EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 95: Ikari Shinji's Campus Romance Comedy [Fourth Update 80008000]

"Ikari-kun... do you need any help?"

The next day, a new dawn—

Shinji Ikari skillfully spread the four eggs in the frying pan, and replied with a smile to Rei Ayanami who wanted to come up to help.

"There's no need here. If you have time... go wake up Asuka and Misato-san. If you don't, it'll probably be noon before they open their eyes."

“Yes!”

It seemed that she had been entrusted with a task by Shinji Ikari... This made Rei Ayanami quite happy. There was a hint of lightness in her response, and she ran towards Asuka's bedroom with a smile.

"...a new day...it's still quite open."

They all returned home safely together... and as if thanks to him... they were free from nightmares and slept soundly. When he opened his eyes, Shinji Ikari felt that the world had become clearer.

Looking at the four prepared lunch boxes in front of him... Ikari Shinji thought for a moment and took out the fifth one from the cabinet.

"Let's go! Asuka...! You're skipping class today!"

"Yawn—the apostles attacked just yesterday... I guess it doesn't matter if I take a day off today..."

"It's up to you then. Ling Bo and I will leave first."

"...Asuka, goodbye. I've left my lunchbox on the table for you. Eat well."

"Ah! Asshole...! Can't you just let me act cute for a moment! Seriously! Wait a minute! Let me get dressed!"

The way to school that couldn't be more familiar, the life that couldn't be more familiar...finally, we're back on track.

"Good morning--!"

At the school gate, as if they were waiting deliberately... I saw Hikaru Toki and Touji Suzuhara.

Mitsuru Toki's face was flushed, filled with indescribable happiness and maturity... while Touji Suzuhara looked tired.

The right eye...was bandaged with a simple cloth yesterday and now has been replaced with a medical white eye patch.

"........."

Shinji Ikari took a deep breath, his human form…his human form, and used some of Tiga's power. Using telepathy, from beginning to end, from the physical to the spiritual…he once again confirmed Suzuhara Touji and Hikaru Toki, with whom he had spent the night.

"…Mr. Shinji?"

Sensing Shinji Ikari's sharp gaze that seemed to see through his soul... Suzuhara Touji asked with some uneasiness.

"————It's okay. Nothing happened."

After confirming that neither of them was in any condition, Shinji Ikari's last remaining concerns vanished, a look of relief crossing his face.

“……Is that so?”

Suzuhara Touji also sensed the double meaning behind Shinji Ikari's words... meaning that he would not affect others. He could still interact with others normally... and live a normal life.

The bell rang... and they all walked into the classroom together... In that moment, the five young men and women... were far away from all the battles, pain, and sorrow...

They were just five ordinary junior high school students...singing about the youthful years they should have been enjoying.

Well... until the next apostle attack... or something unusual happens, I'll just have this rare opportunity... to enjoy the feeling of going to school as a normal student. It seems like final exams are coming up soon... Come to think of it, I haven't studied in a while... I'll just listen carefully and take notes today!
Shinji Ikari made up his mind so easily while waiting for the teacher to start the class.

"It might be a little sudden... but today I'm introducing a transfer student."

And then, his brisk resolution... was shattered in the blink of an eye by the anomaly - he died in 15 seconds.

Following the teacher's introduction, the tall, beautiful, and youthful and lively girl with glasses... walked into the classroom with dignity and announced loudly.

"My name is... Makiha Mari Irantrias! I'm Japanese-English! I hope to get along well with everyone, nya~!"

As he spoke, he wrote his name on the blackboard... He even wrote it three times in Japanese, English, and Chinese!
Then... he looked around exaggeratedly... to confirm the presence of Hikaru Tomura, Touji Suzuhara, Rei Ayanami, Asuka... and Shinji Ikari.

He waved cheerfully to Shinji Ikari who was sitting in the back with an unhappy look on his face as if he had seen a ghost.

"Ah! Wang-chan...! Wang-chan-kun! I'm here to play with you! I haven't even been to school in Japan yet! Please teach me...! Ah... At a time like this, using Japanese should be—please! Please guide us!"

Ah, ah… This plot development, Shinji Ikari, is so damn familiar… Isn't this the classic school romance manga? If this continues, the next sentence from that middle-aged, bald history teacher will be…

"Is that so? Is she someone Shinji-kun knows? Then, Makiwa-san, please sit next to Shinji-kun. Shinji-kun, Makiwa-san just came back from overseas and doesn't know much about Japanese social customs. You have to help her~"

Is this really what you're trying to do? Some kind of campus romantic comedy?
Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes... How dare you say such nonsense? This school is controlled by NERV, the true face of the Marduk Organization.

An institution dedicated to screening EVA pilots... Every student and teacher has a connection with NERV - why don't you just say she was sent by NERV and made sure she sits next to me? Why are you still pretending to be so smart?

During the break, Shinji Ikari ran to the rooftop as usual... and ate his lunch box while enjoying the sea breeze.

And Makiba, who was sitting next to him, naturally followed Shinji Ikari to the top of the rooftop.

Seeing that Shinji Ikari ignored him and just sat there to eat, he walked over with a hint of guilt on his face.

"Sorry, did I go too far, meow? Hey~"

He showed no sign of apologizing at all, banging his head with his hands and sticking out his tongue.

"...What year is this joke from? Are you from the 90s?"

Shinji Ikari gave her a displeased look, then handed the fifth bento he made that morning to Makiba.

“Wow…!! This is for me!? Was it specially prepared for me!?!”

"...This is to prevent you from stealing Rei's bento again. I made this just for the sake of it, after all... I asked you to look after the house. Consider it a thank you gift—"

"Thanks!!!"

Makiba, who had already experienced Shinji Ikari's craftsmanship last time, naturally would not refuse. She opened her legs without any elegance and sat cross-legged opposite Shinji Ikari... This action made the pleated skirt, which was not long to begin with, completely unable to cover her underwear.

Even if Shinji Ikari didn't look deliberately, he could not avoid seeing a patch of pink and white...

"Really? You're pulling this kind of strings—what connections did you use to get the principal and teachers to cooperate with you?"

However, Shinji Ikari didn't intend to be led by Makiba, so he changed the subject.

"Of course... NERV's Fifth Branch in Paris, France. I heard Ikari Gendō disappeared, and there's a power vacuum at NERV headquarters... All the branches are trying to take advantage of this opportunity to get a piece of the action. And I'm the spy sent here, Wang-chan~~"

(End of this chapter)