Hours had passed since the intense battle at sea. The NERV crew, exhausted but relieved, was finally returning home aboard the military transport, with the exception of Asuka, who had remained at the base for emergency repairs to Eva-02 and a technical performance evaluation.
I had my face pressed against the vehicle's window, watching the orange late afternoon sky gradually transform into dark blue hues. The sea, now calm, seemed to mock the violence I had witnessed hours earlier. Beside me, Shinji dozed, Rei remained impassive as ever, and Misato, in the front seat, chatted with Kaji on the radio.
The silence was welcoming.
When we finally arrived at Misato's apartment, I slowly took off my shoes, walking as if each step were sinking into sand. The place was silent, except for Pen-Pen making her usual noises inside the refrigerator. Shinji went straight to the bedroom, and Misato collapsed on the couch with a beer in her hand.
I ran my fingers through my still-damp hair, went to my room, and fell facedown on the bed, without even changing my clothes. The sheets were cold, but it felt like a hug.
I closed my eyes, finally… no pain, no fear, no return by death.
Just the real weight of exhaustion and the temporary peace of having survived another day.
Then, I drifted off exhaustion.
And the world, for a few hours, left me alone.
The next morning, the alarm clock rang with its usual loud violence, and I woke with heavy eyes, my body still begging for a few more hours of sleep. I reached across the bed, turned off the alarm with a mistimed slap, and lay there for a few more seconds, staring at the ceiling.
"Another day…" I murmured hoarsely.
I got up with a long yawn, my muscles aching slightly, a reminder of the day before. I went to the bathroom, washed my face with cold water, the shock of the heat nearly waking me up, and stared at my own reflection.
"At least nothing bad happened today…" I told myself with a wry half-smile.
After brushing my teeth and changing, I put on my school uniform. I always thought that blazer was a little too loose on the shoulders, but I didn't care anymore. I grabbed my backpack, which had been thrown in the corner of my room, put some notebooks in it, and found Beako, the little doll, lying between the pages of a book. I carefully tucked her into the backpack pocket without saying a word.
When I left the room, Misato was already finishing her coffee, Shinji was in his uniform, eating slowly, as always, looked like a serene ghost sitting at the table. Pen-Pen was circling the refrigerator, as if on patrol.
"Good morning…" he said quietly.
Misato looked up with a tired smile. "Are you really going to school after yesterday? I thought you were going to skip class."
"I thought so, but…" I shrugged. "My mind wouldn't let me rest."
Shinji looked at me and silently nodded.
I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, put it between my teeth, and was about to leave when Misato said, "Asuka goes to the same school as you. You're not going to run away from her, are you?"
I slowed down a bit, but kept going. "Yeah…"
The walk to school seemed longer that day. I walked slowly through the streets still slightly damp from the morning dew, my backpack slung over one shoulder. The sky was clear, the air fresh, but the weight on his shoulders was old.
Another day was beginning. And I was exhausted just thinking about how much I still had to face.
On the way to school, I walked beside Shinji, both of us in silence. The sound of footsteps on the asphalt, the soft hum of distant cars, and the occasional chirp of a bird created a calm backdrop, but in my mind, the wheels were constantly turning.
"Where will Asuka stay now that she's here in Tokyo-3?" I thought, my eyes fixed on the ground. "She'll probably stay with Kaji... it makes sense. They're close, right? She's in love with him."
I frowned. Despite her bossy and explosive demeanor, Asuka seemed to retain a certain independence. The idea of her living with someone so involved in NERV's behind-the-scenes operations seemed... uncomfortable.
"Something wrong?" Shinji asked, noticing my thoughtful expression.
"Huh? Oh... nothing. I was just wondering where Asuka will live now that she's here."
"Probably with Kaji," Shinji replied, with a slight hesitation. "They've known each other for a long time. I think she trusts him."
"Yeah… makes sense…" I murmured, but my voice sounded unconvinced.
He dismissed the subject with a sigh and tried to focus on the present. Approaching the school, we both passed some shops that were already opening their doors, and I noticed a group of students laughing loudly across the street. The quiet routine contrasted with everything I knew was going on behind the scenes in that city.
"Do you think it'll be a quiet day today?" he asked, trying to make conversation.
"I hope so," Shinji said, without much conviction.
And so the two of us entered the school gates, as the sun slowly rose in the sky and the next chapter of our Tokyo-3 routine was about to begin.
Shinji and I entered the classroom in silence. The air conditioning hummed softly, and a few classmates were already sitting, chatting or stretching, preparing for another boring day, or so it seemed.
Toji, with his feet propped up on his desk, cast a sleepy glance at the two of them.
"Thank God that noisy redhead doesn't go to school here..." he muttered, crossing his arms behind his head. "Finally, some peace..."
Kensuke, adjusting his glasses as he examined his minicomputer, chuckled softly. "Maybe she doesn't even go to school here. Maybe they sent her to some special school for neurotic geniuses."
I gave a nervous smile. He knew more than he wanted to about Asuka and how wrong they were to underestimate her.
The teacher entered soon after, her expression calm but stern.
"Alright, class. We have a new student today." She tapped her palm on the board. "Please come in."
The door slid aside, revealing the impeccable figure of Asuka Langley Soryu. She wore the perfectly tailored school uniform, her hair tied back with her signature red clips. Her steps were firm, confident, and her expression... friendly?
"Nice to meet you!" she said with a gentle smile that almost seemed ironic to those who knew her well. "I'm Asuka Langley Soryu. I hope we can get along very well!"
The room was silent for a moment. Toji's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
Kensuke whispered to me, "What's the possibility of that?!"
I crossed my arms and gave a wry smile.
That's right. It seems she's decided to activate "social mode."
Asuka nodded politely, and the teacher indicated the desk next to the window, conveniently close to me. She walked there lightly, sitting down without even looking at anyone, maintaining her aura of controlled perfection. But I noticed something familiar in that slight, forced smile and the way she avoided direct eye contact for so long.
"She's trying to make a good impression... but she must be hating it." I thought.
When Asuka finally looked at me, her eyes met mine for a brief second. She winked discreetly, as if to say, "If you dare laugh, I'll kill you." I stifled a laugh and just nodded, murmuring, "Good morning, Princess of Germany."
