Assimilation, NGE


 Alright, we're done for the day.

Visible relief flooded through the inhabitants of the Pribnow Box, deep inside NERV headquarters. It was also visible on one of the three faces in the video monitor. Another face was imperturbably serene. And yet another was quite perturbedly annoyed.

 Finally! Done torturing us yet, Dr. Mengele?

Ritsuko Akagi tapped her chin a few times.  Mengele... Mengele... wasn't that your grandfather's name, Asuka?

Asuka Langley Sohryu made a face of deepest disgust, then reached up and switched off the video feed from her entry plug. Rei Ayanami, still unperturbed, did the same a few moments later. Shinji Ikari gave his own monitor a little wave- like an apology to an offense he had not caused- then copied his fellow pilots.

 Ouch, Doctor,  Maya Ibuki said over her shoulder.

 Jeez, Rits-chan, Misato Katsuragi said, wandering to her old friends side.  Wasn't that a little mean?

 Of course it was mean,  Ritsuko said, looking over the data feeds.  That girl gives me enough hell to justify it.

Once they had left their entry plugs, the three Evangelion pilots headed to their sex-segregated locker rooms to shower and change clothes. When this was done, Rei immediately left for her lonely apartment. Shinji and Asuka, however, both lived with Misato, so they found themselves waiting outside the locker rooms for their guardian to arrive. Shinji kept a respectful distance from Asuka; the precise length of this distance had been beaten into him more than once. But Shinji didn't mind. He was quite happy not to give Asuka cause to assault him. Instead, his mind turned on what he would prepare for dinner that night. Sync tests always tended to leave him hungry, and since he did all the cooking for the three of them, there was no sense dreaming up food that wasn't part of a larger meal. He turned toward Asuka.  Hey, Asuka, what do you want for dinner tonight? Teriyaki? Gogigui?

 Actually,  Asuka said,  you know what I could really go for? A hamburger!

Shinji arched an eyebrow.  But I thought you were on a diet...

This reply earned him a cuff across the head, Asuka crossing the distance between them with terrifying speed.  Of course I am, stupid!  she was shouting now, so loudly that Ritsuko and Misato had no trouble hearing her as they made their way down the corridor.  But any good dieter knows that you can't be totally strict all the time! You've got to indulge yourself every now and then. Otherwise you'll just go crazy and binge eat at random intervals.  The red-headed girl glanced wistfully up at the ceiling.  Besides, I haven't had a decent hamburger in ages. Even in Germany they didn't really have them, not like they do in the US.

 You'll have an even harder time finding a good one here, Asuka,  said Ritsuko, drawing close.  Western-style restaurants are very uncommon in Tokyo-3.

 There's got to be one here,  Asuka said. She pulled her smartphone out of her purse.  Were less than an ocean from Hawaii and America owns the Pacific.  Her fingers went rapidly to work.  Id even settle for a lame old McDonalds...

Shinji gently looked over Asuka's shoulder, faint jealousy on his features. He didn't really envy her all that much- despite her assertion that she lived a much more exciting life than he- but he felt a twinge of desire when he saw her tap away at her phones giant touchscreen. It made his own flip-phone seem positively prehistoric, even if it could stream hi-fidelity video.

 Aha!  Asuka shouted, pumping her fist in the air.  Sieg heil!

 Found one?  Misato asked.

 You bet!  she replied with a grin.  And it's not even a McDonalds! Check it out!

She shoved the phone at Shinji, so he could read the red-and-yellow logo of the restaurant. And indeed, it was not McDonalds. It had a golden angle where the familiar double arches normally went, and its name was a mess that he struggled to pronounce with his limited knowledge of English.  In... Inin... Inininin-

 IN N OUT?!  Misato bellowed, shoving Shinji aside. Asuka yelped as her phone was wrenched from her grasp, and Misato let out a whoop of pure joy as she saw the screen.  Oh my god! It is! I can't believe it! What the fuck is one doing in Japan?  Tears began to run down her face as she looked up at the ceiling.  I promise I'll pay you back for this! I won't have any sex for like a year!  Now she was dancing in place like a child.  Oh, this is great, we've totally got to OOOWWWWW!!!

Misato's glee was sharply interrupted as Ritsuko tugged hard on her ear. Asuka took the opportunity to snatch back her phone.  You're lucky I found out the same time you did,  Ritsuko said.  I'll have Section Two establish a perimeter around the restaurant.

 But Rits-chan!

 I'll give them permission to tranquilize you on sight.

 Come ooooonnnnnn....

 No, Misato,  Ritsuko said, grabbing her friend by the shoulders and giving her a hearty shake.  I won't let you undo all our hard work- all my hard work. Do you know how big a headache that was for me?

 For you?  Misato threw off Ritsuko's hands.  You didn't have to do all that jogging!

 Yes I did! I was right beside you, shouting at you to keep going!

 Oh, yeah.

 Wait,  Shinji said,  what are you both talking about?

A flicker of unease came across Misato's face.  Er, nothing, Shinji-kun.

By contrast, Ritsuko's eyes suddenly caught an evil gleam.  Did you know that for her first NERV assignment, Misato was stationed in California?

 Ritsuko!

 Cali... California?  Shinji said, still struggling with the English words.  In America?

 Thats right,  Ritsuko said, surprisingly dodging a well-aimed punch from Misato.  Fresh out of college, she went to the Advanced Tactics Academy. She spent four years there. And she adapted very well to the American lifestyle.

 Come on!  Misato whined.  You promised you wouldn't tell!

 I promised I wouldn't tell Kaji,  Ritsuko said, stiff-arming her.  The Children are fair game.

 So tell us then, Akagi!  Asuka said, a hint of malice in her own features.  What happened to Misato in America?

 Weeellllll.....

************

Ritsuko stood outside in the hallway and rang the doorbell to the apartment. She looked from side to side, noting the newspapers piled at one doorway far off, listening to the distant rumble of the elevator doors. In truth, she was fidgeting, trying her best to hide her unease. This would be the first time she had seen Misato in more than three years, and she wondered how much she had changed. The girl shed known in college had been so vivacious, so enthusiastic, so eager for fresh experiences.  I wonder how she likes America. Misato seemed to be greatly enjoying her time in California based on their infrequent phone conversations, particularly mentioning the lifestyle.

Still, Ritsuko was a little worried. Each time Misato had called, there had been something more and more... different about her. Something about the way she spoke, the cadence of her voice.  It's probably just a result of her speaking so much English so often.

