Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Passage ❯ Chapter 1

Passage

 

Disclaimer: Do the names Anno and Gainax ring any bells?

 

By: AZ Mark II

 

-

 

“Where did she go?” wondered Hikari, scanning the faces of the students as she moved through her school. Not seeing the girl she was looking for, the brown-haired class rep continued looking. It was lunch time, so her best friend should have been either in the cafeteria or outside on the grass, eating her bento. Hikari smiled to herself. Her Shinji-made bento, of course! she thought, amused. All this time, and she still hasn't learned to cook anything more complicated than eggs, sausage and toast, she mused. “If not for him, she would starve,” muttered the Horaki girl.

 

“Hikari! Come join us!” called a girl from her class. Hikari smiled back even as she shook her head.

 

“Sorry, Emi!” she called back, “I have to find Asuka and give her a note from the teacher,” she bowed out of the invitation. “Hey, have you seen her?” Hikari thought to ask. She had been late leaving for lunch because the teacher of her class had wanted to talk to her. Should have said `no' when the school asked me if I wanted my job as Class Rep back, she thought once more.

 

Things had changed, of course. She had evacuated from Tokyo Three at the height of the Angels War, along with her family. Staying behind were core combat personnel only - and that meant her friends, Asuka Langley Sohryu, Shinji Ikari, and Rei Ayanami. She had watched and listened as the end of the war came. Hour by hour, her emotions had swirled around, worry, fear, anger, sorrow and impatience were taking turns wearing away at her nerves. Then, more than two months after the fall of NERV, the UN had declared the Angels War to be over, and that it would shortly be re-opening Tokyo Three.

 

`Shortly' turned out to be another three months, but when her father announced that he was being re-assigned to Tokyo Three, Hikari had nearly leapt for joy. Nearly a year after she left, she could find out what had happened to her friends. No news concerning individual NERV personnel had been released, and all attempts to reach them had failed. Letters were returned marked `address undeliverable'. Phone calls were unable to be connected. No cars, trains or planes were allowed within fifteen kilometers of the wrecked city. Oh, the UN had released some PR footage of the ruins of the city, and it had trumpeted the `rescue' of almost one hundred NERV personnel, conveniently forgetting that it was their own troops they had `rescued' NERV headquarters from.

 

Watching the carefully-edited fifteen minute film, Hikari had found that nearly all the places she knew were gone - most of them without a trace. The Geofront had been breached, leaving a huge, perfectly circular opening where the heart of Tokyo Three had once been. Briefly, she had caught a glimpse of the apartment building where her friends and their guardian, Major Katsuragi, had lived. It was situated partially behind a low rise from Tokyo Three proper, and had therefore suffered less damage than the actual city, though from the look of things, the building's façade would need some work. The short propaganda piece had not shown her where her house was, but after discussing it with her sisters, and watching the short `documentary' time and again, they had come to the conclusion that if anything were left of their home, it wouldn't be in any sort of condition to live in, being much closer to the opening in the heart of Tokyo Three.

 

It had taken another month to get all the paperwork done, though her father, she noticed, had departed their temporary home within a week of his announcement that he was being reassigned to the city. For some reason, the return of the three sisters was subject to a frustrating amount of paperwork, procedures, run-arounds and red tape. There were UN forms to be signed, since their father now worked for the UN, rather than the now-defunct NERV. There were identity cards to be made. The three had had to have a medical review. They had had to fill out repetitious forms about their previous stay in Tokyo Three, complete with their address, known access points, school assignments, affiliation level with NERV, the date of their evacuation and many other seemingly useless and pointless information bytes.

 

Kodama had, after two weeks of this harassment, chosen not to return to Tokyo Three, since she was University bound anyway, and had withdrawn her application. Hikari could have been mistaken, but she was almost sure that the dour UN officer they had been working with smirked when Kodama had finally snapped and told him he could shove his fucking forms up his ass. Hikari and Nozumi had talked about it, and had decided to stick it out. The two younger sisters pushed ahead.

 

Even when they thought that they had everything straightened out, and had their passes in hand, they had been literally pulled off the platform at the station and informed that a `procedural issue' had not been addressed, and they couldn't proceed until it was done. It had confused and humiliated Hikari and her younger sister to find themselves and their baggage whisked off to a foreboding building. Hikari had been shown into one room, Nozumi to another, and for the next two hours, the two had been grilled, searched and checked by a pair of UN intelligence types. Hikari had seen the pair go through every bit of her luggage, examining the garments and items as if she were a terrorist trying to sneak an N2 bomb into Tokyo Three. She herself had not escaped the scrutiny, either, since the two had insisted that she be strip-searched.

 

Finally, the two sisters had been reunited, their belongings in ugly military-style canvas duffle bags, since their own luggage had been cut to pieces in the search. Nozumi was both scared and infuriated by what had happened, but Hikari had calmed her down and reassured her. After all, they were heading back to Tokyo Three, and they would be seeing their dad in short order. Boarding the train, the two had tried to relax for the three hour ride to Tokyo Three. The nearer they got to the city, the fewer passengers were on the train, and when the train reached the end of the line at the outskirts of Tokyo Three, she and Nozumi were the only ones aboard.

 

Greeting them on the platform was a harried-looking young officer, who didn't even greet the two, instead thrusting out his hand and demanding their passes. Surrendering the ID cards, the two had watched him swipe them through a reader on the tablet he held. Looking back and forth between the screen and the two, he finally handed them back their IDs and instructed them to grab their gear and follow him. The Horaki girls had barely had time to grab their stuff before he stalked off. Trotting behind him, the two found themselves being bundled into a worn military jeep, the young officer taking the wheel.

 

Attempts at talking with him had only gotten grunts, so the two had been silent. In the last of the sun's light, Hikari had studied the city below them. Distracted, she didn't see where they were going until they arrived in front of a battered apartment building. Hikari blinked. “Is this…?” she wondered.

 

“You're assigned to six oh six,” said the young officer, nearly throwing the girls' stuff out of the vehicle. “Your card will open the door,” he said, departing with a squeal of rubber. Sniffing disdainfully, Hikari and Nozumi had grabbed their stuff and trudged into the building. Passing through the lobby, they saw a lot of uniforms, but not many people. Seeing that the building had power, the two had taken the elevator to the sixth floor, which was, Hikari knew, two floors short of where Shinji and Asuka used to live with their guardian.

 

“This is us, I guess,” said Hikari, seeing the numbers on the door of an apartment. Swiping her card, she heard the door click and pushed it open. “Dad? We're here!” she called out, seeing the apartment was dark. Frowning, she fumbled for the light switch. Finding it, she threw the switch and found herself looking at a somewhat dirty apartment, with dust on the floor and surfaces, a crack in the sliding glass window, and utterly empty except for the pile of their stuff that had been shipped out in advance of their arrival.

 

Hikari and Nozumi had finally managed to get in touch with their father, and had learned that due to the UN regulations that were in place, the two of them would be staying there by themselves until things settled down, while he was in the barracks down in the Geofront. Exhausted and frustrated, the two had managed to get a futon set up and fell asleep. The next morning, they had set about getting things straightened out. Three weeks passed before they felt that things were returning to normal.

 

It had been a surprise to find a notice in her mail slot that she and Nozumi were to report to the new school the following day to resume classes. The two sisters had been eager to finally look for friends who had been here or were supposed to be here, and had a little trouble falling asleep that night. Early the next morning, the two had swiftly dressed and made their way to the new school. Arriving, they had found themselves in a crowd of strangers as they were herded into the gym for orientation. Facing the raised stage, Hikari saw two familiar faces in the faculty, but everyone else was new to her.

 

“I suppose that it is for the best that our old sensei wasn't one of the two,” she murmured, recalling that time. Looking around covertly, she had seen that the new student body had several blondes and a couple of strawberry blondes, but the rich, deep red hair she was hoping to see wasn't there. The new principal had welcomed the students, given a speech about the importance of a good education, then turned it over to the senior teacher, who quickly reviewed the rules and - with the help of a large wall-display - had given them a virtual tour of the new facility.

 

The students had been dismissed to obtain their uniforms and supplies, but Hikari had found herself called to the stage, where the new teacher for her class had asked if she would like to be class rep once more, since her record had indicated that she had been the class rep before being evacuated, as well as being elected to class rep in her school outside Tokyo Three. Seeking comfort in the familiar, she had accepted. Now, in the middle of her senior year, she wondered why she had accepted.

