EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 32 A Real Sister Fell from the Sky
"Why! You held a party but didn't invite me! Shinji! Touji! Aren't we close friends who can talk about anything?!!"

During the break the next day, Kensuke Aida's angry cries echoed throughout the classroom.

“…There wasn’t any party.”

Shinji Ikari smiled bitterly and waved his hand. The guy in front of him... could be said to be the only ordinary person he knew who had no connection with NERV or the apostles.

Keeping a certain distance from him was also for his own good... To be honest, if Suzuhara Touji had not been chosen as the new EVA pilot... I would not have asked him to stay for dinner yesterday.

"You're lying! You two! And Asuka! Even the squad leader... all of your lunch boxes are the same barbecued meat and rice! It's obvious that it's leftover from yesterday's banquet... I can still deduce this simple truth!"

"Ah... you actually noticed it."

This guy is more perceptive than I thought, indeed... Everyone's lunch boxes today were made by myself using the leftover meat that Katsuragi Misato grilled yesterday after getting too drunk.

I didn't expect that this guy could connect all this with yesterday's banquet at a glance.

"It's just that Dongzhi came to my house yesterday with his sister and the squad leader to thank me. It happened to be dinner time, so I invited them to have dinner. That's all."

"thank?"

"Yes! I went with my sister and the squad leader to thank Mr. Shinji for saving our lives. You know, the last time the Angels attacked... the three of us almost died, and it was Mr. Shinji who saved me! So it's not a party at all. Kensuke, please don't keep pestering me. If you embarrass Mr. Shinji, I won't let you go easily."

Understanding that Shinji Ikari didn't want to reveal too much specific information to Kensuke Aida, who had nothing to do with NERV, Suzuhara Touji took the initiative to step forward to help Shinji Ikari out.

"Shinji...Mr.?! It's only been a weekend, but why does it feel like your relationship has changed so drastically? What on earth has happened somewhere I don't know about?! You two are heartless!"

Realizing that he had been completely excluded by the two, Kensuke Aida rushed towards Shinji Ikari crying, but was stopped by Touji Suzuhara without saying a word. The two of them staged a fight in the classroom that was typical of the daily lives of high school boys.

Kensuke won't behave himself if he realizes he's still in the classroom, and besides... I didn't see Ayanami today—

We did come together at first, but after the second period, Ayanami disappeared. It's impossible to say I don't care. I need to find someone to ask where Ayanami is, so...

Ten minutes later, on the rooftop of the second teaching building—

"The First Qualified Person has gone to the Technical Research and Development Office to report on his health to Dr. Ritsuko Akagi. Since Colonel Katsuragi doesn't have a medical license, the First Qualified Person must report to Dr. Akagi every week for a physical examination."

Kenzaki Kyoya, who was lurking on the rooftop to conduct campus surveillance activities, was once again caught by Shinji Ikari, and obediently reported Rei Ayanami's location to Shinji Ikari.

"Physical examination..."

Shinji Ikari's mind flashed back to the scene of his first visit to Rei Ayanami's house—blood-stained bandages scattered all over the floor, and pills piled up like a mountain...

If it was just an ordinary illness, it would be impossible to take a large amount of medicine for a long time in NERV, a place that has the best medical resources in Japan.

In other words...it's an unusual disease, or...something other than a disease...

"Thanks, Mr. Kenzaki."

He thanked Kenzaki with a smile, and Kenzaki could only admit defeat dejectedly.

"Alas... After all, I've been tasked with monitoring national dignitaries. Even a professional bodyguard team couldn't catch me so easily..."

"Well—don't be discouraged, Mr. Kenzaki. You should know that if I wanted to, I could just hide and seriously hinder your surveillance. But I've been living under your watchful eyes, making it easier for you to get through... Occasionally, you'll reveal some unimportant information to me. Consider it a token of my gratitude."

Hearing Ikari Shinji's answer, Kenzaki's expression of dejection disappeared, and he returned to the seriousness of a NERV intelligence officer. "Shinji-kun, if you say so, can I ask you a question?"

"...You don't want me to stare at you, do you?"

Now Shinji Ikari is really afraid of this sentence structure.

"Last night, what did you say to Special Inspector Kaji? My subordinates reported to me that you deliberately went to Kaji's car during the conversation, talking while driving. Kaji even removed all the eavesdropping devices in the car in advance..."

As expected, the Intelligence Department noticed it—

Last night, after giving Suzuhara Touji a psychological consultation, Shinji Ikari was once again called out by Kaji Ryoji. Kaji also deliberately avoided the eyes and ears of NERV's intelligence department.

"Ah, that... that was Mr. Kaji's request. After all, he invited me, so it would be awkward for me to refuse... I can only say that your methods were too clumsy. Such a simple trick allowed you to lose control."

Seeing that Shinji Ikari did not mention the content of the conversation at all, Kenzaki Kyoya knew that the other party did not want to tell him.

"I understand—I will report Kaji Ryoji's deliberate attempt to take you away from our surveillance agents."

Having said this, Kenzaki was about to leave, but Shinji Ikari called him back.

Although it is unknown what position Kaji holds in NERV, such a report will definitely make Kaji Ryoji lose trust in the eyes of the top management.

...On second thought, Kenzaki didn't even need to come over to ask what the conversation was about. He just needed to report that Kaji Ryoji had deliberately avoided all surveillance...

But he still came to ask me on his own initiative... Could it be that this seemingly cold and aloof man is actually very worried about Kaji Ryoji...?
"Mr. Kenzaki, you and Mr. Kaji...are you old acquaintances?"

"…………When I was in college, I went to the same school as Kaji, Katsuragi, and Akagi. We were friends, I guess."

"Is that so... Mr. Kenzaki, you are much gentler than I thought!"

"…cough?!"

Kenzaki choked at Shinji Ikari's sudden comment. Ever since he joined the Intelligence Division and became Ikari Gendō's loyal lackey... no one had ever described him as gentle.

"If you believe me, write in your report to your father that Mr. Kaji...is only here for counseling."

"...?"

"He's lost in his work. I helped him... rediscover his original purpose—that's all. If you don't believe me, just report his suspicious actions normally... But if you believe in Kaji Ryoji, trust me... then report everything as normal. The choice is yours."

"………………I see."

After pondering for a moment, Kenzaki left with an expressionless face.

He didn't tell Shinji Ikari about his final choice, and Shinji Ikari didn't know better than to ask. He just enjoyed the spring breeze blowing from the rooftop and looked at the blue sky... ?
Why is there a small black spot in this blue sky?

And...it's getting bigger and bigger???

"Woooa ...

Why... I was just looking at the scenery on the school rooftop... and I saw a beautiful girl with twin ponytails in school uniform parachuting directly in front of me?
(End of this chapter)