EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 40: I might actually change a little bit [3000 words please read]

"So, Ikari Shinji-kun... you really don't know... why Chance Zero behaves so strangely, right?"

The bright intelligence department meeting room, the glaring lights and the empty room can bring people a strong psychological pressure... It is more like an interrogation room than a meeting room.

Just as Shinji Ikari expected... the riot had just ended when he was immediately "invited" by the Intelligence Department for questioning.

"Well, I know nothing. If it was Unit-01, I'd be forgiven for asking, but I've never been on Unit-00, so how could I possibly know?"

Facing Kenzaki Kyoya's eyes, Ikari Shinji answered calmly. His tone and expression didn't waver in the slightest.

"Is that so? Then, regarding the First..."

Kenzaki Kyoya nodded calmly. Just as he was about to ask the next question, the door to the conference room was banged open forcefully...

Judging from the loud noise, it was more likely that he kicked it open rather than pushed it.

"I've already told you! The EVA's rampage is a matter for the technical department! It has nothing to do with my pilots! Who in NERV do you think wants everything to go smoothly without any problems?..."

Misato Katsuragi, who was surrounded by a group of intelligence personnel in black suits, broke in through the door despite the obstruction of a group of big men, pointing at Kenzaki Kyoya's nose and cursing.

"I've confirmed this with Vice Commander Fuyutsuki! It's true that you received an order to investigate the situation, but that doesn't mean you can interrogate my pilot without any evidence! You've crossed the line this time! Kenzaki! Don't underestimate me..."

Facing Misato Katsuragi's anger, Kenzaki Kyoya still responded calmly, without any emotional fluctuations... Shinji Ikari was a little impressed. As an intelligence officer, Kenzaki Kyoya was really a textbook standard.

"There was no interrogation, just some relevant questions."

"So! I've asked all the questions, haven't I? You're already delaying pilot training! If the apostles attack tomorrow, and your arbitrary actions lead to a failure in the fight, are you able to take responsibility for that?"

This time, Misato Katsuragi was really angry. She simply stepped forward and grabbed the collar of Kenzaki Kyoya's suit, showing her majesty as the tactical director.

"Alright, Miss Misato. Mr. Kenzaki didn't do anything out of line. It's only natural that someone should investigate an accident. We also hope that the truth will come out as soon as possible, don't we?"

Shinji Ikari took the initiative to step forward and signaled Misato Katsuragi to let go. At the same time, he hinted to Kyoya Kenzaki with a playful look, indicating that he would help him ease Misato Katsuragi's anger and asked him to share some information as a thank you.

"...Excuse my rudeness, Colonel Katsuragi. After all, NERV recently had its MAGI hacked, and there were signs of tampering with the circuit boards in the main engine room... The existence of spies within NERV is already confirmed, and the situation is extremely serious. So even if the pilot himself has no malicious intentions, there is no ruling out the possibility that he could be exploited..."

(※If you don't remember what MAGI is, please turn to the end of this chapter※)
This was information that could have been kept secret. Actually... as a qualified intelligence officer, he certainly wouldn't have volunteered this information to explain it.

It is obvious that on the surface he is seeking Misato Katsuragi's forgiveness, but in fact he is returning the favor by revealing this information to Shinji Ikari as compensation for forcibly bringing him in for questioning.

Very smart... As expected, this man named Kenzaki Kyoya, the core figure of the intelligence department... has the potential to be won over to my side.

There is a very deep darkness hidden inside NERV... If you want to explore it yourself, Kenzaki Kyoya is undoubtedly the best entry point.

Speaking of which... there's a hacker who hacked into MAGI... The guy who could penetrate the core areas within NERV and escape undetected by the intelligence department... I guess that's the only one.

For a moment, the face of Kaji Ryoji flashed through Shinji Ikari's mind.

What on earth does that guy want to do… He’s making such a big fuss, he’s really going to be killed by his bastard dad.

"...Since Shinji-kun said so, fine... let's just leave it at that this time. But! Don't let it happen again! Otherwise I'll really be angry! Then..."

She could deny face to Kenzaki, but she couldn't deny face to Shinji Ikari... Misato Katsuragi knew very well that although she was the pilot's direct superior, she was completely unqualified in terms of psychological counseling.

It can be said that each of Ayanami Rei and Asuka has more problems than the other, and it is all thanks to Shinji Ikari's mediation... that these two people who were originally in very unstable mental states can live in extraordinary harmony under the same roof.

"If you have any more questions, you can ask me again... Mr. Kenzaki."

"Shinji-kun!!"

Misato Katsuragi was a little embarrassed that her harsh words were resolved by Shinji Ikari.

However, although Shinji Ikari maintained his usual smile on his face... there was no trace of smile in his eyes, and he changed the subject.

