As I helped to carefully place Rei on the stretcher, her plug-suit was burned in several places, and I could feel her weak breathing as I adjusted her body into the correct position. Even with her pale face and her always serene eyes, she seemed more… alive.
It was then that, unexpectedly, Rei broke the silence:
"Subaru…"
I looked at her, surprised that she had called him by his name. It was still rare for her to do that spontaneously.
"What's wrong?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my heart was still racing from what we had just been through.
"Tomorrow… would you like to go out with me?"
I blinked a few times, not knowing how to react. "G-Go out with you?"
"Yes. I need to buy some things for school."
I opened my mouth to answer, but hesitated. I hadn't expected this. Rei didn't seem like the type of person who would ask something like that… But, on the other hand, maybe this meant that she really was starting to change.
I scratched the back of my neck, a little embarrassed, but smiled. "A-ah, sure! I mean… of course I will! Someone has to make sure you don't just buy pencils and erasers, right?"
Rei just winked at me, not reacting to the playful tone. But then, something unexpected happened: "Thank you, Subaru."
She said it in such a natural and simple way, but it caught me completely off guard. My face immediately heated up, and I looked to the side, trying to hide the silly smile that escaped my lips.
"Ah… well… you're welcome."
I stood there for a second, feeling as if the air around me had changed. It was a feeling hard to describe, but one thing was certain…
The cold and unexpressive Rei Ayanami I met at the beginning was no longer the same.
A few moments later...
Later, after everything had calmed down, Misato called me for a private conversation. We were in a NERV room, away from the noise and hustle and bustle of the other agents. I was sitting in a chair, still wearing my wrinkled gray plug-suit, now all dirty and with some light burns on my hands.
Misato crossed her arms and looked at me seriously. "So, Subaru... Now that everything is over, I think we can finally talk about that thing you mentioned before the battle."
I knew exactly what she was talking about. I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "It's about the smell... and the things I see, isn't it?"
Misato frowned. "And the invisible hands?"
I nodded. "Yes. I saw them again... and they weren't just around the Angel. They were attacking Eva-01 directly. And then, when that thing appeared... it all made sense. This 'angel' had somehow merged with another Angel."
Misato leaned against the table and rested her chin on her hand. "That's right... We've had a double attack from angels... but so far everything you've said has helped us win. So I can't ignore it."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "But there's something else, isn't there? You seemed hesitant before. Like you wanted to tell me something much more serious."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. That was exactly it. I wanted to tell her about Returning through Death, but... when I tried, time stopped and I felt that horrible pain in my heart.
I swallowed hard and looked away. "There's nothing...
That's all I know..."
Misato raised an eyebrow. "Don't have it or don't want it?"
I clenched my fists. "I have nothing to hide..."
There was a brief silence between the two of us. Misato seemed to analyze every expression, trying to understand what I was hiding. "Okay... I'll respect that for now."
She sighed and relaxed her shoulders. "But promise me one thing, Subaru. If this thing you can't talk about is something that could put you or others in danger… let me know somehow. Any way you can, I'm still your guardian."
I smirked. "I promise."
Misato nodded and picked up a can of beer that was on the table. "Well, after all this, I think we deserve a break. Want one?"
I looked at the can and laughed nervously. "I think I'll pass… I've seen how you treat your food and drink… I don't want to risk it."
Misato punched me lightly on the shoulder and laughed. "Hah! Fair enough!"
Despite everything, I felt that, little by little, I was becoming a real part of this "new" world.
Before leaving the room, I took a deep breath and called Misato back with a more serious tone than before. "Misato… There's something I need to ask."
She turned to me, surprised by the change in tone. "What is it?"
I stood up from my chair, still feeling tired from the battle, but her expression was firm.
"I want to be an Eva pilot."
Silence filled the room.
Misato blinked a few times, as if she wasn't sure if she had heard correctly. "What?"
"I don't want to just stand by and watch others fight. I want to actually help, in a more direct way. I want an Eva."
Misato crossed her arms and sighed, now looking at me with a serious expression. "Subaru… Do you have any idea what you're talking about?"
"I know! It's not that simple. I know it's not just a matter of getting into the cockpit and fighting. But today, when everything was falling apart, I realized how weak I still am. I was only able to help because I saw those hands, but... what if I hadn't seen them? What if next time I can't do anything? I don't want to feel helpless again."
Misato was silent for a few moments, thinking. I was speaking with a determination that was very reminiscent of Shinji, but there was something different about him. I wasn't just accepting a fate imposed on me, I was choosing this path.
Finally, Misato let out a long sigh and ran a hand through her hair. "I can't promise anything right now, Subaru. If it were just my decision, I would definitely say no. But... I'll think about it."
"Really?"
"Yes. But first, Ritsuko will have to examine you. We need to see if your body can synchronize with an Eva. And besides..."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "You understand what it means to pilot an Eva, right? You saw what happened to Rei today. You know what happened to Shinji before. Are you sure you really want this?"
