EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 24 EVA Six!

"What does SEELE say?"

At the same time, in the NERV headquarters, Fuyutsuki Kozo asked Gendo Ikari, who had just finished a SEELE remote meeting, with a hint of concern.

There were three Angels, and two of them were defeated by the Giant of Light... This fact completely ruined SEELE's plan. They definitely wouldn't keep silent.

"…………"

Ikari Gendō said nothing, his face gloomy as he sat slumped on the armchair that gave him a panoramic view. He was silent for a long while before he slowly spoke.

"SEELE... has identified that mysterious life form as the greatest obstacle to humanity's Instrumentality Project. The next time it appears... we must annihilate it and the Angels together. This is the order SEELE has given us at NERV."

There was a hint of impetuousness in Ikari Gendo's tone.

Although he anticipated that the appearance of the Giant of Light would completely disrupt SEELE's script, he did not expect the other party's reaction to be so extreme.

"What?! This... let's just say that the public opinion that the Titans are the protectors of humanity is already spreading. If we were to make enemies with the Titans, we would be standing against the overwhelming public opinion... In terms of firepower, we don't have the power to defeat both the apostles and the Titans at the same time! Old Ikari, you won't agree to this, will you?!"

Fuyutsuki Kozo was unusually panicked. If he really followed SEELE's orders, he and his group would probably be killed by the apostles and giants together.

Although humans successfully defeated the Fifth Angel with their own hands, the terrifying power displayed by the Sixth Angel was clearly beyond the limits of what EVA could handle.

If the Giant of Light had not appeared in time, the fate of the completely silent Unit-01 and Unit-02... would be obvious.

NERV, which couldn't even defeat the Angels, will have to fight against both the Angels and the Giant of Light at the same time next time... It's simply a fantasy.

"...This is SEELE's ultimatum, and I can't refuse. However, they are also aware of the fact that NERV's combat power is insufficient. The Vatican Treaty has been abolished, and SEELE has promised to strengthen our combat power reserves."

"The Vatican Treaty... was abolished by SEELE!? It seems those old men have been pushed to their limits... They act without considering the consequences."

The Vatican Treaty - although the written text is more than a dozen pages long, it can really be summarized in one sentence.

In order to maintain the balance of military power among various countries, including the NERV headquarters in Tokyo-3, Japan... the NERV First Branch in Las Vegas, USA; the NERV Second Branch in Matsushiro, Japan; the Third Branch in Berlin, Germany; the Fourth Branch in London, UK; the Fifth Branch in Paris, France; the Sixth Branch in Moscow, Russia; the Seventh Branch in Peking and the Eighth Branch in Pudong.

No branch is allowed to have more than two combat-ready EVAs.

Previously, it was because of the Vatican Treaty that Ikari Gendo did not let Unit 00 join the battle. Otherwise, he would have pulled Rei Ayanami up regardless of her physical condition.

"So, SEELE is going to give us more manpower? A new EVA!?!"

This was truly beyond Dongyue Gengzao's expectations. Those ulterior motives, driven to desperation, had truly reached a breaking point... They had actually offered their reinforcements without reservation, even bringing out their coffins.

"Yes, and... more than one."

Ikari Gendo threw a few documents in front of Fuyutsuki and let him take a look.

"Within a month, Unit 3, Unit 4, and Unit 8 will all be delivered to Tokyo-3. Rei's condition has also recovered. Theoretically, for the next operation, we can have up to six EVAs."

"...This is truly an unprecedented feast! Six EVAs...if used in an invasion, they could instantly destroy the conventional armed forces of a permanent member. ...Where are the qualified ones?"

"As a condition, SEELE will plant two spies within our ranks. The third qualified candidate will be decided by us—I already have a suitable candidate."

As he spoke, Ikari Gendo pulled out the character files of three pilots from the filing cabinet and handed them to Fuyutsuki.

The three names are -

Mashibo Marie Elantrias.

Kaworu Nagisa.

And... Suzuhara Touji...

. .

.

"I'm stuffed."

After finishing the lunch prepared by Rei Ayanami, Shinji Ikari reflexively put his hands together to express his gratitude.

"Simple food and drink are not a sign of respect."

It was just a casual remark, but I didn't expect that Rei Ayanami, who was cleaning up the plates, would actually respond cooperatively.

Even from her slightly excited brows, you can tell that the girl is in a really good mood.

Compared to the cold and distant Rei Ayanami before, she is now completely different.

"...Ayanami, did anything good happen to you?"

"Good thing?"

The hand that was tidying up the lunch box stopped, and Rei Ayanami stood there in a daze, blinking her deep red eyes, as if she had been thinking for a long time.

