As Shinji stood outside the door, he felt intimidated to no end.
He hadn't seen or talked to Misato in over two months. This wasn't how he wanted their first conversation in a while to be like, but it was what it was. He fetched his clothes from Asuka's room, taking as much time as possible to put them on and make his way back to his quarters. Shinji swallowed a lump in his throat, not eager to face his guardian but not having much of a choice in the matter.
"I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away…"
Shinji repeated his mantra as many times as possible. He tried to summon all the courage he possibly could, but the Angels couldn't hold a candle to the woman who so meticulously planned for their demise and won every time. Shinji knew that the moment he stepped into the door, reality would set in and he'd own up to the consequences of his actions.
Misato knew. She knew what he did with her underwear and was probably angry at him, if her text served as an indication. There was no doubt in Shinji's mind, she had to be hating him right now, and rightfully so. She finally got to see him for what he was, a spineless worthless coward who inevitably betrayed her trust. He might as well run away now, for all the good that would do.
But Shinji knew that so long as he was at NERV it would only be a matter of time before Misato found him and read him the riot act. He was going to have to see her at some point, might as well get it over and done with. She wasn't going to back down, he wasn't going to do so either. He had to confront his guardian, and he had to confront himself.
Besides, he owed her a much since he came here. The least he could do was face her like a man as she would put it.
With that in mind, Shinji placed his hand on the door knob. He trembled in fear, as Shinji slowly twisted the knob to the right.
click
He opened the door. Shinji was greeted with the sight of the sunset's crimson rays lighting the entire room. His dreams came to mind, the visage being incredibly similar to the orange backdrop outside the train he sat on during nightmares. It was only fitting that he'd receive a similar sight here, as he walked straight into a hell of his own making. Shinji closed the door behind him.
"M-Miss Misato? I'm home!"
He called out. He hoped, foolishly of course, that perhaps she was somewhere else. Maybe she was busy with something. Maybe he had time to think of what he could say to her-
"I'm here. Come in."
His hopes were dashed as soon as they came. Shinji approached the living room with caution, unsure of what awaited him.
Obviously, he found Misato first. She sat comfortably on the sofa, clearly having waited for him quite a while. She was clad in her yellow tank top- Shinji's eyes briefly glanced at the valley between her breasts before looking at her face again- and blue shorts, her hair wrapped in a pony tail with strands over her ears. She trained a cool glare at him, holding the panties with her right hand. He kept his head low, losing his nerve right away.
"M- Misato…"
"Shinji."
"…"
"I need you to look at me when I'm talking to you, do you understand?"
"…"
"Do it now. Please."
Shinji lifted his neck. Misato's disappointed scowl was still on him, and it took all he had to not bolt right then and there. He weakly smiled.
"Hello."
"Hey."
"…"
"You're all sweaty. Were you out today?"
He looked at himself. Shinji could see his salmon shirt beginning to show damp spots. He cursed the prison uniform Asuka forced him into for making him like this.
"Y- Yeah. I was with Asuka." He stammered his explanation, not used to being on the back foot with his guardian. "We were at the carnival. We went on a lot of rides. I kind of vomited over a rollercoaster, actually."
"How sweet." Misato shook her head. "So I guess you didn't see your mom?"
"Oh, I did!" Shinji nodded his head vigorously. "We did. It was… nice to bring Asuka along. When she isn't insulting me, she was surprisingly good company."
At this, Misato looked over Shinji. She nodded her head.
"You must be tired, right? Take a seat."
She patted at a spot next to her on the sofa. Shinji understandably hesitated to join her.
"I can, um, stand here if that's okay with you."
"It's fine, Shinji. Please sit."
"But-"
"Do as I say, Shinji."
No suffix attached to his name. Shinji's shoulders sagged as he took took his place next to Misato. He couldn't look at her, ashamed of himself.
"Well. You know what you did,"
"…"
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
"…"
"Shinji, this isn't going to be any easier for me than it will be for you. Just answer the question, okay? What do you have to say for yourself?"
"… I'm sorry."
"Yes, you should be." Misato sighed. "Why did you do it?"
"I don't want to say."
"Why, Shinji?"
"…"
"Shinji!"
"I already said sorry, isn't that enough?"
