You Can (Not) Forget

And the Sky Shall Unfold

School was mind numbing. Which wasn't anything new for Shinji. In fact, he welcomed it. This was the normality he'd been missing. So much had happened lately that he'd not been able to enjoy just being a kid.

How could he?

The Third Child had even more responsibility on his shoulders now than he did in his original dimension. He knew nothing then. Shinji knew everything now. That's why when he finally stepped into the too clean halls of the school, he felt at peace. Finally, he was in a place he could be free to relax. He could fall into the monotony of classes. This was a routine he could get behind.

But today was not routine.

"Shinji!"

He turned at her voice, a smile slipping onto his lips that he was incapable of suppressing. Not that he would want to. He didn't want to hide his happiness at all. Asuka walked up to him, slowing down as she must have been speed walking. The girl threw her arms around him in a hug that filled his nose with apple and jasmine. Her locks of silky red hair tangling between his fingers as he circled his own arms around her.

Shinji Ikari found that Asuka was much more upbeat here than in his own dimension. He already knew that she was just a happier and lighter person overall thanks to actually having a family, but even then, she was grumpy and downright mean on occasions. He wondered if these were the perks of being the boyfriend now. As long as he didn't make her mad, he should be free to see her this cheerful all the time. Note to self, don't piss off Asuka. I like this cheer.

"That's just gross," gagged Toji. And from right next to his ear he heard Asuka sigh before he felt her head lift out of the crook of his neck.

"Shut up, stooge."

"When did this development come about...?" Mayumi asked, closing her thick book. Shinji hadn't caught the whole title. Something "light."

"Two days ago," he responded as Asuka detangled herself from him. That was a Saturday night he couldn't forget. Saving his mother, thwarting his father's plans, and finally getting together with Asuka. A lot had transpired in such a short amount of time. Overall, the past two days had been great. He'd spent them talking to Asuka, much to the amusement of Misato. He was still living with her. Yui had not woken up yet and that was the only damper to his days.

Putting the more troublesome thoughts out of mind, Shinji took her hand in his own but didn't get to enjoy the warmth or softness for long when Hikari and Mayumi pulled her away. Asuka looked back at him with an apologetic glance as she was accosted.

"We're only just now hearing about this today!?" Hikari yelled. Next to them, Mari laughed at Asuka's misfortune and earned herself a punch for it. As she rubbed her shoulder, Rei shook her head at their antics. Mari should know better by now.

"I don't know how you do it Shin-man, or why you would do it for that matter. The she devil is unbearable... but let us know if anything goes wrong with you two and uh... we'll have your back," Toji finished weakly, holding his hands up in surrender as he and Kensuke walked alongside Shinji to class. Shinji didn't enjoy them calling Asuka names and apparently, he must have shown his displeasure more than he'd intended considering Toji's backtracking.

Yes. Today was shaping up to be nothing like his previous school days. Maybe it wouldn't be so mind numbing after all.

~X~

She slid her finger along the rim of her glass, tracing out the perfect circle that it was. The wine inside was white and the glass had no lipstick marking its transparent surface. The liquid inside was untouched. It had been since she'd poured it over an hour ago. Kyoko wanted to drink, but she couldn't bring herself to take that first sip. The wine always relaxed her, but that was the last thing she needed. Kyoko needed to think. Shinji's tale and the circumstances surrounding his mother disturbed her. She now understood exactly what happened to all the "dead" parents of the pilots.