Return With The Bride

[Shinji steps into the home, holding a bag of food and dresses. Elie is standing in front of door, dressed in his oversized T-shirt and pants (which is too loose for her). She looks up at him, her cheeks tinged with pink, and greets him softly.]

Shinji: (trying to sound casual but failing miserably) "I'm back... with food... and, uh, a dress for you."

Elie: (blushing, shyly crossing her legs) "Welcome back."

[Her voice is gentle, almost a whisper, but it hits Shinji like a truck. His eyes widen as he takes in the sight before him—Elie in his clothes. The shirt is too big, the sleeves hanging loosely past her elbows, and the sweatpants are rolled up at the ankles, barely clinging to her slim frame. But somehow, she looks impossibly cute]

Shinji: (thinking, as his heart races) "She's wearing my clothes... She looks so cute! No, not just cute—she's stunning! A living goddess, right here in front of me. How can someone look this good in a baggy T-shirt?!"

[His heartbeat grows louder—badump, badump, badump—until it's the only thing he can hear. Time slows as he stares at her, completely lost in his thoughts.]

Elie: (waving her hand in front of his face, her expression innocent and curious) "Hey, hey! What's wrong? Did something happen?"

[Shinji jolts as if struck by lightning, snapping out of his trance. His face turns red, and he stumbles over his words.]

Shinji: "N-Nothing! Nothing at all!"

[Before she can say another word, he spins around and bolts toward the kitchen, his voice slightly higher-pitched than usual.]

Shinji: (blushing furiously) "Come on, hurry up! The food's gonna get cold!"

[Elie tilts her head, confused by his sudden behavior, but smiles softly as she follows him. Shinji, meanwhile, is internally screaming, trying to calm his racing heart as he sets the table.]

[Shinji sets the steaming bowls of ramen on the table and gestures for Elie to sit across from him. She approaches hesitantly, her gaze flicking between the food and Shinji.]

Shinji: "Come and sit here. This is yours."

[He slides a bowl toward her. Elie peers into it, her crimson eyes wide with curiosity.]

Elie: (tilting her head) "What is this?"

Shinji: (smiling) "It's ramen. It's a really famous dish in my country. And this is shoyu ramen, made with soy sauce. Try it. I think you'll like it."

[Shinji picks up his chopsticks and begins eating, expertly twirling the noodles and slurping them up. Meanwhile, Elie sits frozen, staring at him, her hands resting awkwardly on the table.]

Shinji: (noticing her gaze and pausing mid-slurp, thinking) "Why is she staring at me? Did I do something weird?"

[He glances at her, and then at her hands hovering uncertainly near her chopsticks. Realization dawns.]

Shinji: (thinking) "Oh, right! They don't use chopsticks in her world. It's all forks, spoons, and knives there. She must've been watching me to figure it out."

Shinji: (putting down his chopsticks) "Wait, let me show you how to hold them."

Elie: (embarrassed, looking down) "T-Thank you..."

[Shinji leans closer, picking up her chopsticks and adjusting her grip.]

Shinji: (casually) "Why are you thanking me? It's no big deal. Just hold them like this."

[Elie mimics his instructions, her movements stiff and awkward. She tries to pick up some noodles, but every time she manages to lift a piece, it slips and falls back into the bowl with a splash.]

Shinji: (laughing, unable to hold it in) "What are you doing?!"

[Elie pouts, her cheeks puffed out in frustration. Her expression is so adorable, Shinji can't help but grin wider.]

Elie: (glaring, like an angry kitten) "What? Why are you laughing?!"

Shinji: (chuckling) "You look like an angry cat."

[Elie narrows her eyes at him, her pout deepening. Shinji finally takes pity on her and grabs his own chopsticks.]

Shinji: "Alright, alright. Let me help you."

[He carefully picks up a piece of ramen with his chopsticks and holds it out toward her. Elie freezes, her face turning a deep shade of pink as she realizes he's about to feed her.]

Elie: (stammering) "W-What are you—"

Shinji: "Just eat it before it falls!"

[Reluctantly, Elie leans forward and takes the bite, her face glowing with embarrassment. She chews quietly, avoiding eye contact while Shinji watches her reaction with anticipation.]

Shinji: (grinning) "See? Not bad, right?"

Elie: (blushing, nodding slightly) "It's... delicious."

Shinji: "Good. For today, I'll feed you, and tomorrow I'll buy you a set of forks and spoons."

[After finishing dinner, Shinji leans back with a satisfied sigh, feeling a small sense of pride as Elie quietly wipes her mouth with a napkin.]

Shinji: "Elie, I also bought you something else—some nightwear. Check if it's comfortable for you."

[He pulls out a neatly folded set of pajamas from the bag and hands it to her. Elie takes it gently, her crimson eyes glancing at the soft fabric.]

Elie: (nodding) "Okay... Thank you."

[Shinji suddenly freezes, his eyes narrowing slightly as he motions for her to stop.]

Shinji: (seriously) "Wait, come here ".

[Elie tilts her head in confusion but walks up to him, standing right in front of him.]

Shinji: (gently but awkwardly) "Don't say 'thank you' to me."

Elie: (blinking, puzzled) "Why?"

Shinji: (looking away, scratching his cheek shyly) "I-I'm your husband. It's my responsibility to take care of you. You don't need to thank me for stuff like this."

[As soon as the words leave his mouth, Shinji's face flushes bright red, and he internally panics—'What am I saying?! Why did I just say that out loud?!']

[Elie's heart starts racing, her cheeks turning pink as her mind repeats his words: 'I'm your husband.' She places a hand on her chest, feeling the rapid 'badump, badump' of her heart.]

Elie: (softly, her voice almost a whisper) "Okay..."

Sleep-Time

[Later, Elie steps out of the bathroom in her new nightwear, the soft fabric hugging her petite frame. The pajamas are simple but suit her perfectly, and Shinji can't help but stare for a moment.]

Elie: (with a shy smile) "It's great and really comfortable. I like it."

Shinji: (relieved, smiling warmly) "I'm glad you like it."

[Just as he feels a small sense of accomplishment, another realization hits him like a truck. His gaze darts to the single bed in the corner of the room.]

Shinji: (thinking) "there's only one bed here! What do I do now?!"