Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ A New Beginning/ A New World: Emerald Edition ❯ Chapter 19: Christmas to New Years Part II ( Chapter 24 )

Chapter 19: Christmas to New Years Part II

 

Platinum edition note: I don't own the song "Isn't the Night Fantastic" by the Temptations, copyright 1980 by Motown Records, Inc. Please find a place to download it, so you can get the true “feel” of the song. A few minor additions, to make the characters more “in character”. I am trying to get all of these done so I can start on the new stuff, bear with me and I will get everything reposted.

 

Thursday December 31st 2015

 

The early evening finds Hikari Horaki at home and at work in the kitchen. She is working extra hard to make some wonderful desserts for tonight's party. Unfortunately, her assistant keeps tasting the bowl...

 

Hikari: (Smacking Toji's hand with her whisk) Stop tasting the dough!

 

To see a picture of Toji tasting the dessert dough, go to picture 122 on page 15...

 

Toji: (Rubbing his hand) Ow! What was that for?

 

Hikari: (Trying not to yell) If you keep tasting it, I'll have nothing to bake!

 

Before Toji can reply, Hikari's older sister Kadoma walks into the kitchen...

 

Kadoma: (Teasingly) So when's the wedding or have I missed it?

 

Hikari and Toji both blush and are silent for a moment, then Hikari speaks...

 

Hikari: W... what do you want?

 

Kadoma: (Trying to be a tease) Oh, nothing... just getting a snack. What are you TWO up to?

 

Hikari: (Slightly nervous) I-I'm just making some cookies for t-tonight's party at Asuka's place...

 

Kadoma: I see. You're taking your boyfriend with you, right?

 

Toji: (Finally speaking up) What's it to yah?

 

Kadoma: I was just curious, that's all. (Opens the refrigerator and grabs a soda and a candy bar from inside, then closes the door) Don't party too hard... and don't drink too much. You never know what can happen... (Winks her eye)

 

Hikari: (Embarrassed) Kadoma!

 

Kadoma studies Hikari's reaction for a moment, then starts to walk out of the kitchen...

 

Kadoma: I think I've embarrassed you two enough... have fun and don't do anything that I wouldn't do... (Chuckles silently to herself as she exits the kitchen)

 

Toji and Hikari silently stare at one another for a few moments. With an annoyed sigh Hikari then turns around and begins to stir the dough wildly. Toji then walks up behind Hikari, gently places his arms around her stomach, and pulls her back towards him. Not realizing what he had done, Hikari continues to stir but slowly she begins to calm down. When she became completely calm again, she happened to look down and see what had calmed her. Toji's arms were wrapped around her making her feel comfortable and relaxed. After savoring the feeling for a few moments, she starts to place the cookie dough in the pan and begins to form small circles with the dough...

 

Hikari: (Blushing) T-Toji...

 

Toji: Are you okay?

 

Hikari: Y-yeah. I hate it when my sister does that. I wish she just let me be and not kid around about us...

 

Toji blushes nervously and continues to hold Hikari. After a little while she turns her head and plants a kiss on his cheek...

 

Hikari: (Sweetly) Toji... I... need to finish making these cookies. We don't want to be late for the party...

 

Toji: (Gently removing his arms from around Hikari) Okay... (Thinks to himself) I can't wait to get there... I want to dance with her...

 

Hikari and Toji quickly finished the cookies and put them in the oven. While the cookies bake, both of them talk about the party. A loud "ding" is heard a little while later, ending their conversation. Hikari and Toji pull out the cookies and wrap them up for their journey over to the Katsuragi apartment...

 

Asuka: (Opening the front door) Come on in!

 

Hikari and Toji take off their shoes and walk into the apartment. They follow Asuka into the kitchen and see Shinji, Rei, and Kensuke playing Super Bomberman 2015 against each other...

 

Asuka: (Running into the room and looking at the TV) Hey! I thought you were gonna wait for me to come back! Who unpaused the game?

 

Kensuke casually turns away and whistles to himself. Asuka sits back down on the floor and stares menacingly at Kensuke...

 

Asuka: You're gonna pay for that, Kensuke!

 

Kensuke is taken slightly aback at her comment and returns to the game. Hikari and Toji sit down behind Asuka...

 

Toji: (Looking at the TV screen) So... who's winning?

 

Shinji: Rei and I are tied so far... Kensuke and Asuka are far behind... (Chuckles)

 

Asuka: (Loudly) Hey! Watch it, Third Child! (Punches Shinji in the arm)

 

Kensuke: (To himself) Now Asuka won't be mad at me... thanks, Shinji...

 

Shinji: (Rubbing his arm) Oww...

 

Asuka: (Mashing the buttons on the controller furiously) That's what you get for messing with the great 2nd Child...

 

Hikari watches the screen and sees Asuka's character execute a brilliant set up of bombs, ending in the destruction of the other three opponents a moment later...