Class began, but the room still seemed to be digesting the sudden and unexpectedly friendly presence of Asuka Langley Soryu.
The bell rang, signaling recess, and the students scattered across the schoolyard. The sun was strong that day, but the cool breeze helped keep the atmosphere pleasant. I left the classroom and walked to a vending machine, grabbing a cold juice. As I opened the bottle, I noticed a group of boys nearby chatting animatedly, Asuka's name coming up repeatedly in their conversation.
"Dude, have you seen her hair?" said one of the boys, wearing sunglasses and shiny sneakers. "And those eyes... It's like... hypnotic."
"And she speaks Japanese perfectly!" said another. "But with such a... cute accent."
"And when she smiled? Was that real or did I dream it?" commented a third, dreamily, his hands behind his head.
"I don't know, man..." replied the first. "She looks like the boss to me..."
The boys laughed, all clearly enchanted by the new student. I watched from afar, sipping my juice in silence. I already knew Asuka's other side well: stubborn, bossy, full of pride, but also insecure, protective, and even kind when she let her guard down. But listening to their conversation somehow irritated me.
I rolled my eyes, muttering to myself, "They have no idea what they're talking about..."
But deep down, I knew Asuka was truly beautiful. Strong, intelligent, confident... and complicated. Very complicated. I stared at the sky for a few seconds, until I heard footsteps behind me.
The school routine continued as usual, but with a new element that made everything more... unpredictable: Asuka Langley Soryu.
Shinji and I were walking together toward the entrance of the building when we heard a determined, clear voice right behind us:
"Good morning!" said Asuka, with that superior smile she wore like a mask.
Shinji responded with a shy nod and a, "Good morning..."
I just glanced sideways, my expression clearly sullen, my hands in my pockets and my chin slightly lowered. I didn't answer. Asuka, of course, noticed right away.
"Tch, why do you have that funeral expression, Barusu?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Did you sleep on your side and forget your brain on the pillow?"
"It's nothing..." I muttered, looking away. "I just don't like waking up early."
Asuka snorted and rolled her eyes, but didn't press the point. She looked around, as if searching for someone. Then, she turned to Shinji:
"And the first child? Where is he?"
Shinji pointed discreetly with his chin.
"Over there..." he said. "On the bench, reading again."
Everyone looked in the indicated direction. There was Rei Ayanami, sitting alone on a concrete bench under a tree, a book open on her lap. The wind gently ruffled her blue hair. She didn't seem to notice anyone.
Asuka grimaced slightly. "Typical. She looks like a robot on standby…"
I sighed, finally breaking her silence: "You could at least pretend you don't hate everyone."
Asuka crossed her arms. "I don't hate everyone. Just the idiots."
"Does that include or exclude us?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
She gave a sarcastic half-smile: "It depends on the day." You're in luck today."
Asuka watched Rei with an expression that mixed curiosity and discomfort. The blue-haired girl remained seated, calmly turning the page of her book, as if the rest of the world didn't exist. Shinji and I were a little further away, just observing the scene.
"Why is she like this?" Asuka muttered to herself, before walking over to the bench where Rei was sitting.
"Hey..." Asuka said, stopping in front of her. "Could you, I don't know, mingle a little? It's not healthy to have that book glued to your face all the time." Let's be friends!"
Rei just looked up slowly. There was no anger, surprise, or even recognition in them. It was as if she were staring at a wall.
"I'm fine like this..." she replied in her monotone voice.
"Oh, that's great..." Asuka countered, crossing her arms. "Another one who lives in her own world... Do you at least know how to say 'good morning'?"
Rei calmly closed the book and started to stand up, without even responding.
Asuka stepped forward, visibly irritated, and grabbed Rei's arm.
"I'm talking to you, you know?" Asuka said, her tone starting to heat up. She gripped Rei's hand tightly.
It was then that I, watching from afar, sensed the tension and intervened immediately. I ran over to the two of them and put my hand between them.
"Asuka, enough. Let her go."
"She's being rude!" Asuka complained, not letting go.
"And you're pushing it!" I retorted with a firm look. "She doesn't have to respond at your own pace. Leave her alone."
There was a moment of silence. Rei said nothing, but her expression softened slightly. Asuka glared at me, then looked down at her hand and released Rei's arm with a click of her tongue.
"Whatever..." she said, turning away. "I didn't mean to hurt your little doll..."
Rei glanced at me briefly and, without saying anything, just nodded slightly, as if silently thanking me. Then she calmly walked away, heading back into the building.
I stood there, sighing. "Why does it always feel like I'm tending to a fire waiting to break out..."
Asuka had already left the scene. Shinji just nodded beside her. "This is going to be a very long year..."
And the bell rang, calling the students back to class.
Later, the group was gathered again at the NERV base. The atmosphere was calmer, as if the last attack had given a brief respite. A truce. Asuka, Shinji, and Rei walked through the familiar corridors, the sound of their footsteps echoing on the metal floor.
Misato was waiting for them in the equipment room, leaning casually against a counter. Beside her was a locked metal case, precisely engraved with the NERV logo.
"It's about time I gave you something that wasn't borrowed..." Misato said, flashing me a smile. "This is your new plugsuit."
She opened the case with a soft click, revealing the new suit. I took a step forward, and my eyes widened slightly.
The plugsuit had a design that blended shades of black, white, and orange, the same colors as my classic jacket. The lines of the suit followed a modern, streamlined contour, with subtle blue accents on the back and shoulders, as well as a small NERV crest on the left chest. It was as if the suit had been designed specifically for me.
"Wow... you made this for me?" I asked, lightly touching the fabric of the suit.
"Actually, "Ritsuko complained terribly about having to adapt the suit for an 'extra,'" Misato replied with a wink. "But I thought you deserved something that suited you. And not... Asuka."
Asuka crossed her arms with an audible groan. "Your copy of my suit was good, okay? It suited you when you wanted to be a smartass."
I just smiled awkwardly.
Shinji looked on curiously, while Rei watched without showing any apparent reaction.
"Well, now that you have your own plugsuit..." Misato said. "At least not without consent."
"Thank heavens..." I muttered.
Asuka, who heard perfectly, gave him a light nudge on the shoulder with her elbow.
