EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 10 Ikari Shinji, Angry
"—So, what about Ayanami? Will she withdraw from the battle against the Angels because of Unit-0's freezing?"

Shinji Ikari was not dissatisfied when he heard that he would live with the second qualified person... the fiery blonde girl.

But the first thing that came to mind... was the aqua-colored girl wrapped in bandages.

If... she was permanently frozen because of Unit-00's rampage, thus being kept away from this conflict, that would be acceptable.

"...No, there's no order to abolish Unit-00 yet. Once Ayanami's injuries heal, she'll undergo the same training as you and Asuka... and when the Angels arrive, she'll be under the same combat orders."

Misato Katsuragi shook her head. There was no need for her to hide this kind of thing that Shinji Ikari could easily verify in the future, and make him distrust her.

"Then, as a qualified EVA pilot...why doesn't Ayanami need to participate in training to develop rapport?"

Faced with the protest, Katsuragi Misato looked embarrassed.

"Why do you care if Ayanami lives with you? Is there something special going on... Shinji-kun?"

Shinji Ikari shrugged, looking nonchalant.

"No, I just don't want to have to look at my colleagues and superiors' faces after get off work. If Ayanami can be an exception and not have her personal time occupied, I don't want to either."

"Shinji-kun! This isn't a part-time convenience store worker! Your job is crucial to the survival of humanity. How can you say such irresponsible things..."

Misato Katsuragi was really unhappy because Shinji Ikari had always behaved more maturely than a fourteen-year-old boy should.

Suddenly seeing him start to act willfully, Misato Katsuragi felt a little uncomfortable.

"fraud."

But Ryoji Kaji interrupted Misato Katsuragi's subsequent sermon with a smile.

"You don't have a ridiculous excuse like you don't want to see your colleagues after get off work. You're just considering Rei's feelings and don't want her to feel left out. Acting cool like this isn't cool, Shinji-kun."

"…Eh?"

Hearing Kaji's reminder, Katsuragi Misato blinked before reacting.

Because... Rei Ayanami once mentioned... driving the EVA is her entire life now.

Since she attaches so much importance to her identity as an EVA pilot, she puts herself and Asuka together to train to develop their tacit understanding, but leaves the child alone.

If the child knew... he would probably feel a little lonely.

"Shinji-kun, you are considering Rei's feelings, so..."

"I don't understand what Mr. Jiaji is saying. I just don't want my rest time to be taken up. Is that okay?"

Shinji Ikari gave Ryoji Kaji a cold look. Don't expose the true meaning behind a man's words casually.

"Sorry, sorry, I won't say any more."

Realizing how unromantic his actions were, Jiaji apologized with a smile.

“…Oh, I understand.”

Katsuragi Misato, who had also realized the key point of the matter at this moment, sighed.

"Then, let's ask for her opinion. If Rei wants to move in, I'll apply for an apartment building that can accommodate four people."

As she spoke, Misato Katsuragi stuffed two new ID cards into Shinji Ikari's hands.

One belongs to Shinji Ikari himself, and the other one... is Rei Ayanami's ID card with the ID number 100000001.

"I've created new ID cards to better manage the three qualified individuals. I was planning to have Ritsuko bring them to Rei later. Now, you should take them to her and ask her if she's willing to live with us. How about that?"

"Then why don't you consult Asuka and I?"

Although he said this, Shinji Ikari still smiled and handed over the ID card to show his agreement.

However, what was originally just a joking rebuttal elicited a serious response from Katsuragi Misato.

"Because... Shinji-kun, Rei... is different. Compared to you, and Asuka... completely different."

The answer is ambiguous, but it is full of warnings between the lines - if you continue to delve into it, the only one who will get hurt is yourself.

There's no need to say it explicitly...Misato Katsuragi conveyed this meaning.

“…No.”

However, Shinji Ikari cannot accept this conclusion so easily.

"There's no difference—whether it's Ayanami or Asuka. They're just people... trying to live. There's no difference at all." "Shinji-kun, you..."

Misato Katsuragi frowned, she also tasted the deep meaning in Shinji Ikari's words.

But Shinji Ikari didn't want to continue the topic and took the initiative to change the subject.

"So, where is Ayanami? I saw her in the medical department before the physical exam. Which ward is she still in?"

"No, her physical therapy is over for the day, so she's probably gone home. Go find her at her house, then pack your bags and come over to mine. We'll have dinner together tonight, along with Asuka."

"Home..."

Looking at the home address written on the ID card... Shinji Ikari scratched his head speechlessly.

I suddenly ran to someone's door and blocked it, then opened my mouth and asked... "Do you want to live with me?"

I always feel that this is a very abstract picture in many ways.

"Okay, I see."

Still, there's no harm in asking. If they resist, forget it. Just pretend you never said anything today. It also saves Miss Misato from having to look for a new apartment.

"Shinji-kun, are you afraid of driving an EVA?"

"Ah?"

When Shinji Ikari was about to leave, Kaji suddenly spoke, and the topic seemed familiar.

"This is your first time piloting an EVA in combat, right? The last time you dealt with the Angel, you didn't need an EVA to handle it... How does it feel?"

Kaji maintained that unpredictable, frivolous smile, making it impossible for Shinji Ikari to read his true intentions.

"It's okay. Thanks to Asuka, we were able to defeat the apostles easily."

Shinji Ikari's expression was indifferent, so Ryoji Kaji couldn't feel the excitement or resistance he should have.

"Thanks to Asuka...ah."

"Yes, Asuka did a great job in defeating the Fifth Angel, who I couldn't defeat. This time it was all thanks to her."

"Do you really think so? It was clearly because of her careless mistake that you were pierced by the apostle and fainted after the mental pollution..."

"Mr. Kaji!"

Kaji Ryoji's teasing was interrupted by Shinji Ikari's roar, which was clearly filled with dissatisfaction.

"Injury and death are inevitable in battle. The battle against the Fifth Angel has now concluded successfully. I personally have no complaints or resentment towards Miss Langley. Asuka... she is an excellent and hardworking pilot!"
If you continue to say things that might interfere with...interfere with the mental stability of the Second Qualified Person, I will ask Miss Misato, and even my father, to transfer you to a place where you will not hinder our battle."

"How horrible, how horrible~ It's my fault, I lost my temper. I won't say it again, please forgive me, okay?"

Unexpectedly, Shinji Ikari's reaction was even stronger than expected, and Ryoji Kaji quickly waved his hands and smiled apologetically.

"Excuse me, my attitude was a bit bad, please forgive me."

This time without saying anything more, Shinji Ikari left the NERV building carrying Rei Ayanami's ID card.

"Why are you pissing Shinji off?!"

After watching Shinji Ikari leave in a daze, Misato Katsuragi came to her senses and began to scold Ryoji Kaji.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I never imagined... he looked like a timid little boy... but when he got serious, he could be so intimidating... As expected of the Commander's son. Shinji-kun... his personality is completely different from what was described in the report. You intelligence officers should reflect on this."

Although he meant to provoke him, Shinji Ikari's anger was indeed beyond Kaji's expectations.

"I've been with him for two and a half weeks, and this is the first time I've seen him so angry! It's really all your fault! The atmosphere has become awkward! Why do you say things that irritate Shinji-kun?"

"Yeah...why...?"

Ryoji Kaji waved his hand casually and did not answer Misato Katsuragi's question.

And his eyes... accidentally drifted to the other side of the infirmary.

"........."

At this moment, in the room on the other side of the infirmary... Asuka, who also came to the infirmary to receive experience after the battle, silently clenched her fists.

(End of this chapter)