 

Asuka: (Smiling) (Softly to herself) Now who's behind?

 

Rei happens to look down at Kensuke who is lying on the floor. He sighs as his head hits the pillow he was propping himself up on. Smiling, she responds to Asuka, "Aida."

 

Asuka: (Placing a hand on Shinji's shoulder) Don't worry, I won't beat yah too bad when I take 1st place...

 

Shinji: (Looking at Asuka) We'll see... (Winks at Asuka, causing her to blush) (To himself) She can get really competitive... but I know she's just kidding around with me. Besides, she's kinda cute when she gets angry...

 

Asuka: (To herself) I'm glad he knows when I'm kidding and he stands up for himself, not like before 3rd Impact, when he would have cowered away. He has matured so much...

 

Toji: (Interrupting Asuka and Shinji's thinking) Hey, I thought we were gonna do some dancing tonight... (Mentally pictures dancing with Hikari)

 

Asuka: Yeah, you're right. Let's play a few more games and then we'll get out the CD player and some music...

 

Toji: (Excitedly) Great!

 

Asuka: (Looking at Toji) Can't wait to dance with Hikari, huh Toji?

 

Hikari and Toji both blush at the same time...

 

Hikari: Asuka!

 

Asuka: (Waving her hand) I'm just kidding... you two need to relax. All of us here know how you feel about each other...

 

Hikari: I-I guess. (Pauses for a moment) Asuka, where's Misato?

 

Asuka: That's a good question... (Looks up at the clock) Where could that woman be? Do you know, Shinji?

 

Shinji: I have no idea...

 

Asuka and Shinji shrug their shoulders and return to the game. A little while later, Asuka and Shinji dig out the CD player and some music and begin to play some tunes...

 

Meanwhile, in Kyoto, Misato waits in a designated spot in a field outside of town. The voice that told her to come here struck a chord in her memory, but it had been disguised, making it hard to determine who it was. As she stood around waiting, a figure moved in closer behind her. "You're early," he told her.

 

Misato looks over at the outfit that this stranger is wearing. He is wearing a brown trench coat and a large brown hat, which is complemented by the full beard and mustache on his face that remind her of an old cartoon series she saw as a child about a freaky burglar named Jigen Daisuke.

 

Misato: (Still studying the man) Who are you?

 

Man: (Nonchalantly) Come with me.

 

He then moved away from her and something compelled her to follow him. It did not take long to go from there to a small hotel room in Kyoto. As she entered the room, she watched him move to the stereo and hit play. `This sounds familiar' Misato mused to herself as the music began to play...

 

Misato: (More forcefully) WHO are you?

 

Man: I have some information for you, Misato... you and the children may be in danger. (Starts thumbing through a collection of papers)

 

Misato: (Skeptically) What do you know of it?

 

The mystery man just looks at her intently and she feels something as she looks into his eyes... `He seems familiar' Misato thinks to herself. She then grabs the papers from the man's hand and begins to scan them. As she is reading, Misato begins to hum along with the music. A moment later, a figurative lightning bolt hits her... she suddenly recognizes the song "Love in an Elevator". Her hands tremble and she gasps and drops the papers to the floor. She looked up at the man and he smiles at her...

 

Man: I see you are still driving that old blue Renault ... remember when we used to race along the back roads?

 

Misato begins to shake as realization dawns on her. The man takes off his hat and then pulls at the mustache and beard on his face. As they fall away she can only stare at him...

 

Misato: (Shouting) Kaji!! (Hugs him for a split second then decks him, knocking him to the ground. (Frowns at him) What the hell do you think you are doing? Making me think you're dead and buried... (Falls to her knees and begins to cry) You don't know what I went through when I thought you died...

 

Misato looks at Kaji for a moment then cradles the now bruised love of her life in her arms and begins to hug him...

 

Kaji: (Rubbing his jaw with a free hand) I guess I deserved that...

 

Misato looks at him again, she is surprised that he is alive, and she can feel her emotions surging out of control inside her. Part of her wants to hit him again and run, while the other part wants to throw him on the bed to make up for lost time. For the time being, she simply snuggles against him and continues to cry...

 

Kaji sighs a minute later, and Misato listens as he speaks...

 

Kaji: I... don't know if I can explain everything. But it was not my choice to stay hidden from you when I came back to life.

 

Misato: You what? (Thinks to herself erratically) This better be good, I want to kill him and make love to him all at the same time...

 

Kaji: (Continuing) I can't explain it, but I thought I was dead and I felt like you were with me for a short time... and then I was alive again.

 

Misato's eyes opened wide as realization of what he was saying dawned on her and she understood what he was talking about; he really had been dead, most likely killed like she was, as she too had felt the stings of death. This seemed to explain to her why she could feel him for a short time during Third Impact. She now knew that Shinji had brought them all back to life...

 

Misato: (To herself) Shinji, I could kiss you for this!

