After all the chaos in the apartment, Misato suggested a night out. "Come on, I want to show you two something before you get caught up in NERV's responsibilities. Trust me, it's worth it."
Shinji and I followed her to the car, both of us a little hesitant, but not strong enough to argue. The drive was peaceful, with the city silent at night, only the soft sounds of the engine and the whispers of the wind. I watched the deserted streets as Misato drove with her typical casual enthusiasm.
After a few minutes of climbing up a winding road, Misato stopped the car at a lookout. "We're here!" she announced, getting out and gesturing for us to follow her.
We got out of the car and walked to the edge of the lookout. The view that opened up before us was nothing short of breathtaking. Below, the city stretched out, illuminated by the artificial lights of the streets, the suspended buildings, and the metal structures that seemed to defy gravity. It was a surreal, almost futuristic sight, with the buildings poised to hide underground at any moment.
"Look at that..." Misato said, a mixture of pride and melancholy in her voice. "The fortress city of humanity. This is where we resist, where we stand firm against the Angels."
Shinji looked at the city with a vacant expression. He couldn't decide whether he was impressed or intimidated. I, on the other hand, remained silent, taking in every detail.
"It's amazing!" I finally murmured. "But... it's strange too. It's like it's out of place, you know? Such an advanced city, but built in the middle of so much chaos."
Misato laughed. "That's exactly it. Tokyo-3 isn't a normal city, Subaru. It was designed for times like these."
Shinji looked away. "Why do I have to be a part of this?"
Misato sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Because we all have a role to play, Shinji. I know it's hard."
I stared at the city for a few more moments, my thoughts heavy as lead. I remembered everything I had been through, the loops, the deaths, and the weight of being the only one capable of changing something. I looked at Shinji, who seemed as lost as I was.
"Maybe the question isn't why we're here." I said, breaking the silence. "That means there will be other angels..."
Misato smiled, surprised by the unexpected maturity. "That said, yes..."
We stayed there for a few more minutes, contemplating the city. While the three of us continued to observe the city from the lookout, a deep, mechanical sound echoed through the air. My eyes widened as I saw the buildings begin to emerge from underground, as if they were being born from the bowels of the earth. It was like watching a technological miracle, gigantic towers rising, one after the other, synchronized in an impressive choreography.
"What the hell...?" I murmured, fascinated. "How... how is this possible?"
Misato crossed her arms, a slight smile of pride appearing on her lips. "Welcome to Tokyo-3, boys." she said. "This city was designed to defend itself. When an Angel attacks, the buildings retract underground, protecting civilians and resources. And now that the threat has been neutralized, everything returns to its place."
I stood there, open-mouthed, watching the towers rise to full height. It was a unique spectacle, something I never would have imagined possible. "This... is incredible. It's as if the city is actually alive."
"It is, in a way..." Misato replied. "It's more than a city. It's a bastion, our front line. All of this was made possible by the work of everyone here."
I frowned, looking more closely at the illuminated streets and gleaming buildings. I thought to myself: How is it possible that something like this exists and I've never heard of it?
As I absorbed those words, I looked at Shinji. The boy seemed oblivious to the grandeur of the moment. His eyes were fixed on a distant point.
"This is the city you protected today, Shinji." Misato said, trying to sound encouraging.
Shinji, however, only murmured, almost inaudibly: "I wish I had heard that from my father..."
The three of us got into the car again. The silence between us was heavy, but also full of mutual understanding.
A few minutes later...
I threw myself on the improvised mattress that Misato had prepared for me. My muscles ached slightly, and my body felt strangely heavy, as if all the accumulated fatigue of the last few days had finally found a space to settle. I tried to ignore the sensation, convincing myself that it was just the stress and adrenaline wearing off.
As sleep consumed me, disjointed thoughts began to emerge. The battle, the loop, Rei, Shinji, Misato... Everything seemed like a mix of reality and delirium. But one thing was certain: I had to keep going. I had no idea where this would lead, but I couldn't stop.
The next morning, the sound of the alarm clock echoed through the small apartment, followed by the muffled murmur of Misato sending me and Shinji get up. I rubbed my eyes and stared at the ceiling, feeling that strange feeling of weight in my body again. But when looking around, everything seemed normal. Maybe it was just impression.
