"So, how were you two chosen?" Kaworu asked innocently as they reached for the test lab.

"I was called by my father, all from sudden, and then, I was pilot" Shinji replied not really looking at Kaworu's face "I never asked for this. It just... happened, you know?" and he then stared at him, Kaworu's eyes on him made him turn his face to see where he was heading to.

"Well, I was chosen not much time ago. But certainly I knew I was going to make a difference in the world. At least, that's what they said" Kaworu said.

"..." Touji simply walked in the front, looking straight forward, remembering the day he received the notice...

Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Chapter 1.4: The Fourth Child.

Three and a half months earlier...

Flashback...

Touji Suzuhara... Touji Suzuhara, please report to the principal's office immediately... said the female voice of the principal's secretary on the speakers of the school. It was the first time she ever pronounced Touji's name. At least, for the first time since she started working in the school one month ago.

"What?" Touji said looking to the speaker placed in the corner of the classroom.

"What did you do this time?" Kensuke asked looking at him.

"Nothing" Touji replied looking back at Kensuke.

"Then, why are you wanted in the principal's office?" Shinji asked to him. Touji turned his face to meet Shinji's eyes.

"I don't know. Maybe, they're confusing me with someone else" he said in his defense.

"If you don't want more trouble you better go there immediately Touji" Kensuke said. Touji rose from his seat and left the classroom without saying another word.

'Why is he calling me? I've stayed out of trouble since... a lot of time. I haven't made trouble with anyone in these months, so, why he wants to see me? Maybe is something else? Maybe, it's something about... No...' he rushed as he felt his heart beat ten times faster. His knees didn't belong to him anymore. His entire body shake, as he felt his blood turn ice just when the simple idea crossed his mind. He could imagine everything 'No, please don't. Don't tell me that her... please... my God please no...' he ran as he felt his eyes become pools in matter of seconds.

As he reached the principal's office entrance he was now completely sure. Deep inside, he knew what the principal was about to say...

"... I'm sorry son... She... passed away..." he imagined the voice of the principal in his head telling him that sad and bitter thing. His sister. His little and beloved sister just, died, and he didn't, he couldn't see her anymore... No, the simple idea was too painful to accept it, he can't, and he didn't want to believe it.

So, he finally knocked on the door, gathering all the strength he could just not to break in tears before knowing, the expected "unexpected" true.

Knock Knock Knock

"It'... It's Suzuhara... May I come in?" he asked as he slowly opened the door and put his head inside to see the secretary's face.

"Sure. Touji Suzuhara, right?" the secretary asked, in her face was no sign of worry or sadness. She seemed really calmed, so Touji relaxed a bit.

"Yes Mrs. That's me" he finally replied getting inside the office.

"Let me tell the principal that you're here. Wait a second please" she said standing up from her chair and smiling at Touji.

"Sure" he replied as the secretary knocked on the Principal's door. He quickly passed his hand over his eyes and forehead and took a deep breath to calm down a little, thinking inside with lots of hope that he won't receive the painful fact that his mind just imagined for him.

"Touji" the secretary said standing in the door "the Principal will see you now" she said very kindly and with a tender smile on her mid-forty's face.

"Thanks" Touji replied trying to return the smile, but feeling that it didn't came out to hide his extremely nervous look.

He finally stepped inside the office. The Principal, who was looking through a panoramic window turned around to see his face, Touji was red blushed, looking nervous and scared.

"Come on in son" the Principal said, making Touji feel sick "this lady would like to have a word with you" he said extending his arm to one of the chairs in front of him, there was a very attractive, mid-thirty year old blonde woman, with a very specific clothing, almost like an uniform. It seemed like a doctor uniform. Oh, no...

"Touji Suzuhara?" the woman asked standing up.

"Yes" Touji replied still wondering what she will say, his mind was playing him dirty.

"I'm the Doctor" and with that word he felt his heart crush "Ritsuko Akagi" the woman completed the phrase "I'm here to inform you that..."

'No' Touji thought, he thought that she will tell him the worst "Wait" he stopped her "what happened Dr. Akagi? You came from the hospital?" he asked.

"Sorry kid" she said and Touji lowered his head "You are confusing me with someone else" and when she said that he lifted his head and started to feel the hope he just lost in the last second rush inside his chest "I work for NERV. I'm here because, well, you have been selected to work with us" she said trying to be as cautious as possible, she was asked to retreat the child, not to inform the Principal what he was supposed to do there.