I hesitated for a second, remembering Rei's charred capsule, Shinji's pain, the fear he felt inside the Eva... But he clenched his fists and nodded. "I've already entered this world, Misato. And I can't go back."
Misato watched his expression for a few more seconds and then let out a small smile. "Heh... You really are a special case, Subaru."
She lightly punched him on the shoulder and started to leave the room. "But get ready, because if you're accepted, I'll put you through hellish training myself."
I smirked. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
And just like that, a new possibility appeared before me.
One day later...
The next morning, I walked downstairs to my apartment with a long yawn, still feeling tired from the previous day's events. The breakfast table was, as usual, a mess of Misato's instant food wrappers and beer cans. Shinji was already sitting down, drinking coffee, while Pen-Pen was nibbling on a piece of sliced bread she found in the middle of the table.
Misato was sprawled on the couch, in slippers and sweatpants, drinking something hot from a mug and reading some reports. When she saw me come in, a mischievous smile appeared on her face. "Good morning, Subaru! Excited for your date today?"
I blinked a few times, confused, as I picked up a slice of bread. "What?"
Shinji looked at me, looking equally confused. "Date?"
I chewed on the bread and looked from one to the other. "What are you two talking about?"
Misato let out a low laugh and rested her chin on her hand. "Now, now, Subaru. Don't play dumb. I know you're going out with Rei today."
I choked on my bread. "WHAT?! How do you know that?"
Misato took a sip of her drink and smiled. "Information travels fast around here. Believe it or not, Rei mentioned it yesterday while Ritsuko was treating her. And Ritsuko, like the good friend she is, made sure to tell me."
I covered my face with my hands, feeling the heat rising to my ears. "This isn't a date! I'm just going to help her buy some stuff for school! That's all!"
Misato laughed out loud. "If you say so~"
Shinji, who had been quiet, looked at me with a thoughtful expression. "So... are you and Rei going out together?"
I crossed my arms, huffing. "Not like that! She just asked if I could help her buy some things, and I accepted. There's nothing wrong with that!"
Misato looked at me with a sly smile. "Hmmm... I know. But what if it's a disguised date? Maybe Rei just wanted an excuse to spend some time with you, huh?"
My eyes widened and she blushed even more.
"D-Don't worry! Rei's not like that!"
Misato laughed and shrugged. "Well, well, if you insist... But hey, since you're going out, have fun. And don't be late! Women don't like guys who arrive late."
I sighed and took another piece of bread, trying to ignore Misato's laughter. I looked at Shinji, expecting some kind of support, but the boy just gave a small smile and said: "Good luck, Subaru."
I buried my head on the table, feeling like the day had begun condemning me.
A few minutes later...
Shinji and I walked side by side on the sidewalk, the morning wind still fresh as the city began to move. I was restless, fidgeting with the collar of my shirt and looking at the ground as if I were about to face an epic challenge.
"Man, I can't believe I'm nervous about this..." I muttered, crossing my arms and sighing.
Shinji looked at me sideways, not quite understanding. "Why are you so worried? You're just going to meet Ayanami."
I let out an exaggerated sigh and ruffled my own hair. "Just? Man, you don't understand! I've never gone out with a girl like her before! Rei is... well, different. You know when someone looks at you and it's like they're reading your soul? Yeah, she does that all the time!"
Shinji smiled slightly, shaking his head. "She just has a more serious way of being. But if she asked you out, it's because she trusts you."
I paused for a moment, absorbing Shinji's words. I wanted to believe that was all, but deep down, something inside him was restless. Rei never showed much, but at the end of the last battle, she smiled at me. Even if it was a small smile, it was sincere.
Before I could say anything, two figures appeared in front of us.
"Yo! Look who's here!"
It was Toji Suzuhara, with his confident smile and a hand resting on Kensuke Aida's shoulder, who was adjusting his glasses while studying the two of us curiously.
"You guys seem a little different today." Kensuke commented, pushing his glasses up. "So, what's the gossip? Anything interesting going on?"
I quickly tried to act natural, but Toji smirked and crossed his arms. "Wait a minute... I heard this guy is going on a date!"
I widened my eyes and raised my hands. "WHAT? N-That's not it! Who told you that?!"
Toji laughed out loud and lightly punched my shoulder. "Relax, man! No need to hide it! But tell me, who's the lucky lady?"
Kensuke took a camera out of his backpack and looked at me with a glint of interest. "Is that true? Are you really going out with someone? I need to document this historic moment!"
I snorted, crossing my arms. "You guys are exaggerating! I'm just going to help Rei buy some stuff, nothing more!"
Toji and Kensuke exchanged knowing looks, clearly not believing the explanation.
"Ayanami, huh...?" Toji muttered, rubbing his chin. "Man, I never imagined she would go out with someone like you, honestly... You must have some special charm, Subaru!"
