Chapter 179 211: I was never an Earthling to begin with.

Who in their right mind would want to air-drop into Los Angeles? Wait, that's not right—Los Angeles has already been flooded by the Second Impact. Before, I was jumping off buildings; now, you're asking me to jump into the sea?

Asuka grumbled as she walked down the corridor, clearly dissatisfied with this "gift." The main issue was that the Breton shirt was way too large; she could practically wear it as a dress. It was obvious it hadn't been specially prepared for her. However, compared to the other local specialties Shinji had brought back, this was the most acceptable of the lot.

Tokarev pistols, Kalashnikov assault rifles—Shinji had pilfered quite a few "specialties." These items were clearly far too hardcore and dangerous, so Shinji had stashed them all in his private lounge. Naturally, Asuka had followed him in, while Rei Ayanami had headed off to her own lounge halfway through.

"I don't know what Ayanami is up to. She's been acting all sneaky in her lounge for the past few days, and she locks the door every time. She's definitely plotting something."

Asuka immediately turned informant. Seeing that Shinji was also a bit curious, she struck while the iron was hot:

"Even though you're back, she's still hiding away. How about we pick the lock and sneak a peek at what she's doing? Aren't you quite skilled at lock-picking?"

"What do you mean 'skilled at lock-picking'? That makes it sound like I'm a petty thief."

Shinji immediately straightened his face; this flattery had backfired. "That is called 'infiltration and intelligence gathering'—a loyal custodial duty. How can you call that stealing?"

What's the difference?

Asuka scratched her ear, noticing that Shinji was always unusually pedantic about certain things. She poked him with her hand: "Fine, fine. So, do you want to engage in a 'loyal infiltration'? I'm really just that curious."

"Forget it. If Ayanami isn't saying anything, there must be a reason. Put your curiosity away."

"Hmph, you're certainly considerate toward her. Why are you so fierce with me?"

"When was I fierce with you?"

"Just now! I complained a little, and you threatened to take the gift back."

Asuka finally found an opening to protest, always the type to speak her mind. Then, acting as if she had flipped a switch, she leaned in close and glanced at the open door.

"I've been standing by in this dark, sunless bunker for the past few days. I haven't taken a single step outside, you know."

"That is your job. There will be plenty more similar situations in the future. What, do you want to come out and fight with me?"

Shinji's eyes were full of approval. He loved Asuka's fighting spirit the most. Even before they had met, she had been overflowing with battle intent—truly, what loyalty.

But this time, Asuka didn't go along with the topic to boast. She rolled her eyes at Shinji, said nothing, and leaned forward slightly, bringing her head closer.

"What are you doing?"

Shinji was bewildered. Was she offering her head to try out a left hook?

"Hmph-hmm."

A faint, muffled hum came from Asuka's throat. Still not speaking, she gently rubbed her head against him. Shinji watched with confusion, but quickly understood.

So, she was asking for a reward.

This posture—isn't it exactly how those little dogs acted when they hovered around Rei Ayanami? Oh, right, Asuka doesn't have a tail; if she did, it would be wagging, and I would have understood immediately.

He reached out and placed his hand directly on the top of Asuka's head, stroking it gently, feeling the smooth texture of her hair. Asuka squinted her eyes, humming in comfort.

Ever since Shinji had patted her head last time, she had grown to love the feeling. She had performed exceptionally well over the past few days just to earn this reward, only for this idiot to fail to see it, forcing her to drop hints.

This was, after all, a perk of the Instrumentality. In the past, no matter how much she liked it, she would never have let go of her pride. To show a comfortable expression while being patted on the head—wouldn't that be admitting she had lost to the idiot Shinji?

Regardless of whether she had lost or not, she couldn't lose face. Only if Shinji initiated the request would this young lady begrudgingly offer some "benefits."

As for now, I couldn't be bothered. Since I can't beat him anyway, why make things hard for myself?

"Asuka, you really have become brave. You've learned to face your inner thoughts."

Shinji's gaze was filled with a fatherly compassion. In truth, this was Asuka's biggest problem.

Being a tsundere and having a sharp tongue were merely superficial. Her real problem was that she didn't dare to face herself, and because of that, she didn't dare to face others, which was why she appeared so awkward.

"I've always been brave, okay? Besides, in Ayanami's dream, you were the coward and I was the bravest one!"

Asuka wrapped her arms around Shinji's waist and lifted her chin.

Alright, some core personality settings haven't changed—I praise you, and you step on me.

Shinji's eyelid twitched. What he had seen and heard inside the 'stomach' of the Night Angel, when linked to Rei Ayanami's dream, consistently made his blood pressure unstable. It was shameful to the extreme.

He couldn't even imagine that the weak boy in those visions was himself; it was a great disgrace.

"A dream is, in the end, just a dream."

"But you always say dreams are a continuation of reality."

Asuka instinctively retorted. Feeling the hand on her head stop, she nudged it slightly and switched to flattery without a seam: "Yes, yes, Shinji-sama is invincible. I just think it's a bit strange. The gap between the dream and reality is so big. I heard from Ayanami that in the dream, I was almost always helping you, while in reality, it's almost the other way around."

It has changed, hasn't it? In the past, she definitely would have said something like, "If I help you in the dream and you help me in reality, that counts as equal," or "I figured it out all by myself, of course, you had some small bit of help."

Shinji didn't answer. He touched the girl in front of him, slightly lost in thought. He knew this belonged to the "wealthy leading the poor" philosophy. It seemed his destiny had started changing ever since he went to 40K for further studies.

