EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 49: The Reward of a Fierce Battle [Second Update, Please Read]

"Ah! Stupid Shinji! You're too slow! Misato's getting suspicious!"

Asuka had just received the order to deactivate the combat status and climbed out of the plug of Unit 2... when she saw Shinji Ikari coming in late from the corridor.

"Hmph! The battle was over while you were slacking off, so there's no need for us to get involved. Seriously! If Misato gets mad later, you'll have to explain it to her yourself..."

"Asuka...excuse me...please be quiet for a moment."

Asuka wanted to say something more... but was stopped by Rei Ayanami who came from behind.

Realizing that something was wrong with Shinji Ikari's condition, Rei Ayanami frowned and hesitated for a moment... then she mustered up the courage and ran towards Shinji Ikari.

"Hey! Wait a minute, what's going on? Tell me!"

Asuka seemed to have noticed that the atmosphere was a bit bad... After being scolded by her, Shinji Ikari neither maintained his usual humble smile nor made a sharp rebuttal... Instead, he lost all his domineering aura and leaned against the wall with a somewhat unsteady step.

"Ikari-kun, are you okay..."

Rei Ayanami supported Shinji Ikari with concern, observing his face in detail, and couldn't help but reach out her hand... to wipe the cold sweat from his temples.

"Hey! Stupid Shinji... Could it be that you're not feeling well? Idiot! You should have said something like this earlier! Could it be that you ran to the bathroom because you were feeling unwell just now..."

When I thought about how I yelled at Shinji Ikari when he was in poor health... I also thought about how I couldn't notice such a simple thing, and how I let Rei Ayanami give me a big score right in front of me...

Compared with Li, I am just a worthless shrew...

I opened my mouth to apologize... but in front of Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami, I couldn't say it... The self-loathing deep in my heart surged up again.

Looking at Asuka's face which was hurt by what she said, Shinji Ikari gave a bitter smile... This stupid woman has started to consume herself inexplicably again... It would be strange if she didn't have any mental problems with her personality.

"Idiot, I'm fine—I'm just a little anemic..."

At times like this... you need to scold Asuka a little, which can actually make her feel more balanced... and stop her from wasting time on herself.

It's impossible to say that nothing happened... It's okay to transform into Tiga and fight on the surface, but this time... it's the first time I fight in outer space since coming to this world.

Switching to aerial mode, flying beyond his limits, and accumulating Rampart energy... all of this was straining Shinji Ikari's already dwindling energy. This time, being able to safely return to base was already a critical hurdle...

To the extent that Shinji Ikari is now so weak... he can't even put on a brave face to avoid worrying the two girls.

"Don't force yourself, Ikari-kun... Let me help you to the lounge."

This was the first time Rei Ayanami had seen Shinji Ikari so weak... Before, he had always looked resolute and invincible...

Unexpectedly, this young man who is as tall and majestic as a mountain... would actually reveal his vulnerable side without any concealment.

Obviously, this should be very disturbing... but, for some reason... looking at Shinji Ikari who is leaning against me obediently...

Ayanami Rei suddenly felt a... complex emotion that was hard to describe.

Why is Ikari-kun so upset, yet I…I…I am actually a little happy???

"…it is good."

Shinji Ikari also knew that his situation was not optimistic, so he did not refuse. He let Rei Ayanami walk to his right side and put Shinji Ikari's right hand on his shoulder, trying to share Shinji Ikari's weight...

"…Asuka?"

But before he could leave, he found Asuka walking to Shinji Ikari's left side without saying a word, grabbing Shinji Ikari's left hand forcefully and putting it on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me, stupid Shinji!"

Only then did Shinji Ikari realize that because of his posture... his two hands were right on top of the green and immature graceful curves of the two girls' chests.

"I'm talking to you... If you don't say it, no one will think that way, idiot."

"What! Are you questioning the charm of my delicate young girl's body...!?"

"This story is so old! It's been played out to bits already...!"

"Ikari-kun...what do you want to touch?"

"You're coming too, right?! If you keep talking about this, I'll leave on my own! Seriously..."

...It's incredible...

It was just an ordinary and boring quarrel with Asuka and Ayanami Rei...

The strength that had drained from my body seemed to be rekindled.

This delightful daily routine... as a reward for such a fierce battle, seems a little too perfect.

It makes people unable to help but...clench these fists again!
"Shinji-kun?! What happened?!"

