In the large office of the Commander of NERV, sat the Commander himself, Sub Commander Fuyutski, ever by his side, and Ritsuko Akagi. It was very early in the morning and Ritsuko had been called up by the commanders just as Misato had taken her leave.
“How are the repairs for Unit-03 coming, Dr Akagi?” the Commander asked the standing form of the lab coated doctor.
“Although some parts of the Unit were destroyed and unable to be recovered, repairs and regeneration are on their way, but still in their early stages. However, the regeneration is going smoothly with no difficulties or anomalies so far.” Ritsuko replied. After Unit-01, controlled by the dummy plug, had repeatedly pounded Unit-03, crushing parts of bone and tissue, the remains of it had been secretly salvaged and frozen. The right arm still needed to be fully regenerated as Unit-01 had ripped it off and the head and neck had suffered the most critical damage. The reason for this was that the neck had been crushed and the head smashed in by a savage stomp from Unit-01’s foot.
“Good. The Unit-03 should be repaired on schedule. You may proceed, Dr Akagi.” Ritsuko waited for a moment then asked.
“Sir, who is going to be the designated pilot of Eva Unit-03?”
“Dr Akagi. Who is the designated pilot of Unit-03?” Ritsuko was flabbergasted. Thinking he had finally gone mad, she fully disbelieved what the Commander had just said.
“What? That one? He is permanently injured. How will he be able to pilot?”
“His injuries are not permanent. Not now in this day and age.” The previously silent Fuyutski spoke up. Understanding what Ritsuko was going through. *I was amazed as well. But why is Ikari providing so much information to Akagi? It is not like him.* he thought. *What’s going on in your mind Ikari?*
“You don’t mean--” Looking at the commanders of NERV from one to the other. Their looks confirmed her suspicions, well, Fuyutski’s look, since the Commander did not even move. Filing this extremely important and unbelievable information in her mind, she knew it was imperative to tell Misato. Ritsuko had always wondered why the data on the Fourth Child had been kept for so long.
 Seeing that the Commander seemed to be giving out information rather more than usual she then asked the question which had been bothering her ever since her talk with Misato.
“Commander Ikari. Why are you keeping the Second Child?”
“That is none of your concern. I have already told you more than enough. You are dismissed.” Ikari ordered in a warning tone. “And remember, a synchronisation test must be held as soon as possible. It can be delayed only until tomorrow at the very latest.”
“Yes sir.” Ritsuko, the extremely erudite doctor that she was, realised just what the Commander was getting at. *Does he want me to tell  Misato? He must. Otherwise, why would he reveal so much of his plans?*
 Knowing that she must tell Misato but not wanting to do what the Commander planned, knowing the effect it would have on the Third Child, Ritsuko was left in a very tight spot.  *Damn him!* She thought as she left the office.

*           *           *

The door to Misato’s apartment opened.
 Misato yawned noisily and looked at her watch. It was 6.12a.m. *Oh, God, I didn’t know I could get so sleepy. Bloody Commander.* It had taken Misato, many long hours to finish the work the Commander had given her. And when, she thought she had finished it all, more seemed to appear out of nowhere and mock her as if something as inanimate as paper was trying to keep her from her two charges. *Was the Commander trying to keep me away from them?*Misato thought as she entered, placing her purse on the table.*No. Why would he? It must be just a coincidence. But where did all that paperwork come from anyway? I guess.. Asuka, did destroy parts of the city with her rifle, but I didn’t know it would require this much work.* Not wanting to wake up Shinji or Asuka, Misato padded quietly to the kitchen to get something to drink....
 After she was sated, Misato placed the beer can on a table and decided to check on Asuka. Going to the room where Asuka slept, she opened the sliding door with as little noise as possible. Surprised, she  found no one there. Becoming slightly worried, she went to Shinji’s room, and gasped at what she saw.
“What?” Misato said rubbing her eyes and staring in disbelief. Quickly  backpedalling out of the room, she got undressed and went to bed, muttering to herself. “I think maybe I had too much to drink. I must be REALLY tired. Shinji and Asuka sleeping in the same bed? Nah. Couldn’t be.” Then as an afterthought just before sleep claimed her. “And why would they sleep in their plug suits any way?. It must be sooo uncomfortable.”