 

The new facilities and faculty were far more like a `regular' school than the old one, and her job was a lot more demanding now. For nearly two weeks, she had wondered about Shinji, Asuka and Rei, but no one would talk to her about them, and there was no information on the pilots. Hikari had begun to worry about the fate of the pilots, since she had worked up the courage to go up to their old apartment and knock on the door. The first time, no one had answered. The second time, a cold-eyed stranger had answered the door, his eyes suspicious as he demanded to know what she was doing there. Her courage failing, she had stammered that she must have the wrong apartment and fled.

 

Two days later, she had looked up when someone called her name and found herself looking at Kensuke Aida. The two had quickly caught up on what happened to themselves and each other since their abrupt departure. Kensuke shared that Touji was staying in Yokohama, the injuries suffered from his short stint as a pilot precluding his moving back any time soon. Hikari had been saddened to learn that, but it was even more disheartening to learn that Aida had no more idea what had happened to the pilots than she did.

 

A week later, she was shocked speechless to look up as the door to the classroom opened in the middle of the lesson, only to see Asuka and Shinji standing there. Studying the pair, she saw that they were not the same people she had known before. Asuka was thinner than before, her skin paler and her mannerisms much more subdued than she recalled, while Shinji's deep eyes held a haunted look, though he seemed almost the same shy, young man he had been before. Shaking off her shock, she had directed them to two vacant seats near her, and the class had resumed, though Hikari's attention was complete shattered by the sudden, unexplained reappearance of the two.

 

Hikari's smile faded as she lithely skipped up the stairs, deciding to check the classroom for her missing best friend and her familiar. That day at lunch, she had eagerly approached the pair as they ate, and after a hesitant start, she had learned about Asuka's defeat by the fifteenth angel, of her savaging at the hands of the sixteenth, and subsequent attempted suicide and coma. It was quickly apparent to Hikari that something had happened between that and when they appeared in the doorway to the classroom, but neither of them was talking, so she let it go. She had learned that the two were living in the same apartment they had when Misato was their guardian. She had bit her lip, deciding not to ask about the stranger in there. Instead, she asked about Misato. Shinji had said that she would be living with them when she got back, though from where or what, neither he nor Asuka would say.

 

It wasn't long before Hikari realized that the two former pilots were now a couple, though it wasn't easy to see if you hadn't known them before. Little things stood out, but only if you knew where to look and what to look for. As the days passed, Asuka regained the weight she had lost to her coma, becoming once more one of the most desired girls at school, and her personality returned to more or less `normal', though Hikari noticed that her physical abuse toward Shinji was gone, and while she often dressed him down about one thing or another, it lacked the poisonous hatred of her former self. Hikari was intrigued by the changes, but things were just too busy for her to dig deeper all at once.

 

Poking her head into the classroom, she found it empty. Frowning, she wondered where the pair was. Not outside, not in the cafeteria, not in other classes, so where? Not in the teachers' lounge for sure, so where? she asked herself, absently smoothing her skirt. Recalling the old uniform, she grinned. The new uniforms were much better than the old ones.

 

The new uniforms were dark blue pleated skirts with a thin white blouse of cotton or silk and fitted light grey jacket for the girls, a dark blue ribbon tie and black leather flats finishing the package. The dress code specified that if a girl wanted to wear stockings or hose, they had to be dark blue or black if colored, and skin-tone if not. Socks - loose or not - were not allowed. The hem of the skirts were to be no lower then knee-length, and no shorter than a miniskirt, though there was much debate about exactly how short a miniskirt could be. Hikari wore her skirt at mid-thigh, an example to the other girls in the class, who for the most part followed her lead. Asuka's skirt was a little shorter than her own, but was not the shortest in class.

 

The men's uniform remained much the same, being dark slacks, leather shoes and a white dress shirt, but new to the uniform added a dark tie and a sports jacket-cut school jacket. Shinji, Hikari had noticed, wore his well and was turning a lot of female heads. Not that he notices, Hikari thought, giggling softly as she made her way up to check the roof. He doesn't seem that different, but at least he isn't so shy now, she thought, feeling a little tingle in her spine as she recalled the `new' Shinji as he had been in class earlier. “For all of that, though, he hasn't made any new friends,” she thought out loud. Aida and Hikari were about the only ones that Asuka and Shinji spent any real time with, and Hikari didn't see any signs of either of the pilots attempting to make friends with the scores of new students.

 

Reaching the roof access door, she twisted the lock and opened the door. Stepping through the door, she used one hand to hold her skirt down, and the other to close the door. Once the door was closed, she absently checked to make sure that her hair was under control. Hikari had dumped the twin ponytail shortly after being evacuated from Tokyo Three, and now she wore her hair in a single pony tail or braid, the end of her tresses reaching mid-back on her. Her freckles had faded a little, and while she had gained a couple of centimeters in height, and her hips had broadened some, her chest had remained almost defiantly compact, just barely achieving B-cup size on her slim chest.

 

“Wonder if they are here?” she asked herself absently, looking around, but not seeing the pair. The roof was pretty much all open area, except for a small part at the far end of the roof, where the air conditioning and vents were, and the area behind the blocky stairs access structure. Turning, Hikari made her way around the side of the stair access, where a narrow passage existed between the cement and the chain-link fencing that surrounded the roof area. Not finding anything, Hikari emerged from the other side of the structure.

 

Looking at the far end of the roof, she debated if it was worth the walk. Time was running out, after all, and she was hungry. If she didn't find Asuka soon, she wouldn't have time to eat. They won't be there, she told herself even as she walked toward the far end of the roof. It's a nice place for a cooling breeze, but everyone on the ground below can look up at you, and in a skirt… she mentally shrugged. Moving past the first set of air conditioning units, she thought she heard some sounds from farther back, near the fence. Stepping a little quicker, she moved closer.

 

As she did, she heard a strangely wet sound, interspersed with sighs and moans. “Must be some good food,” she muttered, frowning. Strange, but I can't think of a food that would make that sound when being eaten, a small part of her mind nagged her. Approaching the last set of vents, she turned the corner. Seeing what was in front of her, she froze, eyes huge.

 

Not two meters from her, her best friend squatted in front of her boyfriend, one hand on his hip, the other between her spread legs, her head bobbing up and down on his hard dick. Shinji's hands were on her head, part guiding, part controlling her. Hikari's mouth hung open as she stared at the two. Asuka's eyes were closed, drool spilling over her chin as she sucked and licked Shinji's hard pole eagerly. Her other hand, Hikari surmised, was in her panties, playing with herself vigorously from the look of things.

 

“Mm,” hummed Shinji approvingly, jerking his hips forward to drive his shaft deeper into Asuka's mouth. “That's good, Asuka,” he commended her, abruptly pulling her off his hard length. Hikari's eyes widened as she got her first look at a man's penis - and certainly her first look at Shinji's. It's bigger than I thought, she noted absently, seeing the straight, thick, dripping length slowly bob. “You want it in your mouth or in your pussy, Asuka-chan?” Shinji asked the girl squatting before him.

 

“Whatever you want, Shin,” Asuka panted, “just hurry! Please!” she begged. Hikari had never thought that Asuka even know how to beg, let alone do it so sincerely.

 

“Ok, Asuka-chan,” smiled Shinji, pulling Asuka to her feet and turning her to face the chain link fence. “Pussy it is,” he said huskily, pushing on her back. Asuka bent forward, grabbing the fence with her fingers as Shinji casually flipped her skirt up, tugged her panties down and positioned himself behind her. Hikari covered her mouth as she watched. Anyone below can look up and see them! she thought, both fascinated and horrified that the two were doing that in addition to having sex at school.

 

Shinji and Asuka didn't seem to share her concern, however. Shinji got settled, gripped Asuka's hips and thrust into her, hissing in pleasure as Asuka bit her lip to stifle her moan. “You're really wet, Asuka-chan,” Shinji growled at her, beginning to thrust harder and faster into her. Asuka didn't answer, only panting harder. “And your pussy is so tight!” he approved. “Is anyone watching, Asuka-chan?” he demanded of her. Mutely, Asuka shook her head. “What was that?” asked Shinji, freezing in mid-stroke.

