Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

Gendo Ikari once told Rei that her body was enveloped by an AT field. This statement itself is meaningless, because according to the EVA setting, everyone's body is like that. However, when this statement appears here, it feels like it can be interpreted in a slightly more nuanced way.

Because Rei Ayanami's body is inherently unstable, it must be enveloped by a force field. In the TV series, she has to go to Ritsuko Akagi for treatment every now and then, and occasionally she also needs to soak in the incubation chamber.

In the new theatrical version, they might even naturally break down and die.

Of course, this is just the current version of Rei Ayanami's character; it varies in different worlds. In other timelines, Rei Ayanami has even had children; I'll find some pictures and post them when I have time.

141: The Outsider's Waltz

The morning sunlight shone through the old-fashioned wooden windows onto the rough blackboard, and the air, carrying a faint smell of sweat, filled the entire classroom.

The exceptionally intelligent, Mediterranean-looking teacher stood on the podium, chalk in hand, and loudly proclaimed, "The second year of junior high is a crucial period. Don't think you can relax just because it's summer vacation. It's a vital bridge between the previous and next year. Don't come back to school feeling like you've forgotten everything and are crying to your teachers and classmates for tutoring!"

Mr. Yamanaka's voice was undeniably loud, but the students' minds were elsewhere. Although it was only a six-week summer vacation, it had everyone overjoyed. They had already begun planning what to do during those six weeks to make the most of their youth.

Mr. Yamanaka pushed up his old-fashioned black round-framed glasses with a hint of helplessness. He had been a student himself, so he naturally understood what these students were thinking. What he hadn't expected was that even his class president, Hikaru Toki, whom he had always been so proud of, was absent-minded.

Although the man was sitting upright in the third row, as a veteran teacher with over ten years of experience, he could tell at a glance that the man's mind was elsewhere. It was probably related to the driver in the class; he noticed that the man's gaze kept drifting towards him, intentionally or unintentionally.

Isn't Hikaru Toki a friend of Asuka's? Even though Mr. Yamanaka is old, he still has a gossipy heart.

Hikari wasn't sure at first, but when she woke up this morning, she suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded, which made her realize something was possible. So, throughout the whole class, she kept touching her lower abdomen through her shirt, thinking about how to talk to Shinji Ikari.

She trusted Shinji Ikari quite a bit in this regard, because he did give off a very reliable feeling. At this moment, her mind was filled with thoughts of what to do if she really was pregnant. To be honest, she didn't really want to have an abortion, but it didn't seem like a good idea at her age.

More than anything, she wanted to hear Shinji Ikari's opinion.

Once again, Hikaru instinctively looked in Shinji Ikari's direction. The boy was still intently looking outside, his chin resting on his hand, watching the beautiful tennis club girl in her white dress flutter in the wind. Hikaru suddenly realized that he was now standing at a crossroads in his life.

If he were to truly confess, given Shinji Ikari's character, he would certainly take responsibility.

Do I really want to spend my whole life with him?

To be honest, Hikaru had never thought about it that way. Although there had been an accident, it was just a result of relieving psychological pressure, and after it ended, they were still just ordinary classmates.

Shinji Ikari really did not bother him, just as he had said. But for some reason, Hikaru felt a little disappointed.

The bell had just rung, and Hikari took a deep breath and stood up. When she turned around, she saw that Shinji Ikari's seat was already surrounded by people.

"Ikari-chan, please write something in this yearbook."

"Shinji-kun, where are you planning to go for summer vacation? My home is in the mountains of Lake Ashi, and there's a small island in the lake. My mom has been urging me to invite you over."

"Ikari-kun must have even more important work to do, fighting those exaggerated monsters like the Angels... He's really amazing, like a hero."

"But I must have leisure time too. My home island is in Third New Tokyo, so it doesn't affect my work."

"Ah, still the same old thing, boring." Asuka's sarcastic voice rang out from the side.

