Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

"Soryu-neechan, Ayanami-neechan." Suzuhara Sakura bowed slightly to the two who arrived late.

Suzuhara Sakura wore a traditional Japanese beige kimono adorned with white peonies and gold butterflies, and an elegant pink sash. She even wore light makeup. In just a few months, the little girl has grown up so much; now, she probably gets some creepy older men turning their heads to look at her on the street. Everyone seems a bit different after just a few days.

The streets were bustling with activity, teeming with people who had come to join the excitement. The aroma of croquettes wafted from the roadside stalls, tantalizing Asuka's taste buds.

"Huh? What's this?" She noticed that posters promoting the bell-ringing ceremony were plastered on the walls and utility poles along the roadside. The bell-ringing ceremony was originally an event held by the local shrine, and there was a fireworks display on the beach after the bell was rung in the evening, making it a lively event every year.

But what truly caught Asuka's eye was the ninja with a samurai-style hairstyle on the poster. She recognized the composed man in the poster, who was devoutly praying to a bell with his hands clasped together. He was the male protagonist of a certain six-digit game she had just played.

"Oh, this is a collaboration. The bell-ringing ceremony at Chiba Shrine has been collaborating with Sekiro for many years," Shinji Ikari explained after glancing at it. Traditionally, Japanese people would also go to the temple to ring the bell during this period to welcome the brief return of their loved ones.

"Let's go check it out!" Asuka exclaimed excitedly. "There are also souvenirs to collect! After the shrine visit, we can also get a small bronze bell, a shrine maiden talisman, and a keychain!"

In recent years, summers have become increasingly hot, and more and more people are choosing to visit after dusk. Countless candles flicker in the night, making one feel as if they are in another world. The temple is bustling all day long, and various stalls are set up along the approach to the temple, selling Buddhist implements, flowers, and konoko maki, all essential items for Japanese people to offer to their ancestors.

Shinji Ikari responded to Asuka's words, and after the five of them rang the bell together, they headed towards the beach. Sakura Suzuhara, exhausted, was carried on Shinji's back. Hikaru Toki, Asuka, and Rei Ayanami walked ahead, each carrying the same candied hawthorn berries, exuding the same lazy aura.

Upon reaching the seaside, Shinji Ikari put Sakura Suzuhara down, while Hikaru Toki carried a small black box containing soil collected during the initial fire ceremony a month prior, along with ashes from the burning plants. Just like the first day's fire ceremony, they lit a fire on hemp stalks, watching the white smoke rise gently.

The process of welcoming the fire, passing the fire, and sending the fire away is now complete.

Before we knew it, smiles had appeared on everyone's faces.

Perhaps, the summer memories that will be frequently recalled in the future will unexpectedly be this ordinary and unremarkable scene.

"Alright... what do we do next, Shinji? Shouldn't we be heading back soon?"

After finishing his candied hawthorn, Hikaru walked over to Shinji Ikari and quietly asked him a question.

"The fireworks show is almost over, it would be such a waste to go back now," Shinji Ikari said with a smile. "I've already booked a room at the Nadina Hotel, I'll go back tomorrow. Tonight, let's enjoy the fireworks show first, and if we haven't had enough fun yet, we can go to Ichihara and even ride elephants."

"Honestly, that bird is still floating overhead," Asuka muttered. "Don't they feel any tension at all?"

Asuka's feelings are polarized. She had a lot of fun today, but she is also worried about the bird angel above her head.

Shinji Ikari remained silent, because of the thirteen Angels who had appeared since the Water Angel attacked Tokyo-3, this Bird Angel posed the least threat.

It wasn't that Shinji Ikari was arrogant; he knew that there was another pilot on the moon.

—Kaoru Nagisa.

As long as he wields the Spear of Longylus, victory will be secured in advance.

Of course, there's no need to tell Asuka and the others about this.

Today, all I need to do is have fun.

At the Nadinaya Hotel, late at night, under the dark dome, the stained glass windows reflected the distant firelight. The air carried the scent of the sea breeze, and the antique bronze clock swayed in the wind without making a sound.

Hikari, who had just finished showering, dried her hair with a towel. She walked to the balcony and looked at the crowd of people holding torches on the beach, which seemed like starlight on the ground.

"I thought there would be evening events tonight. Wasn't there supposed to be a lantern festival and a flower-back fire festival after the fireworks show?" Asuka walked out of the back bathroom, gazing at the back of Hikaru Horiki wrapped in a bath towel.

With familiar lines, a familiar voice, and a familiar person, Hikaru could almost always guess Asuka's next line.

"Because Sakura-chan was already tired. She's still a child. She came up the mountain with us, rang the bell, went shopping, and even delivered the fire. When we came over, she was asleep on Shinji's back." Hikaru Toki turned around and said calmly.