"I don't know what you're thinking, but that's not it! As much as I wish it were true." I exclaimed, already feeling the heat rise to my face.
Shinji watched everything, holding back a laugh. Kensuke still had the camera in his hand, ready to take a picture.
"Natsuki Subaru, the guy who conquered the unattainable Ayanami Rei!" Kensuke joked.
I rolled my eyes, lightly pushing Kensuke aside and kept walking. "Let's go to school before I die of embarrassment!"
The others laughed and followed behind me, but I knew the day was just beginning.
When we arrived at school, I looked around and soon found Rei at her desk, sitting near the window, as always. She was looking outside, seemingly oblivious to the hubbub in the classroom, while the other students chatted among themselves before class started.
I took a deep breath. I wanted to talk to her, but after my conversation with Toji and Kensuke, I felt like I was about to do something much more important than just arranging a casual date.
"Go on, champ." Toji whispered, giving me a light shove on the back.
I glared at him, but decided to ignore it and kept going. I crossed the room, feeling the curious looks of some students, but I focused only on Rei.
"Good morning, Ayanami." I said, trying to sound casual.
Rei looked away from the window and looked directly at me. Her red eyes, always so intense, landed on me for a brief moment before she responded with a simple:
"Good morning."
I scratched the back of my neck, not knowing exactly how to continue. As much as I had gotten used to her manner, it was still hard to predict her reactions. "About today... do you still want to go out after school?"
Rei blinked slowly. "Yes."
I relaxed a little, but I felt like I still wanted to say something more. "I know you just want to buy a few things, but... if there's anything else you want to do, we can go somewhere later."
Rei watched me for a few seconds, as if she was processing the words.
"Only if necessary."
Her answer was ambiguous, but I could tell that was just her way of accepting. I smiled. "Okay, then we'll meet after class."
Rei just nodded and went back to looking out the window. I went back to my seat, feeling Shinji, Toji, and Kensuke's eyes on me.
"So, how did it go?" Kensuke asked curiously.
"She accepted." I replied, flopping down in my chair.
Toji laughed. "Good luck, my friend. You're going to need it."
I sighed, but deep down, I was excited. I couldn't wait to see what this meeting would bring.
After class ended, I was putting my materials away in my backpack when I heard a soft voice next to me.
"Shall we go?"
I looked up and saw Rei standing next to my desk, looking directly at me. Her tone was neutral as always, but the simple fact that she had come to call me was already unusual.
The silence in the room was evident for a few seconds. Some students who were still packing their things stopped to look. I quickly realized that the situation seemed strange to the others, after all, Ayanami Rei, who always stayed alone and rarely interacted with her classmates, was asking someone out.
I felt a little uncomfortable with the curious looks, but I ignored them and stood up.
"Yes, let's go." Breathing, trying to act naturally.
As we walked to the door, I heard some whispers in the background. Some girls seemed surprised, and some boys looked at me as if trying to understand what was happening.
"Ayanami is going out with him?"
"That's strange... I've never seen her call anyone that."
I pretended not to hear anything and followed Rei. When they passed the door to the classroom, I let out a sigh of relief.
"Did you notice the looks?" I asked, half laughing.
Rei looked at me and blinked slowly.
"Yes. Does that bother you?"
I scratched the back of my neck. "Well... not exactly. It was just unexpected. But apparently, it doesn't matter to you, right?"
Rei just nodded slightly, without showing any reaction.
I smiled. "I think that's what I like about you, Ayanami. You don't care about those things."
Rei didn't answer, she just kept walking beside me. And so, the two of us left school, ready to go to the mall.
A few minutes later...
Rei and I walked to the mall, and the whole time I felt my heart beating faster than it should. I had never been to a place like this with a girl before, and the fact that it was with Ayanami Rei, who always seemed distant and mysterious, made it all the more surreal for me.
I tried to make casual conversation on the way, but Rei answered in a short and to the point way, as always. Still, I felt like she wasn't bothered by my presence, which, considering how reserved she usually was, was already a big improvement.
As soon as we arrived at the mall, I looked around, wondering where we should go first. But before I could suggest anything, Rei simply started walking in a specific direction. I followed her and, to my surprise, I realized that they were entering a store selling... women's clothing?!
"Uhh... Rei?" I asked, confused, looking around.
The place was full of mannequins wearing skirts, dresses, and delicate blouses. The shelves were organized with various folded pieces, and some employees were arranging hangers with new clothes. I started to feel the gaze of some customers and attendants, probably wondering about a boy standing there, looking lost.
Rei continued walking without hesitation to a section with some casual clothes and then looked at me with her usual neutral expression. "You're the one who said I need more casual clothes, right?"
I blinked a few times, trying to process what she had just said. I had actually said that before, but I didn't think Rei would take it so seriously.
"Oh... that's right, I did say that..." I scratched the back of my neck, laughing a little nervously. "But I didn't expect you to actually want to buy clothes with me!"
