EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 168 ONE FIRST KISS
"Yes…"

These are words from Shinji Ikari, devoid of any personal desire...words that express a genuine joy simply for his own existence.

The unease and guilt on Rei Ayanami's face finally disappeared, and she had the courage to raise her delicate white hand and cover it with the hand that was supporting her face.

"I understand... but... this, this, this..."

"?"

Seeing Rei Ayanami relax, she suddenly frowned and closed her eyes tightly... as if she was tense about something—

This was the first time Shinji Ikari had ever seen Rei Ayanami with such vivid emotions! He waited with great curiosity, wondering what words Rei Ayanami would say, and what feelings she would convey to him.

"This...this is all because of Ikari-kun's fault...!"

"what?!"

Unexpectedly, Rei Ayanami blushed and closed her eyes as she blurted out this completely inexplicable complaint against herself, leaving Shinji Ikari utterly dumbfounded.

"...Because Asuka...and Mari are both beautiful and charming girls—while I...have absolutely no feminine charm...so, um...um...that's why I felt uneasy...and wanted to make you happy...that's why...I'm sorry...I didn't think you had any complaints, Ikari-kun...I just..."

Shinji Ikari patiently waited for Rei Ayanami to finish her stammering, contradictory speech before asking a question with a half-smile.

"Did Mari teach you this, or did the class representative teach you?"

"...Both of them were helpful."

Seeing that her trump card, which she had specially consulted, was immediately recognized by Shinji Ikari as having been taught by someone else, Rei Ayanami fell into an awkward silence, only managing a sheepish reply after a long while.

"Yes...but, Dongmu said...these are all my...true thoughts. They analyzed it for me like this...because I feel...lacking in competitiveness, so I want to...make some sacrifices for you, so that I can...gain your attention..."

Shinji Ikari scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. He could say a few words about other things, but when it came to the romantic troubles of young girls in their prime, he really had no idea.

"So, what do you think of... their analysis..."

"...Your analysis is correct, therefore..."

Rei Ayanami nodded solemnly, occasionally glancing at Shinji Ikari out of the corner of her eye… that look—shocked Shinji… because he had never even imagined it…

One day, I will use the words "seductive eyes" and "gentle as water" to describe Rei Ayanami...

"Are you... being coquettish?"

This is a spontaneous... and extremely clumsy attempt at coquetry from a girl who has never experienced human love.

"I...I don't know either...but...maybe...I heard from Toki that...when she and Suzuhara have a fight, she'll act like this...acting cute."

"Haha...yes, that's the class monitor's experience..."

Shinji Ikari could only awkwardly scratch his head, thinking that if he had known this kind of plot would be triggered, he would have asked Toji Suzuhara earlier how to respond to a girl's coquettishness.

However, Shinji Ikari soon had nothing to worry about... because Rei Ayanami had already raised her head with her eyes slightly closed, offering her lips, which were as tempting as a cute fruit, to Shinji.

"Ayanami!?"

"...Dōki-san said...as long as I act cute like this...Suzuhara-san will...show her feelings, so...I, I will too..."

Shinji Ikari felt... a hot and sweet breath brushing against his face, bringing a wonderful, indescribable sensation that was both tingling and itchy.

So...so that's how sweet a girl's scent is...No, I should say...that Ayanami's scent is so fragrant?
But, but—is this asking me to kiss her?
Can't you judge for yourself?! You're eloquent in everything else, but when it comes to love... even after two lifetimes, you're still a complete novice with absolutely no experience!?
"Hmm...?" After waiting for a while, Ayanami still didn't feel Shinji Ikari make any moves... She stubbornly maintained her original posture, but let out a soft hum to express her dissatisfaction.

"Th-that...!?"

"Ok!"

Shinji Ikari simply wanted to stand up and find some other excuse to change the subject... but Rei Ayanami grabbed his hands and forced him to keep his hands cupping Rei Ayanami's face, making it impossible for him to escape.

"Ok!"

"Okay...okay!"

Even the reserved Rei Ayanami... the Rei Ayanami who had no emotions not long ago... was able to reach out and yearn for a response to his feelings...

He couldn't just run away at the last minute! He took a deep breath and made up his mind...! Shinji Ikari closed his eyes and slowly moved his face closer to Rei Ayanami's beautiful and pure face.

near……

near…

Although they were only a few centimeters apart, to Shinji Ikari at that moment, it felt as far as light-years.

"what?"

Finally, Rei Ayanami let out a questioning sound mixed with dissatisfaction and doubt... because she felt a shy and clumsy kiss on her forehead.

"Okay, okay?!"

Shinji Ikari frantically turned his head away, completely unable to look Rei Ayanami in the eye... This was his limit! Yes, even if Ryoji Kaji or Misato Katsuragi saw this... even if they teased him, saying, "Isn't this a goodnight kiss for your sister?"... he didn't care!
Being able to do this is already the absolute limit for the young virgin Shinji Ikari!
This is... our first kiss...! A one-first kiss! To go this far! That's already my limit!
"I...this is all I can do! I don't know how..."

Extreme shyness and disdain for his own lack of courage to even kiss left Shinji Ikari's mind in a mess, immersing him in self-abandonment.

And at that moment…

"hehe…"

I heard Rei Ayanami's melodious laughter, as sweet as a wind chime, and without any malice...

Ah, so... Ikari-kun... also shows a side of himself that no one else can see because of me.

That brave Shinji Ikari, that composed Shinji Ikari, that Shinji Ikari who took on the safety of the entire world... and could still face any challenge with a sneer, seizing fate by the throat.

To think that she would show such an awkward, naive, adorable, and expressive face in front of me.

"Alright, alright! Stop laughing! Rei! I just don't know... Waaah!?"

In an instant, Shinji Ikari's mind went blank.

Because… at that moment, Rei Ayanami grabbed Shinji Ikari and forcefully covered his lips with hers.

What made Shinji Ikari feel as if he had been electrocuted was...

You can even sense something nimble and unpredictable, taking advantage of Shinji Ikari's momentary surprise... charging headlong... into Shinji Ikari's mouth.

(Why don't I know? Because if I did, it would have been reviewed.)

(End of this chapter)