 

Kaji: After that I had to remain in hiding 'till the heat was off me. (Smiles at Misato) But I'm sure you may remember that I once told you I needed to tell you something ...something very important. Something that if we ever met again...

 

She stares at him in hushed anticipation...

 

Kaji: Misato Katsuragi... I love you!

 

Misato: (Helps him back to his feet as tears begin to fall from her eyes) Kaji... I'm...

 

Kaji wipes a tear from her eye though he leaves his hand against her cheek...

 

Kaji: (Holds out his arms) Come here...

 

The two of them then leaned closer without a word spoken. When their lips met, her arms grabbed him as if to convince herself that he was real, and that this was really happening. This kiss made all the others before pale in comparison. Gone are the doubts and the half-truths, gone are the innuendos and the partial lies. Now there were those three words that said it all, "I love you." Their two souls were finally sealed together...

 

After coming up for air, Misato notices the title of the disc by the CD Player...

 

Misato: I see you kept the CD's...

 

Kaji: Of course... some of the songs remind me of the good times that we had together... (Smiles)

 

Misato: (Seductively) May I make a request?

 

Kaji: Of course, my love...

 

Misato: Track 10, disc 1, please...

 

Kaji: (Smiling as he recognizes the song) Sooo... you want some healing?

 

Misato: (Seductively) Oh yes... (Takes off her jacket and throws it to the ground) Very badly... (Peels off her sweater and undershirt) (Very seductively) Ready, my love?

 

Kaji changes the track, and turns off the lights. He nods, and gathers her in his arms. They kiss again before he slowly lays her down on the bed...

 

Back in Tokyo-3, Shinji, Asuka, and Rei are beginning to get concerned about Misato. They try to figure out where she went to no avail. The party continues as midnight is close at hand...

 

Hikari: It's almost midnight...

 

Shinji: Yeah...

 

Hikari: Have you guys heard of the New Year's custom?

 

Toji: What custom?

 

Hikari: There's an old saying that says whatever you are doing at midnight is what the new year will be like for you...

 

Asuka: Hmm... (Looks at Shinji) Shinji...

 

Shinji: Yeah, Asuka...

 

Asuka: (Putting on her "cute" face) Wanna kiss me at midnight?

 

Shinji: (Blushing) O-of course...

 

Toji: That's not a bad idea... (Takes Hikari's hand) Hikari would you like to...

 

Hikari: (Blushing) Y-yeah...

 

Kensuke and Rei look at the others and then at each other, causing both to slightly blush. Asuka takes a closer look at the time...

 

Asuka: It's 11:59 already? Verdammt! Shinji, come here!

 

Shinji walks up to Asuka and can immediately feel her arms pulling him into a very close embrace...

 

Asuka: (Softly) Now, when the clock strikes twelve, give me all you got...

 

Shinji: (Very softly) S-sure... (Puts his arms around Asuka)

 

Toji mimics what Asuka just did by pulling Hikari into a close embrace as well. Both couples eagerly watch the clock as midnight rapidly approaches...

 

On the other side of the room, Kensuke and Rei are also watching the clock. Rei thinks to herself for a moment then moves closer to Kensuke...

 

Kensuke: (Daydreaming) What would it be like to kiss a girl, one as beautiful as Rei?

 

Rei: (To herself) I would like to participate in this custom as well... (Slowly moves her arms towards Kensuke)

 

Kensuke continues to daydream about kissing Rei as she moves right in front of him and prepares to make her move. He is unaware that the real Rei is standing right in front of him... as he is preparing to kiss the Rei in his daydream.

 

The other two couples also fail to notice how close Rei and Kensuke are and instead are focused on the clock...

 

Asuka: (Reading off the remaining seconds off of the clock) Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...

 

At the chime of midnight, Shinji and Asuka passionately kiss, Toji and Hikari kiss, and Rei leans in and kisses Kensuke before he can even register what she was doing. After the kiss, Rei opens her eyes and sees no one in front of her. Kensuke is lying on the floor with a trickle of blood coming from his nose, a goofy smile on his face, and his now fogged up glasses... which make Rei quietly smile to herself.

 

Shinji and Asuka finish their long kiss and look over at Rei, as do Hikari and Toji... and all four immediately notice Kensuke on the floor...

 

Asuka: Rei, what happened? Did you punch him?

 

Hikari: Yeah, is he gonna be ok?

 

Shinji: (Looking at the expression on Kensuke's face) You know, I have never seen him smiling like that...

 

Toji: (Also looking at Kensuke's face) You're right, he is smiling...

 

Asuka: What did you do, Rei?

 

Rei: I kissed him.

 

Four thuds were heard as all of the other teens face-faulted, leaving Rei as the only one standing. Rei then turns and looks at Kensuke again. She blushes as she recalls the feelings she experienced just a few moments ago...

 

Rei: (Puts her hand on her heart and thinks to herself) I-I feel so warm inside and...

