I frowned, crossing my arms. "Wait, Germany? What do you mean? Are you serious?"
Misato smiled slightly, resting one hand on her hip. "Yes, I am serious. But calm down, this isn't the time."
"Then why are you already dropping this bomb on me?" I grumbled, still trying to process the idea.
Misato sighed. "Because if you really want to be a pilot, you need to be aware of what's coming. The training here at NERV is rigorous, but it's not enough. The base in Germany has one of the best programs for new pilots, you'll have to spend some time there."
I was silent for a moment. The idea of going to another country seemed absurd, but at the same time, I understood that piloting an EVA was not something simple. If I wanted to protect the people I loved, I needed to be prepared. "Okay, but... why exactly do I need to train in Germany? Can't I do it here?"
"It would be possible, but your synchronization rate is quite low. The infrastructure there is more suited for new pilots. Besides..." Misato paused, looking directly at me. "If you really want to go through with this, you'll have to pass several tests first. And depending on the results, the final decision may not even be mine."
I narrowed my eyes. "So, in the end, I may not even be able to become a pilot?"
Misato shrugged. "It all depends on you. But if I were you, I'd start preparing now."
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Well... I guess you don't have a choice, do you?"
Misato laughed. "At least not for now. But relax, you still have time before you need to worry about that."
I nodded.
I was sitting on one of the NERV benches, still digesting the conversation I was having with Misato. The environment around me was busy, with technicians rushing by and monitors displaying EVA readings. I looked at Misato, crossing my arms. "Okay, so this training in Germany... how long will it last?"
Misato picked up a clipboard and began to leaf through it leisurely, before answering naturally:
"Three months."
"Three months?!" My eyes widened. "Are you kidding me?! That's a whole quarter!"
Misato laughed at my overreaction, but quickly shook her head. "That's all it takes for you to learn at least the basics. Piloting an EVA isn't just about getting in the cockpit and using the controls, Subaru. You need to understand synchronization, movement, defense, combat... and that takes time."
I sighed and sank back into the seat, staring at the ceiling. "And I'm going alone?"
"Not exactly."
I raised an eyebrow at Misato, who was now smiling a little mysteriously. "You'll be training with a girl named Asuka Langley Soryu, she's cute."
I blinked a few times. "And who is this?"
Misato leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "An extremely talented pilot. But also... well, let's just say she has a strong personality. You'll find out when you meet her."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "That sounded like a warning to me..."
"You'll get used to it."
I sighed again, feeling that my life was about to get even more complicated.
The next day...
I stared at the plate of food in front of me, absentmindedly picking at the rice. I was still processing everything about the training in Germany, and the idea of spending three months away didn't excite me much.
Shinji, sitting next to him, ate silently, as usual. The morning atmosphere was relatively calm, until the peace was interrupted by the sound of a can being opened.
"Aaaaah, nothing like starting the day with a beer!" Misato exclaimed, bringing the can to her lips with a satisfied smile.
Shinji and I stopped eating at the same time and looked at her with expressions of pure disbelief.
"You... are drinking this first thing in the morning?!" I asked, pointing to the can.
"Of course!" Misato replied as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "It's refreshing and gives me energy to face the day!"
Shinji sighed, already accustomed to his tutor's habits, while I ran my hand over my face, trying to understand how that made sense in her head. "And you still consider yourself a responsible adult?"
Misato pointed at him with the can. "Hey, I work hard at NERV! I think I deserve a little treat every now and then."
I crossed my arms, still suspicious. "You know, with your behavior like this, I wouldn't be surprised if one day we came home and found you sleeping on the floor with a bag of chips next to you."
Misato blinked and smiled mischievously. "Oh, so you've seen this before?
Shinji looked away, clearly preferring not to comment on the matter. I just sighed and went back to eating, knowing that arguing with Misato was a losing battle.
As I finished eating, Misato took another sip of her beer and, as if it were something casual, announced: "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! There's a parent-teacher meeting at your school today, so I'll be there."
Shinji choked slightly on the coffee he was drinking and looked at her in surprise.
"Huh? You're really going?"
"Sure! I'm your guardian, so it's only fair that I go and see how you're doing."
My eyes widened, feeling a chill run down my spine. "Wait... you... you're REALLY going?!"
Misato smiled mischievously. "Why the look of terror, Subaru? Is there something I shouldn't know about you?"
"No, it's not that! It's just... you, at a formal school event? It seems a bit surreal..."
Misato made an offended expression, but before she could retort, the doorbell rang.
"I'll open it." I said, taking advantage of the opportunity to escape the conversation.
I walked to the door and opened it, finding Toji and Kensuke on the other side.
"Hey, sleepyheads! Let's go to school!" Toji said excitedly, crossing his arms behind his head.
"If you take any longer, we'll end up being late!" Kensuke added.
Shinji calmly got up from the table, picking up his backpack. I sighed and did the same. "Okay, okay, we're going now."
When the three of them left, Misato waved at us with a smile.
"See you later at the meeting, boys!"
Shinji and I felt a shiver when we heard that. Kensuke, curious, looked at us. "Why do you guys look so nervous?"
I just looked up at the sky. "Today is going to be a long day..."
