NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: THE CHILD OF LOVE
FIFTH MONTH
Written by Axel Terizaki (aterizak@club-internet.fr, axelt@fanfiction.net).
ICQ# 34301980; IRC: #teri-chan
ASUKA's Notebook: http://asuka.notebook.eu.org/
Retooled by Dave Watson, 1999 2 20.
Corrected by EBJ, 1999.
Re-retooled by The Author Himself of This Buggy Fanfic (I know, I know...).
Re-corrected by EBJ.
Re-re-corrected and retooled by The Author Himself, Who's Gonna Go Insane.
Re-re-re-corrected by Watson (who IS insane, not to mention nitpicky) yet again, 1999 3 15 & 3 23.
Polished and re-corrected by Watson, 1999 5 30, with more on 6 28-7 01, 8 09 (when he also did the basic HTML--what did I tell you?) 9 07, 10 03 and 2000 1 13. Up the meds. HTML Version 2.0.
LAST CHAPTER:
It was Asuka's birthday last month. Everything had gone as planned (by Misato) and the party was a success. Except for one boy. Ikari Shinji had not offered his present to Asuka that evening. However, Asuka discovered it by accident and now she's trying to understand the very uneasy feeling she's having these days because of this present: A ring. A beautiful ring enclosed in a little silk-lined box that Shinji had dropped in his wastebasket. Only this present made her feel like it was her birthday. Neither the sundress Hikari gave her nor the perfume from her Kaji-san made her feel special this evening. Only this ring.
Why did Shinji buy her a ring? Why did he keep it a secret, knowing that Asuka would be furious if he didn't give her a present? What was the meaning behind the ring? Was it the kind you would give to a girl as a sign of true friendship? Was the ring valuable and expensive? Why is the sky blue?
FIFTH MONTH:
The Shield
Christmas and New Year's Eve had been very strange days for Shinji. Since Asuka's birthday, everything had become VERY complicated for him. He tried to escape it by retreating to his bedroom after dinner every day for the past month. Shinji was trying to understand what was going on with Asuka. He even tried to talk to her about it a few times, but she always pushed him away. All in all, life wasn't that bad, just a little complicated. But an evil surprise awaits our friends...
Asuka's dream. We are in an empty white space.
Asuka: "Not another one...! What do you want NOW!?"
Voice: "Are you happy with this situation?"
Asuka: "Of course I am! Everything's okay!"
Voice: "Are you sure?"
Asuka: "..."
Voice: "Are you sure?"
Asuka: "Okay, you win. I'm an absolute fool. Shinji hates me and Wondergirl will probably take him away from me. Aside from those tiny details, everything else is all right."
Voice: "Are you sure?"
Asuka: "I SAID EVERYTHING IS OKAY!"
Voice: "Are you sure?"
Asuka: "I...I...I think..."
Voice: "Are you sure?"
Asuka: "No...I...I can't take this life anymore..."
Asuka: "I want to die!"
Asuka: "I WANT TO DIE!"
Asuka: "I WANT TO DIE!!!"
Voice: "You want to come with me to Heaven, Asuka-chan?"
Asuka: "Mama...I'm coming..."
Another voice(similar to Asuka's): "NO!"
Voice: "Your father doesn't love us anymore. Come with me..."
Asuka: "I'm...coming, mama..."
Asuka feels herself starting to fly, rising upwards in the empty space, when suddenly...
Other voice: "NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT! I NEED YOU!"
The white space shatters and now a black void replaces it. Another Asuka appears from nowhere, a small one, with intense dark blue eyes, almost brown, or black. Asuka couldn't tell what color they were, but they were dark, like...like...Shinji's.
Asuka: "You're..."
Chibi-Asuka: "I'm nothing now, it seems."
Asuka: "So, why do you need me?"
Chibi-Asuka: "Because you were my first vision."
Asuka: "You can't be..."
Chibi-Asuka: "Yes. I am."
Asuka: "Teri?! I must be going crazy. This is impossible."
Teri: "Do you understand now why you cannot give up?"
Asuka: "Don't give up? What are you talking about? No little girl is gonna tell me what to do!"
Teri: "I'm your daughter. Don't I have any say in the matter?"
Asuka: "..."
Teri: "You tried to commit suicide."
Asuka: "You're here to try to stop me from dying, aren't you?"
Teri: "Yes. Hopefully, with his help, I'll be able to bring you back. I can't do it alone. You should thank him."
Asuka: "What the..."
Teri: "You understand now, why both of us need you?"
Asuka: "Y-yes...I think."
Teri: "Good. Don't ever do this again or I won't love you anymore! Now go, be free, and believe in yourself and in those around you...I love you, okasan [mother]."
These last words echo in Asuka's mind a few seconds before she opens her eyes, in the real world this time.
Asuka is in a room she knows very well. A NERV hospital room. She turns her head left and right, searching for something...or someone.
Asuka(whispering to herself): "Quite smart for a little girl...like her mother, heh heh."
Misato is behind the window in the corridor. She sees that the Second Child has awakened, and decides to come in. As she enters the room, she doesn't say anything.
Asuka: "Misato..."
Misato approaches Asuka and suddenly slaps her across the face.
