From: James Grabowski Subject: [EVA][FanFic] Resolutions X-Sender: japa_sephirius@pop.japan.crosswinds.net __________________________________________________________________________ RESOLUTIONS Written By: James Grabowski Revision: 1.01 - Official Release Type: Fan Fiction - Drama / Humour / Romance / WAFF Source: Neon Genesis Evangelion Date: January 2, 1999 [Completed January 1, 1999] Time: 2:00:00 AM (EST) [11:22:10 PM (EST)] __________________________________________________________________________ LEGAL INFORMATION: All characters contained in this work are copyright GAINAX, Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision holds the copyrights to the translated version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. At this time, they are used WITHOUT the permission of the aforementioned institutions. This work is a production of James Grabowski, and may not be used in any way, shape, or form without prior permission from the authors. Distribution is subject to prior approval by the author. __________________________________________________________________________ AUTHOR'S NOTES: My first piece of fanfiction this year. And since it's the first day of the year, I believe I'm off to an excellent start. I personally find it somewhat difficult to see the full value of celebrating a new year, and I realize that perhaps others do too. So, I decided to try expressing this in this work. I remember a piece of fanfiction that I had enjoyed, "Misato's Christmas Party" by Steve Pardue. This was perhaps my inspiration for writing this piece to begin with, though the original method I had planned for it and the end result were much different. Originally it was to focus mainly on Shinji, but it ended up focussing on Rei, Asuka, Shinji, Touji, Kensuke, Hikari, Ryouji (Kaji), Misato, and Ritsuko (some a bit more than others). I much prefer this variety. This is my first piece of solid fanfiction (not poetry) that doesn't contain any darkness. I'm shocked at that. On the time line, this would be placed after Episode 14 of the anime series. The day is, of course, December 31, 2015, and progresses into January 1, 2016. Comments are welcome. If you're in need of insulin at any time, let me know, but I can't write that sweetly. Comments and criticisms are warmly welcomed, and flames will be put out with the electronic equivalent of water (I've been waiting since September 1998 to say that again). Until the next time, ja na. __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Resolutions Shinji sighed. 'I'll... never really get used to being around so many people, at once.' The Katsuragi household was certainly lively. Around him people moved around, talking and chatting, and in some cases drinking. Misato was no exception to that last one. Slowly he got up from where he was sitting in the living room and wandered slowly to the glass balcony door, opening and closing it behind him. He rested his arms on the railing and bent forward, looking out over the city. 'New Year's Eve. I don't understand why we celebrate this.' Part of the conversation he had had with Misato earlier that afternoon replayed in his mind. ------------------------------------ "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" "Oh calm down Asuka," Misato replied as she took a sip from her can of beer. Asuka slammed her hands down on the table, leaning forward until her face was right up in Misato's. "A party! Why're you only telling us now!" "Well..." Misato coughed lightly. "Spit it out," Asuka demanded. "Why not? 2015 is just about over, why not celebrate it?" Misato replied. 'We all know it was a year straight out of hell...' "The only thing to celebrate is that it's over!" Asuka countered. "Granted, it's not your usual year..." Shinji softly voiced his own concern. "But Misato, why celebrate a new year?" "Why not? It's a time when you can look back at your accomplishments and achievements of the past year, and look forward to the accomplishments and achievements that you're setting out to do." Asuka let out a harrumph. "Yeah, like fighting more Angels." Misato continued unhindered by Asuka's comment. "The both of you haven't even lived in this city for one year. Have you ever stopped and thought about what's happened to you?" ------------------------------------ 'What has happened to us?' ------------------------------------ Shinji felt his body scraping along the ground. Even in his pained state, he kept his eyes focussed solely on the quivering fist of the boy who punched him. "Sorry new kid," he spoke. "But you and your robot hurt my sister. So, it's only fair that I take my anger out on you." ------------------------------------ 'He hated me...' ------------------------------------ "If I find someone blaming you for what happened, I'll punch 'em in the face!" Touji declared firmly, raising a fist in the air, resembling a fighter. Shinji blinked. The stern look on Touji's face melted into a soft smile. "Don't look so gloomy." ------------------------------------ 'But, he accepted me.' Shinji looked back at the scene in the apartment. Touji was slapping Kensuke on the back, the two laughing loudly. 