As soon as we arrived at the school gate, Toji and Kensuke were still talking about Misato.
"Man, how are you guys so lucky to live with a woman like that?!" Toji exclaimed, looking indignant.
"No luck! You haven't seen her other side…" I grumbled
Shinji just sighed and chose not to comment.
Kensuke adjusted his glasses and smiled. "Don't you understand? If Misato-san shows this other side to you, it means she trusts you!"
We were speechless.
As soon as we passed through the schoolyard, where some students were already gathered. It was then that I saw a familiar silhouette sitting at her desk, in the corner of the room. I smiled and, without hesitation, waved excitedly.
"Good morning Rei-tan!"
Rei Ayanami turned her face towards me, blinking slowly when she heard the unusual nickname.
Toji and Kensuke looked at me with expressions of surprise and mischief.
"Seriously?… so you two are already at this level of intimacy, huh?" Toji said, nudging me with his elbow.
"The nickname took me by surprise, but it kind of fits!" Kensuke laughed.
I crossed my arms, trying to ignore them both.
Rei continued to stare at me, without showing any reaction, but after a few seconds, she answered softly: "Good morning… Subaru."
I smiled when I heard my name come out of her mouth so softly.
"Good morning, Rei-tan!"
Toji and Kensuke just looked at each other, exchanging mischievous smiles. Shinji, who was watching the scene, just sighed, already anticipating that I would be teased for the rest of the day.
The class went on normally, until a distinct sound echoed outside the school. The sound of the powerful and somewhat careless engine of a certain blue car was already well known to some.
I, who was already a little distracted, exchanged a look with Shinji. "Don't tell me it's…"
Before Shinji could answer, some students had already gotten up to look out the window. And there she was.
Misato Katsuragi got out of the car in a carefree manner, wearing her usual casual clothes. The sunglasses made her look even more striking.
"But... who is this woman?" One of the students whispered.
"She looks important. Maybe she's a celebrity?"
"I think I've seen her before... I think it was on TV."
"She's really pretty!"
The voices spread quickly. It didn't take long for the entire class to start murmuring and exchanging curious glances with each other.
Toji and Kensuke almost jumped out of their seats.
"Man, Misato is a spectacle, Shinji!" Toji whispered.
"Stop it... Seriously!" Shinji replied tiredly.
I just put my hand on my forehead, already foreseeing that this would turn into a big mess.
"Ah... this is going to be a nightmare, isn't it?"
Shinji just sighed.
A few hours later, Shinji, Rei, and I went to NERV...
As Shinji and I finished changing in the NERV locker room, an awkward silence hung between us. The distant noise of machines operating and technicians adjusting systems created a somewhat heavy atmosphere. I was putting on the tight plug suit, still trying to get used to the uncomfortable feeling of that uniform.
Shinji, already accustomed to the process, calmly adjusted his own suit, until, suddenly, he broke the silence with an unexpected question: "Subaru... have you noticed that the Eva's entry plug smells like blood?"
I paused for a moment. I had never really paid attention to it before, but now that Shinji mentioned it... it made sense. Whenever I entered the plug, that metallic, almost suffocating, iron smell would take over the room. It was a strong, heavy smell that mixed with the LCL liquid that filled the entire capsule.
"Now that you mention it... it's true." I replied, frowning.
I put my hand to my chin, thoughtful. Since I got here, many strange things had happened. The Evas, the Angels, the inexplicable events that seemed to defy logic... But this revelation sent a shiver down my spine.
"What the hell are these Evas really?" I muttered to myself.
Shinji was silent for a moment, as if he was also wondering the same thing. He looked away, avoiding looking at me directly.
"I... wanted to know too."
The atmosphere became even heavier. I noticed that Shinji seemed to avoid thinking too much about it, as if he feared the answer.
I took a deep breath and patted Shinji's back, trying to break the tension. "It's strange... I feel good when I get in the Eva..."
Shinji forced a small smile, but deep down, I knew that that doubt would be lingering in our minds for a long time.
As soon as we finished preparing, they heard Misato's voice calling them over the intercom. "Shinji, Subaru! Are you ready? Get in the elevator and head to the synchronization room!"
The two of us looked at each other. The answer to that question wouldn't come now. All they could do was move forward and face whatever was coming.
A few hours later...
After the synchronization tests, Shinji and I were left with Misato, Ritsuko, and the other NERV scientists talking among themselves.
We just listened quietly.
"What's the status of Eva-00's thoracic components?"
"Badly damaged."
"We'll make new ones, but they'll come out of the supplementary budget."
"Will it get better when Unit-02 arrives from Germany?"
They must be talking about that Asuka girl...
"I think it could get worse, even... Getting rid of the Angel there isn't cheap, is it?"
"Yeah. The people here are pretty tight-fisted... The future depends on us, damn it."
"There's no point in complaining. 'Man can't live on EVA alone.' It's also expensive to maintain survivors."
I was sitting on one of the metal benches in the NERV lab, still wearing the plug suit, lost in my thoughts. Synchronizing with the Eva had been strange to me. It wasn't just the metallic smell of the LCL or the claustrophobic feeling of the entry plug... there was something else, something I couldn't understand.
