EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 134 Ikari-kun… Ah~ (opens mouth)
"Wine has its mellowness, water has its clarity... People are the same, different people... different personalities... making different choices at different times, thus... exhibiting completely different ways of living! This—is what I think humans should be like."

From the moment he saw the true nature of the Human Instrumentality Project in Kenzaki's report... Shinji Ikari knew that he would inevitably be irreconcilably opposed to this project.

To deny the essence and inner nature of humanity... to pursue the fusion and unity of the soul... this is a betrayal and blasphemy against all those who have striven to be human beings to this day.

And it was at this very moment that Shinji Ikari learned the answer.

There has always been a question hanging over Shinji Ikari's mind: Why me?
If it's just about piloting Unit-01... I can attribute the reason to my father and mother, but... why did I inexplicably travel to the world of Ultraman Tiga, gain Ultraman Tiga's power... and then suddenly return?

The moment he saw the Human Instrumentality Project… Shinji Ikari found the answer.

This plan is so ugly—

This world is so broken—

Everyone was crying... Everyone was grieving... Having lost the light in their hearts, they could only numbly pray for everyone to return to the peace of unity.

But—this shouldn't be happening!!!

The light of humanity... should be defended by humanity itself! Pursuing homogenization for everyone and erasing human individuality and true nature... is nothing but cowardly escapism.

Someone has to stand up and tell the world... that there are other ways for humans to survive!

My own strength, my own experiences, my own will, my own enlightenment… everything I have accumulated so far, and… the giant of light who has arrived in response to humanity’s unwavering efforts until death…

They must all exist to stop this plan.

If this world has become so distorted that it can no longer nurture such a person, such light, then let me go to other worlds... and borrow that light! Let me stand up... and stop him!

"Sorry to keep you waiting! We were a bit busy tonight, so the food was a little slow to arrive... The ramen is ready!!"

As if marking the end of a conversation, bowls of steaming hot ramen were served to each person.

Meanwhile, Misato Katsuragi and her group were still immersed in Shinji Ikari's resounding declaration... unable to shake it off for a long time, and had no interest in touching the ramen in front of them.

On the contrary... all the chosen ones, led by Shinji Ikari, very naturally picked up their chopsticks, ready to feast.

"...Thank you, Ikari-kun...you still remember the ramen promise."

Rei Ayanami wanted to thank Shinji Ikari when he ordered, but because Shinji was discussing serious matters, she obediently kept quiet and waited until now.

"How could I forget such a unique request? I should say I also want to try... garlic ramen with no meat and only garlic as the broth, can it really taste good?"

When Shinji Ikari spoke, Rei Ayanami was putting noodles into her mouth... It's unclear where she learned this etiquette from, or perhaps she didn't want Shinji to see her slurping and sucking in such an unseemly way.

Rei Ayanami actually used chopsticks to coil several strands of ramen noodles around a spoon, then with one hand lifting a beautiful blue tress from her sideburns, she slightly parted her lips and put the spoon into her cherry-like mouth.

"...The taste is alright. Ikari-kun...would you like to try some?"

"Sure. I'm really curious."

“Ooooo…!”

Asuka and Mari were immediately captivated by the rich aroma of the char siu noodles, slurping them down with gusto... By the time she saw Rei's actions and realized she needed to maintain a ladylike composure and elegance in front of Shinji Ikari... it was clearly too late.

"It's all your fault...! You started eating right away! And I ended up eating too...!"

"Cough cough!"

He punched Mari in the stomach, causing her to spit the noodles she hadn't swallowed back into the bowl... The scene was horrific.

"It's all your fault! It's all your fault! It's all your fault—!"

"Hey Princess, there's a limit to your capriciousness...!"

"Want to fight? Come on! I'm not afraid of you!!!" Realizing that the delightful noise was about to return, Shinji Ikari quickly moved the two people's cups and bowls to the center of the table to prevent them from being knocked over.

"Be careful not to cause trouble for the boss..."

"Shinji-kun."

Just as Shinji Ikari continued to eat his noodles, Shigeru Aoba walked up to him with a serious expression.

"Although you said you'd stop serving ramen, I'm sorry! I still have things to do..."

"Eat first."

Shinji Ikari pointed to Shigeru Aoba's noodles, which he hadn't touched at all.

"The noodles will clump together in a bit."

"...I still want to..."

"Mr. Aoba—Relax. Relax... Humanity will not perish. Humanity will continue as humanity... So, don't worry... Eat. Eating, and then sleeping, are preparations that humanity must make to welcome a better tomorrow. So... Eat first, and we'll talk after you've finished eating."

"……………………Okay. I understand."

Once again, he felt that invisible, reassuring magic emanating from Shinji Ikari... Shigeru Aoba returned to his seat and began to eat heartily.

Following this example, the two stopped staring blankly and started eating the noodles in front of them... However, without exception, while they were eating, Shinji Ikari's words were still echoing in their minds—humans should exist as humans.

“Ikari-kun… ah~~.”

“Ayanami?!...Well, that's not necessary.”

Turning around, he found that Rei Ayanami had already coiled a bundle of noodles on her small spoon and was feeding it to Shinji Ikari's nose.

This made Shinji Ikari a little embarrassed... He had only meant for Rei Ayanami to use chopsticks to pick out a little for him to try, but he hadn't expected her to...

"Ikari-kun... ah~~"

Despite having already refused, Rei Ayanami was unusually forceful this time... completely ignoring Shinji Ikari's objections and continuing to shove the spoon at him.

"Lingbo! Give me the spoon, I'll put it in my bowl..."

"Shinji-kun! Ah~~~~"

Her light blue eyebrows furrowed, and the change in address... this seemed to be the first time she had called Shinji Ikari by his name directly... proving her determination to successfully feed him today.

"………………ah."

Realizing that continuing to resist would only hurt Rei Ayanami's feelings, Shinji Ikari blushed and, under the furtive glances of Misato Katsuragi and the others, opened his mouth and ate the spoonful.

The moment he ate… Shinji Ikari suddenly realized… when Rei Ayanami used that spoon just now… it wasn't as simple as using chopsticks to pick up the food! She had put the entire spoon into her mouth! And now…

Even if I try not to think about it... I still can't help but savor it with my taste buds...

...Naturally, it only tastes of garlic. After all, it's garlic ramen.

"How are you feeling, Ikari-kun?"

"The fact that garlic is absolutely destructive to other flavors... is just awful."

Faced with the ambiguous comments, Rei Ayanami tilted her cute head slightly, as if a question mark had appeared on her face.

"?"

(End of this chapter)