 Coming!  a muffled voice spoke in English from beyond the door. Heavy footsteps sounded from inside, and with little further fanfare the door to the apartment swung open.

Ritsuko's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. At first she wondered if there had been some mistake. Perhaps she had gone to the wrong apartment. Maybe this was even the wrong building. There was no way-

 Rits-chan!  the woman at the door exclaimed, surging forward with a jiggle. Fleshy arms wrapped around Ritsuko and pulled her into an embrace, where she sank into the soft, pliant body of the woman.  Wow, I cant believe its you! Gee, how long has it been?

 M-Misato?  Ritsuko stammered, pulling away. Her eyes roamed up and down her old friends body, scarcely believing what she saw. For a brief instant she thought Misato was pregnant, but- no, there was no doubt about it. Misato wasn't pregnant. Misato was fat. No, not even fat- enormous!

 Come on in!  Misato said, turning around very slowly and waddling back through the door.

Ritsuko entered the apartment, briefly noting that it seemed spacious and well-furnished. But her gaze soon turned back to Misato. She just couldn't believe what had happened to her!

Her face was soft and bulging, like some overripe fruit, with bloated, puffed out cheeks. A second chin hung thick below her jawline, making it buttery soft and constricting her throat- which explained why her voice had seemed so thick and husky on the phone. Her arms were swathed in sheaths of fat until they seemed to be overstuffed sausages, straining their helpless covers. Her breasts, which had always been impressively large, were now swollen to obscene proportions. What had once been missiles had become floppy, flabby ICBMs, drooping like sacks of fat halfway down her front. They probably would have fallen further if they had not rested on the feature even bigger than Misato's breasts: her belly. A heaving, rippling protrusion of flab, it curved out far in front of her, a blubbery dome bisected into two large rolls, the lower of which hung down so far it easily obscured her womanhood. As Ritsuko watched, Misato breathed out, sending her belly surging that much further forward.

 Well,  said Misato turning slowly around with her fat arms spread.  What do you think?

In doing so, she gave Ritsuko a perfect view of her ass. This, too, had always been on the big side for a Japanese woman, but now it had turned into acres of fat. Each cheek was a rounded globe of blubber, and they stuck out behind Misato as she moved, forming a shelf of flab that also drooped down her thick legs. Those legs! They were so stuffed with fat they touched down to her knees, where they finally separated into swollen calves that had no ankles, merely staying thick down to her feet. Misato's hips were likewise swollen, but there was no trace of an hourglass figure on her. Her middle had been eaten up by that ridiculous stomach.

 Well?  Misato said again.

Ritsuko shook her head to clear it.  It's certainly... spacious,  she said carefully.

 Isn't it?  Misato asked.  And all the other apartments are like this! Not to mention the houses I've been in! Everything here is huge!

It sure is, thought Ritsuko. Misato was wearing a pair of hot pink gym shorts that were strained mightily around her blubbery thighs and fat ass. Her belly spilled over the waistband. She also wore a white t-shirt that had at one point been oversized, but now clung tightly to her rolls and bulges. It didn't even fully cover her stomach, leaving the pale flesh naked for all the world to see.

 Do you want some doughnuts?  Misato asked, waddling over to her kitchen table. It was a little hypnotizing to see all that ass flesh ripple from side to side.  We don't even have them in Japan. There's this great place called Krispy Kreme not two blocks away, and they're heavenly!

Ritsuko looked down at the box of ring-shaped pastries. There were six of them left, some covered in sugar glaze, others in chocolate. The box was much too big for just those; it seemed large enough to have held a full dozen, maybe more. Ritsuko's hand subconsciously went to her own narrow waist.  I'll pass,  she said.

Misato shrugged.  Fine, more for me!  And right on the spot she started to gobble up the remaining doughnuts. Ritsuko's eyes bugged out as her friend nearly inhaled the sugary treats, mouth working at rapid speed, cheeks jiggling, double chin rippling. In no time she was popping the last bite of the last doughnut into her mouth.  Urp!  she belched softly, patting her heaving belly.  Perfect. So, do you wanna get some lunch?

Didn't you just eat yours? Ritsuko thought. But not wanting to be impolite, she just nodded and said,  Sure. Do you have a place in mind?

 Of course!  Misato said, around her across the living room.  Just let me get changed.  She vanished round a corner through a doorway, but not before giving Ritsuko one last look at that wide, wobbling butt.

 I just can't believe it,  Ritsuko muttered under her breath. She wandered into the kitchen, where she noticed the trash can was filled to the brim with bags and wrappers. She saw food brands of every kind: Wendy's, California Taco, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack in the Box. But one label predominated.

 Unnghh!  came the grunting noise from the other side of the apartment.

Ritsuko wandered the way Misato had come, eventually finding the bedroom, and finding Misato herself in considerable distress. She had stripped down to her bra and panties, both of which were heavily taxed by all the fat they had to contend with. And she was trying desperately to shove closed the fly on a pair of jeans.

 Hfff,  Misato breathed, pulling with all her might. She sucked in her belly as far as it would go, the ocean of flab contracting visibly. But Ritsuko could tell it was no use. There was simply too much waistline for the jeans to contain. Misato pulled and pulled, her flabby face turning red from exertion. But finally she sat up.  Ugh...  she groaned, breathing out. Her enormous belly splayed across her lap and forced the jeans zipper all the way down.

Ritsuko put on what she hoped was a sympathetic smile.  I guess we can eat in? I could make something...

 Nonsense, Rits-chan!  Misato said, shuffling her blubbery legs out of the jeans.  This is why America invented sweat pants!  Her body rippling, she went to her dresser and pulled out a very big pair of gray sweat pants. These she pulled on without any trouble, the stretchy cotton easily holding her blubber. She even pulled the waistband all the way over her lower belly roll, where it bulged visibly through the fabric. Giving a hum of satisfaction, Misato opened another drawer and pulled out a t-shirt that was similarly oversized. She pulled it over her head, but its fit was not quite as comfortable as the sweat pants. Her huge, bloated boobs pressed against the chest nearly to its limits, and it only just barely covered her protrudent gut.

The shirt was black, and on the chest it had a crest of a man who looked like a pirate in silver and black. Ritsuko read the name across the top:  Rai... ders?

