EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 53 What to do?! Asuka came to attack me at night! [Third update, please read!]

"I'm starting—!"

Once again, four people and one bird sat together at the same table and had dinner.

I don’t know why... even though it’s only been a few days since they last had dinner together... Shinji Ikari feels unusually nostalgic.

Compared to the constant need to maintain calm judgment and sharp thinking in NERV... the time spent in this apartment can actually bring me a sense of peace and comfort...

—assuming someone doesn't spill beer everywhere.

"Miss Misato, I've reminded you more than once! If you don't throw away the canned beer after drinking it, at least drink it completely! Don't leave the bottom of the bottle lying around! Even if you can't kick it, we still have birds at home!"

“Gu-gu-!?”

As he said that, Shinji Ikari kicked the hot spring penguin who was swallowing sardines next to him in the butt without any hesitation.

"This guy, you've already made him steal beer! Last night, I was out all day... and he went to suck on your half-empty beer can, then knocked it over and spilled it everywhere... What the hell! Not one of you even bothered to wipe it up! No wonder I smelled malt when I came back!"

In the face of Shinji Ikari's serious accusation... Misato Katsuragi was not angry at all. Instead, her smile became even brighter. She looked into Shinji Ikari's eyes and said with a smile.

"Sorry, sorry... Because you always helped me clean up before, Shinji-kun~ It's become a habit... I forgot you weren't home last night."

Perhaps, in an ordinary family... as an elder, if I were scolded by the younger Ikari Shinji... I would feel humiliated and get angry.

But... this place is different, because... before Shinji Ikari came, Katsuragi Misato had already endured too much loneliness that was almost numb...

After his father's death and his separation from Kaji... In the following years, every day when he returned home from NERV, which was filled with heavy mental pressure... he could only face an empty, cold and lonely apartment.

I could only fall asleep with the help of alcohol... The next day, I continued to bear the psychological pressure that was enough to crush an ordinary person, repeating the monotonous and gloomy work.

During that time, Misato Katsuragi...even if she didn't show it on her face, she knew deep down that she was moving step by step towards the edge of collapse...so she adopted Panpan, a penguin, as if seeking companionship, as a solace.

But - after Shinji Ikari and Rei Asuka Ayanami moved in... even though Rei Ayanami and Asuka still maintained a slight distance from others... the bond named Shinji Ikari did make this apartment feel like home.

Ever since the first time he made bento for Asuka and Misato Katsuragi... and captured their stomachs with delicious food, it has become a tradition in the apartment to eat Shinji's meals together at the table every night.

Moreover, Shinji Ikari's scolding, like a real family member living together... is almost the ultimate desire for Misato Katsuragi.

Even Katsuragi Misato herself hadn't noticed. She had deliberately let herself go when facing Ikari Shinji, deliberately messing up these seemingly natural things... in order to get Ikari Shinji to help her clean up the mess, and then scold her like a stern father.

This kind of warm warmth, precious daily life... really and bit by bit nourishes Misato Katsuragi's heart, which has been numb for several years.

——Of course, Katsuragi Misato would neither notice nor admit it.

However, even if she herself is not aware of it...it does not mean that others will not vaguely sense the abnormal dependence in Misato Katsuragi's heart.

Especially... the girl named Shikinami Asuka Langley - during the meal... every time Asuka saw Katsuragi Misato's smile, as if she was enjoying Shinji Ikari's scolding, a little anxiety would surge in her heart.

Asuka and Misato Katsuragi have similar pasts... although the situations and circumstances are very different... but both are girls who were affected by the death of their father and mother... and even imprisoned and cursed.

It is precisely for this reason that both of them know what they both desire from Shinji Ikari...

“……How terrible…”

can not watch anymore.

I can't stand watching Misato Katsuragi...

It's so easy to get something that's always out of reach.

Therefore, Asuka, unable to bear it... broke the peaceful atmosphere with a bit of resentment.

"Asuka? What did you say—?"

Katsuragi blinked because she was so focused on listening to Shinji Ikari's sermon...that she didn't hear it clearly at all.

"--It's alright, let's eat. Enough of that. I'm starving."

And Shinji Ikari...realized something, casually interrupted the topic, and started eating the food in front of him.

"Oh, by the way, as punishment, you'll be washing the dishes and chopsticks after dinner this week, Miss Misato."

