Night fell over Tokyo-3. I was sitting on the sofa in my apartment, still tired from the battle against the angel. On the TV screen, a local news program spoke urgently: "More cases of missing women have occurred in different areas of Tokyo-3. The police still have no clues about those responsible. Authorities recommend that the public avoid traveling alone at night."
I swallowed hard. My gaze remained fixed on the screen, but my mind began to wander with memories and possibilities. "These disappearances again…" I muttered to myself, clenching my fists on my knees. Something about the situation made my stomach churn. It wasn't just fear, it was a bad feeling, as if the worst was yet to come.
The sound of the shower turning on pulled me from my thoughts. I turned my head and saw Asuka crossing the hallway with a towel in her hands, mumbling something about the heat and how she needed to relax.
"Asuka…" I called as I quickly stood up.
She stopped and turned her head, her expression impatient. "What now, idiot?"
I scratched the back of my neck, clearly embarrassed to be worried, but I didn't want to let it go. "It's just... I saw it on the news. There are some missing persons cases happening around here. So... be careful, okay?"
Asuka arched an eyebrow, surprised by the serious tone of the conversation. For a moment, she looked like she was about to laugh, but something held her back.
"Hmph, as if I'd let someone get to me that easily..." she replied, turning her face away with that typical air of self-assurance. Still, she stood still for a few seconds, almost as if absorbing the worry. "But... thanks for the warning."
I relaxed a little, letting out a sigh of relief. "It's nothing... I just don't want you to end up getting yourself into something dangerous."
Asuka huffed, a little embarrassed, before heading to the bathroom. "You worry too much about people, Subaru."
The door closed behind her, and I sat back down on the couch, my gaze still fixed on the TV screen. The news continued, but now everything seemed distant. I couldn't shake the feeling that those disappearances had something to do with them…
I slumped on the couch, sleep weighing more heavily than it should have. My half-closed eyes fought against exhaustion, until I finally gave in to sleep and dozed off, the TV still on, its lights flashing in my face.
Suddenly, a loud, steady sound vibrated in the air. The unmistakable sound of propellers echoed through the building, gently shaking the windows. I jerked my eyes open, confused, my heart racing as if I'd been torn from a nightmare.
"Uh... helicopters?" I murmured, my voice still thick with sleep.
I stood up quickly, tripping over my own feet, and walked to the balcony. The night wind was damp and cold from the earlier drizzle, but the sky was now lit up with flashes of searchlights. Several military helicopters circled overhead, the sound of their blades echoing between the buildings of Tokyo-3.
Next door, the bathroom door suddenly opened. Asuka, still in a towel, entered the room with her wet hair streaming down her shoulder, clearly irritated by the interruption. She also walked to the balcony, crossing her arms, looking up.
"What's this now?!" she asked aloud, her tone half indignant, half curious. "Why are there so many helicopters flying at night?"
I kept my eyes fixed on the sky, feeling a strange uneasiness in my chest. "I don't know… but it can't be good."
The lights streaked across the sky as if searching for something. The sound was deafening, filling the night with a suffocating suffocation. I braced my hands on the balcony railing, frowning, as Asuka leaned forward, completely ignoring the fact that she was wearing a towel.
"Could it be another Angel?" she asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"No…" I replied firmly, though uncertainly. "If it were an Angel, we would have been called already. This is something else."
The cold wind blew harder, ruffling Asuka's towel and my hair. For a moment, we both remained silent, just watching those metallic shadows cross the Tokyo-3 sky, like predators searching for prey.
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Whatever it is… I have a feeling it won't be long before we find out."
Still leaning against the balcony railing, I finally tore my eyes away from the sky and took a closer look at Asuka beside me. My face instantly flushed.
"Hey, Asuka… you're only wearing a towel. You'll catch a cold."
She blinked in surprise, and then her face contorted in anger.
"What?!" she screamed, the towel tightening around her body. "You idiot! You're peeking on purpose, aren't you?!"
"N-no, that's not it! I just–"
POW!
Asuka's kick mercilessly connected with my face, sending me sprawling onto the living room floor. The sharp sound echoed, and as I groaned, clutching my nose, Asuka huffed, returning inside as if nothing had happened.
"You pervert!" Asuka yelled from inside the apartment.
Still with eyes teary by pain, she grunted low: "I just wanted to warn…"
---
The next morning, the previous night's tension seemed to have turned just one more memory. I, Asuka and Shinji were on the train towards Nerv, the soft swing and the sound of the automatic doors filling the environment. The mood was quiet among us each arrested in their thoughts.
Shinji was looking out the window, distracted, Asuka stirred her hair as if she was still annoyed, and I held firmly on the support strap, her face still slightly marked from last night's kick.
Suddenly, a girl's animated voice sounded after us:
"Shinji! Subaru!"
We turned around at the same time, and saw Mana Kirishima entering the wagon, running to them with a warm smile. She wore the school uniform, the skirt slightly swinging through the hasty movement.
"What a coincidence to find you here!" She said, panting but happy.
