Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

The failure of both plans did not discourage Shinji Ikari; it was just an experiment.

“Piloting an EVA also means the synchronization of the human body with the divine body. Ava’s power may be a curse, but it should be a blessing.” Shinji Ikari looked at the girl’s face, which was less than five centimeters in diameter, and pointed his index finger at her brow, moving it back a few centimeters. “What if a pilot who is born weak and sickly could use this curse to repair his body?”

"You want to soak a girl with no personality traits in the womb directly in the fetal blood of an angel?!" Mari's eyes narrowed instantly. "Your idea is too audacious, you could even say it's a bit reckless, meow!"

Shinji Ikari was pleased with Mari's understanding. In their conversation in the locker room, neither of them explicitly stated their meaning, yet both instantly grasped what the other truly wanted to express. The last person who could achieve such a spiritual connection with Shinji was Kaworu Nagisa from the New World.

"Of course, it won't be a direct immersion, but rather a fusion into the LCL liquid. How exactly it will be done depends on the researchers." Shinji Ikari shrugged. "Make bold guesses and verify them carefully."

Mari nodded in agreement. "Dr. Akagi is an expert in the study of Angels, and he's at the forefront of research in the world. There's also the NERV branch in Hamburg, Germany... Well, Dr. Akagi will do. If she's willing to cooperate with you, then there's naturally no problem."

After saying that, Mari stretched, completely unconcerned about the glimpse of her skin that had been exposed. "I was wondering what it would be like, but it turns out we're talking about this kind of thing. How boring."

Shinji Ikari seemed oblivious to the gaze Mari was casting at him. To him, her alluring body was merely a beautiful sight to behold. This Fifth Child named Mari was trying to tease him, and he was responding—it was just a simple little game, why make such a fuss?

Mari sighed, somewhat annoyed, and reached out to pinch Shinji Ikari's cheek. "You were so much fun when you were little. I used to see you all flustered and shy."

Shinji Ikari couldn't discern the emotions in her large, light green eyes; the initial provocation had vanished. But these emotions didn't seem directed at Shinji's current shameless actions; rather, they resembled long-suppressed feelings—

As he watched the girl's face gradually approach, it was as if she were a puppy tentatively approaching its owner, or a wary wildcat. At that moment, Shinji Ikari's feeling of being replaced by a meal reached its peak.

Suddenly, he saw Mari's eyes narrow to a point, and her lips, which were about to touch, quickly parted.

"This is boring, so boring, meow. I'm not playing anymore, I'm going back to playing video games, meow!"

Mari muttered something, pushed Shinji Ikari away, and then, as if no one else was around, pulled her long legs out of her pink combat suit. She casually draped the suit over the bench in the middle, then took out her everyday clothes from the wardrobe and put them on one by one.

Shinji Ikari didn't think too much about it; he just assumed it was a playful tug-of-war between the female sea queen and the other woman. Having already changed his clothes, he took the initiative to leave the dressing room first. Only then did Mari release her combat suit and sit back down on the bench.

At the last moment, the reason she didn't kiss him wasn't because she was shy, nor was it some ambiguous entanglement from a female player; it was simply because a chill ran through her body, and that gaze, seemingly from the past, made her stop involuntarily.

The gaze was directed at Shinji Ikari's eyes, and there was no lion, tiger, or some wretched child in them. His gentle gaze possessed a compassionate maternal quality, as if the Holy Spirit of Mary were gazing upon him through Shinji's eyes.

Mari was no stranger to this kind of gaze, because she had felt it fourteen years ago. But it was definitely not Yui Ikari, that figure with flowing long hair... Mari tried hard to recall all the female friends she had crossed paths with in her past, but Shinji Ikari had already gotten up and left the dressing room.

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In the laboratory of the first lesson of the development department in Hakone's second ward, Ritsuko Akagi looked at Rei Ayanami and asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, it seems so." Rei Ayanami clutched her chest.

"It seems like?" Ritsuko Akagi stared at the blue-haired girl in front of her. She knew that Rei Ayanami was not the type to make things up. "It should just be a sudden heart palpitation. You should still take care of yourself and have a physical check-up every three days."

“Yes, I understand.” Rei Ayanami nodded.

“That’s settled then. The next maintenance is on the 29th,” Ritsuko Akagi suddenly said, her face darkening as if she had thought of something. “If you can’t reach me, then try contacting Hitomi Kaga or Maya Ibuki.”

"What happened, Dr. Akagi?" Rei Ayanami sensed the sadness in Ritsuko Akagi's eyes.

"It's just a personal matter of mine." Ritsuko Akagi didn't say much, and as usual, she put on her glasses, her sharply defined face showing neither joy nor anger.

After organizing the data, Ritsuko Akagi shut down her computer and walked out of the lab with Rei Ayanami. Then she paused slightly, noticing a figure standing like a steadfast pine tree on the side of the corridor. The boy wore a green crew-neck sweatshirt with a black collared short jacket over it. He looked like a model student waiting for his girlfriend to get out of school; Ritsuko Akagi could imagine how popular he must be at school.