*           *           *

 Asuka blinked, slowly waking up. *Was that a dream?* She thought, her mind still dazed from the day before, remembering the previous night. Reaching out she tried to find Shinji but could not.
“Shinji?” Saying this, she realised she was in his bed and felt assured. Looking up she saw that the bedside clock read 8a.m. and that Shinji must already be awake. Thinking back into her sleep fogged memory, she thought she remembered Shinji put a tender kiss on her forehead, just before he had gone out of the room, where she then lapsed back into sleep. *He usually is up early anyway, that idiot.* How Shinji could still wake up so early with so little sleep, Asuka never knew.
 Looking at herself, she saw that she was still dressed in her skintight plugsuit. *What? I slept in this thing?* She also noticed that her hair was a bit sticky with dry bits of LCL flaking off.
“I really need a shower.” She said sleepily, though with the amount of sleep she had gotten, she did not know how she could still be tired. With that, she got up and went to her room. After a few minutes of pulling and tugging, Asuka managed to remove the plugsuit. Dumping it to the floor in the corner of her room, she got a towel and wrapped it around her lithe body. Tucking the end of the towel in, she went to the bathroom, pushed the curtain aside and went in....to see Shinji just coming out of the shower. That -- woke her up fully.
“Nnnhgg...Asuka!” Shinji quickly snatched at the towel which was hanging from it’s hook on the bathroom wall, snapping the hook in the process.
 Asuka, just stood there laughing, as she watched his attempts to wrap the towel around his midsection as fast as he could. As she was laughing, the towel which she had wrapped around herself, slipped a bit. Shinji, holding the towel at his waist, nearly dropping it,  just stood there, gawking, open mouthed.
“Ach nein!” Asuka exclaimed. Seeing Shinji, looking at her with a gaping mouth, Asuka reacted. “Shinji you stupid pervert!!” She said, slapping him, causing him to nearly drop his towel. Embarrassed Shinji turned away, grasping his towel in one hand he put his other to his stinging, red cheek as she slowly gathered her towel back up, almost teasingly. *Even thought she’s admitted to liking me, I still have to be careful around her.* he thought. Then, finding a temper and a spine of his own. *But she saw me first...*
“What do you mean? You’re the one who barged in here and perved on me first!*
“That was an accident, you idiot!”
“You could at least knock and see if any one was in here!”
“Dumkoff!! How can I knock on a curtain?”
And so, the pair continued yelling and accusing each other about past events and other things besides..
*

 Unknown to them, a quilt covered figure, stirred, awakened by all the racket. Misato hearing this through a cloudy mind, smiled speaking to herself. “I guess I really was drunk. Nothing has
changed.” Saying that Misato lapsed back into a deep sleep, not hearing what came next....

*
 When their argument ceased, (Shinji had to kiss her to shut her up), Asuka greeted him, also noticing that he seemed to have filled out a bit.
“Guten morgan Shinji.” She said slowly, tantalisingly, remembering the last time she had said that - the week where he had nearly kissed her. * Did he like me then too?*
“Uh..good morning Asuka. Ah..are you rested now?” Noticing the closeness of a towel clad female body right in front of him.
“Oh..I’m better now, but I still feel tired--” Asuka looked at him and noticed something. Smiling wickedly she continued. “Hey Shinji! Looks like your little friend has woken up down there.” Embarrassed, his already red face, turning from dull to bright, scarlet red, wishing he could just sink into some hole and disappear, he hastily exited the bathroom.

*           *            *

 In a small, decrepit apartment, a confused Rei Ayanami, knelt, chin resting on crossed arms on top of her bed, looking down on it.
*Why does the Second Child dislike me? Why? In what way have I caused her to become hateful towards with me?
*Hate. The Third Child hates  Commander Ikari.  For  what purpose? Why is it that people hate?*

 =Flashback=
“I am not a doll.”
“Yes you ARE. What else could you be? You would even die if your dear Commander ordered it.”
“Of course.”
“Errrgh!” ~SLAP~
“Then you really are a doll. I hate you, I hate EVERYTHING!” Asuka said to the closing doors of the elevator.
“I am not a doll.” Rei repeated quietly to herself.
=End of flashback=

“What is it like...to hate?” Rei said, her scarlet eyes moving to the side.

