In twenty minutes. Kitchen.
A knock on the iron refrigerator door.
- Hey, lord of the local continuum, get out of the barrel, we're going to play chess.
Silence...
A few minutes later the door quietly opened and I met the penguin's gaze. Silence.
- Wark?
- I don't care, let's go to the table.
- Wark...
I finished putting the pieces into the cavity inside the game board and closed the last one. Well... As they say, time flew by.
- Listen, do you know where Misato keeps her scissors? I haven't seen any yet...
- Hurrah... - the penguin was clearly thinking. Then, apparently remembering something, he jumped off the chair and stomped into the corridor. Having seen him off with a thoughtful look, I chuckled and stood up, following him.
The penguin's loud stomping brought me to Katsuragi's room, the decor here hadn't changed one iota, the same exemplary bedlam and "creative" disorder. Pen-Pen was actively rummaging through a pile of things piled up near the table, literally throwing himself into this business with his head. About a minute later, the pile croaked contentedly and a proud penguin crawled out into the light of day, clutching small scissors with red handles in his claws.
- Yep. Thanks, buddy, you helped me out, - I took the scissors from the pleased with myself feathered one. - And have you seen anything bigger?
- Wark!
- Okay, okay, I was just asking. By the way, does Misato usually go to the hairdresser?
- Wark.
- I see. I thought so, - I look from the penguin to the digital clock standing right on the floor, next to the girl's unmade futon. The numbers 11:23 were glowing on the clock, there was still a lot of time until Rei would show up, and I won't even mention Misato.
Basically, I have a couple of things that would be nice to do while I have the opportunity... And I still haven't gotten around to sorting out Shinji's things properly...
It's funny. Shinji arrived in Tokyo-3 with one bag and a backpack, and his things were dragged to Misato's apartment in seventeen boxes. And not just any time, but the next day after his arrival. Therefore, the command to transport from his previous place of residence was given long before the guy could even agree to participate in this whole adventure. I suspect that specially trained people from the Tokyo branch of NERV began packing his belongings almost a couple of minutes after Shinji left his uncle's house. However, there is nothing surprising in this, I would most likely have done the same.
I, with a clear conscience, dragged some of the belongings to my apartment, which I beat out of Misato for agreeing to live with her. Two doors down, on the other side of the corridor, there is practically a complete copy of the captain's quarters, only empty and the windows overlook the other side. In all honesty, I wanted to throw the things away, because I didn't see the slightest value in them, but hasty decisions are not our method, and Shinji would not have thrown away "proof of his existence" so easily. So let them gather dust when I move, and I will move, then I will throw them away.
The cello, by the way, pleased me. The sound is good, deep, clearly not just a factory consumer product, unfortunately, with my hands now there is no time to play, but for the future, I kept the instrument. Holmes is not the only one who thinks better to music, and recordings are far from always what the soul requires.
I spent about an hour and a half unpacking my luggage. Considering that there were supposed to be six lessons at school today, there was still about an hour left until Ayanami got free, plus the road home. Of course, this is not much, but it is better to finish everything now than to waste another day. And the devil knows what kind of dirty trick Gendo can pull when he returns, he would be able to return me to the hospital, naturally only because of his love for humanity and paternal feelings, and additional examination at all levels will be completely irrelevant and generally an insignificant formality.
The taxi I called by phone was at the entrance in just five minutes, and another five minutes later I was standing near a posh shopping center on the eastern outskirts of Tokyo-3.
- Hello. Do you have home delivery of purchases?
The girl manager involuntarily shuddered in surprise and turned to face me.
- Uh... Yes, - the brown eyes looked at me a little surprised, apparently estimating my age.
- Excellent. Then the second point, I need a consultant and a porter. - I show my palms. - All purchases will need to be delivered to the house, I suppose you also have a clause about express delivery? - The girl's shocked gaze moved from my burnt hands to my face and only after a few seconds she nodded nervously.
- Yes, yes... of course, and you?.. - I silently show the identification card. As I read, the girl's eyes widen even more. - Wait a couple of minutes, I'll be right there.
I made it in an hour, albeit with difficulty. Fortunately, I had made a shopping list in advance, and now all I had to do was point my finger at the model I liked and move on. The mall administration was so kind that in addition to immediately delivering the purchases to my home, they graciously gave me a lift there. Not surprising, considering how much I spent on the walk. In general, the funniest thing during this entire voyage was watching the NERV security agents, who were playing stalkers with enviable zeal, probably sincerely believing that they were not being noticed. I didn't disappoint the guys, although I laughed to myself quite a bit... and cried at the same time.
