EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 75 Asuka is a good kid [Today 250010000]

"Hey! Stupid Shinji! Stupid Ali! And stupid Misato...! It's time for dinner! How long are you guys going to wait?!"

Asuka's arrogant voice rang out in the living room... Well, the list of idiots has expanded to include everyone in this apartment.

Shinji Ikari knew full well that the term "idiot" was just a facade Asuka used to hide her inner shyness. The more intimate the insults, the more it proved that this insincere fellow had let down her guard.

"Hey - oh my, this is really... Asuka... you are becoming more and more feminine!"

Having just finished cleaning up PANPAN's feces, Katsuragi Misato walked into the living room looking tired... but as soon as she saw the dish, which was too luxurious for a simple meal... she instantly felt less tired and continued to tease Asuka with a smirk.

"Hmph! I just... whatever I do, I have to do it to the best of my ability! I won't lose to that stupid Shinji...!"

Asuka still said this, but couldn't hide the shyness on her face - she turned her face away, sat down and started serving food to everyone.

"...Wow, did Asuka make this? All of this...!?"

"Asuka... so amazing."

Walking out of the room one after another, both were shocked by the sumptuous dinner.

Asuka also noticed at a glance that these two guys actually came out of the same room... Her eyes were instantly filled with unhappiness, and her brows were involuntarily tensed.

So while I was working so hard in the kitchen cooking, you two went inside to have a tryst, right?

However, Asuka also noticed that... Ayanami Rei, who had been absent-minded and distracted since she heard that she would be switching defense with Makiba... now finally had a gleam in her eyes.

It must be that stupid Shinji who said something to her in the house - just like that day when she secretly ran to his bed... to seek spiritual comfort.

Really, I'm also a woman who can't live without this idiot... How can I have the right to complain at a time like this?

"Hey, Ali... I know you don't eat much and don't like meat... I made this especially for you. Eat a little in moderation."

Although she couldn't help but feel resentment towards Shinji Ikari... but Asuka knew that she couldn't indulge her emotions again... and destroy the precious peaceful daily life that Shinji Ikari had worked so hard to maintain...

So... in the end, he said nothing, complained nothing... and handed his food to Rei Ayanami with great pride.

“Ah…thank you, thank you…”

Ayanami Rei naturally noticed the look in Asuka's eyes when she noticed her and Shinji Ikari walking out of Shinji Ikari's room together...as if she wanted to devour her.

But——I didn't expect that she could suppress all the dissatisfaction in her eyes, and showed me... a genuine smile and kindness.

He took the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by Asuka flattered and thanked her gently.

"Oh, it looks really good. What's that white thing in the soup? Cream? Cheese? Or diced mushrooms? Let me have a bite..."

Unlike the rather cautious Rei Ayanami, Shinji Ikari was quite straightforward... He simply reached out his spoon for the dish that interested him.

"Idiot! Wait for everyone to start eating!"

Asuka slapped Shinji Ikari on the back of his hand and glared at him resentfully... meaning, don't you have anything to say before we start eating?
Isn’t there anything...Is there anything I should say to you for working so hard to prepare such a table full of dishes for you?
Such a straightforward, unpretentious, almost pleading look...how could Shinji Ikari not understand.

“…Ah, I wanted to taste it first before I say anything—”

This little girl... she really has no sense of security at all... isn't she afraid that I won't praise her if I take a bite and don't think it tastes good?

"Thank you for your hard work, Asuka... This is a delicious meal. I'm sure you put a lot of effort into it. Thank you, Asuka."

Faced with Shinji Ikari's sincere smile, Asuka was visibly stunned. Apparently... the boy's simple and unpretentious response had already made her very satisfied.

But, his words were still as tough as ever. "Wha... what?! Just... you want to send me away with such a casual sentence?"

Shinji Ikari grinned. This guy...his personality is really difficult to deal with.

"Then what do you want me to do? Do you want me to touch your head and praise you while doing so?"

"…………!!!"

Originally, it was just a casual remark made as a joke... But what even Shinji Ikari hadn't expected was... The moment Asuka heard this suggestion, even her expression collapsed... revealing a smile full of joy and anticipation.

“…Are you serious?”

"…ah."

Asuka realized at this time that Shinji Ikari probably didn't really propose this...it was just a daily quarrel, and she immediately became angry and embarrassed.

“How! How is this possible!! Why should I be… ah… idiot, don’t… reach out so suddenly…”

Seeing that expression, how could Shinji Ikari remain indifferent... He reached out his hand to Asuka, who was still stubborn... and stroked Asuka's golden hair as gently and cherishingly as he would treat delicate flowers and butterflies...

"Well done, Asuka, you did a great job... Well, Asuka has been working very hard. Whether it's training or getting along with others... you can do everything well. And you've become very frank... Asuka is a good child."

Just by having Shinji Ikari caressing her head so gently and saying soothing words... Asuka felt like a kitten being petted and purring... She couldn't utter a single tsundere word, and just closed her eyes... and laughed, enjoying this moment.

"Wow, rather than a couple... they're more like brother and sister—luckily Shinji-kun has a pretty face... and doesn't look too exaggerated, otherwise it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to call them father and daughter."

Until - Katsuragi Misato's speechless voice interrupted the peaceful atmosphere... and then Asuka realized that this was not the bedroom where they were alone, but on the dining table.

"Shut up, Misato! All that tempura can't shut your mouth! Just eat yours!"

He rushed over in anger, grabbed the fried tempura and stuffed it into Misato's mouth...to prevent her from saying any more sarcastic words.

Ayanami Rei was looking at all this with some envy...When Asuka went to play happily with Misato, she gently tugged at the corner of Shinji Ikari's clothes.

"Next time, can you...pat my head?"

…And Shinji Ikari, enjoying this intoxicating night… He took a sip of Asuka's soup with his spoon—hmm… delicious! A truly delicious dish.

"—Ayanami, Asuka... and Miss Misato."

"Ok?"

Looking at Shinji Ikari, who was leisurely enjoying the food just a second ago... his attitude suddenly became solemn and serious. The three girls stopped eating... and looked at Shinji Ikari together.

"Perhaps, you can't tell directly from my expression... So, I'll be more straightforward and a little corny... I feel very happy right now. I am very, very enjoying this moment -

So... I'll have the four of us have dinner here together next week. I won't let anyone or anything ruin this moment. I hope you can intuitively sense... my determination."

"...Shinji-kun." "Stupid Shinji..." "Ikari-kun..."

The three of them looked at Shinji Ikari at the same time... This seemed to be the first time in their memory... that Shinji Ikari expressed his true feelings so directly.

Very happy - do you mean, your current life as a NERV pilot? Or... your life with the three of you?
The answer is self-evident... It was expressed so passionately for the first time... I'm very happy to be with you, not to mention Asuka and Ayanami Rei... even Katsuragi Misato felt a sense of accomplishment in her heart.

Furthermore... the three of them were all tacitly aware that something major was going to happen at Matsushiro Base over the weekend... and Shinji Ikari's forceful declaration had a very clear purpose—

Everyone...especially Rei Ayanami...don't make inexplicable self-sacrifices...there is only one thing you need to do, and that is to believe in Shinji Ikari!
Believe in him, and let this happy time continue──!
(End of this chapter)