"Looks like they've come to pick you up," Ritsuko Akagi said with a smile, looking at Rei Ayanami.

"Hello, Dr. Akagi." Shinji Ikari walked towards them and greeted her first.

"Oh my, you didn't leave. Did you come here specifically to pick up Rei?" Ritsuko Akagi walked up to him and teased him with a smile.

Shinji Ikari picked up the gift bag in his hand. "A new flower cake shop called Seris opened in District 6. The pastries are very crispy, so I brought them up for you. These are rose and jasmine flavored."

"So I'm benefiting from Li's fame."

"I came here specifically to thank you. You've worked so hard taking care of her these past few days." Shinji Ikari stood next to Rei Ayanami, gently patting her head, and looked at Ritsuko Akagi with a smile. "Miri said she wanted to invite you to her house for dinner the day after tomorrow. I wonder if the Doctor has time?"

Ritsuko Akagi brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It's not hard work at all, and protecting the health of the chosen ones is the responsibility of the development department."

Shinji Ikari patted Rei Ayanami on the back, saying nothing, but the girl took the initiative and walked towards the elevator. Only Shinji and Ritsuko Akagi remained, walking slowly behind.

"Is there something you specifically need to tell me privately, that you need to send Rei away?" Ritsuko Akagi took off her glasses, carefully put them back in their case, and then put them in her pocket. "Could it be that you want to confess your feelings to me?"

“Dr. Akagi is so charming, how could I possibly be a match for him?” Shinji Ikari smiled, then his expression turned serious. “It’s mainly Rei who’s involved in the battle against the Angels of the Womb, right? Is she alright?”

"As expected, Guan Xinli is still the one who cares. Hehe, her physical condition is very good. In fact, after the battle, there are signs that her original genetic collapse has improved to some extent."

Ritsuko Akagi expected Shinji Ikari to beam with joy upon hearing the news, but to her surprise, he frowned and, after a moment of thought, continued to ask, "Isn't there any special change?"

"Then what do you want to ask?" Ritsuko Akagi asked in return.

Shinji Ikari did not immediately answer Ritsuko Akagi's question, but instead asked a seemingly unrelated question.

"I heard that the fragments of the Fruit of Life of the Uterus Angel have disappeared."

Ritsuko Akagi nodded. "Yes, we couldn't find it. It's as if it completely disappeared from the real world after being shattered, without even a trace of its existence."

"Is it possible... to transfer it into Rei Ayanami or Mari Makinami's body, or to allow Unit-00 and Unit-02 to complete their awakening?" Shinji Ikari stared into Ritsuko Akagi's eyes.

The temperature in the corridor seemed to drop suddenly, so cold that ice crystals seemed to condense in the air. Ritsuko Akagi shivered slightly; she regretted discussing this with him here. Such things should have been done in a more secluded corner.

Ritsuko Akagi stood ramrod straight. "I understand what you mean, but that's not possible."

Are you sure?

"At least until 10:13 p.m. last night, I was still certain."

Last night was the routine unit check. After each engagement, the pilots' mental and physical condition are checked, and the EVAs that fought the Angels also underwent the check.

Such a significant change as awakening couldn't possibly escape NERV's detection. Furthermore, the three pilots had just completed their new tests this morning, and all passed without issue.

That's strange. How could the Fruit of Life just vanish into thin air?

Shinji Ikari felt a little regretful. If the Uterus Angel had been used as a sacrifice to awaken Unit-00 or to make Rei Ayanami become an Angel, then her physical problems would naturally have been solved.

However, at this moment, Ritsuko Akagi was thinking about Mari Makinami, whom Shinji Ikari had just mentioned, placing her on par with Rei Ayanami. Could it be that she also possesses Adams' qualities? If so, Ritsuko Akagi could understand the support that Gendo Ikari and Vice Commander Fuyutsuki had for her.

But how could I not know about this? Could it be that the man... has already started to be wary of me?

Shinji Ikari was unaware that his casual question had upset Ritsuko Akagi. After thinking for a moment, he told Ritsuko about the idea of ​​using fetal blood contamination to enhance physical constitution that he had discussed with Mari in the changing room.

The Apostle's contamination is essentially just the residual power of the Apostles, while the fetal blood of the Uterus Angel has strong corrosiveness but very low contamination, which may be able to withstand for the pilots who bear the curse of Ava.

Furthermore, Mari's physical changes also prove that this idea is feasible to a certain extent.

After some discussion, Ritsuko Akagi also expressed interest in the changes that would occur from adding Angel fetal blood. She promised Shinji Ikari that she would study it, and then went to the elevator to wave goodbye.

"Between Rei and Asuka, which one do you prefer?" Ritsuko Akagi's voice rang out from behind. "Or do you prefer Misato?"

As Misato Katsuragi's best friend, Ritsuko Akagi also sensed that there might be some indescribable feelings between her friend and Shinji Ikari.

