FIRST PART: Pushing the Limits of Our Friendship

FIRST CHAPTER OF FIRST PART

"Wake up, baka!"

Asuka woke Shinji up every morning, even on the weekends, although a generous amount of time later in the day. She considered herself to be Shinji's personal alarm clock.

Today Asuka was running late and unfortunately for her, today just happened to be Friday, rather than Saturday or Sunday. She had to rush to get ready for school, and decided to skip breakfast so she wouldn't be tardy. She hurried out the door of her family's apartment, brushing her hair on the way, calling goodbye to her parents who were calmly preparing themselves for work. They worked very long hours, so she wouldn't see them until past the time she made herself dinner. She ran up a few stories to the Ikari's apartment and rapped loudly on the door.

"Come on in, Asuka-chan!" called Yui Ikari, Shinji's mother. She and her husband Gendo were in the kitchen. Yui was washing dishes and Gendo was reading the newspaper—which blocked his face—while he ate his breakfast. Asuka knew Yui and Gendo almost as well as she knew her own parents. She had known the Ikari's since infanthood, because the sets of parents were close friends and had Shinji and Asuka play together since before they could walk. They had spent most of their lives together, except for a year when Asuka's family lived in Germany. Asuka believed she still would have been best friends with Shinji even if their parents had never met and they only saw each other in school.

"G' morning!" Asuka said while she rushed into Shinji's room. Shinji lay haphazardly on his bed, limbs splayed, with his covers oddly neat. His hair was messy and he had a grin on his face, and she was certain he had been having an unusual dream. She had a distant urge to fix his hair and watch him sleep, but it was too wispy a thought to grasp and she ignored it, choosing instead to yell in Shinji's ear.

"Wake up, wake UP, WAKE UP!" she called. Shinji moaned, and she pushed his shoulder, trying to stir him from his apparently deep sleep. "Wake up, baka!" He rolled over and she grew more frustrated.

"You have to get up NOW, Shinji, you baka!" She said viciously in his ear. He sat up groggily and rubbed his eyes.

"Eh? But…I'm tired; just let me sleep a few more minutes…" Shinji said yawning and—oddly—blushing, then turned over and attempted to continue sleeping. Asuka burned with anger.

"No you don't; you are getting up right now!" Asuka said, yanking the covers off Shinji and pouncing on him, only to jump back with disgust at Shinji. "You—you have one of those? You pervert! Unbelievable!" she cried.

"What, its morning!" Shinji said, exasperated. She vaguely wondered if he had them every morning…but shuddered and concentrated on getting Shinji ready.

"You have to get dressed! Hurry! Hurry!" Asuka said, pulling her friend out of bed and dragging him to the dresser. She picked out his school uniform and handed it to him, then turned in the opposite direction so he could change. "Hurry!" she repeated.

"I GET it already!" Shinji groaned. Asuka heard him put on his pants and reach down for his shirt. "You sure can be a pain in the ass sometimes, Asuka-chan!"

Asuka fumed at his nerve. "What did you call me?" She yelled, spinning around and slapping him on the face. She stepped back and surveyed not only a red handprint on his cheek, but also that he hadn't finished dressing yet—his shirt wasn't fully buttoned or tucked in, and his pants were hanging low because there was no belt. His hair was still rumpled. She glared at him with barely repressed fondness at his appearance as he finished dressing. Shinji stared back blandly. He started to leave the room without fixing his hair, so Asuka pulled him back.

Although she found his hair appealing this way, she whipped out the comb she had used on her own hair and ran it through Shinji's until it was in the regular fashion he always wore it in. His hair was softer than her own, and she cursed him for it.

Putting away the comb, Asuka walked out of the apartment after a blushing Shinji. They both called goodbye to his parents. When they had reached the hall, Shinji stood still for a second.

"Hey, didn't you say we were late?" He asked.

"Damn it, you're right! We should be running!" she cried out. Shinji grabbed her hand and began to run. Startled, Asuka said nothing but ran hard, trying to keep up. They were a few blocks from their school when Shinji spoke.

"Don't we have a transfer student coming in today?" he asked, panting.

Asuka nodded. "Yeah. Since this city is going to be the new capital more people are moving here."