"NERV? Work with you?" he asked and then reminded 'NERV! The place where are the EVANGELION. I'm going to be...'

"Yes, you've been selected to be part of an Elite crew of young teenagers. I'm not supposed to ask this, you were selected and now you have to come with me but, do you have any objections? If you do, you better spoke them right now, if you don't, then sign in here and you'll become part of NERV."

"..." Touji thought for an instant, and then he said "there is something, Dr."

"What is it?"

"I... Well, is there a possibility of, I mean..." he breathed and then started his propose "listen, my sister is hospitalized and she is in very bad conditions. The doctors say that she has no more chances, that she, sooner or later she will... she... she will... die, and... I seriously don't want that to happen" he said stopping for a moment. He didn't want anyone to see him crying "so..."

"..." Ritsuko approached to him and looked into his wet eyes, she smiled, feeling terribly bad for him "is there a chance for her to be moved to a better hospital? Is that what you want to know?"

"..." he nodded.

"Once you're part of NERV you'll have complete access to our private medical facility, with the best doctors in the world. So, you're accepting then?" she finally asked.

"..." Touji stood silent for a second and then "Yes" he said very determined "where do I have to sign?"

"Thanks a lot for your time Principal" Ritsuko said shaking hands with the Principal.

"It was an honour having you here this afternoon Dr. Akagi" the Principal replied as well.

Touji in meantime just walked out of the office. He spent the whole afternoon, and lunch in the office, so he returned to the classroom, but he stopped before getting there, he didn't want to keep walking, his life changed all from sudden, changed either for good or for bad, at least he had the satisfaction that he, in the end, did the right just for the sake of his sister, injured accidentally in the first battle of the EVA 01 and Shinji with the Fourth Angel.

He sit in a corner, approached his knees to his chest, placed his elbows over his knees, holding his face between his shaky hands and for some reason, he started to cry, very confused, sad, happy instead, maybe because the nerves he felt before, when he walked to that office thinking that he will receive the notice that his sister died and instead, she was going to get a second chance, or at least, NERV's doctors will try their best to grant the little innocent child the second chance of living she deserved...

End of Flashback...

"So, Touji" Kaworu said "how were you selected? You're going to tell me?"

"Listen you pale jerk" he stopped, angry all from sudden "what happened with my life, how I was selected Fourth Child and nothing about me concerns to you, understand?" he said pressing Kaworu's chest with his finger "My life is none of your business, so start worrying for doing what you must instead of being finding out how miserable are the other's lives, ok?"

"Yeah, it's fine" Kaworu said really serious "I didn't mean to piss you man. It's cool; I get your point, ok? I'm sorry."

"I don't want or need your apologies, just don't stand in my way" he said walking away from the two guys.

"Geez, what's wrong with him?" Kaworu asked to Shinji.

"I don't know. I've seen him upset but not this suddenly. Touji is a guy with many faces. Sometimes he's happy and sometimes, well, he can't even stand himself."

"He seems interesting. I'd like to get to know him better" and both of them continued walking to the tests facility.

Later that day

Touji didn't mention a word to any of them after all that happened. He was upset, and even more, he was frustrated because his tests results weren't the bests he ever had, he was sure of it. He just wanted to be at least average, but his stats were below average, way below.

"Asuka and Rei, your results look better than the previous. You have worked a lot to maintain the synch like this. Good work to both" Ritsuko said.

"Ha, I knew I'll improve. It's natural for me" Asuka replied and Rei just stood silent staring at her.

"Touji? Is something bothering you today?" Ritsuko asked a bit concerned.

"No, Dr. Akagi. I'm fine" he replied.

"Are you sure? Your performance today is below the average Touji. If there's something bothering you, you should tell us, and maybe we could help you get through" she said getting closer to him and lowering his voice for only him to hear.

"Well, it's just..." but he was interrupted, as Kaworu walked in the room along with Shinji and Misato.

"Asuka, Rei, this is Kaworu Nagisa. He is the Sixth Child and he will be working with us since now" Misato said "Kaworu she is Rei Ayanami, the First Child."

"Nice to meet you" Rei said in her emotionless voice.

"And she..."

