EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 174 You Like It That Much? My Decisive Lingerie
"I'm back... Huh?"

Bathed in the bright moonlight, Shinji Ikari returned to his apartment.

But today I felt a slight sense of unease... When I opened the apartment door, the room was pitch black.

There was no light, no sound, and even the panopan that would usually come out to greet us with its loud cries... were nowhere to be seen.

Could it be... an enemy attack?! The outpost has been raided by special forces from the Strategic Self-Defense Force...?

The terrifying thought vanished in an instant, because Shinji Ikari could clearly sense that there was no smell of blood, gunpowder, or lingering hostility in the room... it was simply empty.

...No, there is still one person.

There was only one person's presence in the entire apartment... as if deliberately concealed, lurking in the darkness... Hearing his own voice, he didn't react at all, and... the location was actually in Shinji Ikari's own bedroom... What kind of prank is this?

If it were an ordinary person, they would probably be terrified by such primitive methods... But Shinji Ikari can easily sense that Kenzaki Kyoya, who is lurking and following him, is a top-level professional spy.

The clumsy concealment inside the house could only be described as playful... However, since it's not an enemy, it's probably one of the four: Rei Ayanami, Asuka Mami, and Misato.

Just play with her for a bit.

With a hint of amused anticipation on his lips, Shinji Ikari walked straight into his room… and, to give the person hiding behind the door an opportunity, deliberately left the lights off…

He even turned around, exposing his back to the lurking intruder.

“————!!”

Sure enough, a powerful surge of kinetic energy violently slammed into Shinji Ikari's back... The moment this guy saw Shinji Ikari, he leaped out from behind the door, intending to use his body to crash into him, causing the two of them to tumble onto Shinji Ikari's bed together.

"Eee-ah?!"

Then, I heard a cute scream... That voice... it's Asuka!

Faced with Asuka's sudden attack, Shinji Ikari simply tilted his body to the right, causing Asuka to miss and land face-first on the bed!

"What a unique way to welcome us! Tomorrow... cough?!"

With a grin on his face, Shinji turned on the light, wanting to tease the little girl who had played a prank on him. But... the moment the light returned, what Shinji saw was... Asuka wearing only a red lace bra.

Besides the deep red bra and thong embroidered with cute little bows... there were even crimson lace gloves and lace lace tops... alluringly and seductively covering Asuka's slender and fair hands and feet.

"Don't turn on the light?! Waaah... Why did you find out, you idiot Shinji?!"

Realizing her failed dive... Asuka hurriedly and urgently shouted not to turn on the lights, but before she could finish speaking, Shinji Ikari turned on the lights, exposing her incredibly shy appearance to the idiot Shinji.

"...I also wanted to ask you why you thought I couldn't find out... *cough*"

Although he wanted to maintain his composure as usual, the crimson lace outfit in front of him, a true heartbreaker, had left Shinji Ikari unsure where to look.

Could it be that... this idiot didn't want to play a prank on me... but actually wanted to...!?

"Eh----"

At this moment, Asuka also noticed the embarrassment in Shinji Ikari's eyes...

"What's wrong? Our leader, Shinji Ikari? Why aren't you looking at me? Your eyes are darting wildly between the walls and the ceiling... Are you that nervous? Do you like my... decisive... underwear that much?"

Realizing her offensive had succeeded, Asuka abandoned her shyness and, like a beautiful snake, writhed her supple body toward Shinji Ikari.

"What the hell is this 'Winning Underwear'?! Who are you trying to take down, you idiot?!"

"Oh, so even Shinji, that idiot, doesn't understand this... Ah, Shinji... He really is still a brat."

The more flustered Shinji Ikari became, the more agitated Asuka grew… She was now nestled against him, whispering softly in his ear and breathing warm air. “What are you doing?!”

The instant the snake-like woman's tongue touched his earlobe, Shinji Ikari sprang from the bed, staring at Asuka with a look of formidable dread... and then turned to run away from the house.

Knowing that Shinji Ikari had escaped, all the atmosphere built up for the night would be for nothing... Asuka couldn't play around anymore and yelled.

Why won't you tell us—

"... "

Shinji Ikari, who had already opened the door and stepped halfway out of the room, heard Asuka's incredibly resentful voice... and had no choice but to return to the room, facing Asuka with a wry smile.

"Ah, so you knew..."

"…………"

Asuka remained silent, only staring intently at Shinji Ikari with teary eyes... The answer was self-evident.

"Sigh, Misato-nee... It shouldn't be. It must be that bastard Kaji... Honestly... I'll have to teach him a lesson tomorrow..."

"Why won't you tell anyone... no... wait! You must have told Kenzaki-san, right? You think Kenzaki-san is more trustworthy than me, right?!"

Asuka, her voice trembling with tears, launched into a tirade of abuse.

"No, no... it's just that there's no need for it. I only told Kenzaki because I needed him to arrange two drivers to take me there by plane—otherwise, I wouldn't have told him."

"Idiot!! Who's worrying about that! I'm asking you, why aren't you telling anyone?!"

Having failed to change the subject, Shinji Ikari could only give a blank, honest answer to the original question.

"You really don't trust me, you don't trust us at all?!"

"...It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that once I tell you...won't you all want to come along?"

"That's not certain!!!"

Seeing Asuka's resolute expression, Shinji Ikari could only sigh.

"That's why I didn't want to say it...sigh..."

Originally, I just wanted to go there quietly by myself and resolve everything decisively... but now it seems things are definitely going to get complicated.

"You idiot Shinji! I order you—don't even think about running off to somewhere else alone…you absolutely, positively must take me with you!! Otherwise…"

"otherwise?"

Shinji was genuinely curious about what she was going to say next... but this action clearly angered Asuka, causing her to glare at Shinji with extreme resentment once again.

"Otherwise! I'll cut my arm with a knife! Tie my neck with a rope! Get earrings! Tongue piercings! Nose rings! Like an Ikari! I'll register a fake account on Instagram and become a 'welfare girl'! I'll hook up with men on apps! Just to make you, you heartless idiot, worry about me! To do things that will hurt yourself!! Are you satisfied now!!!"

"Please don't! My ancestor, you're my living ancestor! I can't stand this! Pretend I didn't say anything! Pretend I asked anything! I'll take you there...! Don't do anything rash!"

But clearly, at this moment, simply going together... was not enough to quell Asuka's discontent. She rushed straight into Shinji's arms...

"Then—hug me!!!"

"what?!"

(End of this chapter)