"Right. I sure hope she's cute!" Shinji said dreamily, as they turned the corner. His breath was blown out of him when he crashed into a girl with blue hair with a piece of toast in her mouth that was knocked out by the collision. Asuka had been pulled down with Shinji, though she hadn't hurt herself, and so inspected him for injury. Both he and the girl were moaning with pain. Shinji looked up and saw the girl, who apologized and said she was in a hurry. Her skirt had flown up and Shinji got a glimpse of her underwear. The girl looked embarrassed and giggled.

"I am truly very sorry!" She called as she ran ahead, Shinji staring after her. Asuka groaned as she helped him up. Then she started running, followed by Shinji, towards school.

Damn, Asuka thought. That was probably the new student. What a slut!

They entered their classroom and sat down, surprisingly on time. The teacher, Miss Misato, had not arrived yet. Shinji went to talk to Kensuke and Touji. Asuka sat behind him, with Hikari next to her, gossiping. Hikari was staring at Touji while she spoke.

"Wow!" Touji said, stretching out the word and speaking in a high pitch.

"How aggravating." She said to Hikari, who giggled and shook her head.

"I think it's kind of cute!" Hikari whispered.

"Just a flash," Shinji was saying. Asuka realized what the boys were talking about at once, and nudged Hikari.

"Tell Touji to water the flowers!" She whispered. Hikari stood up and did just that, grabbing Touji by the ear and yelling at him.

"What a noisy girl…" Touji said, and Hikari flipped out at him.

"Touji is so hen-pecked," Shinji was saying to Kensuke, who was sitting calmly, surveying the scene and nodding.

"So are you." Asuka said under her breath, but Shinji heard.

"Why do you say such things?" Shinji whined.

"I'm only telling the truth." She replied haughtily.

"Why?" Shinji asked. "Why are you so mean?"

"What?" Asuka yelled. Touji, who had finished watering the flowers, looked out the window.

"Miss Misato!" He called out the window, then turned to his friends and stated the obvious. "Our teacher is here!" The boys rushed to the window and started waving and calling to their teacher, who was a favorite of all students. She was cool and relaxed, and also utterly gorgeous.

Soon, Miss Misato had entered the room, tailed by a girl their age, with blue hair…

"Hey dudes and dudettes!" The teacher called. "Let's all welcome our new transfer student!" she stepped back and the girl smiled at everyone.

"My name is Ayanami Rei. Nice to meet you!"

Asuka gasped and heard Shinji's breathing go short. The girl, Ayanami, was the one who had knocked into Shinji. She noticed them as she was going to an open seat.

"You! You're the guy who was staring at my panties!" Ayanami yelped at Shinji. Shinji looked flustered and tried to deny it.

"What, are you stupid?" Asuka asked the girl rudely. "YOU were the one flashing them at Shinji-kun!" Shinji looked to her gratefully and she felt proud to do him some service.

"Why do you protect him? Are you guys doing it?" Ayanami asked loudly. Asuka gasped at her audacity, blushing. She took a step backwards, glancing at Shinji. He was also blushing, and was being nudged by some of the boys sitting near him.

"No! We're just really good childhood friends!" Asuka said as if she were disgusted. She glanced again at Shinji, who was still being poked at by some boys.

Hikari stood up. "Be quiet! This is a classroom, not a bar!"

Miss Misato was leaning back in the chair behind her desk, grinning. "Oh, no, go ahead, I'm curious. Go on." She said, motioning with her hands. The kids not involved laughed, and then the bell for homeroom to end rang. "Ah, but now we have to start class." Miss Misato said, then shrugged. "No matter. Miss Ayanami, please take a seat."

Ayanami moved back a few rows, but Asuka still felt she was too close for comfort. What sort of girl was weird enough to say things like that on her first day, at a new school with new people? Maybe it was how people acted where she came from, Asuka thought coldly, staring at Shinji's back. Her nerves were still frayed, and she idly ran her fingers along the desk, trying to soothe herself. She certainly didn't like Ayanami.

"Now, turn on your computers, time to take some notes on biology!" Miss Misato chirped, while many people groaned. They booted up the laptops.