I instantly blushed.
Misato laughed in the background, handing each of them an access card.
I held the new plugsuit in my hands, and for a moment, I felt... belonging.
Perhaps, for the first time since arriving in that strange world, I was beginning to find a place.
We walked through the corridors of NERV with the new plugsuit in hand, the goofy smile on his face leaving no doubt: he was excited. Very excited. After all, a new custom suit could only mean one thing...
"So, Misato-san..." I began, approaching excitedly as they walked side by side. "Now that I have my own plugsuit... does that mean you're going to build an Eva just for me, right?!"
Misato stopped walking. Her gaze slowly turned to me with an expression somewhere between cynical and maternal. She crossed her arms and let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Ahh... you're really cute when you dream big."
I blinked, confused.
"Huh?"
"Subaru…" she said with a forced smile, poking his forehead with her index finger. "Do you have any idea how much it costs to build a single Eva? What do you think we are? A custom Evangelion factory?!"
"But the Evas… and like… there's room for one more!" I countered, trying to argue like a child asking for a new toy.
"And all of those cost billions. Billions with a B for Big hole in the world budget!" Misato retorted. "You think just because we got a custom plugsuit, we're going to go around giving Evas away?"
I pouted, crossing my arms and looking to the side as if this were the greatest injustice in the galaxy. "I thought I was special…"
"You are special, Subaru-kun. But not special enough to warrant your own Eva," she said, patting him on the back. "Besides, you do really well in Eva-02 with Asuka. It's teamwork!"
Up ahead, Asuka heard it and shouted without even looking back: "Yeah, 'Barusu'! And only one of us can actually pilot it!"
I sighed and muttered, "I think I'll start a crowdfunding campaign to buy an Eva..."
Misato just laughed, tugging at his collar good-naturedly. "Dream on. For now, be content with your stylish plugsuit and share it with your classmate. Now hurry up, we have tests tomorrow morning!"
The emergency lights flashed overhead as the warning sound rang repeatedly through the NERV corridors.
> "Code Red! An Angel is approaching! All pilots, report to the entry pods immediately!"
In the preparation room, Asuka finished zipping up my plugsuit while casting condescending glances at Shinji and me.
"You two just need to stand aside and watch, okay? This one will be easy. One hit and bam, end of the show!"
I glanced at Shinji, who just shrugged resignedly. I muttered, "I've heard that speech before…"
"Huh?! Are you saying something, Mr. Extra?" Asuka said with a smug smirk.
Cut to the battlefield.
The Angel, humanoid and elegant in appearance, but with a strange behavior pattern, almost as if it were dancing rather than fighting, stood there, as if waiting for something. The two Evas were positioned.
Asuka pointed.
"Ready! Let's finish him off!" and she ran with Eva-02 toward the Angel.
"Ugh... W-wait, Asuka!" she said, accelerating to keep up with her makeshift Eva alongside Shinji's Eva-01.
"Careful, don't get too close!" Misato warned over the radio.
Too late.
Asuka jumped and delivered a front kick to the Angel's chest.
BOOOOM!
A bright flash. The dust cleared… and now there were two Angels.
"WHAT THE—?!" Asuka shouted.
"...It split?" I said, frowning. "I think we have a problem now…"
Both Angels began moving in perfect synchronization, as if they were dancing a destructive ballet.
"This looks like choreography!" Shinji exclaimed.
The Evas tried to attack, but every time a blow was landed, the Angels dodged in unison, as if they'd rehearsed it. One pushed an Eva, the other tripped. Asuka was thrown backward, Shinji fell on his butt with Eva-01, and Eva-02 lost its balance comically and collapsed next to the other Eva.
THUD!
Radio silence.
In the command room, Misato squinted. Ritsuko took notes.
"They... lost," Maya said, almost in disbelief.
"I... I can't believe we lost to an Angel with a sense of rhythm!" Asuka exclaimed, lying on her back with Eva-02 staring up at the sky.
I, still inside the Entry Plug, muttered, "...Next time we'll bring a choreographer, just in case."
Shinji just sighed.
End of the first round: Israfel 1 - Evas 0.
(Misato, holding the radio with a deep sigh) "Okay... bring in the robots. Time for plan B."
The battlefield was now silent. The Angel had split and, after taking down the two Evas with its "dance of humiliation," retreated into the distance, as if mocking them. An awkward silence fell over the pilots.
Asuka was the first to explode: "That was ridiculous! Shinji, you messed everything up!"
"Me?! You ran off thinking you were the protagonist of an action movie!" Shinji retorted, irritated.
"You just stood there! Like a stone! Dead weight!"
"I was trying to follow orders! You ignore everything and act on impulse!"
I crossed my arms inside the Entry Plug, sighing loudly. "You two are the Angel of Discord, not that thing."
As the Evas were being recalled, the argument between Asuka and Shinji blared over the NERV speakers. Misato watched from the command room, a vein pulsing in her forehead. Ritsuko simply jotted down data, indifferent.
Later, back at headquarters, Misato, now with a beer in hand, had a crazy idea the kind only she could consider genius: "If the Angel fights with perfect synchrony… then the only way to beat him is for the two of you to be in perfect synchrony too!"
Asuka and Shinji responded simultaneously:
"WHAT?!"
Misato grinned mischievously.
"That's it. Synchronization training. Intensive. The two of you, and you too, Subaru, will live together in one of the facilities nearby for five days. You'll eat together, sleep under the same roof, do the same activities, breathe the same air…"
"YOU'VE GOT TO BE CRAZY!" Asuka yelled.
"Oh no…" Shinji lamented.
Handing my forehead, I muttered, "Why did I get myself into this again?"
Misato held up a finger. "Because you have the best connection with both of them. And also because I don't trust leaving those two alone, or they'll kill each other before they synchronize."
Ritsuko just smirked. "And remember... if you don't synchronize properly by the end of the week... the world could end."
Everyone stared at her in silence.
"...That's... cool..."
Thus began the forced cohabitation plan.
Five days. Three teenagers. And a suicide mission.
And a Misato with more alcohol than patience.
Night had fallen over the new makeshift quarters set up for the three pilots. It was a simple but spacious apartment, provided by NERV for the "Synchronization Plan." The momentary silence was almost a relief after the stressful day.