Misato(in a breaking voice): "Asuka no baka! You..."
Tears escape from her eyes.
Misato: "You're alive..."
She begins to cry. Asuka sits up in her bed, looking at Misato, puzzled.
Asuka: "Hey! Why did you hit me!?"
Misato: "We...were so worried. What were you thinking? Why did you take those sleeping pills in the bathroom!!?"
Asuka: "I...okay. Sorry, Misato...I regret what I did."
Misato: "You should thank Shinji. He's the one who found you. If he hadn't been home......"
Asuka: "..."
Misato: "Instead of always picking on him, you should be grateful to him! You owe him your life now. No, you owe him two lives. He was in tears when he phoned me! You worried him so much! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT!?"
Misato is obviously furious, but that doesn't scare Asuka at all.
Asuka: "And him? How many times has he owed me for saving him in miss--"
She's interrupted by another slap from Misato. This time, however, it feels more like a punch than a slap. Asuka is almost thrown from the bed by the impact.
Misato: "I...can't understand what's wrong with you, Asuka!! You did IT with him, and now you reject him. For all these months, I REALLY tried to help you two! But you never made any effort on your part!"
Asuka(rubbing her cheek in pain): "Hypocrite! Y-you do the same things with Kaji!"
Misato: "You see this!?"
She takes a ring from her jacket.
Misato: "I found this ring in your room yesterday. I didn't ask Shinji about this, but I'm sure he gave this to you as your birthday present. Are you aware of the meaning behind such a ring, young lady?"
Asuka: "N-no...er, I mean, y-yes, I..."
This is one of the few times Asuka has problems finding words to say.
Misato: "It's an engagement ring! You fool! Now take a look at this."
She takes another ring from her jacket. It's a bit different. The gem mounted in it is blue in color, and smaller.
Misato: "You see this? Kaji gave this to me when we were students. When I loved him. He said he wouldn't leave me. He didn't have the chance. I dumped him a few weeks later. And even now, I don't know why. But I know one thing: This present meant that he loved me, or at least tried to."
Nothing on Earth could have made Asuka meet Misato's gaze at that moment. Except, perhaps, a certain EVA pilot...
Misato: "Dammit! Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
She takes Asuka's chin in her hand. Asuka doesn't show any resistance.
Misato: "You KNOW what I mean, don't you!?"
Asuka(trembling): "I...I...he loves me...?"
Misato(releasing Asuka's head): "OF COURSE HE DOES! Why would a boy give such a beautiful ring to a girl if it wasn't to tell her that he loves her? You're really pathetic!"
Asuka: "I...I know...I think I feel the same way."
Misato is now stunned.
Misato: "W-what!? You say you feel the same way and...you go on ignoring and snubbing him? Something is wrong here."
Asuka: "Yes, maybe. But this is so complicated..."
Misato: "Guess what? Love is a complicated thing."
The two exchange a smile.
Misato: "I'm glad to see you're okay."
Asuka: "Thanks. May I look at those rings closer?"
Misato: "Sure."
She gives her the rings. Asuka takes one in each hand and takes a close, lingering look at each one of them.
Misato: "What's on your mind?"
Asuka: "Nothing. I was just realizing that the size of the two gems really reflects on their givers'."
Misato(shocked): "W-what do you mean?"
Asuka: "You heard me. I mean that Shinji's is bigger than Kaji-san's."
Misato: "You can't be serious!"
From the corridor, Ritsuko arrives and overhears the women's 'two-way' conversation.
Asuka: "Of course, since I SAW the two of them!"
Misato: "You too!? But I really think Kaji's is bigger."
Asuka: "Y-You saw Shinji's!?"
Misato: "That was an accident!" (softer:) "Why? Jealous?"
Asuka(shouting): "I'M NOT JEALOUS! You affenschwanz [idiot, stupid]!"
Misato: "WHAT!?"
Ritsuko chooses this moment to come in.
Ritsuko: "Well, it seems our little adventurer is fully awake now, despite the large number of sleeping pills she swallowed."
Misato: "Don't worry, Ritsuko, she's in full form!"
Ritsuko: "Good. But let me tell you one thing: Using drugs, even if it's only sleeping pills, is not recommended at all during a pregnancy."
Asuka: "I'm sorry, Dr. Akagi, I-I..."
Ritsuko: "Well, at least you didn't commit a murder-suicide like--"
She then notices what she's about to say.
Ritsuko(lowering her head): "...sorry."
Asuka: "..."
Uncomfortable pause.
Asuka: "By the way, Misato, what time is it?"
Misato: "We should hurry home, Shinji'll be waiting for us. You slept for nearly 20 hours, you know."
At the apartment.
Misato(entering the apartment with Asuka): "Shinji-kun! I'm back!"
Shinji(from the living room): "Welcome home, Misa--"
He's very surprised to see Asuka there as well.
Misato(to herself): "Let's see her get out of this tight spot."
Asuka looks down, as if she's trying to say "I'm sorry" without having to use her voice. Shinji takes a long, sad look at her and heads to his room, shutting the door behind him.
Misato: "You understand now?"
Asuka: "Shinji's nothing but a baka."
