I stretched out on the futon, adjusting my damp hair, which was trying to get into my eyes; due to the acceleration of regeneration in the hospital, it had grown a little, at first glance unnoticeably, but when wet it already reached my eyes. I'll have to get a haircut later, if the opportunity arises...
So, what do we have?
Overall, everything went well. Not perfect, of course, but good enough to not pay attention to the little things. True, the question of observation remains open, but it is not critical, at least at this stage. Now Misato. If you think about it, Misato and Shinji have a very similar fate. Misato hated her father and did not understand at all, but he saved her, and he himself was left to die in that ill-fated expedition to Antarctica. Strong move. But the words still remained unsaid, and there was no more understanding. Apparently, that is why Misato became so attached to the original Shinji, feeling a kindred spirit in him, a person who experienced the same thing as she did. I don't know what she saw in me, maybe the same thing, because I behaved based on the story of Shinji's life, although not at all like a child with complexes, but the main thing is that I sent the right message. Yeah, a difficult situation. But also, overall, positive. After all, I am not at all required to heal her mental trauma, especially since I am not the canon Shinji and will not disturb them without even noticing it.
The issue of moving is also not very clear. On the one hand, Misato is clearly not the kind of person to whom surveillance can be entrusted, especially since she is the least dedicated of the entire NERV leadership. But at the same time, despite all of the above, inviting a rather creepy teenager to live with you is strange. Okay, let's chalk it up to the elasticity of reality; after all, I didn't expect to immediately gain complete independence, although I could of course, if I really wanted to, but I just don't need it.
Okay, time to sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day.
I woke up early, since the alarm clock was lying somewhere among unpacked things, I had to rely on my internal sense of time, and for some reason it always wakes me up half an hour before dawn, what is the reason for such a twist of consciousness, I still haven't figured out. Although, I didn't really try, to be honest.
Getting up from the futon, I immediately headed to the bathroom. Although my consciousness had woken up, my eyes stubbornly refused to open, well, the feeling was very unusual. The shower and subsequent preparation of tea did not take much time, I did not want to have breakfast, Misato was still asleep. Silence. Throwing a piece of ice from the freezer into a mug of sweet tea, I went out onto the balcony. Silence. The streets are deserted, the rare chirping of birds, a cool morning breeze, the roofs of the houses were already painted in the bright rays of the rising sun. Beauty.
- Mmm... Shin, are you awake yet? - Misato looked out onto the balcony, wincing sleepily at the morning light and suppressing an uninvited yawn. I had already finished my tea and was now simply admiring the view. - And I thought I'd have to wake you up... - a yawn finally broke through and the girl stretched heroically. - Listen, will you make breakfast while I'm in the shower, huh?
- Okay, would you like coffee or tea?
- Coffee.
- Cream, sugar?
- Cream, one spoon of sugar.
- I'll do it now.
- Shinji, you're adorable! - The girl smiled and yawned again, sluggishly trudging into the bathroom.
Smiling slightly at Katsuragi, I peeled myself away from the railing and went to the kitchen.
"Mmm... Divine..." Misato rolled her eyes and took another sip from her cup. She had already changed for work and was now spreading evenly across the chair like a sleepy, relaxing puddle.
- Misato, why did I make you breakfast? So that you could drink only coffee?
- Don't whine, Sin, I'm fine...
- I see and I really regret that I don't have a camera.
- Boogeyman, - and opening one eye, she looked at me suspiciously. - Are you getting ready for school already?
- Yes, while you were soaking in the bath.
- Well done... - the eye closed again. - Don't touch me for ten minutes... - Misato yawned. - I'm here... just a little... - the girl's muttering became completely unintelligible.