"My name is Asuka Langley Sohryu, kind. The Second Child" she said waving her red hair.

"It's so nice to meet you girls" Kaworu said with a smile on his face "Major Misato told me that you were very talented, but she didn't mention that you both were so beautiful. Specially you... Kind" he said trying to mimic Asuka's German accent.

"..." everyone in the room stood silent, even Asuka couldn't reply that sudden observation. She blushed, all her face stained with bright red and eyes widened as well as Misato. Shinji just smiled, arching an eyebrow watching their reactions and Touji got even more upset.

"He is my problem, Dr. Akagi, and unfortunately, there's nothing you could do to help me get over it" Touji said leaving the room upset, passing by Misato's side, ignoring Kaworu completely.

"Touji!" Shinji screamed trying to go after him.

"Leave him Kind" Asuka said stopping him "he is stubborn, and he can't handle the idea of being replaced."

"Really?" Shinji said "Then he and you have much more in common than you think" and then he walked out the room.

"Was!? How dare..." she tried to reply but he already left.

"Good evening" Rei said leaving the room also.

"You'll get to like them. I promise" Misato said to Kaworu trying to make him feel accepted.

"I'll be fine Misato. I can't wait to know them all better" he said and then walked outside.

'Mein Gott. If we need another doll here, now we have Rei's lost brother' Asuka thought leaving without saying a word.

All the Children left the room and Misato and Ritsuko looked each other's face.

"It's hard..."

"I know..."

"Too much testosterone coming from the three boys" Ritsuko said smiling.

"They'll get over it soon Dr. I know they will."

Meantime, Shinji was trying to keep up with Touji, to find out why he was so angry that day.

"Touji, hey Touji!" he said running after him. Touji stopped and turned around.

"Shinji is you. Listen, sorry about that, ok? And about what happened earlier..."

"No it's fine. Well, not too much but I understand" Shinji said reaching for Touji's shoulder.

"I just don't like that guy. We don't even know him and he's already trying to sneak out information of our personal lives? Who does he thinks he is?"

"He just came yesterday, well, this morning. He's trying to make friends."

"Really Shinji? Tell me why he acted in front of Misato as it was the first time he saw us, huh? Why didn't he just tell her that we already knew him?"

"Um, well. I don't know" and he let go Touji's shoulder.

"See? I don't like his attitude. I'm sure he's hiding something. And for his good I hope I'm wrong."

"Let's go Touji. What you need now is a shower. That will chill you."

"Ok, let's go" Touji said and both guys went to the showers.

Asuka and Rei were also in the showers.

"Himmel, I can't stand his 'cool guy' attitude. Who does he thinks he is? If he's attracted to any of us I'm not interested on him. The only man in my life is far from here, back at Germany. Kaji..." Asuka said "So First Child, what you think about this new kid? He looks like you, don't you think?"

"I don't know Asuka" Rei replied from the other shower "I don't think he looks like me either."

"Was!? You're joking, right? Pale skin, red eyes and grey hair, um let's see, the only person I know who looks like that is you Rei."

"Anyway, it's the first time I see him. I bet in Germany are many girls with pale skin, red hair and blue eyes just like you, and they're not your family, right?"

"Argh! There's no case talking to you. I'm out" Asuka said leaving the showers.

In male showers were Shinji and Touji. They were in the showers with one between each other, but still they didn't say a word.

'A stubborn, that's what he is, but I really wonder why he acted like that' Shinji thought.

"Listen, Shinji. I never told you" Touji said from the other side "I wanted to do something, and that's why I accepted."

"You mean, about your sister?" Shinji asked.

"I knew she will die sooner or later because, the doctors couldn't do anything else for her. That was when I met Dr. Akagi personally and, well, I accepted, with one condition."

"You wanted your sister to be transferred here."

"I wanted to help her if I could. But the truth is that I got really scared after I accepted. I wasn't sure of how my father and grandfather will react about it. But still I did it, for her."

"You are very brave Touji. And you had a cause to do it. I just accepted because, I have no more choice."

"No Shinji, you had other choice, you still have. You can leave when you want, and be free. But me, well, if I leave she will be taken out of the Medical Facility and undoubtly she will die."

"So that's why you accepted to be a pilot?" a third voice said from the shower between Shinji and Touji "I agree with Shinji, you are really brave. And the fact that you put your family above you really means a lot for some people."