And she heads off to her own room.
Misato(frowning, to herself): "You're nothing but ungrateful, Asuka!"
Asuka's room. She lays on her bed, thinking about yesterday.
FLASHBACK: The previous day. We see the same image of Asuka laying on her bed and thinking, similar to before the flashback.
Asuka: "This can't be! This situation is almost impossible to handle...I can't look him in the eyes anymore...a MONTH! It's been going on for a whole month! Every time I see him, I can't control myself...I am someone else...but I don't want to be someone else! I'm Sohryu Asuka Langley! No one else...the only one I can think of now is him! WHY!? I'm strong!!! I can't be in love! I'll neglect my duties if I fall for him!"
Pause.
Asuka: "...but it seems now that it's already too late..." (tired sigh:) "I'm fed up with this life...the worst thing that could happen now would be him turning into a romantic...that would be the coup de graçe for me...it's the only thing I can't resist...I MUST NOT LOVE HIM!!!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHH!!!! NO!!!!!!"
Pause.
Asuka(trembling): "No...I can't...hate him...but I don't want to love him...I have to find a solution..."
She then thinks of something.
Asuka: "...sorry, everyone."
She gets up from her bed and heads to the living room, where Shinji is watching TV with Pen-Pen.
Asuka: "Shinji-kun...do you know where could I find sleeping pills in this apartment?"
Shinji(not listening very carefully): "Yeah, in the bathroom. Why?"
Asuka: "I want to kill myself."
Shinji(still paying more attention to the TV show): "That's nice. Don't make too much noise, please."
Asuka(to herself): "Hmph. Baka."
Minutes later.
Shinji(realizing): "W-what did she just say...? She--no...ASUKA!!!!"
He then runs to the bathroom. The door is locked.
Shinji: "Damn! Why did Misato let herself be convinced to put a lock on this stupid door!?"
He tries to force the doorknob...
Shinji: "ASUKA! OPEN THE DOOR!!! PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!!!! PLEASE! I...I..." (his voice trails off:) "...I'm sorry. Really. If you want to talk to someone, I'm here. I know how you feel...OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!"
However, there's still no answer from Asuka. He tries to smash in the door with all his strength. After a few tries, he finally succeeds in getting into the bathroom. Asuka is laying on the floor, with a strange smile on her face, and an empty vial which once held sleeping pills beside her.
THE PRESENT: A few days later. Central Dogma. Ritsuko and Maya are updating the MAGI.
Maya: "The Second Child is okay now?"
Ritsuko: "Miraculously, she awoke 20 hours after her suicide attempt."
Maya: "Why did she do that? That's horrible..."
Ritsuko(in a low voice): "Something worse is being prepared right now, you know..."
Maya: "What?"
Ritsuko: "Um, never mind. By the way, I need some of these green specimen bottles that arrived not long ago for a new experiment. They should be in warehouse #17 now."
Maya: "A new experiment? What is it?"
Ritsuko(smiling): "Sorry, Maya. I can't tell you. It's really top secret."
Maya(leaving the room): "Okay, Sempai. You'll have them in a minute."
Terminal Dogma.
Fuyutsuki: "The suicide attempt was in your plans?"
Gendo: "No, but the G-agent in her blood did the job very well. Even Akagi didn't notice anything."
Fuyutsuki: "You're hiding so many things..."
Gendo: "Common people wouldn't understand the future I have prepared for us."
Fuyutsuki: "As usual."
Gendo: "I should be grateful to SEELE. After all, they gave me the means to prepare my plan."
Fuyutsuki: "You're using everyone here."
Gendo: "Each Child has one use and only one. The Second will soon be useless when everything is finished."
Fuyutsuki: "You mean...she'll be killed."
Gendo: "You know she's the only one capable of giving birth. And that's one of the reasons she has been designated as the Second Child. Her death is only a detail. I'm sure she'll be proud of her role in humankind's evolution."
Fuyutsuki: "You shouldn't be that confident, you know."
Gendo: "I have planned this for years. Nothing can stop it now."
Fuyutsuki: "You're going too far, Ikari. Yui wouldn't approve what you're about to do. She would probably wonder what happened to the Gendo she loved and married...and how could you call that 'humankind's evolution'?"
Gendo: "..."
In Tokyo-3, the sun is scorching the city. Perfect weather for the Obon festival. The people take advantage of the fact that no Angel has attacked for the last two months to relax, have fun and enjoy themselves. In the apartment...
Asuka: "HEY! It hurts! Be careful!"
Misato: "Just stop wriggling and it'll be much easier."
Misato is helping her on with a beautiful blue kimono. She is also wearing a kimono, this one green. Her hair's tied in a ponytail.
Misato: "I know it's an old kimono, but this was the only one Maya had in her house. So please stop complaining!"
Asuka: "Pfff...why do I have to wear this!? These Japanese festivals are so boring!"
Misato: "As I already said, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Got it?"
Asuka: "Hmph."
Misato: "Do you want me to tie your hair differently?"
Asuka: "No! It's perfectly fine the way it is."
Misato: "As you wish."
Asuka: "By the way, where's Shinji?"
Misato: "He must be in his room. I'll go get him."
