EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 133 The Human Instrumentality Project
"—The third impact?!"

If the previous information about the First Apostle, the Second Apostle, and Lilith... was not enough to make these three people intuitively realize the grim situation they were facing.

So... the Daimyo of the Third Impact is a nightmare that no human being in this world can forget.

The greatest catastrophe of fifteen years ago, which destroyed the entire world's ecological structure and claimed the lives of over four billion people... is it that humanity is going to trigger it?!
What is that organization called SEELE thinking?!
"for…!?"

"The beer's chilled! And soju too!"

Just as the atmosphere was reaching its climax, Kenzaki suddenly raised a finger to signal Hinata to be quiet... Then, the owner and waiters brought out a large amount of ice-cold beer and sake to the table.

“…Waaah…”

Once again interrupted and his momentum waned, Makoto Hyuga slunk back down... Even Shigeru Aoba couldn't help but complain to Shinji Ikari.

"I mean, Shinji...? Shouldn't we discuss this in a more formal setting...?"

"Hmm? Isn't this place quite nice?"

Shinji Ikari opened a beer, and then, under the curious gazes of everyone... instead of pouring one for himself, he poured a full glass for Misato Katsuragi, who was standing next to him.

"...I want to feel the atmosphere here. Even though we live under the heavy pressure of being an apostle...no one can guarantee that the calamity called death will befall them tomorrow...but, people still work hard during the day and make a ruckus at night...Only in a place like this can you clearly see that everyone is trying their best to live."

"Ah... thank you... I thought you wanted to drink it yourself."

Misato Katsuragi accepted the wine glass with some trepidation.

“Minors can’t drink alcohol, right? You’re supposed to be my guardian, after all.”

"...It seems...it seems that's how it is."

Misato Katsuragi realized that she and the boy were relying on each other too much, both in terms of daily strategic planning and tactical arrangements during battles.

Despite Shinji Ikari's handsome appearance, he is seen as a very imposing and weathered figure by Misato Katsuragi. So, it's only natural that he would drink some beer.

"Shinji! Allow me to continue... Why did that organization called SEELE artificially trigger the Third Impact?! Wouldn't that kill all of humanity in the world...?!"

Seeing that the topic had veered off course, Aoba Shigeru quickly stood up and asked the question earnestly and impatiently.

"Kill? Hmm... If we use their words, it's not called killing... but rather the form of life has changed. All of humanity has merged into one, and there are no longer any individual humans... only the collective name of humanity remains. Since the concept of the individual no longer exists, then naturally there is no such thing as the death of an individual human being."

Not to mention the trio of intelligence officers, even Misato Katsuragi and Kyoya Kenzaki hadn't grasped the essence of the Human Instrumentality Project in such detail... Everyone stared at Shinji Ikari with astonishment and disbelief.

Only Mari and Rei Ayanami could remain calm... Rei Ayanami, as always, looked at Shinji Ikari with a smile on her face... Mari, on the other hand, happily picked up the sake she had ordered, ready to enjoy it alone.

"I'm...sorry, Shinji-kun...I don't understand..."

Maya Ibuki raised her hand shakily... The scale and scope of tonight's conversation were a bit too grand for this hard-working woman who just didn't want to die and diligently went to work every day.

"It's very simple..."

"Hey... Hey!"

She had just poured herself a glass of sake when Shinji Ikari suddenly reached out and snatched it away, which provoked a strong protest from Mari.

“Miss Ibuki, for example, this is me... I am Shinji Ikari.”

Ignoring Mari's indignant protests, Shinji Ikari placed the cup of sake in front of him.

"And this is you... you are Ibuki Maya."

Then, she picked up the mineral water in front of Ibuki Maya... and then mixed the two together.

"Now tell me, are Shinji Ikari or Maya Ibuki dead? Have they disappeared?"

"this…………"

Everyone stared blankly at the mixture of alcohol and drink in Shinji Ikari's hand... Could this be considered death?

"Indeed, they haven't disappeared—they're still alive and well. But if that means they haven't died, then... can you still find them? Can you still find... who is Maya Ibuki, and who is Shinji Ikari?"

"........."

Ibuki Maya and Hinata Makoto were still immersed in shock and disbelief... while Aoba Shigeru had already shown a thoughtful expression.

"But...but...this is wine and water! It's just a simple liquid, how could a human so easily...it's simply impossible!"

“That’s right! It’s impossible! That’s why SEELE looks forward to the miracle called the Apostles… The First Apostle Adam and the Second Apostle Lilith—the power of the origin of life, through the Third Impact… to break the impossibility you speak of and make it possible… This is the Human Instrumentality Project.”

"...This is too absurd! This is too absurd...!"

