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"I'm not afraid, pucker up!"
Shinji had just caved into pressure from Asuka to kiss. He declared that he had no fear, but in reality he had no idea what he was doing.
"Then here I come!"
Asuka closed in on him, and he watched her face. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes looking at his, then away. Was she nervou-
"Don't breathe, it tickles," Asuka said as she pinched his nose. Finally, she went in for the kill.
Shinji was shocked. Still as a statue, he didn't know what to do. He'd never kissed a girl, and girls either ignored him or lost interest in him quickly before coming to Tokyo-3. He stared over her shoulder as he- Oh god was that her tongue?
Shinji was utterly confused. Before he could think of what to do, Asuka suddenly pulled away.
He expected to be hit and closed his eyes in anticipation. After waiting a moment for a slap that didn't rock his cheek, he opened his eyes to see Asuka staring at him pensively. He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off.
"You need practice."
"Wha-"
Before he could get an answer, Asuka almost lunged back at him, kissing him once more. This kiss was similar to the last, but this time she wasn't holding his nose. Instead, she was gripping his upper arms with considerable force. This, much like the kiss from a moment ago, felt uncomfortable. Asuka was making him feel even more confused. What was he supposed to do?
She pulled away just as the apartment door opened. In walked Kaji, carrying an inebriated Misato. "Hey kiddos, we're back. Shinji, could you help me with Katsuragi here?"
"I'll do it," Asuka said as she sprung into action. Shinji remained in the middle of the dining room, staring straight ahead.
"Well, Asuka, I hope you didn't do something to kill poor Shinji. NERV would have a collective jammer."
"Don't worry about him! Can't you stay?" he heard Asuka say. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her doing the usual routine of clinging to Kaji's arm.
"Not in these clothes, sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow," Kaji said in response. Shinji saw him looking over his shoulder. "Shinji, if something is off, give me a call, alright?"
He barely nodded and mumbled a 'yes.' Kaji exited the apartment, leaving the two of them alone again.
Shinji was broken out of his reverie by Asuka getting right up in his face.
Startled, he stepped back. "Asu-"
"You need to work on your kissing. Tomorrow we start. Got it?"
He widened his eyes. "Y-yes?"
"Good!" she said triumphantly. "Good night, Third Child!" With that, she dashed out of the room and into bed.
Shinji stood still for just a few moments longer before making his way to his own bed. He spent a considerable amount of time that night staring at the ceiling.
A day later, Toji and Kensuke noticed something was off about Shinji, but he kept insisting that nothing was amiss.
"I dunno, Shin-Man. You've been a bit jittery. Did the Devil do somethin' to ya? I'll kick her ass for ya, if that's what ya want!" Toji said, putting his fist in his palm for effect.
"No!" Shinji said with more vigour than he intended. "No, Asuka didn't do anything." He saw her briefly eye him and his heart skipped a beat. Just why does she want me to practice kissing? What's she trying to gain?
When the end of the school day came, Shinji barely had time to pack his schoolbag when he felt a shadow over him. Due to proximity, he could smell Asuka's familiar shampoo. He looked up to see her staring at him impatiently with her hands on her hips. He straightened up, but before he could say anything, she grabbed him by his wrist and dragged him out of the classroom.
"Asuka, where are you going with Ikari?" he heard Hikari ask.
"We have special pilot training!" she shouted over her shoulder as they crossed the threshold of the classroom.
Shinji barely kept his balance as Asuka swiftly lead him out of the school, down each street, and back to the apartment. Instead of taking the elevator, she hoisted him up the stairs, leaving him out of breath as she unlocked the apartment door.
Asuka dragged him inside and lead him to the living room, tossing their schoolbags aside. "Alright, Third, you need to practice your kissing! Got it?"
"B-but Asuka, wh-"
"Shh! Just... Just follow my lead!" she said as she got as close to him s she did the night before. He stared into her eyes, which had determination, more-so than the night before.
"Well, what are you waiting for? You're a man, aren't you? Or just a boring little boy?" she goaded, inches from his face.
Shinji let out a frustrated grunt and move closer, lips making contact with hers. Shinji still had no idea what he was doing. He sort of... pushed? He was not even sure what do do, and before he could make another move, she pulled away.
"What the hell's your problem!?"
"What do you mean?"
She narrowed her eyebrows at him. "Are you stupid? Have you never kissed someone before?"
"Have you?" he said in rebuttal.
For a split second, he watched her gaze flicker elsewhere, then back to him. "O-of course I have! You, simply put, aren't up to my standards!"
"So why make me practice?"
Did she just blush? "Well, don't you wanna practice for when you have a girlfriend!?"
Shinji had not considered that. The prospect of having a girlfriend was strange to him. "Uh, I guess so."
