EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 179 I like Ikari-kun... but I like you too.

"I like Ikari too! I like him even more than you."

Completely disregarding Asuka's feelings, his resolute and certain statement left both Asuka and Shinji Ikari stunned.

I never imagined... that this child would show such a strong side.

So much so that I felt more shocked than angry at being provoked... shocked by Rei Ayanami's straightforward frankness.

If it were me, could I say it so fluently...? Probably not.

It would be fine if she were alone with Shinji Ikari, but if she had to declare in front of Rei Ayanami that she liked that idiot Shinji more than anyone else, even Asuka probably couldn't say such a thing.

So… in a sense, Asuka might even feel secretly happy for this child—she had become human before herself… and was able to strongly and persistently describe the happiness she sought in words…

Of course, it would be even better if the happiness she chooses doesn't conflict with her own.

"so what--?"

But... the current situation is quite simple and clear: two girls have fallen for the same boy... so...

"Xiaoli, what are you trying to express by making such a declaration?"

With her arms crossed over her chest, she responded to Rei Ayanami's declaration of affection in a very aggressive manner.

"You want me to step aside... so you can be with this idiot?"

—What a spineless person.

I wanted to say those words with complete ease and confidence... but in the end... the words that came out were trembling with unease.

I know perfectly well—that idiot Shinji would never do anything to hurt either of us…

He just said that he wouldn't hurt Rei Ayanami for my sake... so naturally he won't hurt himself for Rei Ayanami's sake either.

But—I just feel uneasy!

What if... what if he only said that because he was talking to me...?

What if this idiot... shows a completely different face when he's with Xiaoli...?

What if...no, not what if, it's true! That idiot Shinji definitely likes Rei a little more than he does...then I...

"…No."

"How is that possible? What are you talking about?"

However, when faced with Asuka's question, Rei Ayanami and Shinji Ikari shook their heads in unison, denying Asuka's biggest worry and giving the poor girl a little sense of security.

"I like Ikari-kun—but, Ikari-kun likes you. So, I won't force you to leave, Asuka...it would make Ikari-kun sad."

Rei Ayanami obediently shook her head, and in order to soothe Asuka's inner unease... she even reached out to try to hold Asuka's slightly trembling hand.

"...!"

Asuka was startled at first, and the moment Rei Ayanami's slightly cool hand touched her... she instinctively pulled her hand away sharply...

"Ah... I'm not..."

Then, seeing Rei Ayanami looking hurt after being rejected, Asuka felt a pang of pain in her heart.

Yet, they lack the courage to reach out... or to apologize to Rei Ayanami, to explain... that they don't dislike her...

It's just that she and Shinji Ikari are in a competitive relationship, which makes things a little awkward...

Ugh, how awful! Didn't that idiot Shinji teach me to stay enthusiastic and make friends with everyone? But why... why did I hurt this kid in front of me again without even realizing it?

Just as the air became awkward, Shinji Ikari, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"Asuka...you don't actually dislike Rei...right?"

Her gentle smile remained as calm and detached as ever. Despite being at the very center of tonight's interpersonal storm, she maintained an air of detached indifference... a calmness that was almost irritating.

“…I guess so…Wow!” Faced with Shinji Ikari’s straightforward gaze, Asuka could no longer evade the question and could only obediently nod…then she noticed that Shinji Ikari suddenly reached out and grasped her hand.

Then, she reached out her hand to Rei Ayanami on the other side...

"Lingbo, you had something you wanted to say to Asuka earlier, but you didn't finish, did you?"

Rei Ayanami obediently grasped Shinji Ikari's hand, tentatively reaching out with some hesitation.

"Yes...but I'm afraid Asuka...doesn't like me."

"It doesn't matter... Whether the other person likes it or not... expressing your true feelings is the greatest honesty between people."

"yes………"

Encouraged by Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami took a deep breath... and while still holding Shinji's hand, she placed her own hand on top of Asuka's...

This resulted in a strange and awkward pose with all four hands clasped together. However... this pose seemed to satisfy Rei Ayanami.

"Asuka... I won't force you to leave, because that would make Ikari sad... and it would also make me... feel lonely."

"...!"

Surprisingly, Rei Ayanami didn't continue talking about Shinji Ikari at the end, but instead started talking about herself...

"The life I spent with Asuka... was very happy."

"Liar...!"

The empty platitudes made Asuka feel dissatisfied with the lack of sincerity.

“We didn’t do anything together at all, we just lived together.”

"No!"

However, just as Asuka stubbornly tried to pull her hand away... Rei Ayanami used an incredibly forceful denial to overwhelm Asuka in terms of momentum, and gripped Asuka's hand even tighter... not letting her pull it away easily.

"...I like Asuka!"

"So, saying these kinds of polite things is just..."

"I like to spend Sunday afternoons with Asuka, lounging on the sofa and watching TV together."

"...That's just something you can see everywhere..."

"I love it when Asuka takes an ice pop out of the freezer and offers me half..."

"I always said that anyone can do that kind of thing..."

"I like Asuka, and she'll ask me to discuss things related to Ikari-kun..."

“…Xiaoli, you…”

"Not just anyone can be found anywhere... because the people who are by my side are Ikari-kun... and Asuka!"

...were defeated.

I have so many things I want to complain about, but...

Looking into Rei Ayanami's pure, innocent, and clear eyes, devoid of any taint...

Asuka felt her inner resistance crumble; in the face of this child's straightforward prayer, any words would seem vulgar.

"...I...I don't dislike you, Rin! But...you like that idiot Shinji, right?! I like him too! What am I supposed to do...!"

Seeing Asuka struggling and on the verge of tears, Rei Ayanami gently wiped away the tears streaming from her eyes…

"Asuka...you're right, I like Ikari-kun—but I like you too."

(End of this chapter)