Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Between the Fiery Mind and Cold Heart ❯ A Boyfriend's Worry: Joining Love (Part 2) ( Chapter 10 )

Between the Fiery Mind and Cold Heart

Note: I'm very sorry for the late update. I had some personal issues that needed to be dealt with. For the many reviews received for this story, all I can say is… wow. Many thanks to your support and time to read this story, readers.

Chapter 10 - A Boyfriend's Worry: Joining Fire and Ice (Part 2)

Legend:

Word - denotes character's thought

[Word] - denotes concept of time, setting

<Word> - denotes sound effect

[Tokyo-3 High, front gate]

Shinji looked side to side at the two loves of his life. His mind couldn't process a quick decision as he had numerous 'what if' scenarios had he picked one or the other. Uh… damn, now who to walk home? Looks like I'm stuck in between. If I picked Rei, Asuka will sure throw a fit. If I picked Asuka, then Rei will be sad and disappointed.

"Well, baka, what're you standing there doing nothing for?" Asuka asked him. And I almost had a chance to spend some time alone with him if not for Wondergirl here! She eyed her competitor suspiciously.

"Shinji-kun? What are you thinking about?" Rei asked. She waved at his face to get his attention.

"H-Huh? S-Sorry, it's nothing," Shinji snapped out of his thought. "How about I treat you both to ice cream before walking you home?"

"Really? That's great! Come on, I know of a good place!" Asuka tugged his arm, dragging him along with her.

"Woah! H-Hold on a second, Asuka!" Shinji begged. He looked towards Rei and extended his hand out to her. "Rei, come join us."

Rei felt sad at being left out, but as soon as her love asked for her to come along, she smiled.

"Thank you, Shinji-kun."

She reached for his hand and held it. I'm glad you asked me to come.

Asuka watched her with a jealous heart. Humph. Wondergirl sure doesn't have a hard time getting his attention!

Noticing the atmosphere around them, Shinji sighed. That's it, I've got to get these two to be friends at least. Yeah, that's it! That way I get to spend time with both of them and be clear with them about my feelings for them.

"Asuka, Rei. I want you both to know that I'm happy at being with you two."

Both girls were little awestruck at the remark. But nevertheless, it brought slight blushes on their faces and a caring feeling to their hearts.

"Well, since you know where the best place for ice cream, lead the way, Asuka." Shinji urged the fiery German beauty.

"Y-Yeah, alright." she replied.

The three teens then walked in silence on their destination before going home. Shinji looked up at the sky. Oh boy… kami-sama, this is going to be harder than I thought.

[Ice cream joint in Tokyo-3]

"Mmm… this is great! Shinji, try this flavor," Asuka suggested, spooning a small portion of her chocolate banana split with cherry on top.

"W-Wait… I'm not done with this chocolate sundae I'm eating… mumph!" He protested, but not before getting a taste of it as Asuka placed it in his mouth. It took a few minutes for the lad to digest one ice cream after the other. Rei retaliated by offering her pistachio vanilla ice cream to him.

"Shinji-kun, please try a taste of mine as well." She spooned a small portion and fed him before he could react.

Other customers in the ice cream shop watched the scene with amusement and envy.
"Aww… look at them, they're cute!"

"Sigh… that guy is sure lucky to have those two beauties…"

"Man, how much ice cream can he take? I feel sorry for him."

Shinji managed to overhear some of the comments from the crowd. Urk… at this rate, my stomach will be stuffed with dessert! "A-Alright, that's enough, you two! T-Thanks for offering," he motioned them to cease feeding him. They complied.

"How's my chocolate banana split? Tastes great, yeah?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, it's delicious, Asuka."

"How do you find my pistachio vanilla. Shinji-kun?" Rei asked.

"A bit crunchy, but it's good, Rei."

Shinji then focused on finishing his chocolate sundae. Both girls were really close to his sides, with Asuka on his left and Rei on his right. He felt like a main ingredient of a sandwich in the middle part.

"So are you really coming with us to the mall, Shinji?" Asuka reminded him.

"For the last time, Asuka, yes. I'll be there."

"Good. You and the stooges will get to carry all the shopping me, Hikari, Megan, and… Wondergirl here will do."

"Sigh…" Shinji slumped his shoulders, dejected. No use backing out from it then.

"I don't have much wants to do shopping, Sohryu," Rei said. I hope that Shinji-kun could make up for our cancelled date.

"Girls… I'll be honest with both of you. I want you two to get along with each other though we are more than just friends," Shinji said suddenly.

This caught them with little surprise.

"I want you two to know," he continued but after reaching for their hands and holding them, "that I love both of you so much that the sudden thought of losing either one of you would break my heart."

"Shinji…" Asuka said quietly.

