EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 11 Do you need help?
"...Ayanami...does this is the kind of place you live in?"

Following the address on his ID card, Shinji Ikari twisted and turned in the alleys of Tokyo-3 and finally arrived at the apartment building where he lived.

But... whether it was the surrounding environment or the quality of the building, Shinji Ikari strongly suspected that he had taken the wrong path.

Next door was a garbage dump cluttered with sour-smelling kitchen waste. There were no windows in the entire apartment building, not even in the corridors, and hot wind and dust poured into the corridors wantonly.

The corridor was full of dust and garbage, and plastic bottles from who knows what year and flyers with inappropriate content were everywhere.

No matter from which angle, Shinji Ikari cannot understand... Rei Ayanami, who is not only a pilot who drives EVA to fight against the apostles to protect the earth, but also a formal employee of NERV and a senior civil servant, would live in such a hellhole.

But on the doorplate of room 402, the words "Ayanami" were written in large letters, letting Shinji Ikari know that he had not come to the wrong place.

I pressed the doorbell tentatively, but as expected, the doorbell of the dilapidated apartment building did not respond.

"Ayanami, are you home? I'm Shinji Ikari, I...ah?"

He knocked on the door directly, but before there was any response from inside, the door of the apartment opened smoothly as Shinji Ikari knocked.

It's ajar... No, even the door lock is broken! That's why it opens by itself when I knock on it!
Although it seems that Rei Ayanami is the type who doesn't care about the details in life and doesn't care about anything...but being indifferent to this extent is already a very serious safety hazard.

"Excuse me. Ayanami, are you there?"

Now that you're here and the door is open, just go in.

As soon as I walked in, I was hit by a strong stench, the sour smell of rotting food mixed with the peculiar smell of mold.

Because all the windows were covered with heavy curtains, the house was as dark as night even though it was broad daylight.

The apartment was cramped and monotonous, filled with a depressing atmosphere... It only contained the most basic necessities of life, without any of the pleasures that a human being should have.

The sink was piled with pots and pans that hadn't been washed for who knows how long, and blood-stained bandages and bras and panties were scattered on the floor.

And on the bed... both the sheets and the pillowcases... were stained with blood stains that had dried to a dark gray.

Obviously, this was the infection that Rei Ayanami got when she came back to sleep after her body was just injured, and then... no one helped her to wash or change, and she probably just continued to sleep without caring, and it has been like this until now.

Although I've read in the report that Rei Ayanami's parents died in the Second Impact, this is too much...

"Ok?"

On the only desk, Shinji Ikari saw a pile of pills and capsules as big as a mountain... and a pair of glasses placed in the only clean place where traces of dust could be seen wiped off.

"This is…"

Obviously, these are not the glasses that Rei Ayanami herself uses... The lenses are full of cracks and the frames are so twisted that they are unwearable.

"Father's?"

For some reason, the face of Ikari Gendo suddenly appeared in Shinji Ikari's mind.

"........."

At this time, the sound of footsteps was heard behind.

"Ayanami, I...cough?!"

I turned around and was about to explain my purpose, but I found that it was indeed Rei Ayanami behind me, but... it was a naked Rei Ayanami.

Her hair and skin were covered in mist. She must have just come out of the shower, so she wasn't wearing any clothes.

The right hand was still wrapped in plaster and hanging in front of the chest. With only the left hand, a person was struggling to put on underwear and bra.

"Sorry! I'll be out right now..."

At this moment...from any perspective of etiquette, I should close my eyes and leave this room immediately. But looking at this lonely, desolate room, with no trace of life except for the doll-like Ayanami Rei...it was like a coffin.

Looking at the bloodstains that no one wiped, the dishes that no one washed, the bed that no one made, and no one helping... Rei Ayanami could only barely put on her underwear with one hand.

Shinji Ikari didn't leave immediately, but instead said something for some unknown reason.

"...Do you need help?"

"!"

Seeing this, a hint of astonishment flashed in Rei Ayanami's crimson pupils.

After all, even Ikari Shinji himself didn't expect this sentence to be so outrageous, but... although he was shocked, there was no resistance or disgust in his red eyes.

"Ah."

After a moment of astonishment, she nodded gently like a little bird.

He calmly walked over, grabbed the corner of her panties, and helped her pull them up naturally. Then he helped her hook the buttons on her bra at the back.

Rei Ayanami... Her skin is so white, as delicate as a porcelain doll without blood flowing.

The underwear and bra are both aqua blue, the same color as the hair. When putting them on, Shinji Ikari's entire body is exposed.

Even though he was so close, he could feel the cool moisture on Rei Ayanami's skin... Such a graceful and beautiful body. But Shinji Ikari couldn't feel the slightest bit of excitement or joy.

At this moment, Shinji Ikari only felt dissatisfaction and indignation towards Rei Ayanami for living a lonely and difficult life in such a place.

"Be careful when you raise your hand. Don't move too much. Your right hand isn't healed yet, and it will hurt."

"Ah."

Shinji Ikari didn't stop until he helped Rei Ayanami put on her school uniform.

Then…the two of them stared at each other in silence. They hadn't felt shy while getting dressed, but after it was all over, they started to feel awkward.

"...Um, I came here for the ID card..."

"……Thanks."

They spoke at the same time as if they had telepathy, and then both fell silent and let the other speak first.

"Here is a new ID card. I brought it to you."

Realizing that the stalemate could not continue, Shinji Ikari once again took the initiative to break the silence.

"Ah."

Rei Ayanami took the ID card obediently and threw it on the table without even looking at it. Her bright red eyes were still staring at Shinji Ikari's face.

“…Um, there’s one more thing.”

Shinji Ikari licked his lips. He had not yet gotten over the awkward atmosphere of helping someone put on clothes, and he felt a little embarrassed to speak.

But, a premonition told him... If he couldn't invite Rei Ayanami today, he would definitely regret it for the rest of his life.

So, even though he was so ashamed that he wanted to open the door and run away, Shinji Ikari forced himself to stay here. After taking a few deep breaths, he asked.

"Um, Miss Misato...she said that she wants the three of us to live together in the same apartment so that we can develop rapport and be more convenient for the upcoming Angel Wars. She asked...I'd like to ask about your willingness."

(End of this chapter)