It's been four years. Four years since I was told to leave. My father. He didn't care about me, Asuka, or Rei. He used us! And then he threw us out. Now I don't know what to do. I miss Rei, Asuka, Misato, Touji, Kensuke, and even Hikari. I miss them all. I wish I never left. I wish I stayed. Stayed with them. I wouldn't be agonizing over it like I have.
I still remember the Commanders words...
* * *
"What!?" Misato cried.
"There is no longer a threat of the Angels therefore the children are no longer of use to me." said my father, the commander of Nerv.
"But!"
"Those are my orders."
He left us. All 4 of us. Standing there in shock. I couldn't believe it. How can he do this to me! After all I've done. More, how can he do this to Rei and Asuka. We deserve more than that!
"This...This can't be happening." I whispered, my voice was lost as I tried to keep my tears in.
"It appears he only needed us while the threat of the Angels was over head." said Rei, in her quiet and usual voice. I still feared being around her, ever since Ritsuko showed me the clones. I still couldn't keep those false smiles out of my mind. Those giggles that came from the tank, even when the clones were being destroyed. But somehow I managed to control my fright while in her presence.
"He can't do this to me!" yelled Asuka, who suddenly began to cry.
Asuka. She seemed to be the only one who I could still understand. She had came out of her coma 3 weeks ago only to be told she wasn't needed. The stress must have been too much because she ran crying from the headquarters.
"I-I shall be leaving then." said Rei. That was the first time she actually stuttered. She then walked away. Misato turned to me.
"Shinji, I. . . I . . ."
"Misato, don't." I said.
I turned to leave, knowing I would most likely never come back.
"Good bye, Shinji."
* * *
And now here I am. I've lived alone for four years in a little apartment in Tokyo-2. High School is boring, all my teachers are 2nd Impact survivors so they all talk about their lives before and during 2nd Impact. I decided that it might be a good Idea to check my mail box today, although I mostly get junk mail I occasionally get a letter from Misato or Touji and Kensuke. I pulled the piles of mail from my mail slot an went through them.
"Junk. Junk. Junk. Junk. Ju-wait a second!"
I got a strange looking envelope which said:
Shinji Ikari
31 B Green Tea Apartments
Tokyo-2, Japan 34789
Most of my letters said Mr. Ikari, which let me know they were junk, however this letter had my first name. It might be from Misato. Then I looked at the senders address. It said: NERV with the Nerv Symbol above it.
No. It can't be! I opened the letter and read it. They want me back! Why? Another threat? Can't they get someone else? But wait. I'll get to see Misato, Asuka, and Rei again!
I threw my other junk mail in the trash and ran to my room. I packed my valuables into a bag and looked again at the letter. The address required me to go to the place I've missed more than any other place in the world. Misato's apartment. She must be 34 now since she was 29 the last time I saw her. What a surprise it will be to see her again.
I then locked my place up and went to the parking lot. I unlocked the door to my car and tossed the bag in the back seat before revving the engine.
I was going to see my friends. My family. After four years. I Was Going Home.
The train station. One of the most boring places in Tokyo-2. I decided to stop there and think before going through with my decision. The letter said to report to Nerv Headquarters within the week. I'd have two days to get there, meaning I'd have to break the speed limit in a few places, like Misato used to. I gathered my thoughts, imagining what Rei and Asuka would look like being four years older than before. I've missed them for these long four years. I tried to imagine what they'd look like with out having any dirty thoughts pass through my mind, which didn't really work. Then I remembered the reason I hated Eva. Eva. The bio-mechanical robot which I piloted. It gave me a reason to live, but it also gave me a reason to die. That thing nearly killed Touji, one of my best friends. Because I was a pilot, he was forced to kill Kaoru, the only person who understood me, for who I was. But he betrayed me. He used me just like my father. And then I killed him. He wanted me to kill him. He couldn't go on because although he was an angel, he still had a human heart and human compassion. He told me he loved me. I nearly killed myself After leaving Nerv. I spent a year in a mental hospital, because I couldn't stand living with what I did. Now I've gotten over it. Now I have a new reason for living.
Rei. She was the reason I became a pilot. Otherwise I would have lived with my old teacher. When I first met her, she was very frail and weak. Like a thin piece of glass, fragile and weathered. It was because of her and my weak heart. I couldn't bear to think of watching them put her in the plug, to face that monster who I know as Sachiel, the third angel. She protected me when we fought Ramiel. She almost sacrificed herself then. She began to open herself up to me. Then she sacrificed her life to protect me from the 16th Angel. That was when I lost Rei and met Ayanami. A soul-less, lifeless, shell. I later learned she was only a clone. That tore me apart inside. I almost fell in love with Rei, only to be smacked down by Ayanami. She lost all of her memories of me. I couldn't even be around her with out feeling self torment, and now I was going to see her again.
