[closed] shin^2: the beginning

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Date & Time: May 18th, or sometime during the weekend.
Location: Unit 502
Characters: Shin^2 (Shinji Ikari and Shintaro Kisaragi)
Summary: The rare hikiNEET is resting at home when there is an unexpected guest at the apartment, having arrived in search of its kin. Basically the losers meeting each other and being really really awkward.
Warnings: Reading this may give you the "loser" skill. Proceed with caution.

The rare hikiNEET, subject name Shintaro Kisaragi, found the white and rather spacious apartment to be something he could grow used to without much trouble over the last couple weeks. Being dragged into a future-foreign-country dystopia to fight a war, being rained on, and then having a space ship crash into the building set off his survivalist alarms like no other, but Shiro-san's quiet company was something pleasant to come back to and even Momo, who he remembers was calling him a slob and a loser and a creep (he clenches his hand into a fist unthinkingly at the memory) only a little before he arrived here, was a bit of a comfort in the sense that she was a familiar face. Her friends, Kido and Kano, were here too.

He never really liked being in groups, having found them troublesome and in many cases annoying, but one mustn't be too picky about having people who could recognize him and explain the workings of this strange place. Hell, on that first day he would've rejoiced even at that virus' presence could she give him something to hold on to that was from home. That was how low he had fallen that day.

... He puts down his book and heaves a sigh. Oh how low he had fallen that day. But now that the worries are calming down and the space ship is being rebuilt, he finds himself enjoying this rediscovered privacy he hasn't had in two years. No, not even at that amusement park was he allowed it. But now the blue-haired troublemaker isn't in this world and Momo went out and the other roommate, Kaworu or whatever, was never here enough to count as being here. It was quiet. It was peaceful in the apartment. It was nice.

Aaah, maybe he could spend today in peace, like he has the last few. No interruptions, no guests, no nothing, just a time to himself. What a heaven!

Comments

[imusntrunaway]

At the door: the elusive Shinji Ikari, standing before the apartment with earbuds plugged in, a bag, and a hand that won't relax. This was his goal--Unit 502, Kaworu's new residence, if his information was correct. All that's left is to knock on the door and to ask for the Angel.

He hasn't been here for even a minute but already he's having second thoughts. It's better to stay away from complicated things. His life's been devoted to avoiding conflict and general trouble, though they always, inevitably found him. He can't run away, no matter how hard he tries.

And... much as he hates to admit it...

He wants to see Kaworu again.

A minute passes. The longer he stands out here, the more awkward he'll feel. Strengthening his resolve, he rests his hand against the door before giving it three sharp raps.

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Shintaro was getting ready to plug his earbuds in and start listening to some Kamikaze Kaitou classy, cool music when he hears the rapping at the door. It takes approximately half a second for him to decide it was not the next door neighbor's door and he is definitely the only person in the apartment right now and what if it's Kido at the door? If he ignores it he will see hell later. If it's Kano he would get accused of ridiculous things that will make Momo give him hell later and ruin his reputation forever and that must be avoided at all costs.

Good bye peaceful day. You were short lived and will be dearly missed but surely we'll cross paths again.

He drops the phone and the earbuds on the couch and gets up, scratching his head and sighing. "Coming!" he calls so Kido or Kano wouldn't start yelling (or in Kano's case, possibly singing) for him to hurry up, hurrying over without bothering with shoes and just fixing his jacket so it's not all bunched up around his shoulders before opening the door.

"Hello?"

[imusntrunaway]

Truth be told, Shinji had hoped that Kaworu would be the one to answer the door. No middleman needed, a direct, straightforward conversation with as little unnecessary contact as possible. So his hopes were deflated when a stranger opened the door. It wasn't a big deal--he'll just politely ask and quickly go on with his task. If this turned out to be the wrong housing unit, he'll move on. Shinji shifts his grip on the bag, clearing his throat.

"Um, you're... living with Kaworu Nagisa, right? Is he here?"

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The moment he realizes it isn't Kano, Shintaro's shoulders relax just a bit. When it isn't Kido, he realizes that this guest must not be here for him or Momo. There was a chance it was Momo, but he has a feeling that if Momo had friends here, she would first want them to call her before visiting just to have that experience of discussing plans over a phone. And that is how Shintaro concludes even before Shinji asks that this unfamiliar kid standing before him must be a guest for their third roommate.

