The Dog-days of Youth

An Evangelion fanfic

By Keiichi Masaki
(keiichi_dono@hotmail.com, keiichi_dono@altavista.net) 

Eva is the property of Gainax and A.D.Vision.

Continuity note: this is set in the alternate universe depicted in 
eps. 26, probably one of the coolest parts of the entire series, and 
is from the perspective of the last person you'd expect.  You'll 
figure it out as the story winds along.

	"This is the time to remember, for it will not last forever�"
	--Billy Joel

	It's a bright, sunny day, the kind you hate to waste in 
school.
	Ah, well.  There's plenty of entertainment here.	
	As usual, Toji's reacting dramatically.  "Oh, man!  So you 
actually saw her panties, then?"
	Shinji wears a slightly guilty look on his face.  "Well�. It 
wasn't a good look, really�."  He waggles his eyebrows in a slightly 
lecherous fashion, adopts a conspiratorial tone, and holds the tips 
of his thumb and middle finger barely apart.  "�just a little flash." 
 Off to one side, Asuka wears a look of mild disgust.  She finds the 
topic of conversation merely annoying because it's Shinji talking.  
If it were me or Toji�perish the thought.
	"Oh, man!"  Toji is covering his face with his right hand, 
playing the "damn my luck"-role to the hilt.  "I can't believe you're 
the one with all the luck--owowowowOW!"
	Enter Hikari, a rather peeved expression on her face.  She 
has a death grip on Toji's ear.  Both Shinji and I wince in sympathy, 
expressions of fright on our faces.  Of course, they ain't nothing 
compared to the one on Toji's face.
"Just what are you talking about, Mr. Suzuhara?" snarls the 
twin-ponytailed girl.  Without waiting for a response, she grabs his 
jacket collar with her free hand and hauls Toji to his feet, all the 
while stretching his ear like a rubber band.  "It's time to put that 
idle butt of yours to work.  Change the water in the flower vases!"
	Who would have thought that this demure-looking girl could 
terrify the toughest boy in school?  Anyone who can see.  Toji's 
practically cringing.  "Ow, she's mean!"
	"Did you just say something?"
	Toji snaps his mouth shut and lets Hikari lead him away.  
Shinji turns to me, sympathy mingling with an air of "That'll never 
happen to me" on his face.  His voice reflects that attitude.  "Poor 
Toji's so carpetbagged.  It's sad, isn't it?"
	Ah, Shinji, it already has, you just don't know it yet�
	Evidently Asuka agrees.  "Look who's talking."
	He whips around to face her.  "What did you say?"
	She smirks.  "It's true."
	He's on the defensive now, irritation in his 
voice--irritation mixed with more than a little hurt.  "How so?"
	"It just is!  Accept it!"
	"Hey, why do you treat me like this?"  Now he allows the hurt 
full reign.  Anyone can see it, the way he looks at her, even when 
he's pissed at her.
	"Hey, that hurts, you idiot!"  And it's obvious she feels the 
same way.  I still don't get it. Are they blind?  Or are they just 
trying to keep themselves from getting hurt?
	Oh, well.  We're just kids.  We've got plenty of time.
	Still, it gets frustrating.  Maybe it's because I'm not 
directly caught up in a relationship like that, but I can see thing 
clearly.  Shinji puts up with Asuka's nagging for the same reason for 
the same reason that she wakes him up every morning, even at the risk 
of being late herself.  And for the same reason that Toji lets Hikari 
push him around like that, and the same reason that she gets jealous 
every time he even says another girl's name.
	Sometimes I wonder when my turn's gonna come.
	But then I look around and ask myself what the hurry is.  
This may well be the best time of my life.  It's peaceful.  Friends 
surround me.  No real responsibilities.  As much freedom as one my 
age could ask.  And I'm happy.
	I feel the warm sun wafting through the open window, and I 
shift so that it warms my back.  As I do, a relaxed sigh escapes my 
lips--, as does an assessment of my situation.
	"The calm�the peace and tranquility."
	Ironic, huh?  To one side, two of my best friends are 
squabbling, doing their damnedest to ignore the feeling everyone else 
knows are there.  To another side, my other best friend is being 
dragged around the room by his girlfriend, who seems to be competing 
with Asuka for mercurialness.  
	But I'm happy.
	Life can take its time catching up.
	Behind me, I hear the roar of a sports car motor. Here comes 
sensei.
	"Hey guys, she's here!"

You know where to send C&C.


Keiichi Masaki, High Priest of the Temple of the Teal-tressed Goddess, Kiyone Makibi



Member of the Kiyone Ring and the Tenchi Ring



Co-writer, Mugen Tenchi Muyo!

http://members.xoom.com/RC_Books/mugen1.html



Visit my Temple of the Teal-tressed Goddess

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Palace/9909



ICQ #: 18044248



"I am the one you think I am."

--Katsuhito "Yosho" Masaki



"The carnival comes and goes. If you wait for a while,

it'll always come back to you."

--Ryoko






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