"Weren't you the one who suggested it?"
I felt like I had no arguments against Rei's simple logic. "Yeah... good point."
I sighed and looked around at the clothes. Despite my nervousness, I knew Rei didn't have much of a fashion sense and that she probably needed some help. "Okay, so... where do we start?"
Rei looked at some hanging clothes and picked up a light blue blouse without much detail. I could tell she was just picking something out without thinking much.
"Hey, wait a minute, Rei! You can't just pick any random clothes!" I said, taking the blouse from her hand.
She stared at me blankly. "Why not?"
"Because clothes are important! They reflect your personality, they make you feel comfortable and stylish at the same time! You have to try them on and see what suits you!"
Rei blinked slowly. "Do you care about that?"
"Well, yes! Just because you never cared about it doesn't mean you have to keep not caring. You deserve to have clothes that make you feel good!"
Rei was silent for a moment, watching me. Then, without saying anything, she picked up another piece, a simple cream-colored dress. "This one?"
I studied it for a moment and nodded. "This one is a good start! But let's get a few more options before you try it on!"
Rei didn't argue and just followed my suggestions. Little by little, I realized that she was actually willing to listen to my advice, and that made me feel more at ease.
However, I still couldn't ignore the fact that I was helping a girl choose women's clothes in the middle of a store full of customers. The stares from the attendants only increased my embarrassment.
"Why do I feel like there's something wrong with me being here...?" I muttered to myself as I picked up a few more clothing options for Rei.
I leaned against a wall near the fitting room, crossing my arms as I waited for Rei to try on the clothes. I looked around and noticed that some customers and attendants were still giving me curious looks.
"Ayanami, you have no idea how weird this is for me..." I muttered to myself, sighing.
The atmosphere was completely feminine, with posters of models in elegant clothes, perfumes on display, and even soft background music. I felt like I was in unfamiliar territory, and as much as I tried to help Rei, I still couldn't feel completely comfortable.
As I waited, I began to wonder what Rei would look like in casual clothes. She always wore her school uniform or plug-in suit, so seeing her in something more "normal" would be a novelty. I didn't know why, but it made me a little anxious.
After a few minutes, I heard the curtain of the dressing room move.
"Subaru." Rei's voice sounded low and calm.
I looked up and, for a moment, I was speechless.
Rei was wearing a simple dress, but it suited her perfectly. The cream-colored piece highlighted her pale skin, and the light drape gave her a delicate air that I had never seen on her before. It was as if I was seeing a different version of Rei, one that I had never imagined before.
"So?" She asked, looking straight at me.
I blinked a few times, trying to find the right words.
"Uhh... it looks great! Like... really good!" I said, perhaps a little more excitedly than I should have.
Rei tilted her head slightly. "Good?"
"Yeah! You look... different, but in a good way! I think it suits you really well!"
Rei didn't answer right away. She looked at the mirror next to her and studied her reflection. I could tell she was evaluating her appearance in a way she probably never had before.
"I see..." She murmured.
I could tell that, even if it was a small step, Rei was starting to care about this kind of thing. He felt an unexpected satisfaction in having helped with this. "Want to try some more?"
Rei nodded silently and walked back to the dressing room, while for the first time since I'd walked into that store, I felt like I was having fun.
I was already uncomfortable enough being there, but the situation became even more complicated when some of the attendants started whispering and looking at me with suggestive smiles.
"They make a cute couple, don't you think?" whispered one of the attendants to the other.
I heard her clearly and blushed instantly. I opened my mouth to try to correct the misunderstanding, but before I could say anything, one of them approached with a gentle smile. "Oh, young man, you seem like a thoughtful boyfriend! Have you thought about buying a gift for your girlfriend?"
"What?! N-No, you misunderstood! We're not..." I started gesturing frantically, but the attendant completely ignored my attempt at explanation. "We have these beautiful plushies here! This is Beatrice, a very popular doll. Your girlfriend will certainly love it!"
She held up a cute plush of a blonde doll with blue eyes, dressed in a frilly pink outfit. I looked at the toy and then at Rei, who was observing the situation with her usual neutral expression.
"I'm not..." I tried again, but when I looked at Rei, I noticed that she was looking at the plushie with a different look.
It was subtle, but I could see that there was a slight glint of curiosity in her eyes. Maybe Rei had never received something like this before.
"Hmm..."
I sighed, feeling defeated. "Okay, okay. I'll take one."
The attendant smiled happily as she took the plushie to wrap it. "Great choice! I'm sure she'll love it."
Rei watched from afar as I paid for the toy, and when the attendant handed the package over, I turned to her, a little embarrassed. "Here, Rei. Do you... like this kind of thing?"
Rei looked at the plushie and then at me. Then, she carefully took the bag and, to my surprise, I held the toy for a few seconds before answering. "I don't know. But... it's cute."
