Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

“I don’t know…” Ritsuko Akagi’s eyes widened.

This was the first time she had encountered such a special situation. Apart from a kind of mental pressure that caused hallucinations, there didn't seem to be anything unusual. "MAGI, what happened?" Undecided, Ritsuko Akagi decisively asked the headquarters' supercomputer.

Suddenly, the crystal chandelier above the conference room lit up, its bright light dispelling the darkness and chill.

"Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, Minister Misato Katsuragi, no trace of intruders has been detected. Nor have any blue fluctuations of the Angels been detected. I have only observed changes in your emotions." The mechanical female voice echoed from above the hall. "In short, there is no problem with reality; it is you who are the problem."

"Our problem?" Ritsuko Akagi frowned.

"Or perhaps it's a change that can't be monitored, one that only living beings, or only humans, can sense," Misato Katsuragi said quietly.

As if a black fear exploded in her heart, Ritsuko Akagi felt her blood run cold. She understood what Misato Katsuragi meant. She also knew what kind of mission this seemingly lively headquarters actually carried. They were ruthless and decisive in dealing with the Angels, never hesitating, and always standing at the forefront of humanity.

The biggest difference between humans and apostles is intelligence and the science they can rely on. But if science doesn't work, what can they rely on?

Ritsuko Akagi took out her phone from her pocket and connected to the Commander-in-Chief's number, but did not dial immediately. She looked at Misato Katsuragi through her glasses. She was still waiting for her old friend's judgment. After all, as the head of the operations department during wartime, she was in charge, and she wanted to hear her opinion first.

"We will first gather the qualified individuals so that we can deal with any potential crises in the shortest possible time, at least if necessary," said Misato Katsuragi. "Especially Shinji Ikari."

"Then... what about Asuka?" Ritsuko Akagi asked.

Misato Katsuragi thought for a moment, "Let her rest for a while."

"No need to notify us, we're already here." A cold voice rang out at the doorway, and when you turned to look, you saw Shinji Ikari striding confidently towards you.

Everyone simultaneously looked away. Normally, Shinji Ikari was gentle and refined, but during wartime, he possessed an essence similar to Misato Katsuragi, a bloodthirsty aura that emanated from his very bones, sending shivers down people's spines inexplicably.

Only Misato Katsuragi greeted them with concern, "Are you two alright?"

"I'm fine." Rei Ayanami nodded slightly.

They had experienced the same palpitations and hallucinations before, as if facing an Angel, or as if falling into hell and an abyss. But Rei Ayanami was rarely frightened, partly because Shinji Ikari was right next to her, and partly because of this feeling... she had experienced it many times.

She was never pampered, growing up slowly like a puppet according to the Commander and Ritsuko's expectations. Her life was devoid of surprises and anticipation, except for the appearance of Shinji Ikari. Rei Ayanami still remembers lying in her dimly lit concrete dormitory room, when he drew back the curtains like a ray of light.

Even if I really went to hell, I don't think I would be afraid if I were with Shinji Ikari.

Misato Katsuragi felt relieved. "It seems that only living things are affected. I'll invite the head of the environmental department. I want to know what changes have occurred in the flora and fauna inside Hakone."

Hakone isn't just limited to its 23 wards; it also boasts a vast underground world. Centered around an underground pyramid, it covers an area of ​​over 20,000 square kilometers. The flora and fauna within are incredibly diverse, leading many staff to speculate that it serves as a spark to restart the world should it be destroyed by the Angels.

"It looks like we'll have to stay in Hakone for the next few days." Shinji Ikari, now back to normal, smiled and took Misato Katsuragi's hand to comfort her.

“I will ask the school for leave for you and Rei Ayanami,” Misato Katsuragi said.

"Isn't Asuka there?" Shinji Ikari suddenly frowned.

"It's not necessary for now. Besides, this apostle, whose form and abilities are still unknown, is too dangerous. Let her rest properly," said Misato Katsuragi.

Shinji Ikari pursed his lips, though he felt that this might actually increase Asuka's mental burden.

From the moment Shinji Ikari first saw this girl, whose face was as fiery red as the sun, in Yokohama, he knew she was a good girl who wasn't afraid of danger. But her heart was probably more fragile than that of most people her age.

It is this contrast between strength and fragility that attracts me.

———Hakone, Ward 7, Staff Dormitory.

Toys floated in a pool full of foam. It was a huge oval ceramic bathtub. Soft light shone down from the bathroom ceiling, illuminating the girl's clear skin.

"Asuka, you should rest well these days. The pilots for the new mobile suits are still under discussion, but it's likely you'll be the new pilot. Shinji and I will both help you."

"Okay, I understand. I'll stay home properly." Asuka hung up the phone without saying anything provocative. After ending the call, she casually tossed her phone into a basket piled high with her clothes.

Then she slowly sank her body into the water.

"Idiot, I just want to pilot the EVA." Asuka's lips were just submerged in the water as she blew bubbles.

