Chapter 173 205: Ayanami Rei’s Dream.

One day, Ayanami Rei had a long and bizarre dream.

In this dream, Shinji had not returned from his "further studies" in 40K. His appearance remained as refined as ever, but his body was frail, lacking even a hint of muscle definition. His personality was even more cowardly and reclusive; he trembled at the sight of an Angel and refused to pilot Unit 01 on several occasions.

He was just an ordinary, introverted boy. Defeating Angels relied entirely on the protection of Unit 01's Machine Spirit. In daily life, he would avoid any trouble with the excuse of "it's so bothersome," sometimes becoming a burden and a liability.

He was a taker—Misato, herself, Asuka, and the students of Class 2-A all cared for him and encouraged him, slowly helping his heart grow stronger. Yet, this strength was only that of an ordinary boy; once faced with setbacks, he would become fragile again.

This was the process of a boy slowly maturing, but this process of drifting with the tide caused him to lose too many people. He was passively influenced by the world, and even when he finally realized the truth, it was too late. All of humanity had turned into orange juice, and the world had come to an end.

He saved no one, because the boy was the one who needed saving.

A very bad dream.

Rei blankly lifted her head. In the dream, she had died. Even though she had established a bond with Shinji and possessed emotions, death reset everything. She had no chance to enjoy a peaceful daily life or make many friends. Her life remained monotonous, and she lived in that dilapidated house in the old city until the day she died.

As for Asuka?

She glanced at the noisy girl. In the dream, Asuka was even more miserable—her mind and body completely shattered. She couldn't even activate Unit 02, losing her reason for existence. However, the girl was quite impressive; she managed to regroup, discovered the truth, achieved completion, and then...

Then she turned into a "shish kebab."

A very tragic dream.

Aside from a capital "TRAGEDY," Rei could find no other adjective. The dream was cold, cruel, lonely, and powerless. Both the boy and the girl were ultimately fish on a chopping block, pawns in the hands of adults. Even if the boy matured in the end, it was the same old story.

It was all too late.

The world had reached its end; even if a sliver of possibility remained, what meaning did it have?

She looked up at the control room at the top of the hangar. A calm and resolute boy was issuing orders to the staff, still as composed and professional as ever. That face was no different from the one in her dream, but everything else was vastly different.

A strong and tall physique, eyes that were loyal and never wavered, carrying the burdens of the seven oceans and five continents on his shoulders, his back still straight—he was an absolute powerhouse, tempered into steel both inside and out.

Even Dr. Ritsuko, the mastermind in her dream, stood beside him like a lackey, cleverly offering flattery. Misato-san had not a shred of maternal radiance, only the childishness of a daughter.

Fortunately, that was just a dream; this was reality.

"What, what kind of look is that?"

Asuka crossed her arms, feeling that after Rei's glance, she felt as if her body had been pierced by many long spears.

"I was thinking if I am too greedy. Shinji has already given me enough. I have experienced a happy life that I wouldn't have dared to imagine in the dream; to ask for more would truly be greedy."

"Huh? Dream? You still believe in that stuff?"

Asuka looked baffled. Sure enough, Rei was still a "non-Earthling." "I told you not to mess with computers or play those weird games. Go to the medical department and get some medicine. I think you, you idiot, occasionally get possessed by metaphysics and say things that are inscrutable."

Asuka certainly couldn't understand. From her perspective, although Shinji lacked social grace and often angered her, he was still a tiny bit likable. As for why he became strong? That had nothing to do with her. If he were really like what Rei described—cowardly, reclusive, avoiding responsibility—she wouldn't even bother looking at him, let alone get worked up about it.

"I'm telling you, you just overthink things and have some self-inferiority. You always feel like a slave that's been liberated, considering everything for that idiot. Even if this world has reincarnation, isn't it fine right now? Why be so suspicious?"

It was still that kind of unreasonable logic, but that self-confidence was something Rei lacked. For a long time, she had felt that her happiness in reality was somewhat illusory. After having that long dream, she was even more certain of it.

She had already received too much. Shinji was like a golden sun, dispelling all cold and darkness. What more could she ask for? Yet, she had turned from a puppet into a human, gaining the selfishness and greed inherent in human nature.

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance; I will find a way to complete my flaws."

"Hey, I'm very good at counseling people, and I'm sensitive too."

Asuka was initially quite proud, but suddenly her voice caught; she had finally realized what she had done.

'Why did I waste my breath providing psychological counseling to her?!'

She quickly shut her mouth. Seeing Shinji come down from the elevator, she skipped over to him.

"Shinji! Rei is saying weird things again, saying she had a dream where you were weak and powerless—that you were a wimp who only knew how to run away!"

'Are you a grade-schooler? Do you like tattling so much?'

Shinji looked at her with a complex gaze. Asuka had indeed changed after her completion. She no longer had to suppress herself or pretend to be mature, but the downside was that she had become a bit "wild." To use otaku slang, she was still a tsundere, just with a different ratio of "tsun" to "dere."

"Rei, what dream did you have?" he asked, turning his head, wondering why he hadn't heard about it from her.

Rei glared fiercely at the tattletale, bit the bullet, and began to recount it. Shinji listened intently, nodding from time to time.

It was very realistic—so realistic that it didn't seem like a dream. Considering Rei's soul originated from Lilith, this might truly not be a dream. No, this dream was connected to the illusions of the Night Angel; he, too, had witnessed his own cowardice back then.

Shinji occasionally fantasized about what would have happened if he hadn't undergone "further studies" in 40K. Although thinking about it made him feel a bit indignant, he would likely have been the same as the reclusive boy in Rei's description.