Shinji's room. Shinji is wearing a yukata, laying on his bed, looking at the ceiling. Someone knocks on the door.
Misato: "Shinji-kun. It's me."
Shinji: "Come in."
He turns his eyes towards the door and sees Misato in her kimono.
Shinji(blushing): "Errr...you look very cute, Misato-san."
Misato(giggling): "You flatterer, you! But I've got someone else to introduce to you."
Shinji: "S-someone else?"
Misato: "Come into the hallway."
Shinji steps out of his room and sees Asuka in her kimono, wearing a red bow on the back of her head.
Shinji: "It's...you, Asuka?"
Asuka blushes, but tries to hide it.
Misato: "You two. I want you to have fun together today, okay?"
Asuka(protesting): "But..."
Misato(with a look in her eyes that could turn an entire fanatic army into a bunch of chickens): "There's no 'but.' That's an order!"
Shinji and Asuka: "Yes, ma'am!"
Misato: "Now, get out there and enjoy yourselves!"
Shinji and Asuka: "Yes, ma'am! Right away, ma'am!"
The entrance of the apartment building. Asuka shields her eyes from the sunlight with her hand.
Asuka: "I've never seen such a beautiful sun before!"
Shinji: "..."
Asuka: "Misato should have come with us. I wonder what she'll be doing today."
Shinji: "..."
Asuka: "Hey, Shinji-kun. Could you stop sounding like Wondergirl? I don't think that's very nice."
Shinji: "You think you've been nice to me these days?"
Asuka: "Err...okay. You're right. I haven't been very fair myself these past few weeks. But...errr...how do I say this...? I'm sorry...for what I did. There it is."
Shinji(surprised): "You...apologized? To me? The sky will fall on us..."
Asuka(frowning at him): "Come on! I'm a human being! I make mistakes sometimes, too!"
Shinji: "Well...I-I guess I'll have to forgive you."
Asuka: "Of course you have to. Will you make this a nice date today?"
Shinji: "What!? A...date?"
Asuka: "Why not? Are you afraid of dating the most beautiful woman in the whole universe?"
Shinji: "I guess I have no choice..."
Asuka: "Great! Then here we go!"
They walk down the busy streets of Tokyo-3. Asuka takes Shinji's arm and rests her head on his shoulder. Shinji doesn't know how to interpret Asuka's actions...
Shinji(to himself): "She MUST be teasing me again..."
He then looks at her face.
Shinji(in a very soft voice): "Damn, she's cute when she wants to be..."
Asuka(looking at him): "Did you say something?"
Shinji(realizing that he just said what he thought): "I-I...I was just saying that you were cute....err..."
Asuka: "Really? I'm not so surprised. I know I'm cute. But anyway, thanks."
Shinji(to himself): "Jeez...if you were any more egotistic, you'd die from it." (to Asuka:) "That kimono fits you very well."
Asuka: "This is Maya's old kimono. But it's really tight. It's Teri's fault. Not even born yet, and she's already annoying me..."
Shinji(smiling at the comment): "We'll have a cute little girl. I-I mean...YOU'll have a cute little girl...at least as cute as you."
Asuka(to herself): "So NOW he comes out with the compliments...shit! I won't hold back any longer..." (to Shinji:) "You like her name?"
Shinji: "W-what?"
Asuka: "I'm sorry. I didn't ask you before choosing names. I know I should have."
Shinji: "...Teri is very nice...I think..."
Asuka: "You think so?"
Shinji: "Of course I think so. At least as nice as 'Asuka'."
Asuka(to herself): "If he keeps this up, I'm gonna lose the upper hand."
She lets out a slightly frustrated sigh.
Asuka: "Thanks, baka."
Shinji chuckles when he hears that word. He now thinks that Asuka is in her familiar 'scornful mode'. However, he's wrong.
Asuka: "I heard there will be fireworks tonight. Wanna go and see them with me?"
Now Shinji's really trying to figure out if this is a joke or something else.
Shinji(a bit hesitantly): "If you want to..."
Asuka(in her most kawaii [cute] voice): "Lucky!"
Pause.
Asuka(softly): "Anyway, thank you for saving our lives the other day..."
Shinji: "'Saving our...lives'? What do you mean?"
Asuka: "Teri-chan's and mine."
Shinji: "I didn't do anything, really! I just phoned Misato when I saw you sleeping on the floor with that vial beside you...I was scared, you know..."
Asuka(smiling at him): "Oh, forget it, never mind..." (to herself:) "He doesn't know about that..."
Shinji(awkwardly): "By the way, may I...may I ask you...why did you do that?"
Asuka: "..."
Shinji: "Sorry..."
Asuka: "No. I can't explain it to you...not right now."
Suddenly, a voice calls out: "Asuka! Ikari-kun!"
It's Hikari, in a red kimono, with Toji by her side.
[NOTE: Hikari and Toji don't know that Asuka tried to commit suicide. Misato hushed up the matter very well.]
Hikari: "Asuka-chan! You're so cute in that kimono! Don't you think so, Toji-chan?"
Toji: "Yeah, yeah..."
The two girls are now chatting excitedly. Toji pulls Shinji aside.
