Neon Genesis Evangelion Higher Learning Strike Fiss, 2000 Twenty-Second Lesson: "Compassion and Pressure" Misato grinned as she snuck up behind Ritsuko, holding one of her larger stuffed cats in her hand. Ritsuko did nothing, completely focused on her computer screen. Just barely resisting the urge to say 'heh heh heh' out loud, she raised the little black kitty to shoulder-level, about to make it 'pounce' onto her friend's shoulder. "Do that, and you'll wish you disappeared with the Second Branch too." Ritsuko said suddenly. Misato pouted, tossing the cat onto the desk. "Mmph. You're no fun!" she smiled and leaned over Ritsuko's shoulder. "Whatcha working on?" The blonde sighed and turned to the Major. "Why are you so happy? Normally you just come in here and drink coffee, standing over my back and hoping to catch some secret that flashes up on my screen." Misato gasped. "I do NOT!" Ritsuko smiled. "I must congratulate Maya on her excellent coffee then, since you hang around so much." she raised an eyebrow. "So?" "So what?" "Why are you so happy?" Misato got a grin on her face. It began to spread, too. "Ahh, a date." Ritsuko deduced. "I didn't know Kaji was back in town?" Misato's grin got bigger and she started whistling. "Someone else???" Ritsuko blinked, then suddenly got caught up in the Major's mood. "Who is it? Is he hot??" she grinned back. "He's really nice." Misato nodded lecherously. "REALLY nice. We met at the bar by accident. Turns out that he's a teacher at the school the Children go to." she smiled and raised her hand to make a point. "He's got brains and looks. That always means the most imaginative lovers." Ritsuko blinked, then chuckled. "I never knew you went for the older type..." she went back to her computer typing. "Older?" Misato blinked. "Actually, I think he might have a year on me, youth wise. I didn't bother asking." she grinned again. "So long as he knows what to do with his tool, I don't care." Ritsuko sighed. "I just KNOW this is another misunderstanding like the children's concert practice...so I'll ask now. Is this guy balding?" she turned to Misato. "Because all of their teachers are over forty nine years old. I know their home room teacher doesn't even have a straight back, let alone a useful tool." she chuckled. Misato shook her head, leaning on her friend's desk. "Oooh no. Must be a new teacher or something, because damn...I'm wondering why I don't go back go get an 'education' because of him." "A new teacher?" she blinked. "Mm. Must not have noticed the report." she sighed, turning back to the screen. "And so why are you so moody?" Misato said finally. "Normally you at least PRETEND to let me sneak up on you...damn reflective glasses..." "The Unit-03 test." Ritsuko sighed. We'll be using the Forth Children. Not much time to get things done. It starts tomorrow. Not to mention we have to move some of the equipment to the alternate test site at..." "Forth?" Misato blinked. "You found the Forth?" "Mm mm." Ritsuko nodded, pointing to the screen. "HIM????" Misato gasped as she saw Toji's face looking back at her from his ID screen. Ritsuko nodded. "There's no choice. You know that. The reports never lie." "...but I haven't even received the report!" She cursed herself for letting her mouth get too far ahead. "It's tied up in the Commander's office at the moment. You'll probably get it in a day or two." Misato sighed. "Well...I'll tell you right now, I'm not looking forward to this." "Why not?" Ritsuko asked. "Well...Asuka?" she smiled slightly. "She won't care...she'll be mad at first, but probably love the chance to prove herself better. Rei doesn't seem to worry about much..." she sighed. "But...Toji is one of Shinji's friends..." she shook her head. "I don't want Shinji to suffer anymore. What if something bad happens...?" "It doesn't matter." Ritsuko stated simply. "We need them to pilot. This isn't a game. It's everyone's survival. If they don't, they die along with us." Misato regarded her friend coldly. "Makes it easier to take when they get splattered by an A.T. Field, doesn't it." Ritsuko nodded silently, taking a sip of coffee. "You might want to try it sometimes. It's called 'reality'." The Major sighed and stood, turning to leave. "Really? I thought it was 'humanity' we were trying to save." "Have fun on your date, Major. Don't be late for the arrival this evening." Ritsuko sighed, hearing the door close a moment later. "Suzuhara?" Hikari said sternly as the