After several stops, Shinji and Rei's round of missions concluded atop Mount Fuji.
As Shogoki stomped a Ghost into spiritual smithereens, Shinji couldn't help but feel...perturbed. "Ayanami-san..."
"Yes, Ikari-kun?" she said, watching quietly as Zerogoki tore through the last two Ghosts.
(He had noticed that, when no one else was present, she called him 'Ikari-kun' instead of 'Ikari-san'. Strangely enough, there was no romantic sentiment...so far as he could tell.) "...does it seem like these Ghosts have been more durable than usual?"
"It is something I have noticed since the last new moon," she explained. "I do not know if it is universal, or if it was something unique to those I faced."
"Should we inform Dr. Akagi?"
"Yes. She will share the information with the proper parties and correlate it with other reports since the last new moon."
Nodding, Shinji turned towards the western rim of Mount Fuji; the view was somewhat intimidating, especially in light of how the sun had set beyond the western horizon. Places not covered by clouds were lit by manmade lights...which made any gaps signifying Cognitive Dead Zones more conspicuous by comparison. "It's strange...from this high up, you'd think that nothing's changed..."
"Political upheavals are only to be expected in a time of chaos and disorder," explained Ayanami with the tone of one who had seen it all. "Such concerns are minor, relative to our duty."
"...but what if those political upheavals affect us?"
"Then we will deal with them as they come." Glancing back at him, her eyes seemed unnaturally bright amidst the encroaching darkness of night. "...are you doing well?"
Shinji shrugged, because what did it even
mean to 'do well' in light of recent events? "I'm...I'm trying."
"...I suppose that's all one can ask for," she murmured, with that strangely knowing tone.
(He wanted to inquire with her about the state of the world, of reality. He wanted to let her know about what he and the rest of Team Statherós had learned within the Velvet Room.)
(
...now's not the time. Confer with your friends, first...)
"...should we head back for now?" asked Shinji.
"Yes."
The Third Child took one last look of the Japanese countryside, feeling somewhat
invigorated by the crisp air at this high altitude, as well as the distant beauty of the environment. (Somehow, he felt like he had gotten closer with Ayanami-san as well...)
xxxx
Back in Tokyo-3, everyone had been dismissed for the day, with strict orders from Dr. Akagi to return the following day for follow-ups regarding their various scans.
Misato Katsuragi had departed with Mana and Mayumi.
(The bespectacled girl had briefly made a move to simply take public transportation back to her apartment...until, as if struck by lightning, she remembered her current circumstances. "Oh...right..." With a subdued demeanor, Mayumi quietly followed Misato and Mana to where she had parked her Alpine Renault.)
Ryuji Sakamoto had left by himself.
("I'll get in touch with you soon to set up a training session," explained Ryuji, patting Toji on the shoulders. "In the meantime, rest up. You've had a busy summer, after all..." Without another word, Sakamoto hobbled off towards his motorcycle.)
With Rei heading elsewhere into NERV, that left Shinji, Kensuke, and Toji.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwZ7ELj6Oa4
The trio opted to walk back to Hakone Academy, taking in the sights of Tokyo-3. The city carried a strange sensation, now; after being away for what felt like forever (even though it had been less than a month!), the place seemed strangely fresh and nostalgic in equal measure.
"Does it feel odd to say that I missed this place?" asked Toji.
"Nope. The familiarity is nice," said Kensuke with a grin.
"...it feels strange, after being in Nishiawakura for so long," remarked Shinji.
"Well
duh," said Toji with a snort. "Coming from a country town like that, I can hardly blame ya for being so withdrawn when you first transferred."
"...I wasn't
that bad, was I...?"
"You kind of were," joked Kensuke.
Similar banter sounded between the trio as they eventually reached the grounds of Hakone Academy. The abundant greenery (at least, by urban standards) within the school's courtyards served as a balm to Shinji's soul; inhaling deeply, he found himself somewhat mollified by the familiarity. "At least the Academy seems the same..."
"...you think they're gonna cancel the upcoming term?" seriously asked Toji. "You know, what with the whole government going bye-bye?"
"Why would it?" asked Kensuke. "The cognitive regularity imposed by this kind of routine is pretty robust. Why imperil that?"
"Ah, but it makes no
sense!" griped Toji. "Why are they makin' us go to school when it could be the end of the world at any given moment?!"
Kensuke adjusted his glasses with faux sagacity. "Better minds than yours or mine have tried to decipher this mystery, Toji."
As Shinji thought about it, the current nature of the world came to mind. "...what if it's simpler than that?" When the other two looked curiously at him, he elaborated, "well...if our current world is born from the collective mind and spirit and humanity...maybe they still went to school in reality after Second Impact, all the way up until Third Impact." (In the innermost parts of his mind, idle memories of another school — with the same uniform as Hakone Academy, yet structured quite differently — quietly percolated, unknown and unseen.) "Maybe that's why school keeps going, no matter what happens...?"
"...an interesting hypothesis," murmured Kensuke. "Plausible, too."
"Then if people still made kids go to school in the 'real world'," said Toji with air quotes, "they were stupid too."
Privately, Shinji couldn't argue with that. (
But then you'd have nothing to pull you away from doing nothing but fighting all the time...)
As they entered the Izanagi Dorms, the overall quiet of the place hit them hard; doubtless, most of the student body was still absent on their own summer vacations. Even so, they stoically made their way to the second floor, reaching the familiar doorway to Room 23. Swiping the card, they stepped inside...
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egKF1UvMcZA
"Welcome back."
...and were greeted by Kaworu Nagisa; sitting at his desk, the ashen-haired boy turned his crimson gaze towards them. "It feels like it's been forever since we've last laid eyes on each other. Did you all enjoy your summertime romance?"
"
And just like that, the mood's ruined," griped Toji, stepping towards his bunk.
"What? What did I say?" curiously asked Kaworu. "Did you engage in fanciful adventures fit for chivalrous heroes?"
"I
don't think that's what most people think of when you say 'romance'," remarked Kensuke, looking around with a curious eye. "...hey Shinji, I thought Amamiya-senpai said he was dropping our stuff off?"
Looking down at his phone, Shinji noticed a few texts that had been sent whilst they had been walking back. "...Misato-san says that he apparently dropped everything off at her apartment."
"That cheapskate!" protested Toji.
"And...
done," said Kaworu out of the blue, closing his notebook.
"...done...?" repeated Shinji. "Done with what?"
Flashing them all a beatific grin, Kaworu answered, "Why, my summer homework, of course!"
Just like that, all of the energy was sucked out of the trio.
"Summer homework...?" dumbly echoed Toji.
"...oh crap, we haven't even started on our summer assignments," said Kensuke with dawning horror.
Just like, the two quickly scrambled towards the desks, pulling out books and notepads to try and remember what they were supposed to do. Tiredly sighing, Shinji lethargically copied them, slipping into the chair at his desk.
Kaworu grinned at the sudden burst of manic chaos and tired weariness that his roommates exhibited. "I missed you all too!"
They didn't get much done that night...but tomorrow was another day.
xxxx
END OF 8/23/2015
xxxx
/my attempt at explaining why, no matter what happens
//school practically never gets cancelled in Persona