Shinji(whispering): "What do you want?"
Toji(also whispering): "Tell me how it was."
Shinji: "What? What are you talking about?"
Toji: "Five months ago, you know..."
Shinji: "Huh?"
Toji: "With Asuka? How was she? Did she taste good?"
They arrive at AXL's Game Center. A tall man with short brown hair and glasses welcomes our friends.
Man: "Hello, everyone. Welcome to AXL's Game Center. My name is Guillaume, and I'm one of the managers here. I'm French, but as you can hear, I'm able to speak Japanese as well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. If I'm not around, you can speak with Yankee, Gordon, Mygard or Steffen. Let me remind you that...blablabla...blablabla...blabla..."
Asuka(whispering to Hikari): "What a boring man...but he's cute, and what's more, he's a Frenchie!"
Hikari: "Yeah! I like the way he wears his glasses! He looks so serious! Do you think he's good at French kissing?"
Asuka(grinning): "I kinda wish I could find out!"
Hikari: "You're right!"
Shinji and Toji(in unison): "Hmph!"
Guillaume: "...so, have fun in AXL's Game Center!"
Another man: "Hi! You brought your girlfriends today!"
Toji(turning his head towards the man): "Ah, it's Yankee."
Guillaume: "You know them, Yankee?"
Yankee: "Of course. This boy...Toji, right? He kicked my butt in Quarter-Life."
Guillaume: "That old game from Sierra and Balbe?"
Yankee: "Yeah."
Guillaume: "You defeated Yankee? You're quite talented, young man. Then I'm sure you'll all appreciate a free afternoon in AXL's Game Center. Won't you?"
Toji: "You...sure?"
Asuka: "Thank you, sir!"
Guillaume(to Asuka): "So it's your first time here, young lady?"
Asuka: "Yes. My name's Asuka, but I'm half-German, half-Japanese."
Guillaume: "What a coincidence! My old girlfriend was German, too."
Asuka: "Really?"
Guillaume: "And because you remind me of her, I'll do a special favour for you all..."
He calls someone on his cell phone.
Guillaume: "Mygard? Evacue tout le monde, on ferme." ["Mygard? Please evacuate the place, we're closing the Center."]
Mygard(over the phone): "T'es con ou quoi?! C'est l'un des meilleurs aprés-midis qu'on ait eu!" ["Are you stupid or what?! It's one of the best afternoons we've ever had!"]
Guillaume: "J'ai dit--" ["I said--"]
Mygard(reluctantly): "Bon, bon, d'accord...mais on en reparlera plus tard!" ["Okay, okay...but we'll talk about this later!"]
*click*
Guillaume: "Please wait a minute."
Minutes later. The Center is now empty, except for the staff and our friends.
Guillaume: "I'll be on the second floor with the others, if you have any questions..."
Shinji: "Yeah, yeah. We'll call you if we need help."
Guillaume: "Good."
He then gets into the elevator and disappears.
Asuka: "Lucky!!! We're gonna play here all afternoon! That Guillaume is such a gentleman!"
Hikari: "Yeah! Thanks, Toji-kun! At least you're not so useless."
Toji(sarcastically): "Thanks for the compliment..."
Asuka: "Don't forget me! I helped, too!"
Hikari: "Oh, of course. Sorry, Asuka."
Shinji looks a bit angry for some reason.
Asuka(staring at Shinji): "Hey, Shinji! Jealous?"
Shinji walks towards the nearest game, not even looking at Asuka.
Shinji(in a bit of a huff): "Shut up, little girl. Come on, let's play."
Asuka(surprised, then furious): "How DARE you talk to me like that? I'll show you, you dickhead!"
Shinji(with a bit of a wicked smile): "We'll just have to see about that."
Meanwhile, on a street, Misato is walking with Kaji...
Misato: "I STILL can't believe I accepted this date with you!"
Kaji: "You can't fight your true feelings, can you?"
Misato: "Oh, shut up!"
Kaji(grinning): "Hai, hai..."
Pause.
Kaji: "By the way, where are the Ikaris?"
Misato: "I TOLD you, they're NOT married!"
Kaji: "Oh, well...where are the Second and the Third?"
Misato: "I dunno, I told them to have fun together and enjoy themselves."
Kaji(grinning again): "Heh, they're probably off doing nasty things someplace out of the way..."
Misato: "That can't be! Asuka is ALREADY pregnant! And I doubt that Shinji will try anything with her..."
Kaji: "Well, he certainly couldn't make her more pregnant than she already is, could he?"
Shinji: "Hey, it's not my fault if I always find the torpedo launcher when you're underwater!"
Asuka: "THIS time I'll find it BEFORE you! And if I see you then, you can say goodbye to the warehouse key you have! You're winning because you can go and pick up ammo and health here! That's unfair!!!"
Hikari: "The first one who reaches 50 frags wins, okay?"
Asuka: "Not fair AT ALL! Shinji's almost at 46!"
Toji: "Oh, The Great Sohryu Asuka Langley is giving up with just 20 measly frags to go?"
Asuka is fuming. She and Shinji have been doing that a lot this month, haven't they?
Shinji: "Hmm...Toji..."
Toji: "What?"