 They're an American football team, a gridiron team!  Misato said brightly.  You'd be surprised how much fun it is to watch. Nothing like real football, but still, fun!  She stuffed her wallet into the pocket of her sweatpants, grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the dresser, and waddled for the doorway.  Now let's go!

******************

Unfortunately, fate threw them a curveball as they walked up the steps of the light rail station less than a block from Misato's apartment complex.  Out of order?  Misato whined upon seeing the sign over the turnstile.  Closed for repairs!

 How far is this place you want us to go to?  Ritsuko asked.

 It's just off Fifth Street,  said Misato with a wave of her flabby arm.

Ritsuko looked back down the stairs at the nearest street sign.  That's only five blocks away. Why don't we just walk?

 Oh come on,  Misato said.  Nobody walks here!

 Then why are there so many people on the sidewalk?  Ritsuko asked.

 But... I...  Misato began to drum her fingers on her belly.

 Come on,  Ritsuko said, giving her friend's hand a tug. She was so heavy that if she hadn't wanted to move, Ritsuko couldn't have made her, but with more than a little reluctance, Misato followed her down the stairs.

Out on the street, Misato began to waddle forward, maintaining a sedate pace. Ritsuko hung back to observe her. She really did move very slowly, great effort placed in each heaving step, her whole body rippling with every motion. Moreover, as Ritsuko looked around, she noticed Misato wasn't out of place among the crowds. There were lots of people with substantial bulk heaving themselves down the street. She had of course heard there was an obesity problem in America, but actually seeing it was something else.

Three blocks later, Misato heaved herself down onto a park bench, her t-shirt stained in sweat. She was huffing and puffing, hands on her stomach- which was gurgling loudly at the unexpected strain it was being put through. Ritsuko sat down softly beside her.  So you seem to have a lot of free time.

 Tactics school is a breeze,  Misato said between deep breaths, waving her fat arm.  Im at the top of my class already, and I always finish the work before everyone else. Leaves me plenty of time to enjoy myself.

 I'll bet,  Ritsuko deadpanned.

Suddenly Misato's belly gave a growl Ritsuko could hear across the bench.  Ugh, I'm starving,  she said. She huffed, she puffed, she gave a grunt and with a heave she hauled herself back to her feet. She took a moment to pull down her t-shirt where it had ridden up over her belly roll. Then she resumed her waddle. Ritsuko shook her head and followed.

Ten minutes later, they at last arrived at their location, a white building with a red roof and a golden arrow bending sharply overhead.  In N Out?  Ritsuko read the sign.

 Paradise,  Misato said, jiggling her way through the double doors. The place was fairly crowded, it being the lunch hour, so Misato and Ritsuko waited patiently in the line, Misato fidgeting and rippling in place until at last they reached the front.  You first, Rits-chan,  she said brightly.

Ritsuko looked up at the menu. It was very simple. On the other hand, it didn't really have anything she was used to, and she had little experience with American food.  I suppose...  she said in careful English,  I'll just have the hamburger. Is that alright?

 Yes, ma'am,  said the cashier, who was rather plump herself.

 All right!  Misato said with glee, urging herself to the front.  Oh boy oh boy,  she rubbed her hands together, a grin on her fat face.  I'll have two four by fours, animal style, with onions, two large orders of fries, and an extra large vanilla shake.

Ritsuko kept a skeptical glance on Misato as the two them found their seats- at a table, of course. Ritsuko doubted Misato's gut would have fit inside a booth. She looked around at the other customers, taking in the copious quantities of meat, cheese and bread they were busily shoving into their waiting mouths. She was starting to appreciate why everyone in America was so fat- and how easily Misato had joined the ranks of the obese. She had always had an addictive personality, going back to their time in college. From alcohol (which probably helped with her weight gain here) to sex to even a few stints with hard drugs, Misato loved to find things that amplified her good mood. Why couldnt food be one of those?

 Here you are, ladies!  said a server, setting their trays out in front of them.

 Yes!  Misato said.

Ritsuko's eyes bulged all over again. There were four- four- patties of pure beef in the hamburger Misato had ordered, each of them covered in cheese, topped with onions, with only the paltriest lettuce and tomato between them all, and dripping quantities of some light beige spreadable condiment. And Misato had ordered two of them. There must have been five pounds of meat in that!

Misato must have mistaken her revulsion for fascination, because she gave Ritsuko a happy wink.  Bottoms up, Rits-chan!

Ritsuko actually barely touched her own hamburger. She couldn't take her eyes off of Misato. The woman shoved food into her mouth with reckless, even suicidal abandon, taking gargantuan bites of her burgers, shoving french fries into her mouth on top of that, washing it all down with gulps of her enormous milkshake. What really boggled Ritsuko was how fast it all went down. Misato ate and ate and ate, not stopping, barely breathing, bite after bite of calorie-saturated food going down her gullet and into her enormous stomach. The fat woman was in a trance, totally, utterly consumed with satisfying her ravenous gut, satisfying the hunger that had bloated her into the sack of flab now sitting stuffed into sweatpants and a t-shirt.

 URP!  Misato belched when the last french fry disappeared into her mouth. She took a long pull of her milkshake and slapped her belly.  Now that hit the spot!  Her eyebrow rose.  Hey, Rits-chan, are you going to eat that?

Ritsuko looked down and saw the half-eaten hamburger in her hands.  Uh... no, go ahead,  she said with a fake smile, passing it across the table. Misato wolfed it down in four bites.

Misato took a few minutes to heave herself up from her seat, hands cradling her stuffed stomach to steady it.  You know what I need now?

 Antacid?  Ritsuko snarked.

 Ice cream!  she said brightly.  URRRRPPP!!  she put a hand to her mouth.  Excuse me. Now, where was I?

 Ice cream?  Ritsuko said.

 Oh yeah, right!  Misato said. She waddled for the exit, leaning back a little from the huge amount of food in her stomach.  Come on, Rits-chan!

This is ridiculous, Ritsuko thought. But what could she do?

********************

Misato snored in her sleep, lying prone on her bed. Her enormous belly stuck swollen and bloated into the air, gurgling gently as it digested its enormous contents. Her voluminous sweatpants were actually straining now, stretching to their limits to accommodate the girth of their pampered, overfed owner. A smile stretched Misato's bloated cheeks as she slept. Subconsciously, a hand stretched up to stroke the side of her flabby belly, which caused it to let out a loud grumble. Misato snorted once, then belched, and drifted deeper into slumber, her hand resting on her gut.