 

“N…no,” whined Asuka, twitching her hips against him. Hikari could see shiny rivulets of girl juice seeping down Asuka's thighs from where she and Shinji joined.

 

“Too bad,” grunted Shinji, resuming his pounding of Asuka's sex. “Maybe next time,” he panted, driving into her at a frenzied pace.

 

“Ah!” was the only reply from Asuka. It seemed like hours before Shinji groaned, holding himself deep inside his girlfriend. “Yes!” hissed Asuka, feeling him flood her with his cum. “Oh, god, Shinji! There's so much!” she squealed happily. “Give it to me! I want it all!” she demanded greedily.

 

“Sure,” grunted Shinji as the last of his load spurted into her dripping snatch, “anything for my Asuka-chan,” he purred, catching his breath as he bent forward to kiss the nape of Asuka's neck as the redhead gripped the fence. Dimly, Hikari was aware of the bell that signaled the five minute warning for class, but her attention was entirely on the pair before her.

 

Shinji happily sighed as he straightened and stepped back, Hikari seeing his semi-erect dick slipping free of her best friend's twitching pussy, accompanied by a small glob of semen and girl cum. Shinji tenderly caressed Asuka's bare ass for a moment before pulling her panties back up and flipping her skirt back down. “Thanks, Asuka-chan,” he breathed in her ear as she straightened and turned to face him.

 

“I'm not done just yet,” she purred, briefly kissing him before once more squatting down and engulfing his now-flaccid dick in her mouth. Hikari had no more shock to spare at this latest bizarre revelation. This time, Asuka's oral attention was faster and more focused; it was also accompanied by a louder, wetter slurping and gulping soundtrack. Before long, Asuka drew her head back, her lips holding suction on Shinji's dick before finally - regretfully - releasing it with a pop! Smiling up at him, Asuka swiftly tucked his member back into his shorts, then zipped and fastened his pants before standing.

 

When Shinji pulled Asuka to him in a loving hug, Hikari managed to break free of her stunned paralysis. Turning swiftly on her heel, she dashed back to the access door, desperate to be out of sight before the two turned their attention away from each other. As she stumbled down the stairs, her heart was pounding, her cheeks were crimson, and her mind was in turmoil. She didn't notice that her nipples were hard as rocks and her panties were damp.

 

-

 

“Hey, Hikari!” came a voice from behind the girl, disturbing her pre-occupied state. Turning, she saw Asuka jogging after her. “Something wrong, Hikari?” wondered the redhead, dropping to a walk as she drew even with the shorter brunette. The two were just dismissed from their PE class and were headed for the shower to get ready for the remainder of the classroom sessions. “You've been spaced out for the last couple of days,” noted the German girl.

 

“Uh, just have some things on my mind,” managed Hikari, feeling her cheeks warm up at the memory of what she had seen on the roof recently. Asuka gave her a look that clearly said that she didn't buy it, but she didn't immediately say anything. The two entered the girls' locker room and began to strip off their sweaty shorts and tee shirts in preparation for their shower.

 

“So, you coming over for supper tonight?” pressed Asuka as she escorted the brunette into the shower block. “Shinji's making something special,” she enticed, grinning at the other girl. Hikari managed a nod.

 

“Yeah, Nozumi is looking forward to it,” she said. Living in the same building was a bonus, since it allowed Asuka and Hikari to spend more time together than they had when they had both lived in Tokyo Three previously. Looking over at Asuka, Hikari stifled an envious sigh, eyeing her best friend's full breasts and smoothly rounded hips. Her height already makes her stand out from the other girls, but when you add the red hair and blue eyes, it isn't a wonder that she's the most popular girl in school! she thought to herself, her eyes falling to Asuka's groin. Blinking, she realized that the normal trimmed patch of hair was gone, leaving Asuka totally bare.

 

“Hmm?” hummed Asuka turning to look at Hikari, only to find her friend gaping at her bare sex. “Should I lean against the wall?” she asked archly, playfully easing her legs wider. “You can get a better look like that,” she teased. Hikari turned crimson.

 

“I…it…when did you do…that?” the class rep struggled. I didn't say anything! Did I? she wondered. Obviously, Asuka had heard something to make her look over at her. And what does she see, but me staring at her pussy! the mortified girl silently moaned in embarrassment. Asuka resumed her shower, wash cloth in hand.

 

“Last night,” she said, not elaborating at all. “It feels pretty good, actually,” she admitted, smiling a private smile. Asuka's eyes touched on Hikari's modest bush for a moment. “You should try it, Hikari,” she said conversationally, giving her blushing friend an encouraging smile. Hikari glanced down at her own patch. She didn't have to do much to maintain it, unlike a lot of the girls in her class. Kodama had told her that it was probably a family trait they got from their mother - along with the great figures.

 

“I couldn't,” she breathed, hearing more girls enter the shower block. Asuka just hummed, scrubbing her way down her chest to her hips. Hikari found her eyes covertly glancing at the other girls as the rest of their class began to filter in. She noticed that almost all of them had full, thick patches, and the others had trimmed bushes of varying shapes and thicknesses. Hikari wondered how Asuka could be so casual about being the only girl there with no `adult hair'. Of course, from what I saw, that is the last thing she should be self-conscious about! she remembered.

 

Hikari shook her thoughts away from that and hurried to finish up, though Asuka still finished a few minutes before she did. As the two moved to their lockers and began to dress for class, Hikari saw a small mark on Asuka's left shoulder blade. What is that? wondered the girl. After a moment, she realized she was looking at a hickey. Asuka was humming to herself as she shrugged into her bra, reaching back to fasten the band as she tossed her hair. It's still kind of strange to see her without her `interface' units or whatever those things were, mused Hikari, fastening the clasp on her front-closing bra before reaching for her blouse.

 

“Why don't you want to try it?” came Asuka's voice from beside her. The red-head was stepping into her skirt already, her blouse fastened as well as her neck ribbon. As she tucked her blouse into the skirt and zipped it up, she glanced at Hikari. “It's not like it will hurt you, you know,” she said, grinning mischievously at her shorter friend.

 

“Because!” hissed Hikari, glancing around nervously. Asuka's brow furrowed.

 

“Is it that stupid Japanese attitude toward pubic hair?” she guessed. “You know that that has nothing to do with being an adult or being sexy, Hikari,” she reminded the girl. “And I can tell you from personal experience that it is a lot cooler this way,” she added, checking her outfit one more time before grabbing her uniform jacket and book bag. “I'll give you a hand, if you want,” she offered. Hikari heard the bell sound, saving her from having to answer that.

 

“Come on,” she said instead, grabbing her jacket and book bag out of her locker before slamming it and closing the lock. “We're gonna be late if we don't hurry,” she warned her friend. Asuka grinned at her.

 

“I'm waiting on you, slow-poke,” she said carelessly. Together, the two jogged toward the classroom, meeting up with Shinji and Kensuke as they entered the school building. Hikari watched Shinji and Asuka closely, but like always, they didn't do anything out of the ordinary that would suggest that they were fucking each other's brains out. Kensuke was talking to Shinji about some movie he wanted to see, and while Shinji was partially listening to the otaku, most of his attention was on Asuka - just like always.

 

“So, what say we go see it this weekend?” pressed the glasses-wearing freak show. “All of us, I mean - as a group,” he hastily explained, seeing Asuka's narrow look. Glancing at Hikari, he appealed to the best friend of the girlfriend of his best friend now that Touji was no longer around. “Come on, Hikari,” he begged, “you know it's a good movie!”

 

“I don't know,” she hedged. “It looked kind of interesting in the trailers, but…” she shrugged.

 

“You would leave me alone with Red?” he pressed before he realized his mistake. “I mean, with Sohryu?” he corrected himself before Asuka or Shinji could smack him. Hikari sighed. More like leave them alone with each other, she thought to herself. She had a sudden mental vision of what would happen if Kensuke saw them doing something like she had seen on the roof. He would record it and sell it all over school, and then things would get complicated for them, she thought uneasily. Like their lives haven't been complicated enough up to now, she thought guiltily.

 

“We'll go if Hikari comes with us,” decided Asuka for her and Shinji, just like old times. “So, are you coming, Hikari?” she asked. Hikari fought the urge to blush as her mind took liberties with the meaning of the question. I wish I were, she thought. Out loud, she said something different.