Asuka didn't quite understand Japan's traditional bathing culture before, and why the Japanese were so obsessed with taking baths. No matter how small the bathroom was, there had to be a bathtub that could accommodate one or two people.

For some reason, when the two people were mentioned, she thought of Shinji Ikari again. She didn't bother to think about why; she just thought of him as "such an idiot."

She poked the floating toys into the water with her fingers, watching them rise again, sometimes blowing on them to send them far away, then reaching out with her foot to hook them back. Asuka had been bathing for an hour, most of which had been spent playing with toys. While a grown girl like her shouldn't be interested in such bath toys, in some ways her mental age seemed stuck in the past.

Especially when encountering pain and setbacks.

Asuka instinctively reached her hands into her legs in the water, then tilted her snow-white swan neck back and gently stroked her body, just like Shinji had done to her the night before.

This is the second time since she came home. Sometimes she knows it's not a good thing, but she just doesn't want to think about it too much.

Perhaps she should clean her room, perhaps she should practice her Japanese, or perhaps she should buy some clothes... Oh, she did buy some, three dresses, tan shorts, five-point casual mid-length pants, American-style high-waisted shorts, and a Port Seres chiffon blouse.

But ultimately… as her index finger kneaded, Asuka's body gradually warmed up. Relying on her body's instincts, she lay flat in the bathtub, clenching her thighs and contracting her inner thighs. The moment her eyes closed, what flashed through her mind was…

After a while, Asuka opened her eyes again, and the initial heat gradually dissipated.

She casually dried her hair with a towel and tossed it into the sink next to her. With her body still wet, she walked to the window and strained to look into the distance.

After scanning Hakone, my gaze finally settled on the purple beam shooting from afar. The surrounding area was a deep blue night, but there was a beam of purple light that seemed to be projected from an inverted well in the sky. I could vaguely see the figure of a colossal creature slowly sinking down.

That was the Matsushiro test site, where work was proceeding day and night. The base at the bottom of the test site was opened, revealing a massive wheel with seven long safety cables wound around it. These metal safety cables were resistant to bending and abrasion, and could easily lift Unit 6. Even after the accident involving Unit 3, NERV still chose this place as its new test site.

The reason is entirely due to the dismantling of feudal superstitions and other factors; the original Matsushiro area has been expanded by the rampaging Unit-03. Since it's impossible for any civilians to live there anymore, a much larger testing ground can be built immediately with sufficient funds. The only difference is that the original testing ground is now just a pit.

At such a distance, it was impossible to see the outline clearly, but Asuka's eyes seemed to reflect that light.

"If I were the new pilot, could I change the color of the machine to red?" Asuka thought to herself.

A night breeze blew by, and Asuka instinctively shivered before finally feeling a bit cold.

She went back to the bathroom to get a towel, quickly dried herself off, and tossed it into... Shinji's room. She planned to occupy his room again tonight; after all, that idiot Shinji wouldn't be coming back.

Asuka deftly took out her PS4 and potato chips from the drawer. After thinking about it carefully, she realized that she had put them back herself, which meant that Shinji Ikari hadn't played them at all since he returned.

For some reason, she felt a little happy about something that was just a very ordinary little thing.

She turned the air conditioner down to sixteen degrees, then snuggled back into bed, opened her potato chips, and turned on her PS4. While playing, she rolled over and placed her hand on her chest.

"...Shinji, why are you so gloomy? Are you unhappy?"

Shinji Ikari did indeed appear somewhat sullen. He lay expressionless in bed, looking up at a light bulb covered in fine dust hanging from the high, white ceiling. Beside this red-yellow glowing glass sphere lay a large fly, motionless like a corpse. He lay directly beneath the bulb on the hard, cold bed, his body in a starfish position.

But one hand was pulling at Shinji Ikari's lips, forcing him to smile. Before him stood Misato Katsuragi's radiant smile.

"You know you're enjoying the best of both worlds right now. I'm on your left, and Rei is on your right. Smile, cheer up." Misato Katsuragi grinned broadly.

Shinji Ikari sighed deeply, a sense of desolation in his heart. If it were only Misato Katsuragi, or only Rei Ayanami, Shinji would be happy. But if both of them were together, it wouldn't be fun.

But after calming down and letting go of the emotions conveyed by the lower body, it's actually quite good this way.

Shinji Ikari slipped his hand under the covers beside him, and Misato Katsuragi immediately noticed. She thought Shinji was going to cause trouble under the circumstances, but to her surprise, he simply tightened his grip on her hand.

"Goodnight." Shinji Ikari closed his eyes.

"Goodnight," Rei Ayanami said softly.

"Okay, goodnight," said Misato Katsuragi.

The next morning, Shinji Ikari was already awake.

He rubbed his slightly sore lower back. Don't get me wrong, it was just because he had slept on the sofa all night.

He and Rei Ayanami had barely fallen asleep last night when Misato Katsuragi kicked them out of bed in their sleep. That woman's sleeping posture was truly unsightly.

He could only cover Rei Ayanami with his own blankets and make a makeshift bed for her on the floor. Then he would make do with sleeping on the sofa for the night.

