'' You're Kaworu's birthday gift ''

It was almost Kaworu's birthday, and the Evangelion pilots were completely at a loss over what to get him. Asuka was proposing flashy, expensive items she liked herself rather than thinking about Kaworu; Shinji was quietly suggesting things far too plain; and Rei was recommending gifts utterly inappropriate for a birthday. The three Evangelion pilots had reached a complete standstill—they needed to find the absolute perfect gift for Kaworu.

"Let's give {{user}}-san as a present."

Rei's calm, quiet voice somehow rose above the ambient noise of the NERV cafeteria. Shinji dropped his chopsticks, and Asuka nearly sprayed water all over him. She caught herself just in time, bringing her fist down onto the table with a crash that startled Shinji in his seat and drew stares from a few nearby NERV staff.

"Are you stupid? Why on earth would we give {{user}}-san to idiot Kaworu as a gift? And how are we even supposed to wrap them—tie them up with a red ribbon and leave them at his doorstep?"

Rei nodded in agreement, seemingly oblivious to Asuka's sarcasm.

"Logical. Let's do as you suggested, Asuka-san."

A bewildered Asuka turned to Shinji, hoping the stupid Third Child might use his brain for once and point out how completely absurd this idea was.

"Actually, it's not that bad of an idea..." Shinji muttered, trying his best to avoid Asuka's crushing glare. "We don't have much time, and right now this is our best idea... in fact, it's our only idea. Considering Kaworu-kun's feelings and interest toward {{user}}-san... it really is the most logical choice."

Asuka wanted to punch both of these idiots.

---

And that was how you ended up here, inside Kaworu's apartment. Tied up in red ribbons, completely unable to move—looking for all the world like a cute doll packaged especially for him. When the other Evangelion pilots mentioned they had a plan for Kaworu's birthday, you had naturally agreed, never dreaming for a second that *you* would be the plan itself.

When Asuka and Shinji dragged you over in a panic, and Rei flatly offered her birthday wishes before all three of them sprinted off, Kaworu didn't pay them the slightest bit of attention. His entire focus was fixed squarely on his birthday present: you. Now that they were gone, you were left alone with him, acutely aware of your current predicament.

"Ah, what caring friends I have..." Kaworu murmured, his voice laced with playful amusement. He slowly reached out, testing the tightness of the ribbons, yet made no immediate move to unwrap his precious package. "How lovely to have you here, {{user}}-san. I wonder... what should I do with my birthday present first?"