(I just wanted to tell you all that 'this' and 'this' in the same paragraph usually will mean two inner voices talking back and forth. Not like Scitsophrennia How do you spell that? It's the one with the voices in your head & two diff. personalities. But just…well, I can't explain. It's like, when you're trying to deny something to yourself and you're saying things to try and reason your way out of a tight mental-fix. But I like the way it gets everything in order, even if it isn't quite clear definition-wise! Oh, and when the two examples are used in a thought like this: 'Shinji is just so darn cute!' It's just stressing certain words in a thought, kay?)

"Shinji! Let's go eat lunch over here today!" Asuka said happily, pulling Shinji in the direction of a weeping cherry blossom tree. She wanted to escape from that Rei Ayanami, so instead of eating in the main area with tables and benches like the always did, she decided the tree would provide necessary cover.

"Why are we eating here today, Asuka-chan?" Shinji asked as she pulled him away.

"I thought a change of scene would be nice." She said, sitting down gracefully. Shinji dropped down, the opposite of grace.

"Ah. Do you have a lunch?" He asked, producing a lunchbox.

She nodded. "Uh-huh. Sushi and a salad. I'm starved!" Asuka opened her lunchbox simultaneously to Shinji. He had rice balls, miso soup, and cake.

They ate in a companionable silence for most of the lunch period. When they had both finished Asuka asked what he thought of Ayanami.

"Well, she seems rude, but she is cute like I had hoped!" Shinji exclaimed, and Asuka sweatdropped.

"No she's not!" Asuka ground out. "She's repulsive in many ways!" Shinji laughed.

"You just think that because she was saying that we—"

"I don't like her. She's strange to be so flippant on her first day here! It makes me angry!" Asuka whined.

"That was a bit weird, but I can understand why she said it." Shinji mused. Asuka's heart seemed to stop beating.

"You understand why she said it?" She murmured, looking up at Shinji through her eyelashes.

He stuttered and started to blush. "Yeah. Sh-she wouldn't have known we were good friends and since we're always together, half the class thinks we are anyway."

"They…they do?" Asuka wailed. "I still don't get it!"

"Well, a lot of people with friendships like ours end up dating. Haven't you seen it around school?" He said nervously, afraid that Asuka would flip out on him.

Asuka had been plucking grass out with a vengeance, but suddenly stopped at his words. "I guess that makes sense." She said, looking up at him. Shinji was still blushing and staring at her. "Let's go back, then." She stood up and put a hand out for him.

Shinji clasped it, still blushing and looking at her. "What? Is there something on my face?" Asuka questioned. "Is there food in my teeth? Is my hair messed up?"

"N-no, there isn't." Shinji said quietly. He had yet to drop her hand although he was standing, and Asuka wondered if he had a fever, because his hand was so warm.

"Then stop staring!" Asuka exploded, and Shinji immediately looked away. He also dropped her hand. She glanced down, then back up. "Are you feeling okay? You're hand was hot. How about you go to the nurse? Let's have Miss Akagi check you." she grabbed his shirt and dragged him back to the school.

Shinji protested. "I'm fine, really, but if you think I'm sick, I'll rest for a bit out here. You can pretend you're my doctor, but please don't bring me to the nurses office!" he cried. Asuka stopped dragging him.

"Are you afraid of the nurse?" Asuka exclaimed. Why should he be afraid of Miss Akagi?

"Well, yeah. Aren't you?" he replied. Asuka sighed.

"Of course I'm not, why would I be?"

Shinji looked alarmed. "She's got the hots for my father!" He whispered. She was startled and sent Shinji an understanding look.

"Oh-OK I'll play doctor on you instead…Baby." She said under her breath, but Shinji seemed to have especially good hearing today.

"I'm not a baby!"

"You might as well be one, if you want me to play doctor for you!" Asuka said irately.

"I was just looking for a way to stop you from dragging me there; I didn't actually want you to!" Shinji complained. "Let's go back inside, break is almost over."

"Are you certain you'll be okay?" Asuka asked quietly. He nodded and commenced entering the school. Asuka walked beside him. She caught a glimpse of Ayanami chatting with Kensuke. You had better stay away from my Shinji-kun, Asuka thought, You had better stay far away.

Class is especially boring when you're practically a genius! But I suppose doing nothing is easier than working…though much less fulfilling…and it sounds like a hopeless thing to think…Asuka thought. It was study period now, and she had already finished all the work she needed to do, having finally gotten a better grasp on the written Japanese language. She had struggled with it for a long time, though she was a faultless student otherwise. It was because she had lived in Germany during a crucial point in her development, so she understood written German better Kanji. She generally liked going to school, even though it could get incredibly mundane.

