Chapter 148 146. Dreams are the continuation of reality (Part )
The second day of the body swap experiment.

Today is the general cleaning of the school.

Some things don’t stop just because of accidents. The students in Class 2A have all taken their cleaning tools. The blackboard they just wiped is still dripping with water. Two girls are holding rags and wiping the windows of the classroom. The students around them are busy, and no one cares that someone is slacking off in a small corner.

“Those two are both away on leave.”

Class monitor Hikaru Domiki glanced at the seats of Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami.

Asuka followed her gaze and was slightly absent-minded. After Shinji Ikari completed the neural connection in Unit 00, no one expected that there would be an accident. The originally normal data was suddenly disordered, and the sudden surge in synchronization rate caused the machine to frantically alarm.

At the same time, the driver’s body began to dissolve in the LCL liquid and merged with it.

“How could this be… this synchronization rate…”

A sense of unknown fear surged in her heart, and Akagi Ritsuko’s face immediately turned pale. She typed a series of commands on the computer and gave orders anxiously.

“Stop the experiment!”

“—Save the pilot!”

But by the time he reacted, Shinji Ikari was already “trapped” in the body of Unit 0.

There has been no solution to this problem until now.

“The synchronization rate with Unit-0 is too high. Are we about to merge into one?”

At that time, Misato Katsuragi said with a frown.

Although the instrument could still detect the pilot’s vital signs, there was only a vague figure left in the cockpit. Fortunately, Shinji Ikari’s body did not continue to dissolve, otherwise there would probably only be LCL liquid left in the cockpit with no other impurities.

No, rather than saying they are merging into one, it is better to say that Unit 0 is devouring Shinji, Akagi Ritsuko thought. The research on the Angels is like an unknown and surprisingly large black box.

“What about forcibly ejecting the cockpit now?”

Misato Katsuragi, the director of the Operations Department, made a suggestion that seemed feasible.

Akagi Ritsuko shook her head and refused:

“Before the cockpit was separated from Unit-00, Shinji was in a state between life and death. No one could guarantee what the consequences of a direct separation would be. The greater possibility is that there would be nothing left.”

“That means all we can do right now is pray.”

The blonde stared at the monitor with a worried look.

There was silence in the command room.

After a long while, Katsuragi Misato gritted her teeth and said:

“This is something you created, so you should be able to find a way, right?”

“…I will take responsibility.”

The two adult women didn’t look very happy.

Asuka couldn’t describe how she felt at that time. She just felt confused and didn’t notice anything. When she came to her senses, it was already the next day. Since it was not the weekend, she had to go to school as usual.

The top student just asked for leave.

Before leaving, the submissive puppet was still standing in front of Unit 0, like a rock standing still in the waves. This matter was somewhat related to the top student, if it wasn’t for her Unit 0… As soon as the anger in her heart emerged, Asuka immediately realized that she was taking her anger out on others.

This look is really inappropriate.

She had originally wanted to ask for leave, but soon realized that she had no reason to do so. Although she was inexplicably unwilling, Asuka finally came to school.

Looking at his friend’s expression, Dong Mu Guang sighed.

She put the rag on the podium and took out the mop from the hygiene corner to mop the water on the floor. She could see that Asuka was in a very bad mood, so she started talking about another topic.

“Speaking of which, Asuka…”

“Ok?”

“Are there any new drivers coming?”

“…No, why are you talking about this suddenly?” Asuka asked absentmindedly.

“I went to the teacher’s office to submit my documents and saw an application for admission.” Dongmu Guang said in a relaxed tone, “That means there will be a new transfer student coming.”

“Transfer student…”

Asuka’s wandering mind was pulled back to normal. There were many people who wanted to escape from Tokyo right now. Transferring here at this time must be a fool… However, she soon gave up the idea of ​​investigating further, after all, there were more important things occupying her mind.

Really.

That guy and the top student were so sweet and sweet, it was really annoying to watch. As the saying goes, only dead ex-boyfriends are good ex-boyfriends, but when he really got into an accident, Asuka didn’t feel any joy in her heart.

