Chapter 8 - Understanding
An endless void enveloped Rei, pulling her into the depths of her mind. The silence around her was shattered by anguished voices, their haunting tones echoing endlessly.
It was her Eva.
"What... am I...?" It asked, the question whispering through the emptiness, it's voice fractured and heavy with despair.
Its source was a distant, glowing orb of light that glowed in contrast against the consuming darkness. "Who was I supposed to be... I can't remember..."
Desperation gripped Rei as she reached toward the light, her trembling hand stretching out. "Eva..." she cried, her voice cracking with sorrow.
"Please, forgive me... I should have never forced you out!" she murmured, her eyes squeezing shut as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I hesitated to use my power... I was afraid..."
The orb's light began to dim as the Eva's voice softened, thick with sorrow. "I'm... dying..."
"No! Don't say that!" Rei's voice wavered as her chest tightened, her heart pounding.
"Help me... help me understand what I am... who I was..." The voice trembled, its faint glow flickering erratically. Rei's breath hitched, her wide eyes shimmering with tears as the light dimmed further.
"I don't want to die without understanding... please!" Its plea resonated through the void, growing in intensity until it roared a deafening shout.
"TELL ME WHAT I AM!"
The force of the cry sent Rei crumpling inward, clutching her head as her body shook violently. Her knees drew to her chest as she choked out, "Stop... please, stop!"
"Tell me what I am... TELL ME WHAT I AM!"
"I DON'T KNOW!" she shouted, her voice breaking under the weight of anguish. "I don't even understand myself! How can I possibly understand you?"
The Eva's voice softened, taking on a resolute tone. "Neither of us truly understands who we are. Neither of us has... a true purpose."
The orb flickered weakly, its light struggling against the darkness. "I understand you... and you understand me..."
Rei's lips quivered as she hugged her legs tighter, whispering, "No... I know my purpose... I live for the Commander. He defines me," she said, the words trembling.
The light wavered along with a faint voice. "Rei... does that purpose make you happy? Do you truly understand why you're here? What you want?"
Her breath quickened, panic rising like a wave as she clutched her head tighter. "Stop! Why are you saying all this? I can't understand it! I can't understand you!"
The light flickered one last time before fading, swallowed by complete darkness as a faint voice drifted off, "I wanted you to be happy..."
"That's why I protected you..." The emptiness consumed it, the void collapsing into fragments as the dream shattered.
Rei jolted awake, gasping for air, the voice echoing faintly in her memory. She laid on a cold, metal bed, surrounded by thin white curtains that cast faint shadows across the room.
"Why..." she whispered softly. Bandages were wrapped around her chest and arms, blood seeping through the fabric.
Her hand rose to her forehead, eyes wide with unease. "I'm back here..." she murmured as she sat up, her gaze falling to her bandaged arm. "Too familiar..."
The haunting words of her Eva echoed in her mind, the question twisting through her thoughts. "Does my purpose... make me happy..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as her thoughts drifted to the Commander.
Memories of him surfaced, his kind voice, reminiscent of Shinji's. His warm smiles, the tea they shared, the comforting moments. She faintly smiled, a blush warming her cheeks.
"He makes me happy..." she murmered softly. "So I'll make him happy... by pleasing him with results..."
Suddenly, a violent cough tore through her chest, a splatter of blood landing on her trembling fingers as she wiped her mouth. Her breath hitched, her eyes darting down to her bloodied and bandaged chest.
"She's gone..." Rei whispered, panic rising. "She's not inside my body anymore! Where did she go?!" Her voice cracked, rising with desperation as she stumbled to her feet.
Pressing forward, she pulled the curtains with trembling hands.
Her frantic gaze fell on Commander Ikari. He was seated at a desk, working methodically, drawing blood from a vial with a syringe and inspecting it under a microscope.
Before him, an amber test tube housed a veiny, yellowish orb that pulsated brightly. "The blood is evolving..." Ikari murmured, his voice clinical. He turned slightly, noticing Rei standing frozen at the edge of the room.
"Ah, Rei. It appears you're awake," he said flatly. "Commander..." Rei huffed, struggling to steady her voice. "Where is my Eva?"
Ikari's eyes flicked back to the orb. "It's been extracted," he replied, his words sharp. "Frankly, its chances of survival are slim."
Rei's fists clenched, her mind racing with the Eva's desperate cries.
