EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 86: Of course I can. I promise you.

"Stupid, idiot... Shinji? What...what is this...?"

There was a slight tremor in Asuka's voice...that she herself couldn't understand.

When she saw two Rei Ayanami appear in front of her at the same time... an inexplicable, indescribable feeling of panic instantly filled the blonde girl's heart.

——Yes, it was exactly the same as the last time... when NERV was plunged into a dead silence and darkness due to a power outage.

Her breathing quickened... her eyes blurred... as if there was something, something... something Asuka had long buried deep in her heart... some vague fragments that she didn't want to face, couldn't face...

It seems that he was inspired by the second Rei Ayanami in front of him——

What is that…?
...It has seeped out... Scene after scene flashed through Asuka's mind...scenes that shouldn't have existed.

That was Asuka... one Asuka after another...

In order to fight for the only name "Asuka" - countless selves, fighting each other, depriving each other... killing each other... and finally, coming to the end.

Who are they?
Is it Asuka——?
If...they are Asuka...then——

…Who am I?

"...Asuka!!!"

The strong urge to vomit choked Asuka's throat... The increasingly rapid breathing made the girl, who was in great panic, feel her knees go weak and she almost knelt down.

Shinji Ikari moved quickly and took a step forward, keeping his left hand steady on the black Ayanami Rei... His right hand quickly stopped Asuka's waist from collapsing and took her into his arms.

At the same time, two completely different feelings as soft as jade were reflected on Shinji Ikari's arms from both sides...but Shinji Ikari did not have the leisure to enjoy the fragrance lingering around him at this moment.

“…Ayanami!”

He called out, and Rei, whose eyes were glazed with jealousy, stepped forward... letting her take the black one so he could check on Asuka.

“…What happened!”

At this time, Ryoji Kaji and Mitsuru Toki and Sakura Suzuhara, who had parked the car, realized the changes that had happened to Asuka. With her boyfriend's life or death uncertain... even her best friend who had been supporting her collapsed. It was too cruel for Mitsuru Toki.

“Xiao Xiang…!!”

"I'm fine..."

Before Shinji Ikari could examine her properly, Asuka had already opened her eyes... and spoke to Hikaru Tomori and Shinji Ikari in a weak voice.

"Sorry, idiot... Shinji... I've troubled you again..."

"Idiot. You've caused me trouble more than once or twice... Why are you still talking about this now?"

Realizing that Asuka's mind had stabilized, Shinji Ikari breathed a sigh of relief... He hadn't expected that simply realizing... the existence of a clone—even if it was Rei Ayanami's... and not his own—would have such a huge impact on Asuka?
What Shinji Ikari didn't know was that... because he witnessed the scene of two Ayanami Rei appearing at the same time... the memory of Asuka that had long been buried in the deepest part of his memory... had been loosened.

"...Mr. Kaji. If order is restored over there, have the security personnel come and suppress the plug... Don't worry about me, take them back to Tokyo-3 immediately."

After Asuka was settled, let Rei Ayanami and the other Rei Ayanami get in the car together... Shinji Ikari gave serious instructions to Ryoji Kaji.

"…I see."

Kaji Ryoji had no hesitation at all. Since he had chosen to follow the young man in front of him, unconditional obedience to any of his orders was the least he could show in return.

"…Shinji-kun."

Realizing that Shinji Ikari was going to go into danger alone to bring Suzuhara back...Homaki Hikaru's eyes were filled with anticipation and guilt.

What I hope for is naturally that... this heroic young man in front of me can bring my lover back.

Guilt comes from the fact that I came along... and there are so many things... but I can't help at all. I can only stand there in a daze - simply waiting.

“…Ah, right.”

Feeling the mixed looks of urgency, guilt, and conflict in the eyes of Hikaru Tomoki and Sakura Suzuhara... Shinji Ikari suddenly thought of something and spoke to them.

"Class leader... I remember you had a lunch box hidden in your backpack. You made it for Suzuhara this morning, didn't you? You've been meaning to give it to him for a while now, but you never had the chance."

“…!! Why… why are you talking about this now?”

It was clearly a critical moment...but Shinji Ikari suddenly brought this up, causing Hikaru Tomokazu's face to blush.