*           *            *

“Ikari, just what ARE you doing?” Kozou Fuyutski asked the still unmoving, statue like form of Gendo Ikari, just as Ritsuko left.
“Fuyutski. Currently we have three Evangelions. Soon, we shall have four. We require as many pilots, as is possible.” Came the cold reply behind steepled hands.
“Yes but..Unit Two’s pilot will most probably be unable to even synchronise with it. There is no point in keeping her. Why not just recruit another pilot according to the Marduk report? Surely even an unexperienced pilot would be able to synchronise with it more easily than the Second Child”
“That remains to be seen. But, the Marduk report has been unable to find a likely candidate.”
*That’s a lie and you know that I know Ikari.* “Every student in the pilots’ class is a likely candidate. Don’t play me for a fool.”
“Do not question my orders, Sub Commander. But if you really must know: the data files for the Marduk report have recently been altered. Students of that class have been dismissed as inadequate to pilot an Eva. Therefore, no likely candidates have been found as of yet.”
“When? I was not informed of this. How, and why did it change?” Just at that moment, the phone rang. Forestalling the Sub Commander with an upraised hand he picked up the receiver. Listening for a few moments, the Commander replied.
“Understood.” Setting the phone back on it’s hook, the Commander spoke to Fuyutski, standing up. “Enough Fuyutski. We will have to continue this discussion later. I have more important matters at hand.”

*           *            *

 After finishing her shower, she reached for her towel. When she had dried herself, she wrapped the towel she had brought with her around her body. Reaching for another, she towelled her hair and exited the bathroom, heading for her room to get changed. Reaching her room, she thought about Shinji.
*He’s changed. He’s more decisive and mature now. And more intelligent. I like it. And he kisses pretty good too.* Surprised at her own  thoughts, she realised it was true and she continued to get dressed. Still thinking, she finished changing and went out of her room, smelling food being cooked. She then realised how hungry she was and headed straight toward the kitchen, in her usual purple shorts and light blue, sleeveless top.
 Going to the kitchen, she saw Shinji, making breakfast. Seeing her, Shinji coloured a bit but otherwise, kept on cooking.
“Shinji...I’m sorry for walking in on you this morning. I was just tired and I didn’t hear you.” Surprised, Shinji didn’t respond straight away.
“...it’s okay Asuka. We’re even anyway.” He said smiling, while ducking a pillow which was aimed at his head. “You know Asuka...”
“What?’
“You’re starting to sound a lot like me.”
“And just what is THAT supposed to mean?”
“Umm..nothing.” Changing the subject, he spoke. “Did you know that Misato’s home?”
“She is?” Her brow furrowing. “I hope she didn’t see us.”
“I don’t know. We’ll find out sooner or later. I don’t think she would have told anyone yet anyway.” After a short pause, he went on. “ But why don’t you want Misato to know?”
“Oh, I dunno. Let’s just keep a secret for now.”
“...okay Asuka........ Asuka?” Shinji began scooping up contents of a pot and setting in a bowl. When it was full, he handed it to her.
“Yeah?” Asuka said, accepting the bowl and began eating ravenously. Knowing that she was not the type of person to open up but since yesterday he wasn’t very sure about it now.
“When did you start to care about me? You always seemed angry at anything and everything I did.” Shinji phrasing his words carefully, sitting down with his own bowl.
“Why are....you asking that now?” was the reply, which came between spoonfuls.
“I don’t know. I was just wondering.”
“Well..I think it was ever since the time you rescued me in the volcano. I liked it how you just acted and didn’t think about it to save me, not caring for your own safety.  It’s just that I never accepted the truth about it before.” Asuka looked at Shinji, who looked thoughtful. Continuing, she said, “And about being angry with you,” Looking into his face and catching his eye, wanting to see his reaction, “Well I was.”
“Oh.” He acknowledged, looking crestfallen.
“No, I’m just kidding. I was angry with you some of the times, but mostly it was to cover up my true feelings. I was also jealous of you Shinji.”
“Jealous?”
“Well, you know. You were always being congratulated on some great feat. You’ve killed the most angels. The First Child -Asuka’s eyes narrowed in saying this- and I put all our effort in, but we didn’t get anything.”
“It’s not like I try to be the best...” Looking down at the his breakfast.
“Oh yeah? What about the time with the twelfth Angel?” Asuka retorted, then regretted it as soon as the words left her lips. “Sorry Shinji. I didn’t mean to remind you about that.”
“Don’t worry about it, Asuka. I’m over that now. It was my mistake any way. I was just acting like you.” He looked up to see how she would react only to see an object flying at him. This time the pillow hit him square in the face, glancing off his bowl and nearly spilling the food contained in it.
“Okay, okay I take it back. But seriously Asuka, you really should think before you act.” Asuka pondered over his words for a few moments before saying.
“Yeah... I guess your right...sort of.”
“Where do you get all those pillows from anyway?” Shinji asked. Asuka just smirked.

