EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 72 Let’s go home together, no one can be left behind

“…Huh, a vacation?!”

That night, after training, Shinji Ikari found Misato Katsuragi.

When Shinji Ikari seriously asked to take a weekend off to go out and play, Misato Katsuragi once suspected that there was something wrong with her ears.

Bro, you're the pilot of EVA Unit-01...! You told me you wanted to take the weekend off to relax. Why don't you give the Angel a call and tell him to relax too? Don't attack on your day off.

Indeed... My job requires these kids to be in a state of combat readiness year-round, which is indeed a bit inhumane... It puts too much pressure on the drivers.

But the apostles may attack at any time and anywhere... What if the apostles choose to attack when they are on vacation? Wouldn't that mean everything will be over?

Misato Katsuragi wanted to refute on the spot, but then she thought... Shinji Ikari is not the kind of person who doesn't know the importance of things... so she decided to let Shinji Ikari finish.

"Well, after all—Makiba and Unit 8 have officially been deployed for combat... so we've asked her to take care of the defense. Asuka and I planned to take Touji's girlfriend and sister to visit them that day... After all, Touji hasn't been reunited with his family since he went to Matsushiro. It's about time he visited them."

"Going to the Matsushiro branch? Wait, how come you know about the rotation between Makiba and Ayanami Rei..."

Misato Katsuragi frowned. This matter...even she only got the news about it at midnight last night. Where did Shinji Ikari get the information from?
In an instant, Ryoji Kaji's sinister face once again appeared in Misato Katsuragi's mind... What on earth does this guy want to do?
"Huh? It was Shinichi who came to tell me... She came to see me during lunch break at noon."

“…I see.”

Misato Katsuragi gave an awkward laugh. She hadn't expected that Makihato had such a good personal relationship with Shinji Ikari... After arriving in Tokyo, she didn't report directly to the base, but instead went to find Shinji Ikari first... Oh, she really had wronged Kaji Ryoji this time.

"If it's the Matsushiro branch...it's not impossible. We have a special transport route, so we can rush back as soon as possible if something happens..."

Katsuragi Misato was in a dilemma. Normally, she shouldn't have approved it no matter what... But Ikari Shinji had really put a lot of effort into uniting the pilots... And this time, it was also for the mental health of the fourth qualified person...

It is like sharing the responsibilities that I should have done, and I should also provide minimum support.

"...Okay, Shinji-kun. If you can promise me that you'll stay within Matsushiro Base, accompanied by security personnel from the Intelligence Department, and that if any emergencies arise, we can find you as quickly as possible and rush back to headquarters immediately... I can approve your leave request."

Seeing that Katsuragi Misato agreed to his request, Ikari Shinji felt relieved...

I was originally thinking that if Katsuragi Misato couldn't approve it no matter what, should I really consider dressing up and trying to find out whether the scandal that Makiba said about Vice Commander Fuyutsuki was true or not... It's okay, there's no need to make a big deal about it.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Misato... Oh, by the way, that day... Professor Akagi will also be going to the base in Matsushiro with Ayanami. Please arrange for us to go together... on the same plane. Please!"

"...Is this what Makiba told you?"

Looking at Shinji Ikari's solemn and serious expression, which looked more like he was about to go to the battlefield than on vacation, the perceptive Misato Katsuragi understood instantly... whether it was Gendō Ikari's order... or Shinji Ikari's request, it was definitely not as simple as the literal meaning.

Something big must be happening at the Matsushiro base this weekend, so after Ikari Gendo made the move of switching guards between Ayanami Rei and Makiba, Ikari Shinji was eager to come up with his own countermeasures.

It seems that even if she didn't approve, this boy would have gone to the Matsushiro base without permission. Katsuragi Misato knew very well that—

Fighting against Angels is never an easy task, not to mention that the adults around are all harboring ulterior motives and the children are all closed-minded... Shinji Ikari has made an indelible contribution to the positive, healthy and united atmosphere at the NERV base.

So... let me share some of the burden on Shinji Ikari's shoulders... This is the only thing I can do for him.

"Shinji-kun."

"Yes! Excuse me, is there anything else?"

"...I ate lunch at noon. It was really delicious... Even though you were busy until late yesterday because of the Eighth Angel's attack, you still prepared lunch for all of us... You must have stayed up all night."

Shinji Ikari was stunned. He didn't expect that Misato Katsuragi would suddenly switch from work mode to life mode and talk about this.

"Ah... well, it's okay. I just drank too much coffee and couldn't sleep." Looking at the cool boy who was still trying to cover up his efforts, Misato Katsuragi had a gentle smile on her face.

"Is that so... Shinji-kun, I want to eat ramen."

"…………what?"

"I heard about a great ramen restaurant recently... Let's go there together next week."

Four people, huh... Shinji Ikari finally understood what this older sister in front of him was trying to say to him in a roundabout way.

"Yeah... sure, of course I like it—Asuka and Ayanami... they probably won't refuse. Next week, um... next week, let's go together."

"Yes, it's an appointment, Shinji-kun."

A lighthearted yet determined promise... made with Misato Katsuragi.

Next week, the four of us are going out to eat noodles as usual... then, that means—

By the end of this weekend... I want to bring both Ayanami Rei and Asuka back safely.

"Eh, four of us? How about taking me along?"

Just when the atmosphere between Shinji Ikari and Misato Katsuragi was just right... a frivolous voice that made Misato Katsuragi angry interrupted.

"Kaji! You bastard! Don't come into my office casually... and don't eavesdrop outside casually!!"

Misato Katsuragi raised the mug in her hand and was about to throw it, but was stopped by Shinji Ikari.

"Mr. Kaji... do you like ramen too?"

"Of course, how could a Japanese person not like ramen? Of course, the most important thing about ramen is who you eat it with. If I'm eating it with you, Shinji-kun, even muddy concrete would be delicious."

Still as glib as ever...Ryoji Kaji pleaded with Misato Katsuragi.

"Then Misato, I will be the guardian of these two children. As you know, I am qualified to fly fighter jets... If an apostle really attacks, as long as there is no nationwide electromagnetic interference like last time, I can immediately use the fighter jets at the base to send them back."

"you……"

Misato Katsuragi was a little hesitant... Considering the candidate, Ryoji Kaji was indeed suitable... But because of his spy activities yesterday, Misato Katsuragi really couldn't trust him with confidence.

"Of course, Misato-san... Mr. Kaji, who can fly a fighter jet, would be the perfect fit."

Ikari Shinji's approval made Katsuragi Misato put down her guard. Since he agreed... there was no need for her to forcefully oppose it.

"Shinji-kun."

Realizing that she had to guard the headquarters and that she really couldn't help this time... Misato Katsuragi solemnly called out Shinji Ikari's name.

"...When we come back, we must go home together, no one should be left behind."

"--yes!"

With Misato Katsuragi's blessings and heavy determination!

Shinji Ikari takes action to thwart Gendō Ikari's plot—!
(End of this chapter)