Asuka, look at Touji! Isn't the way he sits just adorable? Hikari sent to her via laptop, though they were sitting diagonal from each other. Asuka glanced at Touji, and there was nothing special about the way he was slumped over the desk and practically asleep. Asuka then looked to Hikari, who had her face in her hands and was staring at Touji dreamily.

Not really. She sent back. Hikari looked irritated,

He's just so good looking I can't help myself…oh, he's so kind too! You should hear how he talks about his little sister! …Can you believe he (this wonderful boy!) has been eating lunch with me for the past week?

Maybe he thinks you are a good potential wife, since you've been cooking him delicious meals each day?

Hikari grinned and looked toward Touji. She acted mean to him, often, but deep down, she loved him more than anyone possibly could, or should, for that matter. You think?

Well, it's definitely a possibility. Has he asked you on a date yet?

WHAT? Hikari looked affronted, and waited a second before sending another message. He doesn't even know I like him!

Why haven't you told him yet? Asuka sent back.

Well, how do I know he likes me, anyway?

But you two are stuck like glue! He must like you back! Asuka was bothered by her friend's insecurities. Hikari and Touji were great friends, and they got along so well, surely he liked her back!

I'm just too scared to confess my love. You know how that feels. I mean, you haven't told Shinji you like him yet, have you? Asuka stared at the screen with horror.

"NANI?" She screeched, forgetting her surroundings for a moment. She was soon brought crashing back into reality as she heard the clamor of students turning to look at her.

"Is something the matter, Asuka-chan?" Shinji and Miss Misato asked in symphony. Shinji appeared a bit startled, but continued to look at her questioningly. Miss Misato had walked down the isle to her desk.

"What happened?" She asked Asuka.

Asuka was incredibly embarrassed. Her face went slightly pink as she thought up an excuse. "Gomen, Misato-san, I had dozed off and had a really…odd dream." She laughed nervously. "Won't happen again."

Misato tapped the desk with her finger a few times. "It had better not!" She said cheerfully, which was especially disconcerting.

"Right," Asuka said. "May I…may I go get a drink, please?" She asked. Miss Misato nodded. Asuka hurried from the room, followed by Shinji's eyes, and went to the bathroom. She washed her face and stared at her reflection.

Told Shinji I like him? But I don't like Shinji, at least not like that. But then, why do I feel like Hikari got the better of me? Like she IS right? She can't be, it's just not possible for me to like him like that. And I would have realized by now, wouldn't I? Asuka thought, conflicted.

Hikari came rushing into the room to check on Asuka, who had been gone from the class for many minutes. It was the class rep's job to correct problems like this.

"Asuka, I'm sorry, I've known forever, maybe I should have told you earlier…" Hikari said, jumbled. Asuka barely heard her.

"But I don't like Shinji-kun. We're just best friends…" she mumbled, thinking back to lunch, when she and Shinji had talked about this. When it rains, it pours, Asuka thought sarcastically.

"Oh, Asuka, you don't have to lie to me, I understand how you feel. I can tell you love him. I mean, you've known him for years, and Shinji's so likeable, of course you have feelings for him! Shinji must like you too, right? 'You two are stuck like glue! He must like you back', right?" Hikari said, trying to cheer Asuka up.

"But I…" She thought back to the conversation she and Hikari had had during class. Hikari and Touji were great friends, and they got along so well, surely he liked her back! Asuka remembered thinking. It sounded…like Shinji and her own relationship. "Crap. Crap, crap, crap, CRAP! How did this happen!" Asuka cried, slamming her hands down on the sink. This wasn't supposed to happen! And does that mean Shinji likes me? Shit!

"You didn't…You hadn't realized you liked him yet?" Hikari asked nervously. "Damn, I'm so sorry! I…" she trailed off, putting her arm around Asuka.

"Do I really like him?" Asuka whispered.

"I truly think you do. I've always thought you did."

Asuka waited a minute. "I think I do, too."

They returned to class a few minutes later. Asuka said wordlessly, unable to look at Shinji, though Hikari sent her a message saying he was staring at her. Not so long after, the bell rang for dismissal.