Shinji Ikari, the pilot of Unit-01 during the Spirit Awakening Era

"Hmm!" All the chefs felt a sudden surge of fear. They all froze for a moment. The chefs in front of them subconsciously looked up at the slightly swaying gauze curtain. There was a woman's figure. They all knew very well that this was the person they were going to serve today, the owner of the Himuro mansion, Himuro Kirie.

"Hmm...not bad." Himuro Kirie, who had come here from the realm of the divine mirror, naturally had no interest in saying much. She quietly sat down in her seat, but the rich aroma still piqued her interest, even though she had originally only been accompanying Shinji Ikari and helping Ryoko Sakaki.

"Let me make the first dish." Yukihira Joichiro, who had been called back by Nakiri Senzaemon, looked helpless. "That brat always manages to get me into trouble I can't escape." He didn't want to come back. On the contrary, he was very happy staying in his little shop. Whenever he had a thought, he would take a trip on a whim. The encounters and gains on his journey would be transformed into gains in his culinary skills.

However, ever since Shinji Ikari's dining at this restaurant was exposed, some very strange customers have been coming in. They don't mean anything by it; they just come to eat normally. It's just that they always want to find out what Shinji Ikari eats. Although Shinji Ikari now sees Yamato Morishita as a monster, in the eyes of some lower-level exorcists and countermeasures bureau agents, Shinji Ikari is stronger than a human.

Although these people were very law-abiding, being asked the same questions over and over again still made Yukihira Joichiro somewhat annoyed. Recently, his son was about to start school, so he decided to close the shop and go out for a walk to find some peace and quiet.

"You're not up to any trouble, are you?" Shinji Ikari took the plate from Seiichiro Yukihira and asked in a low voice. When this guy is reliable, his combat power is overwhelming, but if he wants to cause trouble, Shinji Ikari felt that he could see this guy being dangled in mid-air by the barrier rope in a moment.

"You brat, all I did was ask you for help a few times. Get lost, bring out the food." Shinji Ikari's question made Joichiro Yukihira kick him in annoyance. What did he mean? Did he think he didn't understand the consequences of his actions at this time? Was it fun to be resented by the devil?

"Sis, you have to have a good appetite today, or you'll be missing out big time." Shinji Ikari brought the cold dish inside.

"Hmm?" Himuro Kirie glanced at Shinji Ikari and opened the meal that Shinji had placed on the table. There was only a small amount of food, with diced shrimp, salmon, and various fruits including avocado and tomato on a puff pastry topped with a special rosemary lemon drizzle. Even before you took a bite, the aroma of the fruit mixed with the slightly sour lemon scent was irresistible. Moreover, the appearance of the dish was very tempting. Each small puff pastry bowl contained just the right amount for a bite.

Himuro Kirie gently picked one up and put it in her mouth, her eyes suddenly becoming hazy. As a specially trained shrine maiden, Himuro Kirie had never left the Himuro mansion since childhood. But at this moment, the scenery from thousands of miles away suddenly came into view: holding an unfamiliar zither, singing by the campfire, with dancers in light gauze dancing beside them, and a group of travelers laughing loudly.

Himuro Kirie opened her eyes, slapped away Shinji Ikari's hand that was trying to steal food, and then pulled the plate slightly towards herself. What are you trying to steal?!

"Stingy!" Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes helplessly, then turned and went out to bring in the next dish. Thirty chefs, each of them prepared a dish they had carefully cooked. Even if the portion was only a little bit, Himuro Kirie would definitely be able to eat her fill. And don't be fooled by the chefs' tense cooking. Some of them had even started preparing yesterday after receiving a notice from Senzaemon Nakiri. How could this dish be ordinary?

In short, the chefs seemed to have timed it perfectly, delivering the dishes to Ryoko Sakaki little by little at the optimal moment. Ryoko Sakaki then served the dishes to Shinji Ikari, who in turn carried them to serve Kirie Himuro. Kirie Himuro truly ate with great appetite, and although each portion was not large, a high stack of empty plates was formed.

"Phew... Sister, this is the last dessert." Shinji Ikari placed the last small dessert in front of Kirie Himuro, who was closing her eyes to contemplate and comprehend something.

"Hmm." Himuro Kirie nodded, then reached out and tore off a small piece from the gauze curtain, tied it with her own barrier rope to make a simple veil, put it on, and then got up and walked out.