As soon as they arrived, each of them chose a room. Misato gave a quick explanation of the rules (which no one really heard), left the training instructions on the refrigerator, and left before anyone could complain.
Shinji politely offered: "I'm going out to buy a few things. Food, soap... those basics."
"Try not to get lost on the way, how about it?" Asuka scoffed, tossing her backpack into the corner of the room.
Shinji, as usual, didn't answer and simply left with the money in his hands.
Asuka, without much ceremony, went straight to the bathroom. "Finally, some peace and hot water..."
Meanwhile, I lay down on the couch, throwing my head back. His old jacket was hanging on the chair and headphones were in my ears. I turned on my small, worn-out but trusty MP3 player. The music started playing, a calm instrumental track with a piano background that I always listened to when I wanted to disconnect from the world.
Through the half-open bathroom door, I could hear the shower running. Asuka's voice sounded muffled, humming something in German, probably without realizing it. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. "Five days... five long days..."
But deep down, part of me found it... interesting.
It was a momentary peace, which I knew wouldn't last long.
Soon, the forced coexistence would truly begin. And maybe, something more.
I was sitting on the couch, listening to music on my old MP3 player, when I heard the bathroom door open. I glanced up casually and nearly collapsed.
Asuka walked out with purposeful strides, wearing only a towel wrapped around her body and a mischievous expression on her face.
"Subaru-kun..." she called, with a mischievous smile. "Don't you think... my breasts have grown a little?"
I widened my eyes, choking on my own spit. "H-What?!"
Asuka stopped right in front of me, striking a dramatic pose. With one hand, she held the corner of the towel as if to pull it off. "You're so red... That means you noticed, doesn't it?"
"A-Asuka, wait...!"
Then, with a sudden yank, she pulled off the towel with a theatrical gesture. I screamed in despair but quickly realized she was, in fact, wearing a striped swimsuit underneath.
"Idiot! Did you really think I'd go out naked?" she said triumphantly, crossing her arms with a victorious look.
I choked on my own saliva as Asuka pulled off the towel with a quick, theatrical yank, revealing the striped swimsuit underneath. She wore a victorious smile, as if she'd just won a psychological battle.
"Tsk... you should see your face, Subaru!" she said, crossing her arms proudly.
I looked away, completely red, trying to hide my face with my hand. "You must be trying to give me a heart attack..." I muttered.
"Hmph, it's just a female body. What's the problem?" she said dismissively, her cheeks also slightly flushed.
I still covered my face, muttering, "The problem is, you make it look like you're going to show up naked in the middle of the living room! I almost had a mini-heart attack!"
Asuka giggled.
"Yeah, I think you've grown..." she muttered to herself, clutching her chest with a smug expression.
Now lying face down on the couch with my face buried in the cushion, I mumbled something unintelligible.
The scene ended with Asuka going to the kitchen to get something from the fridge, while I was still recovering from the provocation. And most ironically of all... it was still only the first day.
Completely unresponsive, I turned away, almost sinking into the couch with embarrassment.
"This should be considered psychological torture..." I muttered.
Asuka just gave a teasing chuckle before heading to the kitchen, still bragging about her Oscar-worthy performance.
I was still staring at the MP3 player's screen, pretending to concentrate, even though the song had ended a few minutes ago. My fingers gripped the player lightly, but my mind was still processing Asuka's joke.
She sat on the edge of the bed, discarding the towel, now wearing only her striped swimsuit. Her eyes roamed the small room, the dull ceiling, the simple furniture. The silence between them was awkward... but not uncomfortable.
"Hey, Subaru..." she said suddenly, without looking at him. "Why did you agree to pilot an Eva?"
It took me a moment to respond. My eyes were still fixed on the player's blank screen. After a sigh, he said, matter-of-factly, "I... wanted to go home."
Asuka raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
I shrugged, still not meeting her eyes. "When I realized, I was already here... They offered me a chance to fight. And maybe, in the end, I'll find a way back."
Asuka watched him silently. For a moment, the usual pride on her face softened, as if she understood something. "You speak as if you didn't come from here."
Finally, I turned my face toward her, my eyes slightly downcast, but sincere.
She blinked in surprise. "What?"
But I didn't say anything else. She returned to staring at the MP3 player. The music started again. It was a sad, soft, almost childish melody. Asuka didn't insist. She just crossed her arms and sat there, beside him, letting the sound fill the room.
Gradually, the silence between us no longer felt so empty.
I pressed a button on the MP3 player, restarting the track. I still stared at the lit screen, as if the answer I wanted to give was hidden there.
I couldn't open up. Not to her, not to anyone. Not completely.
But then, without taking her eyes off the visor, she murmured, "And you? Why did you agree to pilot an Eva?"
Asuka slowly turned her face toward me. She hadn't expected me to return the question, not even with that calm, almost tired tone.
She laughed lightly, dryly. "Because I'm the best."
I raised an eyebrow, still not looking at her. "Really? That's all?"
"Seriously," Asuka said, with a proud smile, but her eyes seemed to be missing. "I've been trained since I was little for this. I need to be the best. Show that I can do it. That I don't need anyone."
Silence returned. The music on the MP3 player skipped to another track. I glanced at her briefly, just for a second, and saw something in her eyes. But I chose not to comment.
"I see..." was all I said.
Asuka snorted and crossed her legs. "Tsk. What kind of answer is that?"
And even though neither of us said anything else, something between us had subtly shifted, like a silent bridge beginning to form.
The dorm door opened with a soft click, and Shinji's hurried footsteps echoed across the wooden floor. Asuka and I looked up at the same time, seeing Shinji enter with bags in his hands, followed by Rei, serene as ever, and Misato, who seemed to be chewing something.
"We're back!" Misato said with a cheerful smile, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "I hope you behaved!"
Asuka snorted, turning her face away.
"Baka Shinji took so long, the food's already cold."
"I got what you asked for, Asuka..." Shinji replied, half-shriveled, trying to balance the bags.
Rei remained silent, looking at me momentarily, as if trying to decipher something, and then sat down in a corner.
Later that day, Misato gathered them in the NERV training room. The cool white lighting reflected off the metal floor. In the center of the room, a giant monitor displayed real-time synchronization readings. Shinji and Asuka stood in front of a demarcated space, like a makeshift dance floor.