Meanwhile, Ritsuko was calmly explaining to Shinji about the Second Impact.
"The Second Impact wasn't caused by a meteor, Shinji." she said, adjusting her glasses.
Shinji's eyes widened in surprise. "What? But that's what they taught everyone... It was a natural disaster, wasn't it?"
Ritsuko shook her head. "That's what humanity decided to tell the public. But in truth, the Second Impact was caused by the first contact with an Angel. It was awakened in Antarctica, and the resulting event almost led to the extinction of humanity."
Shinji was shocked. I, upon hearing that, frowned.
"So you already knew about the Angels before they even started attacking?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Ritsuko gave him a sideways glance, as if evaluating whether or not to answer.
"Yes..." Ritsuko said finally. "The Evas Project was created precisely to prevent something like the Second Impact from happening again. But there is a lot of information that I cannot share with you yet."
I let out a frustrated sigh. I knew there was much more behind that story. Something that NERV was still hiding.
Shinji, on the other hand, was still processing everything. "So... all of this... The Evas, the Angels... This whole fight... was already planned?"
Ritsuko didn't answer directly, she just adjusted her lab coat and looked at the monitors in front of her. "The important thing now is that you focus on what you need to do. If you want to survive, you need to pilot the Evas and defeat the Angels. That's all you need to know."
I felt a shiver. Something about that answer bothered me deeply. As if I was being manipulated into something much bigger than just defeating monsters.
I exchanged a quick glance with Shinji. We were both starting to realize that we were in the middle of something much more complex and dark than we imagined.
I crossed my arms and looked away to the ceiling of the NERV lab. The idea that I was in another universe had crossed my mind a few times, but I always pushed it away. Ever since I got here, everything seemed too real: the smell of LCL, the pain after the fights, the tension in battle, the fact that Misato hadn't found any records about me, Tokyo-3, the old Tokyo, none of it made sense...
But now, after hearing about Second Impact, the Angels and NERV's secrets, that doubt started to grow inside me
"What the hell is going on here? Have I really been transported to another world?"
I looked at Shinji, who seemed lost in thought, and then at Ritsuko, who was fiddling with some data on the computer. For a moment, I felt like no one there knew what was really going on, everyone was just following orders, fulfilling a role, without knowing the true purpose.
"If this is another world… why? Why do I have the return through death?"
But something inside me said that here, in this world, things were different.
"What does all this mean?"
That possibility made him swallow hard. If it were true, I would need to be even more careful than before. I couldn't just count on the chance to start over.
I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. "No… I need to focus on the now. If I keep freaking out about this, I'll end up getting distracted and dying for real."
I looked at my hands and clenched my fists. I was here now. And even though I didn't fully understand their situation, I had already made a decision: to protect the people around me... They were all dealing with things that were too heavy for them. If I could help in any way, I would.
Taking a deep breath, I turned my attention back to Ritsuko and Shinji, trying to absorb as much information as I could. Even without all the answers, I knew I couldn't just sit around. I had to act.
After a long day of testing at NERV, we returned home. Dinner was quiet, but I seemed quieter than usual. Rei had already returned to her apartment, and Toji and Kensuke weren't around to test my patience.
After dusk, while everyone was getting ready for bed, I went out onto the balcony and watched the night sky. The stars shone faintly overhead, and the moon seemed especially large that night. The night wind blew softly, ruffling their hair.
Shinji, who was already ready to go to bed, noticed that I was outside and decided to come over. He opened the balcony door and leaned against the railing next to me.
Are you okay? Shinji asked, looking at Subaru sideways.
It took me a few seconds to answer, still lost in thought. "…Yeah. I was just thinking about some things."
Shinji was silent for a moment before asking: "So you're really going to Germany?"
The question finally made me look away from the sky. I sighed, crossing my arms. "I don't know… I want to help. But leaving everyone behind for three months… It bothers me. Well, it's not like anyone could live without me, right?" I let out a brief laugh.
Shinji lowered his head, understanding his friend's hesitation. "I don't know if I could do something like that either…" he said in a low tone.
I laughed humorlessly. "Well... I wonder if it's really worth it. If I go there, will I really become a real pilot? Or will I just be wasting my time while something happens here?"
Shinji didn't know what to say. I myself had never wanted to be an EVA pilot, but now that I was involved in it, I understood the weight of the responsibility.
"Misato said you're going to train with someone else?" he asked, trying to bring up another topic.
"Yeah... I have no idea who she is, but she seems like an amazing pilot."
The name "Asuka" still didn't mean anything to me, but if she was an EVA pilot, then she was probably someone I would need to learn to deal with.
Shinji thought for a moment and then looked at me. "So... What are you going to do?"
I looked up at the stars once more, as if searching for an answer there. I took a deep breath and smiled slightly. "I don't know yet. But when I decide... I'll go ahead with it without regrets."
Shinji just nodded, respecting my decision. The two of us stood there on the balcony for a few more minutes, in silence, just watching the night.
I was still looking at the sky when I heard Shinji's question. "How do you manage to have such willpower?"
The question caught me off guard. I blinked a few times before looking at Shinji, who seemed genuinely curious.