I got up and walked to the kitchen, where Misato had coffee with a relaxed expression. "Good morning ..." he said, forcing a casual tone.
"Good morning, Subaru." Misato answered, without lifting his eyes from some papers on the table.
Shinji appeared soon after. While preparing for the day, Misato looked up and said. "Ah, I almost forgot. You'll two start attending school today."
"School?" I said almost choking on the water he was drinking.
Shinji, in turn, did not react, just shrugged, as if waiting for it.
"Yes, school." Misato continued, placing the papers aside. "You are still teenagers. Even with everything happening, they need to have a little normality in their lives. In addition, it is important to mix with the other young people in the city."
I forced a smile. On the outside, I looked excited, but inside it was a mess. Why a school? What is the point in all this? It had been a few months since I was going to school... It seems that I have no way to escape it.
"Understood, captain!" I answered playfully, trying to mask my anxiety.
Shinji gave me a curious look, but said nothing.
A few minutes later ...
As we walked to school, I couldn't ignore the knot in the stomach. I felt something was out of place, but I couldn't say what. The city seemed so quiet, so normal, it was hard to believe in the chaos that had witnessed days ago.
But one thing that worried me more than any other: What if I couldn't avoid another tragedy? What if the weight I felt was something more than just tiredness?
With these thoughts, I went on, ready to face the next challenge, even if it was as simple as a day of school.
The silence between me and Shinji was almost palpable as we walked through the streets of Tokyo-3 toward school. The distant sounds of the city and the rustle of leafy in the wind were the only things that filled the emptiness. I was lost in my own thoughts, barely realized the uncomfortable climate that had formed.
Finally, Shinji broke the silence, with a low and hesitant voice, as if he didn't know if he should ask:
"Why do you look so nervous about going to school?"
I almost stumbled with the question. I turned my face quickly to Shinji, trying to hide my expression by surprise. "Me? Nervous? What an idea ... I'm not nervous, I'm just ... I'm not used to it, new city, new people."
Shinji raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You're sweating ..."
I ran my hand over the forehead and realized that, in fact, there were a few drops of sweat. I let out a nervous laugh, trying to divert the conversation. "It's the heat. Tokyo-3 is much warmer than I'm used to."
Shinji did not insist, but stared at me for a few seconds before turning his eyes back to the sidewalk ahead. "I understood..."
I breathed with relief, but the discomfort within it only increased. I knew my excuse was weak. The truth was that I didn't know how to behave in a school environment after all that had passed in the past. It was not just the common nervousness to start in a new school. It was the fear of repeating mistakes, of finding more problems.
"You look more concerned than me ..." Shinji commented, interrupting my thoughts.
"Ah, this is impossible!" I answered trying to sound casual and lightly hit Shinji's shoulder. "I doubt someone is more concerned than you."
To my surprise, Shinji released a slight smile with the comment, and the mood between us relaxed a little.
As they approached the school gate, I looked at the big construction in front of me and felt my stomach turned again. I took a deep breath, straightened my posture and told myself that it would find a way, as I always did. Even if I was terrified, I couldn't let it show. After all, I had a mission, even if I didn't know exactly what it was.
When we arrived at school, the atmosphere was unusual. The building, although functional, seemed melancholy, almost empty. Only a handful of students was in the courtyard or in the corridors, which confirmed what already suspected: many had left Tokyo-3 because of the angel's attacks.
As we walked to the classroom, I pondered what your approach would be. Should I be outgoing and try to conquer colleagues with a busy and fun attitude? Or would it be better to be more reserved, letting my personality emerge gradually? The indecision killed me. I wanted to avoid drawing so much attention, but I also knew I needed to create ties.
"Shinji, what's this class like? Are they... easy to get along with?" I asked casually, trying to get some clue.
Shinji shrugged. "I don't know... Let's find out."
Shinji's direct answer made me even more insecure, but I didn't have time to think too much. As soon as we entered the classroom, I stopped immediately when I saw her.
Rei Ayanami was sitting near the window, with the sunlight illuminating part of her pale face. She seemed distant, staring into space, with the same empty and introspective look as always. I felt a wave of relief to see her okay, even though her expression was as expressionless as before.
"Is she here too?" I muttered to myself.
Shinji looked at me. "Yes, she is..."
