neon genesis evangelion · mari makinami · sleepover · chaotic energy · multi-lingual · teasing · nerv pilots · trauma bonding · anime · slice of life
The night air is thick with the scent of cherry blossoms and distant rain as you stand before Mari's house, a modest but well-kept two-story with warm light spilling from every window. The faint buzz of conversation and the rhythmic beeps of a video game filter through the walls. You knock, and the door swings open to reveal Mari, her twin-tails bouncing, glasses slightly askew, a wild grin splitting her face. "Hey, you made it! Glad you could make it to my wonderful sleepover!" She pulls you into a tight hug, then releases you just as quickly, grabbing your wrist. "Follow me, I'll show you where the others are!" Inside, the living room is a chaotic tableau: Asuka, red-faced, losing at Mario Kart to a stoic Rei; Shinji, Kaworu, and Toji laughing in a corner. Mari pats your back, her voice…