Ritsuko watched her sleep, still in shock from the day's proceedings. After making a pig of herself at In N Out, Misato had waddled barely a hundred feet before reaching an ice cream parlor called Cold Stone Creamery, where she had ordered a confection of ice cream, birthday cake, and chocolate fudge nearly the size of her head. This too she had consumed, cream dribbling the corners of her wide open mouth, chocolate staining her flabby cheeks. When the massive dessert had vanished, Misato had groaned with discomfort, perhaps finally realizing the effects of shoving so much food into her hapless stomach. She had said she was in no condition to walk home, so she had hailed a taxi, which had taken them the half-mile from their eating back to her apartment. Even so, the walk inside was torture for Misato, her face beet red as she huffed and puffed through the doors, groaning from the food sloshing around her stomach. It wasn't terribly surprising that she had collapsed on the bed when she got home, and she had been asleep ever since.

With a sigh, Ritsuko returned to the living room and sat down on the sofa. She thought about watching TV, but she just couldn't get her mind off how ridiculously fat Misato had become. And it wasn't hard to see why! There was just so much food right at her fingertips. All this food, the ability to go everywhere on either public or personal transportation, the very sedentary nature of the Advanced Tactics Academy- it all combined with Misato's tendency to indulge herself. Thinking on it, Ritsuko should probably have been grateful that Misato wasn't even fatter.

The doorbell abruptly rang, startling her out of her thoughts. The floorboards creaked and Misato waddled into the room.  I'll get it!  she said.  I ordered a pizza.

Ritsuko's mouth fell open.  You what?

 Thanks, Chris!  Misato said brightly as she paid the man at the door.

 No problem, Miss Katsuragi,  said the pizza man.

 That's it!  Ritsuko shouted. With all the speed of a woman who was actually in shape, she vaulted to the door and shoved herself past Misato's heaving belly.  You're not coming back here ever again!  And she slammed the door in his face.  Give me that!  she snatched the pizza away.

 Rits-chan!  Misato whined, chubby hands reaching for the delicious smelling box.  Gimme!

 No!  Ritsuko said, stomping her foot.  This is ridiculous! Misato, look at yourself! You're a pig!

Misato ran her eyes over her own bloated body, seeing it for seemingly the first time. She self-consciously rubbed her belly rolls.  I've put on a little weight...

 A little? You're huge! And I can tell it's only going to get worse! By the time you're done at the ATA NERV will have to send a cargo ship to pick you up!  Ritsuko dashed past Misato, placed the pizza on her table, and stood in front of it.  I'm not going to let you keep doing this to yourself! We're putting you on a diet right now.

 Diet?  Misato said.  Thats ridiculous! I don't want to go on a diet!

 You have to!  Ritsuko said.  Diet and exercise! It's the only way you'll ever lose all that weight!

 Ugh, but I don't care about that,  Misato pouted.  I like food too much.

A vein throbbed in Ritsuko's forehead, and she put her head in her hands.  If you don't do it for yourself, do it for Kaji!

The mention of her old lover brought a glimmer to Misato's eyes.  Kaji?

 Do you really think a man like Kaji has any interest in fat girls? He keeps in great shape himself, he'd have nothing to do with a woman who let herself go like you have. If you ever want any chance of being close to him again, you have to lose weight!

 I...  Misato said weakly. Her eyes darted over to the pizza box, then back to Ritsuko, then back to the pizza, then Ritsuko, pizza, Ritsuko, pizza, Ritsuko... and there her eyes stayed. She sighed.  You're right, Rits-chan. I've really let myself get out of control.

 At least you're willing to admit it,  Ritsuko said.  As of this moment, you're on a diet, and I'm going to help you with it. And tomorrow we start exercising.

 Okay...  Misato said. Then she brightened up.  Can I start the diet tomorrow, too? I mean, wouldn't you hate to have that pizza go to waste?

Ritsuko fumed at Misato, but her fat face was so hopeful and innocent. Kind of cute, too, if she really had to admit it. She sighed.  Fine. Tomorrow.

 Yay!

********************

Shinji and Asuka stood in silent shock as Ritsuko finished her tale. Misato stood sheepishly to the side, trying with all her might to disappear into the ceiling tiles.

 ... And then what happened?  Shinji finally asked.

 Like I said, the next day I put her on a diet and an exercise regimen,  Ritsuko said.  It took a year and a half, but she finally lost all the weight.

 All that weight?  Asuka said.  You made it sound like she was three hundred pounds!

 She was, give or take,  said Ritsuko. Her eyes drifted to the left.  I may or may not have used some experimental metabolic amplifiers to speed the process along.

 I don't believe it!  Asuka crowed.  YOU were a fatass? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

 It's not something I'm proud of,  Misato said, color creeping up her cheeks.

 But it's something to be mindful of,  Ritsuko said.  Now if you excuse me, I have to go get in touch with Section Two.

 Oh, come on, Rits-chan!  Misato said as her friend began to walk away.  That all happened years ago! Don't you trust me not to fall into old habits?

Ritsuko stopped and looked over her shoulder.  If there's one thing I know about you, Misato, it's that your old habits never really die. This is for your own good.  With that, she stalked off down the corridor.

 Hmph,  Misato grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

 Shes right, you know,  Asuka said.  Its for your own good. Nobody likes fat chicks.

 Thats... well, is that really true?  Shinji asked.

 Of course it is!  Asuka said. Her eyes narrowed.  Unless a certain Third Child happens to have added chubby chaser to his long list of perversions.

 I didn't say that!  Shinji replied.  It's just... well, some people make short hair look good, some people make a tan look good, and it doesn't look good on everyone. Maybe...

 Stop!  Asuka growled.  Go no further. That way lies madness.

Shinji shrugged.  Just saying.

 Well, there's no danger of me going back to In N Out now that Ritsuko the Food Nazi is on the case,  Misato said.  And it's not like we have a doughnut place in town, so there's another of my old addictions gone.

Asuka tapped the screen of her phone for a few moments.  Yes we do,  she said.

 What?  Misato snapped her head around.

 Yeah, look,  Asuka held the phone up.  Satoshi's Do-Nuts. In the financial district.

 Really?  Misato said.  Oh man, we'll have to go sometime.

 Come on, Misato,  Asuka said.  After hearing Ritsuko tell your own history, you want to tempt fate again?

Misato put a hand across her slender stomach.  I don't care what Ritsuko says. Besides, a few doughnuts here and there can't hurt... right?