At this moment, most of the chefs from the Far Moon Group had gathered together and started discussing. Although these thirty dishes were only a little over one bite in size, they were definitely cooked with 200% effort from these chefs. In such a tense atmosphere, many of them were highly focused and felt that their cooking skills had actually made a slight breakthrough, which was an unexpected gain.

Then everyone witnessed the heart and lungs stop...

Shinji Ikari came out, which was nothing unusual. Following behind Shinji, a woman dressed as a shrine maiden with her face veiled also emerged. Without a doubt, this was the person they were worshipping today, the owner of the Himuro Mansion, the living demon god, Himuro Kirie!

Most of the chefs were rather timid and immediately lowered their heads to avoid meeting Himuro Kirie's gaze. Heaven knows if such a thin veil could block the terrifying resentment emanating from Himuro Kirie; no one wanted to inexplicably shorten their lifespan.

"My sister is very grateful for your hard work." Shinji Ikari stood in front, and Kirie Himuro gave a slight bow as a way of expressing her gratitude to the chefs.

"Your satisfaction is our greatest achievement." Senzaemon Nakiri was very pleased. Himuro Kirie's performance showed that she was very satisfied with the Totsuki Group's hospitality, which was a good way to relieve the pressure on the Totsuki Group, which was currently under considerable pressure.

"Hmm?" Senzaemon Nakiri, who was bowing, was startled as his white shrine maiden robes fluttered toward him. However, he gritted his teeth and kept bowing. If it weren't for Shinji Ikari, who could get Kirie Himuro to help him beat someone up, it would be a lie to say that Senzaemon Nakiri wasn't afraid of the approach of a fierce god.

Himuro Kirie reached out and tapped Nakiri Senzaemon on the forehead, causing him to faint instantly. Dojima Gin and Yukihira Joichiro, who were standing nearby, reached out to support him. They both looked up at Himuro Kirie in astonishment, but by then Himuro Kirie had already turned back to her previous position. They could only look at the innocent-looking Ikari Shinji.

"Thank you... thank you for your gift! Himuro-ryu, is that it? I understand! Thank you so much for your instruction. From this day forward, I swear it will flourish here." The two men supported Senzaemon Nakiri as he spoke, his teeth chattering. He couldn't believe what kind of instruction he had just received. Himuro-ryu? No, this must be related to Shinji Ikari's martial arts. Senzaemon Nakiri understood it at a glance. But it didn't matter; the Totsuki clan would always benefit from it.

Although it only covers the complete methods of physical training and qi cultivation, and doesn't focus particularly on combat techniques, this is precisely what is most important to the Far Moon Group. Specific combat techniques can be supplemented through their own training.

As for the style, Himuro Kirie calls it the Himuro Style, who has a problem with that? Who can have a problem with that? Who dares? From today onwards, the Totsuki Culinary Group has adopted the training methods of the Himuro lineage, the Himuro Style!

"Once a month, don't disappoint me." Himuro Kirie said this in a very aloof manner in front of outsiders, then walked to the Divine Mirror. With the barrier rope opened, she returned directly to the Himuro mansion.

"Yes! Please rest assured."

Chapter 162 Tsukasa Eishi's Request

Why was Himuro Kirie in such a hurry to go back? There was no other reason than that the Totsuki Culinary Group not only had the best chef for this meal, but they had also opened their precious ingredient warehouse, and he could take whatever he wanted.

Don't be fooled by the small amount of each dish in this meal; it's actually packed with the essence of good food. If an ordinary person were to eat this, they would probably die from over-nourishment, their body unable to withstand such terrifying power.

After finishing the meal, Himuro Kirie felt incredibly nourished. The special meaning each chef imbued in the dishes actually boosted her previously stagnant abilities – a truly absurd feat. Therefore, Himuro Kirie was genuinely grateful to the chefs, which is why she stepped out from behind the curtain to thank them.

One meal a month is the upper limit that Himuro Kirie feels she can accept. In a sense, enjoying such a feast too frequently would probably cause Himuro Kirie herself to feel indigestion. This is not a good thing.

Just like when Himuro Kirie fed Himuro Mimori a little bit of the essence she extracted from the dishes, Himuro Mimori immediately buried her head in Himuro Kirie's shoulder and didn't come back to her senses until Himuro returned to the Himuro mansion. Obviously, it was more than just a little bit too much, and the little one was completely dumbfounded.