 

Kensuke slowly staggers to his feet. Rei notices him getting up and gives him a hand. He looks around the room and is shocked to see the other teens on the floor...

 

Kensuke: What happened to them?

 

Rei: They seem to have passed out after I told them that we kissed.

 

Kensuke blushes profusely at her saying it that way...

 

Kensuke: Rei, I need to talk to you... um away from them...

 

Rei: Very well, we can use my room.

 

Kensuke: YOUR ROOM! Um I mean, sure your room... (Nervously laughs while holding the back of his head with his right hand)

 

Kensuke and Rei head over to Rei's room. In the front room, the four teens still lie on the ground...

 

Rei: I would like to play a song for you. It is a song that I found on a CD that I was given from my mom. Do you want to dance with me?

 

Kensuke: (Blushing) Um... sure...

 

Rei plays the Temptations song "Isn't The Night Fantastic"...

 

A/N: Here are the lyrics below for the above song...

 

Isn't the night fantastic? Hey babe, oh what a night for love... (Oh what a night for love)

 

Somehow the night has magic... (Magic) Oh what a night for love...

 

You and me reaching out for love... (Reaching out and touching) Perfect timing sent from heaven above...

 

Here we are, dancing among the stars... and we're right between Venus and Mars...

 

Isn't the night fantastic? Hey babe, oh what a night for love... (Won't you stay, won't you stay)

 

Somehow the night has magic... (Magic) Oh what a night for love...

 

Come with me, let ecstasy run free... (Please, please, come...) I guarantee you're never wanna leave...

 

(Please, please, come...) Let the stars guide our love tonight, we're right between Venus and Mars...

 

Isn't it... (Isn't it)... magic (Magic)

Isn't it... (Isn't it)... magic (Magic)

Isn't it... (Isn't it)... magic (Magic)

Isn't it... (Isn't it)... magic (Magic)

 

(Musical interlude)

 

Oh what a night for love... isn't the night fantastic? Hey babe, oh what a night for love... (Won't you stay, won't you stay)

 

Somehow the night has magic... (Magic) Oh what a night for love... (Oh what a night for love)

 

Come with me, let ecstasy run free... (Please, please, come...) I'll guarantee you're never wanna leave...

 

(Please, please, come...) Let the stars guide our love tonight, we're right between Venus and Mars...

 

Isn't it... magic...

Isn't it... magic (Magic)

Isn't it... magic...

Isn't it... (Isn't it)... magic (Magic)

Isn't it... magic...

Isn't it... (Isn't it)... magic (Magic)

Isn't it... (Isn't it)... magic (Magic)

 

Fade out...

 

The song comes to a close and Kensuke wants to ask Rei an important question...

 

Kensuke: Rei, I... I wanted....

 

Rei: Yes, Aida...

 

Kensuke: Please... call me Kensuke... (Blushes)

 

Rei: Very well, Kensuke.

 

Kensuke's blush turns even redder as he hears Rei call him by his first name...

 

Kensuke: (Nervously) Yes, well, you see I was wondering...

 

Rei: You were wondering?

 

Kensuke: (Trying not to choke up) Yes, I wanted to know... if... (Looks at Rei, and notices that she is looking at him intently)

 

Toji, who had headed over to Rei's room after getting up, now speaks from outside her room...

 

Toji: Go ahead and ask her!

 

Kensuke turns around and notices Toji standing there. He flashes Toji an angry look, then returns to the challenge at hand...

 

Kensuke: Would you... go... out with me?

 

Rei: I've heard dating is a normal human experience that does start in the adolescent years...

 

Kensuke begins to get even more nervous. Rei looks at him and continues...

 

Rei: My mother said to try new things and take chances; otherwise, you may miss something. I want to experience life and I want to experience such an event. (Looks at him intently) Yes, I would Kensuke.

 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Kensuke looks at Rei and smiles...

 

Toji: Come on lovebirds, let's go back to the front room. Hikari and the others are waiting...

 

Kensuke and Rei both blush and follow Toji back into the front room, where all of them sit down and talk and play some cards...

 

In a Kyoto apartment, Misato has woken up, exhausted. She slowly looks at her watch and sees the time...

 

Misato: (Loudly) Damn! It's already 12:30!

 

Kaji: (Waking up) You got somewhere to be?

 

Misato: The kids were having a party back at the apartment... I bet they're wondering where I am...

 

Kaji: Why don't you go back and see them, then come back over here later today? There is something else that I want to show you...

 

Misato: Okay, I'll do that. Before I go, I have one question... (Presses her chest again him, causing him to blush) Kaji... did you really mean it when you said, "I love you"? I need to know... I need a stable relationship in my life.

 

Misato stares into Kaji's eyes as she awaits his response to her question. Kaji can immediately tell by the look on her face that she has been waiting to ask that question for a long time. He pauses for a moment then answers her question...