Shinji Ikari turned his gaze back to Rei Ayanami on the makeshift bed. She was sleeping soundly, still in the same position she had been in before falling asleep. The curtains were not drawn, and sunlight shone on her soft bangs. The blanket was wrapped all the way up to her neck, revealing only her delicate little face.

Then he looked at Misato Katsuragi, who was occupying the entire bed. She was lying on her back with one hand inside her underwear, scratching herself, and then turned around and farted with her back to Shinji Ikari.

"You're a fart-monger too, aren't you? You're related to those guys who smash their toes, aren't you?" Shinji Ikari thought to himself, but he didn't say anything. He simply tucked her in and then turned to leave the room.

Although nothing unexpected happened throughout the night, it was fine as it was.

131: Ripples on the Sea of ​​Dirac

After a quick molecular gastronomy breakfast provided by NERV in the morning, everyone went about their own work.

Misato Katsuragi went to the Shin-Matsushiro test site to take over command from Ritsuko Akagi, while Rei Ayanami went to the Second District to conduct physical examinations of the eligible candidates. Shinji Ikari, who was rather idle, unusually came to the monitoring room; after all, he was the head of the inspection department.

NERV has a total of thirteen departments: the General Affairs Department, headed by Fuyutsuki Yukomasa; the Operations Department, headed by Katsuragi Misato; and the Development Department, headed by Akagi Ritsuko. In addition, there are the Legal Department, Foreign Affairs Department, Finance Department, Health and Wellness Department, Human Resources and Social Security Department, Economic and Industrial Department, Inspection Department, Transportation Department, Environmental Department, and the Defense Department, responsible for organizational security.

However, as the head of the oversight department, he was clearly not one to simply shirk his responsibilities, leaving all the work, big and small, to SEELE's chief prosecutor, who was also the deputy head appointed by him, Kaji Ryoji.

At this time, NERV's main task was still to find the mysterious black spherical life form, but it had only appeared once in the Tama area and had not shown its whereabouts since.

"Why are you so sure that the other party is an Angel? You know, MAGI is also an Orange Warning. Could it be some kind of special creature besides an Angel?" Shinji Ikari asked curiously.

“Although MAGI’s analysis of the Angels’ logic is based on the AT field, our thinking is naturally more flexible. Unfortunately, in this gravity-heavy real world, these unknown life forms with extraordinary abilities are the Angels.” Kaji Ryoji shrugged.

“But I heard that there’s a Spider-Man in New York who roams the streets all day long. I think he’s called a superhero. Can he be considered an ordinary human?” Shinji Ikari said.

"You mean this?" Ibuki Maya suddenly interjected. "I know this one. It's not some Spider-Superman, it's called Spider-Man."

With a couple of casual keystrokes on the keyboard, a middle school girl carrying a backpack was projected onto the large screen in front of her. Multiple videos then unfolded centered around this little girl.

"Penny Parker, of Japanese and American descent, inherited her father's Spider-Man suit. With the help of her uncle and aunt, both scientists, she synchronized with the suit and became a superhero in New York." At this moment, several red figures appeared on the big screen, fighting evil and promoting good in New York. "However, she is not a superhero. Her agility comes from her suit of suits. Without this suit, she is just an ordinary middle school girl. In fact, she used to be your classmate and is one of the less than fifty suited individuals in the world."

This Spider-Man named Penny Parker thought she was hiding well, but when faced with MAGI, who was monitoring the world, she was exposed to those with ulterior motives as if she were naked.

"Things sound familiar..." Shinji Ikari leaned closer to the screen and stroked his chin. "Is this also considered EVA? It's kind of cute."

Back in his relaxed hometown world, Shinji Ikari became much more polite. Even the crimson mech on screen, only two and a half meters tall, gave him the impression of a slimmed-down version of the Dreadnought.

Putting aside firepower, the agility with which it moves between skyscrapers is quite remarkable.

"It depends on your judgment. This is the SP//dr, a mecha powered by American research. Her father was the first pilot, but unfortunately, the mecha went out of control and took his life."

Since the introduction of the general-purpose humanoid decisive weapon EVA, various countries and factions have been trying to develop their own EVAs. Examples include the JA mobile suit from the Northern Heavy Industries Consortium, the AKASIMA, a large-scale threat-specific mobile weapon from the Japanese military, and now the SP//dr, a single-soldier powered mechanical armor from the United States.

"Why do I feel a little envious of her? I wish my old man could learn from her." Shinji Ikari stroked his chin.

At this moment, the entire room fell silent, because everyone was keeping their eyes down and not daring to say a word.

“Therefore, even without observing any traces of the AT field, this unknown large life form can basically be identified as an Angel.” Kaji Ryoji took the initiative to steer the conversation to the main topic. “The only problem now is, where will He appear next? We urgently need information about Him.”

Maya Ibuki raised her hand. "According to the pattern of past apostles, if He really could jump from the imaginary space to the real space, then He would definitely appear here."

—And then, that was it.

The moment the words left his mouth, darkness descended upon the place.

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