"Shinji-kun…" Rei joined her as well.

"That's why I cannot choose from both of you who to be with more. From this moment on, I want you two to at least be friends, ok?"

He looked at the fiery German redhead, "Asuka, enough with the 'Wondergirl'. Call her by her name, Rei. Be nice to her. Rei is also a person. Don't treat her like a doll."

Turning to the ice princess, "Rei, give Asuka some time to adjust, and you two will be doing fine. She's a good person once you get to know her inside."

Then looking at them both. "This is all I ask. Am I clear?"

Asuka gave it some thought. She turned to Rei. "If it makes you happy, okay."

Rei watched at her love's eyes. "If Sohryu doesn't object to this, then… it's acceptable."

After hearing them out, Shinji smiled, satisfied. "I'm glad. But one more thing, you can be open at calling me whatever you like, just as long as it's between us, okay?" He looked at them for a reply.

They nodded in unison.

"Well… let's finish our desserts before it gets dark outside," Shinji said. Whew… I'm glad that went well. They smiled in response.

The three teens then chatted with each other as they finished their desserts. After done with them, they proceeded to walk home.

The three teens were in front of the Ayanami residence at a peaceful evening.

"Here you are, Rei-chan, your house," Shinji said.

Rei released her hold from his arm and walked in front of him.

"Thank you for dessert, Shinji-kun."

"No problem. So… I'll come by to your place this weekend after picking up Asuka for the trip to the mall. What time do you want it to be?"

"At 12:30 in the afternoon will suffice."

"Ok. Well… good night, and… sweet dreams," Shinji said. His instincts told him to give her a goodbye kiss after dropping her off home. Before he could do that, Rei took the initiative. She held her hands around his neck, bringing their faces near each other, with their lips closing in another.

<KISS>

"You too, Shinji-kun."

She gave a smile before walking inside to her home.

Asuka, who stood from a distance, watched the scene with envy. He's never like that when it comes to me. But… I can't force him to.

"I guess you're the last lucky girl to be escorted home then," Shinji said mischievously. Asuka blushed at the remark. How does he do that to me? But… it feels so good to hear that from him. She stifled a small laugh.

"Baka. No doubt about it, Shinji Ikari."

She held onto his arm as they started walking the route to their neighboring homes. During the walk, she started out. "Shinji?"

"Yes, Asuka?"

"How come Rei gets to be called 'chan' and I don't, hmm?" She shot a forceful glare at him.

"Eh, heh, heh… you want me to call you that from now on?"

"Yes. I'd love to hear you call me that."

"Very well, Asuka-chan."

Asuka felt happy upon hearing it. She looked at him with earnest eyes. Shinji noticed her gaze and wondered.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just… want to get a good look of you in my memory that's all."

"Hmm…"

Deep inside, he mischievously smiled and snickered.

They then arrived at the Sohryu residence. Walking her to the front door, Shinji gathered some time to what to say.

"Home sweet home then. I hoped you didn't pack too much dessert in your body, Asuka-chan," he poked her stomach to show his point.

"He, he, he… stop it, you idiot. That tickles!" she giggled.

"Ha, ha… how about here… and here… and here?" he traveled his hands around her body, tickling her.

"Stop it! He, he, he! S-Stop it I say… ha, ha, ha!"

"Ok, I had enough fun for now," he snickered.

Asuka punched lightly his arm in response.

"Serves you right."

She then placed her arms around his neck and gazed at his eyes. He encircled his arms by her waist and met her eye contact. "Hmm… this somewhat feels like our first date back then, huh?" he asked.

"He, he, he… yeah. But you know what?"

She kissed his lips.

<KISS>

"I'm glad you were honest with me about you, me, and Rei. But as to who you choose, I… will respect your decision."

"Asuka…"

"Aishieteru, Shinji. Oyasumi."

"Aishieteru, Asuka-chan. I'll see you again then."

She walked inside and closed the door.

<SLAM>

Shinji sighed. He watched the dark, blanketing sky that was glistening with stars.

"Love is sure difficult to describe," he said.

He walked next door to his residence.

[March 18, 2015, Saturday]

<BEEP! BEEP! BEEP>

Shinji turned off his alarm clock and climbed out of bed in his room. He went to the bathroom to shower up and afterwards changed into a blue shirt, red polo, black pants, and black leather shoes. He then went downstairs to get breakfast.

"Ah… time to chow down at the start of a weekend." He seated himself in the dining room along with his parents who had started eating.

"Going out somewhere, son?" Gendo asked. He was reading the daily newspaper after being done with his meal.

"Yes, otousan, to the mall with Touji, Kensuke, Hikari, Asuka, Rei, and Megan, our new classmate," Shinji replied.

"Megan? She sounds to be a lovely girl I hear," Yui said happily.