I hesitated for a moment. I wanted to go to Rei, ask how she was, but i realized i would need to measure his words. I didn't want to seem invasive in front of Shinji and the other few students who were already in the classroom.
Deciding on a more restrained approach, I smiled and headed to the back of the room, choosing a spot near the window but still far away from Rei. I decided it would be best to observe her first and perhaps find the right moment to speak to her.
Meanwhile, the room was slowly starting to fill up, but it still didn't seem to have enough students. Some students were talking in low voices, while others seemed indifferent. I glanced at Shinji, who had chosen a discreet spot near the door, his head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
I thought to myself: Well, maybe letting go slowly is the right way. Forcing anything could be disastrous...
Still, my eyes occasionally found Rei, trying to decipher what she was thinking or feeling.
I listened to the voices around me as I tried to get my bearings in the room. A boy with glasses, sitting a few rows ahead, was completely immersed in his own bubble, holding a camera and recording something enthusiastically. He seemed focused on a toy ship he had placed on the table, adjusting the angles and narrating its actions as if he were commanding a great mission.
"Captain Aida Kensuke, ready to launch the Mark III prototype!" he said in a dramatic tone, while moving the ship in small circles in the air.
He couldn't help but smile a little. This guy definitely has energy.
While Kensuke continued in his world, a girl with short hair, two ponytails and a responsible posture entered the room with determined steps. She carried a kind of notebook and looked around, clearly looking for someone. When she spotted Kensuke, she went straight to him.
"Kensuke, have you seen Toji today?" she asked, crossing her arms with a serious look.
"Toji? Oh, he must be around there, probably still fighting with someone or trying to find excuses to not come to class..." Kensuke replied with a mischievous smile, without taking his eyes off his ship.
The girl sighed. "I'm starting to think he'll never change. And you should be more concerned about your friend, instead of... well, whatever this is."
"That, Hikari, is art." Kensuke said dramatically, holding the ship like it was a sacred relic. "And besides, I always know what's going on. You should relax a bit."
I listened to their conversation, noticing the interesting dynamic between the two. Hikari seemed to be a sort of class representative, always concerned with keeping things in order, while Kensuke was clearly the type of person who focused only on what interested him.
Hikari then looked at Shinji, who was sitting silently near the door, and then her eyes landed on me. "You two must be the new students here, right?"
"Oh, yes!" I replied, trying to sound as casual as possible. "I'm Subaru, Natsuki Subaru. He's Ikari Shinji."
Hikari nodded, looking them over appraisingly. "Well, welcome. My name is Horaki Hikari, just don't follow this one's example." She pointed at Kensuke, who responded with an expression of mock outrage.
I chuckled discreetly, but I felt a slight tension when I noticed that Rei hadn't even glanced in our direction. Maybe it wasn't the right time to talk to her yet, I thought.
Meanwhile, Kensuke seemed inclined to start a new conversation, as he looked at me and Shinji curiously. "Hey, you two... do you like spaceships? Or maybe giant robots?"
Suddenly, a young man entered the room with firm steps, his eyes immediately catching. He didn't exactly look friendly. In fact, there was a tension in the air that I noticed immediately. He reminds me... and from the looks of it, he's not at all happy to see me, I thought as I avoided meeting the boy's eyes.
"He's... Toji, one of the first people I met when I arrived here, but my first interaction with him in this loop wasn't very good..." I thought to myself.
As Toji sat down next to Kensuke, he began to speak in a low voice, but I could hear bits of their conversation. "Who are these two newcomers? They just showed up now, after everything that happened." Toji said, clearly suspicious, as he glanced at Shinji and me.
Kensuke, ever curious, took the hint. "Hey, I have my own theory..." he said, adjusting his glasses excitedly. "These two... especially the one with darker hair, seem to be connected to the incident. Maybe they're the pilots or something!"
Toji turned his head, frowning. "Pilots? You mean that giant robot?"
"Exactly." Kensuke replied enthusiastically, completely ignoring Toji's tense tone. "Think about it: the new kids showed up out of nowhere, just at a time when a lot of people decided to leave the city."
Toji clenched his fists, his face growing darker. "It doesn't matter who they are. My sister was almost crushed in that attack, did you know that? She almost died because of that monster and that damn pilot! And no one knows who the pilot was that day. I bet it was some idiot who didn't even know what he was doing!"