"I don't want to die without knowing... please!"
Her breath quivered as resolve hardened her expression. "C-Commander... what are the Eva?" she asked hesitantly.
Ikari turned to her, faintly smiling. "You needn't know that," he said firmly. "Your purpose is to act, not ask". Rei lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "Apologies..."
Ikari stepped closer, his tone softening as his hand brushed her cheek with gentleness. "Don't fear mistakes, Rei. Think of this as a correction. You've done well. I'm proud of you."
Her chest tightened as her head drooped down, tears nearly spilling. "B-But... Commander... It's my fault she's dying... I made her suffer..."
Ikari's voice broke cut through her sadness. "Rei. As long as you remain here, she won't suffer. If Shinji falters, that will be his burden."
"Commander Ikari..." she whispered softly as Ikari's gaze grew colder. "Failure from him is anticipated."
He paused, his faint smile returning. "If he requires assistance, you're permitted to act. For now, we resume tests."
"We'll have tea afterward. How does that sound?" Rei's gaze snapped upward, a slight blush coloring her cheeks as she nodded. "Yes... that sounds fine. Thank you."
Her Eva's words lingered in her mind, a warmth spreading through her chest. "Eva... This is what I want... he's the one who makes me happy."
"I know it for sure."
.
.
At Nerv HQ, tension simmered as Misato burst into the control room, her breath quick and her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
"...Apologies for being late. Any Angel sightings?" she called out, her voice cutting through the hum of machinery.
Before anyone could respond, Kaji and Ritsuko entered, their laughter breaking the quiet. "You're as sharp as ever, Kaji," Ritsuko chuckled as Kaji held an arm over her shoulder, grinning.
"Still a workaholic, huh? You should relax a little, wouldn't want your beautiful face wrinkling!"
Before he could finish, Misato cut through, veins bulging from her forehead as Ritsuko instinctively stepped aside. "Unbelievable!" she snapped, her voice sharp.
"We've got a job, Kaji, and here you are, slacking off!" she scolded, her cheeks flushing further as Kaji's amused smirk deepened.
"Relax, Misato. Jeez, you're so serious!" he teased, but before the tension could escalate, a commanding voice rang out from above.
"Enough."
From the high balcony, Fuyutsuki's gaze swept the room. His tone flat yet carried unmistakable authority.
"I expect all of you to focus on your duties. The commander isn't here to oversee you."
"Understood, sir," Misato and Ritsuko replied in sync, their demeanors shifting back to professional urgency.
Misato's gaze fell, her thoughts drifting off. "I just hope those tests aren't too harsh on Rei... the Eva has to atleast be salvageable..."
Ritsuko moved swiftly to the monitors, her eyes narrowing as she pointed at the screen. "There. Zoom in on that sector." The operators complied, their fingers flying across the keyboards.
As the image resolved, gasps echoed in the room. "No... no way," one of them stammered, his voice trembling. Misato and Kaji turned to the monitors, their expressions hardening.
"There's an Angel," an operator shouted. "It's moving swiftly toward the coast!" Misato clenched her fists, her voice edged with worry.
"This came at the worst time. With Rei, we could've intercepted sooner!"
Kaji stepped forward, his demeanor unshaken. "We've got Asuka now. If she can keep her focus, she'll handle this just fine!"
His calm words hung in the charged air as the screen displayed the looming threat, tension in the room escalating with every second.
.
.
Shinji and Asuka hurtled through the air in their transport pods, their transformed Eva forms glowing with bursts of green and red energy as they crashed onto a desolate street.
"Gah!" Shinji yelped, stumbling out of his pod in a clumsy heap, while Asuka landed flawlessly, smirking at his clumsiness. Without hesitation, the two broke into a sprint through the city streets.
"Hahaha! Time for another flawless victory from yours truly!" Asuka laughed, her cape flowing behind her as she darted ahead, Shinji struggling to keep up.
"The barricades are still down from the last attack!" Shinji shouted, his voice strained as he pushed forward. "We've gotta stop it before it reaches the shore!"
"Shut up! I know already! Quit nagging me!" Asuka snapped, her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of the highway up ahead. A mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Time to have a little fun."
She vaulted onto the empty highway with effortless grace, leaping over abandoned cars as the shoreline drew closer. Shinji's frustration bubbled as he watched her pull ahead.