 

Kaji: Y... yes, I meant it. I do love you, Misato. (Starts to run his fingers through her hair) I'm glad we got the chance to be together again... and I want to stay with you...

 

Misato: (Kissing him on the cheek) Mmm... thank you, Kaji. Happy New Year...

 

Kaji: Happy New Year...

 

Misato gets up and walks towards the door...

 

Kaji: (Watching Misato head towards the door) Ummm... Misato... shouldn't you put your clothes back on?

 

Misato: (Embarrassed) Oh, yeah...

 

Misato quickly gets dressed, kisses Kaji again, runs down, revs up her Renault Aspine, and zooms back towards Tokyo-3. After a round of dancing, the kids continue their party by playing some games on the NSS system. After a while, they get bored, Asuka throws some music on, and the couples start to dance again...

 

Time moves forward and Misato arrives back at the apartment around 2:45 AM. As she walks into the apartment, she has a very big smile on her face...

 

Rei: (Looking up, concerned) Mom, where were you?

 

Misato: (Smiling) I was visiting a friend... (Notices Kensuke sitting at the table)... how are you and your new boyfriend doing?

 

Rei and Kensuke both blush...

 

Rei: F... fine...

 

Misato: Sorry about that guys... you two are an item now, right?

 

Kensuke: (Stuttering) Ummm... yeah...

 

Rei: Mom, will you allow us to develop this relationship without pushing us further than we are ready for?

 

Misato: (Smiling) Okay, Rei. Whatever you want... (Looks at Kensuke threateningly) You better treat my daughter right...

 

Kensuke: (Squirming in his chair) Um... yes, ma'am...

 

Misato: (Puts on a cheerful expression again) Well, now that that's settled... (Pauses)... what happened to the party?

 

Kensuke: Um... after midnight, we played some cards, played on Asuka's NSS system and had a few more dances. Asuka and Shinji fell asleep after that, and then Toji and Hikari did as they were talking to each other...

 

Misato surveys the front room and notices that the rest of the kids are asleep. She notices Asuka snuggled up on top of Shinji on the couch, and Hikari and Toji asleep on the floor, hand in hand...

 

Misato: I'm gonna get some blankets to cover those guys... did you want to sleepover, Kensuke? It's pretty late, and you could sleep in the front room if you want...

 

Kensuke nearly falls over in his chair at Misato's suggestion...

 

Kensuke: (Sweating) Well... um... I guess I could... (Gulps)... sleepover tonight...

 

Misato: Will you two be joining the others in the front room?

 

Kensuke blushes like mad and he looks at Rei hopefully. He is surprised to see a slight change in the color of her cheeks as well...

 

Kensuke: (Nervously) Rei, if you'd like... I'd like the chance to talk to you more... I mean it's not as if... I mean we wouldn't be alone and... we really wouldn't be sleep...

 

Before he can say another letter, his voice cuts out. The thought of sleeping in the same room with her has entered his head... he had thought many times of sleeping with a girl and more, but now he was nervous...

 

Rei: (Slightly blushing) O... okay. I would like to talk to you further...

 

Misato: (Grinning slightly) Then it's settled, Rei let's get some blankets for the others, then you two need to get some... (Stresses the next word in a way that makes its meaning clear, meaning it was all they could do)... "sleep" too.

 

Rei: All right, mom. (Looks at Kensuke) I will be back, Kensuke...

 

Kensuke: O... okay...

 

Kensuke patiently waits as Misato and Rei get some spare blankets from the closet and place one over Hikari and Toji, and another over Asuka and Shinji. Rei sets up some blankets on the floor for Kensuke and herself, then places two pillows down on top...

 

Misato: (Yawning) I'm going to bed... (Winks at Rei)... don't forget to give your boyfriend a goodnight hug...

 

Rei can only nod at Misato's suggestion. Misato notices the nervousness of her daughter and her boyfriend and quickly heads into her own room and does a nosedive into her bed not bothering to even take her clothes off. She quickly falls asleep, mumbling one word to herself... "Kaji"...

 

Rei: I am going to change for bed, you can wait here...

 

Kensuke: (Blushing) Umm... umm... okay...

 

Rei heads back to her room and changes into a pair of blue sweatpants and a blue T-shirt, then returns. She stretches out on the blanket next to Kensuke. He looks at her and starts to blush...

 

Kensuke: Rei... um... you look nice...

 

Rei: Thank you... (Pauses) Kensuke, you said that you wanted to talk to me some more...

 

Kensuke: Um... yeah. I was w-wondering if you would go on a d-date with me tomorrow?

 

Rei: (Smiling) Yes, I would enjoy that very much...

 

Kensuke: (Twiddling his thumbs nervously) Um... Rei... I was wondering if... if... I could get a goodnight... (Gulps and then squeaks out his next word)... hug?

 

Rei: (Displaying a slight blush) Yes.... I would like that too...