"So, listen closely," she said, looking him in the eye. "For starters, don't just freeze up when you're kissing someone. It's like I'm kissing a fish!"
"Okay, so what am I supposed to do?"
Asuka was making this up as she went. "You, uh, you need to kiss back! Let your lips... Sink into theirs." It took some effort to make that last part not inflect upwards.
"Uh, okay..." Shinji said as he moved forward, kissing her again. He was trying, and she could tell he was trying. His lips were moving more. It was sloppy, but she could appreciate the effort.
She stepped back again. "Okay, you're working on it. Try and... make is so you're moving in-time with my lips. Remember our sync training? Do that."
"Alright." A few more steps forward, and they kissed. This time, it was a little neater. His lips were more in-time, but he seemed to be copying her moves and following her lead.
Asuka separated and stepped back more. "You're getting there, but you need to take a little more, y'know? Try and take the lead, don't just follow what I-ah!" Asuka let out a small squeal as her back hit the wall. She hadn't realized how far back she'd been moving.
"Oh, okay, lemme try that, then," Shinji said, closing in on her once more. She watched as he closed his eyes and gave his head a slight tilt. On instinct, she titled her own head accordingly. Asuka felt a chill when his arm came up against the wall.
Their lips made contact. Asuka couldn't believe the feeling coursing through her at the moment. This idiot was kissing her, and doing a considerably better job than he was before. He was kissing her, and making an actual effort. There was certainly room for improvement, but damn he was good at this. Really good. I think I could get used to-
Asuka interrupted her own thoughts. Simultaneously, Shinji ended the kiss and opened his eyes. He had a faint blush on his face, and in her mind's eye her own blush was twice as bad. Thankfully, she was able to control such things.
"So, uh, how was that?" he asked, seeming nervous.
Asuka quickly gave her head a shake. "Uh, better. We'll practice later, maybe tomorrow or something. G-go get started on dinner. Let me know when it's ready," she said quickly, avoiding his gaze.
"Oh, uh, sure," Shinji said, backing away and heading to the kitchen. Asuka watched him go and rushed to her room. Closing the door carefully to avoid making noise, she sat against the wall and stared wide-eyed at the floor, her heart pounding.
Misato watched her two wards as the three of them ate dinner. Shinji was friendly enough when she came home, but it was Asuka that was putting her off. Usually, she was yelling at Shinji about something minute, but she'd barely said two words to him, much less her.
"So, how was school?" she asked, trying to make conversation.
"Fine," Asuka answered very fast. Misato looked to Shinji, who shrugged his shoulders.
When dinner was over, Asuka quickly rushed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
Misato looked at Shinji once more. "Did something happen between you two?"
"Uh, no, not at all," he said. figuring Asuka wouldn't want to tell Misato about practicing kissing. Although, he was unsure why she was avoiding him. Was it really that bad?
"Well, Shinji, lemme tell you something. Girls, sometimes, like to act out. Usually, they're having their period. You know that right?"
He nodded. "Um, yeah. Kinda like you when you saw Mr. Kaji on the boat, right?"
Misato put her hand over her face. "No, Shinji, that's... You know what, forget it. Just don't take Asuka to heart when she gets like that. Okay?"
"Sure thing," he said, smiling a little.
A good night's sleep helped Asuka regain her bearings. She was just prepping Shinji for when he gets a girlfriend, nothing more. She repeated this to herself as she walked into the kitchen. Maybe we can practice before school.
"Hey, Shinji, let's pr-"
She was interrupted by a yawn as Misato lumbered into the kitchen.
"-prrrrray that the teacher doesn't bore us to death, eh?" she said, playing it off as a joke.
Shinji turned to look at her confusedly when he was met by a glare. He wasn't the best at catching signals, but he knew that glare. "R-right! It's, uh, really boring in that class, huh?"
Misato rolled her eyes. She grabbed a beer from the fridge. "You kids need to learn to value your education."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I already graduated, so I can decide that I'm finished whenever, thank you very much!" Asuka said with her nose in the air.
"Lunches are ready," Shinji said indifferently.
"Great! Let's go!" Asuka said as she pulled him to the door. He hastily got his shoes on and she escorted him out of the apartment and closed the door.
"Asuka, what's-" Shinji was cut interrupted by Asuka.
"Let's practice before we head out."
"Why?"
"Because you need it. Don't you wanna show those girls at school what you're made of?"
He sighed. "Uh, sure? Let's just..." he trailed off as the two of them got closer.
Right before their lips touched, the door beeped and opened up. Asuka quickly shoved Shinji away from her.
"Asuka! What was that for?" said Misato.
She quickly turned on her heel and put her hands on her hips. "This moron was dragging his ass, so I was trying to get him moving!"
Misato shook her head. "Well, Miss punctual, you forgot your bag," she said, holding it out for her.