Asuka. She was the one person who never ceased to amaze me. When I first met her, she seemed stuck up. She thought more about her piloting skills than anything else. We fought together against the Angels, and each other. She always would tease me for the smallest reasons, or call me an idiot, or stupid. I missed her calling me an idiot. I miss her reprimanding me for saying sorry, even if it wasn't my fault. Then she went down. She went into fits of depression. She began to lose in battle, which crushed her. She withdrew her self from me. She wouldn't even talk to me. She ran away. When Arael, the 15th Angel raped her mind, I was stuck in the cage unable to help her. She lost her ability to pilot her Eva for weeks. She went comatose and slept for a long time. I used to sit by her bed and beg her to get up and talk to me. To call me an idiot, to make fun of me. When she did wake up, her piloting woke up too, and her synch ratio became the highest. And then we were abandoned by my father. And now I was going home. Where I belonged. The place I have missed for four years.
I finally got up and walked to my car. I got in, buckled up, put the key in, ignited the engine, checked for oncoming traffic, and pulled out. As soon as I was on the highway and broke the speed limit by 40 mph. The normal limit was 70. I turned on the radio to kill the time for the 10 hour drive ahead of me.
"In political news today, Russian president, Kozac Rudridge, signed a peace agreement with Nerv Commander Sheitskoff, which will delegate all remaining N2 bombs being held in Russia to Nerv's 3rd Branch in Germany. It is yet to be said, whether or not Nerv will be used to defend the Earth from possible angel threat or to be used by the UN military's peace keeping force."
"What?" I asked the radio, even if it couldn't answer me. I tuned to a different channel.
"Things heat up in the South Pacific as Nerv's 4th Branch in Australia has been attacked by the Iraq military. One Evangelion was stolen in a raid of the base and where it is now is still under investigation. The leader of the Iraqis is told to be a direct decedent to pre-Second Impact president, Saddam Hussein."
"Dear God! If Eva technology gets to Russia or Iraq there could be a war." Not wanting to hear any more news I found a music station. I nodded slightly with the music. It sounded like of key harmony, something that was very hard to achieve. It was an American group from before Second Impact. Somehow all of them survived and still put out music in the states which occasionally comes over here. The song ended. The DJ called it Falling Away From Me By the band Korn.
I kept listening to more and more of this hard core rock and roll and found a likeness for it.
*10 Hours Later*
I found my self parked in the parking lot of the Angeline Apartments, where Misato lived. I sat in my car for a while wondering what I should do. I sat there for ten minutes wondering how to approach. Should I knock? Should I Ring The Bell? Or should I just walk in? I checked my watch. 8:00 PM. The sky looked beautiful with it's assortment of colors. I finally made up my mind and opened the door to my car. I got out, locked it, and walked to the main entrance. I stood in the elevator waiting.
'I'm finally going to see them again,' I thought, 'well two of them.'
The elevator reached Misato's floor and I walked down the hall. I stood before the door looking at it. I checked to make sure it was still Misato's room, since things might have changed. Misato's mark was fresh on the new door. Her lucky numbers all etched in with what was probably a kitchen knife. I'd need to talk to her about it. I pressed the door bell button and waited nervously. I heard Misato yell. Asuka yelled back. The 2 of them arguing over who should get the door. I couldn't help but smile. Things still hadn't changed. I pressed the button 3 more times. Finally I heard Misato shout.
"Alright, alright, hold your horses."
The door opened and Misato was standing in front of me, in her usual evening clothes. Those denim shorts that were really short and her oversized yellow t-shirt. She stood before me, shocked to see me. After four years I would have reacted the same way in her place. Neither of us said anything, just stood there for a while.
"Who is it?!" shouted Asuka.
I saw Misato turn to her right and Asuka appeared in front of me.
"Shinji!" She shouted with glee.
She literally pounced on me, knocking me down and hugging me. Misato finally gained back her senses and grabbing Asuka by the back of her shirt collar, she yanked Asuka off of me. I stood up smiling.
"Shinji I-" Misato's voice failed on her as tears of joy shone from her eyes.
"I-I'm Home." I said.
Misato regained her voice and both she and Asuka spoke at the same time.
