Summer Meeting

After School Messages

This part contains mentions of past abuse. If that bothers you, I suggest not reading the last half of this chapter

Shinji got home around 5. There was a little time before his father returned home from work.
Shinji slipped out of his shoes and went to his room, dropping his bag onto the floor.
He picked his phone up and checked it.
He had 7 messages, all from Kaworu.

I'm sure it'll be fine

What's the worst that could happen at school?

How's it going so far?

Hope it's going well.

I'm a little worried that you havnt texted me back

But I guess you're in class rn

Text me when you get the chance

Shinji sighed softly and smiled, he didn't mean to worry Kaworu, but he was glad to see that he'd tried to check up on him.

Sorry
I left my phone at home

Moments after sending the message, he got a reply.

That makes sense
How was school?

It was okay I guess. Some of my friends were being loud and obnoxious tho

I see. Wish I could have been there

Me too. I would have liked that..

Yeah

Shinji sat his phone down, he figured he'd change quickly and then start on dinner.

He picked his phone back up after changing into more comfortable and casual clothing.

I've got to make dinner now
But we can still text

Alright. What are you making?

Probably spaghetti. It's easy to make
And I don't feel like cooking.

I liked the spaghetti you made when I stay the night
It was good

Shinji smiled a little, he didn't get compliments on his cooking very often. Actually, his only compliments on his cooking were from him.
The majority of the other compliments also came from Kaworu.

I could make it again next time ur around?
Only if you want tho!

Shinji wasn't sure if he sounded like he was being needy or pushy. He began to worry again, that maybe they weren't really friends.
Was he just too nice to tell Shinji to stop bothering him?
He couldn't tell.

That'd be great
When I come back to visit my mom, it'll be a date

Shinji almost dropped the wooden spoon he was holding.
He stared at the message.
A date? That... that's weird of him to say...
He felt an uneasy feeling.

Don't call it a date. That's weird

Sorry sorry
I should have chosen better wording

Kaworu frowned a little. Anytime he'd say something like how he really liked Shinji, or how cute he was or things like 'it's a date', Shinji would always get upset with him and he wasn't sure why.
It's not like he was doing it to flirt or what not, he just said what came to his mind.
Was it wrong of him to say things like that, or to compliment Shinji, simply cause they were both guys?
Kaworu wasn't sure. Just as he wasn't sure how exactly he felt about Shinji.
He was an amazing person, he's kind and always listens. But he doesn't seem himself as all that.
Did Kaworu simply want to make Shinji see what a good person he actually was, or was there more to what he was feeling.
He was confused.
His phone dinged.

It's alright... just don't do it again

I can't promise anything ;)

Kaworu, I'm serious

I was kidding
I won't do it again

Shinji sat across the table from his father.
The air was heavy and thick.
"Don't slack on your studies." His father broke the silence.
"I-I won't.." Shinji jumped in his seat a little, suprised by the sudden noise.
"It would be very disappointing if you started to goof off and fail." His father didn't look at Shinji.
"I.. I'll focus my time on studying..." Shinji replied quietly.
Of course he was getting nagged at.
That's all his father seemed to do, nag at him about something, yell at him or hit him.
"Good." Shinji's father got up from the table. He stared down at Shinji as he walked past, "It'll be bad for you if you lose track of what's important."
A chill ran down Shinji's spine. He knew exactly what his father meant.

Late in the school year last year, Shinji's grades began to slip.
They'd fallen below a C average.
Upon finding that out, his father shouted at him.
Shouted things like 'I didn't raise you to be so stupid.'
Or
'You're so useless.'
Just generally negative things.
And he'd hit him. Shinji was hit multiple times a night until his grades were all B's or higher.
His father didn't care if Shinji cried out or if he left bruises.
He only wanted Shinji to be a perfect child and when he stepped out of line, Shinji would face some consequences.

"I-I'll do good this y-year." Shinji stuttered. He stared down at his mostly eaten dinner.
His eyes welded up with tears, but he wasn't going to cry, at least not at that moment.