EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 27 Suzuhara Sakura

"Come to think of it, are you really okay? Are you really not trying to be brave?"

Walking side by side on the streets of Tokyo-3, bathed in the dazzling scorching sun... This peaceful atmosphere, which was so different from the endless death battles before, actually made Shinji Ikari feel a little unreal.

"Of course I'm fine. Do I look like I'm in trouble? You're worrying too much, Asuka."

"Who... who's worried about you, you idiot! I, I'm... that's right! I'm worried that you're not in good shape... and you're still trying to be brave and attack! You're holding me back!"

"Okay, let's just take it as it is."

The girl beside him chatters incessantly, hiding her inner shyness behind her anger... The porcupine, not good at expressing himself verbally—desires to embrace others, yet fears the thorns on his body will prick them...

It's the same for both Ayanami and Asuka, I'm the only one among the pilots... No, that's not right.

If I hadn't spent time with everyone in the Victory Team, my heart would have been even more closed than these two girls.

Experience, will, and awareness... the Ultra spirit that even as a human being must carry out to the end - these are the most powerful treasures that Shinji Ikari obtained from that time... Even if he cannot transform into Ultraman, the current Shinji Ikari can definitely write a different story.

By the way... does it mean that the driving requirement of EVA is that one must be introverted at heart? That's a bit too much of a bad taste, this kind of setting.

"Here we are, this is—"

Perhaps for the convenience of combat, they deliberately looked for a base closer to the NERV headquarters. Under the leadership of Asuka... after only thirty minutes of walking, they arrived at Misato Katsuragi's newly purchased apartment.

"Hmph! I'll only show you the way once! If you can't find your way home next time, call me and beg me. Just say, 'Great Asuka-sama, I'm lost and can't find my way home. Please come and pick me up...'"

Because this was Shinji Ikari's first time coming to the new apartment, he asked Asuka to lead the way, but for some reason this girl became very excited.

"I'm sorry... I'll update the address information on my ID card when I return to headquarters tomorrow, so there might not be room for the great Asuka-sama to appear."

"You..."

During the slightly heartwarming bickering, Shinji Ikari felt that he was being watched...someone was secretly spying on him from the corner at the end of the road.

NERV's spies...? No, no... They'll keep their distance and won't be discovered so poorly.

"Hey! Stupid Shinji? I told you it was this apartment. Hey... where are you going?!"

Ignoring Asuka's clamor, he took the initiative to walk towards the source of the furtive gaze around the corner. However, the other party showed no intention of running away.

"Who are you……?"

He saw someone he didn't expect - a young child... probably only in the second or third grade of elementary school, with short, smooth black hair. She opened her big, bright eyes and stared at Shinji Ikari intently.

Shinji Ikari knew this child and had saved her twice. It was the light shining in her eyes that allowed the almost exhausted power of Tiga to appear again.

Suzuhara Sakura, Touji Suzuhara's younger sister.

But, it seems that I have come into contact with her twice as Tiga. As the human being of Ikari Shinji, I don’t know her... No, that’s not right... I must know her. The photo of this child is almost spreading across the country.

"Ah, you're the child in the photo... the one who was saved by the giant!"

Asuka followed and exclaimed, pointing at Suzuhara Sakura's face.

"…Tiga! He has a name! Don't call him Giant Titan!"

After hearing Asuka's words, a hint of obvious displeasure flashed in Suzuhara Sakura's eyes, and she retorted to Asuka in a fierce tone.

"Tiga...? The giant who defeated the apostles!? How do you know his name!?"

Asuka's expression changed slightly. Asuka had a very complicated attitude towards Tiga. If it weren't for Tiga, she would have been killed by the Sixth Angel. It was an objective fact, but Tiga's defeat of the Angel had indeed made her life meaningless.

So when Sakura Suzuhara said the name of Tiga, Asuka's attitude became a little out of control, and the expression on her face became serious, which brought great oppression to the young Sakura Suzuhara.

"babble--!"

"Asuka, calm down. Your expression is scary, you ghost."

Shinji Ikari smiled and pulled Sakura Suzuhara behind him, intervening his body between the two and protecting Sakura Suzuhara from Asuka's force.

"Who is this ghost lady——!"

After casually provoking Asuka to change the subject and prevent her from asking further questions, Shinji Ikari gently squatted down to be at eye level with Suzuhara Sakura. Looking down can easily bring a sense of oppression, especially to immature children.

Looking straight at each other and smiling can quickly narrow the distance between people.

"Do you... want to talk to me about something?"

"…Um."

Because Shinji Ikari protected her from Asuka's pressure, and because of his warm smile, Suzuhara Sakura quickly developed a liking for this cheerful boy and nodded obediently.

"Brother... let me, thank you - you, you are the pilot... right?"

"Brother? Your brother is...?"

Although I already know the answer, I still have to go through the process.

"My brother's name is... Suzuhara Touji. He said that the day before yesterday... it was you who saved us, and that's why we're alive... so we have to thank you very much."

"Suzuhara Touji? You're that idiot's sister!? I can't believe that male monkey has such a quiet sister..."

…You have a really bad personality, Asuka.

Shinji Ikari remembered that when she first came, she tried to pretend to be an excellent student, but now, only a few days have passed, and she doesn't even try to act like one.

But, it doesn't matter... continuing to wear a false mask of self... will only make my heart more tormented. Compared to that empty smile, it is better to be truly bold.

"Your brother... let you come here alone? That shouldn't be the case."

Shinji Ikari has the impression that Suzuhara Touji is a severe sister-con and he would not let the young Suzuhara Sakura run around alone.

"It was my brother who brought me out at first, but... I, I... I had a feeling... and I wanted to come here to see you, big brother... so I left alone. My brother was talking to someone else at the time and didn't notice, and then... Big brother, what's your name...?"

Sakura Suzuhara stared at Shinji Ikari's face with her tearful eyes. She could feel an indescribable sense of trust and closeness from him.

Shinji Ikari could guess that this was because as the first child to call upon the name of Light... the first child to infuse Tiga with light, Suzuhara Sakura must have some vague connection with Tiga.

Therefore, it is normal to develop a sense of trust in yourself following this connection.

"My name is Shinji, Ikari Shinji. And this witch is called Asuka. Although she may sound mean, she's actually very beautiful on the inside. So don't be afraid."

"...You! I told you who the ghost grandma is! Don't give children strange introductions... What is inner beauty?! Am I not beautiful on the outside?!"

Although she said it reluctantly, Asuka couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth when she heard Shinji Ikari say that she was beautiful.

"Well, it's time for dinner. Come to my house. I'll call Suzuhara to pick you up."

(End of this chapter)