"That idiot thinks she can handle everything herself!" he muttered, surging forward with a burst of green energy that propelled him onto the highway alongside her.
Asuka glanced back at him, her tone mocking.
"Hah! Already out of breath? The fight hasn't even started!" she teased, her monstrous, snake-like tongue flicking out as her laughter rang through the chaos.
Shinji's pupilless eyes flared with irritation. "I wouldn't be if you weren't so selfish!" he huffed, trying to match her pace.
"Just try to keep up!" Asuka taunted, her monstrous grin widening as she launched herself ahead.
The two skidded to a halt at the shoreline, huffing as they stared out at the vast expanse of water. "This is it?" Shinji muttered, doubt lacing his voice. "I don't see—"
"Look at this, Shinji!" Asuka interrupted gleefully, summoning a pulsating red blade of energy into her hand. "I'm a samurai!"
"You wish you could do this!" she boasted, spinning the blade with exaggerated flair. "Asuka, stop!" Shinji snapped, his eyes fixed on the water. "The Angel's out there!"
Before she could retort, the ocean erupted in a massive explosion of water. A large, lanky Angel emerged, its towering form casting a shadow that swallowed the shoreline.
Its skeletal frame gleamed under the sun, its wing-like arms unfurling menacingly. Bulging red eyes glared, one embedded in its twisted torso encased in skeletal remains, another fixed at the center of its grotesque face.
"GYAAAAAH!" Asuka shrieked, shielding her face as seawater drenched them. She turned to Shinji, jabbing a finger at him. "You jinxed it, you twat! This is your fault!"
"Just for that, I'm not helping you," Shinji quipped, his voice flat as the Angel let out a deafening roar.
A shockwave blasted across the shore, sending waves crashing over them with unrelenting force as they were pulled into the ocean, disoriented as the monstrous shadow loomed closer.
The battle had begun.
Shinji and Asuka struggled to rise as waves battered them relentlessly, each attempt to stand thwarted by the current's force.
"Grrrggg!" Shinji sputtered as seawater filled his mouth, the force keeping him off balance. Asuka, meanwhile, sprang into the air, escaping the waters below.
The Angel unleashed a shockwave with its wing-like arms, sending Asuka flying off course. She skidded on the shoreline, feet digging into the sand.
"Annoying whale!" she huffed, narrowing her eyes with exhilaration. "I've got something for you!"
In the water, Shinji flailed helplessly as Asuka dashed past him, red energy surging beneath her feet, propelling her effortlessly across the waves.
"You're walking on water? How?!" Shinji yelled, his disbelief cutting through his frustration.
"Jealous?" Asuka giggled as she darted gracefully across the surface, dodging the Angel's rippling shockwaves with effortless somersaults.
Her movements were precise, carrying her closer to the towering creature. "Too easy!" she giggled, spinning mid-air. "You're nothing without your little ocean!"
Summoning her energy sword, she lunged upward, positioned to strike. The Angel retaliated with another shockwave, its force grazing her leg, drawing blood.
Asuka winced but shrugged off the pain. With a ferocious slash, her blade cleaved through the Angel, splitting it cleanly in two.
"Got it!" she roared, turning to Shinji, who floated awkwardly nearby. "H-How does she do that...?" he muttered, still struggling to keep his footing.
Asuka smirked smugly. "Hehe, look at you! Flailing like a drowning bum!" But Shinji's eyes widened in alarm. He pointed frantically. "It's still alive!"
"Are you stupid? I killed it!" Asuka snapped, her confidence wavering as the Angel's grotesque limbs snapped into place, its body reforming with a sickening crack.
The creature lashed out, grabbing Asuka and hurling her directly into Shinji. The two collided with a violent splash, tumbling beneath the waves.
"Love how you smashed into me..." Shinji growled, spitting out seawater as he tried to regain footing.
Asuka scoffed, rubbing her shoulder. "If you weren't flailing like a loser, I wouldn't have hit you, idiot!"
Suddenly, another shockwave barreled toward them, roaring across the water. "Channel it into your feet!" Asuka shouted.
But Shinji couldn't react before the blast slammed into them, sending them tumbling again. Shinji found himself clinging to Asuka's back as she sprinted across the water.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Asuka screeched, twisting in an attempt to shake him off.
"How else am I supposed to keep up?!" Shinji shouted as he bit into her exoskeleton with his sharp teeth to avoid falling.