Asuka arched her eyebrow, evaluating mana from top to bottom with a sharp look. "Seriously ..."
Shinji was a little awkward, scratching the back of his neck.
Mana smiled at everyone, her gaze turned to me. "Nice to see you again, Subaru.
I felt a twinge by surprise, but I answered with a slight smile, trying to be polite. "It's ... pleasure to see you too."
Asuka, next door, crossed her arms and made a suspicious hmph, without taking her eyes off the girl.
The train slowed down and soon the four were passing through the exit turnstile. The way to Nerv was relatively silent except for Asuka's insistent glances to Mana, who seemed to not understand or, perhaps, simply ignored on purpose.
When we arrived at the nerve's entrance, I passed my card first, listening to the "beep" confirm access. Just behind, Asuka did the same with an impatient movement, and Rei who was already there, waiting for them also entered without problems.
Shinji hesitated for a second when looking for the card in his pocket, and it was at this moment that he felt two delicate arms wrapped behind him.
"I thought!" Mana said, laughing softly, sticking to Shinji's back and holding her shoulders firmly. Her face was almost leaning against his, and the warmth of the approach made the boy completely red.
"M-MANA?! What are you-?!" Shinji stammered, trying to keep the composure.
She tilted her head and whispered in his ear almost a little way: "Can I come in using your card? Just a little, I promise I won't cause a problem…"
I stopped a few steps from the scene, widening my eyes. I did not know if it laughed at the boldness or should intervene. Asuka, on the other hand, looked fury.
"But what a sassy girl!" She exclaimed, hitting the floor. "This is not amusement park, brat!"
Mana just smiled innocent, squeezing himself even more against Shinji, who seemed about to faint with shame.
"I just want to know Nerv better, since my friends work here… It's not asking much, right?" She said, looking at Shinji in a sweet way, as if expecting him to give in.
In the locker room, I found Rei ready, her impeccable uniform and the same calm look as always. I tried not to show it, but I still felt that slight embarrassment after the conversation about the kiss. Even so, he managed to smile at her.
"Let's go?" I asked, adjusting my clothes.
"Yes." Rei answered shortly, but his tone seemed a little softer than usual.
As we followed the corridor together to the test room, looked into the glass monitor above, where the synchronization area appeared. I could still see Mana across the hallway, almost stuck to Shinji, as if he didn't drop it for anything. Shinji was red, stumbling in his own words whenever she spoke to him.
"This guy ..." I thought holding the laugh. The scene was so different from Shinji's serious expression inside the Eve that it looked like someone else.
Arriving at the synchronization room, everyone took their positions. The technicians adjusted the levels while Ritsuko watched with crossed arms, the usual serious countenance. Misato, next to her, chewed gum and tried to relieve the tense mood.
The charts began to rise one by one, showing the rates. First, Asuka, with a high synchronization as always, displaying a smile of pure confidence. Then king, with a stable and precise rate, without any oscillation. Then mine, I was surprised to see that its rate was on average, not bad.
But then, the unexpected: the Shinji rate plummeted to the monitor. The numbers didn't climb much, they didn't answer. He, who was always the highlight, had that day the lowest synchronization of all.
In the observation room, Misato widened her eyes. "This is ... unusual."
Ritsuko typed furiously, trying to understand the parameters. "The data show emotional instability. Something is interfering with Shinji's harmony with EVA."
Inside the entry-plug, I frowned when I heard this through the speakers. My first impulse was to glance at Rei, but I quickly shifted my gaze back to the dashboard. This wasn't the time to joke about this.
Asuka, with her typical provocative air, didn't miss the opportunity: "Hah! Finally, daddy's little darling tripped!"
Shinji lowered his head, not daring to respond.
I took a deep breath, thinking to myself, "Even he has his bad days... but deep down, he's not that different from me."
That night, the apartment's kitchen was lit only by the yellowish glow of the lamp hanging over the table. The smell of the simple meal I'd prepared still lingered in the air, mixed with the distant sound of the TV playing some late-night show.
Asuka stirred the food on her plate with her fork, her brow furrowed. "Hmph... it's not bad, but it's not great either," she grumbled, as if it were her duty to criticize.
I, already accustomed to her temperament, simply continued eating calmly. "If you complain so much, you should learn to cook yourself." I shrugged, speaking as if stating an obvious fact. "After all, if you want to get married someday, you can't rely solely on others. Men love a woman who knows how to cook."
Asuka immediately looked up with that competitive glint in her eyes. Instead of getting irritated, she gave a provocative smile. "Well, I already have you, Subaru," she said firmly, resting her chin on her hand as if she'd just delivered checkmate. "You're a great cook, so I just have to marry you and you can keep cooking."
The words hung in the air for a few seconds. I froze, my fork poised halfway, my eyes slightly wide, unsure how to react to that unexpected answer. His heart skipped a beat, but outwardly he maintained a neutral expression, averting his gaze back to his plate.
"…" I just shoved the food into my mouth and ignored it, as if nothing had happened.
