"I think he would like that, personally." Akihiko may not have been the best gifter in the world, but he was pretty sure that something related to cooking was the best bet for Shinjiro. What was wrong with a gift being useful, anyway? Besides, Shinji actually enjoyed cooking, it wasn't just a necessity, even if he didn't seem willing to openly admit it at times.

"I'm a little more stumped when it comes to our leader -- and Minako. She's a new friend to us, but for Shinji, she's been around a long time, and she fought the same battles we did. She deserves something."