EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 8 Asuka

"Asuka... Yeah, I remember now. That's what Ms. Misato called you during the communication channel just now."

After savoring the three words "Asuka" as if chewing them, Shinji Ikari answered the question.

"You asked me how I knew you were here. Of course, it was because I felt my gaze on you. I thought you had something to say, so I came over to take a look. Miss Misato also noticed this, so she simply took the others away."

"Eh!? Even Miss Misato...!"

A trace of panic flashed across Asuka's face. She originally just wanted to say a few words in private, but now everyone knows about it. This is not!

Looking at Asuka's expression, Shinji Ikari was speechless.

What does this girl think of professional soldiers... With her mediocre breath concealment, anyone with some anti-tracking training can easily notice that she is hiding and peeking.

"So, what's wrong? Asuka."

When asked by Shinji Ikari, Asuka couldn't utter a word. She just hugged her right hand to her chest, tightly clenched her left arm as if to vent pressure, bit her lips, kicked her feet casually, looked embarrassed, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Looking at this expression, and thinking back to how this guy mocked her status as a second-generation official during the battle just now, Shinji Ikari knew what she was struggling with just by thinking with his butt.

He was having so much fun taunting the enemy at the beginning, but in the end he was attacked by the enemy because of the taunting, and was only saved by the enemy who came to his rescue.

Given her strong and awkward personality, she must be in a situation where both reason and etiquette tell her to say thank you, but her boring self-esteem prevents her from saying it frankly, so she is stuck in this awkward position.

Although the first impression was not good because of her bad personality, seeing this blonde girl so seriously worried here made Shinji Ikari feel that she was somewhat lovable.

Forget it, after all, they are all EVA pilots... According to the current situation, it is estimated that there are only three pilots left: herself, her, and Ayanami Rei.

It’s unknown when Rei Ayanami will be able to recover, so for the sake of the harmonious atmosphere of the team, I’d better not bully her too much.

"By the way, thank you so much just now. Fortunately you arrived in time."

"Eh?"

Asuka was stunned. The word "thank you" that had been stuck in her throat and unable to be uttered was actually said by Shinji Ikari first, which surprised Asuka.

"After all, as you saw, my AT field is very weak and can't inflict fatal damage to the apostle. If you hadn't arrived in time, I would have been forced to retreat, leaving that giant reptile to wreak havoc, who knows how much more damage it would have caused... Thanks to your arrival, I was able to kill it cleanly. Well done, Asuka."

At the first moment, I thought that the other party was mocking me for being useless. I said so many big words and almost got into trouble.

But all that could be felt between the lines was sincerity and honesty, which made Asuka feel even more ashamed than direct insults.

After a long silence, she lowered her head and uttered a question through her teeth that Shinji Ikari could not understand.

"Why did you save me just now..."

"Ah? Because you were attacked. I can't just watch you get shot in the head."

"But you'd be in danger! You and I don't even know each other! Why would you risk your life to save someone you don't even know? Are you an idiot? You..."

Looking at Asuka who was suddenly excited, Shinji Ikari seemed to be able to taste a hint of the heaviness and loneliness that this girl had endured in the past from her sobs.

"Ah, that's what you're talking about. The answer is simple... you had your back to the Apostle at the time. If you were pierced, it would most likely be in your head or spine, both vital points where nerve impulses are closely connected. You would have died if you were pierced.

But if I were to rescue her, I would have already prepared to defend myself with my right hand. Even in the worst-case scenario, it would be Misato-san severing the nerves in EVA's right arm, a heroic act."

Shinji Ikari calmly reviewed the battle just now, without any personal emotion.

"Also, let's take a step back. I can't effectively damage the Fifth Angel with AT status. Since he's activated again, the task of defeating him still falls to your Unit 2.

So even if there was a risk of death, for the ultimate goal of defeating the apostle, I had to protect you, who was more important to me. That's all." Of course, in the worst-case scenario where Unit 2 was unable to fight, all he had to do was transform into Tiga—but there was absolutely no need to tell her that; any extra information would only further confuse the poor little girl.

"…Am I… more important?"

But Asuka seemed not to understand what Shinji was saying. She just kept mumbling the words "more important" and even had a faint blush on her cheeks...

This guy, is he missing the point? Listen carefully to what others are saying!
"You... you're the son of an official, but you're more reliable than I thought."

Although her personality was still awkward, seeing that the embarrassment on Asuka's face was no longer there, Shinji Ikari knew that his task of comforting the little girl was accomplished.

"I'll take that as a compliment...Miss Misato just told me to report to the medical department in twenty minutes. It's almost time, so I'll be leaving now."

Having said that, Shinji Ikari turned and left.

"Ah... that... I..."

Seeing Shinji Ikari about to leave, Asuka panicked for a moment and shouted towards Shinji's back, but she still hesitated and couldn't utter the words "Thank you for saving me" smoothly.

"Alright, alright, today is just our first meeting. If you can't express anything, we'll wait until next time. As fellow EVA pilots, we still have a long time to work together. Let's get along well in the future. Thank you for your guidance, Asuka. Be more frank next time."

He waved his hand casually, indicating that they should not worry about these unnecessary formalities, and got into the elevator, leaving Asuka alone looking at the direction where Shinji Ikari left, thoughtfully.

"Oh my, what are you doing here?"

As soon as I came out of the elevator, I saw someone I didn't expect.

The girl with aqua-blue hair and red eyes leaned lightly against the wall, standing at the door of the medical department as if waiting for something on purpose.

Although he was still covered in bandages and looked miserable, his complexion seemed much better than before.

"...Rest... I just woke up."

He was as indifferent as ever, but as if he was afraid that Shinji Ikari would misunderstand something, he deliberately added that he had just woken up.

why?
Why should I wait here for this young man's return and tell him that I am having a good rest?

Even Rei Ayanami herself didn't understand why, but she always had an inexplicable feeling that made her want to do this.

...Am I expecting something?

This feeling... I don't know.

"Oh, you've been very obedient. Not bad, not bad~"

Shinji Ikari smiled and nodded to Rei Ayanami, but because he had to go for a physical examination, he didn't have time to chat more.

"You, are you okay?"

This time, it was Rei Ayanami who took the initiative to show concern for Shinji Ikari who had just returned from the battlefield.

"certainly--"

Faced with this obvious question, Shinji Ikari gave an affirmative answer.

"Didn't I make a promise to you—I won't lose."

(End of this chapter)