EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 193 I Launch an Attack in Unit 4

"What...what's going on!?"

They had just watched Shinji Ikari and the others' plane slowly disappear into the edge of the night.

Neither Katsuragi Misato, Kaji Ryoji, nor Kenzaki Kyoya left immediately; instead, they gazed at the shadows that slowly disappeared as they turned into wisps of blue smoke, unable to forget them for a long time.

"Let's go back..."

It was Kaji Ryoji who reacted first, stepping forward and placing his hand on Katsuragi Misato's shoulder with considerable concern, indicating that adults have tasks to complete and that the enemies on the Berlin side should be left to these children.

"...Give me your blessing, no... Ah Liang. Can I ask you a question?"

"...!"

This was a title I hadn't heard in so long... It made Kaji Ryoji's body tremble involuntarily for a moment.

Because, this was during their university years... the passionate period of their relationship, how Misato Katsuragi referred to herself.

Since their breakup, Misato Katsuragi has never used such an affectionate nickname to refer to herself again.

"Cough, cough... What, what are you referring to? What do you want to ask?"

After the brief chaos, Kaji Ryoji still managed to stay true to himself... even as Katsuragi Misato's gentle, tearful eyes revealed a tender side that made him almost want to instinctively embrace the soft body before him.

"—Have you ever regretted it?"

But... Misato Katsuragi's next words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Ryoji Kaji's head, completely calming him down.

"What do you mean...? Do you mean... breaking up with me?"

The deliberately frivolous tone was intended to conceal the panic in one's heart.

"........."

Misato Katsuragi gently bit her lip, sighed deeply, and then... surprisingly nodded.

This frankness was something Kaji Ryoji had never witnessed before... because ever since their breakup, Katsuragi Misato had seemed to deliberately emphasize her strength... always putting on an act of complete indifference.

However, both Kaji Ryoji and Katsuragi Misato were well aware that they still held considerable weight in each other's hearts.

"...Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Because of Misato Katsuragi's frankness, Ryoji Kaji could not brush it off with his usual frivolous and exaggerated manner. He could only deliberately avoid the topic and instead of answering directly, he pressed Misato Katsuragi for her reasons.

"Because—I think, if...we hadn't harbored hatred...wouldn't the burden on that child...be a little lighter?"

Misato Katsuragi's eyes were moist; her overwhelming emotions turned into a few glistening tears... still gently swirling in her eyes.

"We... because we couldn't escape the shadows of the past... caused us to lose the happiness that was once within our grasp. Even if it meant lifelong unhappiness... that's what we foolish adults brought upon ourselves. But—"

Misato Katsuragi's voice trembled slightly, and at that moment, Ryoji Kaji... understood Misato Katsuragi's feelings.

"But...the resentment of us worthless adults has been passed down to the next generation...and has even become a curse weighing heavily on Shinji Ikari's shoulders...Shouldn't we let it go? Is that what you want to say to me...Miri?"

Looking at Misato Katsuragi's face, so beautiful it resembled a rainstorm of pear blossoms, if it were the elegant and handsome Ryoji Kaji of the past... he wouldn't hesitate for a second.

Without a word, he would embrace that soft body, trembling with helplessness and sorrow, and then fiercely seal her lips with his own... using his intense love to make the woman he deeply loved forget all this chaos.

but----

"I'm sorry... I don't regret it."

"?!"

But at this moment, Kaji Ryoji had already made his choice. It was a choice he would never regret. When he left, Kaji Ryoji was very clear that he had ruined his own life because of the wrath of the dead in the past.

but-----
If no one remembers or carries on the legacy, the lamentations of the past will vanish without a trace.

Misato Katsuragi could never forget her father because of this... Ryoji Kaji was also unable to ignore the tragedy that befell his younger brother and only care about his own happiness.

"Indeed... I left you because I knew that if I stayed by your side, I would be so happy that I would forget even the hatred of the past. That's why... at first, that was indeed the case... but..."

Kaji Ryoji can no longer return to that era when he only had eyes for Katsuragi Misato.

Even though... now Misato Katsuragi has that intention, wanting the two of them to abandon all hatred... and return to that university era, to that carefree time when they were happier than anyone else.

In Kaji Ryoji's heart, there were also things he could never forget.

"...Do you believe in superheroes?"

These are the words I once asked Shinji Ikari...

The superheroes I used to hate, the superheroes I used to despise, the superheroes I used to sneer at... however, when such beings actually appeared vividly in front of me.

Kaji Ryoji couldn't help but dream... dreaming that Shinji Ikari could be like the superhero in his dreams, sweeping away all the misfortunes in the world... and set this shit-like world right.

However, Kaji Ryoji was even more aware that... Shinji Ikari, despite possessing the power and strength of a superhero, was still just an ordinary boy.

His heart needs companions to care for him, his spirit needs adults to guide him... and he himself dreams of becoming... a man who can help Shinji Ikari realize his unattainable dream.

"I'm sorry, Misato—"

He gave Misato Katsuragi a wry smile…

"My heart can no longer hold only you. For the time I spent with Shinji... for those who have passed away and will never return... If even a hopeless person like me can learn anything from Shinji, then what I learned is... not to regret my life."

"Blessing...!"

She stared at Kaji Ryoji as if he were a complete stranger... So, this man had become so unfamiliar and so mature without her even realizing it?
While he was still immersed in revenge against the Angels and mourning his father, Kaji Ryoji had already quietly accompanied Shinji Ikari, walking together towards a more distant and bright future.

"I really didn't expect this..."

While shocked, I was also happy for Kaji Ryoji.

My beloved is already moving forward in a place I don't even know I'm in.