“Eh—!? Why is this happening!?”

"Who told you to spill the beer all over the floor? If you don't behave, there will be no lunch for you!"

Then he continued the conversation, ignoring Asuka's mumbling that was clearly filled with negative emotions.

"……I'm stuffed."

As if she realized her own failure, Asuka lowered her head...put the dishes in the sink, and walked back to her room in silence.

"Asuka, if you want to eat tomorrow's lunch..."

"boom--!"

Asuka responded to the probing question with a slam of the door. "Asuka, what's wrong? Are you feeling down... Did you get your period?"

And the culprit, Misato Katsuragi, was chewing barbecue with an innocent look on her face and enjoying the rice cooked by Shinji Ikari.

“…You still have the nerve to say that. Sigh…”

Shinji Ikari didn't know what to say in this situation and could only sigh helplessly.

"Asuka, I also want to greet you, Ikari-kun."

After dinner, when Katsuragi Misato reluctantly went to wash the dishes and Shinji Ikari was about to return to his room... unexpectedly, Rei Ayanami grabbed him.

"Ah?"

"This morning, I told her that I would stay home and sleep while waiting for you to come back... Asuka was very envious."

When Rei Ayanami told Shinji Ikari everything that happened in the morning, hmm... I can imagine Asuka's expression at that time.

"So, she also wanted to stay... But, she couldn't - she had to go and comfort Toraki-san."

"Squad leader? Why is she...ah..."

Shinji Ikari suddenly realized that his boyfriend, Suzuhara, had gone on a business trip to Matsushiro... and right after he left, the Angels attacked... The plane was dangling in the air for a long time and almost crashed due to lack of fuel...

It's only natural that Hikaru Tomoki would be worried as a lover.

At this time when she is most vulnerable deep down... she naturally needs her friend and relative Asuka to accompany her... even if it's just to talk, they can share this anxiety... so she can't ask for leave whenever she wants like Rei Ayanami.

Ayanami Rei stayed home and welcomed me as soon as possible, and Katsuragi Misato also flirted with me happily during the meal... Only Asuka felt excluded... So she lost control?
"I see—thank you for telling me this, Ayanami."

"No... I also hope that Ikari-kun and Asuka can get along well."

Ayanami Rei smiled once again, even if it was a faint smile... but it was a genuine smile.

Now, this child can freely express his own emotions... Shinji Ikari is really happy and relieved.

"By the way, I noticed you suddenly started calling Asuka by her first name. What happened?"

"...!"

Hearing this, Ayanami Rei was stunned, and after a long silence... her cheeks seemed to turn slightly red, and then... she answered tremblingly.

"Secret...secret"

"!?"

Half an hour later, Shinji Ikari was lying on the bed...still in shock at Rei Ayanami's answer.

Oh shit, has Ayanami... evolved to such a rich emotional level... She would even keep little secrets between girls from me... What made her progress so quickly!

"...?"

Because I had headphones on my Walkman, and it was still playing the song Shinji Ikari had prepared for Rei Ayanami... It wasn't from this world, but a song that fused my own inner journey in that world...

Because I was wearing headphones, and... because I was at home... I felt a lot more relaxed.

Shinji Ikari didn't even notice... the sound of his bedroom door being slowly pushed open—

"?!?!"

It was not until he felt a warm yet hot breath blowing on his neck that Shinji Ikari realized... someone had come in!

—This feeling of heaviness...is not Katsuragi Misato, and...this smell of shampoo...is not Ayanami, so what's left is...

"Idiot! Don't turn around--!"

Shinji Ikari was lying on his side on the bed, facing the wall. Just as he was about to turn around... he heard Asuka's voice... It was clearly an order, but it had an almost pleading tone.

It’s as if...if you don’t listen, I will cry in front of you in the next second.

And... judging from the source of that voice... she wasn't standing at the head of his bed, but... was lying next to him -!?

Could this be... a night raid?!?!

What should I do?! Asuka attacked me at night!

[Author's words: I finally managed to finish the third chapter at the very end.

I'm so tired that I can't even think of anything to do for April Fools' Day...

Another 3000-word chapter, I'm almost dying...

My body can't bear it anymore. I will resume two chapters tomorrow.
The scheduled update time is 8 am and 9 pm. I'm going to sleep, Mina Sang Oyasmi.

(End of this chapter)