"OW! Let go, you moron!" Asuka screamed, charging toward the Angel as Shinji clung tighter. Energy surged through Shinji's arm as he raised it, unleashing bursts of green blasts.
The Angel twisted and weaved, its movements bringing it closer with each lunge.
"Ah, crap!" Asuka yelped, in a panic. Instinctively, Shinji bit down harder. Enraged, Asuka retaliated, sinking her teeth into his arms.
"YAAAAAH!" The sudden jolt of shared pain caused their energy to surge uncontrollably as they screamed, triggering a synchronized shockwave that erupted outward.
The shockwave struck the Angel, consuming it in a blinding explosion that rattled the air.
When the blast subsided, Shinji and Asuka, now back in human form, floated silently in the water. The glow of the destroyed Angel faded into the horizon.
"It's gone..." Shinji murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of waves. Asuka let out a heavy sigh. "We did it... barely."
Groaning, she glared at Shinji. "Next time, keep your teeth to yourself, idiot!"
Without missing a beat, Shinji quipped, his voice steady. "How about next time you shut your mouth! Might work better..."
Asuka rolled her eyes, muttering curses under her breath as the two trudged back toward the shoreline.
.
.
Shinji and Asuka stood stiffly in the control room, avoiding the gazes of everyone present as the silence was abruptly broken by Ritsuko's sharp tone.
"You outnumbered it. A level-two threat. And yet, you struggled?" Misato sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I'll take responsibility... we didn't plan ahead."
Fuyutsuki observed from above with a calculating glare. "Tsk." His voice carried across the room, low yet firm. "The Commander won't be pleased..."
Shinji gripped his head, shame washing over him. "I hope he doesn't find out..."
Ritsuko turned her attention back to the pair, her expression sharp. "You were too busy squabbling like children! Do you even realize the weight of your responsibility?"
Sweat formed on their brows under her glare. Asuka offered a weak, nervous smile. "W-We still beat it though... right?"
Ritsuko's ice cold stare snuffed out her smile. "You're dismissed," she said flatly.
As they shuffled out, Ritsuko slumped into her chair with a sigh, her frustration palpable. "They've got to do better... seriously."
Misato approached her with a warm, reassuring smile. "They're kids, Ritsuko. Synchronization training will help them figure this out. It just takes time."
Her gaze grew thoughtful as she added, "Kaji's already set up their combat drills. Hopefully, that'll smooth out their flaws."
At the mention of his name, a faint flush crept over Ritsuko's cheeks. "Where is he, anyway?" she muttered, feigning nonchalance. Misato narrowed her eyes at her in suspicion.
Asuka's voice thundered down the hallway. "I'm fed up!"
Startled, Shinji recoiled slightly, crossing his arms in defense. "With being a loudmouth? Congratulations on your recovery..." he muttered sarcastically.
"Shut up!" Asuka snapped, jabbing a finger at him, her eyes blazing. "You were dead weight out there! What the hell were you thinking, clinging to me like that?"
Shinji exhaled deeply, his tone flat. "Maybe because you charged in like an idiot without a plan. What'd you expect me to do?"
He smirked faintly, his voice sharpening. "And let's be real, if I hadn't bit you, we'd probably be dead."
Asuka's face grew crimson with fury. "Oh, sure! Because biting me like a damn dog totally saved us!" she retorted.
Her fists clenched, trembling with anger. "That's it, imma teach you a lesson!" Shinji turned to face her, chuckling. "Go ahead, try. I'll just trip you again and—"
Before he could finish, Asuka stuck out her foot, sending him crashing to the ground with a loud thud.
CRASH!
"Laughing about catching me off guard is pathetic," Asuka sneered, flipping her hair back with confidence. "Too bad for you."
Shinji groaned as he scrambled to his feet. Before he could retaliate, approaching footsteps caught their attention.
Turning the corner, Kaji appeared with his usual relaxed demeanor. "Mr. Kaji!" Asuka's voice brightened, her attitude fading as she ran toward him with an eager smile.
Shinji grimaced, brushing off the dust on his clothes. He glanced at Asuka, now looking sweetly at Kaji. "She changes so quickly..."
Kaji greeted them with a casual wave before his expression grew serious. "You two," he began, his tone calm yet firm. "The equipment has arrived. Training starts in a few hours."
