EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 39: At times like this, just smile
Shinji Ikari's own face is reflected in his crimson eyes, and hidden deep within his pupils is only a strange enthusiasm for Shinji Ikari...

Nagisa Kaworu...like himself, he is not a pure human being...he is mixed with other beings.

...What exactly does this man desire from me?

"Okay, since you want to talk to me so much, let's talk. I also have something to ask you - but let's finish this thing first..."

Shinji Ikari pointed to the busy engineering team behind him, who were frantically laying out air cushions, setting up ladders, and fixing ropes so that the insertion bolts could be lowered safely.

"Eh—you clearly know that the first qualified candidate is safe and that we can just leave the rest to them. Why are you still…"

Looking at Shinji Ikari who ignored his question and turned to walk towards the insertion plug, Nagisa Kaworu seemed to suddenly think of something... He showed an ambiguous smile and lightly came to Shinji Ikari's ear.

"Ah, I get it! You want to be the first to open the hatch and rescue the First Qualified Person... just like Ikari Gendou did last time. What is it, a sense of rebellion against your father? Or a possessive desire for the First Qualified Person? You're even cuter than I thought, Shinji-kun."

She didn't respond to Nagisa Kaworu's teasing, but just rolled her eyes at him.

Because... I can't deny that I do want to be the first to rescue Ayanami because of some childish wishes in my heart...

It's not because of those stupid reasons that Nagisa Kaworu said... It's just that Katsuragi Misato is fine... What if Ayanami Rei, who has escaped from a desperate situation, goes out and sees the completely indifferent engineering department staff... and neither Ikari Gendo nor Ikari is around...

How seriously will the budding emotions in this child's heart be hurt?

"Shinji-kun...be careful, the situation here is very unstable."

Misato Katsuragi also saw Shinji Ikari approaching... As the on-site commander, she should have immediately asked Shinji Ikari to leave and go to a safe place.

However, considering that forcing Shinji Ikari to give an order immediately would only backfire... and would also hurt Rei Ayanami's feelings, in the end I just gave you a few words of advice when I saw you.

"Lieutenant Katsuragi, Unit-00's wrist is being held tightly, making it impossible to remove the plug. Furthermore, Unit-00's fingers are blocking the emergency hatch, making it impossible to extract the pilot..."

After inspecting the site, the engineering director reported to Misato Katsuragi with a serious face.

"If possible... I'd like to request that my finger be amputated so that the pilot can be rescued as quickly as possible... ahhh?!"

The engineering director's report was interrupted by a sudden change. Under the horrified gaze of everyone... Unit 0 had completely lost power and was even fixed with layers of special resin... Logically, it should no longer be able to move.

His arm moved again... as if offering tribute with piety and respect... Unit-00 gently and neatly placed the insertion plug in his hand in front of Shinji Ikari.

Even the hatch was pointed towards Shinji Ikari, making it easier for him to open it directly.

In an instant, hundreds of incredible gazes fell on Shinji Ikari.

“…Hmm, that’s what you’re doing.”

Shinji Ikari sneered... He knew very well that Nagisa Kaworu's sudden bad taste would put him at the center of public attention in the entire NERV.

"This is punishment for only caring about the First Qualified Person. But aren't you desperate to rescue her? This is also helping you."

“…Thank you so much.”

After a cold snort, Shinji Ikari reached out without hesitation and grabbed the emergency valve that had overheated without undergoing the normal cooling process.

An instant burning pain spread across the palm of my hand... Is this the pain my father once experienced?

…That's about it. Compared to the excruciating pain of being corroded by Gatanjea's black mist… it's countless times less severe.

Completely ignoring such a clumsy sacrifice, Shinji Ikari forcibly turned open the emergency valve, and the LCL solution sprayed out instantly... directly pouring all over Shinji Ikari.

"...!"

…Damn, the pain caused by these LCLs being poured on my body is even more painful than the red-hot iron gate just now!

