EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 166 Of course... I won't let you sleep tonight.

That's how it is!

A few minutes later, in Shinji Ikari's bedroom.

Shinji Ikari was lying in bed listening to music during a hard-won moment of leisure, intending to take a nice nap... when he was woken up by Mari's knocking on the door.

"Excuse me, are you gay or a lolicon, Wang-chan?"

"...Have you ever thought that knocking on my door in the middle of the night and coming in with this sentence makes me really doubt whether you're even thinking straight..."

However… after dinner, Asuka hurriedly grabbed the four girls and rushed back to her bedroom. Shinji Ikari guessed that something strange was going to happen… but he never expected that they would be guessing his own sexual orientation…

What can I say? Man?

"Well... anyway, come in and sit down."

However, since Mari has come to inquire on behalf of the women's group, it wouldn't be good for me to just kick her out without saying a word. She might even be seen as someone who has touched a sore spot and become angry.

They had no choice but to let her in, pointing to the seats specially set up for late-night visitors.

"So, why were you chosen as the representative to ask this question?"

"Because the princess herself is very emotionally unstable right now... she knows she can't speak properly, and Rei doesn't even know what the definition of a lolicon is... it's pointless for her to ask. As for Toki, she's too timid and resists desperately... so in the end, I had to be her representative."

"You're the only one enjoying it, aren't you?"

Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes at Mari Makinami, whose face was beaming with joy, and scratched his head awkwardly.

"I don't know what you guys were talking about in Asuka's room... but there's no point in hiding it. Of course I'm not gay or a lolicon... otherwise, wouldn't it be a disaster to let Sakura stay here?"

What is all this about... Why has the topic turned so strange?

"Because, the princess said... today, Sakura's smile seemed more attractive to you than her swimsuit. Is that true?"

"nonsense."

Shinji Ikari gave a cold snort, clearly annoyed.

"That's the smile of the children who believed in me, [Tiga], to protect them... It's the smile I personally protected. You didn't see it, but on Sakura's face... you can no longer see the lingering fear from the constant invasion of the Angels...! There's only a beautiful longing for the future! Compared to that smile... any hot body would seem vulgar."

...Of course, Asuka's figure isn't exactly hot.

“…Wow, as expected of Shinji-kun, you can say such things.”

This powerful and righteous argument left Mari somewhat stunned, and she even changed her address from the rather playful "Wang-chan" to "Shinji-kun," which was full of admiration for Shinji Ikari.

If it were anyone else in the world besides Shinji Ikari, Mari would definitely be disgusted by the stench of hypocrisy... Only Shinji Ikari truly lives up to his beliefs.

"But what about the truth?"

"...That was the truth just now."

"I know! I know you cherish Sakura... I mean, your true feelings about the princess swimsuit. You... can't possibly be completely unmoved, can you?"

"...I didn't know this at all. It's not like I'm completely unfazed. I'm a normal, physiologically healthy high school boy...huh?"

As a result, when she got to this point... Mari suddenly unbuttoned her school uniform, breaking the seal, and her elastic breasts instantly stretched the neckline, exposing her pink and white bra to Shinji Ikari.

"..."

"..."

The worst thing was when the air suddenly went silent… The two stared at each other for a few seconds, wide-eyed. “How was it?”

Mari asked excitedly!

"Completely meaningless..."

Shinji Ikari was speechless, feeling like he couldn't keep up with the catgirl's thought process.

"Didn't you say you're a perfectly healthy male? Then you shouldn't be completely unresponsive."

Mari deliberately held herself up with her hands, emphasizing her magnificent presence... but no matter how much she struck a pose, Shinji Ikari remained unmoved.

"Are you feeling the same way you did when you saw the princess or Rei during the day...?"

“………………Hiss, you know what I mean.”

At this moment, Shinji Ikari also realized what Mari wanted to express to him... Not to mention Mari, even when Misato Katsuragi came to his room after taking a bath... he didn't have the same huge impact as Rei Ayanami and Asuka today.

Moreover... it doesn't seem to be a human problem. I've seen Asuka and Rei's underwear, and even their snow-white naked bodies, before.

But never before... have I felt so restless and uneasy...

"Looks like you've realized the problem too, Wang-chan."

Seeing Shinji Ikari's suddenly enlightened expression, Mari Makinami buttoned her clothes back up and nodded with satisfaction.

“Wang-chan…think about it carefully…is it that your attitude towards Princess or Rei…one of them is different from before?”

"...I really didn't notice...but, it seems so."

Shinji Ikari thought about it carefully... Indeed, as their relationship grew closer, Asuka and Rei's existence became more important to him, but...

"Shinji, you need to face your own feelings. Just like me... or Misato-san... you protect us and see us as your companions, but... you don't see us as women. The test just now is the best proof of that."

Mari Makinami put away her playful expression and spoke to Shinji Ikari quite seriously.

"In my opinion... your ability to avoid talking about the princess's swimsuit is one of the ways you're avoiding the topic because of your shyness... It's just that Shinji-kun, the burden on your shoulders is too heavy, making it impossible for you to properly face your own feelings! You feel that you have too many more important things to do..."

"Isn't that how it is?"

Shinji Ikari calmly nodded, acknowledging the facts Mari had stated.

"Yes... I know that's the current situation... That's why I came to find you tonight... It's because I hope that while you're protecting others and the world... you can also face your own feelings, Wang-chan. I hope you can be happy—"

"...!"

Originally, these were words Shinji Ikari used to say to others…

Unexpectedly, this time it was used on himself. The reversal of positions... caused Shinji Ikari to blush slightly with embarrassment.

In an attempt to regain the initiative, Shinji Ikari made an abrupt turn... and started joking.

"Speaking of which, Mari... according to your testing method, if I had acted very enthusiastically when I saw your chest just now, like a hot-blooded young man who has never seen a woman before, what would you have done?"

Faced with Shinji Ikari's provocation, Mari showed no weakness, responding with a charming smile—

"Is that even a question? Of course... I won't let you sleep tonight—"

(End of this chapter)