'Those two get along so well.' "Is that something I'm grateful for?" ------------------------------------ "I really envy you!" Kensuke called to him as they walked to school. "What for?" Kensuke's sigh was very audible. "Ikari really is just a kid." "It's true," Touji agreed. "How come?" Shinji said, confused. "Misato lets you see a side of her that she wouldn't show to anyone else," Kensuke replied smiling. "That means you're family." ------------------------------------ "It's nice, to have friends..." Shinji smiled to himself. Slowly he turned his gaze away from the apartment, staring off into the night sky which encompassed Tokyo-3. ------------------------------------ Touji looked up from his conversation with Kensuke at Shinji, who was standing idly by himself outside on the balcony. "Something wrong Touji?" "Hmmm? Oh, nothing Kensuke... just watching Shinji." "He looks lonely." "I guess... that's just how he likes to keep himself." His eyes wandered to another section of the room, coming to focus on a blue-haired girl who stood quietly against a wall, eyes apparently focussed on a point far distant from the apartment, outside the balcony and off into the night. "Touji?" "He's not the only one like that," he replied, breaking his gaze from Rei and turning back to Kensuke. ------------------------------------ Rei rested softly against the wall, her right arm holding her outstretched left arm by her side. She idly stared out at the sky, a passive look on her face. 'I am... here.' ------------------------------------ She heard the knocking, but didn't move from the position she was on on her bed. She lay with her chin resting upon folded arms which rested on a pillow, her body stretched out across the bed, legs parted, clad in school uniform. She didn't miss a beat in her breathing, but her thinking had been disturbed by the sudden sound. "Ayanami? Are you there?" 'It's Ikari.' "Yes," came the barely audible answer. "May I come in?" came the muffled question. "Yes." The door to the apartment opened and closed. The shuffling of feet could be heard for a few moments as Shinji removed his shoes. He quietly entered the main room of the apartment fixing his gaze on Rei. "Is something wrong?" she asked him. Shinji blinked, then shook his thoughts from his head. "No, nothing's wrong. Misato asked me to come see you." Rei listened quietly. "Ummm... she said she was going to be having a party tonight." "You're asking me to a party?" "Yes---no! I mean, that is, err..." A visible blush spread across his face. Rei blinked. 'What's wrong?' "Misato invited you to come tonight, but she couldn't reach you, so she asked me to find out if you would come or not." "Was it an order?" "No, not an order... just an invitation." "I see." Rei turned her head until the gaze from her eyes pierced Shinji's. "I don't find... much interest in that." Shinji blinked. "Well, I guess, you're not the only one." It was Rei's turn to look surprised. Her eyes widened slightly. Shinji quickly took a step back before he decided to say something that would get him in trouble. "Then, I'll tell her, that you're not coming. She'll understand." 'I wish I had that choice.' Rei blinked, still looking somewhat surprised. She felt a slight heat in her cheeks, but it passed quickly. "No." Shinji looked slightly confused. "Then..." Rei stood up from her head with a heavy breath. She stretched her arms as her eyes closed, letting out a soft breath, and not realizing the blush she was producing in Shinji's face. After a few moments, she let her arms rest at her sides and opened her eyes. "I'll be coming now." Shinji blinked, then nodded quietly. ------------------------------------ 'I'm here, but why? What's the purpose of being here?' Her gaze wandered from the sky to the boy standing by the railing. 'Perhaps.' Slowly she walked from the wall she rested against to the glass portal, opening and closing it breathlessly. She was greeted by the gaze of a slightly surprised Shinji. "Hello, Ayanami," he said quietly. "Ikari." She walked up to the railing, stopping once she stood next to Shinji. She could feel his eyes still watching her as she looked up into the sky herself. "Ikari?" "Yes?" "Why are we here?" Shinji turned his face away, joining Rei in the calmness of staring at the sky. "I guess, because we want to know why we want to be." Rei breathed softly, giving a soft nod. "It makes sense." "But I don't know the reason why." "What about Sohryuu?" "Asuka?" Shinji lowered his face, half watching the city, half watching Rei. "I guess she has her own reasons for being here." Rei's face dropped to the same level, half watching Shinji, half watching the redheaded girl in the apartment. 