Hawks from the Land of Light are calling me a dove and an undercover agent in the chat group.

He was only fourteen years old, so he didn't quite understand the concept. However, he knew that he liked Uncle Casa very much, and he also knew that he didn't want Uncle Casa to be too tired. So if there was anything he could do, he would do it!

Kassa chuckled, giving the boastful Shinji's hair a vicious ruffled ruffle, and said heartily, "You're still a long way off, brat. Your current enemy is to eat your fill and grow tall."

If an adult wanted to help, he would welcome them warmly, but a fourteen-year-old child? He has fought all this time, and to put it simply, isn't it all so that all life in the universe, from birth to death, would never need to go to the battlefield?

While it's often unavoidable for adults to fight, let children be carefree and happy!

"Miss Misato said I'm a real man now!" Shinji Ikari seemed indignant, but he was also enveloped by an even stronger sense of security.

Only now has he truly felt the presence of a father.

His teacher once said that parents are actually guardian angels who protect their children as they grow up. They are always like a wall, standing in front of their children, and no matter how strong the wind or how heavy the rain, parents will do their best to keep their children dry.

His mother died a long time ago, so he didn't really understand, but he couldn't find that feeling in his biological father.

"I wish Uncle Kassa was my father!"

Shinji Ikari blurted out in high spirits.

But before Kasa could reply, he seemed to have thought of something and immediately began to decline, revealing his true nature as a loser.

"What's wrong?" Kasa asked, puzzled.

"No, I was thinking..." Shinji Ikari hesitated, as if it was something he was ashamed to say. He rubbed his hands together awkwardly before whispering in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Because Hachiman and Yuuta both say that Uncle Kassagi is the best person in the world, kind and gentle to everyone, so I will never be an exception. There must be many more people that Uncle Kassagi likes, and maybe you like them even more..."

Shinji Ikari started fighting amongst themselves.

He's a loser, so unless someone is kind to everyone, he probably wouldn't like him.

But when someone as kind to him as Uncle Kasa actually appeared, he became possessive and jealous of why Uncle Kasa was kind to everyone.

I am so awful, so greedy. I am definitely the least worthy of Uncle Casa's affection.

"What nonsense!"

Snapped!

Without a word, Kassadin slapped Shinji on the head and ruffled his hair until it was a mess, forcing the dejected boy to open his eyes wide.

"We Ultra Warriors do indeed try to be kind to more people, but that doesn't mean we're gentle to everyone. On the contrary, it's because there are always more people in the world who deserve to be treated kindly than those who deserve to be hated. That's the truth!"

He held Shinji's cheeks, forcing the boy, who wanted to turn away, to look him in the eye, and then, word by word, instilled in him the unquestionable truth.

"I won't lie to you, Shinji. I won't say that you are the only person I love most, but you must remember that I am here because you are someone who deserves to be treated gently. I am here with you not because I am kind or gentle, but because you are so wonderful!"

"So I'm not the most special one after all..." Shinji Ikari, still somewhat disappointed despite his shock, knew this awkwardness was irrational, but...

“But you are special.” Kasa said firmly. “Everyone is special, and to me, you are special too. Even after ten thousand years, a hundred thousand years, or a hundred million years, I will never forget your appearance, your name, your personality, or your existence. I will never forget all the memories of being with you.”

"Don't compare yourself to others, Shinji. Don't think too highly of yourself, but don't belittle yourself either. Just be yourself, and that's enough."

These words are neither light nor heavy.

It's like a person standing by a pond, watching a fluffy goose flapping its webbed feet as it swims by, and then looking up at the water and seeing a reflection of themselves in the shimmering pond—neither particularly ugly nor particularly handsome.

Sometimes, making peace with yourself is that simple.

Shinji Ikari was momentarily stunned, realizing that he hadn't been criticized. He felt a mix of emotions, perhaps a sense of shame, but the part of him that felt like a loser had been peeled away, like peeling an onion.

Although I haven't truly realized it yet, I've already taken another step quietly, as if suddenly enlightened.

"You have a heart of gold, Shinji." The reliable adult made no attempt to hide his praise.

"Hmm, if I keep praising him like this, I'll definitely become arrogant and complacent."

Shinji Ikari blushed slightly, scratched his cheek with his fingers, and made a silly face, his disappointment vanishing instantly.