Hikaru Toki was startled and turned around abruptly. He saw Asuka sitting in front of him with a bento box. Asuka sat down next to him. "It's almost summer vacation, not mating season. Looking at this group of people, I just want to stick to that idiot."

"But since breaking up with his ex, Ikari hasn't dated anyone new for about two weeks. It seems like he wants to focus on his studies," Hikaru Toki said.

At this point, Asuka laughed out loud, "You think this is him turning over a new leaf? This is just the result of my little trick. This is just a small punishment to teach him to behave properly. He shouldn't always take advantage of his status as a driver to act recklessly and look down on other people's efforts."

"I see." Hikaru didn't press further, simply nodding with a smile. As her best friend, she knew Asuka's personality well. If Asuka wanted to say something, she would naturally say it in a boastful tone. But if she didn't want to say it, persistent questioning would only make her anxious.

"Your tempura looks delicious, can I have a piece? And this thick omelet looks amazing too... What would you like to eat? The chicken breast rolls look pretty good today." Asuka enthusiastically wanted to exchange bento boxes, but Hikaru just smiled and shook her head, "No need, I don't have much of an appetite today, so I'll have to trouble you."

"What? I'm the one taking advantage, but you say it's my hard work. I really don't understand you guys. Fine, I'll take these two things then, and I'll give them back to you when you feel like it."

Hikaru smiled, then instinctively touched his lower abdomen again.

It wasn't until after school in the afternoon that Hikari finally found an opportunity to talk to the girl. But just as she stood up again, ready to confess, she caught a glimpse of a white skirt out of the corner of her eye, and smelled the girl's faint fragrance.

It was Rei Ayanami. She had no idea what the two were talking about at the door. She only saw Shinji Ikari nod slightly to Rei Ayanami, then turn and walk towards the door.

There was nothing he could do, and Hikaru's mindset was unexpectedly calm.

Then I'll have to go by myself.

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A light drizzle fell, and a misty fog enveloped the area.

At the Third New Tokyo City Public Cemetery, Shinji Ikari looked at the familiar tombstones, never expecting to revisit this place.

This is what the Lord, who judges justly, will give me on that day.

[It has been given not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearance.]

【----Toji Suzuhara-----】

Shinji Ikari watched as Rei Ayanami, dressed in her school uniform, placed a bouquet of snow-white jasmine flowers in front of the tombstone.

My initial impression of her was of a little girl who only knew how to huddle in her dimly lit dormitory, covered in wounds. Rei Ayanami is like a ghost wandering through Tokyo; although she lives in the same city, the dazzling lights of Tokyo have nothing to do with her.

Whenever I think back to Rei Ayanami living in that damp, dark place, I can't help but feel a pang of heartache. She seems to only ever appear in three places: Hakone, the school, and the dormitory, like a spirit bound to this place. She rarely leaves that room when she's not on a mission. Her room is full of trash and clothes strewn about, and there's only one window that's covered by curtains. So when Shinji Ikari first saw Rei Ayanami, he felt like she was a wildflower or weed that could be trampled to death by a passerby at any moment.

She understands many things now, and knows some basic life common sense. At least when she comes to pay respects to her classmate, she knows to bring a bouquet of flowers, although she only brings her favorite jasmine.

However, Shinji Ikari was still unclear why Rei Ayanami suddenly wanted to come and pay her respects. Shinji remembered that Rei Ayanami and Toji Suzuhara didn't seem to have any interaction.

“Perhaps I should have brought the flowerpot with me. It’s too sad to pull out the flowers,” Rei Ayanami said. “Jasmine smells wonderful and is beautiful when it blooms. If I die, I hope it can be planted next to me, so that the whole cemetery will smell sweet when it blooms next year.”

Shinji Ikari raised an eyebrow and stood next to Rei Ayanami. "There's no need to go through all that trouble. You don't need to plant any new ones. Jasmine is a plant that can be propagated by cuttings. You can plant them in the soil now and many will survive."

"That's good." Rei Ayanami squatted down and stroked the flower buds.

