EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 176 Because I Like Ayanami
Can I go back?

Even though Asuka bowed her head so solemnly and so eagerly to him, allowing herself and Ikari to be alone together.

"No...Kimi Ikari told me...to take good care of him..."

"Did Shinji ever tell you to pursue your own happiness?"

Seeing that Rei Ayanami was still worried about Asuka's attitude even now, Misato Katsuragi was also getting angry. From the tears on her face, she had confirmed the girl's feelings.

However, because of Shinji Ikari's request... she's now in a dilemma. Well then, I, as an adult, will lend her a hand!

"Miss Katsuragi?!"

Without waiting for Rei Ayanami to make a decision, Misato Katsuragi took Rei's hand and walked back to the apartment without saying a word...

Hmm, Shinji's bedroom light is on, Shinji-kun is back... Let's just rush up there with this child and explain things to her!
"..."

In a moment of heightened excitement and enthusiasm, Misato Katsuragi only took two steps before a gust of cold wind blew through her... and she calmed down a bit... Had she been too reckless in doing this?
However, he found that Rei Ayanami was obediently following behind him... and her hand, which he was holding, did not resist at all... This attitude had already shown Rei Ayanami's feelings.

She didn't want to be left out... She wanted to be by Shinji's side... She wanted Shinji to look at her more...

However, her spirit of self-sacrifice prevents her from saying these words or doing anything proactively, which is why she has to raise the child herself.

Mustering her courage, she led Rei Ayanami directly to Shinji Ikari's bedroom... However, the moment her hand touched the doorknob, a terrifying thought flashed through Misato Katsuragi's mind...

Hey...are those two doing *that* kind of thing??

I hadn't thought it through at all, but... when I left the apartment just now... I think I saw Asuka go back to her room to change her clothes...

Furthermore, Asuka had previously ordered items online with the note "Winning Bra"... just in case she opens the door and...

Seeing Shinji Ikari and Asuka... well, that would be a huge psychological blow to me... let alone Rei Ayanami! Wouldn't that mean I'm the one who drove that child to her death?!
Holy crap! Why didn't I think of this when I came in...?

"...?"

Rei Ayanami watched as Misato Katsuragi, who had charged forward aggressively, suddenly froze, gripping the doorknob, her face covered in cold sweat...

He looked at her with a gaze that was a mixture of doubt and expectation.

"...Ah...wait a minute!"

Misato Katsuragi forced a perfunctory smile, and then... slowly pressed her ear against the door of Shinji Ikari's bedroom.

Anyway... let's confirm this first!
If I hear any strange breathing sounds... I'll just find some excuse to retreat with Rei! But what excuse... I can't find one at all! We've already reached the door! Where am I supposed to find an excuse...?!
Before they could hear anything, the bedroom door was suddenly flung open.

Because Misato Katsuragi had been leaning against the door to hear more clearly, she was caught off guard and fell awkwardly into the bedroom.

To make matters worse, she was still holding Rei Ayanami's hand at that moment... and as a result, the two of them fell to the ground at the bedroom door with a thud.

"What are you doing?"

They heard Shinji Ikari's utterly speechless voice.

"Ah! Um, we are... we're Rei... Eh? You guys aren't here..."

She stood up in a flustered and incoherent manner... Misato Katsuragi hurriedly checked the situation in the bedroom... only to see Shinji Ikari sitting speechlessly in a chair... still wearing that white shirt... without any sign of dishevelment.

"...Misato!!!"

Asuka, meanwhile, was curled up in bed... wrapped in Shinji Ikari's blanket, her face flushed with embarrassment... glaring at Misato Katsuragi with extreme dissatisfaction... her eyes were so resentful that it seemed she was about to bite Misato Katsuragi a few times at any moment.

"...You've come, Ayanami."

However, Shinji Ikari's expression was natural... even with a hint of relief in his eyes, as he gently helped Rei Ayanami, who had fallen to the ground, to her feet. "...I'm sorry, Ikari-kun...I..."

"No need to apologize, no need to apologize—you didn't do anything wrong, and we've already talked...right, Asuka?"

With a teasing voice, he mocked Asuka... and Asuka couldn't take it anymore... she jumped up and delivered a flying kick to Misato Katsuragi!
"It's all your fault, ahh ...

"Eh?! Asuka?! Calm down!!"

A few minutes ago ————

"Hold me...!"

Asuka, who had made such a request, nestled herself into Shinji Ikari's arms.

Shinji Ikari, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment at Asuka's overly alluring appearance tonight, naturally embraced the soft body in his arms.

The silky smooth, delicate, cool yet fiery sensation on his arm... made Shinji Ikari almost unable to resist.

However, Asuka was clearly not satisfied... because...

I said... hug me!

The hug she mentioned was not just a simple physical embrace.

"They won't be coming back tonight...so...that's it..."

Just as Asuka's hand touched the clasp of her bra, Shinji Ikari suppressed his shyness and stopped her with a wry smile.

"...Sorry, this won't work."

"Why?!?"

Realizing Shinji Ikari's resistance... Asuka let out a mournful cry.

"...Because it makes me feel really bad."

"My...my body...does it disgust you that much? It may be a little barren...but it can't be that bad..."

"Stop, stop, stop! What are you saying! I didn't mention any of your physical characteristics..."

Shinji Ikari was speechless... Does this guy actually care about his flat chest? It seems like he's brought it up more than once.

"What I mean by feeling uncomfortable is... if I hugged you tonight and didn't say anything to Ayanami, that fact would make me feel very uncomfortable."

"...So it really is because of Ayanami?"

"Of course—because I like Ayanami."

Shinji Ikari's casual remark plunged Asuka into an icy abyss, leaving her only able to ask in a trembling voice...

"Do you...like...Ayanami...? And...what about me?"

"I like it too."

"You fucking bastard!"

That's utterly despicable!
However, this answer is more acceptable than a direct rejection.

(End of this chapter)