Shinji didn't know how to react, but at least he wasn't a brat.<strong>"I'm not drunk, Asuka!"</strong>Of course, denial is a symptom, isn't it? I knelt down and breathed into Asuka's face, staring her in the eyes with a bit of amusement. She didn't like that, but at least it got my point across.<strong>"See? No beer."</strong>I kind of wished I had been drunk and this was all a joke. I stood again, holding the towel that had all-too-readily loosened itself when I crouched.<strong>"You can call Ritsuko if you want, but she'll just tell you the same thing."</strong><em>In a much more mechanical tone, I might add.</em><strong>"I can't say I approve of this project, but we've done crazier things than this, right?"</strong>My knees were turned in a little, my face scrunched up in concern for their reactions, and the way I was dressed didn't help me either. I looked pretty vulnerable... I didn't feel it though. I'm sure they felt it.<em>Why do I want this? Am I that hopeless?</em>