END

 Alright, we're done for the day.

Visible relief flooded through the inhabitants of the Pribnow Box, deep inside NERV headquarters. It was also visible on one of the three faces in the video monitor. Another face was imperturbably serene. And yet another was quite perturbedly annoyed.

 Finally! Done torturing us yet, Dr. Mengele?

Ritsuko Akagi tapped her chin a few times.  Mengele... Mengele... wasn't that your grandfather's name, Asuka?

Asuka Langley Sohryu made a face of deepest disgust, then reached up and switched off the video feed from her entry plug. Rei Ayanami, still unperturbed, did the same a few moments later. Shinji Ikari gave his own monitor a little wave- like an apology to an offense he had not caused- then copied his fellow pilots.

 Ouch, Doctor,  Maya Ibuki said over her shoulder.

 Jeez, Rits-chan,  Misato Katsuragi said, wandering to her old friends side.  Wasn't that a little mean?

 Of course it was mean,  Ritsuko said, looking over the data feeds.  That girl gives me enough hell to justify it.

Once they had left their entry plugs, the three Evangelion pilots headed to their sex-segregated locker rooms to shower and change clothes. When this was done, Rei immediately left for her lonely apartment. Shinji and Asuka, however, both lived with Misato, so they found themselves waiting outside the locker rooms for their guardian to arrive. Shinji kept a respectful distance from Asuka; the precise length of this distance had been beaten into him more than once. But Shinji didn't mind. He was quite happy not to give Asuka cause to assault him. Instead, his mind turned on what he would prepare for dinner that night. Sync tests always tended to leave him hungry, and since he did all the cooking for the three of them, there was no sense dreaming up food that wasn't part of a larger meal. He turned toward Asuka.  Hey, Asuka, what do you want for dinner tonight? Teriyaki? Gogigui?

 Actually,  Asuka said,  you know what I could really go for? A hamburger!

Shinji arched an eyebrow.  But I thought you were on a diet...

This reply earned him a cuff across the head, Asuka crossing the distance between them with terrifying speed.  Of course I am, stupid!  she was shouting now, so loudly that Ritsuko and Misato had no trouble hearing her as they made their way down the corridor.  But any good dieter knows that you can't be totally strict all the time! You've got to indulge yourself every now and then. Otherwise you'll just go crazy and binge eat at random intervals.  The red-headed girl glanced wistfully up at the ceiling.  Besides, I haven't had a decent hamburger in ages. Even in Germany they didn't really have them, not like they do in the US.

 You'll have an even harder time finding a good one here, Asuka,  said Ritsuko, drawing close.  Western-style restaurants are very uncommon in Tokyo-3.

 There's got to be one here,  Asuka said. She pulled her smartphone out of her purse.  Were less than an ocean from Hawaii and America owns the Pacific.  Her fingers went rapidly to work.  Id even settle for a lame old McDonalds...

Shinji gently looked over Asuka's shoulder, faint jealousy on his features. He didn't really envy her all that much- despite her assertion that she lived a much more exciting life than he- but he felt a twinge of desire when he saw her tap away at her phones giant touchscreen. It made his own flip-phone seem positively prehistoric, even if it could stream hi-fidelity video.

 Aha!  Asuka shouted, pumping her fist in the air.  Sieg heil!

 Found one?  Misato asked.

 You bet!  she replied with a grin.  And it's not even a McDonalds! Check it out!

She shoved the phone at Shinji, so he could read the red-and-yellow logo of the restaurant. And indeed, it was not McDonalds. It had a golden angle where the familiar double arches normally went, and its name was a mess that he struggled to pronounce with his limited knowledge of English.  In... Inin... Inininin-

 IN N OUT?!  Misato bellowed, shoving Shinji aside. Asuka yelped as her phone was wrenched from her grasp, and Misato let out a whoop of pure joy as she saw the screen.  Oh my god! It is! I can't believe it! What the fuck is one doing in Japan?  Tears began to run down her face as she looked up at the ceiling.  I promise I'll pay you back for this! I won't have any sex for like a year!  Now she was dancing in place like a child.  Oh, this is great, we've totally got to OOOWWWWW!!!

Misato's glee was sharply interrupted as Ritsuko tugged hard on her ear. Asuka took the opportunity to snatch back her phone.  You're lucky I found out the same time you did,  Ritsuko said.  I'll have Section Two establish a perimeter around the restaurant.

 But Rits-chan!

 I'll give them permission to tranquilize you on sight.

 Come ooooonnnnnn....

 No, Misato,  Ritsuko said, grabbing her friend by the shoulders and giving her a hearty shake.  I won't let you undo all our hard work- all my hard work. Do you know how big a headache that was for me?

 For you?  Misato threw off Ritsuko's hands.  You didn't have to do all that jogging!

 Yes I did! I was right beside you, shouting at you to keep going!

 Oh, yeah.

 Wait,  Shinji said,  what are you both talking about?

A flicker of unease came across Misato's face.  Er, nothing, Shinji-kun.

By contrast, Ritsuko's eyes suddenly caught an evil gleam.  Did you know that for her first NERV assignment, Misato was stationed in California?

 Ritsuko!

 Cali... California?  Shinji said, still struggling with the English words.  In America?

 Thats right,  Ritsuko said, surprisingly dodging a well-aimed punch from Misato.  Fresh out of college, she went to the Advanced Tactics Academy. She spent four years there. And she adapted very well to the American lifestyle.

 Come on!  Misato whined.  You promised you wouldn't tell!

 I promised I wouldn't tell Kaji,  Ritsuko said, stiff-arming her.  The Children are fair game.

 So tell us then, Akagi!  Asuka said, a hint of malice in her own features.  What happened to Misato in America?

 Weeellllll.....

************

Ritsuko stood outside in the hallway and rang the doorbell to the apartment. She looked from side to side, noting the newspapers piled at one doorway far off, listening to the distant rumble of the elevator doors. In truth, she was fidgeting, trying her best to hide her unease. This would be the first time she had seen Misato in more than three years, and she wondered how much she had changed. The girl shed known in college had been so vivacious, so enthusiastic, so eager for fresh experiences.  I wonder how she likes America. Misato seemed to be greatly enjoying her time in California based on their infrequent phone conversations, particularly mentioning the lifestyle.

Still, Ritsuko was a little worried. Each time Misato had called, there had been something more and more... different about her. Something about the way she spoke, the cadence of her voice.  It's probably just a result of her speaking so much English so often.