I blinked a few times, surprised. I hadn't expected Rei to admit it. "Well, now it's yours. And... I don't know, if you want to put it in your room or carry it around, that's fine, okay?"
Rei nodded slightly and held the plushie against her chest for a moment. I noticed that, even without smiling, there was something different about her. Maybe a slight change, a small improvement in the way she expressed emotions.
The attendants smiled even more when they saw the scene, while I tried to ignore their knowing looks. "Okay, okay! Let's go out to eat!"
With that, I pulled Rei lightly by the arm, leaving the store with my face still hot. As they walked through the mall, I noticed that Rei was holding the plushie carefully, almost as if it were a treasure.
And for some reason, that made me smile.
I walked through the mall next to Rei, still feeling a slight heat in my face from what had happened at the clothing store. I looked around, trying to think of what the two of them could do next. Since Rei had said she needed things for school, it made sense for them to go to a stationery store or something. "So, Ayanami... since we're here, how about we go buy the school supplies you said you needed?"
Rei continued walking beside me, holding the Beatrice plushie in her hand, as if she was calmly analyzing the words before answering.
"I lied."
I stopped abruptly.
"Huh?"
I turned my head to look at her, blinking a few times, trying to process what she had just said.
"I didn't need to buy anything for school..." she explained, her voice as calm and direct as ever. "I just wanted to better understand how this... relationship works."
The final word came out with a slightly dubious tone, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"R-Relationship?" I swallowed hard.
Rei turned to me, her calm, inquisitive gaze piercing my soul. "Yes. People seem to act differently when we're together. The students, your friends, and the attendants, for example. They assumed we were a couple. And you got nervous."
I scratched the back of my neck, looking away.
"W-Well, that's because they misinterpreted it! It's not like..." I sighed and shook my head. "But why exactly did you want to understand that?"
Rei looked straight ahead, as if choosing the right words. "Because I want to better understand the connections between people."
I stared at her for a moment. The way Rei spoke always carried a subtle weight, as if she were trying to process something that was completely new to her. And in a way, it was. Rei wasn't like other girls. She had a very different view of the world, and from what I could tell, she had probably never had ordinary experiences like a simple walk in the mall or casual interactions with friends.
I sighed and smiled a little, putting my hands in my pockets.
"I see... so you brought me here just to try to better understand how a..." I hesitated before saying the word, feeling her face heat up again. "A relationship?"
"Yes."
The direct way she confirmed it only made me even more nervous.
"Do you have to be so honest?" He murmured.
Rei blinked, as if processing the question. "Isn't being honest a good thing?"
I opened my mouth, but couldn't answer right away. Of course being honest was a good thing, but the way Rei did it, without beating around the bush and without hesitation, left anyone speechless.
I scratched my head, trying to change the subject. "So, since we don't have to go to the stationery store... what do you want to do now?"
Rei looked around, her red eyes scanning the various stores and aisles of the mall. Then, without warning, she turned to me and asked, "What does a couple do when they go out together?"
I felt my heart skip a beat. "W-What does a couple do?"
"Yes. I'd like to try that."
I felt the weight of responsibility fall on me like a building collapsing. How was I supposed to answer this?! I didn't know exactly how I was supposed to act on a date, especially with someone as enigmatic as Rei!
But seeing her calm yet genuinely curious expression, I knew that Rei really wanted to understand.
So, taking a deep breath, I decided to go with the flow. "Okay... then, since you want to try it, how about we do what a couple would normally do on a date?"
Rei just nodded slightly, and I felt butterflies in my stomach.
What had I just gotten myself into?
The two of us were sitting in a small restaurant inside the mall, eating silently. I glanced at Rei every now and then, trying to find a way to start a conversation. She seemed so relaxed, so focused on her food, that I wondered if she was actually enjoying the moment.
I rested my chopsticks on the plate and leaned forward a little. "So, Ayanami... have you read anything new lately?"
Rei glanced up at me slightly, chewing calmly before answering. "Yes. I started reading a novel."
I blinked in surprise. "Really? Novel?"
Rei just nodded. "I didn't expect that from you. I always figured you'd like more... scientific or philosophical books."
"I do." She answered without hesitation. "But I thought I should try something different."
I rested my chin on my hand and smiled. "And what do you think so far?"
Rei was silent for a few seconds, as if formulating her answer. "It's different from what I usually read. There are a lot of emotions described... and a lot of actions that seem meaningless."
"Meaningless?"
"Yes. Some of the things the characters do seem irrational. They hesitate to speak their minds, they make complicated choices for strange reasons. It's different from the straightforward logic I'm used to."
I laughed a little. "Well, romance is like that. If everyone just said what they feel right away, it wouldn't be so funny."
Rei blinked slowly, seeming to consider it. "So the grace of the novel is in uncertainty?"
"That's ... kind of that."
King lowered his eyes for a moment, thoughtful. "Interesting..."