Ultraman always possesses such great emotional intelligence and personal charm, conveying all positive emotions without relying on deception or coaxing, while fully explaining the facts and truth.

There is only one kind of heroism in the world: to love life even after recognizing its true nature.

For Ultraman, this statement has an even broader meaning: it's not just about loving life after recognizing its true nature, but about loving everything even after recognizing everything.

Perhaps people like Misato Katsuragi and Gendo Ikari would feel a certain degree of impatience with a loser, but Ultraman would not, never will, and will always like him from the bottom of his heart.

"--Seriously, I'd heard long ago that the candidate for Unit-01 was discovered a long time ago, and he's always been a useless guy. But today he's acting all high and mighty. Turns out he's just relying on outsiders' hypocritical praise. Useless and shameless. Can't you stand up if you're not alone? Humph!"

pat!

Another person arrives on the rooftop, an uninvited guest, Shikinami Asuka Langley Soryu, here to report!

Chapter 254 Asuka: I hate you, I love you, I hate you, I love you

"Huh?"

Shinji Ikari blinked his small eyes, looking at the unexpected guest with surprise, a rare ripple of dissatisfaction rising in his heart.

Originally, no matter who treated him or how, even if he had some minor dissatisfaction, it would be like fleeting clouds that quickly dissipated, and he would not really harbor any lingering ill will towards anyone.

Even though his father had been watching him closely for a full ten years, bossing him around and sending him into battle in Unit-01, he still hoped that intimacy would outweigh dislike.

But at this moment, a very obvious dissatisfaction, so obvious that even Shinji himself subjectively noticed it, suddenly arose in his chest, and without any need for preparation, he immediately retorted.

"That's none of your business! You can call me a brat who only cries when he's not with Uncle Kasa, but I'm going to stay with Uncle Kasa and I don't care what you say!"

Damn it! If this awful girl's interruption makes Uncle Casa want to become more independent and stay away from me, that would be a huge loss!

Shinji Ikari, feeling a strong sense of crisis, unleashed his full offensive power and retorted, "By the way, who are you? Is this trespassing? I'll have Misato kick you out!"

"Hmph, so you really are an ignorant brat!"

Asuka gave a light snort, standing arrogantly on the rooftop, one hand on her hip, the other stroking her long, golden hair, revealing an expression that was three parts mockery and three parts disdain.

"Listen up, I am Shikinami Asuka Langley, the pilot of Unit 2. I am both the strongest EVA unit and the strongest pilot. You and that Unit 00 pilot were just mediocre before I was deployed."

"Now I'll show you mercy and allow you two to remember my name, Asuka-sama. Then wait for your fear and reverence. When the next Angel or that Giant of Light appears, I'll use my second unit to wipe them all out and show you my power!"

She naturally assumed that the adult standing next to the foolish Shinji Ikari was also a member of NERV, or at least someone involved, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to get so close to the pilot of Unit-01.

So at this moment, Asuka wanted to announce to everyone involved that EVA and all that was needed was her, and that she was the strongest!

"what?"

Shinji Ikari was initially indifferent when she boasted that Unit-02 was the strongest. He didn't really want to fight anyway, and it didn't matter who was stronger or weaker. But this girl actually dared to shamelessly say that she wanted to kill Uncle Caesar.

What a joke!

"Didn't you see Ultraman save everyone? If it were up to me, we definitely wouldn't have been able to defeat that Angel!" Shinji Ikari said, half annoyed.

He stood up on the spot, trying to overpower the detestable Asuka, but at this age, girls always develop faster than boys. Asuka was taller, which only made Shinji look weaker.

Even with his frail body, Shinji Ikari was one of the few things he wouldn't back down on: "Ultraman isn't an enemy, he's the embodiment of justice. As long as we don't make mistakes, we'll be fine. There's absolutely no need to become enemies or fight Ultraman!"

"Ultraman?"

Asuka realized that this was the internal code name for the Giant of Light, and she also felt Shinji's strong aura, but instead of backing down, she stepped forward and shouted even louder.

"Only we EVAs and the pilots ourselves are reliable and trustworthy. No, I should say only Unit-02 and I, the pilot, are necessary and dependable. Ultraman and all that, who cares? We don't need any of them. That's enough!"

"What did you say?"