lunch bell rang out and the class broke into the usual gossip, eating, and relaxing. Toji looked up from his thoughts to see the class Rep standing next to him. "Hey, Hikari-san." She shifted nervously in her stance. "Uhm..." her mind wandered around, trying to think of something to say? Finally, she smiled and got an idea. "Have you noticed Shinji acting any different lately?" "Has he?" Toji blinked, looking over at Shinji...who was actually TALKING with Asuka over their bento-boxes. I.E., not yelling. "Yeah, I suppose he is a little different lately." "I've noticed the same thing with Asuka." Hikari smiled. "Do you think they could be in love?" Toji just shrugged. "I doubt it...but I suppose people sometimes get into strange situations." Hikari nodded and sat down in an empty seat next to him. "I...oh my! I hope I'm not keeping you from lunch..." she blushed terribly as she realized he might be politely trying to cut the conversation off so he could eat. Toji just smiled. "Naw. It's okay. I forgot my lunch today, and I don't really want to waste any money on the so-called-food that the vending machines give out." She smiled, but shook her head. "You should eat something, though. It's not healthy to go all day without food." she turned slightly red but didn't hold back. "If you don't mind sharing, I brought kind of a bit too much lunch for just me today..." she picked up her pack from the floor and opened it up, revealing a rather large bento box. Toji blinked and sat up straight. "Really?" he smiled. "You wouldn't mind??" he subconsciously began to drool. The food smelled REALLY good to the hungry future pilot, since he had pretty much forgotten to eat since he was 'drafted'. Hikari smiled and began setting out the food. Shinji and Asuka watched the exchange with surprise. "God that woman is nuts." she sighed. "Oh? They're just having lunch." Shinji shrugged, picking up a roll with his chopsticks and eating it happily. "Baka!" she smacked him on the head with her chopsticks. "What do you think we're doing?" He blinked, then turned red. "Uhm...we're having lunch..." "Exactly. To all you stooges, it looks harmless." she glared around the room. "But if everyone didn't think we were just roommates, the women here would know we were...well...together!" Shinji considered the theory. "But...I mean...I never really noticed..." "That's cause you're a stooge." she smiled. "My sweet little baka stooge, but still, you're a boy." "T...thanks, I guess." Shinji smiled. Asuka nodded, then turned to Natsume, one of their classmates who was chatting with another of her girlfriends. "Hey, Natsume-chan, did you see Hikari?" Natsume turned to Asuka and chuckled. "No doubt. She's almost all over Suzuhara! I had to turn away to be able to eat. It's too damn sweet." she giggled. Shinji blinked as Asuka turned back to him and smiled. "Now watch this..." she turned to Kensuke, who was busy typing on his computer. "Hey, Stooge!" Kensuke sighed and looked up from his terminal. "Yeah? You wanted something, Red Devil?" Asuka's facial twitch betrayed she wanted to kill him for the comment, but she restrained herself for the moment. "Yeah. I was wondering what Toji is doing. Any ideas?" Kensuke blinked and observed his friend. "He's having lunch. So?" "With Hikari." Asuka pointed out. "So?" Kensuke shrugged. "Is that not allowed or something?" Asuka turned back to Shinji who had observed the whole thing. "See what I mean?" "Wow...! I never even noticed!" Shinji nodded, looking at Hikari and Toji, who were still eating together. "But...the more I think about it, you're right!" "Good boy." Asuka smiled. "You're learning already." she pointed out with her fingers. "See, that's like Sensei was talking about. Everyone sees things different...even plain and obvious things. Girls are naturally intuitive when it comes to this kind of thing, while boys are idiots about pretty much anything." she grinned. Wisely, Shinji decided to keep his mouth busy with food, instead of defending the Male Species. "So, anyway." Asuka said "We should do something about this." "Why do we need to do anything?" Shinji blinked. "Well, Hikari, for whatever reason, likes Toji." Asuka sighed tiredly. "And although I think she's being a little hasty with falling for such a hentai, I think we should at least get Toji to realize it." "So, even if he doesn't want to go out with her," Shinji reasoned "then he'll know not to hurt her feelings and break her heart?" "Exactly." Asuka