"Welcome Home."
I was finally where I belonged. With my family, even if we weren't related. It was better than my past life. No more suffering of self torment. This time I would state my opinions. I wasn't the shy Third Child everyone remembers any more. Now I was Shinji Ikari, a grown person. I would no longer take my fathers crap. I would not let him control Rei or Asuka any more.
"I can't believe it's been four years already." Said Misato, a can of beer in her hand.
"You haven't lived my life for those past four years." I said.
"Eh? You sound like it was hell Shinji." Said Asuka.
"You took the words from my mouth," I paused, "it was like living in hell."
"Tell us, we're all family here, right?" She said, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Tomorrow," I said, then turning to Misato, "can I sleep in my old room?"
"Of course!" She said, "I left it the same as when you last used it. Except that the sheets are freshly cleaned.
I couldn't help but to smile at her.
"Thank You."
I picked up my bag and said good night before going to my room. I looked at the room.
Spotless. Nothing changed, except for the sheets on my bed of course. The room was clean
the futon bed still in the corner with the dresser nearby. It sure had been a while. I put my
cloths in the dresser and changed into my evening wear before climbing in the bed and
turning off the light. I stared at the ceiling for some time, not really thinking of anything. I
just stared at it and continued staring at it. I then looked at my watch. Shit. I was staring
at that damn ceiling for 3 hours, it was midnight already. I turned on my side and closed
my eyes. Finally I drifted off into sleep.
* * *
I awoke the next day to a rather pleasant surprise. The sun was shining brightly. Everyone was awake and I even heard a few voices which seemed familiar. The I heard Misato say something. Asuka must have been closer to my door because I heard her clearly.
"I'll see if he's awake."
I started to get up when the door opened. Asuka looked at me with a look of surprise. I felt rather nervous when her eyes began to roam around my body. Due to a rather intense time in military school I was sent to, in 2017, because of my, well, problems.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to get dressed." I said, breaking the quiet.
"Huh?" Asuka snapped out of whatever trance she was in.
"Could you please get out of my room? I'll be out in a minute." I said.
She nodded and left, closing the door.
"Girls." I said to myself.
I pulled out a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt and put them on. I then went walked into the living room. Seated on the couch were Asuka, Hikari, and Touji. My god they looked much different. Hikari no longer wore her hair in the pig tail style anymore and it was cropped shorter than it used to be. Just a bit longer than Rei's hair style. Her figure had sure filled out. She matured quite a lot since I left. Touji wore a prosthetic leg now after what I had done. No what my father did. I finally understood it now. It was my fathers choice to activate the dummy plug. It was his choice to use Touji as the Pilot. He was lucky that they were able to re-clone his arm with bone and skin tissue. Touji had a light mustache now and his hair was longer than it used to be. He was also taller than I expected him to be. His right arm was around Hikari's waist. They must have been together for a while now. Then I looked at the person seated in a chair near the couch. I couldn't recognize her at first. She had long grey/blue hair. That was the first that told me it was Rei. She had grown. She was almost my size now her figure had filled out, she was no longer, eh, short chested. I don't know why talking like this embarrasses me but it does. Her eyes were still as red as always. She no longer had that blank look on her face, she had a warm, welcome look, full of emotion. It made me wonder what happened to the original Rei. What am I saying? I never knew the original Rei. The Rei I knew was lifeless, soulless, a clone. I hated my father for what he had done to Rei, Asuka, My mother and myself. I wanted him to die. I even wanted to kill him myself. I thought about it all the time, it's what drove me to a little fit of insanity. It's what caused me to commit myself into a Mental Ward.
'Home is where the heart is.' I thought.
"Hey Shinji! Welcome back." said Touji.
"Yes. I-I'm home."
"Welcome home." said Rei.
Hikari had her look of approval while Asuka seemed to be glaring at Rei. She still despised Rei. I never understood how Asuka could hate her so much and keep hating her.
"Shinji, did you hear about Kensuke?"
"Yes, I was the first to hear, he lived next door to me for quite some time before he was enlisted."
"He's at Nerv headquarters right now. By the way, did anyone hear the news of Iraq and Russia? Both of their prime ministers were pretty hostile with the Nerv ambassadors. They're up to something." Said Touji.
"It could be war. Maybe they have hold of Eva Technology." Said Asuka.
Misato then walked in.
"It's time. We'll be seeing them all today. Touji, Hikari, can you two get where ever you two are going."
"Yeah, don't worry about us, Vice-Commander."