"Shinji Ikari, thank you. The Totsuki Group is deeply grateful for your help this time." Senzaemon Nakiri bowed to Shinji Ikari with an excited expression. This was a triple win for the Totsuki Group; they were rolling in money! Originally, they only intended to use Himuro Kirie's name to intimidate those who kept threatening the Totsuki Group.

Now look at this! The Himuro School, ha! From today onwards, the Totsuki Group is a legitimate force with its own lineage, just like the Onmyo-ryo! Moreover, this lineage is a complete one, from beginning to end! Although the power of this lineage is still unknown, to be fair, many forces would love to beg for it.

As for Himuro Kirie's protection, when she left, she left behind the veil she had worn. The barrier rope on it was undeniably imbued with Himuro Kirie's power, the meaning of which couldn't be clearer. As long as this veil is properly preserved within Totsuki Academy, it essentially means that Himuro Kirie is supporting this place.

"Although it's a bit of a downer to talk about this now, what belongs to others will always belong to others. It's better to have what you have yourself than what your parents have." Shinji Ikari sighed as he looked at the excited Senzaemon Nakiri. One can imagine how much pressure the Totsuki Group had been under in the previous period.

Morishita Yamato is a traitor to the Totsuki Culinary Group. You guys used the excuse of taking him down to start a real food war, but he just flipped his card, and wow, all the yokai at the Mountain God Festival died! Dojima Gin and Sakaki Ryoko, who represented the Totsuki Culinary Group, were completely unharmed! Are you kidding me?! Although they are yokai, they also have relatives and family. Several powerful yokai are speaking out, demanding an explanation from Totsuki Culinary Academy.

After today, Senzaemon Nakiri was very curious to know whether they still intended to demand an explanation from the Totsuki Group.

The problem seems to have been temporarily resolved, but Shinji Ikari still wants to say something and remind the old man that since Master Dongfang Bubai... oops, I mean, Himuro-ryu's training method has already been given to you, then you shouldn't waste your time and should focus on training it yourselves as soon as possible.

"Thank you for reminding us. This is indeed a very important matter for us." The old man took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Shinji Ikari. "Thank you very much, Shinji-kun, for giving us this opportunity."

"You're too kind. The main reason for this result is your own hard work. After all, Kirie really gained a lot from you this time." Before leaving, Himuro Kirie gave Shinji Ikari a brief explanation, making him understand what she had gained. She had come without any expectations, but unexpectedly left with a full load and made a fortune.

"Alright, Mr. Nakiri, if it weren't for NERV's recruitment, I might have had a chance to study at Totsuki Culinary Academy, so let's leave the pleasantries here. Whew, I passed, I passed..." Shinji Ikari let out a long sigh. To be honest, before Himuro Kirie left, Shinji had a feeling that he might not be able to escape this beating. After all, since he had known Himuro Kirie for so long, he had never seen so many expressions on her delicate face.

If it weren't for the fact that using a fierce-looking face as an emoji was just too disturbing, and that spreading it around might create a new urban legend of "death-inducing emojis," Shinji Ikari would have genuinely wanted to take out his phone and snap a few pictures.

"Hahaha... Let Ryoko show you around. She has transferred to Totsuki Academy. It's a pity that we don't have enough materials this time, so next month's offering won't be on such a large scale. Please help us explain this to Ms. Himuro."

“I’ve already talked to her about this before. The quantity can be reduced, but the quality must be guaranteed.” Shinji Ikari stretched his limbs. Clearly, Senzaemon Nakiri, who had inherited the legacy from Kirie Himuro, had some things he needed to discuss with them. There was no need for him to listen here. He would go check out Ryoko Sakaki’s room and see if he could get a couple of free meals.

Shinji Ikari grabbed Ryoko Sakaki's small hand. Ryoko's face flushed slightly. She tried to pull away, but didn't, and lowered her head to let Shinji do as he pleased.

The chefs present were all experienced cooks, and Shinji Ikari's reaction clearly indicated the relationship between the two, with various ambiguous smiles on their faces.

Ryoko Sakaki has been busy with preparations since yesterday. Even though the Ten Elite Students of the Academy weren't allowed to help, she still managed to complete the entire event. Although she didn't go up to help today, she learned a lot from the food preparation process and was also helping to pass the dishes around just now.