My main acquisitions were two computers, one desktop, the other a book, both, naturally, the most powerful models available. They came with a kit of mice, keyboards, satellite modems, a wide-format laser printer and other small items, such as removable disks, a scanner, speakers and a microphone. In general, a complete set. The printer was immediately unloaded in my apartment, because it was too big a "fool", and a supply of specially prepared paper was also left there. The second most important acquisition can be called a palmtop or a tablet, it doesn't matter, the main thing is that now I will always have books at hand. I did not change the player, although it is not new, but legendary, and does not bother me, especially since the selection of cassettes collected by Shinji suited me quite well. Well, perhaps I changed the headphones ... I also touched the wardrobe a little, in small things. I'll still wear my school uniform when I'm outside, but Ikari Jr.'s home kit was killing me. Just look at the poisonous orange shirt, brrr...
Ray's return found me installing a computer, alas, the service sector, as a result of the global carnage, suffered somewhat, and therefore there were no cheap technical specialists at each electronics store, which is why I had to slog it out myself. Fortunately, the experience of my first conscious life had not gone anywhere, and therefore there were no difficulties, well, except for the state of my hands, of course, I did all this in my room, but I heard the sound of the door opening. Leaving the room and going into the hallway, I found the girl taking off her shoes, her school bag was standing nearby. A couple of seconds, and the schoolgirl's bent back straightens, and the girl's signature look rests on my eyes.
- Welcome back. Are you hungry?
- Yes...
***
"What... Is... This?" Misato asked clearly, her left eye twitching unobtrusively.
"What are you talking about?" I calmly sip my tea.
- That's what I'm talking about! - the captain exhaled expressively, pointing her finger in a completely uncultured manner. Following the indicated direction, I turned my head to the right and stopped my gaze on Ayanami sitting next to me. The girl, like me, was calmly drinking tea, looking at the enraged Misato with an expressionless face.
- This is Ayanami Rei, my half-sister, an Evangelion pilot and a junior lieutenant of NERV. I can also add that, in my humble opinion, she is an absolutely perfect girl, the height of perfection and a source of a continuous stream of kawaii - that's all. There is a cover. Misato is unavailable. As if someone hit her over the head with a bag, at least that's the expression on her face. But Rei looked at me with sincere surprise and incomprehension, even her face trembled slightly, and her eyebrows crawled up.
- Y... You... Stop talking! You shameless bastard! I'm asking why she's sitting there naked?! - Katsuragi did it quickly, well done. However, let's continue playing the role.
I turn to Ray again and look her over carefully, ignoring the unblinking ruby eyes that peer even more closely into mine. Blue hair, a black T-shirt that is a bit too big and therefore falls to mid-thigh, beige slippers without backs on bare feet. I agree, it looks very cute, but I don't see "naked" here.
- Misato, come on. Compared to the way you periodically walk around the house, Rei is a model of modesty and puritanical views.
My answer was a loud exhalation of air through the nose and the captain's closed eyes.
A few long seconds and about half a glass of tea later:
- Shinji. I asked you, why is naked Rei sitting next to you in a man's T-shirt? WHAT WERE YOU DOING HERE?!
Misato's outburst was so strong that it distracted Ayanami's attention to itself and now the girl looked at the head of the operations department with even greater bewilderment. However, this did not last long, just until the moment when I began to answer.
- Hmm... From the context and intonation of the question, I conclude that you decided that we had sex, - here, again everyone is looking at me and Katsuragi's gaze is simply incinerating. - Well, that's not true. It's just that Rei's school uniform is currently in the wash, or rather, already drying, and since she doesn't have any other clothes, I gave her my T-shirt. It would probably be better to take something from your clothes, but I'm not used to rummaging through other people's things. Are you satisfied with my explanation?
- Mmm... Yes... Sorry.
- Happens.
- Um... Ray, do you really not have any clothes?
- Yes.
- A-a-a, how did you, well, cope with such a situation at home? - Ayanami blinked in confusion.
- I don't understand what situation you're talking about.
- Well, you washed your clothes! Do you have nothing to wear?
"I have a spare set of school uniforms, but they're both dirty now." Rey thought for a moment. "When that happened before, I'd just walk around the apartment naked. The uniform would usually be dry by the next day."
- Uh... - Misato looked up at the ceiling, completely confused. - Do you at least have underwear?
- Yes. I have a sufficient number of small-sized wardrobe items.