"Willpower, huh…?" I repeated, scratching the back of my neck. "I don't know if that's quite it…"
Shinji tilted his head slightly, waiting for a more concrete answer. I sighed and rested my arms on the balcony railing. "I just… keep moving forward. Even when everything seems like crap, even when it seems like the world is against me, I keep trying."
Shinji frowned. "But why? Why keep trying?"
I was silent for a few seconds. It was a good question. I had felt defeated so many times, I had faced moments where I thought about giving up, but… somehow…
"Maybe it's because I don't want to regret it." I replied, looking at Shinji. "I've done a lot of wrong things in my life. I've failed so many times. I've lost important things. But every time this happens, I realize that I can't just stand there and accept it."
Shinji lowered his head. "I… I don't know if I'm like that."
I laughed lightly. "Neither was I."
Shinji looked at me with a doubtful look.
"You weren't?"
I shook my head.
"I used to be the most scared guy in the world. And, to be honest, I still am. But you know… Life throws you curveballs. You stumble, you fall, and you have two options: stay down or try to get up. In the beginning, I always wanted to stay down."
Shinji listened intently.
"But then, I realized something… No one is going to pick me up for me. I can have help, I can have amazing people by my side, but in the end, the choice to keep trying is mine alone."
Shinji processed those words. He understood what I meant, but he still felt a huge weight in his own decisions.
"What if getting up is too hard?" he asked in a lower tone.
I gave a small smile and put my hand on Shinji's shoulder.
"So, you lean on others until you can stand on your own."
Shinji's eyes widened. I didn't say it arrogantly, or as if it were a moral lesson. I said it as someone who had been through it and truly believed in my words.
The night wind blew softly, and for a few moments, the two of them were silent, just looking at the starry sky. "You know, Shinji... It's okay to be weak sometimes. What matters is that you don't give up trying to be strong."
Shinji lowered his head, absorbing those words. Deep down, he knew I was right.
I took a deep breath and smiled. "Besides... I have something to fight for. I have people I want to protect. I can't just give up."
Shinji thought about Misato, about Rei... and about his own mixed feelings about all of this. "I... I still don't know if I'm like you."
"It's okay. You don't have to be like me. You just have to be yourself."
Shinji didn't answer, but for the first time that night, he felt that maybe, just maybe, he could try to see things differently.
The next day...
The sun was already shining in the apartment when Shinji and I woke up. Saturday started off peacefully, and the two of us were sitting at the table, having breakfast. Shinji was quiet as always, while I seemed thoughtful, picking at the food without much enthusiasm.
It was then that Misato's bedroom door opened. We both looked at her automatically, expecting to see the major's usual slovenly figure, perhaps still in her pajamas or holding a can of morning beer.
But that's not what we saw.
Misato was dressed in her work uniform, her expression serious and focused. This immediately caught Shinji's and my attention, as it was unusual to see her so formal on a Saturday morning.
"Good morning, Misato..." Shinji greeted with some hesitation.
"Good morning…" I said, analyzing her expression.
Misato picked up a cup of coffee and took a sip before finally speaking: "I need to leave early today. I'm going to old Tokyo."
The atmosphere at the table grew more tense. Old Tokyo? Shinji looked at her, confused.
"Old Tokyo…? What are you going to do there?"
Misato put the cup down on the table and crossed her arms.
"Some wreckage is still being analyzed. And there's something I need to investigate personally."
I could tell she didn't want to go into details, which made him frown. "Does this have anything to do with the Evas? Or the Angels?"
Misato looked at me for a second, but didn't answer right away.
"It's classified information."
The dry answer made me snort and cross my arms. "Oh, sure. Confidential information…"
Shinji looked away. He was already used to not getting straight answers from NERV.
Misato sighed, relaxing her posture a little. "Listen... It's not that I don't want to talk. But some things are still being discovered, and until we know for sure, there's no point in speculating."
I looked at her suspiciously, but decided not to insist. "Okay... Just try not to disappear for too long."
Misato smiled slightly. "Don't worry. If everything goes well, I'll be back before dinner."
She finished her coffee and picked up her bag, heading for the door.
"Oh, and don't make a mess while I'm gone."
I rolled my eyes. "You sound like you're talking to children."
Misato giggled and winked. "Just a warning."
And then, without saying anything else, she left, leaving us to eat in silence, both of us feeling that something serious was happening.
I was still processing Misato's sudden departure when the doorbell rang. I got up to answer it, still chewing on a piece of bread, not expecting anything out of the ordinary.
But as soon as he opened the door, he froze
Rei was there, but not in her school uniform or the traditional NERV attire. She wore a light dress and an elegant hat, with a light breeze ruffling her blue hair. The sight was so unexpected that Subaru gasped instantly.
"Cough! Cough!" I pounded my chest, trying to compose myself, while Shinji looked at the scene in surprise.
Rei tilted her head slightly.
"Are you okay?"
I could only nod frantically, still trying to process what was happening.
However, before he could say anything, he noticed the people behind Rei. Toji, Kensuke and Hikari were there, watching the scene with amused expressions.
"What's this scene?" Toji laughed, nudging Kensuke. "Subaru looks like he saw a ghost."
Kensuke adjusted his glasses and smiled. "It's not every day you see Ayanami dressed like this."
