EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 153 Let's Go See the End of the Universe
When I came to my senses, I was in a dream.

…It felt as if Asuka was immersed in the deep sea, that weightless lightness filled her hands and feet.

"..."

Asuka was very familiar with this feeling... Every time she was swallowed up by memories of the past, every time she was driven to a dead end by unreasonable desires, her heart would fall to this place.

However, it was precisely because of the preface that Asuka realized that this time was different from all the previous ones.

This ocean no longer seems oppressive...no longer gloomy, the seawater is no longer icy cold...it even brings a pleasant and refreshing warmth.

"Mom... is that you?"

If there is anything that can directly alter Asuka's ocean of consciousness, then the answer... is already obvious.

Responding to Asuka's call, her mother's majestic and kind figure slowly materialized before her...

"Asuka...my good girl..."

"Mother--!!"

In the past, she had seen her mother's image in her dreams before, but... for the first time, Soryu Kyoko actually responded to her in her dream!
I was so excited I wanted to rush over and throw myself into my mother's broad, warm embrace...

But, just as she took a step, Kyoko's words made Asuka stop in her tracks, puzzled.

"Asuka, you've... done enough."

"…………Mother?"

That was the pride that Asuka had always dreamed of, and one could even say that... the meaning of life for the girl named Asuka... was to pursue the affirmation from her mother in the past.

But... when what she had always dreamed of finally became a reality before her eyes, for some reason... Asuka felt... not quite that happy...

"Asuka... my child... you're so tired... thank you for everything..."

With a loving smile, Kyoko Soryu extended her hand to Asuka, gesturing for her to hold it.

"Let's go... This time, we'll never be apart again... forever and ever..."

—These are the words Asuka most wanted to hear…

For no reason at all, Asuka could sense that the mother before her was definitely not a fake, and that if she held her hand now and left with her, she could obtain what she had been searching for all this time.

Yes, as long as we hold our mother's hand and sleep together in this tranquil sea, we can find eternal peace...

but…………

Why would someone feel resistance inside?
"Asuka...?"

Seeing Asuka's small hand vaguely reaching out, it withdrew again...

"Mom, I..."

Seeing her mother's puzzled face, Asuka's heart sank... she didn't know how to explain.

Yes, endless battles, pain and betrayal... Is there really any point in going back to a world and humanity on the verge of destruction?
Originally—it shouldn't have been there…

But, unfortunately, even in a world that is already rotten, stinking, and oozing pus...

Asuka, however, knew that someone was willing to risk their life and do everything in their power to repair and mend things...

"You don't want to leave with me, Asuka...?"

Kyoko Soryu noticed the change in Asuka's heart. When the boy's face flashed before Asuka's eyes, she knew that her daughter had made a decision.

“No…it’s not that I don’t want to, Mom…it’s just—it’s not the right time yet…I still have people I want to see, things I want to say to them, things I want to…do with them…”

Asuka gave a wry smile. This is really...difficult.

It was an invitation from her mother, whom she had been longing to hear from day and night, but... because of that idiot, she had to postpone it.

“…I see, Asuka…”

Kyoko Soryu showed no displeasure; instead, her smile deepened… transforming from loving and serene to proud and gratified. Her daughter, finally… was about to leave the shadow of motherhood and embark on… her own path in life.

"...So, what are you going to do?"

At this moment, it was no longer about saving this land of suffering with his daughter, but about watching over his daughter who was about to embark on her own journey.

Asuka smiled in response to Kyoko Soryu's question.

What should we do...? There are so many things to do: I want to see the sea... I want to climb mountains... I want to admire flowers... I want to watch the moon... But if Asuka had to choose one...

"Maybe... let's go see the end of the universe together!"

—[To help young people develop broad minds, let's lift our heads and look at the ends of the universe.]—

The familiar melody echoed in my ears once again…

The words that boy wanted to say to himself gave him the strength to say goodbye to his mother and move forward alone!
As Asuka smiled and said goodbye to her mother, a buzzing sound came from her ears…

"...Sudden stop...! Recover!"

"Blood...normal, quick..."

The mother's kind voice vanished, replaced by... fragmented, indistinct, frantic screams...

"Stand up, ...inject"

"Stop the bleeding, quickly... increase the pressure..."

What are they shouting?

In order to figure out what these frantic people around her were talking about... Asuka desperately focused her mind, trying to make her consciousness rise from the sea of ​​consciousness that had just ended with her mother's passing!
The moment her consciousness escaped the sea of ​​confusion, Asuka heard the joyful cheers of those around her.

"Consciousness restored...! Heartbeat returned to normal!"

"The infection has subsided, and the wound is being sutured!"

"The nerve rejection reaction has disappeared...! Asuka! You're out of danger!!"

...Is that so? Oh...I see...

At that moment, Asuka realized... that her mother had indeed come to take her away, and that she had chosen... to stay.

To remain in this dilapidated world, so far removed from peace and tranquility...

Stupid Shinji, I... stayed because of you...

Don't let me down...

Asuka closed her eyes peacefully once again.

Unlike before, when I closed my eyes... it was when I was facing a choice between staying or leaving...

This time, closing my eyes is so that I can wake up full of life next time.

………………

.........

...

"Asuka...you're awake?"

When Asuka opened her eyes again, she finally saw that idiot's face.

I've been transferred from the emergency department to a regular ward. Although I'm still wrapped up like a mummy because of my injuries, I don't know why, but when I see this idiot, I don't feel any pain anywhere.

But why is this idiot sitting so comfortably with his legs crossed on the edge of his bed, reading a book?

Hey! I've been on the brink of death several times... I almost went down with my mom... You better do something about it!

(End of this chapter)