 Finishing up on their breakfast, they put their bowls in the sink and began to wash up together. Since the two of them were usually fast workers, aided by their synchronisation training used against the seventh Angel, they finished pretty quickly, also from the fact that there was not all that much to wash up.
 As Shinji moved to the lounge, Asuka followed him, and asked him a question as he sat on their couch.
“What about you Shinji?” Settling down next to him as she spoke.
“Huh?”
“You know..when did you first start to like me?”
“I.... guess it was during the synchronisation training. I felt drawn to you somehow. I’ve never felt so close to someone before.”
“Was it....because you liked the way  I looked?” Not knowing how to answer which could result in him hurting her feelings Shinji stayed silent. Finally answering he said,
“Well..er..yes--” Seeing her face he quickly continued. “And no.”
“What do you mean? ARE you STUPID?”  Ignoring her repetition of the past he answered her first question.
“I mean yes, as in you are beautiful, and no, because I like you for who you are. Even though you kicked me.” Not knowing why of all the things he could say, that he said that.
*Even though I kicked him? Why the hell did he say that?* “Even though I’ve said everything that I have, you can still like me?”
“Asuka, you’ve taken it back. It’s all behind us now.” Asuka, nestled up against him, laying her head on his shoulder. Shinji stiffened, (no, not there you sick minded freak) not yet used to having a girl so near to him, but then he relaxed. With both of them content for the moment, they both saw no further need to talk.
*           *            *

Not many students were left in the class of Shinji and Asuka. Kensuke Aida was talking to the Class Representative, who was among the few who still attended the class.
“Man. No one attends school these days. Most people in Tokyo -3 have already left considering what has just happened.” Kensuke said to Hikari Horaki.
“I know. Rei’s not here, but that’s not unusual, Suzuharra is still in hospital, and Shinji and Asuka aren’t here too.” Came Hikari’s reply.  “Do you think it was something to do with yesterday?”
“I’m not sure. But that seems like the only explanation for it.”
“...I hope Asuka and Shinji are okay.”
“Yeah, me too.” Looking at her Kensuke noticed that she was worried about something else. *It’s probably just Toji.* “ So you visited Toji, right?”
“Yes.”
“How is he?”
“He’s alright, I guess..he doesn’t seem angry at anyone.”
“I heard his injuries were pretty bad.”
“Yes..he lost his left arm and leg...”
“Sorry..didn’t mean to upset you. They can fix it though.” He said trying to make her feel better. Just then the school bell rang, signalising the end of the day. Packing up, the two students shouldered their bags and made ready to leave.
“Aida.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to check on Asuka and Shinji. Do you want to come?”
“Hmm..okay.”
After agreeing, Kensuke and Hikari left the classroom, walked down the hallway to the nearest exit and left the school. Walking down the sidewalk, Hikari broke the silence between them.
“What did you mean they can fix his arm and leg?”
“Well..I did a little research on this..” Hikari looked at him.  “..well hacking but anyway, I read that they may be able to clone them back.”
“Clone them? How is that possible?” Hikari asked not really believing.
“I’m not so sure about that...but with an organisation like NERV, they surely would have the technology for it.”
“But why would they? Toji isn’t part of NERV still is he?”
“I don’t think he would be...but you never know. They might still want him as a pilot.”
“Whatever for? If he’s injured so badly don’t you think they would dismiss him?”
“It depends. If they needed a pilot, they would probably consider keeping him, and use any methods to keep him as one.” Hikari was silent, looking at the ground. Looking up again she spoke what was on her mind.
“I don’t know what’s worse. Getting his arm and leg back, and working in NERV, or staying a cripple. Oh I wish that it had never happened!” Hikari said almost in tears, strange for the usually calm girl she was most of the time. *I think she must like Toji a lot.* Everyone knew about Hikari and Toji except Toji himself that is. Kensuke just never knew how much she liked him until now.
 Not knowing what to say, as he knew there was no easy way to comfort her, as he knew as well as everyone else, the dangers of becoming a pilot, Kensuke stayed quiet. He made a valiant effort anyway.
“If it was me, I woudn’t care. All I would do is want to pilot it. I’m sure Toji will be alright. Everything will turn out right in the end, don’t worry.” Feeling slightly better after Kensuke’s words, Hikari replied.
“Thankyou Kensuke.”
“It was no problem.”

