A Date in Progress

That morning, a startled cry rang out from the apartment building.

"Holy shit!! Shinji! What are you doing? Ow!"

"You look so sleazy!! You look even creepier than that idiot Zhetian now!"

"Oh, for crying out loud, Shinji, come here!"

"Hey, hey, my hair..."

They had woken up first thing in the morning to find Shinji with his hair styled into an unbelievably slick, greasy mess.

Misato, Asuka, and Pen-Pen the penguin all wore spectacularly expressive looks of shock.

Misato was the first to crack. She immediately rushed over and undid the hairstyle and makeup Shinji thought he had so carefully put together.

It was her responsibility as Shinji's guardian, and she couldn't let him embarrass Commander Ikari. Besides, he was an EVA pilot for NERV...

Huang Zhetian held his head, utterly speechless.

Asuka stared at Shinji in amazement, as though meeting him for the first time. She had thought she understood him, but apparently, she had only seen the tip of the iceberg.

With Huang Zhetian's guidance, Shinji finally changed into clothes and makeup that were barely presentable.

Shinji changed the subject. "I'll head out ahead of you, then. Mana is waiting for me, after all."

That was exactly what Huang Zhetian wanted. He readily agreed. "Go ahead. Asuka and I are going on a date. We can't have you tagging along, can we? Hurry up and go see your girlfriend."

Shinji didn't fuss. He slung on his backpack, said goodbye, and closed the door behind him.

Misato got dressed and touched up her makeup. Taking her briefcase, she waved cheerfully at the two of them. "Have fun, you two. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Miss Misato. We'll probably be back pretty late tonight. Sorry I won't be making dinner for you," Huang Zhetian said regretfully.

"Don't worry about it~ You're so thoughtful, Zhetian. Asuka, make the most of this chance! ✺◟(∗❛ัᴗ❛ั∗)◞✺"

"Are you all idiots?" Asuka instantly blushed and walked into her room without looking back.

"No peeking while I change! You'd better hurry up and get changed too, or I'll change my mind!" Asuka delivered her threat, then hurried off to change.

"Tch... Just like a kid. Wait, she is a kid. Whatever, I'd better get changed first. I'm only about a billion times more excited than usual..."

Before long, Asuka emerged, and Huang Zhetian was instantly stunned.

The classic outfit paired beautifully with her lively personality, and her developing figure filled out the qipao nicely. It made her look distinctive, beautiful, and elegant.

Some areas weren't quite there yet, like her chest... But everything else was already more than good enough, especially those legs... Oh, good lord, no more. No more. Any more and this wouldn't get past the censors!

Those legs were clad in white stockings!!!

His veteran otaku DNA instantly kicked in! His life had been worth living! Thank you, system!

System: "I &@+%...♂ (beautiful language)"

Being stared at by this dirty-minded creep made Asuka blush a little, but inside, she felt immensely pleased and happy.

Still, she asked a little nervously, "What's wrong? Do I look good or not?"

"You look great. That's my wife for you... No!! I was wrong, I was wrong! Hiss~" Huang Zhetian rubbed the ear Asuka had twisted red, feeling the urge to curse.

Asuka really was the original tsundere. She went straight for the attack without even charging up.

Asuka was a little surprised too. Who would have thought that idiot Zhetian could look about a billion times more bright and handsome with just a little effort? At least he looked much better than that withdrawn boy... He was barely good enough to be her temporary boyfriend for the day.

Huang Zhetian's simple, understated men's robe in the Republican-era style elevated his entire bearing. He really did look cultured.

"Idiot Zhetian, is your outfit Chinese too? Wearing it makes you look like some wise scholar. You finally look halfway respectable. Don't embarrass me today, especially if we run into anyone we know!" Asuka gave him a carrot, then followed it up with a stick.

She understood this dirty-minded creep Huang Zhetian all too well. Give him an inch, and he would take a mile.

What could you do? Could an otaku who had crossed into another world and met his wife really stay calm? Could any of you stay calm in his place? What otaku could withstand a test like this?

Huang Zhetian was already behaving pretty well. If it had been someone else... Sigh, forget it. No point going there...

"All right, all right. Here's your umbrella. Where should we go first?" Huang Zhetian asked.

"First the amusement park, then the movies, and then the hot springs. Misato didn't take us last time, so let's use this chance to make up for what we missed. I've never been in a hot spring before. All I ever soak in is that LCL fluid! I'm starting to smell fishy." Asuka excitedly planned out their date.

Then she turned to Huang Zhetian. "A date should look like a date. Give me your hand. Don't just stand there, hurry up! There, that's more like it."

Huang Zhetian didn't know what she was planning, but he held out his hand anyway.

Asuka looped her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Let's go on our date, idiot," she said softly.

Huang Zhetian froze for a moment at her words, then immediately came back to his senses. His gaze softened as he spoke gently to Asuka.

"Let's go, my princess."

With that, he opened the oil-paper umbrella to shade them from the blazing sun. The two walked slowly, as though saying they would take everything at an easy pace today.