I smiled as I see her so focused on that thought. Rei trying to understand the nuances of a novel seemed funny and at the same time cute. "And what is this romance you are reading about?"
Rei looked straight at me before answering. "It's about a boy who falls in love with someone who seems distant. He tries to approach her, but doesn't know how."
I felt a little shiver when hearing that. "E-and what happens next?"
Rei looked away. "I haven't finished the book yet. But I think he will finally find a way to express what he feels."
I was silent for a moment, just watching Rei's serene shape as she was eating again. I felt a strange familiarity in the story she was reading, but I decided not to comment on it.
Instead, I just smiled and said, "Well, I hope you enjoy the end."
Rei nodded slightly. "Me too."
We both kept eating, but I couldn't avoid wondering if King was really just talking about the book ... or if there was anything else behind it.
Rei and I walked side by side through the silent streets, the sun was already starting to set on the horizon, dying the sky with pink orange tones. The cold afternoon wind blown slightly, shaking the Rei's hair and brushing my shoulders a little. I was immersed in thoughts, trying to process everything that had recently happened.
The confrontation with Petelgeuse still echoed in my mind. That monstrous being seemed to know me in some way, but how was that possible? And Sekhmet ... That name still surrounded my thoughts, but I had no concrete clue about what or who she was.
I sighed, feeling the weight of these questions in your head. However, when I looked to the side and saw Rei, I allowed myself to forget for a moment all these mysteries. She walked quietly, her expression serene as always, but now there was something different from her. I noticed that your eyes were no longer as empty as before. From the moment she smiled gently to me earlier, it seemed like there was a new spark in her gaze.
I hesitated for a moment, feeling my heart accelerate a little. So, without thinking too much, I reached out and held hers.
Rei stopped walking for a brief second, surprised by the sudden gesture. Her ruby eyes turned to her hand, holding her, and then she looked at my face. I looked ahead, trying to act like the most natural thing in the world.
"Just so you don't get lost on the way, since you're looking so much down ..." I said in a playful tone, although I knew that King would never get lost.
She was silent for a moment, before entering her fingers subtly.
"I understand ..." It was all she said.
I felt a strange heat spread through his chest. I couldn't say why, but holding her hand like that gave me a comforting feeling, almost as if all my worries had diminished a little.
We both keep walking like that, hand in hand, silent, but a comfortable silence. For me, at that moment, nothing more mattered beyond her presence by her side.
When we arrived at the Rei's apartment, I went hesitant, looking around with curiosity. I hoped to see that messy environment seen earlier, but to my surprise, her room was impeccably clean. Each object seemed to be in the right place without any evidence of disorder.
"Wow ... your room is well organized now, huh?" I commented looking around. I realized that there were few personal items scattered, only the essentials. There were no extravagant decorations, photos or anything that indicated emotional attachment to something material.
Rei closed the door behind him and looked at me with her typical serene look. "Keeping things organized helped me avoid unnecessary distractions."
I smiled, scratching the back of the neck. "Yeah ... quite different from my room, which looks more like a battlefield after a storm."
Rei slightly leaned his head, as if he was reflecting on something. So, with her soft, straightforward voice, she said, "Do you want to sleep with me?"
I froze. My brain seemed to stop for a few seconds as I processed those words.
"W-What?!" I practically choked on the air, taking a step back.
Rei blinked slowly without showing any embarrassment. "I want to know more about relationships. You seem to know more than me. I thought this would be a valid experience."
My face turned completely red. My mind went in a thousand different directions, imagining all the possible meanings of that sentence. "W-W-Wait a minute! Do you know what you're saying?! S-Sleeping together, like this?!"
Rei continued to observe him with the same calmness as always. "You said you wanted to teach me about more normal human interactions. I thought sleeping next to someone could be one of those experiences."
I swallowed hard. I wanted to believe that Rei wasn't insinuating anything other than what she literally said, but the way she was being direct made it all the more embarrassing for me.
I felt my face burn. The idea of sharing a room with Rei, of spending the night there, was something I definitely hadn't anticipated. "W-Wait a minute! Are you serious? Like, sleeping in the same room? I... Me on the floor and you on the bed, right? Right?! Hahaha..."
Rei blinked slowly before answering. "If you prefer, you can sleep on the bed too."
I nearly choked on air. "C-C-Calm down, Ayanami! This is going too fast! I know I'm an irresistible guy, but—"
"Subaru."
Rei cut him off, her voice soft but firm. "It's nothing. I just... I'd like some company."
I trailed off, swallowing hard. I looked at Rei more closely. She didn't seem to be doing this for any ulterior motive or ulterior motive. There was something genuine in her voice, something I hadn't heard before.
Why had I thought of such malice? I scratched the back of my neck, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease a little. "So... you just want someone to be around?"
Rei nodded slightly. "That's... well, technically sleeping next to someone can be a sign of closeness, but that usually happens after... a while. It's not something you just do overnight!"