'So, what are they?' ------------------------------------ Asuka sighed quietly as she watched Ryouji shamelessly flirting with Misato, and the mixture of outright annoyance and sheer pleasure in her reactions. "Why would he want her when he could have me?" she asked aloud. Hikari was the only one who had heard her. "Probably because he knows he's too old for you." "Is he too old for me?" "Twice your age." "Age isn't important." Hikari chuckled. "At least I know you're not one to give up on your dreams." "To hell with dreams, someday I'll make it a reality." Asuka smirked confidently. "Is that your resolution for the new year?" "No... I don't have any resolutions. I've never really been that interested in New Year's," Asuka admitted. "Why not?" "It just seems... dumb. A bunch of people get together because the numbers on the calendar are going from 12-31 to 1-1." "That's not all it's about." "Then what?" "Well, you look at what you've done, and then you can say 'Hey, I did that', and no one can take it away from you. It makes you all that more complete of a person." Asuka blinked. "Then, you look at the date on the calendar, see the time that you have ahead of you, and say 'This is what I'm going to do', and whether you do it or not, you know that you tried. Again, no one can take it away from you." "Then..." "I guess, in a way, it's how we like to look at ourselves, at seeing what we're capable of." "...Hikari?" "Yes?" "You make it sound almost interesting." Hikari broke out in laughter. "Alright, in that case, here it is. I blew the Angels back to wherever they came from, and I'm going to keep doing that. In addition to that, I'm going to make Kaji mine by the end of the year!" Hikari's laughter died down to a chuckle. "Well, miracles happen I guess... but why not try for something a little more realistic?" She pointed over in the general direction of Shinji. "That idiot! No way!" She sighed dreamily. "Kaji's the only man I could ever fall for..." "Well, better hold yourself to that, because it looks like Shinji's taken anyway." "Huh?!" Sure enough, as Asuka looked up, Rei was standing next to Shinji, the two appearing to be in a discussion of some sort. "Well I'll be damned," Asuka replied, somewhat awe-struck. "Wonder Girl's actually talking to somebody." "Not jealous?" Hikari asked, snickering. "Heh. I have nothing to be jealous about," Asuka replied, turning her head away in mock-distaste. 'At least, I don't think I do. I'm the one who first said it to him...' "No, I guess if you're really stuck on Kaji, then you may want to get Misato away from him before he... ummm..." Asuka looked up at Ryouji in the kitchen, who had somehow managed to slip his arms around Misato's waist. Apparently, the pleasure part of Misato's two-way personality was winning out. Asuka blinked, then stood up. "Excuse me while I glomp him." Hikari laughed again. ------------------------------------ So did Ritsuko as she watched Ryouji 'work his magic', as he put it, on Misato. "Would you give it up?" Misato said, trying to contain laughter, the need to smack Ryouji across the face, and the desire to push him against a wall and make his efforts worthwhile. "We've been over for years." "Times change and people change my dear Misato," he cooed softly into her ear. "I'm willing to believe that things can change once more between us, for the better." "You have no shame." "No, I don't." Misato hung her head in disbelief. "I can't tell what you're more full of," Ritsuko mentioned with a slight grin. "Your pride, your ego, yourself, or something more biological." Ryouji laughed as he let go of Misato and stood above his chair at the table at which the other two ladies were seated. "You said that exact same line a few years ago when we were in college." "Yeah, except that time you were making a pass at Ritsuko," Misato recalled offhand, stunning the other two. "You weren't even drunk when you did it." Ryouji just whistled quietly. "You're right Misato, he has no shame." "I didn't see you beating him off with a stick." That earned a blush out of Ritsuko. Any chance of further conversation became disrupted as Ryouji let out a small yelp. "A-SU-KA!" "Kaji, we need to talk..." Asuka called seductively as she tightened her arms further around his waist. Ryouji found himself being dragged out of the room against his will by