"Vice-Commander?" I asked.
"Yeah," Misato said, "I got promoted recently, Vice-Commander Fyutski retired."
"So that means you won't be issuing our personal orders anymore?"
"Nope."
"Who will."
"The new Major. Wait till you meet her, she's quite a cutey."
The Misato lead us all out the door. I got in my own car. I was just about to close the door when I heard Asuka yelling.
"No way. I refuse to sit with her."
"Oh come on Asuka! Grow up, you're almost 18!"
"There's no way it'll happen."
Misato groaned and turned in my direction. Rei was still standing near her car.
"Shinji, can Rei ride with you? Neither of them drive and Asuka is being stubborn about sitting in a car with her." Shouted Misato.
"Sure." I shouted back.
Asuka got in Misato's car. Rei walked over to mine and opened the passenger door. She got in and sat down. She closed the door and put on her seatbelt. I put on my own seatbelt and started the car up. I waved to Touji and Hikari as I pulled out and fallowed Misato's car. Rei definitely had changed. She wasn't very quiet anymore. We talked for the entire drive like a pair of long lost friends trying to catch up on the times. She had changed for the better in my opinion.
"Has Asuka been like this for these 4 years?"
"Unfortunately yes. All though I hate to admit this, she's the one who caused me to change like this." Rei replied.
"How?" I asked.
"It was 2 years ago. Vice-Com-- Er, Misato had invited me over for dinner with her and Asuka. After dinner Asuka disappeared. Misato asked me to find her. I wandered a bit and found her in your room. She was crying softly and clutching a picture of all of us to herself. When she saw me she yelled at me. I didn't do anything, I merely told her what Misato had asked me to do. She attacked me, but she didn't beat me. She did knock some sense into my mind though. I think she was crying over you. Misato broke the fight up and sat us down in the living room. She told us about how you self-commit yourself into the Tokyo-2 Mental Ward. The caused Asuka to tear up even more and she ran to your room. Since then, I've been a different person. I wanted to be someone you could relate to. In a sense, Asuka helped me, though I hate to admit it."
This left me speechless. Rei Ayanami had opened the doors of her heart despite the probable reaction of my father. When I pulled into the car tram I still couldn't think of what to say. This was overwhelming for me.
"Shinji? Are you alright?"
"Huh?"
I must have zoned out on her for a while.
"Are you ok?" She asked.
"I fine."
"You'll be seeing them all today. Everyone." She said.
"I know. Will I be expected to pilot it again?"
"Yes, you will. Just as I will be expected to pilot the recovered Unit-04, and Asuka will be expected to pilot Unit-02."
'This time, I won't run away.' I told myself.
The tram stopped and I found a parking spot. I shut off the engine after parking and took the keys out of the ignition. Rei and I both got out and I locked the doors. We walked to meet Misato and Asuka. Since Misato's promotion I was surprised she was allowed to be this late. We all then walked to where four Nerv intelligence agents were waiting for us. We fallowed them through the grounds of Nerv and were lead to the Bridge. Dr. Akagi was not there like I had expected. Instead, Lt. Ibuki was in the white lab coat that Dr. Akagi wore. The two old bridge operators were still there. One other was seated in Dr. Ibuki's old chair. Also, my father was not waiting at his command desk, neither was Fyutski. Misato was now Vice-Commander, something that I should not forget.
"Welcome back, Shinji Ikari."
"Hello "Dr." Ibuki."
"No need for you to be formal with me because of my promotion, please call me Maya."
"Lets cut down to the business. You want me to pilot Unit-01 again, don't you?"
"You're very observant." She said.
"Alright. I'll do it, under one condition."
"And that is?" She asked me.
"I refuse to take any orders which involve me hurting another human being." I stated.
"I'll see what I can do, considering your targets are no longer Angels."
"What do you mean?" Asked Rei, who had been quiet til now.
"I mean, there is a war starting. I've received word from Commander Ikari that Iraqi and Russian forces have seized control of Nerv's 3rd Branch in Germany, and our 4th Branch in Russia. They have declared war on the Nerv in general and are producing Evangelions to start their war. They control our main Evangelion Production bases."
"And that's not all! They're going after Europe on a conquest. It's like World War 3!"
A woman had walked in saying those words. The most shocking thing was that she wasn't much older than I was. From the first glance I thought she was my age. Rei had whispered in my ear that she was 22 to confirm that I was wrong. She noticed how I was blushing. The woman was about Rei's height, 5' 8", and she wore what looked like Misato's old uniform only it was a dark green color. She had short cut light brown hair, dark hazel eye's, and wore a smile.