Shinji: "I think you should have stayed quiet...you'd better brace yourself."
Toji: "What're you talking about...? What the...!"
His screen turns red--the redness of his on-screen character's blood. However, he doesn't have the time to press 'START' again. Asuka's amount of frags jumps from 29 to 82 in nearly ten seconds!
Asuka: "Aha! Not bad for a little girl! What do you think about that, baka Shinji?"
Asuka had killed everyone on the screen in every drastic way a psychopath could think of. Shinji had been killed 22 times in the process, Toji once, Hikari 14 times and the bot player, named 'The Ripper,' had been killed 16 times, all by the same player, without dying: Sohryu Asuka Langley.
Asuka: "Sooooooo, who's the best here?!"
Toji: "Okay, it's you. I surrender!"
Shinji(a bit frightened by how intense the game was): "Y-yeah...you're right. I give up, Asuka. You're the best."
Asuka(relieved): "Ahhhh, it's so nice to hear you say that! Never thought this old game from the 90's could be so much fun!"
Kaji and Misato are in a bar, sitting at a table.
Misato(slightly drunk): "...m-maybe you're right, Kaji...I'm just afraid of my feelings...like A-Asuka..."
Kaji: "Of course you are. Do you remember what we did years ago?"
Misato: "O-of course I do! Pfff...sometimes I hate me...for not being a woman...I'm nothing but a slut! That's what I am!"
Kaji: "Tssss...no....nothing on earth could make me leave you alone."
Misato: "Y-you won't l-leave me? You promise? Even if I'm a slut?"
Kaji: "No. You're wrong. I could never love a slut. And I love you, Mit-chan."
Misato: "...baka..."
The time for the fireworks finally came. Shinji and Asuka left Toji and Hikari behind as they left AXL's Game Center. The two are on a hill near Misato's apartment building. Asuka is really cute in her kimono. Really. And Shinji, being a man, can't help but notice this. They're sitting side by side, looking at the fireworks.
Asuka(honestly elated): "I didn't have any idea that this would be so beautiful."
Shinji: "It's been a long time since we had this festival, you know."
Asuka: "Really?"
Shinji: "Yeah."
Pause.
Asuka(softly): "Hey, Shinji..."
Shinji: "What?"
Asuka: "I'm bored."
Shinji(grinning): "Uh-oh..."
Asuka: "Wanna kiss?"
Shinji: "I-I...don't know if...mmmphhhhhhhh...."
Too late. Asuka takes Shinji's head in her hands and kisses him hard on the lips. The kiss feels like it could last for an eternity, while their tongues dance in their mouths. It's like when the two of them danced together while battling Israphel, the 7th Angel. The only sounds audible are the pops and pams from the fireworks behind them. Asuka can't believe the sensations that are forcing their way into her...she didn't want to fall for Shinji, but it's already too late. On the other
side, Shinji returns the kiss with all his heart. He really loves Asuka, despite all the things she had done and said to him. Finally, Asuka breaks off the kiss. She has a big smile on her face.
Shinji: "What was that for?"
Asuka(after thinking about it for a moment): "For all the chores I made you do these past few weeks."
Shinji smiles.
Asuka: "You weren't that good the last time. Have you been practicing with Rei?"
Shinji: "W-what!? Of course...not..."
Asuka(giggling): "I was joking, don't worry!"
Shinji(teasing her): "And you...you were practicing French kissing while I was away with Toji, weren't you?"
Asuka(comically furious): "Of course not!!!"
The two explode into laughter. Shinji then notices something on Asuka's right hand.
Shinji: "The ring..."
Asuka takes one of Shinji's hands in her right one and clasps it so that their palms are against each other and their fingers weave together.
Asuka: "Yeah, thank you for the present. I think it was the only valuable gift I received that day..."
Shinji: "You're not...angry at me?"
Asuka: "Why should I be angry?"
Shinji: "I...don't know. I didn't want to give it to you that evening because I would have been really nervous giving it to you in front of everybody else. And sometimes I feel so hurt by things you say that I want to throw everything out the window..."
Asuka: "You're really an idiot sometimes, but when you want, you can be a really good friend..." (grinning now:) "...and a great lover."
Shinji(grinning): "You too. Sometimes you can be a real pain, and then suddenly, you're so nice..."
Asuka: "I think I get this from my German origins..."
Shinji: "...and I bet you'll say my shyness is typically Japanese, right?"
Asuka: "You cut the ground from under my feet!"
Shinji: "Heh heh, sorry."
Pause.
Shinji(in an exceptional moment of openness): "When I was four, I was abandoned by my father. Not that I ever saw him that often even
when Mother was alive...but...I can still feel the pain, Asuka. The loneliness...being rejected like that. I don't want my daughter to ever feel the same way. Not if I can make sure it doesn't happen. If you'll allow me to be there..."
Asuka: "That won't happen, baka. I promise."
Short pause.
Asuka: "I never saw you like this before."
Shinji: "What?"
Asuka: "You opened yourself up to me. It's stunning."
Shinji: "I'm a little surprised by you, too."
Asuka: "I-I mean...you're speaking with confidence...you're so shy, usually. I think I'm like this because I trust you and I feel that I can put my trust in you. You're like a confidante."