"You're kidding, right?" Asuka said, looking disdainfully at what looked like choreography projected on the screen. "Are we going to... dance?"
"Yes!" Misato smiled with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You need to improve your synchronization, and this is the best way. Total coordination."
Shinji blushed. "D-dance?!"
"You two have to move as one. Body, rhythm, breathing. If you can't do that here, you'll never pilot the Eva in dual mode."
"Tsk..." Asuka grumbled, but positioned herself. "Just don't step on my toes, Shinji."
I sat next to Rei, watching curiously. The music began to play, something simple and rhythmic. Asuka tried to lead, but Shinji hesitated. He stumbled, missed steps, fumbled in his turns.
"It's not like that, you idiot!" Asuka shouted, stopping abruptly.
"S-sorry! You're the one rushing!"
Misato sighed. "It's going to be one of those days..."
I chuckled softly. Rei, beside her, tilted her head.
Misato crossed her arms, already a little impatient with Asuka and Shinji's stumbles. "Okay, okay... let's do it like this. Subaru, Rei, you two, stand up. I want you to show me how it's done."
My eyes widened. "What? Us?"
Rei was already standing, calm. I hesitated, but then I stood up too.
"Let's go!" Misato said. "Show these two what true synchronization is."
The music started again. I took a deep breath and positioned myself in front of Rei. Her eyes met mine for a brief second, and then we both moved.
It was as if our bodies had been programmed for this. Each step was matched by Rei's precise movement. The twists, the turns, the breathing—everything flowed with a disconcerting naturalness. Time seemed to slow down as the two of them danced with mechanical and elegant perfection.
Silence filled the room when the song ended. Rei and I stopped at the same time, perfectly aligned.
"Impressive..." Misato murmured, surprised.
Shinji just watched them, speechless. Asuka, for her part, crossed her arms and turned away. "Tsk. It's no big deal."
"Okay, now I want Shinji to try with Rei," she said, her tone more direct. "Let's see if you can keep up."
Shinji nodded shyly, standing up. Rei positioned herself beside him with her usual distant expression. The music started again, and the two began to move.
To everyone's surprise, their movements flowed with impressive harmony. Even though there was no eye contact between them, their bodies followed the same rhythm, almost as if they had practiced it before. Their steps were steady, their turns synchronized, and the final slight bow was perfectly executed.
Misato smiled. "Not bad, you two! We're making progress."
I whistled softly, impressed. "Wow..."
But across the room, Asuka was blushing. It wasn't embarrassment. It was irritation. With each compliment Rei received, her fists clenched tighter. She tried to hide it with a wry smile.
I glanced sideways, noticing the hint of jealousy.
Shinji was embarrassed. Rei just stood silently, as if she hadn't even heard. Then Asuka huffed. "Tsk! This is ridiculous!"
Turning her back, she left the room with heavy steps, stomping her feet hard on the metal floor. The door opened and closed behind her with a sharp squeak.
Misato sighed, massaging her forehead. "This is going to be more complicated than I imagined..."
I slowly got up from the mat where they were training. Asuka had stomped off, her footsteps echoing through the hallways like small explosions of frustration. Misato was still busy discussing the results with the coaches, and Shinji looked confused, unsure of what to say. It was then that I spoke in a calm but firm voice: "I'm going after her."
No one tried to stop me. Perhaps they knew it was the right thing to do.
I walked out through NERV's automatic doors, which slammed shut with a metallic hiss behind me. Outside, the sun was already beginning to sink below the horizon, tinting the sky with pale oranges and a faint violet hue. The air was cooler than before, but comfortable. A gentle breeze swayed the vegetation surrounding the facility. An open field stretched out near the base, with low hills and a few lone trees scattered here and there.
I walked in silence, my footsteps sinking gently into the damp earth of the field, each one calmer than the last. There was no rush. I didn't know exactly where she was, but something inside me told me I would find Asuka. And it wasn't long before I spotted her, sitting on the slope of a slight rise in the ground, almost with her back to me.
She was there, quiet, hugging her knees, her face lightly hidden in her arms. Her red hair fluttered in the wind, and her school jacket was draped over her shoulders, disheveled. It was the kind of sight Asuka would never let anyone see, not on purpose. But at that moment, perhaps she hadn't even realized how vulnerable she was.
I stopped a few feet away, watching silently. I felt like if I said anything now, it would shatter the moment and perhaps scare her away. So I just stood there for a while, staring at the slowly darkening sky and listening to the wind rustle through the dry leaves.
After a while, I approached slowly, my steps deliberate and silent. I stopped beside her. I still didn't say anything. I didn't even look directly at her, staring at the same horizon as her, as if wanting to share that view rather than force a conversation.
Asuka didn't say anything. But she didn't send him away either.
The silence that formed wasn't uncomfortable. It was... heavy, yes. But not hostile. It was as if the world had paused just so she could breathe. And somehow, she seemed to understand that. I sat beside her, slowly bending my legs, and she kept her arms resting on her knees. Her eyes remained fixed forward, watching the darkening sky.
Asuka let out a soft sigh, as if tired of maintaining her pose.
"Did you come to follow me out of pity?" she murmured, her voice muffled against her arms. "I don't need your 'compassion'..."
I took a moment to respond. When I spoke, my voice was low, without judgment. "No. I just didn't want you to be alone right now."
She didn't answer. Maybe she was processing that sentence. Maybe she was fighting the urge to tell him I didn't understand anything. But at the same time, she knew I wasn't like the others. I invaded their space, but I didn't pressure them. I was just... there.
Time passed slowly. The sky grew darker. The moon began to appear, shyly between the clouds.
"Everyone's looking at me like I'm a broken toy..." Asuka said, almost in a whisper. "Just because I couldn't dance to a single damn song with Shinji."
I glanced sideways, but still didn't invade her space.
"Maybe it's not about the music..." she replied. "Maybe it's just... too much pressure."
Asuka slowly turned her face to him, as if surprised by his words. "Why would you listen to me?"
Finally, I looked at her, my eyes calm, steady, but gentle. "Anytime you want to talk. I'll be here..."