the young girl, and being forced out by the hysterical laughter of Misato and Ritsuko. "Well, that was priceless," Misato chortled. "Perhaps. Now you know you have competition." Misato snorted. "I'm not interested in that buffoon." "Then why'd you invite him here tonight?" "Huh? Well I... I guess..." Misato hopelessly trailed away her sentence, already defeated. Ritsuko smiled. "You're not as independent as you think you can be. It's all a part of human nature." "I... suppose..." Ritsuko took a sip of her drink, a satisfied look on her face. "If you're so learned in the ways of human nature, maybe you can answer this then." "I'm ready." "Earlier, Shinji and Asuka were telling me they aren't really concerned with the changing of the year. It made me realize something." "What's that?" "Why are we?" Ritsuko blinked, then looked down at the table lost in thought. She looked up after a few moments. "Personally, I don't understand why it's such a big occasion myself. But, what it seems to me is perhaps people find they must reconfirm their existence by proving that they can continue to exist with the passage of time." "I... see..." "I'll explain it another way," Ritsuko stated, noting her friend's confusion. "Think of it, as being a way to show ourselves that we have value. Year after year we exist, and at the end of every year, we show ourselves what we are capable of doing, and look forward to what we will be capable of doing. That we've left our mark, and we'll continue to leave others." "Like when the Evangelions were created. We look back, and say 'Man made that', then look at the defeated Angels and say 'This is what we can do'." "Well, that's a much more morbid example, but yes, exactly like that. Everyone has to find their own value for existence. You could call it a New Year's Resolution if you want to, but in reality, they're goals that we set for ourselves, and nothing stops us from making these resolutions whenever we want. In truth, we always do." "I wish I was good as you in thinking these kind of things." Ritsuko chuckled. "Well, now you've set a goal for yourself." "How about you?" "Me?" Once again, Ritsuko thought hard. "To prove to myself that I can surpass even my mother, the creator of MAGI." "Proving that you're the world's biggest genius? I think you could do it," Misato replied chuckling. "Well, that's part of it anyway," Ritsuko replied softly. 'I want to prove, that I won't make the same mistakes, before it's too late...' Ryouji lurched his way into the room and slumped into his seat, then over the table. "I resolve to get back together with Misato before Asuka decides... to act on her own resolution..." Ryouji gulped quietly. "Too hot for you to handle Kaji?" Misato chuckled. "Since when do you have trouble with anything?" "You know how you were as a college girl? You I could handle. She's graduated college already and is about 10 years younger than you were while you were in college. Enough said." Ritsuko laughed quietly. Misato looked down at her watch. "It's almost time." ------------------------------------ Touji and Kensuke had inconspicuously made their way over to the balcony door. "So, what do you think?" Touji asked his compatriot. "Rather cozy." "Indeed." There was a pause. "Let's not disturb them," he commented seriously. "You're really convinced about those two aren't you?" Kensuke commented grinning. Touji looked seriously at his friend. "Sometimes, Kensuke, you know things about people. I know more about each of them separately than they know about themselves. They're things you can pick up on, be it just actions, or simple words and ways of acting. It doesn't always mean there's something there. It just means, that maybe there can be." "People would be shocked to hear you speaking that deeply." "Really? Well, I guess the situation calls for it at times." "Hikari's staring at you." Touji choked. "Why not be with a few people for the new year?" "B-b-b-b-b-b-but they're... they're Asuka! And the Class Rep! They're not the same people that we keep staring at during gym class!" "True. They're people you might actually think about aside from their looks." Touji blinked. "I think people would end up saying you're deep too if they heard you right now." "Resolution for you; don't be afraid of girls with actual substance." Touji snorted. "I'm not afraid of anything." "Then we'll bug the couple on the gallery afterward," Kensuke replied grinning as he walked toward Hikari. "Start proving your words now." Touji followed quietly. ------------------------------------ Asuka... was satisfied with herself. The grin plastered across her face said it. Hikari smiled nervously. "Didn't think you'd drag him out of the kitchen like that..." "Whatever it