“Asuka?”

“…”

“I’m in a daze again. Really? What happened?”

Asuka barely came back to her senses. For a moment, she wanted to tell her friend the whole story, but such a thing would be of no use even if she told it to others. On the contrary, it would only make the kind-hearted class monitor fall into trouble. Unconsciously, she even thought about such a thing.

She picked up the bucket and went over to help move the table.

Judging from the meaning of his words just now, he probably thought that this new transfer student was also a pilot. After all, the two previous transfer students, Shinji and himself, were both related to EVA pilots.

Asuka searched her memory and confirmed that there was no news about the new pilot before she said:
“It’s definitely not the driver.”

“That’s a pity.” Dong Mu Guang rinsed the mop in the bucket, showing a slightly regretful expression, and then seemed to think of something troublesome, “But the boys will definitely make trouble again by then, after all, the transfer student is a very beautiful girl.”

No matter how beautiful she is, it doesn’t matter to her.

Asuka didn’t care about the transfer student. If she could help reduce the number of flies, she might even thank him. But Hikaru Tomoki continued, “This is the fourth transfer student this year.”

“Maybe there will be transfer students next.”

The class monitor who likes to read girls’ comics showed an expectant look.

Asuka shook her head in her heart. One person like that was too stupid. There couldn’t be another one. But… the fourth transfer student, the top student, was also a transfer student? She originally thought that the top student was a local.

And at this moment.

In the commander’s office in the underground city, the two commanders were talking about yesterday’s accident.

It was clearly the anniversary of his death. Ten years ago, Ikari Gendo’s wife dissolved in Unit-01 due to a failed experiment. Unexpectedly, Shinji Ikari now seemed to be facing the same fate. “Ikari, this incident was not planned.” Fuyutsuki Kozo said with his hands behind his back.

“Unit-0 was just a little too radical.”

Ikari Gendo crossed his fingers and rested his chin on them, saying calmly,
“no need to worry.”

“Then what about the plan? Unit 0 cannot be activated now. If the Spear of Longinus is not inserted, we won’t be able to explain to those people.” The old man pointed out the mistake in this accident.

The Spear of Longinus.

According to biblical legend, this is the gun that pierced Jesus Christ. Some people say that as long as a person holds this gun, he can become the new God and dominate the fate of the world. Others say that this gun has the ritual power to seal powerful forces. No matter how horrible something is, it can be sealed as long as it is inserted.

And very few people know it.

This legendary gun is currently hidden deep in the underground city.

However, its size is beyond the grasp of ordinary people. The gun body of dozens of meters long makes it impossible for humans to wield it with the flesh. If the Jesus legend related to it is true, it is hard to imagine what kind of giant could have wielded it in the distant past.

Some of the legends about it are false, but some are true. For example, the people above are preparing to use this gun to stab the apostle underground and suppress an organization that is becoming increasingly powerful. Of course, this is also part of the plan.

The one who can execute this order can only be Unit 0.

“…” Ikari Gendō was silent for a rare moment, then he said in an unquestionable tone: “It’s okay. Although those people are worried about us, they still need us now. We can still delay for some time. The pilot of Unit-01 will return before then.”

So the old man, who was the deputy commander, did not continue to discuss this issue, but asked something else:

“If an apostle attacks during this period…”

“Let Rei take the helm of Unit-01. Didn’t the synchronization succeed?”

Then the puppet system of the EVA body can also be activated.

Ikari Gendō swallowed the rest of his words.

He glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall. It seemed that he would have to go alone on his wife’s death anniversary this time. For some reason, thinking of this, Ikari Gendo felt a surge of anger in his heart.

After getting the answer he wanted, Fuyutsuki Kozo didn’t say anything, but there was still a question in the old man’s mind. He had been with Ikari Gendo for so many years, and he could vaguely feel that the man was angry. However, was the man in front of him angry simply because of his son’s misfortune, or because he saw the same misfortune as when his wife died?