"When did you come in?" Touji asked. His voice sounding angry.

"Just got here. I got lost but I found the way fast enough to get to know your reasons better" and with that word Touji punched the wall of his shower and walked out to see Kaworu, who was standing in the shower like waiting for him. Touji stand before him looking into his red eyes "what will you do, Touji Suzuhara?"

"..." Touji didn't reply and just threw his hand toward Kaworu's face.

"Touji don't!" Shinji screamed and then he closed his eyes when he heard a huge punch. When he looked again Touji just punched the wall again, millimetres away from Kaworu's face.

"I knew you won't do it. You are harsh from outside, but you have a soft and good willed heart" Kaworu said still looking at Touji's eyes; he didn't even blink when Touji punched towards him.

"Do not test your luck Kaworu. Not with me" Touji said returning to the shower. Kaworu turned around as well and Shinji stood out for a second then walked inside again.

"I know we will be friends..."

"Shut up" Touji interrupted "I'm not friend of people like you."

"People like me? What you mean?" Kaworu asked, and there was real concern in his voice.

"..." Touji didn't reply, and Shinji didn't speak after that.

"I guess you'll tell me someday."

Later that night

"Hey Shinji!" Kaworu called him as he and Touji left NERV.

"What?" Shinji turned around but Touji didn't, he just walked few steps and stopped to wait for Shinji.

"Hey" Kaworu said.

"Um, hi" Shinji replied getting blushed "what is it?"

"Oh, no. It's nothing... I just wonder, you're going to your house already? I mean, since I'm new here, maybe you could show me around... If you're fine with that, of course."

"Yeah... Sure. Ok, but right now? I mean..." and he turned around to see Touji.

"It's cool Shinji. He's nice with you, and you should be that way with him. See you tomorrow."

"Touji..." Shinji said.

"Bye Shinji" and he just walked away and left the two guys behind.

"So" Kaworu said and Shinji turned around to see him "are we going then?"

"..." Shinji let go a sigh and then replied "sure. Let's go."

Shinji and Kaworu walked for a while. Shinji was distant and Kaworu thought that it might be because he didn't know him very much, so he tried to break the ice with him.

"September 13, 2000" he said. Shinji stared at him.

"What?"

"September 13, 2000. It was the day I was born."

"The Day of the Second Impact? How did you...?"

"I don't know Shinji. Maybe God saved me, because my mother died drown that day."

"..." Shinji was freeze with that "how did you survived?" he really needed to ask.

"A priest" Kaworu replied "or at least that's what I was told. He found me floating near the hospital, the day after the impact. It was a real miracle."

"It was actually" Shinji replied "so you're sixteen years old right?"

"Yeap" he replied.

"I just turned fifteen."

"Which day?"

"June 6" Shinji replied with a smile on his face.

"Um, a Gemini" Kaworu said "haha, that explains a lot the way you are."

"The way I am? You believe in that kind of stuff?"

"Actually I do. It's really fascinating how someone seems to describe you even if it hasn't met you. Not even once. It's the interesting thing about the astrology."

Shinji stopped a second and Kaworu stopped right after.

"What?" Kaworu asked to him.

"Nothing important" Shinji replied "I think we maybe should go to our houses right now, it's late already. Tomorrow I'll show you around. Promise."

"... Sure. Let's go then."

After a while they finally reached the building.

"This is my stop" Shinji said "where's your place?"

"... Second floor" Kaworu replied looking to the building.

"You live here?" Shinji was surprised.

"Yes. Misato brought me here yesterday."

"Misato" and then he laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Misato? Why you call her that way?"

"That's how you call her right? I call her like that because she told me to. Now shall we go in?"

"So, your place is in second floor."

"If you want you can stay for a while and we could talk."

"Sorry, but maybe other day, I'm exhausted and I need to sleep. Besides, I have to cook for Misato and Pen-Pen and Asuka probably."

"You mean the redhead right? The Second Child?" Kaworu asked.

"Yes. She lives in the third floor. She dinners at my home almost every night. Hey, if you want you can come with me. I mean, you could dinner with us."

"I don't want to intrude Shinji. I'll dinner some instant..."

"No it's fine. Come on."

Kaworu drop his bag inside his place and both guys went to the last floor to Misato and Shinji's apartment.

"Welcome" Shinji said getting inside first "Pen-Pen I'm home buddy!"