He isn't getting it, Misato thought with a growing anger. "Shinji, we have to talk about this, and we need to do it now. If we're can figure what to do next we have to be honest and open with one another. Do you get me?"
We? Shinji bared his teeth at the word..
"I don't know what you mean. You're my guardian, you make all the decisions don't you?"
He could feel the way Misato's eyes narrowed.
"I don't like your tone, Shinji."
"I don't like this either. I hate it!"
"Shinji!"
"You already made up your mind, haven't you?!" He almost yelled, to his own surprise. "You never talked to me before, why start now?!"
He felt an intake of breath. Misato was struggling to be patient, it seemed.
"I know what I did wrong. That's why I'm here now, so we can hold a conversation. A real one. I can't do that if you shut me out like you're doing it now."
"Good. I don't want to talk to you."
"Shinji, please. You're being difficult-"
"And you're treating me like Father did!" Shinji shook his head. "Go ahead, hate me if you want to! Everyone does!"
Misato grabbed his shoulder, forcing him to her direction. He still looked away, much to her disdain.
"Shinji, I didn't ditch you. I had a lot of stuff to juggle and-"
"I wasn't a priority, I get it! I'm only important because I'm a pilot, nothing else! Stop pretending you care about me!"
"I do care about you! You're not even giving me a chance to explain!"
"What is there to say?! I'm the burden here, you only tolerate me because I take your orders but when I want something you ran away! What did I do to deserve this?!"
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You're right, I'm sorry. Please talk to me,"
"I- If I'm right then why? Why did you- " Shinji swallowed spit. "Why did you leave me alone? I thought you understood me, that we were the same but you just left me behind like he did! You hate me, I know you do! You're not like me, you wouldn't understand!"
Misato realized he was looping everything back around to himself, martyring to avoid shame. She decided to switch her plan of attack, holding up her underwear.
"Is that why you used my panties then?" Misato unable to keep her tone even. "'Because you felt lonely?! So what if I'm not you! It doesn't give you the right to use my underwear for yourself, mister!"
Shinji said nothing. She huffed, grabbing his chin to force him to see her.
"Shinji, this isn't right for you to do, you understand that right? I saw the picture in your bed, you were thinking of me weren't you? Do you know how disgusted I am? Do you have any shame, not thinking at all about how I feel?!"
"…"
"Well, do you?"
"I mean, it's not like you have any shame."
Misato scowled at him. "Excuse me?!"
Shinji had enough of her moralizing. He wasn't going to take this from her, not when Misato betrayed him first.
"You walk around the house in those clothes, pushing yourself against me like I'm a pillow! You're always teasing me, never leaving me alone, why act so surprised when I think about you? You're just as much to blame!"
"Well, I didn't expect you to jerk off to me, you know that don't you? You understand that all I wanted to do was make you feel better right? I wasn't serious at all!"
"Well, I didn't feel better! I was weirded out and uncomfortable and it was creepy and I was worried you were going to- to touch me or something! That picture, do you just putting yourself out for any pilot?! Did you do that to Asuka?! Ayanami?! Were you ever serious about me at all?!"
She couldn't control herself. Misato slapped him across the face. He upset her, she needed him to understand how much that hurt. She had to make him understand.
So shocked from her actions, Shinji's fight or flight instinct kicked in. He tried to leave the sofa only to trip and fall to the floor. While he was down, Misato moved to his side. She crawled on all fours to tower over him, trapping his legs between her own while placing her hands on opposite sides of his head. She didn't want him to sneak back to his room this time.
There won't be any escape for Shinji until he saw her truth.
"Listen to me you little shit and listen well! I'm sorry I left you alone. Really, I am. I didn't want to hurt you, but that's what I did and I promise I'll make it up to you. But I hate your attitude and nothing about what you did was okay. You can't just barge into other people's places, jack off to their panties and use them like this! If I was anyone else, hearing what you said, I'd send you to your own room or even personally lick the stamps sending you back to your teacher! Anyone else would have you expelled from NERV for your behavior, you understand!?"
Shinji looked away. Irritated at his defiance, Misato grabbed the sides of his head with her hands, digging her nails into his skin just enough to make him wince. She wanted his complete cooperation.
"I repeat, do you understand?!"
"M-Misato, you're hurting me!"
