April UE 0084
Shibuya, Tokyo
Shinji Ikari tugs his collar nervously as he waits for Asuka Langley Soryu.
After some cursory research into what Asuka demanded of him-A1 Wagyu steak-his heart soared in hope, for A1 was the cheapest, lowest quality of meat on the scale.
Alas, that hope had been dashed when Asuka asked Misato for clarity and realized that A5, not A1, was the highest quality of steak on the scale.
Oddly, when the man calling himself his father overheard Asuka's smug declarations, he had wordlessly handed Shinji a platinum credit card and shooed him out of his office.
Well, at least Toji and Hikari Horaki won't have to worry about chipping in...
Shinji looks over his reflection in a store window to assess his outfit. He'd eschewed his usual school uniform in favor of a blue collared short-sleeve shirt khaki shorts, both items that Aoi Hidaka helped pick out for him when they went shopping together so many months ago.
He sincerely hopes that Asuka won't ask where he got them.
Shinji's brought out of his thoughts by the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, and turns to see Asuka in a lovely yellow sundress with what he's pretty sure are white designer heels on her feet.
"So, kept you waiting, didn't I?" Asuka says coyly, twirling around to show off to Shinji, who fights to avoid blushing.
"Like what you see?" Asuka says in a dangerously saccharine tone.
Shinij merely nods. Asuka chuckles.
"As a token of appreciation of your admiration, I will only order the second most expensive A5 wagyu dish on the menu." She says haughtily.
Shinji gives a dry chuckle.
"Hey, don't think you can just bully Ikari however you want!" Toji's voice calls out.
Shinji and Asuka turn to see Toji and Hikari walking up to them.
Asuka turns and glares at Shinji. Shinji raises his hands in a placating gesture. Hikari Horaki sighs.
"We all know how worked up you get when you talk to Ikari sometimes, Asuka. We're just here to make sure things don't get out of hand. Especially in such an expensive restaurant." She says, gesturing to the front of the restaurant.
The four of them briefly glance at the restaurant in question: Hyakkiyako Wagyu Steakhouse.
Asuka grumbles slightly before making a noise of assent, and the group enters the restaurant.
"Hey, Ikari, I know we said we'd split the cost, but this place seems really expensive. Like, five-star expensive." Toji whispers to Shinji.
"We won't have to worry about that. My father gave me a platinum card to cover this, for some reason..." Shinji whispers back.
Toji recoils in surprise.
"Thought your old man hated your guts. When has he ever given you anything aside from EVA-01?" He asks in hushed whispers.
"I guess he...sympathized with me this time? Only thing I can think of is that this reminds him of a similar situation with my mom, I guess...?" Shinji quietly speculates.
Toji shrugs as the hostess, a peppy young woman who calls herself Shizuko, leads them to a table.
True to her word, Asuka 'only' orders the second most expensive A5 Wagyu dish on the menu. Toji and Hikari Horaki order cheaper dishes, which still cost around 3500 Yen each. Shinji, in a rare moment of self-defined boldness, orders a more expensive dish, fueled by a desire to milk his father's platinum card for everything it's worth this evening.
Alas, Hikari and Toji can only keep Asuka in check for so long, and after their orders are taken, Asuka turns and gives Shinji a look.
"So, how did you come to know Aoi Hidaka, retired Formula One racer, fashion model, and, apparently, pilot of Dancouga Nova?" Asuka asks in a dangerously sweet tone.
"Well...one of the Solar Vanguard pilots...I think it was Mira Ayana? She said she wanted to introduce me to a friend of hers after I fought against Sachiel. We met in Ginza and she bought a bunch of clothes for me." Shinji recalls.
He realizes he phrased things poorly when he sees Toji and Hikari Horaki both wince.
"I see. Did she buy that for you too?" Asuka gestures to Shinji's shirt.
"...yes...?" Shinji squeaks, knowing that lying will only make things worse.
"Asuka, please stop grilling him." Hikari interjects. " I think it's a good thing that Shinji has such a kind and generous friend."
"Yeah. Way I saw it, she was just concerned for Shinji as a friend and nothing else. And who wouldn't be? We're younger than Amuro Ray was when he fell in the cockpit of the first Gundam!" Toji says.
Asuka grumbles, but doesn't press the issue.
"That...reminds me..." Hikari speaks up. "How is it...piloting an Evangelion?"
"I mean...it's tough, but you get used to it." Toji says.
"But...you said it yourself! You're all younger than Amuro Ray was when he first piloted the first Gundam! Why do you all have to be in such horrible danger?!" Hikari clings to Toji's side.
The three EVA pilots share a glance before Asuka speaks up.
"Look, nobody knows why the EVAs only work for us. Hell, even if they do, they sure as hell don't seem like they'd be inclined to tell us. But given that we have an opportunity to make a difference? I'm sure as hell taking it." She says.
"I know you're concerned, Horaki-san, but, well..." Shinji glances down at the table briefly, "you don't really know what we're going through because you're not there. You haven't experienced what it's like to be in the cockpit of an Evangelion facing down an Angel. In way, it's a relief that you're worried about us, but...you don't have to worry about it. Forgive my bluntness, but...it's not really your place."
"Hate to say it, but Ikari's right, Class Rep." Toji says, wrapping an arm around Hikari's shoulder. "You don't really have the...perspective to ask the right questions about this stuff."
Hikari makes a frustrated noise but does nothing else. Toji draws her in close and kisses her on the side of the head to placate her.
Thankfully, the rest of the evening passes by in a less somber manner, and the mood is considerably lighter when the four of them leave.
After waving goodbye to Toji and Hikari, Shinji and Asuka start heading back to Misato's apartment.
"Hey, Shinji..." Asuka speaks up.
"Yes, Soryu-san?" Shinji asks.
"Thanks for indulging me tonight." Asuka says before quickly leaning in and kissing Shinji on the cheek.
Shinji brings a hand to his cheek in surprise before turning to look at Asuka, who turns away, her face almost as red as her hair.
The two of them make the rest of the journey back to Misato's apartment in silence. Thankfully, only Pen-Pen is awake to witness the pair's state of embarrassment upon their return, and the penguin is very good at keeping secrets.
A/N: Observe as I continue to transform Shinji and Asuka's relationship into one of SRW's romantic comedies of all time. The name of the restaurant and the hostess are both a reference to Blue Archive.