Rei tilted her head again. "So is there a protocol necessary?"
I sighed, realizing that she didn't really see any malice in it. "It's not exactly protocol... It's just that this kind of thing has a certain... weight. Sleeping together can mean a lot of things, and people usually only do it when they trust each other a lot."
Rei was silent for a moment, then looked straight at me. "I trust you."
Those words caught me completely off guard. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt my face heat up even more. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out.
I looked away, scratching my cheek nervously. "You know you make me feel awkward when you say things like that, right?"
Rei just watched me calmly, waiting for her answer.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Okay... If it's just sleeping, with no ulterior motives, then it's fine..."
Rei nodded slightly, as if she was satisfied with the answer. "Understood. You can go to bed first."
I felt my heart race again. I never imagined I would go through a situation like this... and even less so with Rei Ayanami.
The silence in the room was almost absolute, except for the rhythmic breathing of both of us. I was lying on my back, looking at the ceiling, while Rei was on her side, facing me. The soft light from the lamp created subtle shadows on the wall, giving the room an even more peaceful atmosphere.
I tried to maintain my composure, but my heart was still beating a little faster than usual. I never imagined I would sleep next to Rei Ayanami, especially after the intense day we had had.
Then, amidst the silence, Rei's soft voice broke the stillness. "Subaru..."
I turned my face a little to look at her.
"Hmm?"
Rei was silent for a few seconds before continuing. "Those words you said... when you took me out of the Eva... I wanted to say... thank you."
My eyes widened slightly. I remembered the moment I held her hand and told her she was part of my family, the Natsuki family. At that moment, I just wanted her to know that she wasn't alone, that someone really cared about her.
I smiled slightly, turning a little more in bed to face her better.
"Oh... That?" I laughed a little, scratching the back of my neck. "Well... I just said what I felt at the time. I wanted you to know that there are people who care about you, that you don't have to carry everything alone."
Rei blinked slowly, absorbing those words. "That was strange for me."
I frowned. "Strange?"
She nodded slightly. "I'm not used to that kind of feeling... But... it was something that made me feel warm inside."
I was speechless for a moment. I had never heard Rei express something like that before. She had always been someone who was hard to understand, but right then, she seemed more human than ever.
"That's good, then..." I said softly. "It means you're not a doll."
Rei fell silent again, but a small, simple smile formed on her lips.
I looked at her and felt my chest tighten a little. I didn't know exactly what this feeling meant, but at that moment, all that mattered was that she was there, lying next to me, finally allowing me to feel something different.
The silence in the room was broken by my hesitant voice: "Rei... I've been thinking..."
Rei, who was lying on her side, turned her eyes to me, waiting for me to continue. I took a deep breath before finally saying: "I want to be an Eva pilot."
Rei's eyes widened slightly. She blinked a few times, as if she was trying to process this information.
"You want... to be an Eva pilot?" Her voice carried an unusual tone of surprise.
I turned my head to look at her directly.
"Yes." I watched. "I want to be able to truly help. I want to protect the people I love. And that includes you, Rei."
Rei stood still for a moment. The words echoed in my mind. "That includes you, Rei." It was rare for someone to say something like that to her. For as long as she could remember, her existence had always had a specific purpose: to pilot the Eva. But I... I was choosing this path, not because I had to, but because I wanted to protect others. Ayanami thought.
"You don't have to do this." She finally answered, her voice calm, but there was a hint of concern in it.
I laughed softly. "I know I don't have to. But I want to. I want to fight alongside you. I want to have the chance to change something with my own hands."
Rei watched me for a few moments. She knew that look. Determination. I wasn't just speaking on impulse, he really wanted to do this.
"Evas are dangerous." She said, as if she was trying to make me reconsider.
"I know." I answered without hesitation. "I've seen what they can do. I've seen you, Shinji, all of you risking yourselves so many times. But it just made me realize that I don't want to stand by and watch. I want to be there, fighting alongside you."
Rei lowered her eyes slightly. "You might get hurt... Like yesterday..."
I laughed softly, looking up at the ceiling. "I've been through so much, Rei. What would really hurt me would be losing you. I don't want to see anyone I love suffer or be taken from me. If I can do something to prevent that... then it's worth it."
Rei fell silent again. She didn't know how to respond. "I was different. I spoke differently, I acted differently."
She looked at my hand that was next to hers. Before she realized it, she moved her own hand subtly, touching my fingers lightly. I felt the touch and turned my face to her, surprised.
"Thank you." Rei said softly.
I blinked in surprise. "For what?"
"For saying that."
I smiled softly. "You're welcome, Rei."
And just like that, silence returned to the room, but this time, it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was a peaceful silence, full of unspoken feelings.
The next day...
I slowly opened my eyes, blinking a few times to get used to the dim light of the room. I felt the bed beside me empty and, for a brief moment, a strange chill ran through my chest.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes still heavy with sleep. It was then that I heard a low sound coming from the bathroom. The door slowly opened, revealing Rei, who came out with her hair still a little damp, wearing her school uniform.
