EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 182 All you need to do is trust me!

"By the way, Kenzaki... since you're here, it means..."

"Yes, we detected the movements of the ISIS divisions. Although intelligence said they were conducting a nighttime combat exercise... they raised the level of secrecy to the maximum after the exercise began, and my men could no longer receive any messages."

In the speeding car, Kenzaki Kyoya reported to Ikari Shinji as he drove.

"No... you brought up something so urgent. You were just waiting outside to watch me coax the girl inside, right?"

She rolled her eyes at Kenzaki Kyoya with considerable dissatisfaction. "Since there's going to be some movement... you should have come in and told me directly! What are you watching the show from outside?"

"Because, compared to your feelings, Shinji-kun... a mere human Self-Defense Force division is nothing more than a trivial matter."

Kenzaki Kyo answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Why are you acting like you're receiving a blessing too..."

"On this matter, I agree with Kaji-kun's opinion. Emotions are the fuel that keeps humanity fighting... If it can inject new vitality into you, Shinji-kun, no matter which woman, no matter how many women... no, even men... I will support you with all my might."

"Hey! Let's skip the gay topic; Kaworu Nagisa is already giving me a headache enough..."

Kenzaki Kyoya's pure kindness and loyalty gave Ikari Shinji a bigger headache than Kaji Ryoji. Speaking of which, why do all these people like to meddle in his love life?
"Shinji-kun... please forgive my rudeness—perhaps I can understand Nagisa-kun's thoughts a little. Because, Shinji-kun, you're holding yourself too tight right now... like a rubber band that's about to snap at any moment... Nagisa-kun is also trying to lighten your burden in his own way because of this."

I wonder if it's because the twelfth and thirteenth apostles shared some kind of inner resonance...

When Kaworu Nagisa piloted EVA Unit-06 against Shinji Ikari, Kenzaki Kyoya felt no surprise whatsoever.

—Because he also realized…

This twisted and broken world, as long as it continues... Shinji Ikari can only keep painstakingly patching it up.

Even if we wipe out all the apostles, so what? Even if we wipe out all the monsters, so what?
The real cause of all the trouble is those humans who believe the world is already corrupt... Does Shinji Ikari have to kill all of humanity?

As long as there are still humans who are disappointed with this dying planet... even if this bunch of Seeles are wiped out, in time... another batch of Seeles will emerge.

And Shinji Ikari... must repeat this endless cycle of salvation, forever... unable to obtain the happiness that belongs to Shinji Ikari.

That's why Kaworu Nagisa chose to leave... instead of standing by Shinji Ikari's side.

Because Kaworu realized... Shinji Ikari had only driven himself to a bottomless vortex out of a sense of justice and responsibility...

In order for this boy to be saved, we must... destroy everything he wants to protect... and then rebuild it into a brand new world... so that in that world... Shinji Ikari can find happiness.

It's unbelievable. Even though Kaworu Nagisa never said anything to him, Kenzaki Kyouya could clearly feel the throbbing in Kaworu's heart.

However, Shinji Ikari couldn't sense anything... he could only stare blankly with his head tilted to the side.

"Huh? Really? I think it's great..."

"Perhaps, from Shinji's perspective, because you know you are a strong steel bar... that you won't be damaged by this level of tension. But from our perspective... Shinji, you are a cog in the machine that spins without any personal desires except when it comes to Rei and Asuka. That's why we are so anxious... So, compared to your mental fortitude, Shinji... the regular strength of a single SS Division is utterly insignificant."

"Kenzaki, you're quite the writer, and you're good at giving examples." He chuckled and thanked the reliable man beside him.

"However, even if I reach my limit, I won't break... because I still have you all—thank you."

As he spoke, Shinji Ikari's gaze swept over Kenzaki Kyouya, Suzuhara Toji, and the bored-looking Mari Makinami... lingering on each and every one of them.

"Shinji! I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation... but I'm really concerned... what did Mr. Kenzaki mean by 'Strategic Self-Defense Force'? Is it really the Japanese government's... Strategic Self-Defense Force? The military!"

"Oh, right... there's someone who knows nothing about this. Mari, please explain it to me."

"Meow? I'll do it?"

"Since you're here anyway and probably bored, you might as well act as the commentator."

"I know, meow, you surprisingly like ordering people around."

With a sigh, Mari began to speak to the completely clueless Suzuhara Toji.

“You’re right, Suzuhara-kun! It’s that Strategic Self-Defense Force division, with about four or five thousand people… a main combat division equipped with tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters! It’s stationed just a few kilometers away from our NERV headquarters.”

"What...!? Why...didn't we wipe out all the Self-Defense Forces in the battle against the Eleventh Angel?"

"Oh, because they didn't participate... They weren't set up to eliminate the Angels, but to suppress NERV headquarters."

"what?!"

Upon suddenly hearing that he might be fighting against the Japanese army, Suzuhara Toji was completely bewildered... or rather, bewildered was the normal reaction a person would have.

"Why…!?"

"Because the Twelfth Apostle has not appeared for a long time... so they couldn't hold back anymore."

As the "Twelfth Apostle" mentioned by Kaworu Nagisa... Kenzaki Kyouya snorted coldly...

"The original plan was to use NERV to eliminate the Twelfth and Thirteenth Angels... and after everything was settled, to launch a surprise attack on headquarters, suppress the entire facility, and seize all the EVAs. However, because the Twelfth Angel did not appear for a long time, SEELE couldn't wait any longer... and started to make moves."

"...So, does that mean we...are going to be enemies of humanity...and the government?"

Even though Kenzaki Kyouya explained the situation to him, Suzuhara Toji still felt a pang of fear... After all, that was the country he had lived in all his life.

What if we become enemies with the Strategic Self-Defense Force...? What will happen then? How will I go to school? How will I make a living? Will I still be able to go shopping? Will I still be able to marry Hikaru Toki? Will I still be able to...?

"Suzuhara Toji!!"

Suddenly, Shinji Ikari roared, which brought Toji Suzuhara back to his senses after he had been in a daze.

"You don't need to think about those things, you just need to... trust me!"

(End of this chapter)