I couldn't suppress a smile. I love sleepy, beautiful girls, I have such a weakness. I was really already getting ready for school, in order to find a school bag and clean notebooks I had to rummage through the boxes a bit, but fortunately Shinji didn't have that many things. I also opened the nervous packages. As I thought, the big box contained a uniform, two complete sets, the same style and color as Gendo had on, that is, a black jacket and trousers, with gold edging, as well as two cases, one with insignia in the form of triangular stripes on the sleeves, not exactly like Misato's, but similar and probably meaning a NERV lieutenant, and the second with a mobile phone, exactly the same as Misato's. The second box contained another plastic one, and in it rested a Glock-17 pistol, shooting nine-millimeter cartridges, which was written very clearly and succinctly on the barrel, and a supply of ammunition for it. According to the agreement with Misato, I did not touch the weapon and simply put the box aside. Fortunately, a firearm is not a sword and you can legitimize your skills in handling it by sitting at a shooting range for a couple of hours, but you will have to think about fencing, because if my "superiors" are not complete idiots, then they will train me for close combat and if, God forbid, the instructor turns out to be a master, then he will definitely notice my skills. However, where would a real master come from here? Although NERV is a serious company, they can dig up, if there is a desire.
Finally, Misato took a deep breath and opened her eyes. After looking at me with a sad and doomed look, she sighed again and, looking down at her plate, picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
A blue sports car, whose make I still don't know, screeched to a halt in the school parking lot.
"Misato, you don't love your car at all," I stated, resting my chin on my palm.
"Why is that?!" the girl was righteously indignant.
- Because you are stubbornly trying to complete what the N2 bomb failed to do, you can't abuse technology like that, it's barely alive anyway.
- Oh, how smart you are! And when do you think I would have sent it in for repairs? And those cheapskates from the office don't want to pay for the repairs, and by the way, I was on a combat mission! Well, I'll show them today! - Misato angrily stared into space, almost rubbing her hands with impatience. I chuckled, she looked so funny at that moment. - Oh, come on! - the girl snorted, although there was not a drop of offense in her voice. - So that's it! Here are your transfer documents, or something like that, you need to take them to the director, well, or someone, you'll figure it out, - Katsuragi took a plump, brown envelope out of the glove compartment and handed it to me. "Here's my phone number, call me if anything happens," a piece of paper with numbers that Misato took out of her pocket migrated into my hands. "You have a phone number," and then more quietly, with a slight hint of resentment: "You gutted the boxes, the bastard, you shouldn't have called me..."
- Straight from the shower? - I looked at the girl with interest, raising an eyebrow. - And you would have come out? - Katsuragi turned purple, and the steering wheel creaked pitifully in her hands. - Well, I'm so sorry... Anything else?
"I think that's it..." the captain answered after about ten seconds, having cooled down a bit. And, after thinking for a moment, she asked: "You remembered the way home, right?"
- Yes.
- Great. Well then, good luck at school.
- Thank you. Have a nice day too, - I opened the door and got out of the car.
- Uh-huh, - I heard from behind. The door closed and the car started moving. - And if you suddenly find yourself a girlfriend, don't even think about telling anyone before me! I won't forgive you! - Misato shouted militantly and cheerfully from the open window, winking at me one last time and hitting the gas.
Chuckling again and shaking my head, I turned towards the school.
Despite its rather impressive size, the school was quite empty. On the entire way from the parking lot to the principal's office, I came across only a couple of teachers, from whom I asked for directions, and a dozen students at most. I didn't attract any attention, almost all the guys I met were wearing a white shirt and black pants, and the students' appearance varied from typically European to Indian and Asian, except for the fact that there were no blacks. By the way, as I managed to notice, blood mixing was common here, there were very few pure-blooded Asians among the relatively young people, the same Misato looked very little like an Asian and it was possible to discern characteristic racial features in her only if you set yourself such a goal, I won't even mention Akagi - there she is a 100% "blond beast" from the Fatherland, despite the fact that her eyes are green, not blue. And I myself, or rather Shinji, looked more European than Japanese.
Having knocked on the door and waited for a shout of permission, I entered. The director turned out to be an elderly, classic Japanese man in a dark gray suit and oval glasses, clearly not the first year of service.
- Hello. My name is Shinji Ikari, here are the documents about my transfer to your school, - I handed him an envelope.
- Hmm, sit down, let's see... - the director took the envelope and pointed to the guest chair. - Yes, I was indeed informed about the transfer of a new student to the school... - the man said, after a minute, closing my personal file. - But without any details... Is there anything else I should know about you, Ikari? - he emphasized the last name with his voice, apparently the identity of the head of NERV was not a secret here.
"No," came the laconic and dispassionate answer.