takes Hikari," Asuka replied as she cracked her knuckles. "It's your turn now." "What are you talking about?" "I went ahead and started what I planned to do, now it's yours. What do you plan on making sure becomes a reality in this coming year?" "Me? Well..." Hikari blushed slightly. "What is it?" "I might want to..." Asuka waited impatiently. "To...?" "Be noticed." Asuka grinned. "Oh, so you have a crush on someone..." "I wouldn't call it that. More of... an interest." "Well well. Who is it? Shinji?" "Ack! No!" Hikari replied with a twinge of blush in her cheeks. "Kensuke?" Asuka inquired, her voice dropping a few tones. "No." "Couldn't be Suzuhara, could it?" she asked, her voice now as flat as a pancake, the questions as much to herself as to Hikari. Hikari blushed deeply and looked away. "Suzuhara! You're kidding! What makes that pervert so interesting?" Hikari looked back at Asuka. "He's kind... and sensitive." Asuka blinked, rather stunned. "You must read people differently than I do." "It's not always what's on the outside that counts. I've known him a lot longer than you have. There's more to him than just what you see." "Then... what?" "He cares a lot about his sister... she's been in the hospital for a long time now. He's never failed to visit her." Asuka looked stunned again, but for a different reason. "I never knew that." "Anyway, there's more than just that... I guess I find it kind of chivalrous. I don't know. Anyway, I'd like to get to know him more personally. That's what I want to do," she said as her gaze wandered over to him. Asuka chuckled quietly. "You're the only person I know who can make someone like him seem half-decent to me." Hikari just blushed to herself, looking down at the floor. "And it looks like you have your chance," Asuka mentioned as she stole a glance upward. "Both of them are coming this way." "R, really?" Asuka grinned, though looked somewhat disappointed. "Your choice confuses me, but now's your chance to start it off." Asuka's statement was complemented by the arrival of Touji and Kensuke, who took seats on the couch where the two girls were sitting, and in an armchair respectively. "All that standing making you tired?" Asuka chided, flashing a grin at Kensuke. "You wouldn't believe how much it wears you out," he countered. "So Suzuhara, have you made any resolutions for the new year?" "Of course I did, class rep." "And what are they, or what is it?" "To prove to Kensuke that I'm not afraid of anything." "That's nice." "How about you?" "To be more social, in a sense." Touji nodded. "You two are nervous as hell around each other..." came the simultaneous verbal barb of Asuka and Kensuke. "What do you mean by that?!" came the equal simultaneous reply. "Nothing." 'But you'll get there eventually.' Kensuke looked down at his watch. "It's almost time. I wonder how the other two are doing?" He turned around and gazed out at the gallery. ------------------------------------ Shinji looked away from the city, turning to face Rei. "I guess, the reason why I want to be here, is because I do have hopes, and expectations." "Such as what?" Rei asked, looking away from the city as well to focus on the young man. "Well... I guess... I'd like to have..." Shinji looked away for a moment. "I'd like to have more confidence in myself, and to stop... running away from what I fear. I'm nervous around other people." "You seem to be alright at the moment." "I... I guess I am," he replied smiling slightly. "Earlier when I came to see you I wasn't though... and even being around others... it isn't always easy." "No one said it is. That's what adds meaning to life; overcoming obstacles that we encounter along the way." Shinji couldn't help but smile. "Then... what about you Ayanami? What's your reason for coming here tonight?" "You are." "I'm.... what...?!" Shinji said, suddenly turning a deep shade of red. "Is something wrong Ikari?" Rei asked, seemingly unnoticing of Shinji's reaction. "Huh? No, not really... but..." "More specifically, what you said before. About not being the only one to not find interest in a celebration such as this. It's more of a social gathering in reality, in addition to its symbolism." Shinji nodded quietly. "I believe I came, to understand why I felt the way I did when I heard you say that to me," Rei stated in quiet tones. "That... interests me." Shinji blushed slightly. "Reminds me, of when I saw you in the entry plug, that time..." "...You were feeling concern then... weren't you?" Shinji nodded. "I didn't know what to do at that time..." Rei replied, her gaze having fallen to the ground, looking somewhat disappointed with her ineptitude. "...No one said you had to know," Shinji responded quietly. Rei blinked, her gaze