Although they still kept muttering to themselves... everyone had already accepted the fact.

"Why would anyone do something so stupid! Mixing humans together... it's just absurd!"

"Isn't this simple?"

Seeing that Ibuki Maya was almost out of control, Shinji Ikari casually waved his hand.

"And Asuka... come in and listen now that you're back. What are you doing hiding by the door eavesdropping? It's not like I'm not letting you in." "Ugh...!"

Asuka, who had been called out, slunk into the house... Originally, she couldn't find a suitable time to enter because she had heard such a shocking truth, but unexpectedly, she was dragged in by Shinji Ikari.

"Miss Ibuki, let me ask you... why was Asuka afraid to come in just now? She just stood there helplessly at the door like a puppy that couldn't get into its house?"

"...I...I don't know..."

Shinji Ikari grinned. It seemed Asuka was genuinely terrified by the Human Instrumentality Project... She didn't even have the cute reaction she should have had, like "Who are you calling a puppy?"

"Because—she was afraid of ruining the atmosphere, afraid of interrupting the conversation, afraid of making you and me dislike her, afraid of causing others to reject her...because, humans are supposed to consider the feelings of others."

"what…"

Realizing what Shinji Ikari was trying to say, Shigeru Aoba opened his mouth in sudden understanding.

Ibuki Maya still looked confused and dazed, while Shinji Ikari continued to explain to her.

"Well, let me give you another example... Ms. Ibuki—say, after dinner today... you'll probably get home around 3 a.m., right? And then, on your way home... you suddenly notice two figures following you in the distance... would you be scared?"

"Of course!"

The thought of a young woman living alone being followed home by a stranger... just imagining it gives Ibuki Maya goosebumps.

"—Why? That person was just walking on the street like you, and didn't do anything."

"Of course it's because he might hurt me... I'm a girl all alone at night, I'm bound to be scared..."

"That's exactly why, because humans are individual beings, unable to know what the other is thinking, unable to know what the other wants to do... unable to know how the other feels about them—that's why humans are afraid, worried, and apprehensive... and ultimately end up hurting each other."

At this point… even Ibuki Maya understood what Shinji Ikari wanted to express to her…

"So... as long as humanity unites as one... there will be no more unease and fear, because everyone is one person... so naturally there will be no more harm to each other... Is this what eternal peace and tranquility means... Shinji, sir?"

Under Shinji Ikari's guidance, Maya Ibuki gained a profound understanding of the true nature of the Human Instrumentality Project—something she herself could never have imagined.

"...Shinji...from what you're saying, you seem to know a lot about...the Human Instrumentality Project...could it be...that you actually...agree with this project...?"

This time, it wasn't the trio, but Misato Katsuragi who tremblingly asked the question…

A profound sense of panic welled up within her—

Shinji Ikari understands the Human Instrumentality Project so well, even patiently guiding them step by step to understand... why SEELE is implementing this project... and what changes humanity will undergo after its completion...

Could it be that Shinji Ikari really agrees...? If he does agree... then what should I do?

I……

"Of course—I object."

The powerful voice instantly filled Misato Katsuragi's heart with a tremendous sense of security.

"And... listen to me properly. Just now, when I was explaining why we're hostile to SEELE, didn't I say that our goal is to stop the Human Instrumentality Project? If I supported this project, I would have joined forces with SEELE long ago, instead of making a fool of myself here. Ms. Misato... are you getting old?"

Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes at Misato Katsuragi, speechless at her forgetfulness.

"It's all because you've always been on SEELE's side! You big idiot!"

"Then why...! Shinji! Since you know this plan will bring humanity eternal peace and tranquility... why did you tell me all this step by step... why did you still lead us to rebel against SEELE! and stop the Human Instrumentality Project!?"

This time, almost simultaneously... Aoba Shigeru, Hinata Makoto, and Ibuki Maya almost roared... eagerly seeking the answer, seeking... the boy's response to this question.

Shinji Ikari, as always, did not give a direct answer, but instead smiled and handed the glass of liquid, half water and half wine, to the furious Misato Katsuragi.

"Try it."

"...?"

Stop asking questions, just drink it.

Misato Katsuragi took the drink, looked at it suspiciously, then at Shinji Ikari's face... and drank it with a bewildered expression.

"Ugh, this tastes awful...?! What is this?!"

Sake diluted with water, which already has a low alcohol content, becomes even less flavorful after being diluted further. And while it's water, the pungent, alcoholic odor remains... ultimately turning it into a useless drink.

"This is the answer—"

She seemed to thoroughly enjoy Misato Katsuragi's expression at that moment... and the answer she gave.

Shinji Ikari smiled and gave the answer to the question.

"I believe that humans should live in human form. Only then can they be called human."

(End of this chapter)