- Ahem... - the man looked again at the folder taken out of the envelope. - Okay, Ikari. Your class is A-2, you can go, the bell is ringing soon. I'll warn the teachers.
- Thank you, - I got up from my chair and left the office, without waiting for any more remarks from the director. I still wonder what they wrote in my personal file? Although, no, I am much more interested in why they did not enlighten me regarding what information I can disclose and what I cannot? There are two options: either the school is under complete control and I can say whatever I want here, or it is a setup, although one does not exclude the other.
Having found the right classroom, I stopped near the door, which surprised me a little, and only a second later I realized that Shinji's memory had worked, because a new student must first introduce himself to the class, and this should be done after the teacher arrives. Well, Eastern ceremony is ineradicable, even in high school. Well, let's wait, since it's necessary, it's not difficult for me. Leaning against the wall, I began to wait. I still did not attract attention, and the glances of the students entering the classroom simply slid over me without noticing. Finally, an elderly teacher, also of typical Asian appearance, approached the class.
- Hello, I'm a new student...
- Ah-ah-ah, yes, Ikari, I think? - the old man interrupted me without finishing. - Let's go, introduce yourself to the class and sit down on the free desk.
We entered the classroom together, the hubbub of the students died down a bit and most of the eyes turned to me. I looked around the room, about half of the desks were free, the students were mostly of European appearance, there were more girls. Two guys immediately caught my eye. One was a disheveled blond guy with glasses, with a camera and airplane models on his desk, the other was a lanky guy in a tracksuit and with an impudent expression on his face, which now expressed, downright, universal boredom. And of course, Rey. It was very difficult not to notice the girl with blue hair, especially if you were specifically looking for her. Her head was bandaged, as were her arms, her right one was in a cast on a sling, her eye was still covered with gauze, she was sitting on the second-to-last desk and indifferently looking out the window. She didn't even turn around when I walked in. There was empty space around the girl, none of the nearby desks were occupied, it was like some kind of exclusion zone.
"A new student has been transferred to our school, now he will study with you," the old man croaked monotonously, apparently not even caring whether he was heard or not. "Please introduce yourself," the old man slightly turned his head towards me and then turned away, heading towards his desk.
- Hello. My name is Ikari Shinji. I am a withdrawn, uninitiative lazy person with an inferiority complex. Large crowds depress me, I am indifferent to communication. Nice to meet you, - I recited in a deathly voice. And while everyone was quietly shocked, their jaws dropped, I walked with an indifferent look to the desk behind Rei and sat down, turning away to the window and resting my chin on my interlocked fingers. I am probably overdoing it, but I have no desire to communicate with the same Toji and Kensuke, and I won't even mention the rest of my classmates.
As I passed by Rei, I managed to notice that the girl, for a moment, tore her gaze away from the window and glanced at me. But the moment ended and Ayanami's ruby eye returned to the window again, as if nothing had happened. It's a pity that the desks here are single-seater...
"Okay," said the old man. I'm sure he didn't even hear what I said. "Get your notebooks, let's begin the lesson."
The people did not obey right away, but nevertheless, every now and then they glanced sideways at me and Rei, apparently comparing. Most of my classmates, even Rei, had an old-looking laptop on their desks, I also found one, in a niche under the tabletop. Without thinking twice, I took it out and turned it on, so as not to stand out too much, although my actions were limited to turning it on, Ayanami also only had a picture of the desktop with the "Windows 2003" logo on her screen.
- So... - the old man began to speak slowly. - Humanity has always been proud of the development of culture, which occurs together with the development of science... - I begin to understand why no one ever listened to him. - ...The times that have come have turned everything into ruins. It was the last year of the twentieth century, - it sounds like an announcement of a disaster movie... Only the voice should be deeper and more tragic, but otherwise there is no effect. - I am sure that you all know about the strongest meteorite strike in Antarctica, from which all the ice of the continent instantly melted, and the water level of the world ocean rose by more than sixty meters. The world was on the brink of destruction due to droughts, floods, volcanic activity and the ensuing economic crises and interethnic conflicts. In six months, half of the world's population was lost forever... This event was called the Second Impact...