"Ah... It's not nice to say this, but right now I really love Shinji more than I love you, so I can't get back together with you... Waaah!"

Why say something so mood-ruining at a time like this?!

After delivering a spinning kick to the outspoken and eccentric Kaji Ryoji, the lingering sadness between Katsuragi Misato and Kaji Ryoji finally vanished.

Yes… I can no longer rely on myself.

In the past, I was merely relying on Kaji Ryoji… trying to extract my father's shadow from him to escape the blow of his departure. Kaji was the same… escaping the guilt of sacrificing my friends and family by indulging in my own physical desires.

This is the most sordid, the most despicable love, existing only to escape reality, like wounded beasts licking each other's wounds.

And now—Ryoji Kaji has broken free from this dark curse… His dreams and future have become one with Shinji Ikari… so that this world can usher in a better tomorrow!

"...I really lost to you. Kaji. You...you're a really amazing guy."

"...Speaking of which, Katsuragi. If you were to join the battle for Shinji's affections, I'd cheer you on. Although you're a bit old, you're very experienced...Compared to the still-virgin Rei Ayanami and Asuka, you'd definitely have a huge advantage in physical contact...Gugah!"

"So why did you have to say something so mood-ruining at a time like this?!"

After delivering another roundhouse kick to the outspoken and eccentric Ryoji Kaji, the atmosphere between the two completely returned to normal.

Of course, this also means that... the two people who were once lovers will no longer lose themselves in each other's bodies in order to escape or immerse themselves in each other.

"……it's over?"

At this moment, Kenzaki Kyouya walked towards the two of them with a cold face.

Kaji Ryoji and Katsuragi Misato finally realized... so this person hadn't left all along! His presence was so subtle! Is this how the Intelligence Department conceals its presence?!
"W-What's wrong!?"
"There is a situation."

Those three simple words instantly switched both Kaji Ryoji and Katsuragi Misato back to their serious battle mode.

"what happens?"

"...These are photos of the scene sent by intelligence agents five minutes ago."

Kenzaki Kyouya showed the two his cell phone... The screen showed NERV's intelligence department office, and on the ground... lay a naked middle-aged man.

"what?"

Misato Katsuragi never expected that Kyoya Kenzaki would show her a picture of a naked man in such a serious manner. She was instantly embarrassed and ashamed. Just as she was about to ask what was going on, Kyoya Kenzaki's next sentence made her expression extremely serious.

"This is one of our intelligence agents, my trusted confidant... named Porter."

"Wait?! Potter?! Isn't Potter... the one who piloted the plane for Shinji and the others!?"

Kaji Ryoji and Katsuragi Misato both gasped in surprise... The pilot, who should have been in the cockpit, was now lying unconscious inside NERV's base!?

Then, who is the person piloting the plane?!
"The pilot is Porter."

"ah????"

Kenzaki Kyoya seemed to have guessed what the two wanted to say and answered their questions in advance... which only deepened their confusion.

"When the plane took off, Porter confirmed the takeoff information and takeoff request with the central control... We have analyzed it, and that was Porter's own voice."

Furthermore… the surveillance cameras also showed Porter boarding the plane after leaving the staff lounge. Physically speaking… he absolutely shouldn't, and couldn't possibly… have suddenly appeared inside NERV's base.”

Having heard Kenzaki Kyouya's words, Katsuragi Misato and Kaji Ryoji finally understood what was going on.

"Although there's no proof yet, I suspect it's an apostle..."

"Warning!! Warning!! Apostles are attacking—!! Repeat! Apostles are attacking!!"

As if confirming Kenzaki Kyoya's guess, the piercing alarm made the three quicken their pace... and without saying a word, they rushed into NERV's central control room.

"What's going on?!"

"Wavelength analysis shows blue...!!"

"It can be concluded that it is... the Twelfth Apostle!!!"

Hyuga Makoto and Ibuki Maya, who were frantically working at the control panel, immediately responded, but both of them were pale and terrified.

"What's wrong?!"

When questioned by Misato Katsuragi, Maya Ibuki stammered in response.

"The moment the Angel appeared... we lost all contact with Shinji's plane."

"What did you say!?"

"Yes, the plane has disappeared..."

"It crashed?! Have you activated satellite surveillance of the crash area...? Dispatch a rescue team immediately!"

"Calm down... Katsuragi."

Upon hearing that Shinji Ikari might be attacked, Misato Katsuragi was thrown into extreme confusion... It was Ryoji Kaji who spoke up to calm her down.

"Ibuki Maya-kun used the word... not 'disappeared,' but 'crashed'... right?"

"Yes!"

Maya Ibuki nodded and tapped a section of the screen with her finger... and in that section... was the area where the Twelfth Apostle appeared.

"Suddenly, a strong blue apostle reaction occurred here... and the instant it appeared! was the instant Shinji Ikari's plane passed through this area... therefore..."

Makoto Hyuga brought up the influence of the Twelfth Angel and displayed it on the big screen.

"Therefore, we reasonably suspect that... it was the Twelfth Angel who swallowed up Shinji's plane."

"What about calling?"

"...As expected, there was no reaction at all."

That's true. If Shinji Ikari had any instructions, he would have given them the order immediately. He wouldn't have left these guys running around in circles like ants on a hot plate in the base.

"Let EVA strike!"

Kenzaki Kyouya solemnly addressed Katsuragi Misato... "Under these circumstances, we can't count on Shinji Ikari."

No… I should say that with Shinji Ikari missing and his fate unknown, it should be us adults who go to rescue him!
"...Hmm, I'll immediately have Mari Makinami and Toji Suzuhara..."

"No. Let me do it."

"Eh?!"

"I'm launching Unit 4!"

(End of this chapter)