EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 13 Gratitude and Respect

"Why is this second-generation official here?!"

As soon as I entered the new home, without even having time to put down my luggage, I heard a loud roar like a bell.

In the corridor, standing behind the smirking Misato Katsuragi was a blonde girl wearing only a pure white nightgown - Shikinami Asuka Langley.

"Ah, didn't I tell you? In order to increase the level of rapport between the qualified people, Shinji-kun will also live with us. His room is right next to yours. You must get along well with him, Asuka."

Misato Katsuragi obviously didn't say it on purpose, just to enjoy Asuka's expression after seeing Shinji Ikari.

"How can this be! What if he has bad intentions towards my beauty, then..."

"I'll be able to suppress him then. Don't you trust me, Asuka?"

"I'm not at all worried. You'll just end up getting drunk on beer."

Before, in the infirmary, because Asuka came late, I only heard Kaji Ryoji and Ikari Shinji talking about myself, and did not hear about their previous cohabitation.

Rather... it was because he noticed that Asuka had gone to the next room where she could hear his conversation that Kaji deliberately and abruptly switched the topic to Asuka in order to test Shinji Ikari's reaction.

“It’s not just me.”

Ignoring Asuka's protests, Shinji Ikari stuffed his suitcase into the room assigned to him by Misato Katsuragi.

"Miss Misato, you can apply for a larger apartment. Ayanami will also move in later. The three of us EVA pilots should get along well."

"Three?! That spoiled young lady also..."

When Asuka heard Rei Ayanami's name, the dissatisfaction on her face became even more intense.

"Misato! I'm enough! There's no need for both of them to come! I can defeat the apostles even if I'm alone...!"

"Asuka, a person's power is ultimately limited. Weren't you almost attacked by an apostle today?"

Misato Katsuragi's expression became more serious, because she didn't know that all of Kaji Ryoji's words had reached Asuka's ears, so she felt that she had to teach Asuka a lesson.

"That's all because..."

"That's all because of me. If I hadn't been there, Asuka wouldn't have let her guard down and been attacked by the Angel because her attention was on me. Right?
Okay, okay, don't argue about work during your break; it'll only increase the already high stress level. Let's eat first."

Shinji Ikari interrupted the topic with a smile, saying that Asuka was not really dissatisfied with the previous issue of living together, he was just joking.

When it comes to EVA and the Angels, it's the bottom line of Asuka's mental defense. Asuka regards piloting Unit 2 to defeat the Angels as the meaning of life. If this is denied, she will not be able to survive.

"Ah... well... you, you really understand, don't you?"

Asuka forced a smile, because when her favorite person Ryoji Kaji criticized her, it was Shinji Ikari who spoke up to defend her.

Now facing the accusations from Misato Katsuragi, it was Shinji Ikari who made up for it, making Asuka not know how to face Shinji Ikari.

"I see. Sorry, Asuka, I shouldn't have said this to you right after you came home from your first battle. By the way, Shinji-kun, did Rei really agree to training with us?"

Realizing that she was under some pressure, Misato Katsuragi chose to ease the atmosphere by apologizing to Asuka and then changed the subject.

"She said...she's going to apply. If her application is approved, she'll be able to move in. Who should she apply to? The higher-ups at NERV? Will NERV still manage this?"

Misato Katsuragi's face was filled with black lines. She didn't expect that her casual words of changing the subject would dig a hole for herself.

"Well, um... because of Rei's health, Ritsuko is sort of her guardian, so they're asking for Ritsuko's permission... I guess. The specifics aren't within my jurisdiction, so I don't know."

"Ritsuko...Miss..."

The face of that blond, intellectual beauty emerged in his mind. The head of the Technology Development Department, the most powerful woman in NERV besides his father and the Vice Commander.

I didn't expect that Rei Ayanami's guardian would be her?

"Don't worry, if it's Ritsuko, she'll probably approve Rei's application. I'll apply for a bigger apartment tomorrow, and then the four of us will live together."

"Ouch!"

A sudden, mysterious roar interrupted Misato Katsuragi's words. "Is this... a penguin!?"

As if it understood what Katsuragi Misato said and felt dissatisfied, the strange bird with a collar waved its little claws in protest.

"Oh, sorry, sorry, Panpan, I forgot about you. It should be four and one. Don't worry, we won't abandon you."

Smiling and stroking the large penguin that appeared in the human living environment, Misato Katsuragi casually took out a fish from the refrigerator and threw it to it.

"Let me introduce him. His name is Panpan. He can be considered my pet. We will be part of my family from now on. Please take good care of him."

"ha…………"

Looking at Panpan wolfing down his food and Misato Katsuragi smiling, Asuka let out a long sigh.

"It's up to you. I don't care."

As she said this, she was about to turn around and go back to her room, but just as Asuka turned around, Katsuragi Misato spoke.

"Asuka, Shinji-kun."

"what happened?"

Unlike the previous playfulness, this time Misato Katsuragi's words were full of seriousness.

"Today, it's the first time humans have defeated the apostles with their own strength—thank you for your hard work. You did a great job. On behalf of NERV and all of humanity, I thank you."

As she spoke, Misato Katsuragi bowed solemnly, bending her waist to ninety degrees.

Such a sincere expression of gratitude caught both Shinji Ikari and Asuka by surprise.

"There's no need to be like this, Miss Misato. This is what we should do."

"Yeah, as an elite... it's only natural to protect these ignorant people. There's no need to do this."

Even Asuka, who prided herself on being an EVA pilot, waved her hands in panic.

"No, as a soldier... I feel ashamed and embarrassed for entrusting the survival of humanity to a few fourteen-year-old children, but the truth is... only you can make the EVA move. So, please allow me to express my gratitude and respect."

Feeling the weight of Misato Katsuragi's words, Shinji Ikari and Asuka no longer refused and accepted Misato Katsuragi's tribute head-on.

After dinner, Asuka returned to her room, tired from the whole day.

The various packages, large and small, had not yet been unpacked, and the cardboard boxes tied with tape were piled haphazardly around the room.

"Training together... everyone, are you all going together..."

Asuka bit her lip lightly while mumbling what Katsuragi Misato had just said.

"What do you mean by family living together...how stupid..."

There is no domineering power, only the curse that makes people feel lonely.

Asuka collapsed weakly on the bed, and picked up the doll on the bedside table as if asking for support.

It was an old, weathered, crudely made doll... a red skirt, golden hair, and features exactly like Asuka, with even the word "Asuka" written crookedly on the doll.

Wearing it on her right hand, she shook it like a talking doll. Asuka lowered her voice and whispered softly—

"Asuka is special! Special! So, it's okay to go it alone! Asuka can defeat all the apostles alone! Alone!"

She clearly wanted to force a smile, but this lie that couldn't even deceive herself only made the poor girl fall into deeper loneliness.

"It's okay for me to be alone... Mom..."

That is a prayer that sounds like crying out.

(End of this chapter)