfect has ever been scared a day in her life.

HIKARI: I understand… Still wish he would have told me though… So, how have you been sleeping recently?

ASUKA: (Surprised.) What? W-What are you implying? Me and Shinji didn't get up to anything last—

HIKARI: No! Asuka, a few days ago you mentioned having the nightmare again… When you saw your mother.

ASUKA: I… Its… I don't know.

HIKARI: Did you tell, Shinji?

ASUKA: (Nods.) Yeah, I did. Ever since I first met Shinji ten years ago, I wonder what life would have been like if that had never happened… We both probably would have been komplettes durcheinander without each other. We both understand what it means to have lost our mothers and been abandoned by our fathers and he has nightmares too…

HIKARI: You never told me that before. What does he remember?

ASUKA: Less than I do… Maybe it is better that way… His nightmares always involve a giant shadow enveloping a woman he can only see from the back. I wish I was that lucky. Mine are always so vivid, seeing both my mother and that damn doll hanging from the ceiling…

HIKARI: What did he say when you told him?

ASUKA: At first nothing… The same as always. He stared at me with the same worried expression he always has in his eyes when I tell him… It is the same with me when he tells me that he's had his nightmares again. After that we sat down and talked about it like we always do. I'm glad that hasn't changed.

HIKARI: How long has it been like this? Did you tell him what had happened when you and him first met?

ASUKA: (Shakes her head.) No… We didn't talk about what had happened until we were ten, maybe eleven. When he asked what had happened to my mom, I just told him she had died… It was easier than to say that she had… (She closes her eyes for a moment before opening them again.) Shinji was pretty understanding.

(ENTER SHINJI, TOJI and KENSUKE.)

SHINJI: Yeah, I was. It can be difficult for kids to say how their parents died. Sometimes you just have to wait for when they are ready to. (He smiles at ASUKA and she smiles back at him while TOJI steps forward to speak with HIKARI, who stands and approaches him.)

TOJI: (Rubbing his neck nervously.) Uh… L-Look, H-H-Hikari, about me not telling—

HIKARI: (Places a finger on TOJI's lips and gives him an understanding smile.) It is alright, Toji. I understand… I just wish I hadn't heard about if from that vampire.

KENSUKE: (To SHINJI.) Both referring to the new guy as a vampire? Oh, yeah, they are definitely made for each other.

SHINJI: What would you call him then?

KENSUKE: I don't know… A demon?

ASUKA: Just curious, but did anyone else get a message from Wondergirl to not trust that guy?

SHINJI: I did!

TOJI: Yeah, what was up with that? Since when does she send messages during… (Realization sets in.) Oh, God!

KENSUKE: There really has to be something off about him if Rei Ayanami is warning people!

TOJI: Oh, my god! He really must be a vampire!

ASUKA: Will you stop, Suzuhara! There are no vampires!

TOJI: You don't know that! We fight against alien monsters called Angels! How long until the Vampires appear? (A look of horror appears on SHINJI'S countenance. He really does not want to spend his entire life fighting abominations from space.)

KENSUKE: Or the Demons!

HIKARI: That just sounds like a gang of delinquents.

ASUKA: (Changing the subject.) Uh, so, Aida, I hear you and Mana are going to the dance together. Good for you!

HIKARI: (Shocked.) You and Mana? Are you crazy? Kensuke, her and Musashi are probably going to get back together before the dance? What are you thinking?

TOJI: Hikari, we've talked about it already. Lets just leave it alone for now.

HIKARI: A-Alright, but I might know some girls that might be better for him.

ASUKA: (Walks over to SHINJI, still thinking about the possibility of spending his entire a life as an Eva pilot.) Hey… Are you okay?

SHINJI: N-Not really. (Exeunt.)