Toji's voice was getting louder, enough to attract some curious looks from the room. Kensuke tried to calm his friend down. "Toji, relax. We don't know anything yet. And besides, don't you think it was thanks to the pilot that the monster was stopped?"
"Thanks to that pilot?!" Toji said, his voice full of sarcasm and anger. "She may be fine, but my sister is in the hospital because of this. Do you think I'm going to thank him? That guy did nothing but put more people in danger!" His eyes quickly returned to me, who, at that moment, was looking straight ahead trying to ignore the heavy atmosphere.
Noticing the tension, we had moved away to avoid any confrontation, but I felt the weight of Toji's words. He's talking about me... I thought, trying to concentrate on the class, but it was impossible. Doubt began to eat away at my thoughts. I knew exactly what Toji was feeling, and that made it all the worse.
Class began, and Toji finally calmed down, but I knew it wasn't over. As the teacher talked about random topics, I glanced at Toji. The boy still had his steady, angry gaze directed at me, as if he could sense there was more he wasn't telling.
I knew that sooner or later, I would have to face Toji and explain everything... or at least, what was possible to explain.
Class began at a pace that I considered normal at first. I heard the teacher speak with a certain monotony about an event called "Second Impact". Which made me frown. - "Second Impact? What is that? I've never heard anything about it in my life..." - I thought. I looked around the room, but no one seemed as surprised or confused as I was.
The teacher continued, with an almost robotic voice, as if he was repeating something from a pre-written script. "The Second Impact was a catastrophic event that happened 15 years ago, resulting in the destruction of 2 billion people and the drastic alteration of the global climate. All caused by a supposed meteor that collided with Antarctica..."
I listened attentively, but something seemed off. "A meteor? That doesn't make sense... If something like that had happened, I would know. This all seems so surreal..." I thought. I was about to raise my hand and ask a question, but before I could, something caught her attention.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changed. A buzz began to grow, and I realized that the students were whispering among themselves. Then, as if they had received a silent signal, almost everyone got up from their chairs and began to surround Shinji.
"Hey, is it true that you're the pilot of that giant robot?" a girl asked, her tone more curious than accusatory.
"What's it like being in there? It can't be easy, huh?" another student added.
"Did you really pilot that thing yesterday? What was that thing?"
Shinji, visibly uncomfortable, took a step back, looking around as if searching for a way out. He opened his mouth to answer. - "Well... I don't know exactly what it is, but they call it an Angel."
I watched the scene in silence for a moment. "Of course they're going to surround Shinji... He was the center of attention yesterday..."
Toji, who was sitting further back, remained silent. His eyes were fixed on Shinji, but he didn't come closer or say anything. Kensuke, however, stood up with his camera and began filming the commotion.
"Shinji, how do you feel after fighting that Angel?" Kensuke asked, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Were you scared? Was it exciting?"
"I... It was a mix of all of those things..." Shinji tried to answer.
It was at that moment that I decided to intervene. I stood up and placed a firm hand on Shinji's shoulder. "Hey, guys, you're forgetting that class isn't over yet. Maybe you could give him some time, how about after the break?"
My tone was serious, but not aggressive. The students hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances, and some began to murmur among themselves. Kensuke lowered his camera, looking a little embarrassed.
"That's right." said Hikari, the class representative, trying to calm the situation. "Let's make room for Ikari-kun. He just arrived."
Little by little, the students returned to their seats, but the mood in the room was still tense. Shinji looked at me with silent gratitude, and I just nodded slightly, as if to say: I understand.
As soon as I tried to intervene in the commotion, diverting attention from Shinji, the entire class turned their eyes to me. One of the students in front asked in a curious but incisive tone:
"Hey, what about you? Who are you? You just arrived too, do you pilot one of those robots?"
I was surprised by the sudden change of focus. I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could, another student interrupted:
"If you know him, that means you might be one of the pilots too. Do you know what that thing that attacked the city is?"
I felt uncomfortable. I still wasn't sure how to handle these questions, especially since I didn't know many answers myself. I tried to remain calm and gave a somewhat forced smile.
"Me? No, no... I was just nearby when it all happened. I don't pilot anything, and I don't even know how those robots work. It was all a coincidence."
But the group seemed dissatisfied with this answer. Kensuke, who was still holding his camera, focused on Subaru and asked more directly:
"You don't pilot, but you were nearby... So you mean you saw the creature up close?!"