Hikari crossed her arms and looked at me. "She asked me to help her choose an outfit. And honestly, I thought she looked great."
I blinked a few times, still trying to connect the dots.
"Wait... You asked for help to dress like this?"
Rei nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"But why?"
She looked straight at me and answered simply: "Because I wanted to."
I felt my face heat up. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out. Hikari let out a small sigh, noticing my hesitation. "Are you guys going to stand there at the door or can we go in?"
I quickly moved away, making way for the group. Still a little dazed, I tried to understand why Rei had decided to change her appearance and why it was messing with me so much.
They all entered the apartment, and I closed the door, still a little bewildered. I glanced quickly at Shinji, who seemed equally surprised by the unexpected visit.
Toji was the first to speak, with that usual carefree manner: "So, Subaru, since you're going to Germany soon, we decided it would be nice to go out and have some fun before that."
I blinked a few times, processing the information. "Wait… How did you guys hear about this?"
Kensuke smiled mischievously.
"Ah, Subaru… News travels fast around here, you know?"
I sighed, realizing that fighting it was useless. "Okay, okay… But have you guys decided where we're going?"
Hikari was the one who answered, crossing her arms. "Not yet. We thought it would be better to decide together."
I looked at Rei, who stood calmly beside me. I still couldn't believe she was dressed like that, so different from her usual self. "What about you, Rei? Do you have any ideas of where you want to go?"
She thought for a moment before answering.
"Anywhere is fine with me."
I smiled slightly, giving in. "Okay… Then let's decide this quickly before Toji starts suggesting crazy things."
Toji pretended to be offended. "Hey! My ideas are great!"
Everyone laughed and we started discussing where we were going.
Hikari thought for a moment, putting her hand on her chin, and then clapped her hands together, as if she had just had a great idea.
"I know! Let's go to the amusement park!"
Toji raised an eyebrow. "Really? Isn't that just for kids?"
Hikari glared at him. "If you don't want to go, you can stay behind..."
Toji laughed nervously. "N-No, no! I just thought it was... unexpected."
Kensuke, on the other hand, seemed excited. "Actually, that's a good idea! We haven't been there in a while, and they say they opened a new roller coaster!"
I scratched the back of my neck, but shrugged. "I don't care. The important thing is that we have fun before I go..."
Shinji sighed, already accepting his fate. "I'm up for it too..."
Hikari smiled contentedly. "Great! Then let's go before it gets late!"
--
The group headed towards the amusement park. As they walked through the busy streets, Subaru ended up next to Rei, who walked at her own leisurely pace. The light breeze swayed her dress delicately, and I still couldn't get used to her look.
I stared at her for a few seconds and, without realizing it, the words came out of my mouth: "You look beautiful, Rei."
Rei paused for a moment, blinking in surprise. Then, she turned her face slightly towards me, staring at me with those red eyes that always seemed to analyze everything around her.
"…Thank you."
Her tone was calm, but I noticed a slight pink tint on her face.
I scratched my head, feeling a little embarrassed too. "I mean, you always have that more… serious look. Not that I don't like it, but this dress suits you in a different way."
Rei looked away for a moment, before answering: "Hikari chose it… She said I should try wearing something new."
I smiled. "Well, she was right."
We continued walking side by side, and I noticed that, although Rei didn't say much, her presence by my side was comforting. Maybe it was because, somehow, we were starting to understand each other.
Meanwhile, a little further ahead, Kensuke watched the scene with a mischievous look and nudged Toji.
"Look at those two... Something's going on there, huh?"
Kensuke laughed. "That damn Subaru is lucky. It's rare to see Rei like this."
Hikari, who had been listening to the conversation, crossed her arms and said:
"Don't meddle in their lives, you idiots!"
Kensuke just laughed, but decided not to tease them anymore. After all, they were there to have fun, and the day was just beginning.
As they walked side by side, Rei broke the silence with an unexpected question: "Do you really want to do this?"
I blinked, confused for a moment.
"Do what?"
"Be an Eva pilot."
Her tone was different from usual. Although her voice was still calm and controlled, there was something else there... a slight irritation.
I looked at her and noticed that, despite her neutral expression, her eyes had a different shine, as if she was upset with my decision.
I sighed, scratching the back of my neck. "Well... it's not like it's my dream or anything. But... I can't just stand by while everyone else fights. I want to protect the people who are important to me."
Rei pursed her lips, looking away.
"You might get hurt."
I gave her a small smile. "That's nothing new to me."
Rei frowned a little, as if it bothered her. I could tell that, even without saying it directly, she was worried about me.
I opened my mouth to continue arguing, but hesitated. There was something in the way Rei looked at him that made it difficult to argue with her.
She looked… too cute.
The wind blew her dress slightly, the blue strands of her hair dancing in the air. Her face was slightly flushed, perhaps from frustration, perhaps from something she herself didn't quite understand. I felt a tightness in my chest when I saw that expression.
I looked away, trying to focus on what I wanted to say.
"I know it's dangerous..." I continued, trying to stay firm. "But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that running away from things doesn't solve anything."
Rei was silent for a few seconds, then sighed.
"You're an idiot."
I laughed lightly.