And the whole lecture went on like this, the old man was talking about the heroic struggle of our parents against the consequences of the Second Impact, about the greatness of humanity and the colossal sacrifices, and the students were quietly whispering to each other and doing all sorts of nonsense, not paying much attention to the teacher.
I looked away from the window at Rei sitting in front of me. To be honest, I didn't really expect to see her at school today, she looked too bad just two days ago. Either her condition wasn't as bad as I thought, or the infusion of my spiritual energy helped, or most likely both, because it's still unknown how long she was kept near the hangar, waiting for my appearance. Too bad I can't sense her now...
The lesson ends. The teacher stood up and left the classroom. Two girls ran up to me, a dark-haired girl with a short haircut and a blonde girl with a ponytail and curly hair, during the lesson they constantly whispered and looked in my direction.
- Hey, Ikari! Do you have a minute? - I silently turned my gaze from the window to the girls.
- Why are they transferring you here when everyone is evacuating from here? - the blonde began insistently.
- M?
- So this rumor is true, right?! - the dark-haired girl immediately intervened.
- What rumor?
- Stop playing the fool! The rumor is that you are a robot pilot! - the brunette flared up indignantly.
"It's true, huh?!" the blonde echoed in unison.
Oh, this childish spontaneity... But someone deliberately started this rumor, and in my class. And something tells me that the ears of one bespectacled, bearded bastard are visible behind this... Although, of course, one can also assume that one of the parents of these kids works at NERV and even saw me in Geofront, and then accidentally let it slip to their dear child. But for the rumor to become stronger in just one incomplete day... In principle, it is possible, of course... But Gendo's Security Service is not so leaky that he would miss something like this?
- Well, why are you silent? Answer, are you a robot pilot?!
"No, I'm an Australian jerboa," I answered seriously, looking the girls straight in the eyes.
- Hey! Why are you being rude, newbie?! - Oh, here comes Toji. Don't make such a mean face at me, you've seen worse, and even eaten worse.
"Whatever the question, such is the answer," I answered indifferently and turned away to the window. "I don't like stupid jokes."
- You're like, what? Very smart, huh? - the "athlete" got into a fight.
"I just don't like stupid jokes," I answered just as indifferently, looking out the window.
Toji was about to say something else, but then a very angry, freckled girl with two pigtails grabbed him by the ear.
- Suzuhara! What are you doing?! How are you even acting!? He's a newbie! Has he completely lost his fear?!
- The headman! He himself started being rude, I only stood up for the girls! - this, so to speak, defender howled, bent over in three deaths and writhing from pain in his ear.
- There's no need to ask stupid questions! Look at what you've thought up! Now, quickly, back to your places! - the girls were blown away. - And you, Suzuhara, get back to your place too! And I don't want to see you pestering him anymore! - You're a fire girl!.. She could stop an elephant in mid-flight and rip off his trunk...
"I'm Hikari Horaki, class representative," the girl turned to me and smiled. "Sorry about what happened. Suzuhara is a bit unrestrained..."
"It's okay, no need to apologize," I said, without taking my eyes off the window.
- You're not offended?
- No.
- Um... Well then I'll go. If anything, contact me.
- Thank you. I'll remember, - the girl nodded shyly and walked away, having first shifted her gaze from me to Ayanami and back. Now, if not complete ignoring, then some semblance of it is guaranteed for me in the class, which can't help but please.
After a while, the same teacher returned and the lesson began. It was social studies again, unless I was confusing the subject name. The teacher was still mumbling something about the Second Impact. I looked out the window and sometimes at Rey's hair. Time was flying by.
Nothing else interesting happened at school, after the second social studies, or social science, the devil knows which is correct, there were two maths and geography. Maths was pretty boring, although it was clear that few were ready to agree with me on this issue. But Geography entertained me a little, after all, the world map, after the Second Impact, has changed a lot. During the lunch break, Ray and I were the only ones who did not eat, since there was simply nothing, I deliberately did not take breakfast to school, for several reasons, well, and with Ray everything is also clear, why the school does not have a cafeteria, remained a complete mystery to me. No one tried to talk to me anymore, although they did not stop looking sideways, but by the end of the school day, interest waned.