"Pen-Pen?" Kaworu asked.

"Is Misato's 'hot water penguin'. He's our roommate" Shinji replied.

"A hot water penguin? Really? I've never seen a real one in my life!"

"Hey there you are" Shinji said as he looked at Pen-Pen "come over here. This is Kaworu. He's a friend" Pen-Pen walked to them and looked up to see Kaworu's face. He seemed really interested in Kaworu. It was the first time he sees him.

"Kah Kaagh!" Pen-Pen said.

"Oh man, he's so cute!" Kaworu kneeled to see him closer. Pen-Pen didn't take his eyes off of Kaworu "May I hold him?" he asked turning to see Shinji.

"If he wants to. Sure. Go ahead" and then he walked to the kitchen "you play with Pen-Pen and I'll start cooking. Get yourself comfortable."

"Thanks" he said still looking at Shinji's way and then turned around to see Pen-Pen "hey buddy. Come on" and he opened his arms to the little penguin. He walked to Kaworu and he holds him up like it was a baby "Have you lived too long with Misato?"

"..." Pen-Pen just stared at him, blinking.

"Oh, I can't stand your cuteness buddy."

Some time later

"Dinner's ready" Shinji said from the kitchen and then the ring belled "I'm coming! Sit down Kaworu, I'll be back" Shinji went to the door and opened it "I thought you wouldn't come tonight."

"Was? And miss dinner? Bitte Kind, I won't lost any of the dinners made by you. Consider yourself lucky because I like the taste you give to food."

"Hump, thanks Asuka" he said blushed.

Asuka walked to the kitchen still saying comments about Shinji's cooking but she didn't look to the kitchen until...

"Hey Second Child" she heard this creepily familiar voice. She shivered at the sound of it. She turned around and "Shinji said that you might come to dinner."

"..." she stared at him as she stopped in the frame of the door and then when Shinji was behind her she turned around "What is he doing here?" and she thumb-pointed at him over her shoulder.

"I invite him to dinner" Shinji replied.

"Sure, ok, may I ask why?"

"You were invited here when you first came to Japan, so I thought it would be a good idea" he replied her with a smile on his face.

"... I'm outta here" she said after blinking silently for a moment, then turn around to see Kaworu "Not so Gutte to see you, but, Gutte Nacht Kind" Kaworu waved her a goodbye, and when she turned around to leave Misato was getting in the apartment.

"Good night" Misato said halfway to kitchen "Asuka, what a surprise. You're staying to dinner?"

"Nein Misato. Our Third Child invited the newcomer" she replied to her looking to the kitchen over her shoulder.

"Um" she looked to the kitchen and he was sitting there with a smile on his face "Kaworu, hi. Welcome."

"Thanks, maj... Misato."

"Asuka" Misato said "you're staying to dinner. Be nice with Shinji's guest, ok? You'll be working together right now."

"Hump" Asuka looked to other side and Shinji went to serve the dinner.

Meantime

"Yeah, could you believe it?"

"I knew he had some kind of crush on Shinji but..."

"I don't like him. Not even a bit Kensuke. He plays to be the cool guy. He's a jerk for what I know."

"Take it easy Touji. I bet you two will make out and be friends."

"Shut up, what are you talking about? He and I are too different to be friends."

"You think so?" Kensuke asked him "remember your first impression of Shinji?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Isn't he one of our best friends? One of yours?"

"He's different Kensuke..."

"Different in what way?"

"... I don't know."

"So, you better give this new guy a chance. Maybe you could get along really well."

"Um, anyways, I'm tired. I'll see you tomorrow Kensuke."

"Rest tight."

"You too. Bye."

"Bye."

'He and Shinji' Touji thought putting the phone in the table aaside his bed, laying then over his stomach and hugging the pillow under his face "Their not the same... Neither are we."

To be Continued...

The Next Chapter:

Touji and Kaworu had a rough start. Shinji is caught in between and so he recurs to Kensuke to ask for help. But the Angels don't let the Children have a regular life. Something got lost in the battle with the new Angel, and so the EVA 03 finally arrives Tokyo-III, along with some old known.

Check out NGE 0.1: Children's Journal Next Chapter: How to Lose the Love of Your Life in One Day.

"Hello Misato. Long time no see you."

"What? What are you doing here?"