[Real Life | DDD] Minato's World

[redheadcarrier]

[The red-head paces to one tree, then turns, her skirt whirling and walks back towards the other. They said they were going to meet here, in this park in Iwatodai. She'd had to walk from where she'd been dropped off, but that was normal. The walk to school was longer. Asuka's hands twist together for a moment and then she shakes them apart. Don't be nervous. It's only Shinji. Shinji from the future. Who'd she'd pretty much spilled everything to the other night. Great.]

I wish they'd hurry up and get here...

[Her voice is a mutter. Honestly, her mood's been better since last night, though. She can't exactly put her finger on why...]

Comments

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka has her back to them, but she turns, and she can't help the grin that breaks out on her face. She gives the pair a wave and starts walking towards them. Not too quickly, off course. She's trying to curb her eagerness in.]

Hey! Shinji! Minato, right?

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji only stares at her at first; blinking a few times to make sure that this wasn't a dream. Letting his emotions take action, he takes a step closer and immediately throws his arms around her. Shinji buries his face in her shoulder; embracing her tightly.]

A-Asuka...

[dormition]

[He just nods at her when she asks his name, and is content to stand back as they hug. Minato is far from forthright.]

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka freezes up for a moment as Shinji wraps her up in an embrace. A thousand different, confused thoughts are whirling around and around in her head. Finally, she just lets go and sinks into it, returning the hug. Isn't this what she's been waiting for? Still... she's confused by how emotional he's being.]

H-hey, Shinji... What's up?

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[He lingers in the hug for a minute before completely pulling away. A shade of pink appear on his cheeks as he realizes what he done and flashes her a sheepish smile; rubbing the back of his head.]

U-uh..nothing. It's been--..uh-it's nice to see you.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka offers him a small smile and shrugs, slightly disappointed that he's pulled away]

Well, alright... It's nice to see you too. This... version of you, anyway.

[She frowns, something working at the back of her mind, but she ignores it and smiles again.]

Well, I have to say this world is pretty nice. Not quite the same as home... but nice!

[dormition]

[Minato shrugs and interjects,] It's the park.

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

Yeah,..it's pretty nice here. [Shinji shoves his hands in his pockets as he glances around the area again.]

I..kinda like it here better than home though.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

I guess. There's no Angel attacks here... [She looks out into the city.] There's not that feeling of tension, of waiting and wondering when the next one is going to come.

[She shrugs again and flashes a grin.] But there's no place like home!

[dormition]

[Minato blinks, because that's exactly what it's like waiting for the next Shadow, but he doesn't say anything. Not many people know about them.]

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji gives a nod and lets out a small chuckle.] Yeah,..I guess that's true. Although,..[He pauses; trying to find the right words for this.] I'm glad that Ran-san isn't here. N-Not that..his company is a bad thing...

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka's expression turns sour at the mention of Ran]

I'm very glad he isn't here. Little brat.

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

H-He's not so bad Asuka. Just uh...[He gives her a light shrug.] misunderstood..?

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka huffs and turns away, crossing her arms across her chest.] He's a demanding, manipulative brat! That's all there is to it!

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji winces at her tone slightly.] I'm sure..you two will eventually...get along. It's all just..lack of communication..or something..

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka hmmphs again.] Maybe. Maybe not. Anyway, we didn't come here to talk about Ran, did we?

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

Uh..no. [Shinji smiles sheepishly again.] We could uh...go out for ramen? Minato-kun and I did that the last time I came here.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[That seems to cheer the red-head up and she turns with a grin.] Sounds good to me! Where is there to eat around here, anyway?

[She grabs Shinji by the arm, glancing at Minato inquisitively.]

[dormition]

The station has a lot of places.

[Beef pot, ramen, takoyaki, Wild Duck Burger... Minato is sure something would be okay. He starts walking, glancing back to make sure they follow as he leads the way.]

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji follows Minato; glancing over at Asuka every so often blushing.]

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka trails alongside, taking in the city. She hadn't really been concentrating on it earlier and now she glances back to Shinji.]

It's sort of weird... It's almost exactly like Tokyo-3 in some places. I'm not even sure if this city still exists in our... world...

[She looks back to Minato] Any of that sounds pretty good actually!

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

I..don't think so. I think we would have known about it...[Shinji follows behind Minato still feeling nervous but secretly happy that majority of it settled. He curls his fingers a bit; but still showing a sheepish smile.]

B-But you know...I..could be wrong.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka hmms in thought] True, but I don't know Japan that well...

[She seems cheerful enough and for once isn't being incredibly sarcastic or condescending.]

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

When, all of this is over-[He pauses; suddenly feeling his heart jump up in his throat.] I could uh...show you around..? I-I mean with..all the Angels and....stuff.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka glances at Shinji, coming to a stop for a moment as his words are processed. Finally, she smiles.] I... think I'd like that.

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

Good! [Shinji chuckles showing a bigger smile.] Tokyo-3 is actually...a nice place.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka shrugs and walks on, hands clasped behind her back, staring up at the sky and buildings, a small smile on her face.] It's alright, but I think I liked Germany better... Then again, I've only seen Tokyo-3 during war.

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji awkwardly shoves his hands in his pockets, lightly chewing on his bottom lip.] What's...Germany like?

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka pauses for a moment, finger on chin as she thinks of an appropriate response.] It's different from Tokyo-3. They're aren't any Angel attacks, so people don't evacuate. And the culture is different, too. Same with the weather.

[Another pause as she continues to walk along.] You should go see it some time.

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

Maybe...[He trails off for a bit before picking back up.] I don't think I'll..be able to visit Germany though. It's..kinda far away.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka pauses and turns to look back at him and her face lights up with a radiant smile] After we beat the Angels, you'll go. We can make NERV fund the trip! [She laughs lightly] Least they can do for us pilots, don't you think, Shinji?

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji stares at Asuka, suddenly feeling his cheeks turn light pink.] U-Uh...right.

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka smirks and turns, continuing her walk.] Shinji, do you think I'm attractive?

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji immediately stops in his tracks; swallowing hard.] W-what..?

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka turns and looks at Shinji innocently] Do you think I'm attractive? It's a yes or no question. [She's doing her best to keep a straight face.]

[dormition]

[Minato abruptly stops walking and speaks as tonelessly as ever.]

We're here.

[They were in front of a strip mall three stories tall, rusted outdoor spiral staircases leading up. Directly in front of them was a used book store with stacks on the sidewalk, Wild Duck Burger, and a shady looking takoyaki stand.]

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

Ah, good! [Shinji quickly hurries to Minato's side; flashing him a smile(actually relieved that they made it)]

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka sticks out her tongue at the two boys and then follows them over, giving the strip mall a look.] Looks... decent enough. I think the Wild Duck thing might be our best bet.

[dormition]

[Pauses, but decides they should make an informed decision.]

Some of the food there can be... weird.

[shinji-eva.livejournal.com]

[Shinji slightly tilts his head to the side.] Weird..? What do you mean..?

[redheadcarrier.livejournal.com]

[Asuka blinks.] Weird? What do you mean, weird?

[dormition]

It takes courage to eat it.

...There's other places upstairs.