smiled proudly. "I'd rather have my friend not get hurt. That's more important than even her going out with Toji, so I suppose it's worth the effort." Shinji smiled. "That's very noble of you, Asuka-chan." "Yeah, yeah." she smiled uncomfortably. "You can nominate me for a peace-prize later. Any ideas?" "Why don't we just say to Toji that she likes him?" Shinji shrugged. "I can invite him over tonight and we can all talk or something." "That might work." Asuka nodded. "But we need a more direct way to tell him. Maybe even so he'll..." A shadow crossed their desks. They looked up in surprise to see Rei standing there. "Ayanami!" Shinji smiled. "How are you?" Rei nodded. "Ikari-kun. Sohryu-chan." she paused for a moment. "What do you want, Wondergirl." Asuka sighed. "We're eating." "I believe I can help." Rei smiled slightly. Asuka stared blankly. "P...pardon?" Rei nodded. "I believe I can help you protect your friend Hikari from Toji's ignorance of her feelings." Shinji smiled. "Wow, Ayanami! That's really nice of you!" he blinked. "Uhm...how?" "Do I have your permission to try?" she said to Asuka. Asuka really wasn't too used to this much Rei interaction, and had to take a few moments to come up with a response. "Uhm...why are you asking me?" "Because she is your friend." Rei replied simply. "I wish to use my observations of the class to help out if I can." Asuka blinked, then shrugged. "Sure. I don't see why not. I mean, it's not like you're goinna start spinning your head around or something...are you?" "I am not able to spin my head around in such a manor." Rei replied. Shinji smiled back at Rei, who joined in. "God help us...Rei making jokes." Asuka sighed then shrugged. "Sure. Knock yourself out." Rei chose not to make another joke about self-inflicted unconsciousness, and nodded simply, walking over to Hikari and Toji. "I wonder what she's going to do?" Shinji wondered aloud. Toji was about to stuff another rice-cake into his mouth when he noticed Rei walking up to them. Hikari smiled a greeting. "Hello, Ayanami-san." Rei ignored Hikari and turned to Toji. "Hello, Suzuhara." Toji blinked, looking up at her. "Uhm...Hi?" "I would like to announce I am no longer interested in you." she stated in a plain voice. A gasp or two came from around them in surprise. Toji blinked, dropping his rice-cake. "Huh?" "It is clear to me that Hikari-san has romantic intentions toward you, and I do not wish to get in the way." Rei announced officially. Hikari promptly fell over in her seat, but not before turning tomato- red. "Ahhhh!" "I wish you two the best of luck." Rei said, extending her hand for him to shake. Toji was frozen. She took back her hand and bowed slightly instead. "I apologize for interrupting your lunch. Ja." she turned and walked back over to her seat. Toji was still frozen as Hikari finally managed to crawl back into her seat, gasping in embarrassment. Shinji and Asuka both blinked in unison. "Well...that's one way to do it..." Shinji whispered. "Wondergirl isn't one to mess with." Asuka restated an old thought. "She's very direct." The entire class was looking at Toji and Hikari at this point. Both of them were VERY nervously trying to look like they were eating. Toji was turning a shade of red that seemed to match Hikari's blush. Shinji smiled. "I think he realizes it." Asuka smiled. "See? I was right. Even Wondergirl saw it. She's a woman after all." Rei just smiled from her seat. "Excellent..." she folded her fingers together in front of her mouth and gazed out the window. At that moment, the principal came into the class with a bright smile on his face. "Good afternoon class." Everyone snapped to attention, except Toji and Hikari, who were desperately trying to remain focused on their food. "I just wanted to let you all know that your sensei called in sick for this afternoon." Yamamoto said with a sigh. "Anyone who wants use of the study hall may use this afternoon's time there...but besides that, you're all free to go home for the day." The class cheered. As the principal continued rattling on more information and what tests were coming up, Toji turned to Hikari. "Uhm...Class Rep?" "H...hai...?" Hikari grimaced to herself. "Can..." Toji frowned, thinking about the words. "Would you like to hang out with us this afternoon?" Hikari looked up from her bento box and blinked. "H...hang out with you and the others?" He nodded, turning even redder. "I...I mean, I know you don't normally...but I thought if..." She nodded quickly. "Okay!" Toji smiled nervously. "Okay." Asuka shook her head. "Now it's our turn to make sure they don't do anything stupid." she sighed. Shinji blinked. "Like what?" "Like Toji to show what a stooge he is." she grimaced. "This will be quite a challenge." Wisely, Shinji decided not to refute that statement. "Hai." To be continued... