EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 124 The Pure White Room

"What an incomprehensible decision, Acting Commander Katsuragi."

Through the monitor, Ritsuko Akagi watched as the robotic arm slowly moved Shinji Ikari's hospital bed into Asuka's room, and shook her head with a sigh.

"...It doesn't really matter. Asuka has already woken up, and her mental state is relatively stable."

Misato Katsuragi, with dark circles under her eyes and a weary expression, replied.

For the past three days, she has been busy with the cleanup work after the battle against the Tenth Angel, and with the two key combatants, Shinji Ikari and Asuka, she must make preparations to fight back in case the Eleventh Angel attacks.

I haven't had a proper rest for almost three days, and I only managed to doze off for a short while... before I had to throw myself back into work because of the news that Asuka had woken up.

"Moreover... neither Shinji nor Asuka. The mental pollution of the Angels is not a physiological problem... Haven't the tests over the past three days proven that Shinji's coma cannot be explained by pathology? So, perhaps letting him come into contact with Asuka might have a positive effect."

When the unconscious Shinji Ikari was rescued from the insertion plug of Unit-01... everyone who saw Shinji's appearance was deeply moved by his shocking sight.

Arms, body, calves, thighs... all twisted into unbelievable positions like a pretzel—almost as if crushed... making one think it was just a simple corpse.

But on the other side, at the same time Asuka was rescued from the insertion plug of Unit-02... all of Shinji Ikari's external injuries miraculously disappeared...

Both X-ray and EEG tests indicate that this is perfectly normal... there is no harm done to the human body. The only problem is that the person is unconscious and can only be kept hydrated through IV fluids.

This series of phenomena is beyond the scope of human biology to explain... All Misato Katsuragi can do is to have as positive an influence on him as possible.

"...In that case, so be it."

From a rational perspective... Ritsuko Akagi would absolutely not accept such wishful thinking.

Asuka, infected by the Angel, is in great danger... Allowing Shinji, who is currently in a coma, to come into contact with her... Is there really no fear that Asuka might suddenly go berserk and harm Shinji?

but--

What does that have to do with me...?

No matter how foolish their actions were… Ritsuko Akagi could see… everyone united around Shinji Ikari… whether it was a chosen one like Asuka or Rei, or an operator like Misato Katsuragi, Ryoji Kaji, or Kyoya Kenki…

Their originally dull and numb eyes... gradually gained a glimmer of light... as if they had caught a glimpse of dawn in the long, dark night.

So... what about myself?

The only place I ever thought I could find solace and peace was in that man's arms.

Now that even that man is gone... what should I do...?

"Ritsuko."

Watching Ritsuko Akagi turn and leave, Misato Katsuragi hesitated for a moment before calling out to her.

"...Is there anything else, acting commander Katsuragi?"

"Don't say that... Xiao Lu. It's been so long since we had a few drinks together."

Misato Katsuragi's change in attitude puzzled Ritsuko Akagi...

Indeed—before everything began…the two could even be considered best friends.

But now... it seems as if they are separated into two completely different worlds by an invisible, thick barrier.

"...Lately, I've been so busy...that I haven't had a proper talk with you. How about we go to a bar for a drink?"

"…………No."

Faced with Misato Katsuragi's goodwill, Ritsuko Akagi frowned and coldly rejected her offer.

The answer... is simple. Because Ritsuko Akagi... doesn't want to see—

Originally… like herself, unable to find a reason to live… unable to find a future… her friend, Misato Katsuragi, who poured her life into eliminating the Angels, as if seeking revenge. But because of Shinji Ikari’s appearance, she was gradually changed… Now, like Asuka, she is almost completely unrecognizable from her past obsessive self.

Then... what am I? Watching her gradually walk towards the light... what am I, left behind, still only able to blankly yearn for Gendo Ikari's nourishment?

"Ritsuko...!"

Ignoring Misato Katsuragi's calls... Ritsuko Akagi's figure disappeared into the narrow corridor... Night fell, as if she had stepped onto a road of no return... and vanished into the darkness.

"never mind…"

Ryoji Kaji patted Misato Katsuragi on the shoulder.

"She must have her own principles too."

Faced with Ritsuko Akagi's insistence, Misato Katsuragi could only nod; after all, this was the path she had chosen.

"Idiot Shinji...!"

Meanwhile, in the heavily isolated ward... the robotic arm finally placed Shinji Ikari's sleeping bed securely next to Asuka's.

Kaji Ryoji pressed a button, freeing Asuka from the layers of restraints... Asuka jumped up from the bed in a fluster.

He practically tumbled and crawled towards Shinji Ikari beside him.

"........."

"Very good…"

Even though the other party couldn't respond, feeling Shinji Ikari's even breathing... feeling the boy's warmth and heartbeat, Asuka finally found immense comfort...

She gently grasped Shinji Ikari's hand—a familiar touch… in her dream, it was these rough hands that gently stroked her hair.

"You'll be alright...right? You'll wake up soon...right?"

Although she said that, the image of Shinji Ikari twisted into a lump by the mass-produced EVA units in her dream reappeared in Asuka's mind once again, causing Asuka to almost kneel down in front of Shinji Ikari's bed.

"...Asuka, we're going back now. There's an emergency call button by your bedside... If anything urgent happens, just press that."

Misato Katsuragi spoke as gently as possible, indicating that she and Ryoji Kaji were about to leave.

And Kajiki Ryoji was even more...

"The camera will be turned off when we leave. So don't worry about anything you do being recorded... Ouch!"

"What nonsense are you spouting at a time like this! Hurry up and get going—you idiot!"

Then, with a click, the communication was shut down... Asuka felt the world return to complete silence.

And indeed… just as Kaji Ryoji said… the red dots on the four cameras in the corner of the wall went out simultaneously.

For a moment, the only sound in this monotonous, pure white room was Shinji Ikari's even, faint breathing.

"Idiot Shinji...you're not...pretending to be asleep, are you?"

Asuka moved closer to Shinji Ikari... and naturally, there was no reaction.

"…………"

As if she had just remembered something… Asuka… gently took Shinji Ikari’s hand.

"If you don't come soon, I'm going to... do weird things to you..."

(End of this chapter)