Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Practice ❯ A Confrontation Defused ( Chapter 8 )

“Jeez! I can't get out of here with no clothes on! Somebody help me fast!”

Shinji winced at the pitch and volume of Asuka's complaints, half of it distorted into almost pure static over the radio channel. “Calm down, I'm sure someone will be here to extract us soon...”

Shinji sat in silence for a second. “Rei? Are you alright?” He asked when he realized that he hadn't heard a word from Rei since her simulation-body's arm got blown off in the Pribnow Box.

It took fifteen seconds for Rei to respond, and when she did her voice sounded pained. “I will be fine, Pilot Ikari. Do not worry.”

“O-ok, Rei, that's good to hear.” Shinji said.

“I need a shower...” Asuka piped in again.

“After `going through the wash cycle seventeen times'?” Shinji asked with a smirk.

“Baka! You know what I mean, I hate sitting in LCL.” Shinji could hear the annoyed pout on Asuka's face without opening a visual feed, a move that would likely get him killed if he tried it.

“They're probably on their way right now.” Shinji tried to reassure the fiery Second Child.

“You're right.” Misato's voice suddenly sounded in all three entry plugs. “A jeep is coming with your plugsuits, so you won't have to worry about walking around NERV in the nude or anything.”

“Plugsuits? Why don't they get us some actual clothing?” Asuka continued to grumble.

“Normal clothing is instantly ruined when LCL touches it, Asuka, you know that. I don't think your mood would be any better if you needed to go shopping for another yellow sundress.” Misato said, referring to Asuka's favorite piece of clothing.

“Hmpf.” Asuka said, crossing her arms.

---

Shinji buttoned up his white shirt, blinking as some water from his hair got into his eyes. He groped around for the towel that was on the bench in front of him, and when he found it wiped his eyes before toweling his hair off. He imagined Asuka still in the shower, furiously rubbing away at her hair to get the orange liquid out, and laughed. NERV's custom chemical shampoo worked a lot better than regular soap at neutralizing LCL, but it still took a lot of effort to fully cleanse oneself.

Shinji looked up and saw a figure leaning against the wall near the door. He had to blink a few times, getting the remaining water out of his vision, to identify who it was. “Hello, Hyuga-san.” Shinji greeted Makoto.

“Hello.” Makoto replied. “I'm just here to let you know that your dad wants to see you.”

Shinji blinked hard. “He does? Did he say what about?”

Makoto shook his head. “This is third-hand information, Misato told me to pass it along. He's waiting for you in his office.”

Without another word, Makoto turned and left, leaving Shinji distraught over why his father had a reason to speak with him. He hung up the towel on the rack near the wall and walked out the door in the direction of the elevator that led directly to Gendo's office.

I wasn't even involved in this angel attack, Shinji thought as he walked, so it can't be that... maybe something showed up in what data they collected during my test? No, that would be something Ritsuko-san would talk to me about...

Shinji was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the figure coming around the corner. He walked right into them and his train of thought derailed as he lost his balance and fell on his rear. The other person stumbled backwards, but stayed standing. “Sorry,” Shinji said automatically before getting to his feet.

“Don't worry about it, I wasn't watching where I was walking either.” Aoba Shigeru said as Shinji dusted himself off.

“Oh, hello, Aoba-san.” Shinji said as he realized who he bumped into.

“Hello, Shinji. So why did you nearly run me over?” Aoba asked.

“Oh, uh, my father wants to see me and I have no idea why.”

“Could it be that he wants to catch up on current events?” Hyuga said ironically, making Shinji's eyes darken with anger at Gendo's hands-off approach towards his son. “Okay, maybe not. From what I've heard from various rumours, mostly perpetuated by a certain redhead, you have a girlfriend.” the rumour was confirmed by Shinji looking away and blushing, but he allowed the First Child to answer.

“You could call her that.” Shinji said quietly.

“Her family name is Shimano, right?”

“Yeah, that's right... how did you know that?”

“The name of one of the lab technicians that died in the Second Impact was Shimano Roka. I know he was expecting a daughter, and he was going to name her Motowa. Maybe it has something to do with that.”

“You think so?”

Aoba nodded. “A piece of advice: If he tells you anything you don't like, you're better off staying silent. He didn't become the head of NERV because of his looks, you know. If he says anything, you can be sure he truly believes what he says.” Aoba gave Shinji a reassuring pat on the back. “Good luck.” He said, and resumed walking.

Shinji began to walk towards the elevator again, even more agitated than before. “If he tells you anything you don't like, you're better off staying silent.” Aoba's words echoed in his mind. If it was about Motowa, he'd have a hard time containing his anger. Couldn't he leave alone something that made Shinji happy?

Shinji reached the end of the dead-end hallway and punched the button for the elevator. it opened instantly, which meant it was last used to transport someone down. That means he's probably up there by himself. He thought as he walked into the elevator. It closed automatically and began to rise without Shinji needing to press a button, this elevator only having two destinations: Gendo's office and the empty corridor the elevator was at the end of.

After a minor eternity and more than a few deep breaths by Shinji to calm himself down, the doors opened. Shinji walked out into the large office to where a large sunburst was drawn on the floor. Shinji knew that his father preferred people to stand there when he talked with them. “You wanted to see me, father?” Shinji asked expectantly.

Gendo hadn't moved a muscle since Shinji walked in the room, staring at him through his contrast-enhancing glasses. “Yes. I understand you are in a relationship.”

“You could call it that.” Shinji replied.

“The name of the girl is Shimano Motowa.” It was not a question. “This is why I have called you here.”

Shinji didn't change his expression, but he blanched nonetheless as Gendo continued. “I knew Motowa's father, Shimano Roka. He had a brilliant mind, but he was a loose cannon and I believe he was one of the reasons Second Impact was as devastating as it was. I have reasons to believe that Motowa is every bit like her father in that respect.”

“Are you forbidding me from having a relationship with Motowa?” Shinji asked in a rare display of bravado.

Gendo was silent for a number of seconds, and Shinji wondered if he had said something to offend the commander. His emotions are better guarded than Rei's are. Shinji thought. “No, Shinji, I am not. However, I must stress this point to you: Do not let this relationship interfere with your role as Pilot of Unit 01. If you allow your judgment to be clouded, all we have worked for will be for nothing.”

Shinji finally exhaled. He didn't know it, but he had been holding his breath in anticipation of the elder Ikari's response. “That is all, Shinji. You are dismissed.”

“Hai.” Shinji said simply, turning on his heel and walking towards the elevator.

He stopped about halfway there and turned around. “Sir? Shinji said hesitantly.

When it was clear that Gendo was awaiting something further, Shinji continued. “Thank you for letting me pursue this relationship.”

Gendo said nothing but nodded once.

Shinji opened his mouth to say something further, a farewell of some kind, but he decided not to. He left the office without saying another word.

Behind his clasped hands, Gendo smirked, the kind of smile he reserved for when a plan was coming together.

“You see an opportunity.” Fuyutsuki Kouzou said. Shinji hadn't noticed him standing behind and to the right of Gendo, not taking his eyes off his father until he turned to leave, but the Vice-Commander was standing there the whole time.

Gendo nodded. “He might be more willing to fight if he has something to fight for.”

Fuyutsuki murmured an agreement as he turned to stare out the window. “He is willing to reconcile if you are willing.”

“Now is not the time. It would hinder our efforts if I tried now. Perhaps when all this is over.”

“Perhaps.” Fuyutsuki echoed, watching Tokyo-3 return to it's normal state.