Shinji Ikari is furious!

At this moment, Shinji's aura soared to the heavens, reaching an unprecedented level of power.

But just as he couldn't help clenching his fist, wanting to walk up to Asuka and argue further at close range, Asuka suddenly turned her gaze to a guy with a calm expression and a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth.

"Huh?" Now it was Asuka's turn to be half-annoyed. She looked at the useless adult whom the foolish Shinji called Uncle Kassadin, "What are you laughing at?"

This guy's laughter is really annoying. Laughing at a time like this makes it seem like the points he's insisting on arguing are completely unimportant.

Shinji Ikari also crashed. Although his primary goal was probably to avoid being forced to separate from Uncle Karsa, his desire to prevent Uncle Karsa from being slandered and attacked was definitely a valid reason as well.

Uncle Kasa clearly saved someone but was still smeared, so how come he can still laugh?

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Kassaar waved his hand with a light laugh, not playing the riddle-maker, but speaking softly with great relief in his eyes, "It just makes me feel much more at ease to see Shinji arguing with his peers over some small things like an ordinary child."

"Huh? Are you implying that I'm just as childish as this stupid brat?" Asuka's thoughts could only jump so quickly to this level. If she didn't get clear positive feedback, she would start to have delusions and doubt whether she was recognized enough.

Kasa tilted his head: "At such a young age, there's nothing wrong with being a little childish, isn't there?"

"No way," Asuka huffed, putting on a sour face. "Don't underestimate me just because I'm only fourteen. I'm already a strong person who is completely independent in both mind and body!"

I understand.

Kasa nodded, now he understood. This was also a problem child, mistaking "strength" and "exclusivity" for the same thing.

"It's good to be independent and strong, but if you become a hedgehog that rejects others, then it will backfire. Being strong means being able to face problems alone, but facing problems with others is not a sign of weakness."

Kasa kindly offered a few words of advice, but Asuka, who was in a fit of anger, had no interest in listening to these grand principles. She simply haughtily snorted, "I have no need to listen to your arrogant long-winded sermons."

“That’s true.” Kassadin wasn’t annoyed. He stood up nimbly. “That’s enough for today. I have some things to take care of. See you tomorrow, Shinji, Asuka.”

Simply instilling grand principles won't teach children well. Children are children precisely because they are still growing and cannot properly distinguish between the two sides of many things, and some are rebellious towards authority.

Even Ultraman can't guide any child onto the right path just by talking.

"Hey, are we leaving already?" Shinji Ikari asked anxiously. "Never mind this tomboy, Uncle Kassapa, take me with you. We can go somewhere else to quietly enjoy the stars."

"Who's the tomboy?!"

Asuka grinned, "It's good that the annoying adult is gone. Without him, there's no one to back you up. Weren't you clenching your fists to hit me just now? I'll teach you a lesson!"

"No way!" Shinji Ikari said confidently. Apart from his father, he had never thought of hitting anyone.

It's more accurate to say that he's the one who should settle scores with Asuka. If it weren't for her appearance, Uncle Casa might have stayed with him until dawn!

Kassa shook his head: "It's not really Asuka's fault. I do have some things to do. Get along well with Asuka, Shinji. Asuka does have many admirable qualities that you can learn from."

While it's not advisable to extend "strength" to "exclusivity," it's still remarkable that at fourteen, someone could be so brave and opinionated, even knowing halfway what they wanted and actively choosing how they wanted to live their future.

This is not just about being mature for a child, but about being a life, an individual. No matter how you look at it, it's enough to earn the praise of any Ultra Warrior. Although he is a problem child, he is truly an outstanding young man.

Asuka is truly outstanding. If Shinji could learn even half of her initiative and perseverance, he would have truly grown up.

Well, it would be best if Asuka could learn from Shinji's strengths and change her tendency to stab people and her tendency to be exclusive.

"What? You're talking so condescendingly, like you know me so well. You're really infuriating!" — Asuka wanted to yell at him like that.

Unfortunately, it seems she can't do it anymore.

Back at headquarters in Germany, she has always worked very hard. She is the best, the most outstanding, and the most excellent. As the pilot of Unit 2, she is unique. She has done her best, and everyone has been praising her and recognizing her excellence and strength.

There was no comparison before, so I didn't think there was anything wrong with it, but!

This guy!