 

“Well, I don't have anything planned for this weekend, so we might as well,” she said. Asuka smirked as she turned her gaze to Kensuke.

 

“Then it's agreed, freak show,” she said haughtily. “Saturday night, you and Shinji will be allowed the pleasure and honor of being seen in public with Hikari and me. While no one will believe that two such goddess-like beauties would associate with dirty little boys like you, it will nevertheless raise your social standing with the other dirty little boys,” she said grandly. Hikari found herself giggling at this nostalgic bit of classic Asuka.

 

“We're truly honored,” said Shinji dryly. “We'll try not to walk on our knuckles and make panty jokes,” he murmured. Hikari saw his eyes touch Asuka's for a moment, and for a split second, she caught a twitch of a smile on his lips. More noticeable was the warmth in Asuka's eyes and the corners of her mouth upturning.

 

“I'm sure you will,” she said negligently, flipping her hand at the two males. “Oh, and Kensuke, you're buying Hikari's and my ticket,” she informed him.

 

“Me?!” he protested.

 

“Yes, you, freak show!” she ordered firmly. “Being seen in public with you is a great sacrifice for Hikari and me, so you have no reason to complain about putting out for the tickets,” she imperiously stated. Kensuke sighed.

 

“Hopefully I won't be the only one putting out,” he muttered to himself, only to be immediately smacked by three people.

 

-

 

Hikari and Nozumi rode up two floors and moved down the hall to Shinji and Asuka's apartment. Knocking, the two of them heard someone call out intelligibly, followed by the faint sounds of someone moving toward the door. Hikari glanced at Nozumi, trying not to wonder what - if anything - their knock might have interrupted. A moment later, the door slid open. “Hey, Hikari; Nozumi,” came Asuka's voice, “come on in,” she invited them.

 

“Thanks, Asuka,” said the older of the two siblings. Moving into the apartment, she saw that Asuka was wearing her shorts and tee shirt outfit. Hikari wondered if her close-fitted denim skirt and sleeveless, V-neck top was too much. Nozumi was wearing a similar outfit, but her top was a tank-top mid-riff shirt, and her skirt was pleated flannel. Toeing off their tennis shoes, the two dipped their heads as they stepped past Asuka. “Excuse us,” they said ritualistically. Asuka smiled at the two.

 

As Asuka closed and locked the door behind them, the pair turned the corner from the entrance and saw Shinji working in the kitchen. “Need any help?” offered Hikari. Shinji turned and smiled at her.

 

“No, but thanks for asking,” he replied. “We've got about six minutes to go before we're ready to eat,” he warned her, his eyes back on the stove. Hikari nodded.

 

“Smells good,” she said, turning to see Asuka drop onto the couch. Unlike before, the couch in Shinji and Asuka's apartment was new. Neither had said what happened to the old one that Misato owned before; nor had either of them been forthcoming about where Misato herself was. Hikari had sensed after the second attempt to steer conversation to the two's former commanding officer that they were reticent to say anything. Hikari had backed off that topic.

 

The new couch was much like the old couch, but it was leather-covered and more comfortable. Done in neutral natural finish, it was inviting and felt like being hugged by a loved one when you sat in it. There were no other seats in the living room. Not that one would expect it, with only two people living there, and only one more unaccounted for. They didn't entertain, so it wasn't any kind of problem to have only three seats in the living room.

 

Nozumi had nearly leapt onto the couch beside Asuka, who had picked up a controller from the floor and was about to resume her video game. Nozumi had scrambled after the second controller, and Asuka let the younger Horaki girl join her in the bloodbath on the TV screen. Hikari had noticed that Asuka's taste in video games was as blood-thirsty as ever, though the girl no longer got lost in the violence. Deciding to join them, Hikari took the far seat and leaned back, sighing in comfort. “This couch is too comfortable,” she purred, “I think Nozumi and I will have to steal it,” she mock-threatened Asuka.

 

“Yeah, sure,” came the distracted reply from the red-head. “After we eat, we have to decided what to wear this weekend,” she reminded Hikari. The other girl frowned.

 

“It's just a movie, Asuka,” she said. “What does it matter what we wear?” she wondered. God knows that I have no plans to dress up for Kensuke, she left unsaid.

 

“It's a movie we're going to see,” agreed Asuka, her attention on the TV, “but there is more to it than just watching a probably-geeky movie,” she reminded the girl. “It's almost guaranteed that we'll run into people from our school,” she lectured with half her attention, “and that means that we have to make sure that we don't embarrass ourselves,” she decreed. Hikari considered that.

 

“I suppose,” she capitulated. Asuka glanced at her, leering at the brunette.

 

“That's right,” crooned the former Second Child, “we'll get you up there yet,” she bragged. Hikari frowned.

 

“Up there? Where, up there?” she asked suspiciously. Asuka winked at her before turning her attention back to the game. Before she knew it, Shinji was calling them to supper, and the four of them took their seats at the table. None of them bothered with the religious ritual of offering thanks and all of them dug into the delicious mixed-cuisine meal.

 

After they had eaten all they could eat, Asuka helped Shinji clear the table before suggesting that Shinji and Nozumi play some video games while she and Hikari worked out their outfits. Once they had the `right' outfits selected, Asuka continued, they would all enjoy a movie together before calling it a night. Shinji and Nozumi were shortly engrossed in a decidedly tamer game than what Asuka had been playing, and Asuka and Hikari retired to the red-head's room to discuss outfits.

 

In the room, Hikari paused, seeing two book bags on the shallow desk in the corner of the room. Glancing around, she noticed that there were a pair of folded slacks on the foot of the bed, and hanging next to Asuka's school uniform was the familiar sports-jacket uniform for the boys. One plus one equals two, thought Hikari. “So, you and Shinji are sharing a room now?” she asked casually as she could. Asuka didn't bat an eyelash.

 

“Yeah,” she agreed, opening her wardrobe to peruse the choices. “I think we will want to go with dresses, rather than skirts and tops,” she said, her mind seemingly on clothes. “Do you still have that lavender spaghetti-strap number?” she wondered out loud, rifling some hangers. “Might have to get new outfits,” she said, smiling eagerly.

 

“What did you do with Shinji's old room?” asked Hikari, pursuing a more important topic.

 

“Storage,” said Asuka, holding a dress to her chest and critically studying the reflection in her full-length mirror. “It was a small room, and my extra stuff had to go somewhere, so we decided to return the room it its original purpose. We're going to have to go shopping tomorrow,” sighed the taller girl happily, tossing the dress to the foot of the bed.

 

Hikari was staring at her with a strange expression. “Something wrong, Hikari?” wondered Asuka. Slowly, the girl shook her head.

 

“N…not really,” said the brown-haired girl. Asuka studied her for a while before moving past Hikari to the door, which she closed and locked.

 

“You were on the roof,” said Asuka calmly, sitting down on her bed and catching Hikari's hand, pulling the girl to her side. “So, did you like the show?” she whispered in Hikari's ear.

 

-

 

Shinji stretched as he exited the room that he and Asuka shared. Moving down the hall, he paused by Misato's door, habitually looking inside the room. I hope that she can come home soon, he thought once more. I'll ask next time we go there, he decided. It had been more than a week since he and Asuka had last pressed this issue with the staffers in what had once been NERV headquarters. We miss her, he realized, identifying the most common - and strongest - emotion he and Asuka felt when they looked into the empty room that both would always think of as Misato's.

 

Sighing, he closed the door and moved toward the apartment's door. He had been informed earlier that Asuka would be going to Hikari's apartment to prepare for the evening, and he was to come by at a certain time; not a second before, and not a second after. He had meekly accepted this demand, much like he had before. No wonder things were so bad between us for so long, he thought, wryly smiling at the memory. I am probably partially at fault for her breakdown, always being a self-absorbed spineless twerp, when Asuka needed a teammate and friend. He exited the apartment and made sure it locked behind him before moving to the elevator.