And for the first time that day, Asuka didn't respond. She just lowered her eyes and stood there, silent... but a different kind of silence. One that, perhaps, only someone like me could understand.
Asuka turned her head to the side, her eyes half-closed and her expression heavy. The silence between us lasted only a few seconds before she exploded.
"Why did you dance with Rei like that?" she snapped, her voice thick with irritation. "Was it to provoke me? Or are you drooling over her like Shinji?"
I remained silent. The wind blew lightly, as if trying to blow away the tension, but Asuka didn't stop.
"I hate the way she looks at me!..." She stood up abruptly, her hands clenched at her sides. "And here come you and Shinji..."
I was still sitting, staring at the ground. I didn't react to her tone or her accusations. Deep down, I understood what was happening. This wasn't exactly about Rei, or the dance. It was about her feeling like she was falling behind.
Asuka huffed loudly, her eyes shining, whether from anger or from near tears, unclear.
"You're just like the others..." she murmured, turning away.
But even so, she didn't leave. She stood there, still, as if waiting for some reaction.
I stood up slowly, unhurriedly. She walked until she was a few steps away, without breaking the invisible barrier she had imposed.
"I didn't do it for you..." I said calmly, my voice low but firm. "And it wasn't for her either."
Asuka turned her head slightly, listening, but still not looking at him. "I did it because you asked. Because I thought it might help you two understand the rhythm better. That's all."
There was a brief silence. I continued: "Even though I like her, I have nothing to do with Ayanami. And even if I did... that wouldn't change how I feel about you."
Asuka turned slowly. Her expression was still frustrated, but something about her softened for a moment. She hesitated before speaking, as if unsure of the word to use.
"Imbecile..."
But the word sounded less like an insult and more like a small sigh of relief. She crossed her arms, looked away, and stood there for a moment longer.
"I still don't like her. And I still hate losing. But..."
I just nodded, returning my gaze to the horizon. There was no need to say anything else. Just being there, in that silent night, was enough.
I looked at Asuka with renewed attention.
She was there, standing ahead, her arms crossed and her shoulders still tense from the argument. The night wind gently blew her loose, clipless hair, and it was then that I noticed, perhaps for the first time, how beautiful she looked with her hair down. Without the typical ponytail, Asuka seemed softer, more… human. There was something vulnerable about her, something that caught him off guard.
Without saying a word, I took a step closer and, in a gesture that even surprised me, I wrapped my arms around her. A shy but firm hug, coming from behind. I felt her body stiffen for a second, the startle, the hesitation, but she didn't push me away.
The silence between us returned, but this time it was different. It was comfortable.
"You idiot..." Asuka muttered softly. "You're like a porcupine."
I blinked, not immediately understanding.
She sighed, still leaning against him. "That story about the hedgehog... Two hedgehog want to be close to each other for warmth, but the closer they get, the more they hurt each other's quills."
She glanced sideways, her blue eyes still barely concealed, but there was a hint of affection there too. "But you don't care about getting hurt. You just come closer anyway. You prickly idiot."
I rested my chin on her shoulder and whispered, "Maybe because, even with the thorns... it's still worth staying close."
Asuka didn't answer. But she didn't pull away either. The wind blew again, bringing the scent of the countryside, the night, and the distance between two souls that, for a brief moment, seemed smaller.
Without another word, Subaru slowly released the embrace, but remained close.
With a calm gesture, I took my small MP3 player from my coat pocket. Tangled in my fingers, the earbuds were still tangled, as always. I untied the knot patiently, as if this moment demanded silence and care. Then, she placed one of the earbuds in my own ear... and the other, gently, in Asuka's.
She glanced at me sideways, surprised, but said nothing.
The music began to play. A soft, melancholic melody with a rhythm light enough to sing along to, it wasn't anything sophisticated, just something I liked to listen to when I wanted to escape the world. And now, I wanted Asuka to hear it too.
I held out my hand to her.
She hesitated. She looked at me, at my outstretched hand, and then at her feet. The pride was still there. The anger too. But deep down… there was a cry for help disguised as silence.
She took my hand.
At first, the movements were awkward. The steps didn't match, the turns were mismatched, and Asuka complained softly. But I didn't care. I was smiling, a sincere smile, the kind she didn't see often. No pressure. No judgment.
Gradually, we both fell into the same rhythm. Our feet began to align, our turns synchronized. Our eyes began to meet. We danced there, in the middle of the field, under the night sky. As if the world outside had disappeared for a moment.
Asuka was still frustrated. She was still full of thorns. But in that moment, dancing with me, she no longer felt like a broken toy.
She felt… complete.
"T-Thank you..." she said softly, barely audible.
I just squeezed her hand lightly in response.
The music continued, and we continued dancing.
"Don't worry..." she said with a half-smile, still holding Asuka's hand. "We still have four more days to train. You don't have to get everything right the first time; out of us, I'm the most pathetic here... I can't even control an Eva alone without exploding in the process..."
Asuka looked away, but didn't let go of my hand. "You think too little of yourself..."
The sky was beginning to turn orange and purple, the sun disappearing behind the buildings in the distance. A gentle breeze ruffled Asuka's loose hair, and the two of them remained silent for a few more seconds, just listening to the music still playing softly on the mp3 player.
"You say it like it's easy…" Asuka murmured, her voice not angry, just tired.
"It's not…" I replied calmly. "But we'll figure it out. One step at a time."
Soon after, the song ended. Asuka slowly removed her earphones. The mp3 player was tucked back into her pocket.
As we walked back along the same dirt path they'd taken before, we saw that the lights in the dorm were already on. Misato and Rei had already left. Only a note from Misato was stuck to the refrigerator:
"Train well, kids! I'll be back tomorrow morning. Eat something and don't destroy the place. :)
—Misato"
Asuka read it aloud and rolled her eyes. "Kids, huh? Hmph. Just because we're not drunk adults like her…"
I laughed a little, already opening the fridge to see what they'd left.
The kitchen was silent, and the whole house seemed calmer now. Night was falling slowly, enveloping everything in a strange, almost comforting tranquility. Asuka leaned against the doorframe, watching me. I was preparing something simple for them to eat, nothing fancy, just rice and eggs and some vegetables I had there.