*           *            *
 Taking a break from the tedious work that the Commanders of NERV had given them, the three techs -  Maya Ibuki, Shigeru Aoba and Makoto Hyuga - sat at their terminals.
“It is really lucky that no Angel has attacked right now.” Maya commented.
“Why is that?” asked Hyuga, lifting his head from a comic book he was reading.
“Well, the repairs on Unit-03 would be delayed.”
“Unit-03?! When did they start to repair it?”
“Uuuh..you didn’t know?” Maya looked surprised and worried, thinking that she might have said something classified.
“No I didn’t.”
“Hmm. I thought the damage to Unit-03 was too serious to be repaired.” Aoba said, coming out of his reverie of playing a musical instrument.
“We thought so too, but after experimenting, it amazingly seems to be regenerating at a very decent speed.”
“That’s unbelievable! How come you know this and we don’t?” Hyuga asked the young technician.
“I was helping Dr Akagi with the regeneration process. Do you think it was classified information?” Maya said looking nervous.
“No I don’t think so. Don’t worry. We would have known about it sooner or later. Why would they repair a Unit only to keep it unused?” Aoba reasoned. Maya visibly relaxed.
“They probably just don’t want to everyone one to know just yet.” Hyuga put away his comic, clearly thinking. “Maya?”
“Yes?”
“Did Dr Akagi by any chance, tell you who the pilot was?”
“I’m not sure. I asked her, but she told me that she didn’t know who it was either.”
“I wonder who the pilot is going to be.” Shigeru voiced what was all on their minds.

