In the middle of the night, Rei Ayanami came to his room as usual. Whenever Misato Katsuragi worked overtime, Rei considered it a cause for celebration.
Sleeping alone felt rather different from sleeping with her arms around Shinji Ikari.
She gently pushed the door open and relaxed at the sight of the bulging covers. She slipped inside and closed the door behind her, her practiced movements making it obvious she was a repeat offender.
Only when she reached the bedside did she stop. She slowly tilted her head, her eyes widening without her noticing, and stood rooted to the spot in a daze.
Shock appeared on her usually expressionless face, and her silence was almost frightening.
Asuka was fast asleep in Shinji Ikari's arms. She seemed to be having a pleasant dream, the corners of her mouth lifted in a happy smile.
Rei Ayanami was not nearly as happy. But when she saw that Shinji Ikari was still awake and looking at her, her wooden expression softened a little.
She climbed into bed and lay down on Shinji Ikari's other side.
Rei Ayanami
By eight in the morning, the busy convoys returning from other cities gradually settled down, and daytime Tokyo-3 began to regain a little of its vitality.
Shinji Ikari's single bed, which barely accommodated three slender teenagers, stood beside the window. The bright sunlight could not penetrate the curtains, leaving only a dim glow spilling around their edges.
Shinji Ikari was still asleep, though he had actually woken once an hour earlier.
Rei Ayanami rarely slept in, and today was no exception. She had gotten up early.
That left only two people in the bed, giving them a little more room where it had been rather cramped.
Shinji Ikari thought the blonde girl in his arms really