Although her own love life was in complete chaos, she was secretly quite gossipy about Shinji Ikari.

Shinji Ikari watched the elevator doors slowly close, but he didn't answer. He simply waved his hand and disappeared after the doors closed.

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"What are you thinking about? You seem distracted," Misato Katsuragi asked.

“Some serious topics, the future of humanity, the survival of the Angels, and the evolution of life,” Shinji Ikari said casually. “Could you get me some pepper, please?”

"Eat your food properly; that's how you show gratitude for food."

During dinner, everyone could see that Shinji Ikari was distracted. It was because after returning home, he suddenly thought of something very serious.

That means I can be considered an apostle too.

If he himself counts, then… Shinji Ikari's expression turned serious. Some things couldn't be said too explicitly, lest they bring misfortune. But what about his female friends who had been intimate with him? Would they also experience Angelification?

After all, I've never had the habit of carrying a small umbrella.

Thinking about his vast group of ex-girlfriends, Shinji Ikari's face turned pale. But then he remembered that he had only truly become an Angel after fighting the Angel of Power, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Miri, if you have time, you should also get a medical check-up for a qualified person," Shinji Ikari said sincerely, looking at Misato Katsuragi across from him as she was eating dumplings.

"Why did you suddenly decide to have me do the test?" Misato Katsuragi was puzzled. "My body is in good condition. A standard aptitude test would take at least half a day."

Of course, he couldn't reveal the real reason in front of everyone, so Shinji Ikari decided to tell her the truth in private.

However, he sometimes felt that becoming an apostle was not necessarily a bad thing. If you put aside the derogatory term "curse" that Li Lin gave to the eligible individuals, no matter how you look at it, becoming an apostle is more beneficial than harmful.

Moreover, as long as one doesn't fuse an entire Angel like Asuka from the New World, a mild form of Angelification won't affect the mental level or erase emotions and desires.

Late at night, the girl's figure quietly approached the bedside.

Rei Ayanami lowered her head, gazing at Shinji Ikari's sleeping face. In the silvery moonlight, the boy's sleeping face lacked the sharp edge it possessed during the day. It even gave off a feminine fragility; one might easily mistake him for a delicate girl at first glance.

After what seemed like an eternity, Shinji Ikari opened his eyes with a hint of exasperation. "You noticed I was pretending to be asleep?"

He had originally planned to suddenly hug Rei Ayanami when she crawled into bed, just to scare her. But to his surprise, Rei Ayanami didn't fall for it at all.

"I just want to look at your face, that's enough for me."

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PS: I'm updating late today because I'm so angry! I just found out that the game "Three Kingdoms Kill" was supporting Li+Qi's discrimination against consumers, and that "Three Kingdoms Kill" instructed Zhou Shu1 to do that. What despicable characters, brothers!

PS2: I just realized that yesterday was Kaworu Nagisa's birthday.

219: The Real Opportunity to Become a God

Shinji Ikari has many close female friends and has heard many sweet words. Sometimes, when the two of them are strolling on the beach or sitting in the classroom, looking at the orange-red sunset in the west, a chord in their hearts will suddenly be touched. At this time, Shinji Ikari never hesitates to lend his shoulder or chest to the girls for a short while.

Some whisper sweet nothings, their fingers intertwined, as they say, "Your hands are so big!" Others gently stroke your cheek, while still others simply want to snuggle in your arms. Sweet words may be spoken, promises made for life, vows sworn, or even something more suggestive.

But nothing touched Shinji Ikari more than this simple sentence.

The most lethal thing is when true feelings are revealed.

"Rei, have you ever thought about why you live in this world?" Shinji Ikari sat up in bed. Now that he had been found out that he was pretending to be asleep, there was no need to lie down any longer.

I asked her this question back in June, during the battle against the Raiders, when she was still completely clueless. She only knew how to find the meaning of survival within NERV; in short, she lived only because others gave her a reason to live.

Rei Ayanami didn't hesitate. "The watermelon seedlings on the balcony haven't grown yet, the books I haven't finished reading, and Shinji, Misato, Asuka... Toki-kun, Heihei."

Rei Ayanami's life has a simple meaning: the things she likes and her friends constitute her entire world. But this simple truth only applies to her, who is also simple-minded.

"Watermelon vines won't grow again in the fall, right?"

“It’s not really autumn yet, it’s still the tail end of the hottest period of summer,” Rei Ayanami said, extending her fist towards Shinji Ikari, not to hit him, but to compare sizes. “My watermelon is already this big, I can wait.” Rei Ayanami said to Shinji Ikari, word by word.

“Oh,” Shinji Ikari nodded, then, under Rei Ayanami’s gaze, he took off the T-shirt he was wearing. It wasn’t that he was in such a hurry to say a few serious words, but rather that he was feeling a little cold. He gestured for Rei to raise her hands, then slipped the shirt over her from head to toe, and sat down next to her, looking out at the dark red skyline.