Misato slumped into the worn couch in the NERV lounge, her messy straight hair falling over one eye. She kicked off her heels, rubbing her sore, tired feet. The soles were pink and slightly swollen from a long day on her feet, the arches aching as she flexed her toes. Even exhausted, she looked impossibly radiant, glowing under the dim light of the room, her sports bra and tight yoga pants clinging to her curves.

Shinji entered, carrying a tray with beer. Misato’s eyes immediately lit up, and she smiled in a way that was playful, teasing, and undeniably flirtatious. “Hey, you didn’t have to bring me tea,” she said, her voice softer than usual, lingering on his presence just a second too long. She patted the couch beside her.

When he sat down, she leaned forward, brushing a strand of hair from her face and letting her gaze linger on him, making it impossible for him not to notice the subtle sway of her body, the curve of her ankles, or the glossy sheen of her tired soles resting on the couch. “My feet are killing me today,” she murmured, stretching them toward him just enough for him to see, “maybe you can help me relax?” Her tone carried a teasing warmth, almost daring him to offer comfort.

Even while exhausted, her crush on Shinji was impossible to hide—her soft smiles, her deliberate stretches, and the way her tired, aching feet were presented all told him that she wanted him near, that she craved not just comfort, but closeness and attention from him.