But... now is not the time to delve into these things...

"Hey—Ayanami. Are you okay? I'm here to pick you up."

Shinji Ikari kept a calm expression until the plug was not directly damaged and stepped into the plug.

"Ikari-kun...?"

As expected, although Ayanami Rei looked dazed and dazed, she had no obvious external injuries... Well, it seemed that her shoulder was only slightly sprained due to inertia when Unit 00 was pulled out of her body.

"How is it? Besides your shoulders...is there any other place that hurts? Are there any hidden injuries that I can't see?" While confirming Rei Ayanami's condition, he reached out to help her unbuckle her seat belt, intending to take her out.

"…Ikari-kun…your, hand?"

However, Rei Ayanami was more perceptive than her own situation, noticing Shinji Ikari's palm...blisters and burns were densely packed and scattered...

Because, something similar had happened before... Rei Ayanami instantly understood what was happening.

"I'm the one asking about your situation, why are you asking me back...Okay, I'm leaving now."

Ignoring Rei Ayanami's questions, Shinji Ikari gently helped Rei Ayanami away from the plug.

"…………I'm sorry, it's all because of me that you got hurt…"

Hearing the faint sounds of mosquitoes and flies, Rei Ayanami lowered her head slightly... biting her lip... her heart was filled with self-blame and guilt.

"Idiot, our medical expertise at NERV is world-class! How can you even call this an injury? Just apply some medicine and it'll be healed the next day."

What Shinji Ikari didn't tell her was... he still had the power of light within him. After transforming into Tiga next time, he could heal minor injuries like this anytime he wanted...

"Shinji! Are you okay? Ayanami is okay—! Medical team! Quick!"

Seeing this, Misato Katsuragi immediately ordered the medical team, who had been on standby, to rush over with a medical cart.

But Ayanami Rei was very depressed...as if she was too embarrassed to face people, and avoided Shinji Ikari's gaze.

"...I failed again...and...I made you..."

It seems that the two consecutive EVA startup failures... and the fact that she can't drive an EVA like Asuka to fight alongside Shinji Ikari... have dealt a heavier blow to this child than Shinji Ikari imagined.

"Fool--!"

“Wow…?”

Suddenly, she felt a warmth on her cheek... To her surprise, Rei discovered that it was Shinji Ikari's fingers pinching her cheek. The warmth from forcing the gate open earlier still lingered on Shinji's fingertips.

"Ikari...kun...?"

Originally, she didn't want to look at Shinji Ikari's expression, but under the guidance of Shinji Ikari's hand, Rei Ayanami was half-forced to raise her head and finally met Shinji Ikari's eyes.

…It was the same gentle look as before.

"Ayanami, let me ask you a question. If I were to start Unit-01 today and it failed and I was stuck inside the plug, would you come and save me?"

Knowing that Rei Ayanami was not seriously injured, Shinji Ikari waved to the medical team, indicating that he could say a few words before sending them away.

“…? I will.”

Although Rei Ayanami didn't know why Shinji Ikari suddenly asked this, she nodded obediently.

Shinji Ikari naturally knew that Ayanami would answer like this, so he continued to ask questions naturally.

"...So, when you rescue me...what kind of expression do you want to see on my face?"

"...!"

Ayanami Rei seemed to sense what Ikari Shinji was about to say—she closed her eyes and pondered for a moment, then gently shook her head...

"I... I don't know, I don't know what expression Ikari-kun should make. But - as long as Ikari-kun is safe... I'll be happy."

"Then let me tell you, at times like this, all you need to do is smile. Because as long as you're happy, I'll be happy too."

"!!"

I have already realized that the boy in front of me...is trying to convey something to me in such a roundabout way.

Rei Ayanami didn't apologize or thank you... She just reached out and gently held the hand that Shinji Ikari was pinching her cheek.

With that subtle but real curve at the corner of her mouth...she responded with a peaceful smile.

(End of this chapter)