 Coming!  a muffled voice spoke in English from beyond the door. Heavy footsteps sounded from inside, and with little further fanfare the door to the apartment swung open.

Ritsuko's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. At first she wondered if there had been some mistake. Perhaps she had gone to the wrong apartment. Maybe this was even the wrong building. There was no way-

 Rits-chan!  the woman at the door exclaimed, surging forward with a jiggle. Fleshy arms wrapped around Ritsuko and pulled her into an embrace, where she sank into the soft, pliant body of the woman.  Wow, I cant believe its you! Gee, how long has it been?

 M-Misato?  Ritsuko stammered, pulling away. Her eyes roamed up and down her old friends body, scarcely believing what she saw. For a brief instant she thought Misato was pregnant, but- no, there was no doubt about it. Misato wasn't pregnant. Misato was fat. No, not even fat- enormous!

 Come on in!  Misato said, turning around very slowly and waddling back through the door.

Ritsuko entered the apartment, briefly noting that it seemed spacious and well-furnished. But her gaze soon turned back to Misato. She just couldn't believe what had happened to her!

Her face was soft and bulging, like some overripe fruit, with bloated, puffed out cheeks. A second chin hung thick below her jawline, making it buttery soft and constricting her throat- which explained why her voice had seemed so thick and husky on the phone. Her arms were swathed in sheaths of fat until they seemed to be overstuffed sausages, straining their helpless covers. Her breasts, which had always been impressively large, were now swollen to obscene proportions. What had once been missiles had become floppy, flabby ICBMs, drooping like sacks of fat halfway down her front. They probably would have fallen further if they had not rested on the feature even bigger than Misato's breasts: her belly. A heaving, rippling protrusion of flab, it curved out far in front of her, a blubbery dome bisected into two large rolls, the lower of which hung down so far it easily obscured her womanhood. As Ritsuko watched, Misato breathed out, sending her belly surging that much further forward.

 Well,  said Misato turning slowly around with her fat arms spread.  What do you think?

In doing so, she gave Ritsuko a perfect view of her ass. This, too, had always been on the big side for a Japanese woman, but now it had turned into acres of fat. Each cheek was a rounded globe of blubber, and they stuck out behind Misato as she moved, forming a shelf of flab that also drooped down her thick legs. Those legs! They were so stuffed with fat they touched down to her knees, where they finally separated into swollen calves that had no ankles, merely staying thick down to her feet. Misato's hips were likewise swollen, but there was no trace of an hourglass figure on her. Her middle had been eaten up by that ridiculous stomach.

 Well?  Misato said again.

Ritsuko shook her head to clear it.  It's certainly... spacious,  she said carefully.

 Isn't it?  Misato asked.  And all the other apartments are like this! Not to mention the houses I've been in! Everything here is huge!

It sure is, thought Ritsuko. Misato was wearing a pair of hot pink gym shorts that were strained mightily around her blubbery thighs and fat ass. Her belly spilled over the waistband. She also wore a white t-shirt that had at one point been oversized, but now clung tightly to her rolls and bulges. It didn't even fully cover her stomach, leaving the pale flesh naked for all the world to see.

 Do you want some doughnuts?  Misato asked, waddling over to her kitchen table. It was a little hypnotizing to see all that ass flesh ripple from side to side.  We don't even have them in Japan. There's this great place called Krispy Kreme not two blocks away, and they're heavenly!

Ritsuko looked down at the box of ring-shaped pastries. There were six of them left, some covered in sugar glaze, others in chocolate. The box was much too big for just those; it seemed large enough to have held a full dozen, maybe more. Ritsuko's hand subconsciously went to her own narrow waist.  I'll pass,  she said.

Misato shrugged.  Fine, more for me!  And right on the spot she started to gobble up the remaining doughnuts. Ritsuko's eyes bugged out as her friend nearly inhaled the sugary treats, mouth working at rapid speed, cheeks jiggling, double chin rippling. In no time she was popping the last bite of the last doughnut into her mouth.  Urp!  she belched softly, patting her heaving belly.  Perfect. So, do you wanna get some lunch?

Didn't you just eat yours? Ritsuko thought. But not wanting to be impolite, she just nodded and said,  Sure. Do you have a place in mind?

 Of course!  Misato said, around her across the living room.  Just let me get changed.  She vanished round a corner through a doorway, but not before giving Ritsuko one last look at that wide, wobbling butt.

 I just can't believe it,  Ritsuko muttered under her breath. She wandered into the kitchen, where she noticed the trash can was filled to the brim with bags and wrappers. She saw food brands of every kind: Wendy's, California Taco, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack in the Box. But one label predominated.

 Unnghh!  came the grunting noise from the other side of the apartment.

Ritsuko wandered the way Misato had come, eventually finding the bedroom, and finding Misato herself in considerable distress. She had stripped down to her bra and panties, both of which were heavily taxed by all the fat they had to contend with. And she was trying desperately to shove closed the fly on a pair of jeans.

 Hfff,  Misato breathed, pulling with all her might. She sucked in her belly as far as it would go, the ocean of flab contracting visibly. But Ritsuko could tell it was no use. There was simply too much waistline for the jeans to contain. Misato pulled and pulled, her flabby face turning red from exertion. But finally she sat up.  Ugh...  she groaned, breathing out. Her enormous belly splayed across her lap and forced the jeans zipper all the way down.

Ritsuko put on what she hoped was a sympathetic smile.  I guess we can eat in? I could make something...

 Nonsense, Rits-chan!  Misato said, shuffling her blubbery legs out of the jeans.  This is why America invented sweat pants!  Her body rippling, she went to her dresser and pulled out a very big pair of gray sweat pants. These she pulled on without any trouble, the stretchy cotton easily holding her blubber. She even pulled the waistband all the way over her lower belly roll, where it bulged visibly through the fabric. Giving a hum of satisfaction, Misato opened another drawer and pulled out a t-shirt that was similarly oversized. She pulled it over her head, but its fit was not quite as comfortable as the sweat pants. Her huge, bloated boobs pressed against the chest nearly to its limits, and it only just barely covered her protrudent gut.

The shirt was black, and on the chest it had a crest of a man who looked like a pirate in silver and black. Ritsuko read the name across the top:  Rai... ders?

 They're an American football team, a gridiron team!  Misato said brightly.  You'd be surprised how much fun it is to watch. Nothing like real football, but still, fun!  She stuffed her wallet into the pocket of her sweatpants, grabbed a pair of sunglasses from the dresser, and waddled for the doorway.  Now let's go!

