EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 169 An Invitation from Gendo Ikari
"You guys seemed to have a lot of fun last night."

"...Misato-nee, when did you get back?"

In the sleek sports car, Misato Katsuragi drove towards NERV headquarters while teasing Shinji Ikari, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

Shinji Ikari grinned. Even just being mentioned... Shinji could vividly feel... the touch of Rei Ayanami's kiss from last night. That wonderful feeling—soft and silky... gentle and sticky... yet with distinct textures—was a delicacy Shinji had never tasted before.

Even now... just mentioning it makes Shinji Ikari feel the lingering warmth... making it impossible for him to speak properly with Rei Ayanami. Rei Ayanami herself, on the other hand, obediently said goodnight and went back to her room after that.

When I saw her this morning, her attitude was exactly the same as usual... making Shinji Ikari, who was all nervous, look like a fool.

"So, Misato-nee? You specially invited me and drove me to work... just so you could tease me about these things on the way?"

However, Shinji Ikari knew that Misato Katsuragi's decision to take him to headquarters early meant that something else had definitely happened...

"...Can't the older sister want to strengthen her bond with her cute younger brother?"

However, Misato Katsuragi did not change the subject as Shinji Ikari suggested, and continued to tease him with a playful smile.

"Because you clearly have no experience with girls... What if Xiaoli or Asuka complains that your kissing skills are terrible? Your dignity as a man would be completely destroyed. So, I specially chose this time to practice kissing techniques with you... If you want, I can even teach you a few tricks, so that when a naive virgin meets a naive virgin, he won't be at a loss for what to do..."

—It's all a lie.

Although the words spoken were rather intimate and suggestive... Shinji Ikari could tell that there was no laughter in Misato Katsuragi's voice.

She was conflicted, conflicted about what to do... The fact that Misato Katsuragi had invited her into the car for a private talk meant that she wanted to talk to her, but when it came time to speak... she didn't know how to start... so she could only use these slightly risqué jokes to ease the tension.

"Miss Misato, you're really not being honest..."

"Oh dear, do you really need your older sister to practice with you? You're such a..."

"What did Miss Akagi say to you last night?"

"..."

Misato Katsuragi's eyebrows twitched suddenly without her noticing, and her expression instantly changed from a playful smile to a solemn and serious one... even with a hint of sadness.

"Is that so... So, I was also put under surveillance by Kenzaki's men on your orders, Shinji Ikari... Well, that's true... After all, you're the one who..."

Realizing that Shinji Ikari already knew that she had been invited out to a bar by Ritsuko Akagi the previous night, Misato Katsuragi felt a deep sense of sorrow... Had she still not been completely trusted by this boy?

"It hurts so much...!"

Seeing Misato Katsuragi's expression, Shinji Ikari knew she was thinking the wrong thing, and without caring that she was driving... to prevent her paranoia from getting worse, he pinched Misato's face.

“Hey you… is there any possibility that… the person I’m monitoring is Ritsuko Akagi?”

"Ah...! Haha, yes... that's right... that's right... oh dear, I really am..."

Seeing Shinji Ikari's incredulous look, Misato Katsuragi could only manage an awkward laugh... Yes, it was only natural that Ritsuko Akagi, as a direct descendant of Gendo Ikari, would be monitored by the intelligence department.

Therefore, my meeting with Ritsuko Akagi must have been seen by intelligence personnel, and they probably submitted it to Shinji Ikari as a report last night.

Why couldn't I think of such a simple truth? Why did I immediately assume that Shinji Ikari was spying on me?
...Isn't the answer obvious? Because...even though I'm an adult, I'm terrified deep down...

Afraid of being distrusted by Shinji Ikari, afraid of being... abandoned by him as something useless—

That's why...the slightest disturbance triggers such a panic...

"Alright, tell me. Ms. Akagi Ritsuko specially invited you to a bar for drinks, and then you asked me out alone the next day... Is there something you want to tell me?"

Realizing that Shinji Ikari had made his point clear and was unwilling to continue the argument, Misato Katsuragi made up her mind and slammed on the brakes. She parked the car next to the mountain fence, a spot from which she could see the entire Third New Tokyo City.

"Shinji-kun, let me make this clear... The reason I didn't speak up directly... was because I hesitated to tell you, it was definitely not because of me..."

“I know, I know… Misato-nee. How could I doubt you? I can even guess from your reaction… Miss Akagi probably wanted me to do something dangerous, but something I was willing to do… and you were worried about my safety, thinking that maybe I should just keep quiet… so I could continue to be happy every day—is that right?”

"........."

After Shinji Ikari finished speaking, Misato Katsuragi was dumbfounded, unable to utter a single word, staring at Shinji with eyes that looked like she had seen a ghost.

"Shinji-kun, you really didn't... plant any listening devices on me or Ritsuko?"

"If you really let me go, there's no need for me to come out for a drive with you—just tell me... what does Miss Akagi suggest?"

Judging from Misato Katsuragi's reaction, Shinji Ikari could tell that his guess was pretty close to the truth... but he was still very curious about what that woman wanted to do.

"Ritsuko—"

Misato Katsuragi closed her eyes… Last night, Ritsuko Akagi’s face was filled with tears… This strong woman, who usually seemed stronger than anyone else, was now clinging to her and pleading as if she were about to cry…

"Ritsuko wants you to go to Berlin."

"Berlin? — The NERV Third Branch in Berlin, Germany…"

Shinji Ikari frowned slightly. That was a place he had never been involved with before… All Shinji knew about it was…

Asuka's clone project was carried out at the Third Branch in Berlin, Germany.

Furthermore, since the information was brought by Ritsuko Akagi... that means...

"Gendo Ikari, he's there now, isn't he?"

"…………yes."

The answer is obvious... At this point in time, when the eleventh apostle has been destroyed, Gendo Ikari finally takes action.

“Ritsuko said…Commander Ikari contacted her and asked her to tell you…Commander Ikari is waiting for you in Berlin.”

"...That's it?"

Shinji Ikari scratched his head. There wasn't that kind of menacing presence you'd expect from a villainous boss? Like, if you want to know the truth about the world, or if you don't want this woman to die… well, come find me! —Something like that…

Just one sentence: "I'll be waiting for you in Berlin." Who's going? What can I do if I don't go?

"Gone…"

Misato Katsuragi also sighed.

"That's all she said, but... Commander Ikari seems to think that you—will definitely go. Because... you're the one who's eager to end everything completely... leaving no hidden dangers... so you'll definitely go!"

A hint of worry flashed in Misato Katsuragi's eyes... because even she knew—

"……………………How annoying, that old man—this time, he actually got it right."

In order to eliminate the threat known as Gendo Ikari... Shinji Ikari will not refuse this invitation.

(End of this chapter)