EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 97: The Truth About Soryu [Second Update 40006000]

"Is that so... You've already investigated this far."

Upon hearing Sōryu's name... Makiba showed shock for the first time, then a look of relief.

"Did... Kaji-chan tell you? I see... He's desperate and has placed all his hopes on you, Shinji-kun."

"So - how about...if you're willing to tell me the details of Asuka's situation. I'll also reveal to you things you don't know."

As Shinji Ikari was speaking... he did not forget to keenly sense whether there was any human presence in the rooftop corridor.

It's like something out of a third-rate soap opera—when the topic gets to the point... Asuka suddenly runs up, hears everything, and then... "Shock! I'm actually a clone! So my life is fake!"

And then he ran away with a mental breakdown... It is absolutely impossible for him to stage such a plot.

"...Okay. But first, let me make it clear... since this isn't something I'm working on at the base... I don't know much about it."

After a brief thought, Makiba decided that this was something he could tell Shinji Ikari. This piece of information, which had little to do with him, could be given to Shinji Ikari as a token of his loyalty, and...

If possible, Makiba also hopes that Shinji Ikari can dispel some of the darkness that exudes a foul smell.

"...As you guessed. Shinji-kun...the Asuka who's with you right now is indeed a clone. Shikinami...is the name of the clone, and Soryu is the name of the original form."

"...Tsk."

Shinji Ikari couldn't help but click his tongue. Even though it was a completely expected fact... when he confirmed it himself, he still felt extremely unhappy.

"Why... create a clone of Asuka? Or... rather, why create clones of... these qualified individuals? Do I have one too?"

"...No. Only you, Shinji-kun...you, are crucial...So—whether it's me, Asuka...or even Ayanami Rei, we can all be replaced—only you...are unique."

I don't know if it's an illusion... Makiba always has a sunny face when she talks about other things, but when she talks about the difference between Shinji Ikari and others... a hint of loneliness flashes across her face.

“…How boring.”

"…Eh?"

This was the first time... that Makiba felt such explicit emotions from the boy in front of her... In normal conversations, he kept his emotions and will inwardly restrained... and treated people with a calm and composed attitude.

And now... after hearing Makiba's emphasis... what came out between Shinji Ikari's gritted teeth was only disgust and hostility from the depths of his soul.

—If it were Shinji Ikari according to MAGI's big data analysis... he would be terrified and at a loss right now...

While saying... there's nothing special about people like me... I waved my hands timidly and retreated, not daring to say another word.

This is also why... Makiba hasn't considered sharing information with Ikari Shinji yet—because even if Makiba shared a ton of information with him about Ikari Shinji in MAGI's calculations, it wouldn't change anything. That action... would simply place more pressure on the frail young man's slender back... accelerating Ikari Shinji's mental collapse... and making the outcome... even more tragic.

but----

"Makiba. No one is irreplaceable... I don't know what kind of education you've received so far... nor do I know what orders the clone maker gave you. But... if you really want to have anything to do with me, please put aside your disgusting rhetoric!"

But... the Shinji Ikari in front of him at this moment... surpassed the calculation of MAGI with an accuracy of over 99.999981%... as if he had awakened a different personality, strong and resolute... his originally thin back... was now as unshakable as a mountain... trustworthy!
"I've already told Ayanami this, and I'll probably tell Asuka later too... Now, of course, you're no exception, Maki. Cloning... is definitely not a reason to casually consume [humans]... I don't know how many clones you, Asuka, or Ayanami Rei have.

Even if there are tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions... In my eyes—the only one I know... the one named Mashibo Marie Irantrias... the one who's eccentric, the one who likes to act young despite being old, the one who likes to use awkward and embarrassing memes... is you."

For a moment, I felt a little warmth in my heart...

Ah, it has been too long since I last saw you - enveloped by the stench of decay and decay in this world... It has been so long since I last heard such a resounding voice... like a ray of sunshine shining directly into my heart.

"...Hey, Shinji-kun...you're going too far. I'm a young lady, nya."

I responded with a wry smile... but this fleeting glimmer of sunlight was nothing but regret.

The darkness and gloom of this world... are too heavy - even the current Shinji Ikari, who makes people feel safe... cannot change the tragedy that has long been destined.

Even Shinji-kun Ikari... who could pilot EVA Unit-01... and resonate with senior Yui Ikari... without the control of Gendō Ikari - when that moment truly arrives, he can only be forced to become a god, as recorded in the Dead Sea Scrolls... surrounded by the elders of SEELE.

"Anyway, you just need to tell me the details of cloning so I can come up with a plan. There's no need to judge whether someone is replaceable... No one is replaceable. Saying that really disgusts me."

"Then I have to be more careful, meow... I don't want to be disliked by Wang-chan."

After making a joke, Makiba turned his focus back to Asuka.

"Let's get back to the point—all I know is... Asuka was born from countless Asuka clones. Fighting for the right to pilot the only Unit 2... fighting for the right to know you... In the dark NERV branch, the Asukas fought and plundered repeatedly... In the end, only one winner remained... It's not an exaggeration to call her Princess Asuka..."

“…!!!”

Hey, what's this? Is this poison?
Using living humans to refine the poison...?
"damn it…!"

Unable to suppress the hatred in his heart, Shinji Ikari started cursing... Ayanami Rei is fine, the other Ayanami Rei... can still be seen now.

And Asuka——is she the last one left?

Ah… So, that idiot… panicked when NERV lost power, because… the fragments left deep inside him from that time were brought back to mind?

"Then...what about memories? Asuka clearly told me...she has memories of her mother!"

(End of this chapter)