Another student shouted from the back, "If you saw the angel up close, what did he look like?"
Questions started coming from all sides, and I felt like I was getting cornered. I knew I had to answer carefully so as not to raise suspicions, but I couldn't tell the truth either.
"Look..." I said, raising my hands as if to calm down. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I ended up getting involved in this by accident... Well, I kind of got caught up in the chaos. I don't know much about these angels or the robots. I just know that they're... pretty scary."
The students still looked suspicious, but before they could ask any more questions, Hikari, the class representative, clapped her hands once more to get their attention.
"Okay, everyone, enough interrogation. Leave Natsuki-kun and Ikari-kun alone. We have class to finish."
Reluctantly, the students returned to their seats, although the hubbub continued. I sat down next to Shinji, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks..." Shinji murmured to me, keeping his voice low.
"Don't worry..." I replied, still trying to calm my own nerves. "I need to be more careful with what I say. Every word could turn into a bigger problem than I can handle." - I thought.
When class ended, I took a deep breath and decided to approach Rei. I knew she was a difficult person to talk to, but I also felt that there was something that connected me with her. I walked towards her cautiously, trying not to seem too intrusive.
"Hey, Ayanami." I started with a friendly smile. "I noticed you were reading something during class. What book is that?"
Rei slowly looked up, her cold and empty gaze hovering over me for a moment.
"It's just a novel..." she answered in a low, almost inaudible voice, as she carefully closed the book.
"A novel?" I asked curiously. "What kind? Is it romance with adventure? With mystery? Or maybe... something more mellow?"
Rei seemed to hesitate, as if considering whether it was worth continuing the conversation. Finally, she answered without emotion:
"It's about two people who find purpose in their lives through their connections. It's nothing... special."
I tilted my head, trying to understand. I knew Rei wasn't the type to talk much, so I needed to approach the subject in a more casual manner.
"I didn't think you'd actually read that kind of book." she said, crossing her arms and leaning slightly against her desk. "Two people trying to find purpose... I'm not much of a reader, but I want to check out that book later."
Rei looked at me directly, almost disconcertingly. "Are you trying to find purpose too?"
The question took me by surprise. I opened my mouth to answer, but realized I didn't have a clear answer. After a moment of silence, I finally said:
"I guess so... But to be honest, right now I just want to help the people I met here... You've all helped me in different ways, even if you don't realize it."
Rei didn't answer right away. She just stared at him, as if trying to decipher my words. Finally, she muttered,
"You're strange."
"Déjà-vu." I laughed, surprised by the direct comment. "I've heard that before. But I guess being strange is better than being boring, right?"
Before Rei could answer, I noticed Toji pulling Shinji out of the room. I knew that wasn't a good sign. I turned to Rei one last time.
"Hey, Ayanami... I hope we can talk more about this book some other time. I really liked it."
Rei simply nodded, returning to her book without saying anything else.
I took one last look at her before running after Toji and Shinji, feeling that, even in a subtle way, I had managed to connect a little more with the mysterious pilot.
When I left the room, what I saw made my blood boil. Toji was throwing Shinji against a wall, throwing a punch while Shinji barely reacted, just protecting his face with his arms. "W-what?" On instinct, I ran towards them and, without thinking twice, I punched Toji in the face, throwing him back. It wasn't a weak punch.
"If you want to fight someone, fight someone your own size!" I shouted, adrenaline pumping through my body. "That was the first time I punched someone... It hurts" - I thought as I tried to maintain my composure.
Toji staggered for a moment, surprised by the blow. He put his hand to his face where I had hit him, his eyes full of fury.
"Are you fucking crazy?! I remember you, who do you think you are to mess with me?!" Toji snapped, advancing towards me.
Kensuke tried to intervene. - "Calm down, guys!"
I raised my fists, not backing down. "I'm not going to stand by and watch a friend of mine get beaten up by a guy who takes his frustrations out on someone who can't defend himself!"
Toji paused for a moment, the anger on his face mixed with confusion. He seemed torn between continuing the fight or listening to what I had to say.
"You think you know something about me, is that it?" Toji finally snapped, his tone full of bitterness. "My sister almost died because of that monster! And he—" he pointed at Shinji, who was still curled up on the ground. "—piloted that thing like he was an idiot!"