Asuka quickly took it and spun back around. "Come on!" she said to Shinji, lifting him to his feet.
Misato shook her head as she closed the door.
As the two walked to school, Asuka threw Shinji a sideways glance. "We still need to practice more later."
"You mentioned me 'showing girls what I'm made of,' but why do you insist on this? Are you practicing for something else, too?"
Asuka almost stopped walking. "I... I'm obviously practicing for Kaji! Now come on!" she said before grabbing Shinji's arm and dragging him to school.
"Wait, haven't you kissed before?" he asked amid the dragging.
"They were lousy so they don't count!" she lied loudly.
"Oh, Asuka, I never asked you how that date went," Hikari asked while the two were eating lunch.
"Meh, he was just boring," she replied in monotone. "I want a man like-" she felt her heart skip a beat. "-Like Kaji!" she said louder to mask her near slip.
Asuka looked past her friend to see Shinji sitting with Toji and Kensuke. She recalled how she felt when he had her against the wall, even if it was accidental.
"Asuka? You okay? You look a little flush!" Hikari said, snapping her out of it.
"Oh, uh, yeah! Never better!" Asuka gave her head a shake, trying to kick the thoughts.
Once back at the apartment, Asuka thought about what she'd have Shinji try. She went into her room to straighten out her mind a bit.
Entering the living room, she saw Shinji watching TV. "Alright, get up, let's practice."
"Okay," he said as he got level. "What do you want me to do?"
"Why do you keep your arms at your sides?" she asked rather abruptly.
"Huh?"
Asuka sighed. "Listen, when you're kissing a girl, you have to... You have to hold her."
"You want me to hold you?" he said, blushing. "But it's just kissing." Shinji was a little afraid of touching Asuka for fear of being called a perverted lech.
"Ugh. Just... Listen to me. Don't touch me in these places," she said, gesturing to more sensitive areas. "And we won't have a problem. Holding is a part of the kissing experience."
"Holding is a part of the kissing..." he repeated quietly. "Alright, I'll try it."
Shinji stepped towards Asuka and put an arm on her shoulder. When their lips connected, she felt a shiver run down her spine, and he felt likewise. As the kiss started, he put his free hand on her lower back and instinctively pulled her closer.
Asuka's mind was a total blank. Shinji was really picking up on her lessons. In fact, he was really making her enjoy every second of this. It was almost enough for her to admit-
Her eyes snapped open. She looked down and saw that her hands were delicately placed against his chest. She gently gave him a push.
He backed up. "How was that?" he asked, his face red.
Asuka needed a moment to form a sentence. "Th-that was... Uh... You did that pretty decent," she said, almost stammering.
Shinji looked down and rubbed the back of his head. "Um, thanks. I... Wasn't really sure what I was doing, so I hope it was okay." He said it in a way that sounded nonchalant, as if he were buying groceries.
His demeanour made Asuka scowl. She flicked him on the forehead. "Ugh, don't downplay it, you did fine, for God's sake!"
"Oh, uh, sorry!" he said smiling sheepishly. Without another word, he leaned back in.
"Wait a-" Asuka was cut off by Shinji gently cupping her cheek and kissing her again. Ugh, I gotta best him here!
As he kissed her this time, Shinji felt her tongue prodding its way into his mouth. He opened his eyes for a moment in shock, but quickly regained his bearing. He could've sworn he felt Asuka smile a little.
Another day later, the pilots had a sync test. Shinji and Asuka entered their plug in high spirits, though neither said or showed as much.
After an indeterminate amount of time in the calm cylinders, Misato opened a comm. "Asuka, you and Shinji are both way up in sync rate!"
Shinji watched her window open. "Really?"
"Yes, you are number one! And Shinji, you're pretty close! Nice work!"
She beamed. "Hah! I win again, Third!" she said before sticking her tongue out at him and closing her window.
When the two of them got home, Asuka whipped around while they were still in the kitchen. "Practice?" she asked, smiling at Shinji.
"Uh, sure!" he said, and they immediately got to it.
Asuka's heart was pounding. Shinji was being way more free with his hands, save for restricted areas. In this instance, he had one hand on the back of her neck and the other on her waist. In turn, she was running a hand through his hair and holding his upper arm. At one moment, she slowly clenched her fingers, getting a handful of his soft hair. It made her heart drum harder.
Shinji was doing everything he could to keep his breathing under control. He was rubbing a circular pattern on her lower back and sinking into the kiss.
Unbeknownst to each other, they were both silently admitting that this was way more than a trial run for the dating scene.
They both thought in sync. When we stop, I'll say tha-
"I'm home!" said Misato. "Hope you kids didn't-OH MY GOD!"
Shinji and Asuka separated and stared at each other wide eyed. They looked at Misato.
Misato, on the other hand, was laughing hysterically. "I knew it!"