"We're training with you for real?!" Asuka asked, her excitement bubbling over.
Her enthusiasm dimmed slightly as Kaji scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Though... your performance today was less than stellar."
The duo tensed, glaring at eachother. "Your fault!" they snapped in unison.
Kaji's tone carried a weight of expectation. "We need to maximize your training before the next Angel attack. Come prepared, I expect better."
His gaze softened slightly as he added, "With effort, you can make up for this."
Shinji stared at the ground, his fists clenching. "I've got to redeem myself... I won't let her overshadow me..." The hallway fell quiet, the gravity of Kaji's words settling over them as they prepared for what lay ahead.
.
.
Shinji stepped through the apartment door, his eyes drawn to a stack of unfamiliar boxes piled in the corner of the room.
"Who are these for...?" he muttered, curiosity urging him closer. He leaned over, squinting to make out the labels. "For... Asuka?!" he yelped, his voice cracking in disbelief.
"YAAAAAH!" A loud shout rang out from the hall, unmistakably coming from his room.
"Oh no..." Shinji whispered, his heart sinking as he sprinted toward the source of the noise. Sliding the door open, he froze in horror.
His bed—gone. His belongings haphazardly shoved into boxes.
And there was Asuka, her face flushed crimson, crouched on the floor with a stack of dirty magazines scattered in front of her.
"No..." Shinji thought, his stomach dropping as his mouth fell open.
"H-He's reading stuff like this?" Asuka stammered, flipping rapidly through the pages, her voice climbing higher. "Oh my god! It's so... detailed!"
She set the magazine down, her eyes snapping to Shinji, who stood frozen and horrified. "YAAAAH! IT'S THE PERV!" she screamed, hurling a magazine at him.
The magazine slapped against Shinji's face, sliding to the ground. He remained motionless, staring at her in shock. "Oh crap..." he murmured.
Asuka's grin widened with mischievousness. "Geez, I thought you were innocent, but here you are reading magazines of girls in their undies! Have you no shame?"
Before he could respond, Asuka scooped up a handful of magazines and bolted toward the door. "DON'T!" Shinji yelled, blocking her path frantically.
"Why should I listen to you, pervy boy?" Asuka retorted, trying to push past him as he desperately held his ground. "Accept your fate!"
"You've already destroyed my room! Just don't tell Misato!" he pleaded as he wrestled with her, each gripping the stack of magazines.
"Fine," Asuka huffed, finally letting go. She smirked, dropping the magazines to the floor. "But we're burning all this crap!"
Shinji, panicked, quickly kneeled to inspect the pile, rifling through his things. "You better not have touched anything else! Like my headphones!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Asuka muttered as she slid the door back and forth dramatically. "Stupid doors don't even have locks..."
She glanced over her shoulder, smirking as Shinji frantically sorted through his boxes with urgency.
Later, the three sat around the dinner table, Misato amusing herself feeding treats to Pen Pen, who snapped them up with enthusiastic clacks of his beak.
"WHAT?!" The shock of Asuka's voice reverberated through the room. "No way I'm sleeping in the same room as this..."
"...Pervert," she added in a venomous whisper, sharply glancing at Shinji, whose face flushed red as he stared into his plate.
Misato, set down her drink, speaking firmly. "Sadly, without this training, you two just won't reach optimal efficiency." Sweat formed on Asuka's forehead as she stammered,
"R-Really?"
Misato nodded calmly. "We've planned this out, you'll focus on synchronization training here, Kaji will handle your combat drills."
Shinji and Asuka exchanged uneasy glances before turning back to Misato, their expressions mirrored.
"S-Synchronization? Does that mean—" Asuka started, Misato cutting her off with a sly grin. "Yep. You'll be doing everything in sync."
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as her heavy words settled over them. Then, both Shinji and Asuka erupted at once, their voices filling the apartment.
"WHAAAAT?!"
.
.
Hours later, Shinji and Asuka stood in tense silence in the empty training room, the stale air pressing heavily around them.
The quiet was interrupted by the sound of wheels scraping against the floor as Kaji entered.
"Mr. Kaji! Good morning!" Asuka called out, her voice cheerful as she waved enthusiastically, her greeting echoing.
Kaji returned her wave with a grin, wiping sweat from his brow. "Hah, that was a workout!" he quipped, nodding toward the heavy box.