Shinji: "I...it's the same for me. We've got a lot in common, don't we?"
Asuka: "You try to avoid pain by running away from people. I try to avoid pain by driving them away. But in the end, we just hurt ourselves more. Aren't we pathetic, Shin-chan?"
It sounds more like a statement than a question. Shinji can't help but be surprised by this sudden truth coming from the mouth of the girl he normally knew to try to avoid it. Somehow, the suicide attempt, as bad as it was, seemed to have turned Asuka into a more mature person.
Shinji: "You're right, Asuka-chan. It's kind of like...we're hiding ourselves from the pain behind a shield."
Asuka: "But we just feel more and more pain."
Shinji(nodding): "Yeah...you're right, we are pathetic."
Pause.
Asuka: "Do you love me?"
Shinji(stunned): "I...I think so."
Asuka: "Do you really love me?"
Shinji(taking a long breath): "Yes, Asuka."
Asuka: "Guess what?"
Pause.
Asuka(smiling): "I love you, too, baka."
Shinji can't hear Asuka because of the sounds of the fireworks exploding drowning out her soft voice. But he doesn't need to hear the words to understand what she means. She rests her head against Shinji's shoulder, and he gently brushes some hair away from his redheaded goddess' face. They sit still in this position for some minutes, eyes closed, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies.
Asuka(softly, in Shinji's ear): "Shinji?"
Shinji(softly, in Asuka's ear): "What is it?"
Asuka: "You'd never leave us, would you?"
Short pause.
Shinji: "I promise you, right here and now, that I'll NEVER leave you two...on one condition."
Asuka: "Which is?"
Shinji: "You must promise me you won't give up your life anymore like you tried to a few days ago. You're the two most precious things I have on this earth. I can't afford to lose either one of you. You or Teri. So, please, don't ever do that again. I'm sorry if I was rude to you after that, but I really didn't know how to handle it. I mean..."
Asuka(smiling): "Don't worry. For Teri's sake, I won't do that again! Deal?"
Shinji(now smiling, too): "Deal."
A small, but very heavy pause.
Asuka: "...I bet Misato told you about my past..."
Shinji(nodding): "Hm...forget about that. There's no reason to dig into the past. I-I mean...let's think about the future, okay?"
Asuka(sadly): "You know...I think I panicked when I thought about my mother...about my past. I didn't want to risk my daughter's life and mine against the Angels...it's not that I wouldn't want to be involved in battle, but I then thought that I would make you and Teri sad if I were killed. I didn't want to repeat my mother's mistakes so..."
Her voice cracks badly and tears start flowing down her face.
Asuka: "...so, I thought that I should end my life...and bring my daughter with me to Heaven...like my mother wanted to do with me. And
besides...I didn't want to fall for you, and think about you all the time...because I would then neglect my duties and end up being killed senselessly. But it was already too late. That convinced me to...to kill myself..."
She is now crying. Shinji can feel the tears falling on his shirt.
Asuka(sobbing): "Then I saw you. I truly saw you, Shinji. And it reminded me of something. My dad didn't love us, my mom and me, but
you...you love both of us...I'm so sorry, Shinji...(sob)...for what I did...to you, to Misato, to everyone...I'm so sorry, Shinji!"
She reaches out and clutches his body to hers. It has to hurt for someone who once felt that showing negative emotions was a sign of weakness to say these things. But she had to say them sometime. She'd been waiting a long time to have someone she could say them to, but up until recently all she did was deny it. It was difficult, and very painful, but it had to be done. Shinji can't do anything else but put his arms around her and hold her closely and try to comfort her. He could never run away from her. Not now.
Shinji: "Asuka...please don't cry. Seeing you crying makes me really sad. I don't want to see you unhappy, you know...besides, those tears ruin your pretty face."
Asuka(sobbing and hugging Shinji harder): "Forgive me, Shinji! Forgive me!!!"
Shinji: "There, there...I'm here...I forgive you, and I love you both, Asuka, Teri. Don't worry...I-I'll be there for you both..."
Asuka finally stops sobbing, and eventually calms down.
Shinji: "It's okay now..."
Asuka: "Thanks, Shinji...I realize now that you're the only one I can really trust here..."
Shinji: "You'll be a good mother for Teri...I'm sure of that."
Asuka(closing her eyes, softly): "And you a good father..."
That reminds Shinji of something...his own father. An image of him appears in his mind. He frowns at the thought.
Shinji: "Hmmm...I'll try my best."
Asuka: "When I was asleep, I saw a little girl who looked like me. She said she was Teri. She made me think about you. And then I realized that Sohryu Asuka Langley couldn't give up life just because of her past and...I realized that, somewhere on this earth, someone cared for me!" (more animated:) "I'm here to stay now! For Teri, for you, for me! And if anybody tries to get in the way of that, I'll make damn sure they're good and sorry!"
Shinji(chuckling): "What a relief...the old Asuka is back."
Asuka(smiling): "Hmph, don't worry, I won't hit you anymore like I did before."
Pause.
Asuka: "Oh, and one more thing."
Shinji: "What is it?"
Asuka: "No sex until Teri's birth, young man."