She ignored his cries. Even when he tried to push her off of him, all she did was grab his hands and force them down. She felt a surge of power flow through her, some twisted part of her enjoying the meager fight Shinji put on. The best he could do was to not look at her. It didn't matter, he can hear her just fine.
"One last time, Shinji. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
Shinji shook at her yelling. She had never taken that tone with him even once since he arrived at Tokyo-3. He tried to force his way out, but she was far stronger than him. Being older and better trained meant there was nothing he could do to fight back. He was completely at her mercy. Shinji felt tears pouring down his eyes.
"Y-Yes Ma'am!"
"Yes, what?"
"I- I understand! I'm sorry, I won't do it again I promise!"
"Really? I don't believe you. Look at me and tell me the truth, from your own mouth."
"Please…"
"Remember what I told you. You mustn't run away. You're doing that right now by refusing to look at me. So out with me, say you're sorry. Now."
At her prompting, Shinji finally did so. Her cold gaze, so clearly disappointed and hurt, made him lose it. He closed his eyes as he cried.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I swear I'll never do it again! Please let me go! You're hurting me, I won't do it again I promise!"
Finally getting a good look at his frightened, tear-stricken face, Misato's face immediately softened. She was made acutely aware of the pain she was inflicting on him. Because of that, she let go of her grip, letting him move away so he could catch a moment to breathe. He huddled to himself, crying and mumbling apologies to the air. Misato placed a hand on his back, rubbing it soothingly up and down.
"Shhhhhh, it's okay…"
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
"It's fine, Shinji. Really."
Misato let him continue like this for several more minutes, letting him break down in front of her. Afterward, she sat him back on the couch, holding the left side of his head to kiss him softly.
"Hey, it's okay." She told him. "I'm not going to punish you."
Shinji's still crying eyes opened at that, at once finding that claim less than believable yet desperate to hope she didn't really hate him.
"Y-You're not?"
"No, I won't." Misato shook her head. "But at this point, we're clearly going to have to make some changes. That's why I want to talk about our situation. You up for that?"
He wasn't, but Shinji felt he didn't have much of a choice. He nodded, trying his best to dry his eyes so he could hear her out properly.
"Hmhm…"
"I've been avoiding you for while. That's hurt me as much as it hurt you, and it hasn't helped at all. I say we start with there. We won't hide our feelings from each other after all."
Shinji was confused by this. "What do you mean, Misato?"
"…"
She looked away. To his confusion, she seemed to be trembling. Why? She wasn't afraid of him, was she?
"Miss Misato?"
In a second, Misato turned her head sharply. All the fear Shinji suspected seemed to vanish into thin air, as her face hardened.
"Shinji. I'm going to make a proposition to you. And I want you to really think about it."
"…"
"Shinji?"
"Um, yes ma'am."
"Okay. We've been having issues communicating lately and that's because we haven't been honest with each other. So I want to ask you…"
Misato's eyes widened slightly, gaining an innocent look not unlike what Shinji saw back in the hot springs.
"Do you love me, Shinji? Did you mean what you said?"
"… I do." Shinji couldn't lie to her. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have said it, but that's how I really feel. You've done so much for me and- and when I thought of you all I can think about was how beautiful you are, how amazing you are, how nice and kind you've been to someone like me, and how you've given me so much more than anyone else ever had. I don't think I've ever felt welcomed the way you made me and... and I just had to tell you that, even you didn't feel the same."
He sighed.
"I'm sorry again."
"Don't apologize, Shinji. You can always tell me how you feel."
"R-really?" He was surprised to hear. "But I thought you hated me for saying that?"
Misato was shocked at his statement. "W-why would you think that?"
"You were avoiding me after I said those words. I thought I… I thought you hated me."
"No! No, God no." Misato violently shook her head. "I really fucked this up didn't I?" She laughed bitterly. "No, I wasn't disgusted. What you said made me happy. Really happy. That was the problem. I got confused and scared, all because…"
Misato moved her hands to hold his cheeks. Shinji winced slightly, only to spot the fear growing in her eyes. He allowed her touch, as he heard her say:
"… because I love you too."
He gasped upon hearing those words, the ones he wanted to hear from someone for so long, from the one person he desperately wanted the approval of. She came out and outright said them, raising his opinion of her ever more.
"Y-You mean it?"