 

Riding down two floors, his mind turned to Asuka and Hikari, anticipating what they might be wearing. He was in khakis and a button-down shirt, but the behavior of the two girls told him that they would be dressing up for the evening, even if they had both frequently told him and Kensuke that this wasn't a date or a special occasion. Shinji had reacted like the old him, meekly agreeing with Asuka's imperious decrees, while Kensuke had tried to fight back verbally, only to find that he had no real ground to fight from. The best he could manage was to counter with a weak `well, no one would date you anyway, Sohryu!'

 

As he exited the elevator and made his way to the door to Hikari's apartment, he found himself musing that he and Asuka had never been on a traditional `date'. Hmm, maybe I should plan one soon; after all, she seems to like the idea enough, he mused. Knocking on the door, he heard the faint sounds of fast steps, and a moment later, Nozumi opened the door, grinning at him. “Hey, Shinji,” she laughed, grabbing his wrist and tugging him into the apartment she shared with her sister. “They are almost ready,” she explained, guiding him to the living room. Shinji glanced at his watch, then the wall clock. He was exactly on time. Nozumi noticed this, giggling as she leaned over and whispered in his ear. “They have been ready for ten minutes, but you might have to wait another ten or so before they decide to come out,” she revealed to him.

 

“Oh,” he replied, a smile flickering over his lips. “I see,” he murmured. Girls and their entrances, he recalled. He got comfortable. “Then, I'll wait,” he said quietly to Nozumi, who giggled a little more.

 

“Shinji is here!” she called out loudly. From behind the closed door to the bedroom, he heard Asuka answer.

 

“We're not ready yet, so sit down and wait, Baka!”

 

“Whatever you say,” came the mild reply from Shinji. Nozumi scurried into the kitchen, returning with a cool glass of water for him. Patiently, he waited. Apparently at some signal from the bedroom, Nozumi firmly turned Shinji's head away from the bedroom door.

 

“No peeking,” she said sternly. Shinji heard the door open, and heard the sounds of two pairs of light steps coming toward him. They stopped near the chair he was in, and a moment later, his head was released. “Ok, now you can look,” pronounced Nozumi, clearly enjoying herself. Shinji turned to look at the two girls he would be spending the evening with.

 

“Wow,” he breathed reverently. The two girls were standing side by side, obviously posed to best advantage. Shinji drank in the sight of the pair. Hikari had left her hair loose, and it was brushed and washed until it shown a rich, deep brunette with chestnut highlights. Her lips were faintly colored with lip gloss, and he suspected that she was wearing eyeliner and eye shadow as well. Her dress was a simple-enough sundress, very much like Asuka's favorite, but in a rich, vibrant green. It suited her, Shinji decided.

 

His eyes turned to Asuka. The girl was in a sundress, but instead of the familiar yellow, she was wearing a black one. It complimented her shiny auburn hair, which was loose down her back. Asuka was wearing a pale shade of red lipstick, and Shinji was positive that his girlfriend was wearing eye shadow. The warm smile on Asuka's lips completed the look. Shinji's eyes wandered down the girls' forms, not finding any sign of hose. In their hands, the two held dark flats and two identical small purses.

 

“I think that is approval, Hikari,” smiled Asuka, glancing at her friend. Hikari smiled back, though her breathing was a little fast. Asuka glanced at the clock. “Time to go,” she announced, moving toward the door as Shinji stood. Pausing to put on their shoes, Hikari paused to hug Nozumi and remind her not to stay up too late, lock the door, and not eat too much of the sweets in the refrigerator. Nozumi promised to be good, and the three departed. Shinji felt the girls each take an arm as the trio entered the elevator, and he had to admit, it felt really good. It was no wonder that he was smiling widely as the three made their way to the theater to meet Kensuke.

 

-

 

It's amazing how a trailer can be so misleading, Hikari mused as she covered her yawn with a hand. On her right side, Kensuke was glued to the screen, practically bouncing in his seat as the movie dragged on. To her left, Shinji was sharing popcorn with Asuka, the two clearly ignoring the movie in favor of each other. Hikari felt a jolt of jealousy, watching the two of them. Asuka's lucky, she thought. It might not be an official date, but still! She glanced over at Kensuke, seeing he was completely engrossed in the movie. He's been like this since second grade, she thought sourly. Carefully, Hikari rose and moved past Shinji and Asuka.

 

“Bathroom,” she murmured to Asuka as she saw the German girl glance at her. Asuka immediately rose as well, following Hikari out of the theater. The two made their way to the ladies room and tended to business. As they washed their hands at the sinks, Asuka glanced at her friend.

 

“You ok, Hikari?” she asked.

 

“Sure,” replied Hikari. “Just wish the movie was more interesting,” she admitted. Asuka hummed.

 

“Let's stop by the concession stand before we go back,” said Asuka decisively. “I think you need some popcorn and a drink,” she said mysteriously. Hikari frowned.

 

“I'm not that hungry,” she said slowly, “but I guess a drink sounds ok,” she admitted. Asuka shook her head.

 

“Popcorn, gummy beads and soda,” she said firmly, grabbing Hikari's hand and leading her to the concession stand. “Trust me,” murmured the taller girl, winking at Hikari. The shorter girl felt her heart skip a beat.

 

At the concession stand, Asuka fussily selected the snacks and paid for them, the two girls making their way back to the theater. To Hikari's surprise, Asuka moved into the row first, taking the side by Kensuke, giving her seat to Hikari. Blinking in surprise, Hikari settled into the seat, putting her soda in the holder and taking her popcorn in hand. Almost immediately, she felt Shinji's hand brush her hand as he raided her popcorn bag. Does he think I'm Asuka? wondered the girl as she tilted the bag toward him. Well, that's fine, I guess, she decided. Leaning forward, she saw Asuka watching the screen, absently tossing individual popcorn puffs into her mouth.

 

Hikari settled in, trying to concentrate on the movie, but her attention was repeatedly drawn to Shinji as he rapidly emptied her bag of popcorn. When it was empty, she set it aside, taking a pull from her drink before she felt Shinji's hand trace her arm from her elbow to her hand. Understanding his search, she silently offered him her drink, Shinji taking a drink to wash down the popcorn down. It wasn't until a full minute later that Hikari realized that she had just shared a kind-of kiss with him. Blushing in the dark theater, she fumbled for the box of gummy beads.

 

When she finally got one out, she started to eat it, but paused. Nervously swallowing, she offered it to Shinji instead. To her surprise, he not only took the offered gummy treat, but held her wrist while he licked the oil and salt off her fingers from the popcorn. Hikari's heart-rate kicked up as she felt his tongue caress her finger tips. When he finally let go of her wrist, her nipples were hard as rocks and her panties were dampening. Oh, god! she thought. She had never thought that something so common could be so arousing.

 

Quickly grabbing another gummy treat, she hurriedly offered it to Shinji, only to have it slip from her slick fingers, flying off somewhere near Asuka's feet. She heard a faint, soft chuckle from Shinji, and had to stifle a giggle. For some reason, that simple accident was funny to them. Hikari reached for another gummy treat. The wetness on her fingers, along with the remaining traces of oil, combined with the slippery nature of the gummy beads, meant that they were nearly impossible to hold unless she grabbed them very carefully, and held them gently. Hikari carefully fed another gummy treat to Shinji.

 

Before she knew it, she was fishing around for the last one. When she went to pull it from the box, though, it grazed the edge of the cardboard pack, and - as if it were guided by rails - tumbled right down her sundress. Hikari silently gasped, reaching into the top of her dress to retrieve the small treat. To her surprise, the nimble little treat slipped out from between her breasts and ended up between her legs when the top of her dress shifted as she reached in to get it. Should I…? she thought, only to feel Shinji's fingers touch her own questioningly. Sucking in a breath, Hikari grabbed his hand.

 

Shifting slightly, Hikari eased her legs open, while her other hand drew her hem up. Her heart beating like a jackhammer, she guided Shinji's hand toward the gummy treat. I'm not doing this, I'm not doing this, I'm not doing this…! she kept telling herself, even though she knew full well that she was. Her panties were soaked by now, thanks to the surprisingly erotic little game she and Shinji had been playing. Oh, god! He's gonna feel how wet I am! she thought excitedly as their intertwined fingers brushed the front of her panties. “Ah!” she gasped, the brief, barely-felt contact sending a bolt of lightening through the soaked cotton thong she wore and into her pussy. Fortunately, her gasp coincided with the gasps of the other patrons as the movie took an unexpected plot turn.