"And what do you know about him?!" I yelled back, feeling my chest tighten. "Do you think he had a choice? That he's not as scared as you are? Look at yourself! I was the one who saved your sister from that rubble!"
Toji hesitated, his fists still clenched, but the intensity of my gaze made him think.
A heavy silence fell between them. Toji looked at me, then at Shinji, who was still on the ground, his face pale. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and lowered his fists.
"It's not like I want to pilot this thing..." Shinji said very quietly.
I relaxed a little, but kept my tone firm. "We're all in the same boat here. All scared..."
Toji gave Shinji one last look before turning and leaving, his shoulders tense.
I crouched down next to Shinji, helping him to his feet. "Are you okay?"
Shinji nodded. "Are we friends?" but his eyes showed a mix of surprise and gratitude.
"Well, I guess so, right?" I said with a slight smile, trying to lighten the mood. "But if you need me, I'm here."
Shinji just muttered, "Thanks again."
As I was helping Shinji, Rei suddenly appeared. She stared at us for a few seconds before finally speaking. "Emergency call... I'll go first."
Shortly after she left, an emergency signal was heard throughout the city. - "A state of alert has been declared in the Kanto and Chubu regions around the Tokai district. All residents, please go to designated shelters now."
As the deafening sound of the emergency signal echoed through the school hallways, Shinji looked at me nervously. He hesitated for a moment before asking:
"You... aren't going with me?"
I stopped, staring at Shinji. Sensing the weight of the question, the nervousness evident in the boy's eyes. Even though Shinji tried to hide it, it was clear that he wanted someone by his side at that moment, someone who understood what I was going through.
But I took a deep breath and shook my head. "There's nothing I can do, Shinji. This isn't my battle. You're the one who can pilot the Eva, not me."
Shinji frowned, as if he wanted to argue, but I put my hand on his shoulder.
"Listen, I trust you!" I said with a firm and encouraging tone. "I know you don't want to do this, but... everyone out there, including me, is counting on you. You're stronger than you think."
Shinji looked down for a moment, clearly struggling with his own emotions, but then nodded slowly. Without saying anything else, he turned and started running in the direction that would lead to NERV.
I stood still for a few seconds, watching the boy walk away, before turning to the other students who were already being directed to the shelter. Among them were Kensuke and Toji, who seemed more nervous than ever.
In the shelter, the atmosphere was one of absolute tension. Some people whispered nervously, while others simply stared into space, clearly trying to process the chaos around them. I, however, could barely concentrate. I knew what was coming. The sound of explosions in the distance confirmed that the battle had already begun.
While everyone around me seemed lost in their own thoughts, I sat in the corner of the shelter, clenching my fists. I hated this feeling of helplessness, of not being able to do anything while Shinji and the others faced something so monstrous.
"If I still have the ability to return... if I die here, will I be able to help in any way?" I muttered to myself, feeling the weight of my own words.
But then I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"I can only wait... and believe in him."
I could smell it getting stronger as I walked through the corridors of the shelter. It was something I couldn't fully describe: a mix of burnt, with a stench and something... organic, almost like blood. I looked around, realizing that no one else seemed to notice it.
"This isn't normal..." I muttered to myself, frowning.
Ignoring the logic of staying safe, I left the shelter, walking through the empty corridors. The sound of my footsteps echoed softly, while the smell grew stronger. I had a strange feeling, almost as if something was trying to attract me.
Behind, light footsteps tried to be silent, but I noticed. I stopped and turned quickly, catching Kensuke and Toji in the act.
"You two... what are you doing here?" I asked, crossing my arms and looking at them disapprovingly
Kensuke, with his camera in hand, tried to look innocent. "Oh, nothing! It's just... you left the shelter, and we... well, wanted to see where you were going."
Toji, on the other hand, seemed more direct. "You're weird, you know? I don't trust you, so I figured it was best to follow you, in case you were planning something."
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "Look, you two should go back. It's not safe out here. That smell... something's wrong, and I don't want you two to end up in the middle of it."
"Smell?..." Kensuke shrugged. "If it's dangerous, then that's even more reason to record it. This could be amazing footage!"
I rolled my eyes. "You two really have no love for life, huh?"
Toji took a step forward, crossing his arms. "What about you? What are you doing outside the shelter, then?"
