EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 9 Living together?

"Thank you for the long journey, Prosecutor Jiaji."

In the depressing and dimly lit NERV command room, Ikari Gendo greeted the man in front of him in a tone that did not feel at all like comfort.

"It was a rather difficult task, but in the end, the pending third angel and EVA Unit 5 were dealt with together, as you expected. All data indicates that it was an experimental accident, and all unnecessary clues have been erased."

The young man with stubble and a slightly weathered look formed a sharp contrast with Ikari Gendo, and answered in a cynical and frivolous tone.

"With this, all Marduk agencies in Germany have ceased operations. Recent SEELE meeting minutes and directive documents have been submitted as usual. Everything is proceeding according to your script."

As he spoke, Kaji Ryoji placed the multi-sealed precision safe in his hand in front of Ikari Gendo.

"The encounter with the Fifth Apostle on the sea must have been caused by him. It was something we agreed on."

The moment he saw the safe, Ikari Gendo, who always seemed to have a cold look on his face, actually smiled.

"…Though the process has been somewhat bumpy, it's truly within our grasp. The key to unlocking the door to human instrumentality—the first humans. Well done, Prosecutor Kaji."

Perhaps realizing it was too dangerous to continue listening, Kaji Ryoji took the initiative to interrupt the topic.

"Well, I'll take my leave now. Please let me do what I want during this time."

Unexpectedly, when Kaji turned around and was about to leave the command room, Ikari Gendō said something completely unreasonable.

"I'm sorry, but you can't just take a vacation. There are still two tasks that you need to complete."

"Mission? Is this the order SEELE gave me before?"

Kaji Ryoji frowned, having a bad feeling.

"The first mission is what you're talking about, the mission involving the Second Qualified Person. Since you already know it, I won't elaborate on it. As for the second... Prosecutor Kaji, before the EVA appeared, he defeated the Fourth Angel's Giant of Light. Have you heard of that?"

"...I've only heard it. I haven't confirmed the authenticity of the information yet... Is it true?"

Because of the attack of the Fourth Angel, most of the surrounding residents were evacuated in advance.

This allows NERV to easily control public opinion and erase the existence of the Giant of Light from the public eye.

Therefore, even for Ryoji Kaji, because he was not in Japan at the time of the incident but was far away in Germany, he could not obtain any solid intelligence and could only get some hearsay based on hearsay.

"it is true."

Ikari Gendo gave Kaji Ryoji a clear and decisive affirmation and grinned.

Since this man had confirmed it, it meant the information was absolutely true. Unbelievable... For SEELE, this must have been a bolt from the blue.

"I've already contacted the European side. You can temporarily stay at headquarters under the pretext of investigating the Giant of Light. I'll have the Secret Service and the Intelligence Department cooperate with you. Although it's just an excuse, I hope you can provide me with a satisfactory investigation report."

"As ordered."

After Kaji Ryoji left, Fuyutsuki Kozo's figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

"Chief Special Prosecutor Ryoji Kaji—a multi-faceted spy for us, SEELE, and the Japanese government. Can he really be trusted? Leave the investigation to him."

Faced with Fuyutsuki's doubts, Ikari Gendo's expression returned to his usual indifference.

"How is that possible? It's precisely because it's impossible to trust him that he has to do it."

Years of tacit understanding meant that Ikari Gendō didn't need to say much. Fuyutsuki instantly understood what Ikari Gendō meant.

He...had sentenced the man named Kaji Ryoji to death.

"Brain waves... normal; nervous system... normal; endocrine system... normal; intracranial pressure... normal; mental circuits... even more stable than mine!? This can't be right! Wait a minute! Is this really your report, Shinji-kun?"

In the medical department, Misato Katsuragi flipped over the medical report that showed everything was normal, her face filled with disbelief. This didn't look like the medical report of someone who had been in a state of suspended animation due to mental pollution just an hour ago. She was in an abnormally healthy state.

"Who else could it be? No one else has performed such a detailed mental analysis today. Miss Misato, you're under too much pressure at work, which has caused your mental circuits to become unstable. It's no surprise that your readings are lower than mine. After all, this is a top-secret mission. Miss Misato, don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're not young anymore."

While changing from the hospital gown back into his own white shirt, Shinji Ikari ruthlessly poked at Misato Katsuragi's sore spot.

"Who are you talking about? I'm too stressed out because of my age! Shinji-kun! I want you to know that there are some things you can't say..."

Just when Misato Katsuragi was about to go berserk, a pair of strong arms suddenly hugged her from behind.

"Don't be so willful, Misato. Shinji-kun is right, you're not young anymore. If you keep acting like this, you'll hit menopause early~"

"!?! Add, add, add, add...blessings!?"

After a brief moment of surprise, Misato Katsuragi jumped away as if she had been electrocuted, keeping a distance from Ryoji Kaji.

"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in charge of Europe..."

"I'm assigned to escort Unit 2, and... I just took on a difficult mission. Looks like I'll be stuck in Japan for a while."

Although he was talking frivolously with Misato Katsuragi, Shinji Ikari noticed that the man's eyes never left him.

"Ms. Misato, this is..."

"Ah, sorry, Shinji-kun, I didn't introduce you. This unreliable man is called Kaji Ryoji, he is..."

"She's Katsuragi Misato's ex-boyfriend. Ikari Shinji-kun, don't think you're the only one who knows this woman has terrible sleeping posture."

"…ha?"

Shinji Ikari was completely bewildered. Sleeping posture? What the hell? What was this man suddenly saying?

"Shut up! Stop talking unnecessary nonsense--!"

After using a kick to the heart to silence Kaji Ryoji, Misato Katsuragi spoke breathlessly.

"Besides, Shinji-kun hasn't moved in yet, and I haven't told him about the move. Don't make things difficult for me!"

"move place?"

Shinji Ikari looked at Misato Katsuragi in confusion. Didn't he reject her suggestion to take care of him?
"Ah, well, I was planning to tell you everything on the way home after the medical exam... but some idiot got involved and messed up the order."

Misato Katsuragi glared at Ryoji Kaji with resentment, then changed her mood and spoke seriously.

"Shinji-kun, I've received orders requiring you to move into my apartment. Unit-02 and the Second Qualified Personnel are officially under the command of NERV headquarters starting today. As pilots, you and the Second Qualified Personnel will need to develop excellent rapport in the upcoming battle against the Angels. Therefore, starting today, you and the Second Qualified Personnel will both move into my apartment."

"…Is this an order? From father?"

Shinji Ikari's face was filled with suspicion. If it wasn't Katsuragi Misato's suggestion, but an order she received, then it could only have been issued by his father.

But, is it possible that that stinky old dad really cares about these trivial details in his life?
"I'm sorry, but we have our own internal rules. You can't reveal the source of the order, even if you're Commander Ikari's son."

"That's it..."

After all, even if the job involves driving a giant robot to fight monsters, it's still part of the military system, so it's understandable that there are confidentiality regulations.

However, there is one thing...that Shinji Ikari cannot quite accept.

"—So, what about Ayanami?"

(End of this chapter)