“She was on Shinji’s back after climbing the mountain, and she’s not even a child, she’s a middle school student like us.” Asuka was drying her hair. “Don’t underestimate kids these days. In this internet age, they know a lot more than we did back then.”

Although she couldn't explain why, Asuka always felt that Sakura Suzuhara's gaze towards Shinji Ikari wasn't innocent.

Hikaru sensed that Asuka's words had a hidden meaning, but he was unwilling to think about it further.

But a moment later, Asuka cheerfully chimed in, "Same as always, I'm going to switch rooms with that Sakura-chan. See you tomorrow!"

Asuka gave Hikaru a kiss from behind, then turned around, grabbed her handbag, and quickly walked out of the room.

As the red oak hotel room door closed again, the room fell silent.

Although she was all alone, Hikari felt somewhat lost, because she didn't know what to do, or rather, she realized who would come next.

I'm going to take a shower first and wait for Shinji Ikari. It's not that I'm waiting for Shinji Ikari, nor that I've already taken a shower, and why should I wait for him?

"Calm down, calm down!" Hikari patted her cheeks, feeling her head was a bit of a mess and she needed to clear her mind. "Should I take a shower first or wait..."

Damn it! My thoughts are still a mess! What's going on? Is waiting for Shinji Ikari to come the only option? I can refuse, you can do it, Hikaru! When Shinji comes, I'll tell him firmly, "Let's just be friends, please don't bother me anymore!"

Hikaru Toki froze as the doorbell rang. But then he suddenly remembered that Shinji Ikari probably wouldn't come in through the front door properly; he'd most likely sneak into his room at night. The one knocking now should be Sakura Suzuhara.

But when the door was opened, Shinji Ikari appeared.

Meanwhile, in the next room, Suzuhara Sakura, who had just finished a short nap on her back, had regained her senses. She had just taken a shower and was walking out of the bathroom, wrapping herself tightly in her bathrobe. Her two older sisters were sitting on the balcony, watching the distant firelight together.

This is a festival where thousands of torches are lit. Originally, it was a fire-offering ceremony based on the Atago faith, which was practiced in the old Wakasa area of ​​Tokyo in ancient times. It was previously only held annually in the Hanahoshi and Matsukawahara areas of northern Rakuten. The countless sparks falling from the sky create a dreamlike scene.

This magnificent view can only be fully appreciated from high-rise buildings, and this hotel is arguably the best vantage point. Enjoying a meal while taking in the view is a popular experience, and rooms need to be booked a month in advance.

Of course, Shinji Ikari doesn't need to be booked in advance.

Hotels like Nadinaya and Lanternwood, with their superb views, always reserve a few rooms, even when they're extremely popular. These are specifically for distinguished guests.

"This method was invented in ancient times during the Atago worship ceremony. Past practitioners believed that fire could burn away human troubles, so they used this throwing competition to compare their spiritual progress." Suzuhara Sakura walked to the edge of the balcony, sat down next to the last remaining empty seat, and rested her chin on her left hand. "It's so beautiful."

"If only I could burn away all my troubles," Asuka said softly, gazing at the distant firelight.

Rei Ayanami didn't speak; she knew what Asuka was troubled by. She had many worries: her poor Chinese skills, fluctuating synchronization rates, someone's thoughts, unfinished training for the day, and the selection of the second person to participate in the battle against the Bird Apostles.

And what about your own troubles?

As for Suzuhara Sakura, her troubles and worries had dissipated with the rising white smoke.

"The fire is in the water, the grass is in the forest, the clouds are in the soil, and the clouds are in the forest~" She hummed softly from the song in the anime, looking at the fire outside the window in ecstasy.

Along with the fireworks, Dongmu Guang next door also burst into bloom.

Almost simultaneously, her fireworks soared into the sky along with those in the distance; and like the jubilant crowd, she couldn't help but shed tears of joy.

She wrapped her arms around Shinji Ikari's neck and embraced him passionately.

"Aren't you worried that Sakura-chan will come over?" Shinji Ikari placed his hands on either side of her cheeks and lowered his head to bite her earlobe.

Hikaru Toki made a "hmm" sound, "That's why we need to hurry up, Sakura is coming. Let's do it again, you can't do it, can you?" Hikaru Toki stared at Shinji Ikari's eyes with a provocative look.

After clearing his mind, Hikaru finally understood.

Let's hurry up and drain Shinji Ikari dry. We need to finish the battle before Sakura Suzuhara arrives, otherwise it will be really hard to explain.

However, she completely underestimated Shinji Ikari's strength.

The fireworks exploded in the night sky for what seemed like the umpteenth time, and Hikari Doki drifted off to sleep amidst the festive celebrations. In her half-asleep state, she vaguely heard rustling sounds. When she opened her eyes, she saw a slender, delicate figure.