I was silent for a moment, staring at Toji. I knew I couldn't fully explain my reasons, but I also didn't have time to argue.
"Look, it's complicated. But if you insist on coming, just... stay close to me, okay? I don't want to have to save you from some nonsense."
The three of them continued forward, following the scent until they reached an exit of the shelter. The air outside was heavy, and a thick fog covered the area, making everything even more sinister.
"This is getting weirder and weirder..." I muttered as Kensuke turned on his camera to record.
The trio walked in silence for a few minutes until I stopped abruptly. In front of me, I saw something that made me freeze: a dark, viscous puddle on the ground. It was a red, almost black, and the smell was unbearable.
"Is that blood?" Kensuke asked, swallowing hard, but keeping the camera focused on the scene.
Toji took a step back, clearly uncomfortable. "Man, that's sick. We should go back."
"It doesn't look like blood..." I bent down, observing the substance closely. I reached out hesitantly, but stopped before touching it. Something about it felt... alive.
Before I could react, a deafening sound echoed in the distance. An explosion. The ground shook beneath our feet, and I immediately stood up.
"Shit. We need to get out of here. Now!" I said, pulling Kensuke and Toji by their clothes.
But before we could move, a huge figure passed over us, making a deafening noise. It was Eva-01, engaged in a brutal battle with the Angel. The impact of the explosions threw them to the ground, and I felt the strong smell increase, almost as if the creature itself was nearby.
"This is worse than I imagined..." I muttered as I tried to help the other two to their feet.
I knew I needed to protect them, but I also knew something bigger was going on. Something I couldn't yet understand.
Eva-01, huge and imposing, moved with precision after throwing the Angel away, its gigantic silhouette blocking the light coming from the sky. The metallic hand slowly extended towards me, Toji and Kensuke, who were stunned by the scene.
"He... he's looking at us?" Kensuke stammered, barely able to hold the camera shaking in his hands.
With his heart still racing due to the chaos around him, he took a step back, trying to process the situation.
Toji looked at the Eva with a mixture of anger and admiration, his face rigid as he clenched his fists. "So this is what that kid does? He pilots... this?"
I narrowed my eyes, trying to interpret the gesture. I knew Shinji was in control, but the situation was too tense to blindly trust Eva-01's movement.
"We have two options: trust him or run." I said, turning to the other two.
Before anyone could respond, another explosion echoed in the distance, and the Angel, clearly furious, rose again, letting out a deafening scream as its energy ribbons glowed even brighter. The Angel was preparing to attack again.
"We don't have time!" I shouted. I grabbed Toji and Kensuke by the arm and, with a leap of courage or pure madness, we climbed onto the Eva's outstretched hand.
As soon as the three of us were on the metal hand, Eva-01 moved quickly, shielding us while retreating to safety. Kensuke was almost ecstatic, pointing his camera in all directions, while Toji seemed torn between worry and fascination.
"This... this is insane!" Kensuke exclaimed, almost falling as he balanced himself on the Eva's abrupt movement.
"You think so?!" Toji retorted, holding himself steady and trying not to look down.
I, on the other hand, remained focused, staring fixedly at Eva-01's face. "Shinji... if you're really in there... I just hope you know what you're doing."
The Eva pulled us into a protected area and retreated to face the Angel once more. The three of us watched as the robot charged into battle, the sound of metal clashing against energy echoing like distant thunder. I unconsciously clenched my fists. I knew I couldn't help directly.
The air inside the Entry Plug was claustrophobic. I smelled the peculiar smell again, a metallic odor mixed with something I couldn't identify. I tried to ignore it as I watched the readings on the screen, feeling the robot's pulse as if it were my own body.
Shinji was visibly shaken, his hands trembling on the controls, and his breathing was irregular.
Even though he was still trying to adjust to the situation, I realized the gravity of the moment. I glanced at the screen that showed the Eva's energy rapidly decreasing. Suddenly, we heard Misato's voice. "Shinji, listen! This robot is going to shut down in ten seconds! You better back off.
"Ten seconds?" Shinji whispered, staring at the monitors that were flashing red. He began to panic, his fingers moving uncoordinatedly on the controls.
I put my hand on Shinji's shoulder, trying to keep him focused. "Shinji! I know it seems impossible, but you're the only one who can do it! I can smell the creature, it has a weak spot! It's that glowing orb, under its body! That's when you have to attack!"
