Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

"The pain caused the Apostle to slightly open the outer shell of his palm, and in that instant, a beam of light pierced through the flesh layer from within once again."

This time, the apostle went completely limp and then unfolded its body, which had been shrunken into a black sphere.

A massive, blood-red cross beam of light stood in Hinode Town, Tokyo, marking the death of the Apostle, the Void Angel Sahaqour.

Chapter 87: The Value of Miracles is—

"The radio wave system is fully restored. Commander Ikari from Antarctica is calling." Hyuga looked up at Katsuragi Misato, who was currently in charge of headquarters.

Now that she was able to contact the Commander-in-Chief in Antarctica, Misato Katsuragi, who had only been in charge of the headquarters for a day and a half, felt a little uneasy, but still nodded to signal Hyuga to answer the phone.

"I'm very sorry, sir. Due to my willful judgment, Unit-01 was severely damaged. I will take full responsibility," Misato Katsuragi said first, apologizing.

This might be part of Japanese social etiquette, where even when acknowledging achievements, one will first offer an apology. However, it's not a genuine apology, but rather a humble way of expressing one's credit for the matter.

But what reached the central command room first was the cheerful voice of Vice Commander Fuyutsuki Yukimasa.

"It's alright. Eliminating the Angels is EVA's responsibility. It's just that this amount of damage is quite fortunate. However, the large-scale destruction of the town will probably lead to complaints from the Defense Agency again."

After Fuyutsuki Yukizo spoke, Gendo Ikari's calm voice finally came through.

"Well done, Major Katsuragi."

"Thank you, sir. This is my duty." Misato Katsuragi said meekly.

"Then I'll leave the cleanup work to you. Oh, and get me connected with the pilot of Unit-01."

—Hinode Town can no longer be called Hinode Town.

The original countryside turned into a lake pit covering nearly 80 square kilometers. Soon, the blood of the Void Apostles poured in and quickly filled the lake.

The three mobile suits, submerged in blood with only their upper bodies visible, remained motionless. Without connecting cables, all three, including Unit-01, had exhausted their power, leaving only a small reserve of emergency power to sustain the life support systems of the pilots in the cockpits.

Blood trickled down the gaps in the machine's body, and Asuka slowly curled up in the dim cockpit.

No matter how hard she tried to fight, Shinji ultimately stood in the center of the battlefield. Even the First Girl delivered a crucial blow at the critical moment.

"I can't do anything on my own."

Once again, Asuka realized this.

Shinji Ikari sat cross-legged in the cockpit, resting his chin on one hand, and exhaled a long string of bubbles.

Only when he was inside the cockpit could Shinji Ikari understand Rei Ayanami's meaning. Even though she had been filled with rage and wanted to hear the Angels' screams not long ago, after the battle, it was as if she were being loved, and her inner wounds were quickly soothed.

Even though Shinji Ikari believed his soul was perfect, he didn't dislike that feeling; in fact, he was somewhat fascinated by it.

“...Parents?” Shinji Ikari murmured softly.

Just then, a phone call popped up in front of Shinji Ikari's eyes, requesting communication. Just as Shinji thought it was Misato's post-war arrangements, the voice coming from the pop-up was unusually gentle from Gendo Ikari.

“I’ve heard about it. You did a great job, Shinji Ikari,” Gendo Ikari said.

Silence filled the cockpit and the central command room. Only after a long silence did Shinji Ikari coldly ask, "And then?" Receiving no reply from Gendo Ikari, Shinji gave a mocking, knowing smile. He hadn't contributed during the battle, and now he was just showing up to make his presence felt afterward. Would he even have to give a speech during the guard duty?

But Misato Katsuragi in the central command room wore a helpless smile. She was the woman who knew best about the conflict between the Ikari father and son, and the fact that Shinji Ikari hadn't uttered a sarcastic remark at this moment was already a huge step forward in their relationship.

"I'll leave the rest of the finishing work to you, Major Katsuragi." Gendo Ikari said this and then hung up the phone.

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[Next stop is Xin Gong, next stop is Xin Gong. Please disembark in an orderly manner through the left door.]

The train's announcement echoed in their ears. The Third New Tokyo City, now calm after the crisis with the Sky Angels was resolved, was even experiencing traffic congestion due to the return journey. Katsuragi Misato chose to take the train instead of driving her Mazda.

"By the way, Katsuragi-sama, you haven't forgotten our promise, have you?" Asuka, sitting next to Shinji Ikari, suddenly brightened up, placed her hands on Shinji's thighs, and stared intently at Misato Katsuragi, who was sitting next to Shinji.

"Hey, I just got some money allocated. I can afford to treat everyone to a Manchu Han Imperial Feast." That's what Misato Katsuragi said, but her face quickly darkened because the money hadn't actually been allocated yet.

But half an hour later, the group stopped at an izakaya by the roadside, the same Ichiraku Ramen restaurant as last time.

“I know how much money you have in your wallet, no need to pretend.” Asuka stood in the center with a sly smile. “Besides, top students only eat vegetarian food, right? This place is perfect.”

"I want garlic ramen, not char siu pork," Rei Ayanami said calmly.

"What an idiot! I'll have char siu noodles then, a big bowl, with extra meat!" Asuka said, hands on her hips. "And you, Shinji Ikari?" Asuka deliberately mimicked Rei Ayanami's tone.

“I’m just like you, I’m also a big spender,” Shinji Ikari said calmly.

Misato Katsuragi looked at the three people already seated, and after a moment of daze, the corners of her mouth still turned up slightly.

