EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from the Dragon Clan

Chapter 120 118. Another Stormy Night

The sixth district of the headquarters.

This is the area where the relatives of the staff live. In the Third New Tokyo City where the flow of people has decreased, few staff members have left, but their relatives may not. At least I didn't see many people along the way. At this time, the dark clouds also descended, and it seemed that it was within reach. It was really going to rain.

After a few minutes' walk, his apartment was in sight.

After opening the door, they changed into slippers in the entrance hall.

Ikari Shinji went in first.

The apartment was dark. He first pressed the light button, then closed the window that had been opened for ventilation, and finally turned on the air conditioner to cool down the hot air.

Rei Ayanami sat down obediently on the sofa in the living room.

What should I do when guests come?

Shinji Ikari was in a dilemma.

This was the first time he had a proper guest, not including Asuka. He had never considered having a guest, and it was impossible for him to take care of everything when living alone, so there was no tea in the refrigerator, and it was basically all his favorite drinks. In the end, Shinji Ikari had to bring up a glass of boiled water.

What a mistake.

He thought to himself that he would go to the supermarket to buy some black tea next time, as making black tea to entertain guests is necessary etiquette.

Rei Ayanami took the boiled water he brought over and held the cup with both hands.

She was sitting on the sofa, curiously and carefully looking at the layout of the entire apartment, as if she wanted to memorize everything here. Why did it seem like Ayanami was very interested in his apartment?

Shinji Ikari thought it was his own illusion, but she soon spoke,

"Ikari-kun, can I see your room?"

"Yeah, okay."

He naturally nodded in agreement.

There is nothing shameful for adolescent boys in Ikari Shinji's room. If you want to find these things in it, you can only disappoint Rei Ayanami - although girls will not do such things. Rei Ayanami is a little strange today. She suddenly asked to come to his apartment. Is it a whim?
The two entered the room.

The layout inside looks a bit messy.

He has a bit of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If it is a messy layout, he must arrange it neatly. But it is impossible to arrange it neatly for hand-made model making, so it doesn't matter as long as it looks acceptable. Speaking of which, like in comics and games, it should be a convention that there is a girl who is like a good wife and mother to help him clean up the room, even though in the past, he usually helped to clean up in Ayanami's apartment.

But after Shinji Ikari glanced at Rei Ayanami who was in a daze beside him, he gave up the idea.

She stood there,

Two EVA-style mechanical figures were quietly standing on the table in the room. The yellow and white painted model immediately attracted her attention. Ayanami Rei seemed to have guessed something. She first glanced at the model of Unit 00, and then at Shinji Ikari.

"Ayanami, this is for you." He handed it over.

"this is?"

"It's Unit-0. It took a long time to make. It's specially made for you."

"…Thank you, Ikari-kun."

Ayanami Rei said softly.

The soft voice was like a whisper. Her white and slender fingers took the carefully prepared gift. A solemn look appeared on her face, and her beautiful eyes seemed to be shining with crystal light. This gift seemed to be to her liking. Ikari Shinji couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It would be bad if the gift was not to her liking. As for the fiery red model of Unit 2 next to it, he thought about it and said:
"That one is for Asuka. I made it while I was at it."

Ayanami Rei nodded, seemingly not caring about this at all, which was a character he was familiar with.

Boom——

Suddenly there was a thunder outside and a conspicuous white flash of lightning passed by the window.

It's going to rain.

When we came back from the headquarters, it was about to rain. It hadn't rained in Tokyo-3 for a month or two, so it was expected that it would be a heavy rain this time. If Rei Ayanami didn't go back now, it would rain heavily later, and she might have to stay at the boy's house tonight, which would be too bad for a girl. But Shinji Ikari didn't make this thoughtful suggestion, but said:
"Arenami, are you hungry? Do you want to eat?"

Ayanami Rei nodded.

This is her first time eating here.

She carefully put down the Unit-00 figurine and put it in the box. Shinji Ikari prepared a box for it to prevent collisions, and there was a bow next to it to represent a gift. The two of them went into the kitchen together. They knew each other's tastes, so the meal was cooked quickly. When the meal was served, he casually chatted with the girl about daily life. After the meal, she also came to help wash the dishes, and everything was cleaned up.

The reception of the guests is almost complete.

It's time for her to leave.

"Why don't you listen to the cello again?"

He suggested.

Usually, Shinji Ikari would go to Ayanami's apartment to perform, but now that she has come to his apartment, he might as well play for her directly to avoid having to make another trip.

There was a separate instrument room in the apartment, which was usually used for musical performances. Playing the cello in it made very little noise. He took out his cello and played a few soothing pieces of music for Rei Ayanami. Then the sky outside became darker, and he could faintly hear the sound of raindrops hitting the window, which was beginning to get louder.

Another song ended and the girls clapped their hands to show their respect.

This time it was pure performance.

The two did not hug.

In fact, sometimes, Ikari Shinji wanted to try playing the cello while holding the girl, but unfortunately there was no chance to realize it. He estimated that after the meal, the cello was finished, and everything was almost done, the girl should leave, and she had no reason to stay today.

It seems that Rei Ayanami didn't give any hints when she came to his house on her own initiative, it was just his own illusion, but he still felt uneasy about letting her go back alone.

"Let me take you back."

Said Shinji Ikari.

He opened the door to the apartment.

At this time, the sound of wind and rain was overwhelming, and the two people who were about to go out were pushed back into the apartment.

It was a heavy rainstorm.

After such a long time, even the lightest rain would start to get heavier. The whistling and noisy sounds outside seemed to turn this apartment into an isolated island, like those snowstorm houses in detective novels, where all kinds of conspiracies and tricks were about to unfold. In such a heavy storm, the two people on the isolated island could not go out for the time being. If they really wanted to go out, they would get soaked even with an umbrella.

Shinji Ikari said innocently to Rei Ayanami behind him:

"It's raining outside, Ayanami, let's wait until the rain stops before leaving."

(End of this chapter)