Finally, classes ended and everyone was getting ready to go home. After turning off the computer and putting it under the table, I grabbed my school bag and slowly headed for the exit. Ayanami walked ahead, just as slowly. When we approached the school gates, almost all the students had long since overtaken us and now we were practically alone.
- Ray? - I called the girl, closing the distance. She stopped and slowly turned to me, looking into my eyes with a slight delay. The look was attentive and outwardly indifferent, but deep down there was something... Tense?.. Could it be fear? - Do you live far away? - Surprise flashed across the girl's gaze.
- No...
- Then I'll walk you out, - I smiled slightly, one might say with my eyes alone. - Let's go, and let me carry your briefcase.
- Why? - Now, there is genuine surprise in the girl's gaze.
- You are hurt and I want to help you.
- My injuries are not critical.
- And that's why you should be tense? - Rey thought, tilting her head to the side slightly. - Let me make your thoughts easier, you are a junior lieutenant, right?
"Yes," the misunderstanding didn't want to leave Rey's gaze.
"Then, as a senior in rank, I order you to give me the briefcase and not to strain yourself any further unless there is an urgent need for it," I smiled warmly, looking at Ayanami's surprised face.
Ray blinked, thought, looked at me carefully... And hesitantly handed me her battered brown briefcase.
- Okay. If this is an order, I won't bother.
- Clever girl, - I took the briefcase, still looking at the girl with a warm smile. - Shall we go? - Ayanami followed my hand with a long look and nodded silently.
We walk silently down the street, there are almost no passers-by, but the continuous chirping of cicadas is heard everywhere. Deserted streets, summer sun, warm breeze and a silently walking angel girl next to us. For her official age, fourteen, or even thirteen years old, Rey looked very developed and... fragile. Very thin, pale and sad, that was the impression one got from her indifferent appearance, and the plaster cast and bandages only added more expressiveness to this image.
I didn't try to talk, I just walked next to her and admired the girl. And what's the point in talking? They won't affect what I went with her for anyway, and it's too early to talk about anything really important.
About half an hour later we reached an even more deserted part of the city. There were no people here at all, construction waste, slanted lamp posts, overturned trash cans and broken benches were everywhere. Old buildings, some of them were falling apart almost before our eyes, and about half of them were frozen unfinished and had already begun to be overgrown with greenery. Rey's house looked harmonious against the general background. A gray, dull building, to which they had not even applied plaster, or it had all fallen off long ago, the glass in many windows was broken, the passage to the entrance was littered with construction waste, which you had to go around, and inside... Inside it was even worse.
There is no lighting in the entrance, the elevator does not work, there are piles of garbage and crumbling plaster on the floor, cables stick out of the walls, dust and dirt are everywhere. The building is an illustration of the end of the world. So what? It could very well be... Yes, it is very likely that this is so... Well, everything is exactly as I expected. Even a little worse. And this, oddly enough, is good.
Ray, not paying attention to anything, heads for the stairs, habitually avoiding the trash. Climbing up to the seventh floor, I had time to admire the scattered shards of glass, the torn, or rather even unfinished, rusty and spiked railings, and of course the trash. Where it came from remained a mystery, because there seemed to be no residents in the building except Ray. Reaching apartment number 402, Ray simply pushed the shabby door and walked inside, never looking at me, I followed.
Ayanami's apartment turned out to be a one-room apartment and was completely consistent with the general style of the building. Wiring was sticking out of the walls, and there were no traces of paint or wallpaper on them. The kitchen, if you could call it that, was located right in the hallway, or rather in the corridor leading to the only room. There was a minimum of furniture in the room, a bed with traces of blood on the pillow, a lonely chair in the center of the room, an orphaned chest of drawers near a window covered with thick curtains, a small refrigerator, and a cardboard box filled with plastic packages of custard noodles and bloody bandages. The floor was covered in dust, but there was no particular dirt or garbage. Some items of clothing were lying around here and there...
Rey stopped and turned to me silently, looking expectantly into my eyes. I took another look around the room and turned it to the girl.
"Are you tired?" It seemed my question surprised her, because before answering Ayanami, she barely noticeably, but still tilted her head to the side.
- Yes. A little.
– Do your injuries hurt?
- No.