 

Shinji trapped the last gummy bead and managed to extract it from where it rested against Hikari's wet panties. In the light of the screen, Hikari dared to turn her crimson face to peek at Shinji. Her mouth dropped open as she saw him looking at her, a smile on his face as he popped the gummy treat into his mouth before winking at her. Oh, god! How long is this movie?! she thought. For the first time in her life, she wondered why there wasn't a four-hour movie to be had. Suddenly, Hikari didn't want the movie to end. Shinji casually dropped his hand back to her lap, his hand resting on top of her hand, which was still frozen in her lap. Gently squeezing her hand, he delicately rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

 

On his other side, Shinji eased his hand up Asuka's thigh, even as he felt his girlfriend eagerly spread her legs. Pausing often to rub her silky thigh, he eased up to her pussy, knowing what he would find. As expected, she was wet, her panties soaked. Playfully massaging her through the soaked cotton, he heard her stifled groan of frustration. Smiling to himself, he eased her panties aside and carefully pushed a finger into her leaking pussy. From his side, he heard her sigh softly, her legs opening as wide as the seat allowed her to as she curled her hips forward. Shinji glanced past his girlfriend, finding Kensuke to be completely engrossed in the movie. Good thing he is such an otaku, Shinji thought, or he might be a nuisance right now. His eyes caught sight of Asuka's hard, erect nipples through the material of her dress in the flashing light of the screen, along with her bunched up skirt, which was at her hips. Asuka's warm blue eyes met his for a moment, and she licked her lips, causing his already-hard dick to throb.

 

Shinji eased another finger into his girlfriend's slippery passage as he turned his attention to Hikari. The shorter girl was breathing fast, eyes closed, as he lovingly brushed the back of her hand with his thumb. He could see that - like Asuka - her dress was bunched at her hips, her legs spread as wide as the seat would allow. And also like his girlfriend, her nipples were hard and visible through the material of her top. Shinji could feel Hikari's hand twitching a little, and after a moment, he realized that her hand twitches were pulling his fingers toward her panties. Taking a calming breath, he deliberately, slowly, pushed his hand between her legs, his fingers brushing along her soaked panties.

 

“Mm!” Hikari gasped around her finger, which she had bit to keep from screaming in excitement when Shinji's finger brushed her wet panties. Her body shivered as an orgasm hit her, spreading through her like a flood, carrying her away before leaving her tingly and incredibly sensitive across her entire body. Never like that! she thought, dazed. I have never cum like that before! The girl had experienced some self-induced orgasms, but never on the scale of the one just experienced.

 

As she caught her breath, she was aware that Shinji had stopped stroking her, though his hand still held her hand. Feeling her body heat rise off her in waves, she looked over at him just in time to see him shift in his seat. What is he…? she wondered, only to have him briefly pull his hand back to his lap. Like a ton of bricks, she suddenly understood. He's…erect, and it's uncomfortable for him! Licking her lips nervously, she hesitantly reached toward his lap, jerkily stopping and starting as she argued with herself about doing what she was contemplating.

 

Man, this is beginning to hurt! Shinji thought, trying to get the iron rod in his pants in a more comfortable position. What I wouldn't give to have Asuka or Hikari help me out! he silently begged. Beside him, Asuka seemed to know what he was thinking, because her hand wiggled over to his lap, and swiftly drew down the zipper to his slacks, wormed inside his boxers and guided his length out. Wrapping her hand around his shaft, Asuka slowly pumped it, making her boyfriend moan softly as he leaned back a little in his seat. Asuka's lips curved into a fond smile as she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of Shinji's fingers in her greedy sex and the hard length in her hand.

 

Hikari finally managed to reach her hand far enough over to touch Shinji's lap, but hissed in surprise when she unexpectedly felt hot, slick, wet fingers already stroking up and down. A…Asuka is…! she thought, unsure what to do now. Her indecision cost her, as Asuka had felt her hand brush against Hikari's. Her eyes snapped open, her smile turning aggressively predatory. Releasing Shinji's pre-cum wet shaft, she snatched Hikari's hand in her own slick grip before the girl could react, and pulled their hands back to Shinji's shaft. Leaning forward slightly, she managed to catch Hikari's eyes for a moment before the girl turned away.

 

I swear, I can feel the heat from her blush from here! Asuka thought gleefully. Using her hand, she guided Hikari's hand into position before resuming her stroking of her boyfriend's dick. With a second hand, it would feel better for Shinji; at least, until he could have the real deal. The German girl carefully guided her best friend through the basics, finding that even if Hikari was mortified, she was a quick study and made no attempt to withdraw her hand. From the feel of things, Shinji was getting close. Asuka herself was almost there, biting her lip gently to keep quiet when she came.

 

Hikari couldn't believe she was doing such a dirty, perverted, sinful thing. While she considered herself a `good girl', she had always been a little curious about the attraction so many of the girls had for sex in various form. Now, in a dark theater, she was helping her best friend give a hand-job to her boyfriend as that boyfriend fingered them both. And it feels good, too! she realized, stunned to find that she felt no remorse about what she was doing, and while she was embarrassed, she had no plans to stop. Certainly not when I'm so close! she compromised. Already, she was teetering on the edge of another orgasm.

 

Beside Shinji, Asuka was doing her best to pant silently. Now or never! she told herself, guiding Hikari's slippery fingers up to work on the tip of her lover's dick. From the amount of pre-cum covering her hand and Hikari's, as well as the erratic twitching of Shinji's dick, she judged that she had less than a minute to get ready. On the very edges of her awareness, she suspected that the movie was already into the climax, and shortly, the lights would come up. Hope we cum before the lights do, she giggled to herself. Extending her pinky, she felt his balls tighten.

 

Against her palm, Hikari felt his dick jerk, and an instant later, her hand was coated in hot, thick, sticky cum. Wow! I didn't think it would be this thick! Or this hot! she thought, marveling at the texture and consistency of the handful of cum she now held. Feeling Asuka's hand around the tip of Shinji's dick, she mimicked the motion as the last spurt or two weakly flowed from the tip of Shinji's dick. Hikari enjoyed another modest orgasm as she felt his cum pool in her palm. What do I do with this? she thought to ask herself, frowning slightly.

 

Movement caught her eye, and she saw Asuka lean forward and toward Shinji, catching her eye as she raised her cupped hand to her mouth. Hikari's jaw dropped. She's…but…it's Shinji's…! Asuka quietly slurped up her share of the cum, licking her lips as she swallowed. Smiling at Hikari, she then licked her fingers and palm clean as the final few scenes rolled. Hikari blinked, realizing that Shinji had withdrawn his hand from her satisfied - and soaked - pussy, pausing to draw her dress back down. With little time and fewer options, she glanced back at Asuka once more, just in time to see Asuka lower her head to Shinji's lap.

 

Steeling her nerves, she brought the cupped hand to her lips, carefully extending her tongue to sample the thick mix. Ugh! Salty, and kind of thick, but… she took another sample. I can do it if Asuka can do it, decided the girl, tilting her head back a little and letting the small pool of cum slide into her mouth and down her throat. Strangely enough, she didn't even think to cough or choke on it, and it wasn't until she tasted the faint traces of butter and salt that she realized that she was licking her fingers clean. The theater was growing brighter, and she guiltily looked around. It didn't seem that anyone had noticed a single thing.

 

“Man, was that the greatest or what?!” came Kensuke's exited voice as the otaku turned to look at his three companions. He almost recoiled when he found Asuka sitting next to him instead of Hikari, but managed to keep control of himself. “Well?” he demanded smugly. Asuka's smile seemed a little odd to him when she answered.

 

“That was definitely good,” she said, turning to look at Hikari, who was now on Shinji's other side. “Wouldn't you agree, Hikari?” she asked sweetly. Hikari glanced away.

 

“Um, yeah,” she agreed uncertainly. Kensuke frowned.

 

“I think I need to take a leak,” he frowned, suddenly aware that he had finished his drink long since. Asuka stood and ushered Shinji and Hikari out of the row as well, mixing with the other patrons.

