The end of yet another semester. Almost. Yui stood out in the hall as other students exited the auditorium. It was all rather... anti-climactic. She was that much closer to graduation and she didn't feel anything like she thought she should have.

If it weren't for the project, she would have definitely been finished with school. Then, perhaps, there wouldn't be such a battle for her attention; Gendo wanted it all, naturally.

But the project was probably more important than school, so over spring and summer, her attention would turn to it.

"Easy as pie," a voice whispered in her ear as arms wrapped around her from behind.

The project still had competition though. "You think you did well?" Yui asked, turning around.

"Absolutely. Couldn't have been easier, unless it was basic math," he answered, grinning.

"Or French history?"

The grin disappeared. "That's not... until tomorrow, right?" Gendo asked nervously.

"Tomorrow." Yui watched him fidget for a bit before taking pity on him. "Come on. I'll help you study. I know you need it."

"I get it now; you're ready to fail the class just so you can mess around, aren't you?"

"No, not specifically. I am ready to 'mess around' as you put it, and if I happen to fail because of that, oh well." Gendo shrugged.

"Are you always going to do this? Act like you want something only so you can get something else out of someone? You could have just asked," Yui said, annoyed about the deception. "You didn't need to pretend you wanted to study."

"But I do want to study. I just want to do other things too."

"Priorities! Get some! You can't always do this."

Properly chastised, Gendo started to pack his few remaining things. "Fine. So start studying."

Yui watched him fill the final box. "You're so immature sometimes. How do you manage it?"

"I'm good at everything I do," Gendo answered listlessly.

That should have been a lot more energetic than it was. She hadn't wanted to put him in one of his moods. "I just want you to take this a little seriously. It's only one more day."

"I just want to know why you put me down every chance you get. Why am I fair game to insult when I just want to have some fun?" he asked, gripping a full cardboard box tightly.

"Because this is your future," Yui replied just as intensely. "Remember? You weren't going to end up like your father? And I was going to help you? I'm trying to help you right now."

Gendo's grip continued to tighten on the box, and he closed his eyes. After what felt like an eternity to him in that position, he released the box and opened his eyes. He pulled the chair from the desk over and sat in it. "Fine. Then let's study."

"I'm cutting you slack because I said I'd help," Yui said, looking at Gendo, one lip wanting to curl into a snarl. "I sure as hell am not happy about it though. I feel used and pretty much spit on right now. What's your reply to that?"

"Sorry."

"You're not. Why do you even bother?"

"Because it's what you want to hear."

"Yeah, well, thanks, and don't bother. If you want to fail..." Yui stopped speaking, reminding herself that she had to help, not walk out. "Damn it," she swore quietly. "I'll be back," she said, then stood and left.

She stood in front of his door. She wasn't even sure if he'd be there or not, or if he'd be sober. Pushing away the anger that hadn't left during her walk, Yui opened the door and looked inside the room. Gendo was there, quietly looking through her notes.