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'I'm home,' Asuka said, as she closed the front door behind her. Red-haired with blue eyes, she was dressed in the blue and white uniform of Tokyo-3 First Municipal High School. 'Mom?' She called again, but there was no answer.

I guess she's still working...

With a sigh, Asuka dumped her bag by the door and headed for the bathroom, kicking off her shoes as she went...

##################

'Welcome home,' Shinji's mother called as he shut the door behind him.

'Hello, Mom,' Shinji said, taking off his shoes and making his way to the kitchen. A short, slightly skinny youth with short black hair, he was dressed in black trousers and white shirt, the top button undone and his collar crooked. Pushing open the kitchen door, his Mother was taking something out of the oven, while his Father was seated at the kitchen table, his laptop open in front of him. A serious, stern looking man with short black hair, wearing a black shirt and trousers. He glanced up at Shinji for a second, before returning to his work.

'Did you have a good day?' His Mother asked, a tall slender woman with dark brown hair, dressed in a pale blue shirt and dark grey trousers.

'It was fine,' Shinji said. 'I'm going to start on my homework...'

'Alright. Dinner will be ready in about an hour...'

##################

Rei stepped out of the shower, finishing drying her blue hair that contrasted starkly with her red eyes and albino skin, when the phone rang. Draping the towel around her neck, she stepped out of the bathroom and crossed the apartment to where the phone rested on the small table near to the window.

'Yes?' She said, picking up the phone and pressing the receiver to her ear.

'Rei,' Dr Akagi said. 'You're to report to NERV at 07:30 tomorrow...'

'I understand...'

'Very good,' Dr Akagi said and there was a click as the line went dead. Replacing the receiver, Rei dressed quickly, pulling on her sweater as she headed for the lounge. Taking her science textbook from her bag, she settled down on the couch, starting to make notes.

##################

Asuka was just getting dressed into a faded t-shirt and comfortable shorts when her phone beeped and she reached out to pick it up, seeing that it was a text message from her Mother.

Asuka.

I need to work late tonight. I should be back around 9. There's dinner in the fridge and make sure you do your homework.

Love, Mom.

Shoving her phone into her pocket, Asuka slumped onto the couch with a sigh, folding her arms across her chest. She sat there for a moment, staring at nothing, before grabbing her bag and pulling out her books...

##################

'Shinji,' his Mother called from downstairs. 'Dinner's ready...'

'Coming,' Shinji answered, closing his book and heading downstairs, taking his seat at the table opposite his Father.

'Is your homework finished?' His Father asked and Shinji nodded.

'Almost. I've just got my math problems to do...'

'Good,' His Father said. 'We will be attending the Imashura Technology Expo this weekend...'

'But...'

'Yes...?'

...I don't want to, Shinji thought. However, as he looked into his Father's eyes, the words died in his throat.

'Nothing, Father...'

##################

Rei closed her books and slipped them back into her bag, tidying away her notes.

Finished...

Standing up, she headed for the kitchen and filling the kettle, switching it on as she took an instant ramen from the cupboard. As soon as the kettle boiled, she poured it into the pot and stirred it with her chopsticks as she carried it to the table. Eating quickly, she threw the pot in the bin and heading for her bedroom. Lying down on the bed, she picked up a book from her bedside table and started to read...

##################

'I'm sorry I'm late,' Asuka's mother said, as she came into the lounge.

'It doesn't matter,' Asuka muttered, without looking round.

'Well, I'll just get some dinner and then we can watch some TV...'

'I need to get to bed,' Asuka said, standing up. 'I'm up early tomorrow...'

'...alright. I'll see you in the morning...' She said, but Asuka walked past her without saying a word...

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.