*           *            *
 Asuka had fallen asleep on Shinji’s shoulder. That had been a while ago, however,  Shinji did not get bored, for some reason. He just had too many things on his mind. Not moving so as not to wake her, he just sat and thought, doing the usual and watching the ceiling. *Asuka Langely Soryu. She’s so different now. She’s still got her temper but she opens up more now. It’s a nice change. But why did she change? Is it because of the Angel? Or is it just that she wants to be this way? Maybe I should ask her.* His thoughts were suddenly interupted by the sound of their doorbell. The sound woke Asuka up as well.
“What? I fell asleep again?”
“I think it’s just that you need to rest your mind. The Angel hurt you pretty badly.”
“You don’t know what it was like. It was worse than that. It made me ...remember things I didn’t want to...things I had blocked from myself.”
“Asuka..that’s exactly what I used to do. I used to run away all the time. Don’t Asuka. It just makes everything hurt worse.”
“So you would rather face all those bad memories? Do you know what that’s like?”
“Yes I do. I know it’s bad, but it hurts more if you run away.” Hearing another ring on the doorbell, Shinji got up. “Let’s talk about this later Asuka.”  He said squeezing her hand firmly to reassure her.
 Moving to the door, wondering who it was, he opened it to see Hikari and Kensuke just starting to leave. *School’s finished already? How long was I just sitting there?* He thought amazed, that so much time had gone by without him even noticing. *We haven’t even had lunch yet, and Misato’s still sleeping.* Hearing the door open, they  turned and saw Shinji. Both visitors looked again. *This isn’t Shinji. He looks different somehow.* The thought was on both their minds.
“Hey Shinji.” Kensuke greeted him.
“Hi Kensuke, Hikari.” Shinji welcomed them and ushered them in. Then Asuka came to see who it was.
Seeing Hikari, Asuka was jubilant.
“Hikari!” Asuka rushed to hug her. Once again. Both visitors were shocked, the same thought crossing their minds. *This isn’t Asuka either.*
“Asuka!” Hikari returned, smiling, as they hugged. Kensuke looked from Shinji, to Hikari and Asuka, to Shinji again.
“Why is HE here too?” Asuka asked in her usual manner, noticing Kensuke. *Maybe she hasn’t changed that much after all.* Once again they both thought along similar lines.
“He wanted to check on Shinji....and you too okay?” Hikari answered. Hikari and Asuka started to talk about some other matter and so Kensuke turned to Shinji.
“Shinji, what happened to you and Asuka?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You two seem sort of different today.”
“I don’t ..uh..feel any different.”
“Well, you are. You seem more.....well more  mature I guess. What happened yesterday?”
“It’s nothing. I’m ...not allowed to talk about it.”  The suddeness of his answer made Kensuke not realise that Shinji had just said an evasive word.
“Some classified NERV stuff, eh?” Shinji let Kesuke believe what he wanted.
“Yeah. So it’s none of you’re business.” Asuka lied for him, tuning into their conversation.
“Is that why you weren’t at school today?” Hikari asked.
“Yes. You see, Asuka got hurt pretty bad yesterday because the...” Shinji began
“Shinji! We’re not supposed to talk about that remember?”Asuka said, in a tone that clearly said to all that Shinji was dense.
“You were hurt?” Hikari said to an indignant glare. “Well I’m glad your okay now Asuka. So...are you coming to school tomorrow?”
“Oh..I’m not sure. I don’t think so. I still don’t feel too good at the moment.”
“What about you Shinji?”
“Well..I..er...” Thinking quickly Asuka covered for him.
“Both of us won’t be able to come tomorrow. We have to be at headquarters for something.” She said, not knowing that her lie was ironically a truth.
“But didn’t you say you were sick?” Kensuke asked. This time Shinji covered for Asuka.
“We can’t disobey our orders, Kensuke.” Hikari and Kensuke both seemed to accept that. Whether they sensed that something was up, Shinji couldn’t tell. To get off the topic Shinji started talking again.
“So do you want to stay for a while? Or were you just planning on dropping by?”
“We’ll stay for a while...if it’s okay with you two that is..” Hikari said.
“Up to you.” Asuka and Shinji said in synch, shrugging in unision. They then glared at each other. Kensuke and Hikari muffled there laughter and the four of them then moved to one of the tables and sat on the floor.
“So what were you two doing all of today?” Hikari asked. Learning from his mistake of saying ‘nothing’, he spoke what was mostly true.
“Well Asuka, was still tired from yesterday so she slept all day. I just sat and thought about things.”
“You didn’t do anything but think? Didn’t you get bored?” Kensuke asked.
“No actually time flew by pretty quickly. I was still thinking and then I heard the doorbell ring. I guess I just had a lot on my mind.” After Shinji said this, Kensuke remembered what he had been planning on telling him.
“Oh yeah. Shinji I wanted to talk to you about something - considering Toji.” Kensuke started.
“....Toji?” Shinji said, feeling guilty, looking down. Asuka was the only one who noticed how Shinji felt.
“Yeah. It’s about him being an Eva pilot.” Kensuke didn’t know what actually had happened, so was oblivious to Shinji’s guilt.
“Kensuke...I don’t....really want to talk about it.”
“No, you need to hear it Shinji.” stated Hikari.
“Why? I was just going to say that NERV may keep him as a pilot.”
“What?”
“WHAT?” Both Shinji and Asuka said surprised, Asuka’s being the louder one.
“Yes. I was doing some hacking, and I found out how Toji may be able to get his arm and leg back.”
“How?” Shinji asked.
“By cloning them.” Knowing what Shinji would ask next, he cut him off before he could start and continued speaking. “How they would exactly do it? I don’t know for sure, but what I know is that with an organsation like NERV, they may be able to clone his missing body parts back. That is if Toji still wanted to be part of NERV.” Shinji was deathly silent at this, as was Asuka.