"Shinji, I'd like you to meet your new Operations Director, Sora Kano." Said Misato.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet the man who saved the world!" Said Sora, holding out her hand.
I shook her awaiting hand and nodded in my agreement. War? No. It can't be. Than I remembered Cynthia Yotashima from the mental institute. She showed me the rope and kept me going in there. We both were released and went to the same School. I remembered about how she was waiting out side my door one day at 2 in the morning just to tell me that she was joined Nerv's 3rd Branch and would be leaving in two days. I was heart broken. What if something happened to her?
"Ma'am were are being sent a message from Nerv 3rd Branch." Said Lt. Shigeru, to Misato.
"Post it on screen." Stated Misato.
All attention was placed on the screen. My heart skipped a beat, as the fear began to wash over me. Cynthia was on the screen. She looked frightened and two men were holding her at gun point. She spoke to the two men in rich Russian. I couldn't understand it. I took German in High School. They yelled at her and she looked back at us.
"I have a message from the Russian Tactical Commander. He says that Nerv 3rd Branch is to be handed over to the Russian Government effective immediately or they will start killing us. They've got us pinned down here, and the European Allied Forces can't help us."
I saw my father sitting at his desk.
"Tell them that they can have it."
"Are you serious sir?" Asked Cynthia.
"Do it."
Cynthia spoke to the two men briefly. One nodded the other walked away.
"They thank you for what you have done."
Suddenly I saw the remaining guards gun point at Cynthia.
"Cynthia RUN!" I yelled.
I saw Cynthia grin at me and pull a back flip, kicking the Guard in the face. She knocked him down and snapped his neck quickly. Taking his gun she winked at me.
"Well Shinji looks like I'm fucked this time."
"No, you can get out! Please don't do what I think you're going to do."
"To late, I can hear more men coming."
"Take the ventilation system. It eventually will take you to the outside. When you get out run. Run like hell."
There was a yell and Cynthia turned firing her gun. A grenade was shot off from her
weapon and there was an explosion. I saw her climb into the ventilation shaft before the
feed cut off.
I had returned to Nerv, been given a new suit, taken a sync test, practiced in the simulators, and had been back to Misato's Apartment with Asuka and Rei. We were all siting at the table drinking some cold drinks.
"Finally, I get to show my skill again!" Said Asuka.
Rei was quiet. She chose not to speak around Asuka. If she had shown that she was becoming more and more open towards life around Asuka, Asuka would only insult her for it. Rei didn't want to fight with Asuka, but Asuka hadn't matured as much as I had hoped.
"As long as Cynthia gets out alive." I said.
"By the way, who is she and how do you know her?"
"She was my best friend in Tokyo-2. I met her in the mental institute and we went to the same High School."
"So she wasn't you girlfriend?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering." Said Asuka.
She was hiding something.
"We faked a relationship in the Institute to mock the doctors and the staff. We were almost close enough to be considered as a couple at one time, but that didn't last long." A touch of sorrow was in my voice.
"You sound upset about that."
"Listen, I'd rather not talk about it."
"You can tell me."
I couldn't believe her. She went out of her way to pretend Rei wasn't here. Then a thought formed in my mind. I looked at Rei instead of Asuka. Rei was a bit surprised but caught on and went along with my little plan.
"I considered asking her on a date many times, but there isn't much you can do in a mental hospital." I told Rei.
"I'm sorry," said Rei "I wish things worked out."
"Excuse me?" Said Asuka.
I ignored her and so did Rei.
"There were times I wanted to hug her and times I wanted to kiss her."
Rei nodded.
"Hello?!" Stated Asuka.
"She didn't want to fall in love and possibly be separated from me."
"I wish I could relate with your tale." Said Rei.
"Are you listening to me?!" Shouted Asuka.
I turned to Asuka.
"Oh sorry Asuka, I forgot that you were here."
Asuka looked pissed. She slapped me, gave Rei a very dirty look, got up and stalked off to her room cursing me.
"I'm sorry Rei. I thought she had matured over the years. Looks like I was wrong."
"No worries. I just wish that she would think about me other than a thorn in her spine." Said Rei.
"So, we're at war with Iraq and Russia are we, then we'll need help. By the way Rei, I sorry. I'm sorry that avoided you before I left Tokyo-3. I was so afraid when I learned about your origins I didn't know what to do."
"I understand. I forgive you for your actions." She said.