"It's nothing. Perhaps that 'me' exists in another world line, but it has nothing to do with who I am now."

Shinji faced it candidly. His strength and his heart of steel were gifts from the Emperor, the rewards of loyalty.

He had even forgotten how terrified he was when he first arrived in 40K. He paused at the thought, and the memory became blurred.

'How did I survive the initial period of my transmigration? With my reclusive, cowardly personality, I probably wouldn't have survived a day. Hm, no need to overthink it.

This must be the Emperor's great power.'

"Alright, there's a new mission."

Shinji clapped his hands, pulling back his wandering, boring fantasies. "I am going to the Kamchatka Peninsula. Unit 00, Unit 02, and Unit 03 will remain in Tokyo-3. Kensuke is currently handling his onboarding procedures; as his senpais, guide him well."

The bespectacled boy was so excited he couldn't sleep all night. That was an EVA—his very own EVA! Even if Unit 00 was outdated, it was a giant robot!

"How boring to stay with that glasses-wearing shut-in. I'm going with you."

Asuka shook her head; she didn't want to stay behind to guard the house.

In the past, Shinji would likely have taken the "praise" route, saying that Unit 02 had a Machine Spirit and powerful combat ability, but since this "cannon" was no longer made of glass—

"Behave!"

His tone deepened. This low reprimand made Asuka shudder. She immediately lowered her head, pouting, appearing very aggrieved.

"Fine, I won't go, why so fierce?"

'Mm, this is very effective and highly efficient.'

Shinji nodded slightly. Seeing Misato Katsuragi nearby shrinking her head as well, he added a new, stylish characteristic.

'It even deals AOE damage.'

He left with Unit 01. All departments cooperated fully. Ayanami Rei was always considerate and naturally wouldn't get scolded like Asuka. She was very afraid of Shinji scolding her; after all, Asuka had immediately hidden inside Unit 02 to mutter to herself.

'It's nice to have someone to vent to.'

The girl stood next to the hangar, watching Unit 01 being ejected. The transport plane was waiting outside to accompany Shinji to the north. In her mind, she wondered if she could find someone to vent to as well.

'Because, I want to go along too, to see the legendary snow and ice.'

She pursed her lips, thinking for a long time but finding no one. The Class Representative and the others weren't suitable for knowing too many secrets. As for Misato and Dr. Akagi?

'I'm not an idiot like Asuka, why would I do something like 'bringing a wolf into the house'?

Forget it. Next time I have a chance, I'll be willful for once. Asuka is right—humans are greedy by nature.'

Returning inside the base, she ran into a familiar man: Gendo Ikari. He looked anxious and frustrated, clearly very angry.

'Going rogue and departing with Unit 01 before notifying me.

Acting without authorization is one thing, but I cannot tolerate being the scapegoat for this! I'll have to bite the bullet and clean up his mess at SEELE later.'

At that moment, he saw Ayanami Rei. His gaze instantly turned complex. Because of Shinji, he hadn't seen this girl for a long time. Now that they met again, he knew in a single glance that this girl, who was once treated as a copy of his wife, had become someone else entirely.

"Commander Ikari."

"Rei."

The two looked at each other from several meters away. Gendo Ikari didn't know what to say. This "doll" had long since broken free of his control. She was filled with the flavor of something called "freedom," and it was impossible to shackle her again.

"What is it that Shinji wants to do? Tell me, and perhaps I can help."

After thinking for a long time, Gendo Ikari couldn't help himself. As the Commander of NERV, he truly didn't know about the "Emperor's Conjecture" or the "Law of Loyalty," and naturally, he didn't understand Shinji's intentions. However, he wasn't deaf; the rumors about the Unit 01 Machine Spirit deeply intrigued him.

But the most maddening part was that, as Commander, he was forbidden from approaching Unit 01.

"You should ask Dr. Ritsuko."

Rei replied indifferently. In her heart, this man had long since shed his warm outer coat.

"Did he forbid you from telling me? Are you still wary of me?"

'Shinji-kun rarely mentions you because you are simply unimportant.'

Rei's lips moved, but she ultimately reserved one last shred of gentleness: "No. It's just that I never ask about Shinji's affairs. Speculating on things would likely mislead you."

She was very polite, but she maintained her distance.

Seeing that his attempts to manipulate her had failed, Gendo Ikari slumped. To uncover the truth and figure out Shinji Ikari's goal, he had to use force. But now, aside from Kozo Fuyutsuki, he couldn't command a single soul.

"Is that so? Then go."

He maintained his indifference; this was his last shred of dignity as a man.

Rei bowed slightly and turned to leave. She hadn't gone far before turning back.

"Commander Ikari, there is one thing I can tell you. Shinji said that if you 'behave well,' he will give you a surprise, and you will get your wish."

'Surprise? Haven't I had enough surprises from him? I have to deal with his surprises right now.

Behave well? If I recall correctly, I am the father.'

Gendo Ikari's blood pressure skyrocketed. But as he watched Rei's retreating back, he noticed the last few words.

'Get my wish?'

Because Ritsuko Akagi had "defected," Shinji Ikari knew what he wanted. Combined with the previous rumors about the Machine Spirit and the berserker state of Unit 01 while dealing with the Sahaquiel...

'Yui... has that boy really seen you?'

In an instant, Gendo Ikari became nervous. He looked at Kozo Fuyutsuki, who was urging him to attend the meeting.

'Fine. If I can really see Yui, I don't mind cleaning up some of his messes.'

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