Arriving at class that morning had reminded him of those facts, as he discovered that it wasn't exactly made to be fun. When he came and took his seat, he'd already been rather put out by the fact that he was actually older than his new classmates, and had wondered if he'd been forced to go someplace where he'd actually be ahead of the class. However, the droning lecture of the teacher reminded him that he was in a 'future time', which meant that a lot of the stuff that he'd learned was out of date. So, for the first time in his life, he tried to actually pay some attention to a lesson, even if it was beyond dull. Of course, given that it kept him from noting the appreciative stares of the girls, and how the guys were obviously comparing themselves to him, he was a bit more appreciative of the lesson than he might otherwise have been.
Not that the method of classwork was helping him. His classes in Furinkan hadn't exactly been full of computer courses, and he hadn't done as so much as played with a typewriter. That unfamiliarity left him stuck, hunting and pecking for keys to type words, which he wasn't even sure that he was getting right. He could spell, but he didn't know to open programs, never mind use them.
The messenger program worked quite well though, as it kept on popping up with sentences every few moments. At first, he'd drawn back his lips in a grimace of surprise and dismay when he'd seen words just show up uncontrollably on his display. Certain that he'd been doing something wrong, he had nervously looked around for some sort of sign as to what he should do... until he spotted students glancing over at him, and recognized what the words were saying.
Is it true that you're the pilot of that giant robot?It's true, isn't it?
Why don't you answer?
Some kind of elite, aren't you?
What kind of robot pilot can't use a computer?
This one, obviously.
But you are the robot pilot, right?
He has to be! No one else new has shown up!
Come on, tell us!
Don't keep it a secret!
Maybe he's been told to keep it quiet.
So?
They might want to shoot him if he talks.
Still....
We just want to know!
Tell us already!
PLEASE!
In the end, he'd merely given off a loud groan, scribbled 'robot pilot' on a piece of scrap paper, drawn a 'down' arrow under the words, and held it over his head.
"EHHHHHH!" went the other students as they recognized the confirmation that the sign was giving them.
About the only benefit that came from that little 'success' was that he wasn't being prodded about his status anymore. Instead, he was able to slouch in his chair and stare moodily at the screen, idly wondering if the technology was specifically designed to screw with his comfort levels, even past the sounding of the bell. As it was, he knew that he was going to have to learn how to deal with the damned thing, but he wasn't all that sure how long that would take. Perhaps he could get a lesson from someone at NERV, since they used more complicated versions of the electronic patience tester. Hopefully he wouldn't have to resort to asking Doc Akagi for help, since she was rather creepy and freaky, not to mention the fact that she blew her top entirely too easily.
"Pilot Ikari," came a soft voice right at his shoulder.
Glancing up, Ranma saw the very person that he'd thought had spoken, and realized that he was in trouble. If he knew anything, he knew that dealing with girls was problematic for him, what with him never really understanding them, and them tended to see things in the light that they wanted to.
Then again, he wasn't exactly sure what Rei Ayanami would be thinking of doing.
"Um... Hi," he mumbled uncertainly, eyeing her still bandaged form. "Feeling better?"
"I am well enough," she responded, ignoring the stares that the other students were giving the two of them.
"Ya wanted to say something?"
"Incorrect. I wish to talk with you."
"About what?"
Rei turned her good eye towards him. "About associating with you, now and in the future."
"Excuse me?"
"I believe that we will pair well."
"I'm not sure that I get what you're sayin'...." he trailed off, blinking up at her in confusion.
"We can begin with small acts."
"Okay...."
"Your acceptance is welcome. Let us begin."
"Hey, whaddya think you're startin'?"
"As I understand it, giving assistance is what companions do for each other."
"And...."
"You need help with your computer skills, which are currently lacking," she stated, with a distinct absence of any trace of sarcasm or mockery.
Without any harsh comments about his computer abilities, he could only rub the back of his head. "Ya noticed that, huh?"
"Yes. And I thought that it would be helpful for us to use this opportunity."
"Really? 'Cause I don't know all that much."
"Do not worry. I have been studying such activities."
"That'd be a big help," Ranma admitted, turning back to his machine. "I dunno how ta make heads or tails of this thing."
"Teaching you will accomplish much. I look forward to what it will bring."
"Thanks."
"It is no problem. Let us begin," the blue haired girl told him, and leaned in to guide him.
In doing so, she made Ranma's eyes open up wide, but not through direct touching of his face. Instead, he stiffened as he felt her breasts mold to his upper back as she pressed them against him when she leaned over his shoulder. Her breath was warm against his cheek, and her arm wrapped around his side just a bit as she reached over to balance herself. As her slim fingers covered his hand on the mouse, he realized that this was a rather intimate position to be in.
What made it even more strange was that he wasn't all that sure that she wasn't doing it all accidentally, which didn't seem like it fit, while:
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(Posted Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:43)
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