"Yes. Always. Far too much for my own good even. The reason I stayed away from you was because…" She took a breath. "I'm not used to love, not like what you've given me. The moment a man got close, I'd run away to protect my feelings. I did that with Kaji, I almost did it with you, but I realize now that I can't keep doing that. You deserve my best and you're going to get it."
He opened and closed his mouth, unable to comprehend what he was hearing.
"I… I can't believe this."
"Neither can I. But it's like I told you, you mustn't run away. I'm going to take my own advice and do the same, are you?"
He was, deciding to respond using those words as well.
"I mustn't run away."
"Exactly." Misato nodded. "No more running. I love you. You love me. I think the two of us can and should try to make each other happy. Do you believe that can happen?"
"You already did, I think." Shinji said honestly. "I've never felt happier than when I'm with you. Always did."
"Good. Then…" Misato bit her lip. The moment of truth. "Would you… like to… be my boyfriend?"
Shinji gasped again. "Really?!"
Misato flushed. She felt like a school girl at the moment, unable to keep her eyes on her crush as she continued:
"We can't tell anyone about what we're doing, you probably know that. If anyone finds out, like the Commander or Ritsuko, or even Asuka, they'll rip us apart and punish me for wrongdoing. They can never know."
"I won't let that happen." He made sure to say. "I don't want you to get hurt."
His words made her smile. "I- I don't want you to get hurt either. So I'll ask you again, do you think I can make you happy?"
"… well… do I make you happy?"
He was glad to see Misato nodded without a hint of hesitation.
"Yes." She said. "More than anyone else ever has. I guess that's your answer then?"
Shinji nodded. "I guess so."
"Good."
She caressed his cheeks again, delighted to finally get her feelings out, enjoying being able to touch her Shinji this way after denying herself for so long. Misato didn't care about anything else., she wanted him, feeling happy that he felt the same about her. She leaned in.
"Shinji."
"Yes?"
"You don't mind if I… kiss you, do you?"
"N-No…"
Misato chuckled. "I guess we did cross that threshold a while ago, didn't we?"
Without a moment's haste, they kissed. Shinji didn't so much as think about Asuka, just accepting Misato and her feelings. She moaned into his mouth, grabbing a hold of his back with her arms, refusing to let him go. Not that he wanted to escape this time.
"Mwmwmwm…"
It was electrifying for them. Their first kiss in the springs was only interrupted by a crisis of conscience, with Shinji left disappointed he couldn't continue. No such obstacles this time around. Much as she held him, Shinji threw his arms around her neck and brought Misato closer. He was clumsy, but made up for it with enthusiasm. Misato knew it was only a matter of time before he got better. For now, she was satisfied with dominating him.
"Mmmmmm…"
After minutes of pleasure, they separated. Shinji was left flushing yet smiling like a lunatic, earning a smug grin from Misato.
"Well, hon. Feels great to get a girlfriend huh?"
"P-Pretty good." Shinji smiled harder after realizing he liked being called hon. "I'll be honest, I'm not sure what to do."
"It's okay. We'll just take this one step at a time."
He pulled her into a hug, much to her surprise. She was about to ask, when she heard him say,
"Thanks Misato… for everything. I mean it."
Misato smiled, internally cooing over how precious he was acting with her. She held him again.
"Thank you, my sweet Shinji. I'll always be here for you, even and especially when you're feeling down. Next time, just come to me okay?"
Shinji smiled at those words. "I- I would like to. I like being with you too."
She kissed him again, beaming with pride for him, for them. For a while, they sat on the sofa just taking in themselves, drinking in their satisfied comfort. Before long though, Shinji was reminded of his actions as he looked to the panties he had soiled earlier.
"Um, so what do I do with them?"
Misato hummed. She grabbed the panties and handed them to him, grinning.
"Keep 'em. You already marked your territory quite throughly anyway."
"W-What?!" He couldn't believe it. "B-But I-!"
"You did, which makes you a pervert. My little pervert. I don't mind it now, since you're my boyfriend. Just ask your girlfriend next time and I'll hand them to you, is that okay?"
Shinji blushed at hearing your girlfriend from her. He was going to have to get used to this.
"I- I can't accept this. There has to be something you want from me."
"Oh? Pray tell, what do plan on giving up?"
"I mean, I don't know. You're not punishing me, this doesn't seem right. Fair I mean."
"I told you, I'm not going to do it."
