from up here the city lights burn [during timeskip]

[a_young_legend]

The evening is almost unpleasantly warm, nearing stifling, in the cramped space that is Shinji's shared apartment. He stands over the makeshift balcony, leaning on the rusty rail and staring out at Tokyo's skyline, or what little can be seen of it with towering buildings and factories belching smoke into the muggy air. It wasn't much, to be sure,

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[red_devil_02]

Asuka enters the apartment with, instead of the traditional greeting, a "Yo!" just loud enough for Shinji to hear on the balcony. She kicks off her shoes before heading to the non-penguin fridge and rummaging around in the beer cans for a soda.

She's dressed unusually nicely, in a greenish summer dress, and thinking that this is the last time she does Hikari a favor.

[a_young_legend]

Shinji startles a bit when he hears that familiar shrill voice from across the room.

"I guess that's it for my five minutes of peace," he mutters to himself. He heads back inside and joins Asuka, sliding the screen door shut behind with a snap. He reddens slightly when he sees her attire for the day, clearing his throat and seating himself at the kitchen table.

"So, where have you been all day?" he asks, suddenly chipper with her company. "Or all week... I'm beginning to think this training is just an excuse to avoid me."

[red_devil_02]

"And why would I need an excuse?" Asuka asks, popping open a soda and chugging a quarter of it to ward off the heat before walking to her bedroom. "I was on a date. Hikari set me up with some friend of her sister's, and I didn't think I had anything better to do today."

After briefly struggling with an overexcited mechanical parrot (Dear whoever the hell built this thing: WHY IS THERE NO OFF SWITCH?!), she closes the door of her room to change clothes. "Anyway, I was wrong," she says through the door as she swaps out her dress for a much more comfortable tank-top and shorts. "He was actually more boring than sitting at home, so I ditched him at the amusement park."

[a_young_legend]

Something about the word date makes Shinji bristle ever so slightly with - jealousy? No, it couldn't have been. He nods politely, but couldn't hold back his smirk, at both Asuka's story and Kira's hyperactive pet.

"Oh really?" he huffs with an amused grin. "Well, to be fair, you are an Eva pilot. It's hard not to bore someone like you."

Shinji shifts in his chair, tugging uncomfortably at his collar. It really was hot in there. Or was it him?

"You should've just let me take you out instead. At least I know your tastes. Eh, somewhat, anyway."

Did I really just say that? Oh boy, I'll never hear the end of that one...