"Hahaha... Young people are so full of energy!" Senzaemon Nakiri laughed loudly. He had his granddaughter watch the entire ceremony today, but she seemed to be frightened by Himuro Kirie's appearance and was still speechless.

However, this is a normal feeling. After all, Erina Nakiri is just a young lady who is not very worldly. These chefs have been out and about and have seen most of the world, so it is perfectly normal for them to feel palpitations and fear. It is also perfectly normal for the girl in front of them to be shocked.

"Ano... Shinji-kun." A boy with snow-white hair stopped Shinji Ikari and Ryoko Sakaki when they were about to go to the Polaris Dormitory.

"And this is..." Shinji Ikari looked at the person in front of him with some curiosity. He didn't expect that the first person to approach him would be this person. It was quite a surprise to Shinji. Of course, he had to pretend that he didn't know him for now.

"This year's fourth seat of the Elite Ten is widely recognized as the one who will become the first seat starting next year." Although she had only just arrived at Totsuki Academy, Ryoko Sakaki already knew everything she needed to know. The white-haired boy in front of her was definitely one of the strongest.

Of course, Shinji Ikari knew more. The person in front of him was the man the protagonist of the anime never defeated until the very end. While Soma Yukihira was still growing, this person dealt a heavy blow to him. While the other members of the Elite Ten were defeated by Soma Yukihira, Eishi Tsukasa remained undefeated, making him arguably the one with the highest culinary skills among the Elite Ten.

"Oh, hello," Shinji Ikari said with a smile.

"No need to be so polite. I just have a favor to ask of Shinji Ikari." Tsukasa Eishi's smile was very sincere. "It's just a little thing, it won't be a big problem. Oh, by the way, I went to the Nakiri Middle School festival, and Shinji Ikari's sweets were delicious."

"Huh?" Shinji Ikari scratched his head, a little confused. Had his culinary skills been recognized by the First Seat? "Alright, if it's not too troublesome." Although he later got involved in the "Demon Father" storyline, to be fair, this kind of standardized, mass-produced chef operation has been around for a long time. Isn't that how traditional culinary schools operate?

Not to mention the era of pre-packaged meal kits, where cooking can be precise down to how long to stir-fry, which brand of seasoning to add, and then how long to stir-fry again—a process akin to conducting experiments in a laboratory. This method is even euphemistically called maintaining consistent food quality.

Furthermore, in the anime, Erina Nakiri destroyed the unambitious sumo club, indicating that many people at Totsuki Culinary Academy were also constantly repeating old recipes without innovation. So what's wrong with directly learning the excellent recipes of the Elite Ten? On the contrary, understanding the Elite Ten's recipes would be the fastest way for these people to improve.

"Thank you... I just hoped... that Himuro Kirie could give me some feedback on my cooking." Tsukasa Eishi said in a very timid and embarrassed tone, "Well, I really can't imagine what it's like for a spirit to feel about food. I went to Minakami Village, but the Onmyōryō refused to let me offer the dishes to the Kurosawa sisters."

Shinji Ikari and Ryoko Sakaki exchanged a glance, both completely bewildered and astonished. This fearsome figure, whom everyone else avoided like the plague, actually wanted her to try a dish? She really had guts.

"Let me tell you, it's not that I want to refuse you, but Himuro Kirie just finished being treated to a feast by the chefs and can't eat anything right now." Shinji Ikari spread his hands. "We'll have to wait a while."

"Is that so... This is really too troublesome... I knew it..." Tsukasa Eishi started muttering to himself, holding his head in his hands.

"Ryoko, is your senior really that strong?"

"He won his fourth seat by force, and many people estimated that he would have had a chance of winning the first seat as well."

"...His personality is so strange."

Chapter 163 Ji Xing Lao

"Phew... So this is the Polar Star Dormitory? Your dorm is pretty good!" After arranging a time with Eishi Tsukasa to have him prepare to go to the Himuro Mansion a week later, Shinji Ikari followed Ryoko Sakaki to her dorm, the Polar Star Dormitory where Soma Yukihira later moved in.

It looks exactly like the Polaris Dormitory in the anime, a somewhat old-fashioned villa with ivy climbing all over the walls. There's even a stream and farmland in the courtyard. Shinji Ikari was a little outraged. What kind of amazing dormitory is this? Even if it's a little further away, it's a place I wouldn't trade for money.