"Are you still going to pilot Unit-00, I heard that it had been fixed up and modified while I was gone."
"Yes, I will pilot Unit-00 again." She said.
The tone of her voice sounded sad.
"Rei? Are you alright with that?"
She didn't answer, instead she looked into my eyes and I saw an emotion from Rei I had never seen from her. It was sadness and she was not happy about piloting an Eva again after what had happened to her because of it.
"Rei, you don't have to if you don't want to."
"Yes I do. If I don't pilot it, than I will be sent away and unable to see any of you anymore."
A tear traced it's way down her right cheek. I had never seen such an emotional outburst from Rei in my life. What had happened to her over the years. I got up and walked around the table to comfort her.
"So that's your reason?"
"Yes." She said, letting another tear trace it's way down her cheek.
"Then I'll be there with you."
She looked again into my eyes. Not being very experienced in this sort of thing, I could only think of one way to comfort her. I hugged her, giving her as much of my help as I could. When I started to let go she hugged me closer, her arms around my back, her head resting on my shoulder. It seemed like an eternity just standing there. It could have lasted longer if a certain Red head didn't walk in yelling at both of us.
"What the fuck are you doing?!" She yelled.
I didn't answer. Rei released her grip and so did I. I turned around to look at the German girl who had tormented me in my dreams every day as well as in life itself.
"Answer me!"
We both remained quiet.
"What are you two?! A couple?! For how long?!"
Now this was going to far. Asuka had blown things out of proportion before, but not like this.
"Listen Asuka! If you don't start maturing soon and treat Rei like a real human being then don't bother talking to me either. I was comforting her if you must pry, now why don't you go somewhere else, your presence is nothing but shear cruelness!"
I immediately regret those words. Asuka's lip began to quiver. She began to cry and ran straight passed Rei and I, and out the door.
"I hate you Shinji!" She screamed as she ran.
"What have I done?"
I looked at Rei, hoping for her to tell me something. She didn't say anything. Of course not, she didn't cope with this on a normal basis like Misato and I had to. She looked like she was about to say something when the phone rang. I let it ring to more times before picking it up.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Shinji? It's me, Sora, pack your bags kid, we're shipping out tomorrow. Tell Rei and Asuka to do the same. Got it?" Said Sora from the other end.
"Yeah. So we're going to launch an attack?"
I saw Rei perk up from the corner of my eye.
"It looks like it. See ya later kid!"
She hung up. I hung up the phone and told Rei the news. I thought about calling Asuka by her cell phone, but Rei said it was ill advised. 5 minutes later I decided to call her when the door opened and she walked inside, looking sullen.
"Asuka, we're shipping out tomorrow. Major Kano told me to tell you to pack your bags."
"I heard." She said.
Her voice was barely above a whisper which scared me. I had never known Asuka to be like this. I was about to apologize when she walked past me to her room. I saw Rei out to the front door. I invited her to dinner before saying good bye and watching her leave. I cursed myself for what I had said to Asuka. I had hurt her feelings when I shouldn't have. I walked to her door and knocked on it.
"Asuka? May I come in?"
No answer.
"Asuka?"
Still no answer.
"I'm coming in OK?"
Still no answer. I took a deep breath and opened the door. Asuka was nowhere to be found. She had not been in her room at all. Then I heard the shower. I decided I should leave her alone instead. I went to my room, pulled out my cello and played. I never knew how long I had been playing except that when I started it was bright and sunny, and when I finished it was dark. I was lost in the chords of the music I had just pulled up on the spot. I never played anyone else's music, even though it could make me famous. I remember Cynthia's scam that she pulled up where I would play my music for money or cigarettes, which I would end up selling, from visitors and other patients at the mental home. When I set down my cello I heard some one clapping behind me. It was Misato.
"That was very good Shinji. It's been a while since I last heard you play. About a year I'd say."
"You saw me a year ago? When?" I asked.
I never knew she saw me play.
"I saw you playing for wedding last year I think. I was only driving by since I had official business to attend to, when I saw you playing. I pulled up along side the road to listen. How much did they pay you for that?"
"5,000 yen."
"You were ripped off."
"You think so?" I asked.
"Your talent deserved more than that. So are you ready to leave tomorrow?"
"Yes, by the way I invited Rei for dinner if you don't mind."
"Fine with me, but your cooking."
Some how I had expected something like that from Misato. It was nice how she favored my cooking, but she could take the time to learn how to cook herself. Oh well. It looked like it would just be one of those nights!