returning to Shinji's face. "Ikari?" "...Yes?" Rei eased back slightly, shifting her position on the railing, letting out a soft breath. The corners of her lips turned upward, shifting position as a soft smile appeared on her face. "I would like to better understand my emotions... so I will do that. Smiling... seems to be what's right at this time." Shinji's eyes widened slightly, feeling a slight heat spreading in his face. He did the only thing he could do. He returned the smile. His watch beeped, breaking his concentration. He eyed the time, then looked up at Rei again. "Two minutes left. We should go in." "Ikari," Rei stated softly, the smile gone from her lips. "Yes Rei?" "...I would like to do something with you, as a part of my decision, and yours." "What is it?" Rei watched Shinji carefully, stating her question very softly. "Have you ever kissed someone before?" "W-w-w-well..." stuttered Shinji, "no, I haven't." "...Would you like to kiss me?" "I..." His skin began to redden once more. "Is it alright... if we do that, Ikari?" she asked once more, her voice soft and gentle, betraying a hint of concern and confusion. After a few moments, Shinji nodded quietly, turning around to face her. "But... I don't know what to do." Rei turned as well, facing him. "Neither do I. Do... what seems like the right thing to do..." she said to him softly. "...Alright." The two stared quietly for a few moments. Silently Rei took a step toward Shinji, resting about a foot away from him. She stepped closer, closing her eyes and parting her lips slightly, doing as best she could given lack of experience at the task, as well as at considering such a task. Shinji took it upon him to slowly close his eyes, and after a moment of indecision, move in closer to Rei, coming into contact with her lips sooner than he had expected to. For a few moments, their lips brushed together, the sounds of small sighs and slight intrigue from the two the only sounds escaping. Shinji's own level of surprise increased as he felt two hands clasp softly around his neck, rubbing gently against it as they had slipped around him. They rested in that position until he nervously stretched his arms around Rei's waist, pulling her gently toward him. In that he found out that she was all to quick to reply, nestling her body against his, producing a slight blush on the faces of the two. Soft moans from an intensified kiss escaped into the night air. Shinji's watch beeped once more. Midnight. The kiss continued for half a minute before it softened and the lips unsealed, the two breathing somewhat more heavily than usual. Shinji's gaze met that of a red-eyed girl who was smiling softly at him, and was still clasping him and clasped to him. "We've been together since last year... Shinji," she spoke softly, calling him by his first name for the first time, sounding somewhat unsure in doing so. Shinji blushed softly. "It's been a long time, hasn't it Rei," he replied, finding himself returning the name. "But it's... very... comfortable." He couldn't hold the smile back any longer. Rei just gave his neck a gentle squeeze, then just watched him as he watched her, still smiling softly. And at that point, the concentration of the two was utterly shattered by the variety of whistling, clapping, and hollering of everyone inside the apartment, most of whom stood by the balcony door. Shinji promptly turned red as he fell out of Rei's grasp and onto the balcony in shock. He found himself being helped up a moment later and being led back inside the apartment by Rei. He spoke words quietly, meant only for Rei's ears as he opened the door. "Still... an excellent way to end a year... and begin a new one." "Yes," she replied, squeezing his hand. They both knew what to expect as they entered the apartment. ------------------------------------ The population of the apartment and had already rearranged itself in the living room. "Shinji you dog!" Kensuke hollered from his area. "What?" "You've been kissing her since last year!" "Well..." "Congratulations!" Touji said. "I always knew it would happen." "It's... why are you holding Hikari's hand?" Both of the implied looked down, and promptly brought their hands to themselves. "We have no idea." Another stifled chuckle from Kensuke and Asuka followed. Misato sniffed. "All of our Children are growing up..." "Feeling melodramatic Misato?" Ritsuko intoned, earning a grin from her friend. Ryouji quickly bowed toward the two who currently had the spotlight. He spoke in serious tones. "I would be honored, if I could be the best man, at your time of marriage." "M-m-m-m-marriage?!?!" Shinji cried in disbelief. Hikari laughed. "Relax. What were you expecting to hear?" "Exactly that," Rei stated quietly. "Nothing less could be expected in this situation." "Kaji... when are you going to kiss me?" Asuka asked quietly. Ryouji quickly hid behind Ritsuko. 