"You just moved in and already brought your boyfriend? Honestly, young people these days are so impatient." Fumio Oomido, a stunningly beautiful old woman in her youth, stood with her hands on her hips at the Polaris Dormitory store, looking at Shinji Ikari. "Don't you all know your place, kid! I don't care what your connections are, if you want to enter the Polaris Dormitory, you have to demonstrate your culinary skills and gain my approval."

"Huh?" Shinji Ikari twitched his lips. I just came with Ryoko Sakaki to watch! How come all of a sudden... Okay, can you eat dessert right now?" Shinji asked. His specialty was perfect for afternoon tea, and it was a whole set.

Shinji Ikari borrowed the kitchen and used it for a short time. Baked dishes require a chef's skill in combining and matching ingredients, controlling the quantities, and of course, mastering the baking time. As for Shinji, if he wanted, he could simply use his hands instead of an oven, but doing so seemed a bit too foolish.

"Very good craftsmanship...and the taste is somewhat unexpected." Shinji Ikari didn't make anything else, but a chocolate cream sandwich cookie that looked relatively simple. Since he used all the ingredients he had in the kitchen, there was nothing complicated about making the dessert; it was just a matter of different techniques.

"A very high level of completion. Is this what you usually use to please Ryoko?" Fumio Oomido took a piece and put it in her mouth. It was sweet but not cloying, and had a hint of orange fragrance, making it very refreshing. The chocolate powder sprinkled on the surface added a touch of aftertaste to this sandwich cookie. "I didn't see you use a juicer. Where did you get the orange juice?"

Shinji Ikari picked up a glass and slid to the middle of the kitchen. He grabbed an orange from the fruit plate, poked a hole in it, and with a gentle squeeze of his hands, a glass of orange juice was perfectly dispensed. Shinji then handed the orange juice to Ryoko Sakaki, winked at Fumio Oomido, and said, "Ryoko and I seem to rely more on our hearts than on external tools. She cooks much better than me; I just know how to make some desserts."

"You're quite eloquent. You've passed the test. Starting today, you can also enter the Polar Star Dormitory. However, your strength... you shouldn't be a student of Totsuki Academy, right? Although strength is a necessary quality for a chef, you are not at that level yet." Oomidou Fumio was slightly taken aback by Shinji Ikari's actions. Squeezing with his hands might be somewhat possible, but squeezing it out so cleanly was not easy.

"Well, I'd say I'm somewhat good at it," Shinji Ikari said with a smile. Exorcist isn't a pleasant profession. While it carries a certain nobility, it's a nocturnal occupation with a high mortality rate. Many who survive often end up insane or disabled. After all, Minakami Village alone has added 73 graves. Although the profession is respected, it's not a suitable profession for a partner.

“Hmm…” Shinji Ikari’s explanation made Fumio Oomido understand a little bit. “A very outstanding young man. It’s a loss for the Commander-in-Chief that he didn’t come to Totsuki Academy.”

"Thank you for the compliment! May I go in now?" Shinji Ikari pointed to the corridor, where a large crowd of onlookers were already watching.

Ryoko Sakaki is a star here. Although she just moved in, Professor Jun Shiomi brought her there that day. And today, the whole school is under lockdown, but Ryoko Sakaki was given a separate notice that she needed to help out at the arena. There are thirty top chefs from the Totsuki Culinary Group working there today, and no one knows what they're doing. They're all waiting to hear a story. But Ryoko Sakaki brought back a guy, who seems to be her boyfriend. So all the young men and women in the Polaris Dormitory are full of gossip and want to ask her questions.

However, Shinji Ikari's creation of a work that satisfied Fumio Oomido using the available materials surprised them even more. After all, they had all undergone Fumio Oomido's assessment, and those without a certain level of skill would have been kicked out by Fumio Oomido, even if they were sent by the academy.

So Shinji Ikari can be considered a chef in a way? But he himself seems to claim that he isn't, and everyone's gossip is burning fiercely.