"I know, but I still feel bad. Can you tell me what you'd like?"
Misato decided to entertain his question. She pretended to think long and hard, before an idea actually came to her head. She frowned.
"There is one thing."
"Hm?"
"Would you mind sleeping with me?"
"I- I- are you sure?"
"Oh, not for that!" Misato laughed. "I mean just sharing the bed with me. It's been a while since I had a partner, and I'd like to be spooned for a bit."
"Don't tease me again!"
"Who said anything about teasing?"
"H-huh?"
"Like I said, I haven't had a warm body in months. I'm not asking you to have please me or anything, just be my pillow, give me some comfort through my nightmares. Is that okay?"
"W-Well, I guess so…"
"Good. "
She gently slapped his shoulder before moving from the sofa. As Misato marched to her room, she threw an extra sway to her hips, knowing full well Shinji would be staring. She shivered at the thought of it. For a second, Misato turned around, narrowing her eyes for a seductive gaze.
"Oh, Shinjiiiiiiiii… make us dinner will you, hon?"
Dinner came and went in high spirits.
The new couple enjoyed their meal with a newfound appreciation for each other. For the first time in months, they talked to each other, about anything. Stuff at NERV or what Ritsuko told Misato during their office hours, or what Shinji's farming training under Kaji entailed. Misato took a particular thrill in knowing Asuka's watermelon patch failed while his succeeded.
"That's my little Shinji, you think things through unlike some people! Love that about you."
Even Pen-Pen joined in the fun, warking in congratulations for the boy. Shinji pointedly did not tell Misato about his destruction of Kaji's crops or any of his talks with him. He had a feeling she wouldn't like Kaji's spiel about men and women being inherently separated by the sea, or how he almost came to believe it himself. He did tell her about the time Kaji flirted with Maya, Misato dismissing the incident out of hand.
"Who needs him when I got you? Remember Shinji, women don't like it when you talk to other girls!"
"What about Asuka?"
"She's your co-worker, doesn't count."
By the time dinner was done, Shinji felt his cheer give way to contemplation. He decided to sort out these feelings over a shower. He could feel the water drops on his skin as he thought of his new situation.
"What did I get myself into?"
He asked himself this several times, still not believing it happened. After so long, he learned Misato truly loved him and the thought scared him to bits. Knowing she wanted him as much as he did her was insane! Daring! Frightening! Shinji was tempted to go back out there and call the whole thing off, not wanting to trouble Misato any further.
Or if he was honest with himself, to avoid getting hurt. Several times in Tokyo-3, Shinji thought achieved some balance or peace with his role in life, only for something to destroy it. He didn't want to be responsible for hurting Misato nor did he want Misato to hurt him. He was terrified of her when she held him down, even knowing that he really did cause her harm before. Shinji wasn't sure if them being together was a good idea. Maybe he should tell her right now and end it before things escalate.
But he couldn't. Not after they kissed like that, not after she showed how much she cared about him. As much as Shinji was afraid, he liked knowing he was loved and didn't want to give it up so soon. He never had the determination to go after a girl himself, even one like Asuka. She was a high strung and cocky, insulting him every step of the way for being objectively inferior. They were never going to work out in the long run.
In hindsight, Shinji felt it was for the best their date failed. Asuka was so clearly beyond his league, she deserved better than him. Meanwhile Misato would always care about him, so he didn't feel as bad about pursuing a relationship with her. They already had something good before. This would be just the next stage of their lives free of their past pain. No one to tell them no or tear them apart, just him and her.
After thinking it over, Shinji decided that the rest of the world could burn for all he cared, so long as he had Misato. He loved her, she loved him, this was something he wanted to fight for even in his limited capacity. If his father found him out, he could use the Eva to crush him. Who was going to stop him, the government?
The thought excited Shinji as he finished his shower. He put on his grey pajama shirt- one decidedly too large on his slender frame- and a pair of black shorts with red stripes on the side.
"All I have to do is… sleep with Misato… right…"
He gulped, realizing too late exactly what he agreed to.
"I- I'm going to be sleeping in the same bed as her… what if she sees my, erm, parts… or…"
Shinji tried to fight his fear. He had to pay for ruining Misato's underwear, he grudgingly stuck to their agreement.
