EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 38: Spiritual Kiss

"Why is Chance No. 1... Hey! Insert the plug..."

"Insertion plug... No! Unit-01 didn't react to the insertion plug!"

"There's no life detection signal either! There's no one inside Unit-01!"

"Then how did He..."

While the technicians, led by Ritsuko Akagi, were still baffled by the fact that Unit 01 had automatically started up without power or a pilot, Shinji Ikari had already run downstairs, roaring in anger.

"Misato-san! Have them investigate slowly later... Ayanami is still hanging in mid-air! Unit-0's severed arm could release at any moment...! If you don't want Ayanami to free-fall from dozens of meters, have the engineering team prepare some cushioning like an air cushion!"

"…Ah…Oh! Okay!"

As if waking up from a dream, Misato Katsuragi quickly took out her cell phone and called the engineering department. She first glanced at Gendo Ikari, and after finding that the other party did not raise any objections, she acted according to Shinji Ikari's request.

And Ikari Gendo... was still immersed in astonishment and did not give any instructions.

Akagi Ritsuko looked at Ikari Gendō with a complicated expression. Last time... when Unit-00 went berserk during the experiment... Ikari Gendō had rushed to the scene immediately. This time, he was completely indifferent?

No, that's not right... I'm not indifferent—

When Unit-00 just went berserk and Rei Ayanami was on the verge of death... Gendō Ikari was indeed worried and frightened... But, the moment Unit-01 appeared, Gendō Ikari only had eyes for Unit-01 and didn't even look at Unit-00 or Rei Ayanami.

"Is it you—Wei…why…why…"

Fuyutsuki Kozo didn't give any instructions, leaving Katsuragi Misato to take command on the spot... He just remained silent, as if enjoying... watching Ikari Gendo, whose face was filled with bitterness and sadness.

Shinji Ikari, who had already rushed downstairs through the emergency passage, looked up with a frown at the insertion plug that was teetering in the hand of Unit-00.

Since Unit 00 had lost power at this point, it naturally had no ability to maintain a tight grip... The plug rested on the edge of the wrist, and any slight impact would destroy the fragile balance.

...I don't know how much impact the plug can withstand, but last time, Ayanami Rei was almost killed because the plug fell off. If she falls again now, she will probably be half dead.

The engineering department hasn't brought the buffer equipment yet, and Ayanami could be in danger at any moment...

What should I do——

A sickening feeling of powerlessness surged within Shinji Ikari... because he realized that, facing this situation, as a mere human, he couldn't find anything else he could do besides transform into Tiga...

All along, Shinji Ikari has always insisted on fighting to the end as a human being.

If I were useless besides transforming into Ultraman... then I wouldn't be qualified to be a human being—deep down in my heart, I demanded this of myself...

But at this moment, Shinji Ikari realized...that he was so weak.

The previous battles—because of the mutual support and help from the entire Victory Team...were able to demonstrate the resilience and dignity of humanity...but now in this NERV, there's no one I can trust...

"Ah, you look distressed."

A cloyingly sweet voice suddenly rang in his ears. At this moment... Shinji Ikari knew who was coming without even looking.

"…I'm very busy now and don't have time to chat with you."

Shinji Ikari closed one eye, held out his hand, and used his thumb to calculate where the plug would land if it fell. This way, once the engineering department brought the air cushions, they could install them as quickly as possible. This was the only contribution he could make as a human being.

Seeing that he was being so gorgeously ignored, Nagisa Kaworu was stunned for a moment... He didn't expect that Shinji Ikari would be so calm... or so indifferent.

As if dissatisfied with this indifferent attitude... Nagisa Kaworu curled his lips, then revealed a malicious smile.

"Do you really care that much about... that doll's life or death? There are so many replacements available."

"What a disgusting choice of words. If you were trying to irritate me, you've succeeded... I'll give you a beating once I'm done with this. Now, be quiet... Just wait quietly. Misato-san!! Where's the engineering department?!"

It was clearly a deliberate provocation to attract Shinji Ikari's attention, but it could not shake Shinji's mental state at all.

After completing the speculation on the crash site, he immediately used the communicator to call out to Misato Katsuragi.

——During the whole process, he didn’t even look at Kaworu Nagisa.

"Hurry up! Hurry up! I took a quick look, and if the plug falls out, it should be at the feet of Unit-00, between B2 and B4... Have them set it directly... "

Shinji Ikari's words were interrupted by a sudden noise. Under everyone's stunned gaze... Unit-00, which had been completely silent and should no longer be able to move according to physics... actually grasped the insertion plug again with its severed hand.

“Impossible, this is impossible—Zero, Zero… Unit 00! Restart…!?”

Moreover, the perfect grip...did not cause any damage to the plug...it just prevented the plug from falling due to shaking...ensuring Rei Ayanami's personal safety.

"Now—are you free to chat with me, Shinji-kun?"

...Now Ayanami will be safe from any danger... However, among all the people present, the only one who has the ability to do this is...

"You finally took the trouble to look at me~"

Seeing that Shinji Ikari finally looked at her, Kaworu Nagisa smiled as happy as a child.

“…Now you owe me a favor.”

"No, I didn't. I just wanted to save you from getting beaten up for your clumsy insult. So, we're even now."

Their eyes met, and from those bright red eyes... Shinji Ikari could not read any existence - it was like the nothingness before the birth of life.

"You know, Shinji-kun... humans call a deep gaze a kiss of the soul. But even though I try so hard to look into your eyes, I can't detect the slightest hint of intimacy from you. You're so gentle with everyone else. Am I really that worthy of your dislike?"

"...Unfortunately, I'm not interested in kissing men—"

At this time, under the leadership of Misato Katsuragi... the engineering team rushed in hurriedly pushing an air cushion vehicle... As expected, no one could observe Kaworu Nagisa's existence.

“…They, can’t seem to see you.”

"Because their hearts are resisting my existence—I haven't appeared in a way they can accept... How sad, Li Lin..."

His red eyes revealed contempt for the inferiority of mankind... and a strong interest in Shinji Ikari, who was truly aware of his existence.

"Come on, Shinji-kun. You're free now, right? Let's get close and improve our relationship~"

(End of this chapter)