"Is this your room?" Just like in the anime, the Polaris Dormitory is all single dorm rooms, which makes Shinji Ikari quite satisfied. It's a room with simple furnishings. There's a bed right next to the entrance, a wardrobe opposite it, and a desk and a bookcase or storage cabinet by the window. It's obvious that Ryoko Sakaki, who just moved in, hasn't had time to unpack completely yet. Her suitcase and bag are placed next to the cabinet, and as soon as Shinji Ikari walks in, she immediately stuffs them into the cabinet.

"Hey~ Need any help?" Shinji Ikari heard the voice, turned around and saw several people peeking around in front of the door, watching Ryoko Sakaki busy inside. They were obviously too embarrassed to come in because Shinji was there.

"What are you doing outside? Come in. There's nothing here for you to look after," Ryoko Sakaki greeted her classmates, who also lived in the Polar Star Dormitory, with a smile.

"Shinji! I never expected that you and Ryoko would actually get together. This is really a surprise to me." Isshiki Satoshi greeted Shinji Ikari with a grin. As a senior, he entered the academy a year earlier than Shinji and the others.

"Isshiki-senpai?" Shinji Ikari was truly impressed by this...freak! "Your hobbies are as bizarre as ever."

"Hahaha..." Isshiki Satoshi wasn't angry at all. Instead, he patted Shinji Ikari's shoulder happily. "Long time no see. Still as straightforward as ever. So, are you finally going to enroll with Ryoko Sakaki?" Then he leaned close to Shinji's ear and slightly opened his eyes. "Are we going to offer sacrifices to that fierce god today?"

"It seems you know something?" Shinji Ikari tilted his head slightly. This man, who liked to hide his abilities, seemed to be laughing and joking all day long. No one knew what he was really thinking.

"Well, we knew a little about the pressure the academy was putting on us. After all, my family is quite a prominent one, and they even wanted me to drop out of school!" Isshiki Satoshi said with a grin. "However, the way it was resolved—by relying on external forces—is a little disappointing, since you ended up going to NERV, didn't you?"

"His information network is so advanced that it's somewhat frightening." Shinji Ikari shrugged. From a student's perspective, it was quite rare for Satoshi Isshiki to know such information, and even his specific whereabouts.

“Saint Lin Private Academy is located right on the edge of Third New Tokyo City. How could someone like you simply become an ordinary person?” Isshiki Satoshi said with a grin. “I thought you would join our ranks, after all, your talent is quite good. I didn’t expect that you would have other responsibilities to shoulder.”

"Senior, are you telling the truth? Shinji is in NERV?" The others stared blankly. If you were to ask which organization has been in the spotlight the most recently, without a doubt, it would be NERV, where Shinji Ikari is. If it weren't for the recent events at the Mountain God Festival, which were truly too shocking.

Furthermore, the battle in which Shinji Ikari piloted Unit-01 to defeat a Dolem and a Fish Angel took place on the ocean, and the news has not yet spread. Unlike the previous times when Unit-01 fought against the Angels in Tokyo-3, which had a much greater impact, it is estimated that once the news spreads, all sides will feel deeply resentful for missing out on an Angel.

"So we're going to have a proper celebration today! I brought up the cookies Shinji Ikari just made!" a cute-looking girl said with a grin.

"Oh~ I have some freshly prepared smoked meat here," said a young man who couldn't see.

"In that case, I'll go to the garden right away and pick some vegetables. If possible, let's ask Mrs. Fumio to borrow the kitchen. Today is the day our Polar Star Dormitory is reunited!" Although Isshiki Satoshi is a gentleman, he is indeed a very charismatic one.

"Oh~ Anyone want something a little more exciting? I have some brews made by Ryoko Sakaki here." Shinji Ikari grinned mischievously and found a few kinds of sake that Ryoko Sakaki had given him to try. After opening them, the aroma alone was enough to make anyone's mouth water.

"Oh! There's such a good thing!" The group of people were instantly excited, and they chatted and laughed as they returned to the restaurant.

“Let’s go then! I’ve already talked to Mrs. Fumio! We can go downstairs now and use the kitchen and dining room. Everyone can show off their skills, and it’ll be a kind of get-together!” Isshiki Satoshi said happily, having made the decision at some point.

"They're a very energetic group!" Shinji Ikari smiled. He was very familiar with this situation. Onizuka Eikichi's group of students were just like this, always making a ruckus. However, it seemed that he had been missing so many classes lately that even Onizuka Eikichi, the former king of truancy, was quite amazed.

"Yes! I really like the atmosphere here."