- I see... - the girl sat down at the table in complete prostration. It seemed she had another culture shock. Anticipating such a situation from the first remarks of the girls, I had already managed to go to the refrigerator and now calmly put a can of beer in front of the commander, she needs it now. - ... - The can was subjected to the close attention of an extremely difficult to identify gaze of brown eyes. - Thank you...
- Yes...
We're sitting. The girls are thinking hard, and I'm just enjoying the company and the drink.
- Hmm... - Misato was the first to return to reality. - Shin, what kind of nonsense did the second department report to me about your trips to the store?
- Don't know.
- No, I'm serious. Why did you drag yourself there?
- And they didn't report it to you?
- You know, I was a little busy. Not everyone can lie in bed all day. - The girl said crossly. - Come on, spill the beans, why did you rush off to do heroic deeds in such a state? And look, I still have to answer to Ritsuko, and I dragged you out of the hospital in violation of all the rules... - It seemed that this prospect did not please the girl at all, but she did not want to get indignant and make scenes with Katsuragi again.
– I needed a few things and I bought them, the receipt is on my desk, you can look at it.
"Okay," Misato gave me a suspicious look, but still stood up and walked into the hallway.
To be honest, after about a minute I expected a scream, of varying degrees of content, but with an unchanging emotional message, but it did not follow. Silence lasted for a minute, two, three... ten. I began to worry. Finally, the captain slowly returned to the kitchen and with a deeply philosophical expression on her face, sat down on a chair.
- Did you convey my words to the Commander?
- Huh?... Yes. He said he understood. We only talked for a few seconds, so... - Misato shrugged her shoulders vaguely. Judging by her gaze, the girl's thoughts were still somewhere far away.
- Fine.
- So! - Katsuragi slapped her bare knees sharply. - Rei! Listen to the combat mission! Tomorrow you stay home and make sure that this blockhead doesn't wander God knows where, but gets treatment! Do not follow any orders from him that contradict this! If necessary, I authorize the use of force! Is the order clear?
- Yes.
- Excellent! Now wait, I'll call Ritsuko and she'll give you instructions on the medical part! - And with a happy smile she rushed off to her room.
I slowly turned to Rei and met the focused gaze of scarlet eyes. In those eyes I saw a firm determination to approach the task with all possible punctuality and responsibility. I feel like Misato has done me in this time... And also, I'm in trouble...
- Hello! Ritsuko?! - came from the depths of the apartment. - ... Don't whine! Listen, here's the thing...
- Ray.
- What?
- You are listed as belonging to the scientific department?
- Yes.
"So you shouldn't follow Misato's orders, you have your own superiors," the girl thought, as usual slightly tilting her head.
- You're right. But most likely, Misato will now convince Dr. Akagi of her rightness and I will receive a confirming order.
"That's true..." I was forced to admit, however, if there is no direct confirmation...
- Hey! Rei, come here! You'll listen to the introduction! - Katsuragi's cheerful shout reached us. Ayanami, without saying a word, stood up from the table and, without looking at me, walked out of the kitchen. A minute later, an unashamedly pleased Misato entered the room and gave me the happy look of a little rascal.
"You understand that I will take revenge, right?" I asked with a note of academic interest in my voice, maintaining a true "poker face".
"That will happen later," the girl waved it off frivolously, settling herself comfortably on the chair. "Besides, you'll get on my nerves anyway."
- It makes sense...
- Of course! - Misato took a sip of beer.
A couple of minutes later, Ray returned to the kitchen.
- Doctor Akagi finished consulting me. I also received confirmation of the order.
- Eh... - I sighed heavily, looking at the girl with sadness. I was definitely in trouble.
- Yes! Yes! - Katsuragi's jubilant cry echoed throughout the apartment...
However, her jubilation did not last long, exactly until the morning. And in the morning, a harsh disappointment awaited the naive Japanese girl Misato. Not to say that this was initially my "cunning plan", but I simply could not not take advantage of the moment. My own emblems would not understand me.
So, the next morning, as usual, going into the kitchen in search of life-giving coffee, Katsuragi saw the following picture:
I sat diligently at the table and did not move, and Rey fed me with a spoon, completely concentrating on this process. It goes without saying that I was simply enjoying it, which I did not hesitate to inform the commander about as soon as I chewed another spoonful.
- Good morning, Misato. I must admit, that's the best order I've ever heard in my life, thank you.
"Don't get distracted," Ayanami said, already bringing a new spoon to my mouth.
- Sorry. Um...
- THIS IS NOT FAIR!!! - hearing this cry from the soul, I realized that the morning was truly a success.