"That's good," I glanced around the room again, stopping at the trash can. "Do you always eat this?" I nodded at the box. Rey blinked and turned in that direction too.
"Are you asking about the custard noodles?" she asked after a few seconds of silence.
- Yes.
"No, not always, I also eat in the canteen inside the headquarters, they don't have that kind of food there," Rey turned to me again.
- I see, - indeed, everything was already clear. I hope I won't meet Ikari Sr. anytime soon. Otherwise, it's much easier to suppress the desire to kill him when he's far away. - Sorry, Rei, do you have a roomy bag?
- No. Just a school bag, - Ayanami's gaze became uncomprehending again. - And for what should I forgive you?
- Please pack your dear things, if there are any here, and a change of clothes. You are moving, - the girl bowed her head again.
"You didn't answer the question," I smiled inwardly, after all, Ayanami has emotions, as well as persistence, and I interested her.
"I apologized because you were tired, and it's quite a long walk from here to my house," Rey blinked.
- Why should I move? And why to you?
- This house is in terrible condition, the elevator doesn't work and you have to climb up to the seventh floor by stairs, while you are injured, you can't exert yourself and you need care. To me, because this is the only place I can move you to now, - my interlocutor looked at me for a few seconds, and then turned her gaze to her bed, after standing like that for a few more seconds, she looked into my eyes again and answered:
"I cannot move to another place without permission, without a corresponding order," but in his voice and gaze, barely noticeable, but still, there is a sense of uncertainty.
- The order will come. But for now, think of it as a visit with an overnight stay.
- Guests? - so-o-o... It's better if I don't see Gendo for at least a month.
- Yes, people often visit each other to eat in good company and just chat. So even if moving doesn't work out, you can just visit me to have a tasty meal, or if you suddenly need help.
"I understand," Rey lowered her thoughtful gaze to the floor. "Okay, I'll get ready now," she assured, having made up her mind, and turned around, heading straight for the chest of drawers by the window.
I smile and put her school bag on the chair. Well then, Gendo, let's see what you'll do now.
We left the house about ten minutes later. I walked half a step ahead, Rei silently followed, thoughtfully looking at my hand, in which I carried her school bag, at the bottom of which rested one remarkable glasses case. It was difficult not to notice how she put it away, although I must admit, it took me some effort to suppress another burst of irritation at the sight of this thing. If my memory serves me right, then Rei, in her entire life, has never been helped by anyone, unless you count the help the Commander gave opening the emergency ejected entry capsule during the unsuccessful attempt to activate Eva-00, of course. At least Ayanami said her first "thank you" to Shinji, for cleaning her room, and that's an indicator. I wonder what she's thinking about? I slightly turned my head and glanced sideways at the girl. She noticed this and blinked, raising her ruby eye to me. We look each other in the eye. Silent. At the same time, continuing to walk forward, my peripheral vision is quite enough to see the road. A funny situation. And yet there is something in her that makes me just want to look at her and that attracts me. A strange feeling. Although familiar. It is difficult to call it carnal attraction, although Rey is certainly beautiful and fully meets my aesthetic preferences, but still this is not it.
We stepped out of the shadow of the building, and an unexpected, bright ray of sunlight hit the girl's eyes, causing her to squeeze them shut painfully. Eye contact was broken. My chest was pierced with annoyance. And not just mine. Hmm? Shinji? And you're watching, it turns out? So what? Confusion, excitement, anxiety, emptiness... Hiding again. Oh well.
- Ray, where is the nearest store here? - the girl blinked and with a slight delay raised her hand, pointing in the direction, slightly off our path.
- There.
– Is it a long walk to get there?
- About twenty minutes, I don't know exactly.
"Can I buy sunglasses there?" the girl thought, giving the answer only after a few seconds:
- Yes, they are sold next to the checkout.
"Then let's go," Rey blinked, confusion flashing in her eyes again, but she didn't object and silently followed me.
The store did sell sunglasses, the selection was really so-so, but there was a style that suited both me and Rei. After paying at the checkout, fortunately I had withdrawn some cash from my card back in the mall, and also buying ice cream in a simple waffle cone, I went outside. Ayanami, naturally, was silent the whole time, only carefully watching all my actions.