“But why would they use that type of technology on him?” Asuka asked, recovering first.
“Maybe if they were short of pilots. I’m not sure. It’s only a possibility. There are still so many things we don’t know about.”
“Like...why would they be short of pilots?” Hikari spoke up. “Why can’t they just pick anyone? I’m sure that they could pick someone who isn’t injured.” She was met by silence, which lay  across the room for a few moments. Feeling uncomfortable, Shinji excused himself, saying he needed to go to the bathroom.
Seeing him getting up, Kensuke decided it was time to leave anyway.
“Well. I think it’s time I go now. Bye everybody.” His words were met by a few farewells. With Shinji in the bathroom and Kensuke gone, Hikari tried to find out what was going on between the two roommates.
“Asuka what’s wrong with Shinji?”
“Oh.. I think he’s blaming himself over what happened to Toji.”
“I don’t think he has to worry. Toji didn’t seem like he was blaming anyone.” Asuka was silent at this so Hikari kept on talking. “Asuka, what has happened? Shinji has changed so much overnight. And the same with you too.”
“I noticed a change in Shinji. He seems older now.”
“I know. But how could someone seem to grow older over a day?”
“I don’t know. It’s weird isn’t it. Then again, everything’s weird wth Shinji. What do you mean I’ve changed?”
“It’s just that you seem happier than usual.”
“Happier? Why would I be happier?”
“I thought you would know the answer to that.”
“It’s just that I was glad to see you after only seeing Shinji for nearly two days. Man! He is so dull. Sitting there and doing nothing the whole day. What an idiot!”  Although Asuka was outwardly feeling this way toward Shinji, inside she wished that Hikari would leave so that she could see if Shinji was alrgiht. She got what she wished for.
“Yes well, I guess I should be going now. My parents might be getting worried.” Not wanting to point out the obvious fact that she could call them, Asuka bid her farewell, seeing her to the door.
 Hurrying to the bathroom she went in to see Shinji not there. Wondering where he went she started to head for his room. Before she got there, Misato came out of her room, finally awake, and seemingly very refreshed.
“ Hi Asuka! Are you feeling better now?”
“Of course I’m better. I’m not weak like that pathetic Shinji!” Asuka said.
“Yes well...where is Shinji anyway?”
“Oh..he’s in his room, sulking over the time with Eva Unit-03.”
“Hasn’t he gotten over that yet?”
“I think so..but it’s just that that idiot Aida came barging in saying that the Fourth Child might be getting his missing parts back. Some joke about cloning or something like that.” Asuka searched Misato’s face for any sign that showed she had any idea of what she was talking about. Seeing none, she asked her. “Do you know anything about that, Misato?”
“Toji? Cloning? What kind of bull is that?”
“I da know. Aida was saying something that Suzuharra may still be a pilot at NERV -  even thought he’s just a weak cripple.”
“Asuka, you really shouldn’t talk about him like that. What if something bad happened to you?” Asuka just gave her a hard, penetrating stare. “Oh yeah. Sorry. Still be a pilot? Now come to think about it. Ritsuko was telling me how the data on the Fourth Child had not been erased or replaced yet. Maybe the commanders ARE planning on keeping him.”
“So you actually believe that story? Are you sure you’re not drunk, Misato?”
“Well about cloning bit...that seems a bit far fetched. Maybe I’ll  ask Ritsuko and see if she knows anything about it.”
“Yeah, but why would they want to keep a cripple?”
“I have know idea.” Feeling hungry, Misato started to ask Asuka to start cooking something, but she didn’t need to.”
“Damn! I’m so hungry. I didn’t have lunch today.”
“I’ll cook something for you...” Misato began.
“Uh..No it’s okay I’ll  cook tonight.” Asuka said quickly, thinking that doing the cooking herself would be much better than the result of Misatos cooking.
“Your choice. I’ll just check on Shinji okay?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Asuka replied as she started to boil some noodles.
 Misato going to Shinji’s room, she stood at the doorway, looking at him. Shinji was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.  Not looking, though he had heard a noise at the entrance of his bedroom he started talking.
“Asuka...I’m sorry, but can you just leave me alone for a while - please?” Misato noticed that Shinji seemed to be talking to Asuka as if they were closer than just friends and the memory of the night before flashed in her mind.
“Shinji, it’s me.”
“Misato?”
“Yes Shinji. Shinji...I can’t do much else but - be here for you.” Misato said. The silence stretched out between them for what seemed like aeons.
“So Asuka told you about it didn’t she? Do you think it’s true?”
“I can’t confirm anything just yet Shinji. But if I find out what is really happening, I’ll tell you first.” She said, not wanting to make the same mistake as she had before. “Don’t worry about what Toji thinks. He doesn’t blame you.”
“And how do you know that? From Asuka?”
“No.” Shinji turned to her surprised. “It was actually Toji himself.”
“He said he didn’t blame me?”
“Yes. I went down to the hospital at NERV ato visit him, a few days ago. He told me to tell you it wasn’t your fault. He understands.” Shinji was silent. Before he could say another word, Asuka’s voice rang out.
“Hey Shinji! Misato! I’ve finished cooking dinner. Do you wanna eat now?” Misato looked at Shinji.
“Well are you coming to dinner?”
“I don’t know. Maybe later. I just need to think a little more.” Misato then left his room, shutting the door behind her. Through the door, he heard muffled voices.
“What? He’s not coming to dinner? He hasn’t even had lunch yet that idiot.”
“Well, he just wnat to think about some things for a while.”
“Think? He’s been thinking all day. That’s all he did the whole day. Thinking. How boring can he get!?”
“Asuka, that’s just his way of doing things.”
“I know. Dumkoff.”