She watched me silently, and for the first time that day… she no longer felt that crushing pressure on her shoulders.
Maybe, just maybe…
She could trust me a little.
The hallway light was soft, almost orange, casting long shadows on the walls as the silence of the night took over the makeshift house. My footsteps and Asuka's echoed softly on the wooden floor until we stopped in front of two adjacent doors, the rooms that had been assigned to each of us during that training period.
I yawned, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand.
"Tough day, huh?" I commented, casting a brief glance at Asuka, who was crossing her arms with that typical air of superiority mixed with fatigue.
"Hmph," she replied, turning to face her own bedroom door. Before turning the knob, she glanced at me sideways and pointed with her index finger as if staking out her territory.
"This one," she said, tapping the wood of the door with the back of her hand, "is the Wall of Jericho. Don't even think about crossing it."
I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "The Wall of Jericho…?"
"Yeah." She turned fully to him. "A sacred boundary. It symbolizes that this is where my world begins. And you, Subaru Natsuki, are not allowed to enter."
I scratched my head, half-laughing, half-curious. "O-okay, no invading personal space..."
Asuka shrugged, a smug smile on her lips. She simply shook her head, taking two steps back.
"Good night, Barusu," she replied theatrically, before entering and closing the door with a sharp click.
I paused for a moment in front of my own door, staring at hers for a second longer.
The Wall of Jericho, huh…?
With a tired smile, I entered my room and threw myself onto the bed.
The muffled sound of a sigh from the other side of the wall accompanied it until I closed my eyes.
I stared at the dark ceiling of the makeshift room. The typhoon below was uncomfortable, but what really kept him awake was the throbbing sensation of displacement.
I didn't know why I was there.
It wasn't as if I'd made some heroic choice. It wasn't as if I'd accepted a calling to this world. One day I simply… ended up here. And the world around me, so familiar, yet so different…
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to organize my thoughts, but it was like trying to gather mist with my hands.
"I didn't ask for this…" I muttered to myself, too quietly for anyone to hear.
The darkness seemed thicker in this corner of the barracks. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, as if whispering secrets I wasn't ready to hear.
I thought about training. Dancing with Rei. The way Asuka got frustrated when she couldn't lead. The look she gave me when I put the headphones on.
I turned to my side, facing the wall. The thought hammered like a distant beat:
"Why me? Why this place? What's the purpose of all this? Those Witches never told me why I'm here..."
But no voice answered. No revelation fell from the sky. No light came on.
Just silence.
I pulled the rough blanket up to my chest and sighed.
But for now, all I could do was close my eyes and try to forget that I was in a world where nothing made sense.
For the next four days, the routine in that makeshift home was marked by repetitions, corrections, and frustrations, but also by progress.
Asuka and Shinji, though reluctant at first, began to find a rhythm. At first, it was mechanical, overly rehearsed, with stiff steps and squinting glances. But over time, the synchronicity between them became fluid, almost as if their bodies automatically responded to the other's movements.
I watched closely. I wasn't the focus of that training, but I got involved when necessary. Sometimes I'd adjust the angle of Asuka's arm, other times I'd correct Shinji's entry timing with a simple tap of my fingers.
"You're a little late..." I'd say to Shinji, pointing my head at the floor, as if the sound were recorded there.
"I know," Shinji would reply, avoiding my gaze.
Asuka, on the other hand, didn't hide when she messed up.
"Damn!" she'd say, stumbling over her own spin. "I know how to do that!"
I'd laugh lightly, but not mockingly. Sometimes he'd just touch her shoulder and say, "Relax. It's better than yesterday."
She pretended not to care, but I could see when her face softened, even if only for a second.
At night, we'd each go back to our rooms. Asuka still made jokes, but now she'd say it with a half-smile. In turn, he was already able to sleep more easily, as if, amidst the strangeness of that world, the simple act of helping someone gave him a sense of purpose.
At the end of the fourth day, Misato appeared with her carefree demeanor, analyzing the synchronization data.
"Not bad, not bad at all. You two… are ready."
Asuka crossed her arms proudly. Shinji let out a sigh of relief.
I just smiled and thought, "Maybe… I still don't know why I'm here. But at least… I'm doing something that matters."
NERV alarms echoed in the distance, announcing the resumption of the operation against the Angel. The three main pilots were ready. Shinji and Asuka, now perfectly synchronized, walked side by side to the EVA elevators. Misato, more confident, gave the final commands and instructions.
I was in his locker room, finishing adjusting the zipper on my plugsuit. It was the second time I had officially worn that suit, black with dark blue accents, with soft lines that contoured the body with a sobriety reminiscent of Rei's, but with a unique cut, adapted to my style. He stared at himself in the mirror, a little disconcerted by how tight he looked.
"Looks like you're one of us now..." said a calm voice behind me.
I turned, slightly surprised. It was Rei.
She was staring at me with that same neutral, deep gaze as always, but there was a subtle tone in her voice that sounded almost... gentle.
"The suit suits you," she said. "It's... nice."
My eyes widened for a second, completely speechless. She still remembered the day she'd absentmindedly commented that she thought her plugsuit was "different, but elegant," without really thinking about it. I hadn't expected her to remember, much less to reciprocate the comment so directly.
"Uh-huh?" I tried to speak, averting my eyes. "Thanks... you look good too... You look really pretty in your white plugsuit..."
Rei just tilted her head slightly, as if that were enough. She didn't smile, but there was something in her eyes. A calmness that contrasted with the nervousness she'd felt when she'd put on the suit for the first time.
Misato's voice came from the speaker: "Pilots, in position. Repeat: all pilots in position. You have five minutes to get into your EVAs."
Rei looked ahead, turning to leave. "Go, it's your time to shine."
I took a deep breath, adjusted the cuffs of my suit, and followed her.
It was time to enter the battlefield.
As soon as the Angel appeared on the battlefield, a figure almost humanoid in appearance, but with a body as white and shiny as living porcelain, it split in half in a fluid, unnatural motion. Two identical creatures emerged from one, each with its own A.T. Field aura pulsing at a different frequency.
"It split again!" Misato shouted over the comm. "Shinji, Asuka! Stick to the plan!"