I blinked trying to register the scene in my mind. For some reason, seeing her there, standing in front of me, after everything that had happened, seemed surreal.
"Good morning, Subaru." Rei said in her usual calm voice.
I ran my hand through my hair, still trying to wake up completely.
"Good morning..." I looked at her and frowned a little. "Are you ready to leave yet?"
Rei nodded. "We still have class today."
I sighed and threw myself back on the mattress for a moment. "I don't even remember the last time I slept this well..."
Rei watched him silently for a few seconds before asking: "Are you going to be late?"
My eyes widened and she jumped out of bed. "Wait, what time is it?!"
Rei just watched me, her expression unchanged, as I ran around the room, grabbing my things in a hurry. But inside, she felt something different. I wanted to protect her... and somehow, that made my chest feel warm in a way she didn't fully understand yet.
As they walked to school, I yawned loudly, still half asleep. "You know, I couldn't even take a proper shower... let alone eat anything! This is inhumane!"
Rei, as always, kept her expression neutral. "You could have just woken up earlier."
I glared at her, indignant. "You say it like it's easy! After everything that happened yesterday, I could barely move, and then I wake up and you're already ready like nothing happened!"
Before Rei could respond, we heard familiar voices calling out to us.
"Yo, Subaru! Ayanami!"
Shinji, Toji, and Kensuke were walking toward us. Toji was carrying a loaf of bread in his mouth, while Kensuke was adjusting his glasses.
"You finally showed up!" Kensuke commented, looking at me. "We thought you were going to be absent today."
Shinji watched Subaru carefully and noticed something. "You slept at Ayanami's house, huh? You look kind of... exhausted."
I sighed dramatically. "Kind of? Man, I'm starving and I haven't even showered yet!"
Toji laughed and threw me a packaged loaf of bread. "Here, eat this. I bought an extra one at the cafeteria."
I caught the bread in midair and looked at Toji with excitement. "Toji... you're an angel..."
"I know I'm amazing."
While I devoured the bread, Rei just watched the other boys interact, saying nothing. But inside, something about her seemed different... as if this noisy, playful environment was a little more comfortable than before.
As we walked, I noticed something curious: Rei was discreetly holding the Beako plushie in her bag, leaving only a small piece of the pink ribbon showing.
"Hey... Wait a minute." I pointed to her bag with a mischievous smile. "Did you bring Beako with you?"
Rei looked at me and then at her bag, as if she didn't understand the surprise.
"Yes."
Toji, who was walking next to her, gave a mischievous smile. "Look, Subaru... a boyfriend's gift, huh? And she liked it so much that she carries it around!"
I blushed instantly. "L-Look, it's nothing like that! The attendants forced me to buy it! I had no choice!"
Kensuke laughed. "I know, I know... But it seems like Ayanami really liked it, so I guess it was a good gift."
Rei, oblivious to the teasing, simply replied: "It's soft... And cute..."
I snorted while Toji and Kensuke laughed. "You two..."
So, we arrived at school, and the day passed without any major problems.
Later, after classes, Shinji, Rei and I headed to NERV. I felt a slight chill in my stomach, because I knew that this day could decide my future as an EVA pilot. Misato had already said that she would do some tests before allowing anything, but I was determined.
As we entered the NERV elevator, I took a deep breath. "Okay... let's see how this goes."
Shinji looked at me, a little worried. "Are you sure you want to do this, Subaru?"
I smiled and punched Shinji on the shoulder. "Of course I am! Someone needs to protect you guys when things get ugly!"
Rei just watched the two of them in silence, lightly squeezing Beako's plushie inside her bag. Something inside her told her that things were about to change.
While I was adjusting the improvised plug suit I was still wearing, Misato called me for a more private conversation. I could tell by her tone of voice that it wasn't something trivial, so I followed her without complaining. We entered a more isolated room inside NERV, and Misato crossed her arms, observing me for a few moments before speaking. "So, you really want to pilot an EVA, huh?"
I nodded with determination. "I do. After everything that happened, I realized that just watching from the backline isn't enough. I need to do more."
Misato sighed, placing one hand on her waist. "I already imagined you would say something like that. But listen carefully, Subaru: piloting an EVA is not like playing a virtual reality game. It requires synchronization, intense training and, most importantly... you will risk your life every time you enter it."
"I have already risked my life in ways you can't even imagine." I answered without hesitation.
Misato stared at me for a moment, surprised by the firmness in my words. Then she smiled slightly. "Okay, kid. You can become a pilot. But..."
She paused, leaving the suspense in the air.
"But?" I insisted, feeling that something big was coming.
"The training will be intense. More than you imagine. And, to start with..." Misato scratched the back of her neck, as if she was trying to find the best way to say that. "You will need to go to Germany."
"Okay... What?"
End of chapter 7