Shinji tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "What's in there? Why's it so heavy?" With a chuckle, Kaji gestured toward the box. "Why don't you open it and find out?"
Before Shinji could act, Asuka darted forward, nearly pouncing on the box. "An early gift? Don't mind if I do!" she giggled, tearing into the packaging while Shinji cautiously leaned over to peer inside.
She pulled out the contents and set them neatly on the floor: two wrist braces and a pair of headpieces one red and one white.
"Huh? They sounded heavier earlier," Asuka muttered, inspecting the lightweight objects.
Kaji shrugged. "They dematerialized during transport. Had I known, I wouldn't have nearly broken my back wheeling them in."
Shinji furrowed his brows, studying the equipment. "Wait... are these the combat suits you mentioned?"
"Idiot—" Asuka rolled her eyes, but Kaji nodded. "Exactly. Once you activate the braces, the suits materialize." Asuka's cheeks flushed faintly, her bravado faltering. "Oh..."
Later, both pilots strapped on their wrist braces and donned the headpieces, their arms hooked up to monitors displaying streams of data.
Asuka tapped the headpiece curiously. "What are these things supposed to do?"
"They siphon your Eva's energy directly into the suit, enhancing your physical capabilities," Kaji explained, pointing to the controls. "Now, press the—"
Before he could finish, Asuka grinned mischievously and darted behind Shinji, slamming his button without warning.
A brilliant light engulfed Shinji as the suit materialized over his body, sending him to the ground.
THUD!
The black and blue tightsuit, encased with gleaming white armor across the chest and shoulders, shimmered under the lights as Kaji muttered, finishing with a faint, "...Button."
"Gah! I knew sacrificing him was worth it!" Asuka recoiled slightly as Shinji's monitor lit up with a glaring 'Energy Current: 0%'
Kaji scratched his head, his expression puzzled. "The suits require energy," he muttered, watching Shinji struggle against the oppressive weight.
"Without it, they're more burden than benefit." Shinji bolted upright, gritting his teeth as he lunged for Asuka's button in retaliation.
"Hey! What are you—AHH!" Asuka's scream echoed as her suit materialized, pulling her to the floor alongside him.
CRASH!
Her sleek red tightsuit, streaked with black stripes down the arms, gleamed ominously as her monitor blinked to life. 'Energy Current: 0%'
Kaji's calm faltered as sweat rolled down his throat. "Thought they'd have it under control by now..." he muttered, watching the chaos unfold.
"SHINJI! YOU IDIOT! NOW WE'RE BOTH SCREWED!" Asuka yelled, her voice strained as she suffered under the suit's weight.
"You started it..." Shinji murmered as he clung to the ground, his eyes squeezed shut. Kaji sighed deeply, shaking his head. "This... isn't ideal."
"Mr. Kaji... help..." Shinji groaned, his voice faint and strained. "HELP! HELP! HELP!" Asuka shrieked repeatedly, her cries growing more frantic.
"Alright, alright! I'm coming!" Kaji's voice boomed as he strode forward, steeling himself for the ordeal ahead.
His shoulders sagged slightly as he muttered under his breath, "Why do I even bother?"
.
.
Back at the apartment, Misato sat at the table, grinning wide as she leaned forward eagerly. "So... how'd training with Kaji go?"
"Terrible," Shinji muttered, glaring at Asuka, pointing a finger. "She ruined everything!" Asuka immediately fumbled for an excuse.
"Quit whining! I was trying to help, okay?" she snapped. Misato chuckled, looking down at Pen Pen nestled comfortably in her lap. "You two'll figure it out soon enough, right Pen?"
"Squawk!" Pen Pen screeched, Asuka giggling as Shinji flinched in surprise.
Misato's grin widened mischievously. "Now comes the fun part, synchronization training!" she announced excitedly.
Asuka's jaw clenched while Shinji glanced away, cheeks bright red. Misato pointed at their earpieces, casually sipping her beer.
"You'll use these to communicate telepathically," she explained. "This'll strengthen your individual sync waves and help you work together better in battle."
The two exchanged wary looks before Shinji narrowed his eyes at Asuka, whispering, "You better not go snooping in my thoughts."
"Ew, like I'd want to!" Asuka giggled, smirking as Shinji's blush deepened. "I already know what's on your mind, perv."
"S-Stop! Those things weren't mine!" Shinji protested, his voice cracking.