 

Rei then leans in to give Kensuke a goodnight hug as her mom had mentioned earlier and she was surprised at how good it actually did feel. "I see now why Asuka liked these so much," she thought as she pulled away from him slowly...

 

Rei: Goodnight Kensuke.

 

Kensuke: (Squeaks) 'Night Rei.

 

Rei then lies down and begins to think about her life and how things are changing. Not only that but how different a hug from Kensuke feels as opposed to one from Shinji. As she falls asleep, she thinks about how warm she felt inside as she hugged Kensuke...

 

Kensuke lies down after several minutes of just watching her and he cannot believe what is happening. It was not that long ago that he barely had a friend in the world, and then Shinji, Rei, Toji, Asuka and Hikari came into his life. At first it was just him and his friends Shinji and Toji, but he nearly lost them. And now, now he has not only his friends back, but a girlfriend too! Feeling dizzy from the rush of emotions he laid his head back on the pillow and casting one more longing look at Rei, tries to go to sleep. However the closeness he experienced during the hug, and Rei's closeness still made it very hard for him to actually go to sleep. His mind instead was flooded with thoughts and ideas of where to take her, what would she like and most importantly the thought of having a girlfriend in and of itself...

 

After an hour of thinking and reflecting, Kensuke finally manages to relax. He is happy and excited, yet scared and concerned... "This is something new for me, will I be able to handle it?" he mumbles to himself. A good bit of time passes before he finally falls asleep. Rei, not being very accustomed to sleeping on the floor, moves herself around as she is sleeping and winds up having her head on Kensuke's chest without even knowing it...

 

 

Friday January 1st 2016

 

 

Late in the morning, Shinji and Asuka are the first to wake up and look around the front room. They notice that Hikari and Toji have fallen asleep next to each other and also notice Rei using Kensuke as a makeshift pillow. Their prime focus, however, soon comes to Hikari and Toji...

 

Asuka: Well, well. Look whose got their hands all over each other, Shinji?

 

Shinji: Huh? Oh yeah, you're right. Want to wake the lovebirds up?

 

Asuka: Yeah. Listen, go get your alarm from your room and switch it to buzzer! (Has an evil smile on her face)

 

Shinji smirked and quietly got his alarm radio. After retrieving the radio, he places it just above the sleeping couple and set the alarm for one minute, then both Shinji and Asuka made their way back to the sofa. They snuggle, cover themselves with the blanket Misato covered them with earlier, and wait...

 

A loud BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ was heard 50 seconds later, waking Toji and Hikari so quickly that Toji shot up to a sitting position carrying Hikari up onto his lap. They rubbed their eyes, trying to wake up and then they spotted each other, nose to nose. Both Hikari and Toji sit there, looking at each other for a good fifteen to twenty seconds until gasps of surprise were heard followed by Toji and Hikari quickly backing away from each other and trying to act innocent. The four other occupants of the room were either laughing or giggling at the startled pair, not fooled by their act.

 

After a few moments, Kensuke and Rei look at each other and blush when they realize where they are and what happened last night- they were together and it felt good inside to be close to the other person...

 

A few minutes later, after Toji and Hikari had calmed down, the six children enjoy a nice breakfast courtesy of Shinji and Rei. While they talked, the subject went back to the faces Toji and Hikari had when they realized their predicament...

 

Asuka: You looked so funny with that horrified expression, Hikari... god I wish I had a camera...

 

Kensuke: Well I did and I got both of them with my trusty camera... (Holds up his camera)

 

Within a few seconds, Toji and Hikari were off to the races chasing a now terrified Kensuke around the apartment.

 

Toji: Come back here! I want that picture!

 

Hikari: (Getting angry) I want that picture 'cause I know you and what you may do with the picture...

 

Kensuke runs into Rei's part of the apartment and slams the door. He quickly locks the door and breathes a sigh of relief...

 

Kensuke: Whew! That was close!

 

Kensuke sits with his back to the door and can hear and feel Hikari and Toji pounding on the door and yelling. He looks down at his digital camera and glances at the picture in question again and chuckles to himself... `This could be worth some big money or favors from those two...'

 

Kensuke is so involved with looking at the picture that he fails to notice Rei unlock the main door to this part of the apartment and enter the room...

 

Rei: Kensuke...

 

Kensuke: (Very startled) R-Rei! How did you get in here?

 

Rei: (Pointing at the door that leads outside from which she just came) I have the key to that door, I do live here...

 

Kensuke mentally slaps himself for forgetting where he is...

 

Rei: I would like that film. I do not wish you to be harmed... nor do I wish Hikari or Toji to be angry at you.

 

Kensuke: (Protesting) But Rei...

 

Kensuke watches as Rei folds her arms across her chest and stares at him. He doesn't want to give up the disk, but his feelings for Rei and the possibility of losing what he just gained (A girlfriend) are too much. Reluctantly, he takes out the disk and hands it to Rei...

