Samsara by Chuckman, author of Last Child of Krypton, is a Comedy/Romance Neon Genesis Evangelion fanfiction.
After the events of Episode 15, Shinji wishes that he could have a good day for once, and subsequently finds himself reliving that particular day over and over again. He soon discovers that Asuka is also in need of a good day, and tries to ensure she has one - which proves to be surprisingly difficult.
Shinji also introduces Rei to caffeine.
It can be read in FF.net
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Tropes:
- Be Careful What You Wish For: At the end of the anniversary of his mother's death, Shinji begs for one single good day. Then he is forced to relive the same day several hundred times until he gets it right.
- The Big Damn Kiss: When Shinji and Asuka kiss at the end of final cycle, both of them feel electric shocks coursing through their bodies."Good," he said, and twined his fingers through hers. He put his arm around her and pulled her into an embrace while holding her other hand next to his head, gripping it tightly. She squeezed it back as her lips met his. Since this had all started, this had played out a dozen times, maybe more, he'd lost count. It was different this time. An electric shock went through his spine, and she must have felt it, too; her stomach muscles were fluttering against his. They started to sway, as if they were dancing, and only stopped to breathe. Shinji didn't even realize he'd heard the thunder until it started to rain.
- Calling the Old Man Out: Throughout the loop, Shinji tries to talk to Gendo, shout at him, fight him… By the three hundredth cycle, though, Shinji tells his father he does not care anymore.
- Eating the Eye Candy: Even when Asuka is a disheveled mess after waking, and even before Shinji develops actual feelings for her, he finds himself fascinated by looking at her.
- "Groundhog Day" Loop: Shinji goes through the anniversary of his mother's death three hundred times until he manages to break the cycle.
- Heel Realization: Shinji tells Asuka to fuck off in an early loop; he thinks she's just manipulating his emotions for fun. However, when he hears her crying later and realizes that she's just as lonely and sad as he is, he makes it his mission to only help her from then on.
- In the Blood: Shinji and Gendo have an unexpected bonding moment when the latter catches the former crying because he cannot help the only person who he truly cares about.
- Lets Wait Awhile: Asuka is fine with a little kissing and cuddling but isn't in a hurry for the rest of it, thank you very much.Asuka (to Misato): I'm not some hussy like you, to give it up on the first date.
- Meaningful Name: Samsara is the name of the cycle of death and rebirth in Eastern religions.
- Mistaken Confession: When Misato catches Shinji and Asuka sleeping together, Shinji admits he stole her car...shocking Misato since she did not know anything about it.Misato: "I am very disappointed in both of you."
Shinji: "M-Misato. That's right, I did it, I did it all. I stole your car."
Misato: (blinking) "Wait, what? I meant sleeping together. What did you do to my car?" - Mistaken for Junkie: When a desperate Shinji tells Kaji about the loops, the older man asks if he has been drinking.
- My God, What Have I Done?: At the tenth cycle, Shinji tells Asuka off when she wants to kiss him. He is feeling pretty pleased with himself until he eavesdrops Asuka crying and begging for the same thing he wants: just one good day.
- One-Word Title: The fic is titled Samsara.
- Ring-Ring-CRUNCH!: Shinji begins the two hundred thirty-seventh cycle by throwing the alarm clock into a wall and stomping on the remains.Shinji yanked the cord out of the wall and threw the alarm clock in the hallway, where it shattered against the floor, spraying electronic components and plastic shards around the carpeting. He stomped out and jammed his heel into it, tears streaming down his face.
"What do I have to do, huh?" he screamed, "What do I have to fucking do? Cure cancer? Get Fuyutsuki laid? Land on the god damn moon? What does it take? I can't do this anymore!"
He stormed out of the apartment in his underwear. - Romantic Rain: It starts raining when Shinji and Asuka kiss in the final cycle.
- Running Gag: A surprised and annoyed Asuka replying “We get paid?” every time Shinji mentions casually he has not been spending his pay.
- Sacred First Kiss: Shinji and Asuka's first kiss being ruined because of their psychological issues begins the time loop, since Shinji was feeling depressed enough to wish for one good day.
- Shout-Out: To the Bad Dudes in the Sixty-Two Loop.Shinji: "Asuka has taken Hikari to the arcade. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue her?"
- So Proud of You: When Shinji says he is going to save Asuka and does not care for Gendo's opinion thereon, Nerv's commander states aloud he might have underestimated him.
- Tell Me About My Father: Subverted. In the Seventeenth Loop, Shinji wants to make Professor Fuyutsuki questions about one of his parents. Startled, Fuyutsuki thinks Shinji wants information about his deceased mother -who he does not want to talk about-, but becomes more relaxed when Shinji clarifies it is Gendo who he wants to learn about.
- Through His Stomach: Shinji tries making Asuka a Black Forest cake in one loop.
- Title Drop: It happens when Shinji helps a security guard solve a Crossword Puzzle.Security Guard: "Hey, kid. What's a seven letter word for the cycle of death and rebirth?"
Shinji: "Samsara." - "Well Done, Son" Guy: Shinji used to yearn for Gendo's approval -or at the very least his regard- since he was abandoned, but after going through one time loop three hundred times he no longer cares. Ironically, Shinji stating he could not care less for Gendo's opinion earns him his father's respect.
- What You Are in the Dark: During the first few loops, Shinji exploits his lack of accountability by being a jerkass to other people and engaging in even more questionable behavior such as harassing Misato. He stops being a jerkass, though, when his actions hurt Asuka in the tenth loop.