It was Suzuhara Sakura. She came in through the door wearing a white bathrobe, and the lights in the room were still on.

"Oh, Hikaru-neechan? Are you asleep?" Suzuhara Sakura tilted her head and looked at me. "Did I disturb your rest?"

This familiar sense of déjà vu made Hikaru feel as if he were still in a dream, unable to distinguish between illusion and reality.

“But you forgot to turn off the light. I’ve already taken a shower over there. I’ll turn the light off now. Can we sleep together?” Suzuhara Sakura said, as she untied the sash of her bathrobe, turned off the light, moved closer to her, and got into bed.

Hikari nodded groggily, feeling like she'd forgotten something. But then again, nothing seemed important. All she wanted to do was sleep; she was just so tired.

In her dream, she saw herself as a dragon warrior wielding a sword, challenging Shinji Nicholas Tse, the dark lord residing in the Upside-Down Mountain. He possessed an invincible spear, and she had to defeat him before his ultimate attack's energy gauge was full. However, while the idea was simple, the execution was incredibly difficult; the great demon king's health bar seemed bottomless. It wasn't until her new companion, the mage Suzuhara Sakura, joined the battle that the situation began to turn slightly around.

"What a mess of a story," Hikaru Tomaki muttered, opening his eyes.

It was the same hotel room. The warm morning light shone on his face through the white gauze curtains. Hikaru felt sore all over, but he had indeed experienced a fierce battle last night.

178: Flying Towards the Stars, Asuka and Rei Ayanami

She felt hair getting into her nasal cavity, itchy, and she felt like sneezing.

There was a vague, unfamiliar sensation in the skin-to-skin contact. Hikaru couldn't help but hug the blankets tightly to her face; the sweet fragrance of the lotion immediately filled her nostrils—it was…

...the scent of lavender.

Although it was just ordinary physical contact, Hikaru's body instincts had made him extremely prepared, however—

"...Hmm, I want to eat cream cake...!"

A childish voice rang out from under the covers. Hikari Dongmu suddenly opened her eyes. She felt the same as usual, but something seemed different.

Gently pull back the white silk quilt, and you can see Suzuhara Sakura's face and right shoulder peeking out from under the covers.

His gaze traveled down her disheveled brown hair, across her peaceful, serene sleeping face, and down to her slender neck and delicate skin on her shoulders—she was curled up in Shinji Ikari's arms.

The rubbing and pressing of her face against her chest were both her doing.

"What exactly happened last night?" Hikaru Toki stared in disbelief at the scene before him.

After Hikaru's early morning commotion, both Sakura Suzuhara and Shinji Ikari slowly woke up. The former may have just woken up, while the latter may not dislike his current state and simply remained in that position without changing.

"Good morning, Hikaru-neechan." Suzuhara Sakura opened her sleepy eyes.

"Good morning... I said good morning, what are you doing here?" Hikaru asked, blushing.

"I asked you before I went to sleep yesterday if we could sleep together, and you agreed. I'm a little afraid of the dark, and I can't sleep alone. I have to hug something or be hugged by something to feel comfortable."

"But last night..."

"What happened last night? What are you worried about, Hikari-neechan? Nothing happened last night, or are you hoping something will happen, Hikari-neechan?" Hikari blushed and looked away when Suzuhara Sakura looked up with her bright, moist eyes.

Sakura Suzuhara got out of bed, her young body exposed to everyone without any clothing. Hikaru's gaze involuntarily shifted downwards, and looking at the messy sheets and blankets in front of her, she felt that what Sakura Suzuhara said was true.

Even so, the posture of Sakura Suzuhara and Shinji Ikari this morning, and the atmosphere now, are all too ambiguous.

Sakura Suzuhara puffed out her cheeks, "Don't you believe me, Hikaru-neechan? I'm still a virgin! If you don't believe me, I'll show you..."

"No, no, no, I believe you! I believe you! I believe you! Please stop!"

Hikaru Tōki quickly wrapped the silk quilt around Sakura Suzuhara, especially covering her parted thighs, who was pressing her temples in exasperation. Unbeknownst to Hikaru, Sakura winked at Shinji Ikari, "Never mind, I won't bother you. I'm going to take a shower." She then unwrapped her towel, jumped out of bed, casually slipped on hotel slippers, and headed towards the bathroom.

As Shinji Ikari's gaze shifted towards her, Hikaru Tōki shyly pulled the blanket tighter around herself, saying, "It's all your fault."

“She’s just a child, it’s alright.” Shinji Ikari moved closer to Hikari and put his arm around her shoulder.

"Are you really just a child? If you underestimate children these days, you'll only be the one who suffers."

Shinji Ikari winked at Hikaru Toki, "Want to take a bath?"

"What?! Ah!" Before Hikari could react, her exclamation came from the room. Shinji Ikari picked her up in a princess carry and strode towards the bathroom.

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