Knowing this, he walked to Misato's bedroom. Shinji opened the door, finding Misato already snuggled neatly inside her futon. He thought she looked weirdly adorable wrapped inside of that thing like a cocoon, wearing her grey, long sleeved pajamas. The feeling grew when Misato looked at him in surprise.
"Erm, you're here Shinji?"
"Yeah," He chuckled. "You told me to sleep with you, so um here I am."
"T-That's nice." She raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
"Um, well…" Shinji rubbed the back of his head. "I was thinking how you looked like a worm in a cocoon like that."
"Oooohhhhh, maybe if I'm patient enough I could come out as a pretty little butterfly right?"
"S-Sure… you're, um, beautiful like one already. I always thought that."
She laughed, a sweet one that made his heart flutter. "You're so cuuuuuute, Shinji. Never change."
"I hope I don't."
"Well," She patted the futon. "Gonna hop in?"
"I am… Just… give me a moment…"
He carefully approached the bed, trying not to step on Misato's feet while doing so. As he reached her side, Misato grabbed a hold of his shoulder and brought him down, tactically leaving smooches across his neck and cheeks. He shivered in response.
"M-Misato…"
"Heheheh, best thing about getting an experienced girlfriend, my pwecious Shinji. You're gonna score pointers on what they like and don't like…"
She pulled him into a hug, pushing his face into her sizable breasts. Shinji froze at this action.
"M-Mmrmrsato!"
"Shhhhhh… Momma's taking care of her baby."
He pulled his head away, as much as he could as he was unable to fight his blush.
"MISATO!"
Misato laughed, causing him to try to push out from her bed. Her arms had the stronger grip however. A brief struggle ensued, before they decided to call it quits. Both were tired from the long day they had and needed rest after all. Misato turned off the light, allowing them to stare at the ceiling in silence.
"…"
"…"
"Shinji? Thank you for today. I love you so much, I hope you know that."
"…"
Misato looked to her left. Shinji had already dozed off, a relaxed smile on his lips. She always loved seeing it, moving her hand to brush strands of hair off his pretty face.
"Even now, you're just a kid. That's okay. Just hang in there."
She wasn't nearly so at ease. Misato knew how horribly she failed at being Shinji's mother, letting him barge in so close to her heart and soon her body. If she made a wrong move, she could ruin him forever. Laying a tender kiss along his neck, Misato made a silent promise to treat him better than her dad treated her. She had to guide him while being his girlfriend.
She would not shut him out ever again. She'd give herself fully to Shinji, shower him the love and attention she had been denied for so long. No one, not Kaji or Ritsuko or Asuka, or Shinji's miserable excuse for a father will stop her from doing that.
If they were going try for this, to be together as a couple, Misato knew she had make sacrifices. She had to be prepared to lose everything, even herself, to protect him.
She'd be damned if she failed even at that.
Author's Notes:
I thought this was going to be more violent than it turned out. Finished on Valentine's Day too, go figure.
This felt more like an extension of the last chapter than its own thing. Maybe in the future I'll combine them? Will think about it.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't getting some twisted enjoyment out of writing this, but I promise I'm not doing any of this just to be edgy. I feel that given their personalities in the series, Shinji and Misato would need to be in a much different headspace in order to enter a relationship with each other. Sure, something like Language of Masoch did a believable job of making at least approximations of the anime characters fall for each other but I wanted to write a story that rebuilt canon from the ground up to make this pairing possible and I wanted it done in a particular way. YMMV if you like this approach of course.
I talked about upgrading Shinji, but if I'm being honest I'm pulling a downgrade on Misato too. Her relationship with Kaji was complicated but there was genuine love there and a chance for her to understand more about NERV and SEELE even if she couldn't do anything else to avoid her fate. In here? Much like Shinji, she's denying chances for growth, retreating into herself. A theme I hope to continue into the next chapter onward.
Next, we will have a date to explore their new dynamics. Anyone who wanted to see Shinji show more of a backbone to Misato will get their chance.
Reviews:
Achalon: Thank YOU for reading!
JCarrasco: Will do so!
QUICKM33MZ2005: DAMN IT, I was really hoping to get this out before you posted a review! I wanted to see how you'd react with the four chapters out, but I guess I'll have to wait until next week when I put out the next chapter. Oh well, love hearing from you and you're going to get an answer about Kaji pretty soon! Wonder if anyone's caught the references yet…