"Give it to me—I'll take it to him for you."

"Eh…?"

Although he didn't know why Shinji Ikari asked for this, based on his trust in this young man, Hikaru Tomokazu still handed the lunch box to Shinji Ikari.

"…Sakura. Can you lend me your necklace?"

"...Hmm!" Suzuhara Sakura didn't say much... She obediently took off the deformed cardboard Tiga in her hand and handed it to Shinji Ikari.

"...Shinji-nii, can I...talk to you again..."

Bathed in the sincerity in Suzuhara Sakura's eyes, Shinji Ikari smiled and touched Suzuhara Sakura's little head.

"Ah... yes. Of course, I promise."

Holding a lunch box and a necklace, Shinji Ikari stepped off the armored vehicle...

"Ikari-kun..."

"Stupid Shinji..."

Both girls realized that Shinji Ikari had to face the biggest risk at this moment alone... No one knew what would happen after opening the plug -

Waiting inside is Suzuhara Touji... or a monster that has been alienated to the point of losing its humanity.

"Hey, don't make those faces... you two idiots. Didn't we agree to go back together? It'll be fine."

As he said this, he closed the armored vehicle's door and knocked twice... signaling Kaji Ryoji to leave before the situation stabilized.

Carrying the lunch box and Tiga's necklace... Shinji Ikari took a deep breath, boosted his inner awareness... and walked resolutely towards the insertion plug that was still lying quietly on the ground.

"...Is everything okay? Go open that."

Tsk, really... How come this guy's voice always sounds at such perfect times?
Shinji Ikari turned around and looked at Kaworu Nagisa who was smiling lightly behind him.

However, even this usual frivolous smile...cannot hide the frivolity on his face.

It seems the side effects of the D4 radiation, even if it wasn't Li Lin's, took half his life. He'd been stuck inside Unit 4 for ages, unable to get out, and now he was feeling better.

"…I'm so glad to see you're safe, Shinji-kun."

"Ha! You think you can kill me with one shot?"

"No…I'm just afraid of making you hate me."

There wasn't a trace of falsehood in Nagisa Kaworu's smile...but Shinji Ikari just couldn't like this guy.

"Now, even Commander Ikari is missing... those old men must be completely overwhelmed and panicked."

"Oh? Wouldn't that be dangerous for you?"

Shinji Ikari pointed to his neck...indicating the DSS collar of Kaworu Nagisa.

"Oh my! You're actually worried about me! I'm very happy."

He deliberately did not answer Shinji Ikari's question... Realizing that Shinji Ikari was concerned about his safety, Kaworu Nagisa's tone rose noticeably.

"How could you possibly...have the time to say stupid things and hold this for me?"

After giving Kaworu Nagisa a blank look, Shinji Ikari handed the necklace and lunch box to Kaworu Nagisa, and walked towards the insertion plug with his hands rubbing.

"...It's very dangerous. Now... the person inside is neither an apostle... nor Li Lin... but something completely different."

Nagisa Kaworu did not stop Shinji Ikari's stance, but gave advice from the bottom of his heart.

Of course Shinji Ikari knew - he felt it before... when he used Tiga's body to forcibly pull the insertion plug out of the Annihilator Beast...

Suzuhara Touji...was infected by the Ninth Angel and implanted with monster genes by Cerebro...Even after being purified by Tiga, it only maintained his vital signs as a human.

No one knows what’s inside him... If Ikari Gendō is here, if not... there’s no need for Ikari Gendō.

Even if Katsuragi Misato faced this situation, she would only give the order... to seal up Suzuhara Touji, whose genetic sequence was completely different from that of an ordinary person.

But——the monitor and Suzuhara Sakura will both cry...

So Shinji Ikari can't let things develop like that, he needs to use his own hands... to save this idiot.

Gripping the bolted door tightly... a familiar burning sensation was reflected in my palm.

Seriously—it's been less than a month since I last rescued Rei Ayanami from the plug of Unit-00.

As the plug is opened——

What I saw was... Suzuhara Touji sitting quietly inside the plug.

——Breathing, still

——Heartbeat, still

But... those dull and lifeless eyes seemed to have foreshadowed his end...?
(End of this chapter)