Inside EVAs 01 and 02, Shinji and Asuka moved like mirrors of each other. The two Evangelions launched themselves at the two Angels with almost choreographed precision. One swung its spear while the other blocked. One jumped and the other retreated, and then they reversed. Their movements resembled a fluid dance of attack and defense, the same one they'd practiced for the past few days.
I was watching everything from the backseat of Eva-02, observing every move intently. I wasn't there to be just a spectator: I was waiting, ready, as if something were to get out of control.
"Amazing... They really are in sync," I muttered.
Asuka, despite the tension, smiled in the cockpit. "See this, idiot?! We can do it! This trash angel doesn't stand a chance against NERV's number one duo!"
"Uh... yeah!" Shinji replied, trying to stay focused.
The two Angels fought with alternating, swift movements, adapting quickly, but the EVAs' synchronicity overwhelmed them. Entire city blocks were crushed as the units exchanged blows, jumping between the buildings that appeared as defenses. The operation was intense, but coordinated.
From afar, Misato clenched her fists: "A little more... just a little more and we'll win."
But then something unexpected happened.
One of the Angels fell, seemingly defeated. But before it could completely disintegrate, a wave of energy erupted from it and coursed through the other's body. They began to recombine, only this time in a new form, larger, more complex, more unstable.
My eyes widened. "This wasn't in the plan...!"
And then Ritsuko's voice rang out, tense: "The enemy has entered a state of asymmetric fusion. It's oscillating between frequencies. If it continues like this... it will explode."
The movements remained in absolute synchrony. Shinji and Asuka had reached an almost intuitive state of cooperation, a perfect rhythm, as if time and senses had aligned between them.
Each EVA attack was an extension of the dance they had rehearsed for days. Side steps, precise turns, shifting positions. As the Angel fused into a new, unstable form, spinning in multiple directions with appendages of light and pulsating matter, the two didn't hesitate.
"Now, Shinji!" Asuka shouted.
EVA-01 swung the spear vertically, clearing a space. EVA-02 glided underneath, gliding in a movement reminiscent of a modern ballet step, and delivered the final blow to the enemy's core, which was exposed for only a fraction of a second.
A burst of light swept through the surrounding fake city. The impact shook the HQ's protective panels, but caused no catastrophic damage.
The silence that followed was filled only with Shinji's heavy breathing and Asuka's proud sigh.
"Heh... I told you it would work," she said with a victorious smile.
In the main office, Misato punched the air in relief: "You did it... good job, you two. It was beautiful."
I watched the monitors, relieved, but also... touched. That fight was more than an operation. It was a choreography of trust, resilience, and synchronicity. They had turned the battle into a dance and won.
I muttered to myself: "You weren't just fighting... you were dancing with death. And you won."
The battle was over. The Angel had been defeated. NERV was celebrating, or at least as close to it as the organization could get. After a brief medical check-up and the usual procedures, Asuka and I were released.
A few hours later...
It was already night when they arrived at Misato's apartment. The city lights still twinkled in the distance, as if they had survived too. I entered first, and a familiar scent hit me. A somewhat confusing smell, somewhere between forgotten beer in the sink and cheap citrus perfume. It was the smell of Misato Katsuragi's apartment. Something about it stirred a memory I couldn't quite place. But it was... familiar.
"Ugh, this place still stinks like it used to..." I commented, unceremoniously throwing my backpack on the couch, opening the fridge, and finding half a dozen beers and a lone jar of mayonnaise. "Looks like nothing's changed…"
After a few minutes, Misato appeared in the hallway, already in her pajamas, a beer in her hand: "Subaru, your room was robbed by someone… You're going to sleep in Shinji's room, okay?"
"Huh?" I turned around. "But what about mine…?"
"Oh, Asuka jumped in there before I even finished speaking. And you know how she is when she conquers territory."
"Tsk… seriously…?"
Across the room, Asuka was already stretched out on the futon in my old room, with a mocking smile. "Rules of war. You were distracted."
I let out a resigned sigh and glanced at the half-open door to Shinji's room. It was a small, tidy, somewhat characterless space. He leaned against the doorframe, thoughtful. "So... now I'm Shinji for the night, is that it?"
Asuka laughed sarcastically from the living room. "Just don't complain like him."
I raised my eyebrows, but he didn't question her. He just sighed and shuffled down the hallway to Shinji's room. I knocked lightly on the door, and when I heard a "Come in," I opened it cautiously.
"So... Shinji, is it okay if I sleep here tonight? I think I've lost my territory."
Shinji was sitting on the bed, flipping through an old magazine. "No problem. The bed is big, and if you want, there's even a futon in the closet."
"I prefer the futon." It'll be like sleeping on the floor of my old house... with fewer cockroaches, I hope."
Shinji gave a small smile. "I think Misato's room is the only place to have cockroaches."
I laughed, throwing myself onto the futon with a heavy sigh. "After an angel like that, even a cockroach seems like a relief..."
Shinji turned off the light, and for a few minutes they were both silent, just listening to the distant sound of the television in the living room and Asuka's footsteps coming and going, probably stealing some snacks from the kitchen.
Eyes on the ceiling, I murmured, "Today was intense, wasn't it...?"
Shinji replied, "But it was the first time... I felt like we were truly together. Not just at EVA. Everyone."
I closed my eyes, letting exhaustion finally pull him away. "Yeah. For the first time in a long time... we felt like a real team.
And that night, the silence that followed wasn't one of discomfort, but of peace.
The next day...
I absentmindedly twirled my pen between my fingers, my mind wandering as the sound of the teacher faded into background noise. I was still digesting everything that had happened in the last few days: the training, the synchronized dancing, the fight against the Angel, and now sharing a room with Shinji.
That's when the teacher's voice became firmer and clearer, catching everyone's attention: "Before we continue with the lesson, we have a new student joining the class today."
I stopped moving my pen, looking up with a surprised expression. A new student? Now? In the midst of everything that had been happening with the Angels?
"Please come in..." the teacher said.
The door opened slowly, revealing a calm-looking girl. Her straight brown hair reached her shoulders, and her eyes conveyed a curious mix of kindness and firmness. She walked in with soft but determined steps, stopping before the class with a small smile.
"Hello!" she said, her voice clear and polite.
"My name is Mana Kirishima. I hope we can get along!"
End of Chapter 15