Shinji(shocked): "Are you crazy?! Why would I...I...hey! And how could you dare say that to me? That's a bit gross! I mean..."
Asuka(giggling): "I was joking, baka. We just have to be very careful from now on."
He then calms down, and smiles.
Shinji(whispering into Asuka's ear): "Say, why don't we go back home? It's late."
Asuka: "No, please...I'm very comfortable here...give me a few more minutes, okay?"
Shinji: "Okay."
How could he refuse? The two girls he loves the most are in his arms. He feels comfortable, too.
Five minutes later (Shinji couldn't push Asuka away, could he?).
Asuka: "Okay, let's go home now..."
They stand up and start walking back to the apartment.
Shinji: "I was thinking about something..."
Asuka: "Huh?"
Shinji: "Perhaps, we're just two empty-headed kids after all..."
Asuka: "What makes you say that?"
Shinji: "...I don't know..."
Asuka: "'I don't know'? Are you stupid!?"
Shinji chuckles.
Misato's apartment. Shinji and Asuka walk in. It's very dark inside. They carefully head through the living room towards their respective bedrooms.
Shinji(softly): "Hey, Asuka! What are these...clothes...?!"
He shows Asuka a jacket and a shirt on the living room couch.
Asuka: "I dunno...let me see..."
She picks up the clothes and looks at them. Her eyes widen.
Shinji(worried): "What's going on?"
Asuka: "These are...Kaji-san's clothes!!!"
Asuka runs to Misato's room and half-opens the door. She sees her in Kaji's arms under the blankets.
Asuka: "It seems these two were very busy while we were out."
Asuka's room. Asuka shuts her door, carefully takes off and hangs up the kimono and puts her nightdress on. She then sits on her bed, ready to get in, then stops and puts her head in her hands...
Asuka: "I feel weird all of a sudden......"
The next morning. Asuka opens her eyes. She sees someone lying right in front of her, in her OWN bed...Shinji.
Asuka(whispering): "Oh, no...this wet dream again...hmmmmm...." (closing her eyes:) "...I love you, Shin-chan..."
She then proceeds to embrace him and then hug him very tightly. Shinji wakes up, too, as a result.
Shinji(struggling a bit): "....hmm...Asuka...I...can't breathe....."
Asuka then releases him and looks at him, very surprised.
Asuka(to herself): "The...Shinji of my dreams wouldn't say this!"
She then glares at him and turns bright red. Anger-red. At least as red as her plug suit.
Shinji: "Errr...calm down...I...well...I heard...moans and then...er...I was worried...and er...hmm...I wanted to...keep an eye on you and...no...please don't....you love me, right?...um...so I thought...no...no, please!"
Long shot of Tokyo-3. Each morning, Tokyo-3 normally wakes up with the sweet sunlight. However, this time, everyone is being waken up by ONE girl.
Asuka: "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY BED!???? ECCHI!!!! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! MISATO!!!!!!!!!!!! KAJI-SAN!!!!!!! SHINJI, YOU PERVERT!!!!!"
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's notes:
Before any of you flame me, please understand that this part WAS originally intended to be WAFFy and full of romance. You'll find out why later.
Some people asked me why I decided to make Asuka try to commit suicide. It was a pure accident. At first, I decided to open this part on another Asuka's morning. And then, the suicide attempt idea sprouted from my mind...
I'm a true Asuka fan, don't worry. If I'm a bit mean with her sometimes, I'll make up for it, you can be sure of that!
Some people (some OTHER people) told me Asuka was too OOC in this part...that's right. But it's a fanfic, isn't it? I want to conclusively prove that Asuka, perhaps deep in her mind, is one of the nicest girls in the world. If you know her better than in the series, if you understand her, if you SHOW her you care for her, she CAN be really nice. In fact, I truly think Shinji should have been more interested in her through the original EVA series, instead of always asking himself metaphysical questions, why everyone hated him, and all the other stuff. Honestly.
In the thanks section now...
All my pre-readers : Al-l-bus, Alain Gravel (aka Rakna), EBJ, Greg Thomas, Shinji Ikari the 10 O'clock Assassin, Borderline Case and Dave Watson.
THE Special thanks go to Alain Gravel (ideas, misc. additions and corrections), EBJ (grammar and spell-checking and support), Shinji Ikari (some nice ideas about the kids' next trip to AXL's Game Center), Borderline Case (support, ideas, great C&C) and Dave Watson (style corrections, grammar/spelling/present-tense checking, etc.).
I think that's all...
And of course, please read The One I Love Is... by Rakna (look forward for the next parts, it's gonna be a VERY cool fic, I swear!) and Reflections In Red by Borderline Case (a true vision of Rei's life).
If you have any questions/criticisms/comments/flames, mail me at aterizak@club-internet.fr.
I click the REPLY button every time I receive something!
To my rewriters/checkers: Please understand that a lot of people sent me fixed versions of my fic. I must look at all of them and do a mix. In fact, this part has been co-written by Rakna, EBJ and Dave Watson. Thanks to you all, and sorry if I offend you by modifying your work (but it's my story, isn't it?). Now, if only Watson can finally leave it alone...