'I'll have to find out... if Hikari may be right... about Kaji, and Shinji..." Asuka thought to herself as she snickered. Touji stood up. "Okay, nothing more to see here, show's over. We put them on trial long enough and you all know, now Happy New Year, and you can all go back to what you were doing." Never had a boy herded three adults out of a room so quickly before. Shinji sighed in content. "Shinji?" Touji called as he walked back into the room. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" "Uh... sure," Shinji replied, getting up and walking over to him, becoming worried once more. Touji took him aside. "You don't completely know what's going to happen, do you?" After a moment, Shinji shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Given time, you will. I believe in you," he said with a smile. "Touji?" "Yeah?" "Back then... thanks for accepting me." Touji looked at his friend, at a loss. Realization donned on him, and a soft smile spread across his face. "Don't worry about it," he\ replied. "You're a good guy." Shinji smiled. "Now come on," Touji ordered as he pushed Shinji back toward the room. "This year's just starting! From what I can tell it's starting pretty damn well for everybody!" The two reseated themselves with the others, Rei replying quietly to questions, Hikari and Kensuke asking the questions, and Asuka making comments which seemed to embarrass everyone in the room. Yet before Shinji and Touji were able to join in, something clicked in Touji's mind. "Kensuke?" "Yes?" "I never found out what you wanted to do..." "Well... I don't know really..." "Dating Asuka?" Hikari asked jokingly. "Unlikely," came the perfectly coordinated reply by the two involved. "Just keeping my friends, and keeping the memories," he replied, pulling out his video camera. "Got Asuka and Kaji here, along with Rei and Shinji, even that slight incident between Hikari and Touji." Facefaults from everyone except for Rei were his only response. "Why not? Everyone has to have their own belief. I believe we should never forget what we once had, or what we do have." "Told you you sounded deep," Touji mentioned. "You sound like someone I knew when I was in college," Asuka commented. "One of the people who I had enjoyed talking to." Both Kensuke and Asuka glanced at each other for a few moments, then shook their heads in unison. "Couldn't happen." '...Right?' Shinji smiled as conversation began around him. 'I don't find this... as difficult... as it was.' After a few minutes of silence, he himself joined into the discussion, as well as having become aware of a hand covering his. Rei looked silently around her, watching everyone, even beginning to talk softly herself, though not nearly as much as the others. She gently squeezed the hand which she covered. 'So, I must understand more.' She blinked softly. 'So, I will. I am already beginning to follow on my resolution... as we all seem to, at one point or another.' She glanced around the room, a slight smile falling across her lips, as her eyes took in particular parts of the scene, once more feeling a need to squeeze Shinji's hand. 'Even if it isn't always immediate, it happens.' __________________________________________________________________________ CREDITS ------- Design / Planning / Writing / Revising / Editing ------------------------------------------------ James Grabowski - Sephirius Endymion, Rei Ikari - sephirius@japan.crosswinds.net __________________________________________________________________________ Endymion's Portal - http://www.crosswinds.net/japan/~sephirius __________________________________________________________________________ "Man is descended from one alone. One way or another, we're all related. With this knowledge, the wall blocking the "truth" is destroyed, Leaving an opportunity that can be used to a positive advantage. One that can change man's perception forever, And consequently, prove the theorem wrong..." "And now it becomes a reality." __________________________________________________________________________ Copyright 1999 - James Grabowski __________________________________________________________________________ James Grabowski - sephirius@japan.crosswinds.net - http://www.crosswinds.net/japan/~sephirius "Man is descended from one alone. One way or another, we're all related. With this knowledge, the wall blocking the "truth" is destroyed, Leaving an opportunity that can be used to a positive advantage. One that can change man's perception forever, And consequently, prove the theorem wrong..." "And now it becomes a reality..."