"I've been told that a few times."
Rei then stopped walking and looked directly at me. "But… if that's really what you want, then…"
She looked away again, looking a little uncomfortable as she said that.
I realized that was her way of accepting her decision, even if she didn't like it.
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Thank you for worrying about me, Rei."
Rei didn't answer, she just kept walking. But I could see, for a brief moment, a small smile forming on her lips.
As soon as they arrived at the park, I saw a stall full of prizes, among them several well-crafted plush dolls. I didn't hesitate to drag Rei there, even though she didn't understand the reason for such urgency.
It was then that Rei's eyes lit up slightly when she saw one of the dolls on the top shelf. It was a doll made of soft material, dressed in a beautiful white dress adorned with purple details. Her silver hair fell gently down, matching a side accessory in the shape of a purple ribbon. Her eyes were large, expressive, and had an enchanting blue glow, almost as if they captured the essence of a starry sky
I could tell her reaction immediately. Rei didn't say anything, but her gaze betrayed a silent desire.
Without question, I knew I had a duty.
I turned to the stall attendant and pointed to the plush toy. "What's the challenge to win that one?"
The man smiled, sizing me up and down before pointing to a set of rings. "You have to get three rings in a row on that peg in the center. It looks easy, but few can do it."
I snapped my fingers and grabbed the rings, feeling the adrenaline rush through my body. I couldn't fail now.
"Watch this, Rei!"
Rei stood to the side, watching intently, without saying a word.
I took a deep breath, aimed carefully, and threw the first ring.
It spun in the air before falling… and got stuck on the center peg.
"One hit!" The attendant announced.
I smiled and glanced sideways at Rei, who was still serious, but her eyes were fixed on the game.
I picked up the second ring, repeated the same movement and…
"Two hits!"
I took a deep breath. Now there was only one more to go.
The silence around me seemed to grow. I aimed, trying to stay calm. My heart was beating fast, but my determination was stronger. I threw the third ring…
It spun in the air, bounced on the pin and… got stuck!
"Three hits!" The attendant announced, clapping his hands.
I raised my arms in celebration.
"YES!"
The attendant picked up the plush toy and handed it to me.
I turned to Rei and, without hesitation, held out the doll to her with a smile.
"Here, this one's for you."
Rei blinked a few times, looking at him, then at the doll. She took the toy carefully, holding it as if it were something precious.
"T-Thank you…" she said softly, hugging the plush to her chest.
I smiled happily. "Always at your service."
Rei remained holding the doll gently, without saying anything else. But I noticed something subtle: a small smile on her lips.
And for me, that small smile was worth all the effort in the world. "How about we give her a name?"
"Maybe…"
"Hmm… Lia? No… Emily! No… How about Emilia? She looks like Emilia, doesn't she?"
So we went to meet up with the others, Hikari was the first to notice the plush that Rei held so carefully against her chest. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity when she saw the cute doll, with its white outfit and purple details, its well-made silver hair and its sparkling blue eyes.
"Eeeeh?! What is this?" Hikari quickly approached, leaning in to get a better look. "Rei, do you like cute things like this?"
Rei, who usually didn't show her emotions much, squeezed the plush lightly in her arms, looking away.
"I just... thought it was cute."
Hikari gave me a mischievous smile, looking at me. "Hmmm... Subaru-kun, did you happen to get this doll for her?"
I crossed my arms proudly and gave her a smug smile. "Of course! I hit all the rings like a true master!"
Hikari lightly slapped him on the shoulder.
"Really? Who would have thought you'd have that ability... But wait a minute." She looked back at Rei, who was still holding the doll affectionately. "You're hugging it so tightly..."
Rei blushed slightly, but kept her expression neutral.
"Don't talk nonsense."
Hikari laughed, crossing her arms. "Sure, sure. But there's no point in hiding it, I can see that you loved this gift."
The others in the group began to notice the interaction and looked at Rei, some smiling, others just watching in silence.
Rei sighed, shaking her head. "You guys make a fuss over anything..."
But even saying that, she didn't let go of the plush at any moment. And I, who already knew her manner well, knew that this was the best proof that she had hit the nail on the head with the gift.
As soon as Shinji appeared, his worried expression caught everyone's attention. He quickly approached me and, without beating around the bush, said:
"Subaru, Misato is calling us!"
The serious tone and the haste with which he spoke made me freeze for a moment. My first thought was obvious: is an Angel attacking? My body tensed, and I began to mentally prepare myself for a possible emergency.
Before I could ask anything, Rei, still holding the plush, looked at Shinji with a calm but attentive gaze.
"Do I need to go with you?"
Shinji shook his head. "No... Misato just called the pilot of Unit 01."
That made me breathe a little easier. If it was a combat emergency, they would definitely call all the pilots. But the fact that it was only Unit 01 involved meant that it could be something else.
Still, I couldn't help but feel that something serious was going on. I exchanged a quick glance with Rei, who seemed to be analyzing the situation in her usual silent way.
"Okay..." I nodded and let out a light sigh. "Let's go see what Misato wants."
I looked at the others, who also seemed to have sensed the change in mood. Toji and Kensuke just watched in silence, while Hikari still held Rei's doll for a moment before handing it back.