The cheerful sounds drifted away on the night breeze, echoing in the bustling ramen shop. Lying curled up in bed late at night, Asuka looked just as she had during the day, curled up in the cockpit.

There's nothing I can do about it.

The words I say to myself during the day are transmitted to my mind in the dead of night.

Her pride wouldn't allow her to show this vulnerable side to others; only she knew it.

Asuka lay on her side on the bed, hugging her knees, and whispered to herself what she really wanted to say, "You've always been a strong girl. Loneliness shouldn't be bothering you, Asuka."

Asuka always believed that as long as she worked hard enough, as long as many people liked her, and as long as she was strong enough, loneliness would be irrelevant to her.

But it was like a shadow that caught up with itself in the dead of night.

The quiet night was broken only by the chirping of cicadas outside the window. Asuka sat up in bed, watched the tail of a helicopter fly by outside the window, slipped on her slippers, and turned to walk outside.

In another room, Shinji Ikari, fast asleep, twitched his eyelids slightly, vaguely sensing someone approaching him. But he didn't panic or become alert; instead, he instinctively turned to embrace the beautiful figure lying beside him.

“…Li.” he murmured softly.

Then he felt the warm body in his arms suddenly tremble slightly, and in an instant, he suddenly opened his eyes.

Then he met Asuka's gaze, who remained expressionless.

Asuka.jpg

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PS1: The income of each character in the anime.

Misato Katsuragi

The salary is 8 yen, and it will be 12 yen after the promotion.

Although the position should be higher than the operators, the salary after the promotion is only about half of theirs. Is most of it spent on living expenses for the two people living together and the things in the refrigerator (beer)?

"There are still 33 installments left to repay..." (PS: I just realized I made a mistake. The loan in Miri is not in twelve installments, but in thirty-three installments.)

Chapter 88: I Was Here First

"The fragrance of flowers, clinging to the hem of my clothes, drifts through the bustling crowd..."

Shinji Ikari smacked his lips as if unconsciously, then turned his body away.

"Stop pretending, I know you're awake," Asuka said coldly from behind, then reached out and pinched Shinji Ikari's waist hard.

However, with his now-iron-clad physique, the weaknesses of ordinary men are nothing to Shinji Ikari. Yet, he still pretended to be in pain and turned around again, staring wide-eyed at Asuka lying in front of him as if he had just woken up.

"You were thinking of a top student, weren't you?" Asuka's gaze was sharp.

"Asuka... no, what are you saying?" Shinji Ikari looked at Asuka in surprise. "And what are you doing here?"

Although Asuka's misconception that he was thinking about Rei in his sleep relieved Shinji slightly, he couldn't admit it and insisted that he was just talking in his sleep. Perhaps it really worked, as Asuka reached out and forcibly turned his face to the other side.

"Don't look at me, turn back. Idiot, let me stay here for a while, it won't disturb your sleep."

Shinji Ikari didn't argue or do anything rash, obediently turning his back to her. Silence was more effective than words at this moment; he could sense that Asuka was acting strangely tonight. Although her face was expressionless, her emotions were surging like a tidal wave.

Just listen quietly.

At that moment, Shinji Ikari could feel someone behind him tugging at his clothes, pulling them little by little, and clenching them into a ball in his hand.

"Idiot, why did you become a driver?" Asuka's voice was muffled.

"There's no reason. If I had to give one, it would be my responsibility."

"Such beautiful words from you. If it were you, you could save the world all by yourself."

Shinji Ikari, lying on his side, pursed his lips. It was extremely rare for Asuka to acknowledge his abilities. All along, no matter how well he performed, Asuka had always believed she was just as good as him, or even better.

But that pride was just a facade she used to keep her inner will from crumbling. In the dead of night, she knew that even without her, Shinji Ikari alone could save this world from destruction.

Asuka is neither Rei Ayanami nor Misato Katsuragi.

Rei Ayanami wouldn't be jealous of Shinji Ikari's talent, and she wouldn't even care about Asuka's provocations. Misato Katsuragi would only be delighted by Shinji's power and would see him as her trump card.

But Asuka is jealous. She's jealous of Misato Katsuragi's favoritism towards Shinji Ikari, and she's jealous that Rei Ayanami always stands naturally by Shinji's side. But what she's most jealous of is Shinji's talent.

If only Shinji Ikari didn't exist, if only I had that talent, if only Shinji Ikari could respond to me correctly.

Shinji Ikari could feel the hand gripping his clothes tightening, even before Asuka realized it. At that moment, Shinji turned around and gently embraced her head.

"What are you doing? Do you think you came here seeking comfort?!" Asuka bit Shinji's shoulder.

But Shinji Ikari didn't respond, simply holding her head in his arms. Because for a little princess like Asuka, who used pride to mask her vulnerability, anything he said now would be a provocation, further hurting her already sensitive pride.

Perhaps it was a few seconds, or perhaps a few minutes, when Asuka spoke and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Pervert, I'll let you hug me for a little while, just a little while."

"……Um."

"It'll only be for a little while..."

"……Um."

"Baka Shinji..."

"……Um."

Do you want to hug me?

After speaking, Asuka realized her words were ambiguous, blushed, and tried to get up and leave. But the boy's embrace was as solid as iron, and after several unsuccessful attempts to struggle, she closed her eyes, intending to wait until Shinji Ikari was asleep before getting up to leave.

However, he fell asleep first.

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At that moment, Rei Ayanami, who was holding her school uniform to wear that morning, trembled slightly at the sliding door. She stopped, slowly straightened up, and stood there blankly.

A rare look of astonishment appeared on that ethereal, elf-like face.