"Sure they weren't," Asuka scoffed, her eyes narrowing in accusation. "They're not!" Shinji snapped, his voice rising.
Misato tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Uh, is there a problem?" she asked. Before Shinji could respond, Asuka cut in with a smug grin. "Well, y'see, Shinji over here—"
"NOPE!" Shinji yelped, lunging toward her. He placed a hand firmly over her mouth, muffling her words as panic flashed across his face.
"Me and Asuka are a little tired so we're heading to bed now, BYE!" he blurted quickly, dragging Asuka toward their shared room.
Asuka's muffled protests faded as they disappeared down the hall. Misato watched them go, raising an eyebrow as she took another sip of her beer. Setting the bottle down, she smiled thoughtfully.
"Looks like they're warming up to each other faster than I expected..."
.
.
Moments later, Shinji's room was dimly lit, bathed in a soft glow as moonlight streamed through the curtains.
"Alright, listen up!" Asuka barked, standing tall with her hands on her hips. "Since we're stuck sleeping in the same room, pervy boy, there are rules!"
Shinji gave a deadpan look, his tone flat. "Okay... not like I'd do anything anyway."
Without another word, Asuka stormed out of the room, returning moments later, dragging a long blanket behind her.
She placed it onto the floor between their futons, rolling it into a thin barrier.
"This is the line," she declared, pointing firmly at the makeshift boundary. "If you so much as touch it, you're dead!"
Shinji opened his mouth, but before he spoke, Asuka's eyes narrowed, hissing menacingly. "And I better not catch you sneaking peeks at those disgusting magazines or I'm telling Misato!"
"Fine..." Shinji muttered, shoulders slumped in defeat. A grin spread across Asuka's face, clapping Shinji on the back, causing him to flinch.
"Glad you understand!" she chattered, her tone triumphant.
Later, Shinji and Asuka lay on their futons, staring up at the ceiling as the stillness of the night settled over the room. The silence between them grew heavy, almost suffocating.
"Shinji," Asuka murmered, her tone unexpectedly serious. He shifted slightly, glancing toward her as their eyes briefly met. "Yeah?"
"I've been... meaning to ask you something." She hesitated, her confidence faltering. "What is it?" he asked curiously.
Asuka's gaze softened, her voice low. "Your father... Misato told me about him when I moved in. Is he really like that?"
Shinji's expression darkened, his gaze landing on the ceiling. "Yeah," he murmured. "I just... I want to prove myself to him. So he can finally say he's proud of me."
Asuka shifted, gripping her blanket tightly as she stared at the ceiling. "I kinda get that..." she whispered. Shinji turned toward her, his brow furrowed in curiosity. "How?"
She sighed, gripping it tighter. "It's not like I care about not having a father... but..." Shinji's eyes grew soft with empathy as she took a breath.
"It's about proving myself," Asuka admitted, her voice resolute. "I want to be perfect... so everyone will be proud of me. So I can kill all the Angels."
Shinji blinked, stunned by her honesty as a giggle escaped him, scratching his head. "What's so funny?" Asuka asked, her brow furrowing.
"We were just arguing earlier," Shinji giggled as Asuka grinned back. "Oh... well I guess you're easy to talk to... as hard as it is for me to admit."
Her gaze shifted away as she added in a quieter tone, "You... you have a sweet voice." Shinji's face flushed red, turning away. "M-Maybe we should, change the subject."
"Like... why were you fighting those guys in the alley, anyway?"
"Oh, them?" Asuka smirked, her confidence returning. "I wagered one in an arcade game. When I beat him, he wouldn't pay the 2000 yen, So I got mad."
Shinji's mouth fell open, his expression surprised as Asuka teased, laughing lightly. "What, shocked I'm a girl who's good at video games?"
"K-Kinda..." Shinji muttered, his gaze thoughtful as his eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey, wanna play tomorrow? We've got tons of games!"
Asuka's smirk widened as she pumped a fist into the air. "Sure. But I'll probably beat you."
Shinji laughed softly, grinning. "Maybe you're not as annoying as I thought..." Asuka quipped back, a playful glint in her eyes. "And maybe... you're not as stupid, pervy boy!"
The two bumped fists, their laughter echoing and spilling into the stillness of the night. As the moment lingered, Shinji's thoughts wandered.
"She's a bit like me..." he mused, faintly smiling. "Maybe that's not so bad."