 

Rei turns around and walks out of the apartment, with Kensuke following right behind her like a lost puppy. She sits down at the table and continues to eat her breakfast. Kensuke pulls up a chair and also starts to eat...

 

Asuka: (Yelling) Hey Toji, Hikari, come here!

 

Kensuke: Asuka!

 

Toji and Hikari come back into the kitchen and immediately spot their prey...

 

Kensuke: (Waving his arms) Hold on a second, I...

 

Rei: (Holds up Kensuke's film disk) I have the film disk, he will not take advantage of the picture...

 

Toji: Thanks, Rei.

 

Hikari: Make sure you keep that disk in a safe place...

 

Rei nods her head in response...

 

Asuka: Make sure you keep Kensuke on a short leash, so he keeps out of trouble...

 

Rei: I think he may not feel comfortable wearing a leash...

 

Kensuke summons his will power to stop himself from yelling at Asuka. As he does so, he mentally pictures Rei having him on a leash...

 

Kensuke: Rei... you wouldn't really put me on a leash would you?

 

Rei: Only if you require one.

 

Kensuke's eyes get very wide as soon as he hears Rei's last comment. Shinji begins to laugh at Kensuke's predicament, Hikari begins to chuckle. Asuka looks at Rei dumbfounded while Toji begins to nudge Kensuke in the ribs...

 

Hikari: I could get you one if you want me to... (Starts to laugh uncontrollably)

 

Shinji, Asuka, and Kensuke look at Toji and begin to laugh at him...

 

Toji: (Confused) Huh? Why are you guys laughing at me?

 

No one answers his question and they continue to laugh. Toji begins to fume, but Hikari grabs his arm and whispers in his ear...

 

Hikari: Relax, Toji, relax...

 

Toji: O-Okay... (Tries to calm down)

 

Asuka: Good boy! Be nice or no treats for you!

 

Toji: (Getting angry again) I oughtta...

 

Hikari: Toji, down!

 

Toji: Ok...

 

Toji realizes a moment later what has just happened and storms out to the balcony with whiffs of smoke coming from his ears. Hikari follows Toji out to the balcony. In the front room, Asuka keeps laughing and Kensuke tries hard not to laugh...

 

Rei: (To herself) That was... interesting.

 

Asuka: (Placing a hand on Shinji's shoulder) That was funny, right Shinji?

 

Shinji: (Nodding his head) Yes.

 

Kensuke looks at Rei and sees the broad smile on her face, a result of the incident that had just occurred. In the meantime, Hikari has a talk with Toji on the balcony...

 

Hikari: (Jumps back away from him letting out a slight squeak) Toji...

 

Toji: What? (Turns around to see Hikari looking at him, her eyes wide in fear) I'm sorry... I just... I don't know...

 

Hikari: You just scare me sometimes... when you get like that...

 

Toji: (Diverts his eyes down, the last thing he ever wanted was to make her scared of him) I'm sorry. I just don't know how to deal with it... or her... or us.

 

Hikari: Or... us?

 

Toji: (Softly) I just... I never had someone mean this much to me...

 

Hikari: M-Me too... (Slowly walks up to Toji and gives him a hug)

 

Hikari and Toji share a warm moment out on the balcony and then head inside and immediately hear a heated conversation going on the kitchen...

 

Asuka: (Looking at Rei and Kensuke) (Smirks as she talks) Aaaand it seems we weren't the only ones together this morning...

 

Kensuke and Rei blush quietly...

 

Shinji: Hey Kensuke... treat my sister right, or I'll step on your house with Unit-01...

 

Kensuke knew that Shinji was serious, but he planned to treat Rei with the respect and love she deserved.

 

Rei: I do not believe that it is fair for you to say anything, Asuka. You spend the night with Shinji all of the time...

 

Hikari: (Jumping into the conversation) You mean in the front room, right?

 

Toji: Yeah... is that what you mean, Rei?

 

Rei: (Shaking her head) They have been having "sleepovers" in Asuka's room...

 

Hikari: (Shocked) What! Oh my God! You're living in sin!

 

Kensuke sighs, and is grateful that the focus is off of him for the time being...

 

Asuka: Hikari, remember this morning? (Points at Toji)

 

Hikari blushes and then puts her hands over her face. Toji turns red as well, and puts and arm around Hikari...

 

Asuka: (Raising her voice) Hikari... Misato didn't see anything wrong with Shinji and I sleeping together because we had promised that we wouldn't have sex or fool around. She also made us leave the door open and she spent that night and several since in our room, just to make sure...

 

Hikari: (Taking her hands off of her face) Oh... I'm sorry Asuka. I didn't mean to make such a big deal out of it but the circumstances that I saw, well... you can understand why I reacted the way I did.