******************

Unfortunately, fate threw them a curveball as they walked up the steps of the light rail station less than a block from Misato's apartment complex.  Out of order?  Misato whined upon seeing the sign over the turnstile.  Closed for repairs!

 How far is this place you want us to go to?  Ritsuko asked.

 It's just off Fifth Street,  said Misato with a wave of her flabby arm.

Ritsuko looked back down the stairs at the nearest street sign.  That's only five blocks away. Why don't we just walk?

 Oh come on,  Misato said.  Nobody walks here!

 Then why are there so many people on the sidewalk?  Ritsuko asked.

 But... I...  Misato began to drum her fingers on her belly.

 Come on,  Ritsuko said, giving her friend's hand a tug. She was so heavy that if she hadn't wanted to move, Ritsuko couldn't have made her, but with more than a little reluctance, Misato followed her down the stairs.

Out on the street, Misato began to waddle forward, maintaining a sedate pace. Ritsuko hung back to observe her. She really did move very slowly, great effort placed in each heaving step, her whole body rippling with every motion. Moreover, as Ritsuko looked around, she noticed Misato wasn't out of place among the crowds. There were lots of people with substantial bulk heaving themselves down the street. She had of course heard there was an obesity problem in America, but actually seeing it was something else.

Three blocks later, Misato heaved herself down onto a park bench, her t-shirt stained in sweat. She was huffing and puffing, hands on her stomach- which was gurgling loudly at the unexpected strain it was being put through. Ritsuko sat down softly beside her.  So you seem to have a lot of free time.

 Tactics school is a breeze,  Misato said between deep breaths, waving her fat arm.  Im at the top of my class already, and I always finish the work before everyone else. Leaves me plenty of time to enjoy myself.

 I'll bet,  Ritsuko deadpanned.

Suddenly Misato's belly gave a growl Ritsuko could hear across the bench.  Ugh, I'm starving,  she said. She huffed, she puffed, she gave a grunt and with a heave she hauled herself back to her feet. She took a moment to pull down her t-shirt where it had ridden up over her belly roll. Then she resumed her waddle. Ritsuko shook her head and followed.

Ten minutes later, they at last arrived at their location, a white building with a red roof and a golden arrow bending sharply overhead.  In N Out?  Ritsuko read the sign.

 Paradise,  Misato said, jiggling her way through the double doors. The place was fairly crowded, it being the lunch hour, so Misato and Ritsuko waited patiently in the line, Misato fidgeting and rippling in place until at last they reached the front.  You first, Rits-chan,  she said brightly.

Ritsuko looked up at the menu. It was very simple. On the other hand, it didn't really have anything she was used to, and she had little experience with American food.  I suppose...  she said in careful English,  I'll just have the hamburger. Is that alright?

 Yes, ma'am,  said the cashier, who was rather plump herself.

 All right!  Misato said with glee, urging herself to the front.  Oh boy oh boy,  she rubbed her hands together, a grin on her fat face.  I'll have two four by fours, animal style, with onions, two large orders of fries, and an extra large vanilla shake.

Ritsuko kept a skeptical glance on Misato as the two them found their seats- at a table, of course. Ritsuko doubted Misato's gut would have fit inside a booth. She looked around at the other customers, taking in the copious quantities of meat, cheese and bread they were busily shoving into their waiting mouths. She was starting to appreciate why everyone in America was so fat- and how easily Misato had joined the ranks of the obese. She had always had an addictive personality, going back to their time in college. From alcohol (which probably helped with her weight gain here) to sex to even a few stints with hard drugs, Misato loved to find things that amplified her good mood. Why couldnt food be one of those?

 Here you are, ladies!  said a server, setting their trays out in front of them.

 Yes!  Misato said.

Ritsuko's eyes bulged all over again. There were four- four- patties of pure beef in the hamburger Misato had ordered, each of them covered in cheese, topped with onions, with only the paltriest lettuce and tomato between them all, and dripping quantities of some light beige spreadable condiment. And Misato had ordered two of them. There must have been five pounds of meat in that!

Misato must have mistaken her revulsion for fascination, because she gave Ritsuko a happy wink.  Bottoms up, Rits-chan!

Ritsuko actually barely touched her own hamburger. She couldn't take her eyes off of Misato. The woman shoved food into her mouth with reckless, even suicidal abandon, taking gargantuan bites of her burgers, shoving french fries into her mouth on top of that, washing it all down with gulps of her enormous milkshake. What really boggled Ritsuko was how fast it all went down. Misato ate and ate and ate, not stopping, barely breathing, bite after bite of calorie-saturated food going down her gullet and into her enormous stomach. The fat woman was in a trance, totally, utterly consumed with satisfying her ravenous gut, satisfying the hunger that had bloated her into the sack of flab now sitting stuffed into sweatpants and a t-shirt.

 URP!  Misato belched when the last french fry disappeared into her mouth. She took a long pull of her milkshake and slapped her belly.  Now that hit the spot!  Her eyebrow rose.  Hey, Rits-chan, are you going to eat that?

Ritsuko looked down and saw the half-eaten hamburger in her hands.  Uh... no, go ahead,  she said with a fake smile, passing it across the table. Misato wolfed it down in four bites.

Misato took a few minutes to heave herself up from her seat, hands cradling her stuffed stomach to steady it.  You know what I need now?

 Antacid?  Ritsuko snarked.

 Ice cream!  she said brightly.  URRRRPPP!!  she put a hand to her mouth.  Excuse me. Now, where was I?

 Ice cream?  Ritsuko said.

 Oh yeah, right!  Misato said. She waddled for the exit, leaning back a little from the huge amount of food in her stomach.  Come on, Rits-chan!

This is ridiculous, Ritsuko thought. But what could she do?

********************

Misato snored in her sleep, lying prone on her bed. Her enormous belly stuck swollen and bloated into the air, gurgling gently as it digested its enormous contents. Her voluminous sweatpants were actually straining now, stretching to their limits to accommodate the girth of their pampered, overfed owner. A smile stretched Misato's bloated cheeks as she slept. Subconsciously, a hand stretched up to stroke the side of her flabby belly, which caused it to let out a loud grumble. Misato snorted once, then belched, and drifted deeper into slumber, her hand resting on her gut.

