EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 135 Each choice
"Shinji-kun."

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Shinji Ikari noticed that... the expressions on the faces of the three men had changed slightly.

Whether they were prepared or had already accepted reality, they all made the same expression, as if they had made a certain decision.

"Nice expression..."

Shinji Ikari looked at Shigeru Aoba with considerable approval... It seemed that Makoto Hyuga and Maya Ibuki had not yet made their choices... but this man had already reached his conclusion.

"Can I ask you one last question?"

"Of course. In fact, I'm quite surprised that you only need to ask one more question."

"Why—why are you telling us this…?"

Upon hearing this question, both Makoto Hyuga and Maya Ibuki, who were still deep in thought and struggling with their inner conflicts, looked up... This was also the question they wanted to ask.

If Shinji Ikari, like Gendo Ikari before him, refuses to share any information with him and only issues orders when necessary, then given the courage and determination of these three, there is no possibility of them directly betraying him.

The final outcome will likely be that they will be annihilated by SEELE and become tragic cannon fodder without any explanation.

—But, from Shinji Ikari's perspective... he said that these things would not benefit him at all... and would only increase the risks.

"Didn't I just say that I hope you can see the situation clearly... and then make your own choices?"

Even if we have to run for our lives tomorrow...?

"Of course. Do you think I would force you to stay and work for me illegally? You guys, even though I am Gendo Ikari's son... I can't stand that scum's behavior. Don't confuse me with him."

Shinji Ikari grinned to express his displeasure—comparing him to Gendo Ikari was simply an insult to him.

“I’ll repeat myself—what I hope for is not for you to stay and fight for me, but for my comrades who have fought alongside me for months to no longer be kept in the dark, to be able to make the right choices in their own lives—whether it’s joining us, escaping to another city, or even if you think the Human Instrumentality Project makes sense after hearing about it and want to support it…it’s all your freedom.”

"So, that's why you're so insistent on protecting SEELE's plan?"

"I wasn't trying to maintain it... I was just trying to explain to you from SEELE's perspective what kind of thing those old people were pursuing. As for whether that thing is worth gambling with the future of humanity... whether it all boils down to an eternal and unified whole is a matter of opinion. At least... my answer is no, so I will stop it—that's the reason this Project U exists!"

Having heard Shinji Ikari's answer, Shigeru Aoba now fully understands the current situation and has figured out who the enemy and friend are.

"I see--"

Aoba closed his eyes...and took a deep breath. At this moment...what flashed through his mind was taking the earliest train tomorrow to escape back to his hometown to find his parents, and then moving with them to a safe country far away from Japan...

So, what about the day after tomorrow?
do not know.

Are there any safe countries left in this world?

do not know.

If the Human Instrumentality Project is truly completed, is it possible for me to survive?

have no idea----

No, stop lying to yourself... Don't you know perfectly well?

The answer is...it's impossible.

If a catastrophe unfolds on a global, all-human scale... and the Third Impact truly arrives, no matter where you flee to on Earth... you will not escape. The only way to be saved is...

"I understand. Shinji-kun, no... Commander Ikari!" The confusion in Aoba Shigeru's eyes disappeared; he had found his answer... and chosen the path he wanted to take.

"Damn, that nickname of yours only reminds me of that middle-aged man wearing sunglasses. Change it now."

Although he was cursing, Shinji Ikari also smiled... He could directly feel the determination of the young man in front of him to stop the world from being distorted.

This will to fight back even in the most desperate moments is the most beautiful light of humanity—courage!
"...Katsura Ichisuke, may I ask...are you also...the mastermind behind this plan?"

Compared to Aoba Shigeru, who had already made up his mind, Hinata Makoto was much more dejected... repeatedly pulling at his hair... but he still couldn't make up his mind like his colleague. Finally... he turned his hopeful gaze to Katsuragi Misato beside him.

"Eh…"

Misato Katsuragi was momentarily stunned when Hinata suddenly mentioned her... followed by a bitter feeling of reluctance.

How could she not realize that this honest and upright man harbored a strong affection for her?

Makoto Hyuga harbors a secret crush on Misato Katsuragi... but feels inferior to Ryoji Kaji's excellence and handsomeness, and dares only to bury his feelings...

This is practically an open secret at NERV.

Now, facing his own helplessness once again, Makoto Hinata chose to turn his gaze to Misato Katsuragi.

The meaning is simple and clear... I don't know what to do, so... please tell me your answer. If you're willing to die, I will follow you...

If Misato Katsuragi at this moment were merely a vengeful figure seeking revenge against the Angels, she would undoubtedly have used this foolish and naive fellow until his death without hesitation…

However, she is no longer the little girl who was obsessed with her father's death and wanted to take revenge on the apostles! After learning the whole truth, she made her own choices and changes.

and so……

"I'm sorry, Hinata-kun... you shouldn't have asked me. This is a question that only you can answer."

With a polite and tactful smile, Misato Katsuragi rejected Makoto Hyuga's advances.

"...Yes, oh...it was me, I was rude..."

Realizing that he didn't even have the right to choose to die with Misato Katsuragi, Makoto Hinata left the hotel dejectedly.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault that the negotiations broke down..."

Misato Katsuragi bowed respectfully to Shinji Ikari in apology, but Shinji suddenly reached behind her and tapped her lumbar spine—

"Waaaaah—!"

Misato Katsuragi straightened up while letting out a scream like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Oh dear, it hurts so much here... This means Miss Misato, your lumbar muscle strain is quite severe, and you need to take good care of it."

"Shinji-kun...!? Why the sudden prank!"

"Because what you said... was so delightful. Ms. Misato... A person's path can only be decided by themselves. You did so well! I couldn't help but want to tease you... you even stole my lines."

—Being in love... is not a wrong feeling.

However... if you lose your true self because of blind emotions... and only know how to follow others, you will not find a way out in life.

(End of this chapter)