"To lead all of you, one must first possess a body of steel. And a body of steel is forged through countless hammerings."

Asuka nodded imperceptibly and buried her head deeper. She had just finished her own Instrumentality; she couldn't voice certain overly shameful words, but she understood that being able to see her mother again—the healing of the scars in her heart—had never relied on mere luck.

Shinji had paid the price in advance—a price that made one frantic just thinking about it. Countless bloody hammerings would strip away every bit of cowardice in one's bones and flesh. One could only imagine how painful that must have been.

It's just that the hammering was a bit too hard, just like these abs—hard as rock, not soft at all.

She took a deep breath, like pouring hot oil onto her courage, making her entire being burn fiercely. Then, she raised her head, her azure eyes almost brimming with water.

"Come to think of it, I haven't thanked you yet."

Shinji met her gaze decisively, without a hint of evasion, his eyes even filled with encouragement.

"Have you made up your mind? Is your opponent me, or Ayanami?"

Gulp.

Asuka looked at the boy's sturdy build and swallowed quietly, then quickly shook her head. Lately, she had been contemplating things on her own and had discovered a blind spot.

Why should I accept the rules of this non-Earthling? I'll just attack in my own way. I'll say what I have to say, and whether this idiot agrees or not, I'm winning regardless.

Yes, a confession—it's just the final step. It's just one sentence. Asuka, be bold! As for how things develop later or what the consequences are, I can deal with that later.

Asuka didn't have the guts for an honorable duel, but she had plenty of guts to 'jump the queue,' and a lot of it, too.

"I don't care! You just listen well, Miss! And you aren't allowed to refuse, or I'll go to Unit-01 and file a complaint!"

Asuka closed her eyes, hardened her heart, stood on tiptoes, and leaned in.

"Shinji, actually, I've always..."

Whoosh—

Before she could finish, she felt a chill on her cheek. Something flew past her head. She opened her eyes to see a few strands of orange hair drifting down. Turning back, she saw the girl with ice-blue hair standing at the door, her eyes cold, conveying a clear message:

Don't push your luck.

"Shi-shi-shi-Shinji! That idiot Ayanami tried to murder me!"

Asuka was shocked and immediately hid behind Shinji.

"Sorry, my hand slipped."

Rei Ayanami wasn't afraid at all. She walked to the wall and took down the scissors that were stuck into the cabinet.

She was as cold and detached as ever, with not a trace of emotion to be seen. Shinji looked at that icy face; not feeling embarrassed, he pulled Asuka out from behind him and stared intently at her.

Rei Ayanami has initiated a duel request. You have already completed Instrumentality; go forth bravely.

Go forth my foot! That idiot really wants to kill me! Wait, no, I've learned full-scale combat arts; there's no reason to fear her.

In the end, Asuka still fell into the 40K mindset trap. She was eager to try, she forcibly braced herself, she parried awkwardly, and she was utterly defeated.

Facts proved that when Rei Ayanami stared at you with those blood-red eyes, devoid of any emotion, it was still a little bit scary. It was a pressure originating from the soul—yes, the pressure of the Mother of Humanity.

"Asuka, shall we fight?"

"How do you even know how to throw a flying knife?"

"I thought it looked cool in the animations, so I learned it casually and found it was quite simple."

Rei Ayanami spun the scissors around her index finger, looking not the least bit triumphant.

Learned it the moment she tried?

Shinji was a bit surprised. He had noticed it when Rei came in; he had been ready to intercept it after the throw, but he hadn't expected it to be so precise, achieving an extremely effective psychological deterrent.

A very clever psychological tactic.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded slightly, signaling he understood. Don't be fooled by Rei Ayanami's usual airheaded appearance—she was the vessel for Lilith's soul, the mother of all humanity, the root of the Fruit of Wisdom.

Just as Kaworu Nagisa could unleash a powerful A.T. Field, Rei Ayanami possessed wisdom that transcended mortals; it was just that she had been too sluggish in the past to manifest these powers.

"Asuka, you have already completed Instrumentality. Courage is the anthem of humanity..."

"I know, but this isn't right!"

Asuka pursed her lips, never managing to say "I can't beat her." If this were in the past, her personality likely would have shattered—after all, Germanic "win-ology" dictated that one couldn't lose to Rei Ayanami.

But she had confidence now. She closed her eyes, cursed "None of you are even human!", and then turned and ran, even Shinji couldn't stop her.

"She ran back to Unit-02 for some psychological construction, then."

Shinji wasn't worried about the 'glass cannon' shattering now. He looked at Rei Ayanami: "What a pity. Courage was ultimately defeated by strength. Asuka will be depressed for a few more days."

"She deserves it. Every time she gets a chance, she tries to jump the queue."

Shinji found it hard to comment, so he asked, "But since when did you learn to do that?"

"Since I decided to go to war with her. Fortunately, I learn things the moment I try. Just as Ikari-kun said, strength is the capital for winning everything."

Rei Ayanami had clearly taken those words to heart.

"So, you agree with my methods?"

Shinji's eyes lit up.

"Of course. This is the fairest way, and it conforms to the traditions of the Astartes. If they always think about cheating and taking it all for themselves, then don't blame me."

No need for flattery, no need to act spoiled—one sentence from Rei Ayanami made Shinji's mood soar. This validation was exactly what he needed most.

Including the class president, everyone complained that the relationship between the three of them was twisted. Yes, it was twisted. There was no "shura field" like in the stories, nor was it particularly heart-wrenching, but how should one put it...

I was never an Earthling to begin with. What's the problem with that?

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