At that moment, the door opened, and Katsuragi Misato walked in aggressively, wanting to ask why Shinji Ikari wasn't at his designated position at the critical moment... As soon as she opened the door, she saw Shinji Ikari walking out with a shaky step, supported by Asuka and Ayanami Rei. She immediately realized that something was wrong with Shinji Ikari's body.

"It's nothing... I'm just a little dizzy, maybe... anemia or something... so I just went to the bathroom to wash my face... to refresh myself... but I couldn't get to the office in time. I'm so sorry."

Seeing Shinji Ikari, who is usually so full of spirit, now so weak... Misato Katsuragi naturally couldn't say a word to blame him.

"Idiot! Why didn't you say so earlier..."

"Because, aren't we going to fight the Seventh Angel soon? Right now... I'm the only one who can activate Unit-01... So, I can't leave the front lines..."

Shinji Ikari's words left Misato Katsuragi speechless for a moment... because what he said was all irrefutable truth... Now everyone in NERV has a replaceable person... except Shinji Ikari.

Unit-01 is different from Unit-0 and Unit-02...it is true that only Shinji Ikari can make Unit-01 move.

"Stop talking about that! I've already called the medical team... The pilot's health is top priority! Since the previous medical report didn't mention anemia, a full re-examination is necessary."

Before he finished speaking, medical staff pushing a huge medical cabin had already entered the hangar and hurriedly helped Shinji Ikari inside.

"Ikari-kun..." "Stupid Shinji..."

Seeing the professionals coming, the two girls let go of Shinji Ikari's arms with a mixture of nostalgia and uneasiness.

"Don't make that face... you two idiots. I'm fine - I'll be fine soon..."

Before he could finish his words, the huge hatch closed, isolating the worried faces of Ayanami Rei and Asuka from the outside.

"...Really... Now, the NERV doctors might be busy..."

Shinji Ikari was actually a little bit looking forward to how the humans in this world could diagnose the loss of his physical strength caused by the exhaustion of Ultra Energy with their scientific and technological capabilities.

However, just when Shinji Ikari was about to have a good sleep, he heard someone knocking twice gently through the door of the medical cabin.

“…Who is it?”

"It's me, Kenzaki."

Hearing the unexpected voice, Shinji Ikari raised his eyebrows...

Well, since it was Kenzaki Kyoya who came to see me, he should have come to a suitable place to talk... There must be no outsiders around, otherwise he wouldn't have started the conversation so directly.

"What's wrong?"

"…When the Seventh Angel attacked…as you said, Kaji Ryoji directly asked me, Shinji-kun, about your location."

"How did you answer?"

"It's consistent with what you said. You said you were in the bathroom in aisle B22 the whole time."

"Did he believe it?"

"...I guess not."

"…Is that so…is there anything else?"

"Regarding the emergency exit you used to leave the base, I've verified it through the Intelligence Department's intelligence network... I've also cleared any cameras that might have captured you and any traces that might have been left."

"Is that so... I understand. Thank you."

"Well, that's it then—report complete."

Kenzaki Kyoya was about to leave after saying that, but now it was Shinji Ikari who took the initiative to ask with confusion.

"You... don't want to ask? I suddenly asked you to cooperate with me on so many things... for you, it was almost like betraying NERV... and you did it all without asking. You have the right to ask me about the whole story."

"........."

After a brief silence... Kenzaki Kyoya's voice sounded again - as indifferent and cold as ever, but... for some reason... Shinji Ikari felt... that this time, there seemed to be a hint of comfort in his voice.

"You misunderstood, Shinji-kun. I'm not loyal to NERV, or to Ikari Gendō... I'm simply searching for the meaning of life... and it just so happens that my values ​​coincide with Ikari Gendō's goals.

And now... if someone who aligns with those values ​​better than Ikari Gendou appears, I'll change my approach. So I don't need to ask anything, that's all."

"……Is it."

"Yes... Well, that's it. The doctor is here, so I'll leave now... I wish you a speedy recovery."

With that, Kenzaki Kyoya's presence completely faded away. And Ikari Shinji, contented, closed his eyes with a hint of a smile, sinking into a long-lost sleep...

——Hmm, it seems... things are getting better~
[PS: Damn, it's another chapter of nearly 3000 words. I'll add another 3000 words tonight, so it'll be 9000 words a day. I'm almost going to 10,000 a day.

There should be another chapter tonight, please read it~]

(End of this chapter)