Stage 36 - "Confessions"

Cover: Asuka in a summer slip-dress, standing on a hill in front of a
weathered, tilted stone cross

Scene: Girl's feet walking quietly down a corridor -- pan up to show
Asuka peeking around the doorway into Kaji's office -- Kaji sits
unnoticing at his cluttered desk, working on his laptop.
Asuka: Ka-ji-san (heart mark)
Kaji (without turning around): Is that you, Asuka? Sorry but I'm a
little busy right now. (typing noises)
(Asuka looks angry for an instant but then approaches Kaji and wraps her
arms around him)
Asuka: I don't care! Even if you're busy there's something I have to
tell you and I want you to listen.
Kaji (surprised): Wha-!? (quickly turns off computer screen and looks
back over shoulder with resigned expression)
Kaji: Well, okay. But only for a little.
(Asuka gets a serious expression and stands with her hands held stiffly
in front of her)
Asuka: About that time... during the power failure... 
Kaji (brightening/joking): Oh, you mean when you and Shinji were going
to kiss? Don't worry -- I won't tell anyone.
Asuka (shouting): That's exactly the misunderstanding I want to clear
up!!
Kaji (continuing): But seriously, I had no idea you two had that that
kind of relationship.
Asuka (quietly): Kaji, are you listening to a word I'm saying?
(downcast) That was nothing -- an idle joke. There's absolutely nothing
between Shinji and me! You understand that, don't you? because I only
like you, Kaji.
(Kaji gets a slightly more serious expression)
Kaji: I know you have special feelings toward me, but that's not real
"love". You only know my exterior. You don't know the real me -- my
weaknesses and ugly parts. You just think you like me because I'm the
nearest and most handsome person around you.
Asuka: You're wrong!!
Kaji: No, I'm right. So why don't you just run along home now and watch
your Idol programs on TV. (turns back around toward desk/computer)
(Asuka gets a complex expression -- serious, angry, troubled, determined
all at the same time. Kaji looks back over his shoulder at her with a
shocked expression, because Asuka has started to disrobe. Kaji is too
shocked for words but finally manages to sputter something as Asuka has
taken off her shirt and is sliding her bra straps down over her
shoulders (don't get excited you perverts -- she doesn't show anything
:P))
Kaji: A- Asuka!! What are you doing!? Stop it!!
Asuka (looking Kaji straight in the eye): Look at me. (raising her
voice) Child! Child! That's all you ever say -- using it as an escape!
Well don't run away anymore! Look at me and see for yourself whether I'm
a child!! (places hand over heart) I mean it! I would surrender myself
entirely to you!!
(Kaji's expression softens/saddens slightly)
Asuka: Today... I was with a friend who, even though there was someone
she liked, always hesitated. So I gave her advice that if she really
liked him she should tell him so. After all, who knows what might happen
tomorrow. I told her that if there was some feeling that she wanted to
express, then she should make sure and tell him. But after I said that I
realized that I could say the same thing to myself... which is why I
decided to come here and let you know my feelings. Please understand,
Kaji -- my feelings...
Kaji (gets up from chair): I understand... (picks up Asuka's shirt) I
understand your feelings very well. I won't call you a child any more.
(places Asuka's shirt around her shoulders) However, I'm sorry but I
can't respond to your feelings.
(Asuka looks shocked, then her eyes narrow slightly)
Asuka: Misato... (clutches shirt tightly around her and leans shouting
at Kaji) I knew it! You still like Misato! And that's why there's no
room for me!!
Kaji (backpedaling): Misato has nothing to do with it! (thinking: I knew
it -- she really is still a child.)
Asuka (grabbing Kaji by the lapels): Then why were you getting it on
with her in the elevator!?
Asuka: Getting it on!? That's the real misunderstanding...
(Kaji's elbow strikes his computer keyboard and the screen lights up --
Asuka looks at the screen showing synchrograph data)
Asuka: Hm!? This isn't our synchrograph data... 4th Children...? (gets a
shocked/disgusted look) What!? No way!! How could _he_ be the 4th
Children!? Yeeeck!! I can't believe this!! Absolutely disgusting!! This
defiles the sanctity of Eva pilots!!
Kaji: ....

Scene: Touji's apartment -- Shinji and Touji have just finished eating
curry-rice
Shinji: Ooof... I'm full...
Touji (clearing the dishes): Pretty tasty, huh? My original curry...
Shinji: Delicious. By the way, that thing you wanted to ask me... it
wasn't a critique of your curry, was it?
Touji (startled, turns away): Hmm, what was it...? I guess I forgot.
Shinji (noticing something strange, gets up from table): Let me help you
clean up.
(The two wash and dry the dishes without speaking -- Shinji glances
sideways at Touji, who seems absorbed in thought -- Touji's
grandfather(?) reads the newspaper in the next room)
Touji's grandfather (speaks without looking up from newspaper): Won't
your folks be worried? You shouldn't be staying out this late without
letting them know.
Shinji: Oh! Yes, sir. I'll be going home just as soon as we finish up
here.

Scene: Shinji and Touji at front door of Touji's apartment
Shinji: Well, I'd better get going or Misato will never let me hear the
end of it.
Touji: Yeah, sorry for keeping you so late.
Shinji (turns to leave): See you tomorrow at school.
Touji: Uh.. yeah...
(Shinji walks down hallway -- Touji watches him go, but then runs after
him and grabs his shoulder)
Touji: Shinji!!
(Shinji turns around surprised to see a scared Touji)
Shinji: Touji... What's wrong?
Touji (small voice): Shinji, when you first piloted the Eva, how did you
do it?
Shinji: Huh? Why?
Touji: How did it feel? Were you scared?
Shinji: Why are you asking me that?
Touji (sweating): Today... a person came from NERV... and told me to be
a pilot.
(Shinji = shocked expression)
Touji: She said that if I become an Eva pilot, they would transfer my
sister to the medical ward at headquarters where she'll be able to get a
lot better care than she is now... so I accepted. (clutches at Shinji
while falling to his knees) But I'm scared shitless. At first I kept
telling myself that it was no big deal, but look... my hands are
shaking... they wont stop shaking...
Shinji (smiles/squats down and places hands on Touji's shoulders): It's
okay... There's nothing to worry about. It's scary at first, but you get
used to it. Sure we're the ones in direct combat, but the NERV staff do
everything they can to back us up, and it's actually pretty safe inside
the Eva. I know you can do it, Touji. I mean, if I can do it then you
surely can.
Touji: I'm sorry... I'm really sorry for hitting you like that without
realizing how you felt.

Scene: Misato's apartment -- Misato in uniform getting ready to leave
Misato: I'll be gone for about 4 days, so you'll be on your own. If
anything happens I want you to call Kaji, okay?
Shinji: Okay...
Misato (calling out): You too, Asuka. Understand?
(Asuka slides open the door to her room, gives Misato a withering look,
then slams the door shut.)
Misato/Shinji: ......
Misato (puzzled): What's with her? She's been like that ever since she
came home late last night.
Shinji: Misato... Why?  Why Touji?
Misato (surprised, then resigned): Well, there's no use objecting to
something that has been decided. And after all, he did accept... (claps
Shinji on shoulder) Ritsuko and I will both be there, so there's nothing
to worry about. It's just an activation test. Well, I've got to go now.
(leaves)
Shinji: .....

Scene: Eva-03 being air-transported on a cross
Controller: Ector 64 to Neopan 400. Confirm cumulonimbus cloud in your
flightpath, over!
Pilot: Neopan 400 confirm, over!
Controller: Barometric readings within cumulonimbus cloud normal. Hold
present course, ensure arrival time, over!

- End Stage 36