Shinji looked at me with wide eyes, clearly conflicted.
My tone was firmer than I thought it would be. With only seconds remaining, Shinji tightened his grip on the controls and forced the Eva into motion. The gigantic machine advanced toward the Angel, who was already preparing to launch another attack with its energy ribbons.
"Four seconds!" His eyes locked on the screen that displayed the countdown.
The Eva launched itself forward with surprising speed, almost as if it had its own instinct to survive. Shinji maneuvered the robot into a dodging motion as the Angel's energy ribbons shot forward, slicing through the air where the Eva had been moments before.
"Three seconds!" I gritted my teeth, watching the Angel spin around to try to reach the Eva again.
"I see the sphere!" Shinji shouted, his confidence beginning to emerge as he adjusted the controls. Eva-01 dove downward, using the last of its energy to keep moving. positioning itself directly below the Angel.
"Two seconds!"
With a cry of effort, Shinji forced the Eva to extend its arm and plunge its progressive knife directly into the glowing sphere. The impact was followed by an explosion of light, and the Angel let out a deafening scream before it began to disintegrate, its particles scattering across the sky.
Eva-01's power went out in that instant, and the robot lay completely still, kneeling on the ground while the Entry Plug held us safe.
Silence filled the room, save for Shinji's heavy breathing and the sound of the LCL bubbling softly around us. I breathed a long sigh of relief, my body finally relaxing.
"You got it, Shinji ..." I muttered.
Shinji looked still.
I gave a slight smile and hit the Shinji's shoulder. "Yes, you got it. And now, maybe Misato even buy a pizza for us."
The muffled sound of sobs filled Eve's cockpit. Shinji tilted his head forward, his hands still shaking the controls as tears dripped silently down his face. He tried to disguise, but it was impossible to hide the weight he felt. I noticed immediately, but was silent, respecting the moment.
On the outside, the scenario was bleak. The angel's body was slowly disintegrated, its brilliant particles ascending to the sky like cosmic dust. The city, still marked by the damage of combat, was wrapped in heavy silence. Among the rubble, Toji, Kensuke and others who had witnessed the fight watched the immovable giant.
Toji, who until then was full of anger and resentment, was speechless. He would look at the Eve and then to the traces of destruction around, feeling a knot in his throat. "He ..." murmured, almost to himself.
Kensuke, with his camera in his hands, whispered with admiration: "That was ... How crazy ..." But when he looked more closely, he realized something different in Shinji's posture when he left Eva. He didn't look like a triumphant hero . He looked ... exhausted.
Shinji shook his head, his eyes still full of tears.
I sighed feeling the weight of the situation. Shinji did not answer, but his tears continued to fall.
Feeling that perhaps words were not enough, I just put a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder.
Outside, Toji squeezed his fists, remembering how he had punched Shinji earlier. He swallowed hard, his expression hardening of repentance. "I was an idiot ... again ..." he murmured. Kensuke looked at him, but said nothing. There was a collective sense of respect for what Shinji had gone through and for everything he had done, even under so much pressure.
While the nerve teams approached to rescue the Eve and their pilots, the silence continued. There were no applause, no celebrations. Just a silent recognition of the sacrifice of a boy who never asked for this burden.
I was immersed in my thoughts, trying to connect the points on that strange smell that had felt before and during battle. It was metallic, mixed with a touch of something inexplicably familiar but at the same time abnormal. I started wondering if the odor had something to do with the angel, the Eve, or maybe ... even with me. However, my daydreams were interrupted by a hesitant voice.
"Hey, Subaru ..." Toji called, approaching slowly, his hands in his pockets and a little low look. He seemed uncomfortable, as if fighting with the words.
I looked up, a little surprised that toji came to talk to me. "What it was?" He asked, trying to look casual, but still slightly curious.
Toji took a deep breath, looking at me. "I ... I just wanted to say ... thanks." He paused, as if he needed to gather the courage to continue. "Thanks for saving my sister ... She was fine, but she still had to go to the hospital to recover ..."
I was momentarily speechless. I didn't expect it, especially after all the tension between us before. "Ah ... I'm not the one you need to thank ..." I said scratching the back of the head, a little embarrassed.
"There was someone here who did a lot more than me ..."
End of Chapter 3