"Here you go," I smiled faintly and handed the girl a cup, having first removed the cellophane wrapper and paper. "Just don't bite too much at once," looking into my eyes, Ayanami somehow automatically took the ice cream and lowered her gaze to him.
While she was looking thoughtfully at the glass, I opened the glasses I had bought for her and carefully put them on the girl. The gaze of the scarlet eye rose to me again.
- Let's go? - I couldn't hold back my smile again, she looked so funny, for some reason I thought of her as a disheveled sparrow.
"Yes," came the quiet answer and Rey lowered her only open eye to the ice cream. After standing there for a few seconds, she finally made up her mind and took a small bite.
I turned away and walked down the street, enjoying the warmth spreading inside me. Rey followed, not taking her eyes off her ice cream. She was funny... And very sweet.
Along the way, I noticed surveillance several times without even looking closely, but it was so crude and unprofessional that I wanted to cry. Where did Gendo even pick up their skills? The NERV security agents compensated for their stealth skills, or rather their complete lack thereof, by their distance from the object of surveillance, that is, they walked at God knows how far from us, creating a huge radius of coverage, but completely out of control of the situation. And considering that there were no more than a dozen of them... It is not surprising that Shinji, in canon, could get lost among them for several days, and those few sabotage operations that these knights of the cloak and dagger heroically blinked at become natural. And in general, what idiot thought of dressing the "surveillance" in uniforms? In a word, the overall level of our security was depressing and steadily suggested the need to carry a weapon with you around the clock. Just in case.
We reached Misato's apartment in about an hour. Rei had long since eaten her ice cream and although she still looked impassive and indifferent, I could see that she was tired. The electronic lock beeped and I opened the door, putting the card back in my pocket. In the hallway we took off our shoes and silently walked into the kitchen, I left our briefcases in the corner.
- Water?
- Yes.
The gurgle of water filling glasses. I handed Rei her mug, and when she took it, I carefully removed her glasses and placed them next to her. Ayanami's short gaze followed my hands, and then returned to the glass. The angel girl took a sip. We drank silently, looking into each other's eyes. There was no desire to talk about anything. Silence...
- Do you want to eat?
Nod.
– Would you like some meat and potatoes?
- I don't eat meat.
- Are you a vegetarian?
- Vegetarian? - she asked again, with a look of incomprehension in her eyes. "Gendo... For such upbringing of a child, you should be quartered more than enough."
- You don't know what this means?
- Yes.
– A vegetarian is a person who does not eat animal products.
- Then I'm not a vegetarian. I just don't eat meat... - Ayanami thought for a moment and turned her gaze to the refrigerator. - And I don't like when food is red.
- I see. I'll keep that in mind - I wonder if this is a mental peculiarity or not quite human nature? It's unlikely that meat is harmful to her body, but due to her origin, she may well subconsciously sense the residual emanations of death lingering on the flesh of animals, because flesh and blood are the main "accumulators" of prana in the body of living beings, but they also interact perfectly with the energy of death that spills out into the world when the body dies. And this may not be pleasant for everyone, even if we are talking about a fleeting aroma that you don't even really feel. - Wait a bit, I'll cook something soon.
- Fine.
It didn't take long to heat up yesterday's potatoes in the microwave and make a simple salad, without tomatoes. We ate in silence, Rei watched me for a while, not touching her food, and then, as if waking up, she started on her portion. She ate very slowly and thoroughly, chewing thoroughly and taking her time, I couldn't help but admire her. Naturally, I finished earlier and while Rei was finishing her portion, I just looked at her, thinking about the upcoming conversation with Misato.
The plate is empty.
"Thank you. It was delicious," I blinked, looking at Ayanami in surprise. Did she really say that? Rei, under my gaze, blushed slightly and turned away. However...
"I'm very glad you liked it," I said sincerely, with a light, warm smile. "If you want to relax, there's a comfortable sofa in the living room, lie down."
"Okay, then I'll go there," Rey stood up and walked out of the kitchen a little hastily, stopping for a moment in front of the exit and giving me a strange look, the emotional coloring of which I can't identify.
Interesting... Smiling inwardly, I took the dirty plates and went to the sink, I still had to prepare dinner for Misato's arrival, and also finally decide which of my options for further actions to implement.