Misato was currently sitting on a bench located just in front of the examination room where Shinji had gone into. Her apparent calm was betrayed by the nervous shuffling of her legs, the nervous tapping of her fingers on the furniture and the frequent pacing every ten minutes or so...
Misato cursed the lack of reading materials to take her mind off what Shinji was going through in that room. What kind of a waiting room doesn't have any magazines or newspapers to pass the time!? The coffee machine in the corner was a tempting resort but didn't want to grow even more restless than she already was.
There was also the fact that she missed her beer. She had stayed sober since yesterday and her drinking habits were not discarded so easily *I'm not an alcoholic! I can go without beer for as long as I want!* she told herself. Unfortunately, her body had other ideas.
How many times had people suggested her to stop drinking so much, she wondered. Beer wasn't the most alcoholic beverage around but in enough quantities, it became as much of a problem as stronger drinks. She had never listened to any of them until now. There was something about Shinji that made her feel bad when he had (gently) scolded her. So bad, in fact, that she had made efforts no man, even Kaji, had managed to coax out of her. She asked herself why she would do that for Shinji and no one else.
The answer was simple. Shinji was so caring, kind and innocent (the fact he was still like that despite everything that happened to him since he came to Tokyo-3 was telling about his hidden strength of character) that he had to have an idealized picture of herself in his mind. She was sure that the Misato in Shinji's mind was a much better person than the Misato in Misato's mind.
Misato could now admit she had come to love Shinji a great deal. She wanted to make him happy. If it took some changes in her lifestyle and general behaviour, so be it. Somehow, a deeper relationship with Shinji brought up the better part of herself as she tried to reach for the image he had of her.
It also made Misato feel better about herself. With the growing doubts she had about NERV and its dark secrets, Shinji was her anchor in life. That no matter what, there was someone who loved her without reservations or ulterior motives, someone who loved her for who she was and not only because she had a hot body and a reputation of being a little loose.
These conclusions did little to ease her peace of mind, quite the contrary. She was growing more and more nervous as Shinji's absence continued.
A small part of her was screaming about the things Ritsuko was probably doing to poor Shinji in that laboratory (laboratory... more like a blockhaus with that blast door and safety locks in place!). She could picture him naked on a bed while her friend poked him with various instruments in places only she had the right to touch!
"Major Katsuragi?"
Misato blinked, her reverie broken by the voice of a woman. She looked to the side and saw Maya Ibuki standing there, a folder of some kind in her hands. "Oh, hello, lieutenant Ibuki. I didn't see you"
"It's all right. You must have been preoccupied with something. Is this seat taken?"
"No. Feel free to sit down"
"Thank you. The Geofront is so big, we all walk several kilometers everyday in this place... I just need a little rest"
"Tell me about it. It took me a long time before I could find my way in this labyrinth. I don't mind doing a little exercise to keep in shape but walk for hours because you're lost... Thanks but no, thanks"
"By the way, major..."
"Call me Misato, miss Ibuki, I'm off duty right now"
"Yes, maj... Misato. That's what I wanted to talk about. If you're not on duty, why are you here?"
"I came only to drop Shinji-kun here. Apparently, Ritsuko... Ahem! Doctor Akagi wanted to do another check-up. Something about possible long-term effects of the accident yesterday and how Shinji-kun took the whole thing... Frankly, I wonder if it's even necessary. He certainly looks fine to me"
"Yes, he certainly does..." said Maya in a soft wistful tone.
"Eh...!? What do you mean?"
"Well, Shinji-kun was a cute kid before" Misato nodded, that much was true "But after his transformation, he... Who would have thought he would grow up into a hunk?"
Misato looked incredulously at Maya "Excuse me? Hunk?" She suddenly had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Maya smiled "Yes... I've heard the other single women, and a few married ones as well, talk. They all agree to the fact that Shinji-kun makes a very attractive adult"
"You don't say..." Misato frowned "Shall I remind them that Shinji-kun may look like an adult but he's still a fourteen years old boy?" *You hypocrite, That didn't stop you for very long...* Her conscience scolded her.
"People have a tendency to judge on appearances. Many of them think that he needs a girlfriend. It would be good for him. Everybody thinks he's nice and deserves a little happiness. God know he looks so unhappy all the time he comes here"
"I think this is due more to his duties as an EVA pilot than how his love life is going..." remarked Misato.
"So, how is Shinji taking the whole thing? Growing up several years in a few seconds, I mean"
"So far, he's not complained about it. There have been a few snags, of course, but everything is fine now. In fact, I believe it will be a good thing for him in the long run" *And for me as well, morality and proprieties be damned* she added mentally "We'll see how he adapts... Going to school like he is now will be the next challenge"
"I can imagine..." Maya stood up "I need a coffee. Do you want something to drink?"
Misato thought about it and shrugged. Why not? "A little orange juice would be nice" No tea or coffee or she would jump out of her skin. The waiting was slowly killing her.
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(Posted Wed, 17 Dec 2003 22:29)
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