 

“Hikari and I are going to hit the bathroom, too,” she said, covertly rubbing against Shinji's back. Shinji smiled at her as she moved past him to guide Hikari to the ladies' room. He followed Kensuke into the men's bathroom, intent on draining the lizard as well. Stepping up to a urinal, he freed his only recently put away gear, grinning as he reflected that Asuka did good work. Wonder what the girls are talking about? he found his mind wandering as Kensuke jabbered on about the movie; apparently he was intending to recite the entire thing to Shinji, along with editorial comments.

 

When the four of them regrouped in the lobby, Kensuke was still rattling on about the movie in the kind of detail and tone that only a movie critic or otaku could stand. Shinji looked at the two girls, noting the blush on Hikari's cheek and the warm gaze of the blue-eyed former pilot. Asuka casually drifted over to Shinji's side. “Anything else planned for tonight in town?” she asked. Shinji caught her meaning.

 

“Can't think of anything,” he said. Kensuke broke out of his self-absorbed world.

 

“What? You mean you are thinking of heading home?” he accused Shinji. “The night is still young, and I was thinking…” he began, looking to Hikari for support.

 

“Young?” countered the class rep. “It's two till midnight, Kensuke,” she said, pointing to the clock on the wall of the lobby. “I need to get back and…check on Nozumi,” she said, with only the faintest hesitation.

 

“And Shinji and I have an appointment,” pre-empted Asuka. “Still, thanks for the movie,” she said loftily.

 

“But…!” began Kensuke.

 

“Oh, have you completed that report yet?” asked Hikari of the young man. “It's due Monday, you know,” she reminded him. Kensuke blinked.

 

“Shit,” he sighed disgustedly, “I knew there was something I forgot to do,” he said. Looking back at the trio, he found they were already half-way out the door, waving good night without even looking. Sighing tragically, Kensuke slowly made his way out of the movie theater and toward home.

 

On the train to their apartment complex, Hikari thought to ask the two next to her if they had finished their homework. “Of course we have,” scoffed Asuka. Hikari considered that.

 

“You seem to be doing a lot better now than before,” she noted. Asuka gave her a narrow look. “I mean, I guess not having to miss so much school because of Angel attacks seems to be helping,” offered the girl weakly.

 

“I have a university degree, Hikari,” Asuka reminded her best friend. “But as for the issue at hand, it's thanks to teamwork,” she said, smiling at Shinji.

 

“Teamwork?” wondered Hikari. Asuka hummed, her hand capturing Shinji's hand.

 

“Baka reads the kanji, and I answer the questions,” she said casually. Hikari blinked, thinking her way through that.

 

“Oh,” she said. “I guess it would improve your scores,” she said. And here I thought it was something interesting, she silently mourned.

 

“How about we help you, too,” suggested Asuka, catching Hikari's eye. “Come up to our place when we get home, and Shinji and I will give you hand with your homework, too,” she offered. Hikari felt color rising on her cheeks.

 

“I don't know,” she hedged. The girl felt a hand enclose her own, and realized that it was Shinji taking her hand.

 

“Are you sure?” he asked her, subtly drawing her closer to him. Hikari Horaki felt her heart rate double.

 

“I…I guess I could,” she managed. “Just for a little bit,” she told herself.

 

-

 

When the three of them reached the apartment building, Hikari found herself more or less pinned between Shinji and Asuka as they entered the elevator. With the evening she had had so far, though, she didn't really mind. Shinji worked the control panel and the elevator rose. Hikari discovered that even though her brain was suggesting that she calm down, step back and re-think her actions, her body had other ideas. Shinji's arms felt good around her, and Asuka's soft, sure voice fell over her like a warm, gentle rain as the girl talked of inconsequential things like school and tomorrow and her spending the night with them.

 

Emerging from the elevator, Hikari was reluctant to part from the two, though she knew that she would have to when they reached her apartment. Relishing the feelings that had consumed her since Asuka had taken her to the snack bar in the theater, she didn't notice that she wasn't on her floor, being instead on the floor that Asuka and Shinji lived on. In fact, it wasn't until she was inside the apartment of the couple that she realized where she was. “Um…” she mumbled, trying to think of what to say.

 

“Something wrong, Hikari?” asked Asuka, glancing at her best friend as Shinji lightly traced her shoulders and back with his fingertips, stoking the warm feeling in her belly. “You are spending the night here, right?” stated Asuka firmly. As she said this, Asuka dropped her purse on the small, narrow table in the entry way before taking Hikari's purse and putting it beside her own.

 

“I guess,” said the dark-haired girl hazily. I was going to stay anyway, she thought, well, I think I was, she admitted. Deciding it didn't really matter, the shorter girl pushed those thoughts aside as Shinji hugged her from behind for a moment before guiding her toward the living room. Asuka stretched as the three reached the couch, turning to Shinji and Hikari, guiding her best friend to the couch before wrapping her arms around her boyfriend and kissing him passionately.

 

Shinji, Hikari noticed, returned the kiss just as passionately, the brunette seeing their tongues duel as Shinji combed his fingers through Asuka's auburn tresses. Hikari found her fingertip touching her lips as she wondered what it was like to be kissed like that. I've never kissed like that, she mused, and before, I would never have imaged Asuka letting someone kiss her like that - let alone Shinji! she marveled. Things had changed more than she had thought they had, if the two of them were behaving this way.

 

Without breaking the kiss, Shinji slid his hands along Asuka's shoulders, each hand catching a bow and tugging the tied shoulder straps loose, the sundress loosening. It was still pinned between Asuka's body and Shinji's, due to the embrace of the two. From the couch, Hikari heard the happy, expectant moan that escaped Asuka as Shinji massaged her neck, jaw line and shoulder blades with the pads of his fingers.

 

Stepping back, Asuka leered at Shinji as her dress slipped off her to pool at her ankles. Turning to smile at Hikari, Asuka gently pushed Shinji down beside her best friend. “I'll be right back,” she said to them both, “keep Hikari company for me?” she breathed, winking at her best friend.

 

“Sure, Asuka-chan,” agreed Shinji, turning to smile at the other girl. Asuka quickly moved down the hall toward the bathroom, while Shinji casually draped his arm around Hikari's shoulder, the girl instinctively leaning in toward him. Touching Hikari's chin with his fingertip, he guided her face toward his, his lips contacting her lips a moment later, Hikari's eyes flying wide open at the contact before they gradually closed. Oh my God, oh my god! I'm kissing Shinji! her rational mind babbled. It was alone in this, however - the rest of her mind and her body were focused on other things. Like the warmth of his body as she leaned into him, the gentle probing of his tongue against her lips, and the feel of his hand in her hair.

 

Hikari wasn't sure when she opened her mouth to allow Shinji to claim her first deep kiss, but a tiny part of her mind wondered what the hell had been wrong with her that she took so many years to do just that. Twisting on the couch, she pushed her chest to his as her arms looped around his neck, the girl aggressively seeking out the young man's oral muscle and teasing it. Shinji stroked her head, neck, shoulders and back as he explored every last bit of her mouth and stroked her tongue with a degree of skill that spoke of frequent practice.

 

Hikari never even noticed when her sundress's shoulder straps were brushed off her shoulders, being more interesting in important things - like the kiss with Shinji. She likewise didn't notice that Asuka was back until she felt herself being gently drawn away from Shinji by a pair of warm, soft hands on her bare shoulders. A discontent whine came from her as her lips broke contact with Shinji's lips, though a strand of drool connected the two for a few moments as she was drawn back toward the warm body behind her. Like Asuka's before, Hikari's sundress slipped down to pool around her waist.

 

“I see Shinji is taking care of you,” purred the red-head, her lips touching Hikari's neck briefly as her arms slipped down Hikari's arms to her waist, then up her sides to tenderly cup the shorter girl's modest breasts. The class rep moaned as Asuka's fingers deftly explored the hard, erect nipples that tipped the B-cup swells. Against her back, Hikari could feel Asuka's own stiff nipples pressing against her back in the center of her friend's C-cup breasts. “Didn't I tell you?” she whispered into Hikari's ear before her lips met Hikari's lips.

 

Asuka's lips were softer than Shinji's lips, Hikari discovered as Asuka kissed her. Perhaps she might have objected - in a different time or place. But right now, she couldn't think of a reason to object to such a sweet, caring, skillful kiss from her best friend. When she felt Asuka's tongue slip into her mouth, her tongue rose to meet it eagerly. For what seemed an eternal instant, the kiss connected the two girls in a way that they had not previously connected with each other.