Shinji Ikari stood behind her. "Even fallen flowers create a beautiful scene. If the buds remain, how can they ever wither?" He patted her head. "Are you worried you'll die?"

"No, it's just a little regrettable," Rei Ayanami said softly. Shinji Ikari stroked Rei Ayanami's head, because he knew that Rei Ayanami wouldn't lie, nor could she lie to him.

She wasn't afraid of death, because she knew it wasn't the end for her. Another version of herself would appear. But would that other version of herself, without her own memories, still be able to stay by Shinji Ikari's side?

But if it were Shinji, he would probably go to save her too.

"Okay, I'll head back now," Rei Ayanami said, and Shinji Ikari nodded slightly to her.

Rei Ayanami walked past the girl, and Shinji Ikari lowered his eyes to look at the little girl in front of him. Black leather boots, white taffeta socks, an Audrey Hepburn-style little black dress, and an exquisite beret—she looked like a little princess who had jumped out of a fairy tale book.

The girl was holding a bouquet of snow-white lilies; compared to Rei Ayanami, she seemed more like someone who had come to offer a sacrifice.

"Are you here to see your brother too, Mr. Shinji?"

Sakura Suzuhara looked at Shinji Ikari, who stood with his hands in his pockets in the misty rain, and felt a sense of profound composure. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. Could it be that he really was her brother's friend from before his death? Otherwise, he wouldn't remember her so clearly.

"I miss him a little." Shinji Ikari looked at the leaden sky with melancholy, but his mind was racing, trying to figure out what day it was.

It wasn't until he saw the flowers and wooden plate in Suzuhara Sakura's hands that he suddenly realized what was going on. It was a welcoming ceremony before the Spirit Stream.

The Japanese have a unique view of life and death, valuing life and respecting death. They treat life with love and reverence. The Japanese often compare cherry blossoms to a person's life, and they believe in the immortality of the soul. It is generally believed that life and death, as human capabilities, cannot transcend absolute opposites, becoming two interconnected stages in a process of change: life is the beginning of death, and death is the continuation of life.

Today, Japan has the highest cremation rate in the world. The custom of cremation dates back a very long time to Japan. This country holds a unique belief in fire.

In Tokyo and other areas, a traditional event called "Spirit Flow" is held every July and August. Sending away souls by floating flowers and offerings on rivers and seas is also a way of passing on the torch.

Today should be the welcoming of the fire ceremony, burning peeled hemp stalks and offering fruits as a ferry for the spirit horse. After some time, the fire will be passed on. At that time, we will come to the tombstone to take soil or ashes from the burned plants, and just like the welcoming of the fire on the first day, we will light a fire on the hemp stalks and ride the smoke back to the other world safely.

Sakura Suzuhara was happy to see Shinji Ikari there, because she was beginning to truly believe that Shinji and her brother were good friends. Even rationally speaking, this was almost impossible.

"Why isn't the inscription on the monument about the pilot of Unit-03? It's an honor too. If you're worried it will affect your life, there's no need to. Suzuhara Toji has already earned the title of hero; the rampaging Unit-03 wasn't his fault."

“That’s not the case. It seems that my older brother doesn’t really want to pilot the EVA. He said he’s not as brave as people think, and if he had a choice, he would like to pass the right to his friend Kensuke Aida,” said Sakura Suzuhara.

"I see." Shinji Ikari stayed by her side, burning hemp stalks together. White smoke curled up, completing the process of starting the fire.

“So your brother admired you a lot when he was alive,” Sakura Suzuhara said softly, and couldn’t help but smile. Shinji Ikari reached out and patted Sakura Suzuhara’s head. Sakura probably didn’t understand what Shinji Ikari was talking about, but she still obediently let him pat her head.

"Speaking of which, is there any gift you'd like?" Shinji Ikari patted Sakura Suzuhara's head.

A gift? Sakura Suzuhara was somewhat dazed. The gift Shinji Ikari mentioned could be anything, from a simple remote-controlled airplane to a Black Hawk helicopter soaring through the sky.

