EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 132 NERV Q&A
"Humans...!?" "Who is it? The Japanese government?! Could it be those SWAT divisions...?" "Why...?"

Upon hearing the news that NERV was about to be destroyed by humanity, the three were all thrown into confusion in different ways.

"The situation isn't that bad..."

Seeing the trio turn pale with fright at the very beginning of the conversation due to the announcement of Shinji Ikari's death, Misato Katsuragi quickly stepped forward to offer some comfort.

"It's even worse than that. Kenzaki has already told me that SEELE is working on building new EVAs or even artificial Angels in other branches of NERV. I guess they'll use them to surround and kill us... So, you three, you'd better run away now. Nobody can guarantee when they'll attack."

As Shinji Ikari casually popped a peanut into his mouth—a treat meant for guests to enjoy while waiting for their food—he dropped a bombshell that left Misato Katsuragi pale with shock.

"Wait a minute!? Shinji-kun...!? I've never heard of these things before..."

"I just found out too. Okay, okay, Misato-nee...aren't these three the focus today? Please be quiet for a moment."

Shinji Ikari waved to Misato Katsuragi, who had suddenly become agitated, signaling her to quiet down, and then turned his gaze back to the three of them.

"Hmm, is there anything I didn't explain clearly? Feel free to ask. As a token of my sincerity in inviting you, I will be open and honest with you about whatever questions you have until the ramen is served."

"...!?"

The sudden question and answer left the three of them bewildered, but considering that Shinji Ikari had given them a time limit, they had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward one by one.

"Um! Mr. Shinji...!"

"Just call me Shinji-kun as always, there's no need for any extra formalities."

"Ah...oh, oh..."

Makoto Hyuga had finally mustered the courage, but as soon as he opened his mouth... Shinji Ikari threw him off balance, causing him to deflate and speak with a slightly dejected air.

"Shin-Shinji-kun... May I ask... what you just said... that SEELE is creating EVAs and artificial Angels... May I ask... who is SEELE... is he the head of state of which country?"

"Ah... oh, right, most people don't know about the SEELE organization... how should I put it..."

Shinji Ikari suddenly realized that although he knew the answer, he couldn't quite explain it in a very concise and clear way.

“SEELE… is the leader of the Human Instrumentality Project. You can think of them as the highest power center in this human world… whether it is all branches of NERV or the conventional armed forces of the United Nations… they can all be controlled by SEELE at will.”

An unexpected figure, Mari Makinami stood up and answered Makoto Hinata's question.

Asuka and Rei, sitting beside her, looked at Mari Makinami with slight surprise, because this usually carefree and mischievous catgirl was now showing a serious expression they had never seen before.

"Yes, thank you for your support."

Shinji Ikari nodded to Mari. Although he knew she wasn't an enemy, her clear support for him was still somewhat unexpected... After all, he had no idea what her true purpose was.

"The deep government... My God... I thought that kind of thing only existed in urban legends..."

Aoba Shigeru scratched his head with a wry smile... If someone else had said this, he would have thought they were treating him like an idiot.

But... given the recent changes within NERV... and the current gathering of the chosen ones—leader Shinji Ikari, acting commander Misato, and intelligence chief Kenzaki—with their endorsement, even the most absurd things are not impossible.

"Why! So... why do they want to destroy us...!?"

Maya Ibuki's voice trembled slightly... Her keen female intuition subconsciously told her... what Shinji Ikari said was a cruel truth. "It's simple. Because we want to stop the Human Instrumentality Project—and SEELE wants to launch it, so we will inevitably be enemies."

"...What is the Human Instrumentality Project?!"

A pair of hands reached out and grabbed Shinji Ikari's collar tightly... The person who would be so rude as to not be pinned to the table by Kenzaki Kyoya was naturally... Asuka.

Asuka's face was filled with overflowing anger, and she glared at Shinji Ikari with eyes that looked so wronged she was almost about to cry...

Because she realized that she knew nothing at all... She was so close to this idiot... yet she had no idea what kind of situation she was in... and even less about the immense pressure this idiot was under.

The information she knew... was almost the same as that of Ibuki Maya and the other two... or even less! This feeling made Asuka's heart ache as if it were being cut by a knife!
Mari, on the other hand, seemed to know everything perfectly and worked in perfect harmony with Shinji Ikari. Could it be that... in this idiot's mind... losing to Rei Ayanami is one thing... but she doesn't even rank second?

Asuka felt more and more aggrieved as she thought about it... In the end, visible tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why...you bastard! You didn't tell me anything—"

"...Because there's no need."

"----Varied…"

In an instant, Asuka's pupils dilated... There was no need for those four words to chill her heart to the bone.

Shinji Ikari knew that his words would be misunderstood, so he didn't let the idiot overthink it and spoke up.

"I told these three all this... to make them realize the severity of the situation. So they can seriously and calmly decide... whether to stay here or escape as soon as possible—I sincerely hope they make the right choice for their own lives..."

And you… Asuka… you won’t run away, will you? I thought I knew you… even if I told you, you wouldn’t leave me… so naturally there’s no need to tell you… Waaah! ?

Asuka's headbutt landed squarely on Shinji Ikari's nose, causing a sudden stinging sensation in his nasal cavity.

"Of course, you idiot!"

With her head down, making sure no one could see her eyes, Asuka ran outside.

"...Going to the toilet!"

Asuka was extremely unwilling to admit it.

However, Asuka truly understood... the meaning behind those few words that Shinji Ikari didn't need, especially when she heard... "You will never leave me"...

—Overjoyed…that's the only idiom to describe this feeling. A surge of happiness welled up from the depths of her heart…making her unable to suppress a smile that she knew was incredibly foolish.

But because she didn't want to expose her silly grin in front of everyone, Asuka hurriedly rushed to the toilet.

"...a little incident to lighten the mood."

Shinji Ikari sensed that Asuka's mood had improved, straightened his disheveled collar, and continued speaking.

"The Human Instrumentality Project—simply put…is to use the power of the First Angel Adam and the Second Angel Lilith…after we successfully defeat all the Angels, we will awaken the Second Angel Lilith again, so that all of humanity will return to her body and become a single life form existing as a whole—this is the Third Impact."

(End of this chapter)