Ikari, you are so conflicted, what are you thinking about now?
……

……

“Ikari-kun, what are you thinking about?”

Ayanami’s curious voice sounded in my ears.

Shinji Ikari withdrew his gaze from the window. Ever since he returned from the mission in the Arctic, he has been a little unfocused. The doctor said this was normal and he would return to normal once his injuries were fully healed.

Looking at Rei Ayanami in front of him, he said solemnly:

“I’m sorry to bother you again today.”

On the small table in front of me, there was a wide variety of exquisite dishes. Although this was a ward, it felt like I was having a picnic in a park.

…and they were all his favorite flavors.

This junior schoolmate seemed to know everything about his favorite dishes.

It’s obvious that the two of them have only been together for half a year. Shinji Ikari recalled the memories in his mind. Ayanami Rei just joined Kassel Academy last year. After coming over from Japan, he only helped her for a while out of basic empathy. As a result, she now prepares lunch boxes to visit him, her patient, every day… Thinking of this, his mind unconsciously became a little distracted. Shinji Ikari has been in this state these days, just like now. Even though he has such a caring schoolmate by his side, he always pays attention to other things.

“No, I should thank you Ikari-kun for your help before.”

Rei Ayanami said with a gentle smile,
“But Ikari-kun can now be discharged from the hospital.”

indeed.

Although he was seriously injured during the mission, the recovery ability of the hybrids should not be underestimated. After these days of recuperation, his injuries no longer affected his movements, and it was time to return to the academy to continue his studies. After dinner, he went through the discharge procedures accompanied by Rei Ayanami – in fact, he only needed to sign, and the other details were handled by the academy’s artificial intelligence.

Walking in the corridor of the hospital, you can see mixed-race people everywhere. After all, this is a hospital dedicated to serving Kassel College.

As he was about to leave the gate, Shinji Ikari paused.

“Did you drop anything, Ikari-kun?”

Ayanami Rei asked sharply.

Nothing. He was about to say this, but he pulled out a thought from his mind, “I thought some acquaintances would come to visit, but in the end, not many people came. They all contacted through the phone. Thinking about this, I feel that my interpersonal relationships in the college are quite unsuccessful.”

The girl was silent.

“No.” Ayanami Rei suddenly said, “In fact, before Ikari-kun woke up, there were still many people who came to visit. It’s just that I came every day, and after meeting a few people, they all stopped coming. I think they probably misunderstood something.”

She said this nonchalantly, then realized the implication of her words and turned away embarrassedly.

Misunderstanding?
Shinji Ikari was stunned for a rare moment.

How can I put it? When you are in the hospital, a girl prepares your lunch box every day, takes care of your three meals a day, is always there for you, covers you with a blanket when you are cold, and tries to tell you some funny stories in life when you are bored – even your mother wouldn’t treat you so well! This is completely beyond the scope of seniors and juniors.

He didn’t know how to react, so he just nodded as if nothing had happened.

Oh, I see.

Shinji Ikari’s performance is full of this meaning.

There was a car sent by the college at the hospital entrance.

An acquaintance from the executive department came over and greeted him with a smile. He said that if he was discharged from the hospital a little later, he might be able to catch the ghost train that he had only seen when he enrolled, and meet what the freshmen who would enroll this year were like.

After they finished reminiscing about the past, the acquaintance who came over to work as a part-time driver suddenly glanced behind him and walked away tactfully.

Ikari Shinji looked back in confusion.

Ayanami Rei lowered her head.

She thought for a long time before she mustered up the courage to ask in a soft voice:
“Ikari-kun…would you like to try dating me?”

It was a bit unexpected.

Shinji Ikari originally thought that he would be overwhelmed by this sudden confession, but at this moment he felt very calm, as if he had finally gotten what he had been waiting for. For some reason, when he first opened his eyes in the hospital room and saw this girl, some intuition told him that this girl would become his wife in the future.

However, if I say these incredible words, this schoolmate will think I am a pervert.

He nodded and said okay.

(End of this chapter)