Ritsuko watched her sleep, still in shock from the day's proceedings. After making a pig of herself at In N Out, Misato had waddled barely a hundred feet before reaching an ice cream parlor called Cold Stone Creamery, where she had ordered a confection of ice cream, birthday cake, and chocolate fudge nearly the size of her head. This too she had consumed, cream dribbling the corners of her wide open mouth, chocolate staining her flabby cheeks. When the massive dessert had vanished, Misato had groaned with discomfort, perhaps finally realizing the effects of shoving so much food into her hapless stomach. She had said she was in no condition to walk home, so she had hailed a taxi, which had taken them the half-mile from their eating back to her apartment. Even so, the walk inside was torture for Misato, her face beet red as she huffed and puffed through the doors, groaning from the food sloshing around her stomach. It wasn't terribly surprising that she had collapsed on the bed when she got home, and she had been asleep ever since.

With a sigh, Ritsuko returned to the living room and sat down on the sofa. She thought about watching TV, but she just couldn't get her mind off how ridiculously fat Misato had become. And it wasn't hard to see why! There was just so much food right at her fingertips. All this food, the ability to go everywhere on either public or personal transportation, the very sedentary nature of the Advanced Tactics Academy- it all combined with Misato's tendency to indulge herself. Thinking on it, Ritsuko should probably have been grateful that Misato wasn't even fatter.

The doorbell abruptly rang, startling her out of her thoughts. The floorboards creaked and Misato waddled into the room.  I'll get it!  she said.  I ordered a pizza.

Ritsuko's mouth fell open.  You what?

 Thanks, Chris!  Misato said brightly as she paid the man at the door.

 No problem, Miss Katsuragi,  said the pizza man.

 That's it!  Ritsuko shouted. With all the speed of a woman who was actually in shape, she vaulted to the door and shoved herself past Misato's heaving belly.  You're not coming back here ever again!  And she slammed the door in his face.  Give me that!  she snatched the pizza away.

 Rits-chan!  Misato whined, chubby hands reaching for the delicious smelling box.  Gimme!

 No!  Ritsuko said, stomping her foot.  This is ridiculous! Misato, look at yourself! You're a pig!

Misato ran her eyes over her own bloated body, seeing it for seemingly the first time. She self-consciously rubbed her belly rolls.  I've put on a little weight...

 A little? You're huge! And I can tell it's only going to get worse! By the time you're done at the ATA NERV will have to send a cargo ship to pick you up!  Ritsuko dashed past Misato, placed the pizza on her table, and stood in front of it.  I'm not going to let you keep doing this to yourself! We're putting you on a diet right now.

 Diet?  Misato said.  Thats ridiculous! I don't want to go on a diet!

 You have to!  Ritsuko said.  Diet and exercise! It's the only way you'll ever lose all that weight!

 Ugh, but I don't care about that,  Misato pouted.  I like food too much.

A vein throbbed in Ritsuko's forehead, and she put her head in her hands.  If you wont do it for yourself, do it for Kaji!

The mention of her old lover brought a glimmer to Misato's eyes.  Kaji?

 Do you really think a man like Kaji has any interest in fat girls? He keeps in great shape himself, he'd have nothing to do with a woman who let herself go like you have. If you ever want any chance of being close to him again, you have to lose weight!

 I...  Misato said weakly. Her eyes darted over to the pizza box, then back to Ritsuko, then back to the pizza, then Ritsuko, pizza, Ritsuko, pizza, Ritsuko... and there her eyes stayed. She sighed.  You're right, Rits-chan. I've really let myself get out of control.

 At least you're willing to admit it,  Ritsuko said.  As of this moment, you're on a diet, and I'm going to help you with it. And tomorrow we start exercising.

 Okay...  Misato said. Then she brightened up.  Can I start the diet tomorrow, too? I mean, wouldn't you hate to have that pizza go to waste?

Ritsuko fumed at Misato, but her fat face was so hopeful and innocent. Kind of cute, too, if she really had to admit it. She sighed.  Fine. Tomorrow.

 Yay!

********************

Shinji and Asuka stood in silent shock as Ritsuko finished her tale. Misato stood sheepishly to the side, trying with all her might to disappear into the ceiling tiles.

 ... And then what happened?  Shinji finally asked.

 Like I said, the next day I put her on a diet and an exercise regimen,  Ritsuko said.  It took a year and a half, but she finally lost all the weight.

 All that weight?  Asuka said.  You made it sound like she was three hundred pounds!

 She was, give or take,  said Ritsuko. Her eyes drifted to the left.  I may or may not have used some experimental metabolic amplifiers to speed the process along.

 I don't believe it!  Asuka crowed.  YOU were a fatass? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

 It's not something I'm proud of,  Misato said, color creeping up her cheeks.

 But it's something to be mindful of,  Ritsuko said.  Now if you excuse me, I have to go get in touch with Section Two.

 Oh, come on, Rits-chan!  Misato said as her friend began to walk away.  That all happened years ago! Don't you trust me not to fall into old habits?

Ritsuko stopped and looked over her shoulder.  If there's one thing I know about you, Misato, it's that your old habits never really die. This is for your own good.  With that, she stalked off down the corridor.

 Hmph,  Misato grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

 Shes right, you know,  Asuka said.  Its for your own good. Nobody likes fat chicks.

 Thats... well, is that really true?  Shinji asked.

 Of course it is!  Asuka said. Her eyes narrowed.  Unless a certain Third Child happens to have added chubby chaser to his long list of perversions.

 I didn't say that!  Shinji replied.  It's just... well, some people make short hair look good, some people make a tan look good, and it doesn't look good on everyone. Maybe...

 Stop!  Asuka growled.  Go no further. That way lies madness.

Shinji shrugged.  Just saying.

 Well, there's no danger of me going back to In N Out now that Ritsuko the Food Nazi is on the case,  Misato said.  And it's not like we have a doughnut place in town, so there's another of my old addictions gone.

Asuka tapped the screen of her phone for a few moments.  Yes we do,  she said.

 What?  Misato snapped her head around.

 Yeah, look,  Asuka held the phone up.  Satoshi's Do-Nuts. In the financial district.

 Really?  Misato said.  Oh man, we'll have to go sometime.

 Come on, Misato,  Asuka said.  After hearing Ritsuko tell your own history, you want to tempt fate again?

Misato put a hand across her slender stomach.  I don't care what Ritsuko says. Besides, a few doughnuts here and there can't hurt... right?

END