She believed in Shinji Ikari's abilities. In fact, at the very beginning of the funeral, she, as Toji Suzuhara's sister, was supposed to be the chief mourner, but because of some of her scheming, she got Shinji to take on the role.

Part of the reason, as Shinji Ikari said, is that if he were the chief mourner, the people displaced by the three battles caused by Unit-03's rampage wouldn't hold a grudge against the little girl. Another reason is that Sakura Suzuhara wants to get close to Shinji Ikari, whom her brother has mentioned.

What kind of person is it that my brother can't forget?

Regarding the gift Shinji Ikari mentioned, she thought for a long time and then shook her head: "I don't want anything."

Shinji Ikari nodded and stood up. Just as he was about to leave, someone grabbed his sleeve from behind. Shinji lowered his eyes and saw Sakura Suzuhara staring intently at him.

"If we're talking about gifts, could we come together for the next fire-linking ceremony?" Suzuhara Sakura's eyes sparkled.

“Of course, I’m honored.” Shinji Ikari smiled and ruffled Sakura Suzuhara’s hair. However, she was already wearing a beret, so she was just ruffling the beret.

But suddenly, he stopped moving. The beret didn't quite match her outfit, but it was precisely this beret that reminded Shinji Ikari of it.

When he traveled through the Dirac Sea of ​​the Night Apostles to another parallel world, he seemed to see a girl who looked very similar to her, standing on the Ship of Hope. His gaze swept over her, but he was certain it was her.

Shinji Ikari's gaze returned to the girl's still-childish face. In terms of appearance, Suzuhara Sakura was at least ten years older.

In other words, that parallel world, on the timeline, might be many years in the future. And what happens there could very well be repeated here.

142: Hikaru Tōki's Personal Opinion

The world that seemed real but was actually not, many years later, everything had changed and people were no longer the same.

From this, Shinji Ikari can determine that of the four directions at the crossroads, the one directly ahead represents a new world very similar to his own. So where do the other three directions lead?

However, Shinji's memories caused Sakura Suzuhara to misunderstand slightly. She took off her beret and then placed Shinji's right hand on her head again.

Gently stroking her soft hair and looking at the well-behaved girl, Shinji Ikari couldn't help but squat down and pinch her cheek.

"Good girl, Toji is so lucky to have such a cute little sister like you." Shinji Ikari smiled and took Sakura Suzuhara's hand as they walked out of the cemetery.

As he watched Sakura Suzuhara leave, Shinji Ikari stood quietly at the entrance of the cemetery. "She's so cute, isn't she? But today must have been a particularly heavy and difficult day for her. The fact that she could still smile shows how strong she is inside."

To be honest, in the few times we met, Suzuhara Sakura gave me a very good impression.

"Sakura is a strong child, but sometimes she reveals a twisted side of herself. Shinji, you'd better watch out."

"Hmm? You seem to know her quite well." Shinji Ikari glanced sideways at the quiet Hikari Toki beside him.

She gently brushed aside the wind-blown strands of hair from her forehead, tilted her head, and gazed tenderly into Shinji Ikari's eyes. "It's just a feeling, a feeling. But a woman's intuition is always very accurate, even for girls."

Shinji Ikari noticed the baby's breath in Hikari's hand; it was also a tribute to Toji Suzuhara. Toji Suzuhara was a notorious delinquent at school. During his lifetime, aside from his close friend Kensuke Aida and class representative Hikari, everyone, especially the girls, intentionally or unintentionally, kept their distance from him. During several swimming lessons at school, the girls mocked Toji Suzuhara for his lewd gaze, but in reality, Toji Suzuhara simply sat on the grass at the edge of the sports field watching Shinji race, without ever looking towards the swimming pool on the second-floor balcony where the girls were.

Yet, even after his death, many people still remember him fondly. Upon reflection, Shinji Ikari felt that Suzuhara Toji was a person whose behavior and inner thoughts were quite different.