 

Shinji gently takes Asuka's hand and holds it, in attempt to calm her down. Rei notices that calming effect that her brother's hand has on Asuka and decides to do the same thing with Kensuke to calm herself. Rei was used to arguments with Asuka, and she could recall a number of confrontations with her... but this time, it was different... they were a family to her now and this family fighting was making her very uncomfortable. Kensuke begins to get nervous and begins to sweat. Looking over at Rei, he notices that she has begun to calm down and he smiles, happy over the fact that he was able to help her.

 

Asuka: (Nods) Don't worry about it...

 

Toji is about to make a comment when all attention is diverted to the sight of Misato staggering into the kitchen, still wearing the same disheveled clothes from the night before...

 

Misato: (Staggering towards the fridge) Morning...

 

All six of kids continue to stare silently at Misato, who grabs a beer from the fridge and sits down at the table...

 

Misato: (Opening the beer) Everyone sleep well?

 

The room is silent once again as all six teens fidget silently...

 

Misato: (Looking around the room) What?

 

Asuka: (Breaking the silence) Oh, nothing... (Changing the subject) Where were you last night? We stayed up waiting and wondering where the hell you were at...

 

Misato: (Passively) Sorry about that...

 

Rei: Mom, are you still tired?

 

Misato: (Drinking the last of her beer) I guess so... (Falls asleep in her chair)

 

After watching Misato pass out, Shinji decides to inquire further...

 

Shinji: Rei, what time did she get home last night?

 

Rei: Around 2:45 A.M....

 

Asuka: Mein Gott! No wonder she's still tired... but where was she at?

 

Rei: She said that she was out visiting a friend... and did not say where this friend was at...

 

Asuka: Well... if I know her, she was with either one of her drinking buddies like Makoto or she got another guy to be nice to her again.

 

Rei: I do not think Mother is doing that anymore...

 

Shinji: I agree, since Kaji died she hasn't been doing that...

 

Asuka: (Despondently) Yeah, sorry... I forgot about that.

 

Asuka: Listen Shinji, and you jock boy help me get her to her bed...

 

Shinji: Okay...

 

Toji looks at the time on the clock and then looks at Hikari...

 

Toji: Hey, Hikari... want me to walk you home after I help them carry Misato into her room?

 

Hikari: (Blushing) O-Okay...

 

Toji, Shinji, and Asuka pick up and carefully take Misato into her room. Asuka puts a blanket over her and then returns with the others to the kitchen...

 

Kensuke: (Reluctantly) Well, I'd better go too...

 

Rei: Kensuke, I would like to go to the park today, will you accompany me?

 

Kensuke: (Nervously) Sure Rei, I-I'd be happy to...

 

Rei suddenly has a feeling of nervousness at Kensuke's answer, this being her first time going out with a boy...

 

On her return trip to the kitchen, Asuka catches the end of Kensuke and Rei's conversation...

 

Asuka: (To herself) Hey, that means more alone time with Shinji! (Out loud) Well... Rei, I think that you should get some lunch ready for your picnic then.

 

Asuka grabs the blue-haired girl by the arm and leads her to the kitchen. The rest of the teens are startled by the sudden kidnapping.

 

Toji: Well, I'm gonna get going... (Takes Hikari's hand) See you guys later!

 

Hikari: Bye!

 

Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Kensuke say goodbye and then Hikari and Toji leave, taking a long walk before getting to Hikari's place.

 

Back at the apartment, Kensuke nervously waits for Rei and Asuka to finish making that picnic lunch that they were working on. Shinji watches Asuka make the sandwiches and thinks to himself... `Maybe I should take Asuka out for a picnic lunch sometime...'

 

When the lunch is finished and packed into a basket, Asuka goes and gets Kensuke and Rei's coats, hats, and gloves and gives the clothing to them. Kensuke and Rei quickly dress and are immediately accosted by Asuka...

 

Asuka: (Pushing Kensuke and Rei towards the door) You two have fun, okay?

 

Kensuke gulps as soon as he reaches the door. He turns and looks at Rei...

 

Kensuke: What park would you like to go to?

 

Rei: (Thinks for a moment, then responds) Follow me...

 

Kensuke and Rei walk out the door and into the crisp morning air. Asuka closes the door and then turns around, finding Shinji right behind her...

 

Shinji: That was nice of you to help out, Asuka... but I think you just wanted to get rid of them... (Puts his hands on her shoulders)

 

Asuka: (Putting on a "cute" face) Hmm... maybe, but I did want to help out- it is your sister's first date after all... (Pulls Shinji into a close hug) And what's wrong with spending a little time with my Shin-chan?

 

Shinji smiles and then Asuka relaxes as she feels his arms wrap around her, `This is going to be a nice New Year after all...' she muses to herself...

 

Certain people elsewhere, however, are envisioning a different New Year, one full of domination and destruction...

 

To be continued in the next chapter, Chapter 20: First Date and Old Friends

 

END ARC 1

 

That's right, this is only the end of one of five currently planned arcs for this story. Expect a lot more of this story in the future!

 

German translations- Verdammt= Damn Mein Gott= My God