"...So, if you have any questions, just come to me. I don't want the intelligence department to bring Asuka or Ayanami Rei here the same way they did today... If that happens, it won't be Misato-san who'll be angry, but me. This request... isn't too much, Mr. Kenzaki?"

…It seemed like this was the first time I'd seen this gentle boy display such cold anger. As expected of Ikari Gendō's son, he still had a smile on his face, but the force he exuded was even greater than the commander's.

"I understand. We were presumptuous this time. Next time, we'll ask for your cooperation in advance... My apologies."

After saying that, Kenzaki bowed solemnly, and then left with the men in black suits from the Intelligence Department... This was clearly the Intelligence Department's meeting room, but they ran away on their own.

"Really?! We're the ones fighting on the front lines, but those guys still keep fighting among themselves! Kenzaki, that idiot! He's been like this since school days... and he's still this stupid now!"

It seems Katsuragi Misato really got pissed this time. Even after Kenzaki had left, she still pointed at his back and complained. "Okay, okay, by the way... Miss Misato. I heard that you, Mr. Kaji, and Mr. Kenzaki were all good friends in college?"

"...and Ritsuko. The four of us are from the same university...but I'm not sure if we can call us friends."

Katsuragi Misato sighed and replied with a wry smile.

"Although I have a pretty good relationship with that bastard Kaji, and we even dated for quite a while...but Ritsuko and Kenzaki are each more secretive than the other. Ritsuko still hides a lot of things from me, and Kenzaki...he barely has any private activities. He's really like a tool...loyally carrying out Commander Ikari's orders."

"Tools...huh...?"

Listening to Katsuragi Misato's answer, Ikari Shinji pondered over the word again and again - similar to Ayanami's situation...?
No, that's not right... Ayanami is really like a piece of pure white paper, without any emotions, such as joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness... It's just that there is no opportunity to add other colors to her.

But Kenzaki Kyoya knew all of this... and he chose to obey Ikari Gendō.

What could that man possibly desire from his father...?
"Stupid Shinji!!"

Asuka rushed in, interrupting Shinji Ikari's thoughts.

"I heard that you were brought here by those men in black from the Intelligence Department! Are you okay?"

"What do you mean by '押...' Don't say it so harshly. I was just answering a few questions for them. By the way, weren't they supposed to accompany Ayanami? Why did you come here by yourself?"

Shinji Ikari answered jokingly, trying to show that he was safe and sound with a relaxed attitude... However, the bandages wrapped around Shinji Ikari's hands were so glaring in Asuka's eyes.

"Ling... the First Qualified Person is fine! Just as you predicted... it's just a dislocated shoulder. He doesn't even need to stay in the hospital. He can go home after Dr. Akagi finishes his examination."

"Well, let's go pick her up and go back together."

As he said that, Shinji Ikari stood up and prepared to go out, but Asuka just stood there stiffly, with her head down, as if she wanted to say something.

"Hey! Stupid Shinji, today... if it's..."

But after uttering only these few words, he choked up... His eyes once again fell on the bandages on Shinji Ikari's hands... He couldn't continue.

"...Asuka."

Misato Katsuragi, who is also a woman... seems to be able to vaguely understand Asuka's feelings.

"...Go home, we'll talk about it when we get home."

But Shinji Ikari did not let Asuka continue speaking. Instead, he took the initiative to come to Asuka, and with his scarred hands, he held the girl's slightly trembling body and left together.

"If it's hard to say it here, go home and talk about it. If it's hard to say it today, talk about it tomorrow. No matter what day it is... I'll be waiting at home for you to express your true feelings."

".........!"

Obviously, it was just a slick remark made with a lot of vinegar, but... I don't know why... the gloomy mood I felt just by looking at the bandage on his hand suddenly relaxed.

"I don't have anything to say to you! Stupid Shinji...! Humph! With those hands of yours, you won't be able to cook tonight! I really can't do anything with you~~ Leave it to me tonight! I'll show you my cooking skills!"

"Ah, Asuka, are you going to cook? Let Shinji-kun have a good rest. I'll cook today."

"No! Misato, get away from the kitchen! You can't even scramble eggs and make black stuff come out! You're not allowed in the kitchen! Tonight is my stage! I can't let you ruin it!"

When I think of the scene of everyone going back together...

Thinking about our dinner together tonight...

When I think about living together like this...

Mom—Although, I can be alone...but...if days like this can continue like this—

I...maybe, there will really be some changes.

[Note: In order to prevent some readers who are not very impressed by EVA from being confused, I will explain

MAGI is the central core computer developed by Naoko Akagi (Ritsuko Akagi's mother) and is responsible for all operations at NERV headquarters.

If MAGI is hacked and controlled, it will be equivalent to the fall of the entire NERV headquarters.

(End of this chapter)