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's notes! Believe it or not, I'm actually getting some advanced work done on Higher Learning this week! Oooh! Hopefully that means better quality, and no interruptions for you, the valued reader. July and August will be very busy for me, so I'm hoping you all will bare with my somewhat hectic schedule. Being a slacker, I was hoping to have a year of general vedge-ness to do Higher Learning in. (and it's probably going to take a year...damn...) And to show you I'm not slacking off, I also included an Omake for you. ^_^ Special thanks to Tozetre for the idea, and I hope he's enjoying his summer vacation! Omake! ------ SCENE: Sensei Kaoru stands at the front of the class, trying to keep a straight face as he looks over all the students assembled around him. He is dressed in a white lab-coat, and has oddly reflective (even for Eva), thick-lensed glasses, framed by wild hair that's much more-so than usual. Sensei: Good morning class! I see you all finished your homework! Class: Kensuke: Can I be first, Sensei? Sensei: Of course! As you all can see, Kensuke chose 'Godzilla', the Anime Series. Kensuke: I AM GODZILLAAA! I am indestructible, radioactive, and able to shoot fire from my mouth! Class: YEAH! GO GO GODZILLA!!!!!!!!! Asuka: Oh god...please don't let me get picked next... Sensei: Asuka, why don't you come up next? Asuka: Gwaaar...I am the giant Totoro. I live in an enchanted camber tree and eat acorns. Sometimes I like to steal umbrellas and fly around on a spinning top. Then I go back home and hoot on a rock flute that I'm sure is some kind of a bong in disguise. I usually invite little kids to join me, because I'm a sick... Sensei: That's fine, Totoro-chan. Class: Shinji: I think Totoro is pretty cool, Asuka... Asuka: Tell anyone of this and you DIE, Third Child! Sensei: WHOO HOO HOO HOO! Who wants to come up next??? I see Shinji is ready! Shinji: Who are you supposed to be again? Sensei: Why, I'm Professor Tomoe from Sailor Moon! Shinji: Oh yeah! Cool! Sensei: You may continue...Kiki. Shinji: Uhm, Hi! I'm Kiki from Kiki's Delivery Service. I fly around on my broom helping old ladies cook and delivering bread and stuff to people. My cat sounds like Phil Hartman. Class: Shinji: Nobody watches the classics anymore... Sensei: Uhm...very good Shinji. Okay, how about you, Hikari? Hikari: Class: ... Hikari: SWEEEEEEEEEEEETO! I am Happosai, the perverted, dirty old man from Ranma 1/2! I run around getting into stupid fights and stealing nubile young women's underwear for my massive collection! Sensei: Hikari...did anyone tell you that you are a natural Happosai? I'm impressed! ... and scared! Toji: HEY! I LOVE HAPPOSAI! He's my HERO! Hikari: HENTAI! Sensei: How about if you come up next, Toji? Toji: Uhm...no...actually I was just goinna stay here and hide... Hikari: GET UP THERE NOW, PERVERT! Toji: I AM SAILOR MOOOOOOOOOOOOON! And in the name of the Moon, I will punish YOU! Girls: Oh yeah! Show us them legs! Toji: Yeah, uhm, I'm Sailor Moon...I take orders from talking moon cats, use weapons I pull out of my ass, and run around chasing monsters that show up one every day. Sensei: And.....? Toji: Oh yeah! And I lust after men in tuxedoes. Sensei: Good. I was about to dock you marks. You may sit down. HOO HAAA HAAA HOO HOAAAOOAAA! Class: ... Sensei: Well, now that concludes our Anime-Character unit on media and... Rei: May I present my costume too? Sensei: Oh! Of course, Rei! I forgot you picked a character too! Go ahead! Rei: Class: ... Asuka: How come she picked the cat-girl!?! Shinji: Uhm...but a Totoro kinda looks like a cat... Asuka: I LOOK LIKE A LAND-OWL! Class: Sensei: Oh dear...I'm going to have to pick up more tissues tonight. Hikari: Me too... Toji: Sweeeeeeeeeto! Kensuke: Godzilla HAPPY! Godzilla STOMP TOKYO TONGIGHT! Shinji: Uhm...I'm going to bleed to death... Rei: Meow. DEDICATED TO CAT-GIRL LOVERS EVERYWHERE. ^_^ You're welcome, Tozetre. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/9110 e-mail: strikef@bigfoot.com Strike Fiss, Ninja Crowbotics 2000. Khattam-Shud, EOF.