 

When Asuka drew back from the kiss, Hikari leaned up to try and capture Asuka's lips once more, but the red-head shook her head, a fingertip touching Hikari's lips. Before Hikari could ask why she couldn't continue, she felt a pair of lips on her bare breast, and a wet tongue on her left nipple. “Ah!” she gasped, her arms instinctively grabbing Shinji's head and holding him to her chest. “Mm! Oh!” she babbled aloud as Shinji worked on her hard mounds. Her already-wet panties were flooded again by a fresh flow of girl juice.

 

When Shinji finally withdrew his head from the wet mounds of Hikari, the girl was smiling languidly, a little trail of drool escaping the corner of her mouth. Asuka had been rubbing her best friend's stomach as Shinji worked the girl's breasts over, and Hikari was now beyond conscious thought. Looking into Asuka's warm blue eyes, Shinji grinned at her, finding her answering grin to be eagerly aggressive. “Bedroom?” suggested the girl. Shinji nodded.

 

Hikari sort of realized that she had been picked up off the couch, her dress being tugged off as she settled into a pair of strong arms, her head resting against a soft shoulder as hair tickled her other cheek. Mm, this feels good, she absently thought. An arm under her knees secured her as she was carried down the hall to Shinji and Asuka's bedroom. Her pussy was tingling and if she weren't so comfortable, she might have considered trying to scratch that itch.

 

In the bedroom, she found herself being laid down on a bed that had been turned back. Someone was planning this, she smiled to herself. Nothing about that bothered her in the least. As she was laid on her back, she saw Asuka's face above her, smiling at her. “You're cute like this, Hikari,” said the German girl before kissing her again. Hikari giggled as Asuka drew back a few moments later.

 

“So are you,” she replied, grinning at her best friend. Asuka reached down and stripped Hikari's soaked thong off, casually tossing it aside before skinning off her own equally-wet thong. Both naked, Asuka moved into the bed with Hikari, kissing her again as one of the taller girl's hands slid down to briefly touch Hikari's wet sex. Hikari hissed in pleasure, her hand mimicking Asuka's as it went to the bare sex of the former pilot. Feeling Asuka's thighs soaked with the red-head's juice aroused her even more. “Horny, are we?” she teased her friend, kissing Asuka's hard, pink nipple as she said it.

 

“Yes, we are,” agreed Asuka, easing a finger inside her friend. “And I think I have just the cure for us,” she added, carefully exploring Hikari's sex. So, her hymen is still intact, Asuka thought, feeling the slight barrier with her fingertip. Still, she seems plenty wet, and she isn't giving any signs of hesitation, she noted. She looked toward the door, seeing Shinji just entering the bedroom, having been locking the apartment before joining the girls. Her eyes found the tent in his slacks very encouraging. “We're waiting on you, Shinji,” she pouted, feeling Hikari tentatively ease one of her fingers into her slick passage. Asuka spread her legs to give Hikari better access.

 

“Be right there,” said Shinji, swiftly stripping. Asuka glanced at Hikari, glad to see that Hikari was avidly watching Shinji undress. Turning back to watch her lover strip, Asuka grinned at the sight of his erect dick straining to free itself from his boxers. After a small bit of difficulty working his boxers off, Shinji joined the two in bed, Asuka guiding him over her so he was on top of Hikari. “Hikari,” Shinji said, pausing to kiss the girl. Under him, he felt her spread her legs. “Are you sure?” he asked her. Hikari just hummed, closing her eyes.

 

“She's sure,” came Asuka's whisper as the red-head wormed her hand between the two to seize her man's hard shaft. Carefully positioning it at her best friend's entrance, she leaned closer to him. “Be gentle,” breathed Asuka in his ear, “she's a virgin.”

 

“I will be,” promised Shinji. Asuka closed her eyes, remembering.

 

“Like you were with me?” she asked. Shinji nodded, leaning over to quickly peck her on the lips.

 

“Of course, Asuka-chan,” he promised. Asuka stroked his shaft once before nodding. Shinji pushed forward slowly, evenly, his tip spreading Hikari's nether lips wide as it stretched her open. Asuka watched Hikari's face as Shinji started, curious if Hikari's expression of wonder, nervousness and excitement were the same as hers had been her first time.

 

“Just relax and enjoy it, Hikari,” whispered Asuka in Hikari's ear, the girl sort-of nodding in return. “It might hurt a little when he claims you, but it will feel better than anything that ape could have managed,” she assured her best friend. While she might have been less hateful these days, she still didn't have any respect for the idiot duo. She felt her lover sink deeper into Hikari's sheath. In short order, Shinji was at her maidenhood. Once more, he paused, glancing back and forth between the two girls.

 

Satisfied, he steadied himself before thrusting forward in a short, swift stab that obliterated Hikari's hymen. A short shriek escaped Hikari's throat, and her body jerked as her innocence was claimed by the young man, but as Shinji held still, she gradually relaxed, the pain fading from her face. With his dick throbbing in need, Shinji slowly began to rock back and forth, then began to stroke shallowly into her newly-made womanhood, and finally, he was thrusting heavily into her, filling her completely as his rhythmic thrusting stretched her, fitting her to his tool.

 

“Yes!” cried out Hikari, wrapping her legs around Shinji as she came like she had never thought possible, her vision growing dark as her body seemed to be one big pleasure nerve. “God, yes!” she croaked out, on the verge of passing out. Shinji buried himself in her, flooding her with his cum.

 

“Fill you up, Hi-chan,” he growled, spurt after spurt erupting into her previously virgin womb. “Take it all!” he demanded, feeling his spurts taper off. Below him, Hikari was staring with unfocused and unthinking eyes at the ceiling. Panting, Shinji held himself deep in her until he was completely soft, then eased off the girl, catching Asuka's arm and pulling her to him. Asuka eagerly scrambled around until she could engulf his soft, slime-covered dick in her mouth. Lustfully, she sucked and licked every last trace of the mixed cum off his shaft, tasting the faint coppery taste of blood, the proof of her best friend's purity. Done, she sighed as she laid her head on his chest.

 

“See, Shinji?” she said tiredly, covering a yawn with her hand. “All it took was a little confidence,” she said. Shinji hummed.

 

“And your help had nothing to do with it, I suppose?” he teased her back. Asuka half-shrugged in response.

 

“Maybe a little,” she admitted. “But the argument remains valid,” she insisted. Turning to look at him, she gave him a rare, serious smile. “My Shinji is the greatest hunk on the planet and the most incredible lover I can ever imagine not because he saved the world, but because he finally grew a backbone,” she explained. “All those years, Shinji, we could have been doing this, but didn't for no better reason than that you were too self-absorbed to be a man,” sighed the girl. Shinji hummed.

 

“That,” he said, cupping Asuka's breast in his hand, “and because a certain Second Child was a raging bitch that tried her best to tear my balls off,” he noted. Asuka sniffed.

 

“I was mad because I knew that this Shinji,” she paused to lovingly caress his balls, “was hiding in that pathetic, whipped, spineless boy and refused to come out except to fight Angels,” she grinned.

 

“You seemed a little upset when you woke up,” he noted. Asuka nodded.

 

“True,” she allowed. “But I was more upset that someone had beat me to you,” she sighed. “All in all, though, I suppose it was for the best,” she sighed, grinning at him. “Unlike Kaji, there's enough of you to go around,” purred the girl. Shinji gave a soft chuckle.

 

“You know, Misato said the same thing,” he observed. Asuka playfully mock-slapped his side. After a moment of quiet as the two listened to the soft sounds of Hikari sleeping close to them, Shinji asked Asuka another question. “Was that what you two and the other girls saw in Kaji? Confidence?” he wondered. Asuka considered that.

 

“In a way,” she said. “A confident man makes a better impression on girls than a meek amoeba does,” she lectured, smiling at him as she said it. “But in Kaji's case, he was just a really good salesman,” she decided. “In the end, I think I prefer you to what he seemed to be at the time,” she pronounced. Shifting, she got settled, feeling him kiss her as she settled in, one arm around Hikari, the other around him.

 

“What about Hikari?” asked Shinji of his lover. Asuka covered another yawn.

 

“In the morning, lover,” she said, tucking her head comfortable to his chest. “In the morning.”

 

END