I turned to Shinji. "You seem a little nervous, do you have any idea what it could be?"
Shinji hesitated, clenching his fists slightly. "I'm not sure... But from Misato's tone of voice, it doesn't seem like anything common."
The answer didn't do much to ease the tension, but there was no more time for doubt. "Alright, let's go."
With that, Shinji and I started walking away, leaving the rest of the group behind. Rei stood there for a moment, watching us go, her eyes still fixed on me.
Before leaving, I looked at Rei one more time. Her expression was the same as always... calm, but with that deep gaze that seemed to pierce through everything. I hesitated for a second, but then took a step back and, without saying anything, wrapped her in a hug.
Rei didn't back down. On the contrary, she accepted the gesture in silence, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying that brief moment, as if I wanted to save that feeling before leaving.
"I'll be back soon." I said softly.
Rei blinked slowly, holding her plush doll tightly.
"...I'll be waiting."
With a small smile, I stepped away and turned to follow Shinji. We didn't have time for anything else, because as soon as they started walking, a black NERV car stopped next to us.
The doors opened quickly, and two agents of the organization got out. They were wearing the standard uniforms, sunglasses hiding their expressions. One of them looked directly at the two of us.
"Get in. Major Katsuragi is waiting."
Shinji and I exchanged a quick glance, then got into the vehicle without question. As soon as the doors closed, the car sped off, leaving the rest of the group behind, who watched in silence.
Rei still held the plush to her chest, staring at the car as it drove away. For some reason, a strange feeling came over her. Something she couldn't fully understand yet.
___
As soon as we arrived at NERV, we were quickly taken to the control room. The atmosphere was filled with urgency.
Misato stood in front of the operations panel, arms crossed and a serious expression. When she saw us enter, she got straight to the point. "You're here. Let's be blunt: we have a problem. This robot belongs to a rival organization, and for some reason, it has activated independently. If it continues like this, it will cause massive destruction."
I narrowed my eyes, observing the images. "And you want us to destroy it?"
Misato shook her head.
"No. I will enter the site and try to deactivate it manually. But for that, I need time. Shinji, your mission is to use Unit 01 to hold the robot and prevent it from causing more damage."
Shinji took a deep breath, clearly nervous, but nodded. "Okay… I can try."
I raised an eyebrow. "What about me? Is there anything I can do?"
Misato looked at him seriously. "You're going to be Shinji's backup. It's too dangerous for you to go in. And honestly, you're quick and smart enough to handle any unforeseen situation."
I blinked in surprise at her confidence. "Well... I guess I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
Misato smiled slightly. "Now, without further ado, let's get ready. We'll be leaving in ten minutes."
A few hours later...
As the ship flew over old Tokyo, I stared out the window, seeing the rubble and empty streets below. The city looked like a concrete graveyard, a silent reminder of what it once was.
Misato, now wearing a proper infiltration suit, adjusted her communications equipment as she answered the question.
"The Eva will operate on reserve battery power. That gives us about five minutes of full use. Any longer than that, and Shinji will be defenseless."
I crossed my arms and sighed. "Five minutes to hold off a rogue robot and make sure you can disable it… seems fair."
Misato smirked.
Shinji, sitting next to her, didn't seem to share her enthusiasm, but he was determined to accomplish this mission.
"Right!..."
The voice of the shuttle pilot echoed through the communicator. "We're approaching the insertion point. Unit 01 will launch first. Preparing activation procedures."
Shinji stood up, adjusting his plug suit. Misato looked at him seriously. "As soon as we land, you need to hold off the robot while I advance to the control tower. Remember, time is of the essence."
Shinji nodded, and the ship tilted to the side, opening the launch pad. Below, the rogue robot was moving aimlessly, trampling over ruins and crushing abandoned vehicles.
"Right… let's go."
Unit-01 was launched, and Shinji landed with a slam on the ground, raising dust and debris around him. The out-of-control robot turned its metallic head toward him, as if it had detected an enemy.
Unit-01 advanced at high speed, making the ground shake with each step. Shinji kept his full focus on the target in front of him, a colossal robot, with an angular and menacing design, that moved uncontrollably among the rubble. Its electronic eyes glowed a pulsating red, and its movements were erratic, as if it were trying to free itself from something invisible.
Misato was firmly attached to the Eva's hand, her special suit adjusted for the impact. Her heart was beating fast, but her expression remained confident. "Hold on tight, Shinji! I only have one chance for this to work!"
"Alright!" Shinji replied, gritting his teeth as he increased the Eva's speed.
The out-of-control robot noticed the approach and tried to react, turning its metallic body and raising one of its heavy arms to attack. But Shinji was faster. He threw himself forward and grabbed the robot by the shoulders, using all of Unit 01's strength to immobilize it.
The impact was brutal. The two mechanical giants collided like mountains colliding, the noise reverberating throughout the ruined city. The ground cracked under the weight of the titans, and clouds of dust rose around them.
Shinji pressed the Eva's feet against the ground, using all the strength he could to hold the out-of-control machine. His arms trembled due to the resistance the enemy offered, trying to free himself.
"NOW, MISATO!" Shinji shouted, struggling to maintain stability.