"Nagisa-san? Yeah, he lives here, but he's out right now. He's not usually here."

[imusntrunaway]

At that, Shinji visibly deflates. His plan didn't work out. Disappointment, a familiar feeling, rises in him. Pitiful as it was, it took him a great deal of conviction to bring himself here for a face-to-face conversation. He hadn't talked to Kaworu in person since that unpleasant incident... visiting his housing unit had been the first step towards something like forgiveness.

"Oh." It comes out flatly. He shouldn't be so disheartened. If Kaworu wasn't here, he'll visit him later...

"Where does he usually go...? Do you know when he'll be back?"

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He has never seen someone deflate so much outside of the mirror. He wonders: does he really look that pathetic too? This is why he wanted to graduate the HikiNEET Academy. If only that damn Ene hadn't deleted his song... but then again, it was that that led to him going outside...

No no no no that doesn't count she still ruined his key to succes--

"Do you know that piano in the ruins? He usually goes there." He tries to say it in a way that won't make the kid deflate like he did earlier. "I don't... know when he'll be back. Sometimes he comes home if I tell him there's dinner in the fridge, but..."

[imusntrunaway]

It shouldn't be surprising. Kaworu always was odd, and wandering out in the ruins by himself where one of the few sources of happiness (Shinji tried not to think of the others the Angel had mentioned) was located.

He'll do his best to shove aside his disappointment. He shouldn't waste anymore of this guy's time.

"I'm sorry for bothering you," Shinji says. He speaks slowly, as if trying to carefully piece together his words. "If... when he comes back, tell him that... I'll drop by again tomorrow."

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"... Why don't you try messaging him? He seems like the guy to check it often enough."

Shintaro, on the other hand, talks at a mumble but not so quietly.

"What's your name, anyway? I can't tell him you'll be here without knowing who you are."

[imusntrunaway]

Messaging him seems like the best way to do it. But a brief meet-up might extend to something longer. If he dropped by unexpected, he could pass it off as a task he's doing in passing. In other words, a time limit could be set with his excuse. Shinji shuffles his feet, looking down. "... I'll do that."

It's a small lie. That's fine, right? It's not like the stranger will be affected. He glances up. "And I'm Ikari. Shinji Ikari." There's a pause before he tacks on a polite necessity: "It's nice to meet you."

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"... Sure. Likewise."

Now what? Is he supposed to send this guy off? He feels bad, doing that, but it's not like he even knows this Ikari kid. It's weird to invite him in, though, isn't it? Maybe he would want some water?

"I'm Kisaragi. Shintaro Kisaragi."

[imusntrunaway]

Shinji nods, taking in this information. Shintaro. He might run into him again on his next visit, but he seems pleasant and normal enough to deal with on a regular basis.

"... sorry for bothering you again. I'll go now."

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"Oh. You're going?" He sounds surprised. He doesn't know if it isn't rude to just send him off like that... but they do live in the same building it seems like, and it's not like he has a reason to hold this guy back. For a moment he seems to ponder on what to say next.

"... Aah. If you want, feel free to drop by again to see if he's here. Do you want me to tell him anything?"

[imusntrunaway]

That earns another nod from Shinji. "Mm, I have something to do. I'll be back." If the conversation went well, he might even start visiting.

He has to take a moment to think about Shintaro's question. He has a lot to say to Kaworu--maybe more than he could ever put into his clumsy words. How he misses him, how he hates him, how he's jealous and how he loves him. But how can he convey that with a simple message passed through a stranger?

Shinji shakes his head. "No, it's fine. Just... letting him know I was here is good enough."

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"Okay. I'll make sure to pass it on the next time I see him." What a strange thing to say about someone he's living with, he ponders for a second. But it is true. At least he's making sure to see Momo once a day.

... What is he supposed to say next? Should he smile? Would that be bad?

"Uh..."

[imusntrunaway]

... did the other boy want him to stay? Shinji waits, a mild look of confusion in his eyes to see if Shintaro would say anything. Did he want to ask him a question?

After a brief, awkward silence, Shinji makes the next move. He gives a small bow with his head and steps back.

"... I'll see you later then."

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"-- Right." He tries to smile, a little twitch of his lips although he doesn't overdo it for fear of coming off as creepy, or someone dangerous for this visitor.

"See you later, Ikari-san."