Chapter 164 The Night of Murder Under the Moonlight

The group made a ruckus until late at night, and finally, after being scolded by Mrs. Fumio, they sheepishly packed up their things and went home. Shinji Ikari had to rush back to NERV, but with his motorcycle, he wasn't in a hurry. It would only be a one or two-hour drive from here back to Tokyo-3, after all, Japan isn't that big. However, don't even ask about the speed.

"It's been a while since I've sat on the roof and looked at the moon properly like this." Shinji Ikari put his arm around Ryoko Sakaki's waist, and the two of them lay on the roof, watching the bright moonlight shining on the earth from the Starry Sky Tomb. A gentle breeze was blowing, and they enjoyed a rare moment of peace and quiet together.

Ryoko Sakaki, holding a pastry, leaned on Shinji Ikari's shoulder, pinched his restless hand hard, and gave him a flirtatious glare. "Shinji, you won't be mad at me, will you?"

"What's it to you? Do you think it's good for you to have me tied to your belt?" Shinji Ikari rolled his eyes, speechless. "A great man from the Western Continent once said that women hold up half the sky. And you have indeed helped me a lot in the process of pursuing your dreams!"

Shinji Ikari's words clearly pleased Ryoko Sakaki greatly. She knew that her entry into Totsuki Academy was somewhat of an exceptional privilege, thanks to Shinji. Firstly, she had access to and could even touch the Divine Mirror, a significant advantage for Totsuki students at the moment. And the other reason, of course, was the relationship between Ryoko and Shinji.

“You really have a lot of influence now!” Ryoko Sakaki said with a smile. Unlike Shinji Ikari, who had a powerful father but who was almost completely indifferent to him, Ryoko Sakaki hoped to be able to stand on her own two feet and become an asset to Shinji, rather than a whiny little woman at home.

"That's right, and I certainly won't stop there, so be prepared~ In the future, my reputation will only grow bigger and bigger!" Just like any man who brags to his girlfriend, Shinji Ikari said this smugly on the rooftop, looking up at the moon hanging high in the sky.

"If you have time to look closely, the moon is truly beautiful," Shinji Ikari remarked, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he looked at Ryoko Sakaki.

"Such a beautiful moonlit night, it's the perfect time for your death. Why are you still struggling?" Maria Ze stood on the ground, slowly approaching a swordsman wielding a katana. The man was covered in wounds, and the vicious Maria Ze was clearly slowly torturing the human before her. "Isn't that right, Kageyama Izo? Oh, by the way, don't worry about being bored on the way. Before coming to find you, I already sent your whole family on their way! As long as you hurry a little, you should be able to catch up with them."

"You madwoman!" Kageyama Izo knew he couldn't let this go peacefully today, and he stood up, leaning on his sword. There was no other reason this madwoman had come looking for him. The Evil Souls Group needed people to maintain their authority; ordinary members were nothing in front of truly powerful individuals, and Kageyama Izo was a swordsman recruited by the Evil Souls Group.

However, when the Demon Souls group fell apart, Kageyama Izo, who was recruited with money, did not have the resolve to fight to the death for the Demon Souls group. After a few battles, Kageyama Izo simply ran away. He did not go back to his home. After settling his family in, he hid in an abandoned village. But he never expected that someone would still come looking for him.

"I'm just taking money from the Evil Souls Group to fight for them..." Kageyama Izo spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground. The person in front of him was very skilled with his sword, but he himself was not bad either. However, even though he had clearly hit the other person with both his touch and his vision, the other person was completely unmoved and almost stabbed him through the heart with a backhand sword. This made Kageyama Izo wary.

"Yes, I know, we know you know nothing at all, but does it matter? We're still going to kill you and cut off all those in the know about the Evil Souls Group." The woman in front of them said with a maniacal laugh.

Perhaps because they were aware of each other's identities, neither side uttered any nonsense about justice or righteous indignation. Once Kageyama Izo was certain there was no room for negotiation and that the other side had left him no room to surrender, he drew his sword. In the end, it all came down to strength.

However, the result of the battle of strength was that Kageyama Izo, who had always been proud of his swordsmanship, was completely defeated... There was no excuse. In a life-or-death struggle, a loss is a loss. And the last thing Kageyama Izo could do now was to make the guy in front of him, who might have already slaughtered his family, pay the price!