"Well, she happens to be a new student in my class. She's American-Japanese, and her parents are working as scientists in NERV."

"Interesting. I should check them out once I get to work," Gendo said.

Shinji looked down on his plate.

"Otousan, I was wondering if I could borrow some money from you. Well, you see, we're going shopping with the girls and all…"

"Hmm…" Gendo tilted his dark red tinted glasses properly, light gleaming off it. "Very well. I see that you don't find the use of spending all of your money since you have few wants. Here." He took out his wallet and pulled out two Y10000 and four Y1000 (Author: around $200 in exchange rate, I think, correct me if I'm wrong, readers), and gave them to him.

"Arigatou, otousan." Shinji bowed in respect to him, and gave a hug afterwards. He checked the time on his watch: 12:00 PM in the afternoon. "I'll get going now, for I got to pick up Asuka and Rei before heading to the mall." He waved goodbye to his parents and headed outside, closing the front door.

<SLAM>

"Can't keep Asuka waiting," he muttered himself. He went next door to the Sohryu residence and rang the doorbell.

<DING-DONG>

The front door opened, revealing a dressed up Asuka. She was wearing her yellow dress (Author: from the series folks!), sandals, and carried a small purse. Shinji was drawn by her image.

"K-Kirei… oh! Uh, ready to go, Asuka-chan?" he asked, embarrassed.

"Y-Yeah, Shinji I am. Thank you," she replied with a small blush from his compliment. She reached for his hand and held it as she walked out and closed the door.

<SLAM>

"Your parents know you're going with me? I don't want to worry them," Shinji said. He inhaled a somewhat flowery scent from her hair. Sniff, sniff… she smells great I say.

"I told them about it. Just as long as I don't go past my curfew that's all," Asuka answered. God he looks hunky in those clothes.

"Ok. Let's pick up Rei and we can be on our way."

30 minutes later, they arrived at the Ayanami residence. Shinji rang the doorbell.

<DING-DONG>

Rei came out the door followed by Ritsuko. She was wearing a white blouse, blue skirt, and blue shoes, and carried a small purse as Asuka.

Shinji couldn't help but gawk over her. "You look pretty nice today, Rei-chan."

"Thank you, Shinji-kun." She smiled.

"Going out with two girls at the same time, Shinji? My, you're becoming quite a playboy!" Ritsuko commented with a raised eyebrow.

"Ha, ha… uh, we just happen liking to go out together, that's all, Ritsuko-san." Shinji ruffled the back of his hair with one hand and smiling in embarrassment.

"Uh-huh. Well, I assume she's in good hands then. Rei dear, be careful ok?" Ritsuko hugged her daughter.

"Yes mother I will," Rei replied. The two broke off their embrace.

"Shall we, Rei-chan?" Shinji offered his free hand to her.

"Hai," she smiled once more.

They then left. Ritsuko watched their retreating forms and smiled.

"Ah… those three are in love, no doubt."

She closed the door and resumed about her business.

The three teens then walked to a train station and took a 15-minute ride to the other station where it was walking distance to Tokyo-3 mall.

[Tokyo-3 mall, front entrance, Gate A]

(Author: I'd assume the mall would be a lot bigger than normal malls in real life, so I'll be labeling down sections to make it easier to understand the locations in parts of it. For them to take a train ride back to their home, Gate A is where they should exit. Ok, I'll stop blabbering now.)

As the three teens arrived, they spotted two couples waiting.

"Hey, there's Hikari, Touji, Kensuke, and Megan!" Shinji pointed them. They went up to them.

"Hey Shin-man!" the stooges exclaimed. They exchanged buddy hugs.

"Well, well! It seems Shin-man here has finally learn to tune up his fashion sense!" Touji chuckled in delight.

"Ah, you bad wolf, so you're taking two for the price of one, eh?" Kensuke elbowed Shinji in the ribs.

"I-It's not like that! Sigh… it'll be pointless to argue with you guys," Shinji rolled over his eyes.

Asuka and Rei hugged Hikari and Megan. "Hey you guys! Nice of you both to drop by!" Hikari said.

"Wow… you two look great!" Megan commented.

"Thanks for the fashion statement, Megan. Speaking of which, I can't wait to check on the latest clothing line-ups inside!" Asuka gleefully cheered.

"I'm not well versed in fashion, but I prefer simpler styles like this one I'm wearing," Rei said.

"Now that we all are here, let's go! Please give me a small tour around here guys," Megan said.

Shinji muttered to his buddies. "We're in for a long day, guys."

The three guys patted each other's backs while sighing at the same time.

The group then went inside the mall.

Author's Note: I've decided to expand one more chapter of the gang's malling as continuation. I've also made some few changes in some of the title names.