Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Practice ❯ Flame and Frost ( Chapter 2 )

“Hi, baka.” Asuka said as Shinji walked up to her at the side entrance to the school.

 

They had begun to walk home together. Asuka insisted it was only for Shinji's protection. “What's the matter? Did a girl reject you?” Asuka looked pensive for a second, then sounded almost apologetic as she amended “No, of course not...” Her tone returned to her usual impish voice as she continued “...no girl would let you get that far!”

 

“Leave me alone Asuka, I'm not in the mood.” Shinji replied, eyes downcast.

 

Ever since he left school he felt worse and worse about leaving Motowa in what amounted to be a prison cell. “Oh, have I touched a nerve? Has the great Third Child finally gotten up the courage to talk to a girl, only to be struck down?”

 

Shinji sighed at the obvious attempt to irritate him, and added it to the lengthy list to avoid thinking about. To spite his own desire, however, everything he thought about inexplicably reminded him of Motowa amd her plight. He could picture her clearly, still locked in that cell of a practice room, banging on the door, yelling out— ”SHINJI-BAKA!”

 

A hard yank backwards brought him back to reality. “Pay attention!” A smack to the back of his head punctuated her castigation.

 

Shinji looked up. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he failed to realize that he was about to cross the street on a red, unwittingly walking into heavy traffic. He watched the cars pass him by until the light turned, and then he noticed the shock of blue hair from across the street, apparently waiting for the two other pilots to cross. “What's Wonder Girl doing here? This isn't the way she goes home.” Asuka said suspiciously.

 

Rei made no outward movement until Asuka and Shinji walked across the street, and then fell into step beside Shinji. The Third felt like he had just been flanked. “What do you think you're doing, Wonder Girl?” Asuka said.

 

“There is extensive construction on most of the roads west of here. I am unable to walk home as usual, and must walk several blocks North before I can continue on my normal route.” Ayanami replied.

 

Asuka made no move to hide her displeasure, but decided it wasn't worth it to protest any further. They walked in silence for a few blocks, and at a corner Rei turned to cross the street. “Shinji: Motowa says `hi'.” Rei said without preamble before walking off.

 

“Motowa? As in Shimano Motowa?” Asuka asked Shinji.

 

“I didn't catch her surname.” Shinji replied.

 

“Light orange spiky hair, kinda looks like a young Misato...”

 

Shinji had never made that connection before, but now that Asuka mentioned it... “That's her. Do you know her?”

 

“She's in my P.E. class. She's got quite a set of legs on her.”

 

“That she does.” Shinji said absently, then realized the trap he fell into.

 

“Ecchi! I meant she's a good runner!”

 

Shinji blushed at his freudian slip, but declined to comment further. “I guess her name really does suit her, she must be virtuous, to talk to you!” Asuka continued.

 

“You're talking to me, aren't you?” Shinji began to get annoyed with Asuka's ridicule.

 

He waited for the slap, but it never came. Apparently Asuka decided to continue to work over his mind before returning to his body. “We live and work together, baka! If it wasn't for that I wouldn't so much as hand you a glass of water if you were on fire!”

 

That much was obvious. Shinji thought. “How did you two meet, anyway?” Asuka asked, and Shinji tried desperately to avoid overreacting to the question.

 

“I... went into a practice room during Strings, only to find that it was already occupied.” Which is close enough to the truth.

 

“Really? I didn't know she played an instrument.”

 

She wasn't playing an instrument. Some part of Shinji thought with a mental smirk, seemingly oblivious to the tight-rope the rest of him felt like he was walking. “She was messing around on the piano in the room. I don't think she plays anything seriously.”

 

Asuka mulled that over for a moment. “Are you interested in her?”

 

“I've just met her.” Shinji hedged.

 

“Like it takes you more than five seconds to find her worth your ogling or not.”

 

Ouch. Shinji thought, resigning himself for the argument that he could see barreling towards him. “I wouldn't mind getting to know her.”

 

“I'd bet.” Asuka's didn't seem terribly happy with the idea.

 

“What's the matter? Afraid you'll become less popular if I, the Great Third Child, started hanging out with her?”

 

Shinji took three blows for his daring, each punctuated with a curt “Baka!”

 

“Owww...” Shinji said, his head swimming. He tried to get himself to stop seeing stars. Last time I provoke her. Ever.

 

“Like I need your help to retain my rightful position.” Asuka said firmly and fell into another angry silence.

 

Shinji, still reeling, was perfectly content to let her brood. Just as long as she didn't hit him again. She'll give me brain damage one of these days, Shinji thought, And then she'll start telling me to smarten up.

 

---

 

“So, how were your days?” Misato asked as the three of them sat around the table, having what Misato and Misato only would call food.

 

“Not bad. I made up my last physics test mark by answering most of the oral questions asked today.” Asuka said around a mouthful of instant ramen.

 

“Good!” Misato said. “I'm still trying to get them to make an exception for you and translate the text to German, but nobody's listening to me.”

 

“You're a Major for NERV! Aren't you able to go up to them, say jump, and they all say `how high'?”

 

“Technically. yes, but it has to have a tangible link to some kind of angel attack or emergency. If you can give me an excuse, I'd love to hear it. Otherwise, I have to go through normal channels.”

 

“You could always get Section Two to dig up some dirt on someone.”

 

“Asuka, that's underhanded and evil and a violation of any number of ethics laws.” Misato chided. “Doesn't mean I can't use it as an ace-in-the-hole, though.” Misato winked, and Shinji rolled his eyes. “You've been quieter than normal, Shinji. Anything the matter?”

 

“Probably thinking about his girlfriend.” Asuka teased, prompting Shinji to choke on his noodles.

 

“Oh? You have a girlfriend, Shinji?” Misato perked up.

 

“N—” Shinji began before coughing up part of the ramen he inhaled. “—N-no! Sh-she's not my girlfriend!”

 

“Well, let's start with who she is.”

 

“Shimano Motowa.” Shinji replied.

 

“Wow, you sure don't aim low, do you?” Misato commented.

 

“Wh— I— I've barely met the girl!”

 

“You shared a practice room with her for most of your Strings period...” Asuka said, a sly grin spreading across her features. “Just you and her, all alone...”

 

“No! It wasn't like that!” Shinji practically yelled over both Asuka's and Misato's laughing. “She was in the practice room with the piano, I walked in without realizing it was occupied, and that was that!”

 

“Ah, love at first sight, how romantic...” Misato said, doubling Asuka over in laughter and deepening Shinji's blush even further. “Calm down, Shinji, I'm joking. So, is she as pretty as everyone says she is?”

 

“She looks like you, kind of.”

 

“Ah, even more so then.” Misato said with a grin as she reached for her beer, the third of the meal.

 

“Depends on who you ask.” Shinji said, finally getting a shot in of his own as Misato's grin disappeared from behind the can. “That wasn't funny.” She said before guzzling about half of her beer.

 

“Neither is the two of you trying to match-make me with Motowa, especially since I've met her once!”

 

“And yet you're already on a first-name basis with her? You must've made quite an impression.” Misato said.

 

“I give up.” Shinji said dejectedly, slumping down in his seat.