Misato took a deep breath. That was her cue.
With a swift movement, she jumped from the Eva's hand and landed on the out-of-control robot's shoulder. Her clothing absorbed some of the impact, but the force of the landing almost made her lose her balance.
She quickly grabbed onto one of the robot's metal antennas and climbed up to the control panel, where the exposed circuits glowed. Heat emanated from it, making the room stifling.
"Okay... this is where the magic happens!" Misato muttered to herself as she pulled a tool from her belt.
The robot began to struggle even more violently, sensing her presence. Shinji struggled to hold it, but I, watching from inside the support ship, saw that it wouldn't last long.
"Damn it… if she takes too long, the Eva will lose power!" I said, looking at the time indicators on the screen.
There were less than three minutes left before the power ran out.
Misato was sweating, but she remained focused. She connected a portable device to the robot's access port, trying to hack the system and force it to shut down. "Come on, come on… you're going to sleep now, big guy…"
The data began to run across the device's screen. Time was running out. Shinji was starting to lose control, and the out-of-control robot struggled even harder.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as something inside me woke up. I couldn't explain it, but it was as if a primal instinct was taking over my body. Her eyes widened as she felt a presence around her, something invisible but incredibly real.
Then, suddenly, translucent hands emerged around her, almost like shadows that writhed in the air. They were enormous, like Eva's own, but they carried a different aura, something that seemed to transcend logic. I blinked, confused, but my mind quickly adjusted. I knew that I could somehow control them.
Shinji, inside the Eva, widened his eyes when he saw it on the monitor.
"What is this?!" He exclaimed, watching the giant, spectral hands appear out of nowhere, enveloping the out-of-control robot.
Misato also realized that something was happening. The robot, which had previously resisted violently, suddenly began to be held by invisible forces. She felt a sudden impact, as if a crushing pressure had been applied to the machine, preventing its movements.
I looked at my own hands, and then at the spectral projections around me. I took a deep breath, feeling the connection with them.
"This… is me?" I murmured as the hands moved according to my will.
I pulled my wrists apart, and the invisible hands replicated my movement, holding the robot even tighter. The machine trembled, resisting, but now it was completely immobilized.
Shinji was still trying to understand what was happening.
"Subaru! These hands… are they yours?!"
I couldn't explain it, but I felt that they responded instinctively. As if they had always been there, waiting for the right moment to be used.
Misato didn't hesitate. With a quick movement, she finished the deactivation sequence.
The out-of-control robot shuddered, its red eyes flashing before finally going dark. The mechanical sound ceased, and its metallic body became inert.
The mission had been a success.
What the hell were those hands? And why could he control them?
I took a deep breath, still trying to process what had just happened. My hands were shaking slightly, but not from fear, but from the adrenaline that was still coursing through me. My body fell to the ground, as if my body had run a marathon. I looked at Shinji through the communication channel and, seeing his confused and shocked expression, I decided to act quickly.
"S-Shinji…" I said in a slightly lower voice. "D-Don't tell Misato about this…"
Shinji blinked, still trying to understand everything. "What? But Subaru… those hands… that was you, wasn't it?"
I looked away for a moment. I didn't have all the answers either, but one thing was for sure: this was something I needed to figure out for myself before more people got involved.
"I-I think…" I hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I think I got that in the last battle."
Shinji frowned.
"The last battle? You mean… when we faced that Angel?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes… I felt helpless in that fight. I couldn't do anything but watch you fight. But something changed in me after that. I can't explain it, but… now these hands appear when I need them."
Shinji still looked uncertain, but he realized I was serious.
"And you want to hide this from Misato?"
"F-For now..." I confirmed. "I don't want them to treat me like an experiment or throw me inside an Eva just like that. I need to figure that out first."
Shinji was silent for a few seconds before letting out a sigh. "Okay… but if that happens again, we'll have to tell someone."
I forced a smile. "I know. But until then, this is just between us, okay?"
Shinji hesitated, but ended up nodding. "Okay."
I let out a sigh of relief. I knew this was just the beginning. But now I had something new, something that might make a difference the next time the world came crashing down around her.
I frowned, still trying to make sense of the situation. "Wait… How did you see those hands? Weren't they invisible?!"
Shinji looked at me, still a little confused, and replied: "I could only see them on the Eva's monitor. They appeared there as a kind of distortion, like a strange outline... But with the naked eye, I couldn't see anything."
I crossed my arms, thoughtful. "S-So... does that mean that the Eva's sensors can pick up these things?"
Shinji nodded. "Apparently, yes. But I have no idea what that means. I've never seen anything like it before."
I scratched my head, a little uneasy. "That just makes it even stranger... Is it something from the A.T. field? Or something else?"
Shinji shrugged. "I don't know... But if the Eva's sensors can detect them, maybe NERV can too, if they start paying attention."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "That's why we have to keep this between us. At least until I figure out what's happening to me."
Shinji was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. But… if you need any help, let me know."
I smiled slightly.
"Thanks, man. Now, let's focus on finishing this mission before Misato realizes we're whispering."
Shinji let out a small laugh and focused again. But deep down, both he and I knew that at some point this could get worse.
End of Chapter 8