After a while, he shook his head slightly.

"…As usual, after my injury healed…school, training…physical examination. School, training…physical examination…"

It didn't seem like she was answering Shinji Ikari's question at all, but rather a light murmur to herself.

"Yeah...why is it that, even though it's been a monotonous cycle for countless years, I've been able to feel a different kind of joy lately?"

It seemed that Rei Ayanami herself had noticed something unusual about herself, and she couldn't even figure out her own mood.

"……what."

After being stunned for a moment, Rei Ayanami seemed to suddenly remember something and spoke to Shinji Ikari.

"By the way, Ikari-kun. During the two days you were in a coma, Miss Katsuragi had already bought a large apartment. I have already moved in, and I also asked the moving company to move your luggage over. After you recover from your injuries... you can move into your new home." New home... a large apartment... the living together we mentioned before.

Myself, Ayanami Rei, Asuka, and Katsuragi Misato——

Although Rei Ayanami's injury has healed and the plaster on her hand has been removed, she won't have trouble living alone anymore... But if we all live together, we must...

"So...are you happy about this?"

I couldn't help but want to confirm my true feelings with this girl once again.

"..."

This time, a hint of embarrassment appeared on Rei Ayanami's face, which was the distress of facing a problem that she herself did not know the answer to.

The little head shook weakly at first.

"No... As long as I have the order, I can live anywhere, whether alone or with others..."

But she immediately stopped talking because she realized that Shinji Ikari's invitation to her to live with him was not an order, but Shinji Ikari's wish.

Then he nodded gently but affirmatively.

"Well...if this is what Ikari-kun wants...then it is."

"Is that what I hope for......"

Shinji Ikari smiled bitterly. His original intention was not to make Rei Ayanami cater to him, but to let her make her own judgment.

But, never mind...it's good enough that she can achieve this now.

"How's Ayanami—Asuka? Miss Katsuragi said her injuries were much less serious than mine. Has she been discharged and returned home? Or is she still in which ward?"

As he said that, Shinji Ikari pulled out the IV needle from his arm and was about to get out of bed.

"The second qualified candidate? She should still be treating... Ikari-kun! You should rest now!"

Rei Ayanami frowned and stepped forward to stop him.

I don't know if it was Shinji Ikari's illusion... but it seemed that Rei Ayanami's displeasure was not only because Shinji Ikari wanted to get out of bed and move around, but also because... Shinji Ikari mentioned Asuka's name.

"It's okay. I'm almost recovered. I can still clearly understand my own situation. Don't you believe me?"

After hearing Shinji Ikari's response, Rei Ayanami could no longer dissuade him. She could only sigh with dissatisfaction and speak in a gloomy tone.

"As for the second qualified candidate... he should be in the pilot's ward on the second floor."

"Really? Thanks."

Shinji Ikari casually put on his coat and was about to leave... but suddenly a slender and white hand grabbed the corner of his coat.

"?"

"..."

Turning around, I saw Rei Ayanami reaching out her hand with a slight trembling and grabbing the corner of Shinji Ikari's clothes.

But he didn't say anything, just opened and closed his mouth, as if there were some words stuck in his throat and he couldn't spit them out.

"........."

Shinji Ikari understood and stopped where he was, without any urging, waiting with a gentle smile for the girl who had just begun to develop feelings for him, and examining his own heart.

"Ikari-kun, I..."

"Yeah, I'm in. What's wrong?"

After much hesitation, Rei Ayanami finally plucked up the courage to speak out what she was thinking.

"The commander's glasses—I left them... in my previous apartment. I didn't bring them with me."

Short—and unclear—words.

If... someone has never known the bond between Ayanami Rei and Ikari Gendo over glasses, they would definitely not be able to feel how determined this girl Ayanami Rei is from these seemingly plain words.

Ayanami Rei - she herself doesn't understand why she is emphasizing this to Shinji Ikari at this time.

But when she heard that he was going to leave her to find the second qualified person...Ayanami Rei felt her heart was in a mess...and then, she wanted to tell him, to let him know about this matter.

"Really? I see."

However, Shinji Ikari did not give up the idea of ​​leaving her to find Asuka...which made Rei Ayanami's hand loosen as if it was falling into the abyss.

"Ayanami—"

"!?"

"My condition... I can be discharged today. Let's have dinner together at home tonight. As a commemoration of our first time living together, I'll cook - and everyone will cook together."

It seemed that he felt how much determination and awareness Shinji Ikari had poured into the four words "we are all together".

Ayanami Rei's inner loss was inexplicably filled by these four words...

"Yes."

The aqua-blue girl responded to the boy with a smile.

(End of this chapter)