Asuka chuckled softly, pleased with my reaction, even though I tried to hide it. To her, my silence was more amusing than any answer.
Dinner continued with the sound of cutlery hitting the plate, but the air between us was thicker, charged with something I preferred not to comment on. Still, deep down, a part of me wondered if Asuka had said that just as a tease… or if there was some hidden truth.
The atmosphere between us had been light until that moment, with Asuka clearly enjoying teasing me. But suddenly, her tone changed. She dropped her fork with a sharp click and rested her elbows on the table, staring at him seriously.
"Hey, Subaru…" she said in a lower voice, almost as if choosing her words. "Stay away from that Mana woman."
I blinked, surprised by the sudden change. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
Asuka looked away, biting her lower lip for a moment, before crossing her arms. "Just… don't get too close to her." Her tone was firm, but there was something hidden there. "I don't trust her…"
I wasn't sure if I was hearing thinly veiled jealousy or genuine distrust. The memory of Mana grabbing Shinji at the NERV entrance came to mind, and I almost smiled, but I held it in.
I took a deep breath and replied calmly, "It's okay, Asuka. I'll trust you on this one."
Her eyes returned to his, as if searching for a lie. But i was serious, and that seemed to put her at ease. Asuka then looked away, muttering under her breath.
Dinner passed in silence after that, but that remark stuck in my mind.
The morning at school began with a different atmosphere. Instead of the tiring theory lectures, the students were gathered in the makeshift kitchen for their cooking class. Pots clinked, the smell of fresh broth wafted through the air, and excited voices echoed through the room.
I was in a corner, stirring my own pot, but my eyes kept drifting to Shinji and Mana. The two were side by side, chopping vegetables together. Mana giggled softly when Shinji flusteredly dropped a carrot on the floor, and Shinji, instead of being embarrassed as usual, laughed along with her.
It was strange. I'd never seen Shinji laugh so freely, so lightly. He seemed genuinely happy in her presence.
Further back, Asuka crossed her arms, watching the scene with a frown. "Hmph… this doesn't smell right," she muttered irritably. "That 'cutesy' act of hers is so fake."
I raised an eyebrow, slowly stirring the spoon in the pot. "Maybe you're just jealous." he teased, his tone casual.
"JEALOUS?!" Asuka almost screamed, drawing the attention of some of her classmates. She blushed and lowered her tone. "Spare me! I'm just saying this girl is weird! She appeared out of nowhere, is already glued to Shinji, and acts like she knows everyone. It's not normal!"
I shrugged, disguising my laughter. "Strange or not, it looks like Shinji is happy. Look at him."
Asuka looked again, seeing Shinji laughing at something Mana said. It made her even more uncomfortable, although she couldn't explain why.
I, on the other hand, kept watching the scene in silence, with a mixture of curiosity and doubt. Did Asuka's concern was founded… Or did she just stand to see someone closer to Shinji than herself?
As I finished stirring the pan, a sudden silence was by my side. I turned my face and almost let the spoon fall out of my hand: Rei was there, standing like a shadow, calmly watching the bench.
"R-Rei?!" I exclaimed by bringing my hand to the chest. "You can't just appear that way out of nowhere… it will end up killing someone in fright!"
Rei blinked once without emotion. "I came to help." She took a knife, cutting the vegetables with mechanical and quiet accuracy.
I sighed again to move the food again, while Asuka snorted. "Great ... Enough to curl and start cooking."
Rei slightly leaned her head toward her, as if he had heard each word. "If you suspect her so much ... Why don't you go after the truth?" Said in serene tone. "We can observe it closely."
I widened my eyes. "Spy on? You're not serious, right?"
But Asuka had a mischievous smile on her face, her eyes shining with determination. "Finally someone with a good idea!" He reached for King's direction. "Then we are combined."
Rei looked at her hand for a few seconds without changing the expression. Then slowly, she raised her and squeezed Asuka's.
I was between the two, not believing what I saw. "You can only be kidding ..."
Asuka smiled victoriously, while Rei simply cut the ingredients again, as if nothing had happened.
The plan was done, and I wiking it or not, I knew it would end in the middle of this story.
Shinji and Mana were sitting side by side at a table farther from the library surrounded by stacks of books. Mana looked excited, pointing to some pages and laughing softly from something that Shinji said. The boy, who usually had that heavy and shy countenance, looked lighter, smiling in a rare way.
Across the shelf, I, Asuka and Rei watched discreetly. I was lowered not to be seen, but still seemed uncomfortable with the situation.
"They are ... very close." I muttered trying to keep my voice low.
"Too close ..." Asuka replied, squeezing his fists. "I knew there was something weird about this girl."
Rei, in turn, watched everything with the same serene look as always. "She doesn't look hostile. On the contrary, she seems to be trying to bring him closer to something that makes him smile."
I leaned my head, partially agreeing. "Yeah, Shinji looks ... Happy. More than I've ever seen."
Asuka turned his face, countered. "Happiness suspicious! No one appears out of nowhere and begins to act like this…"
Meanwhile, Mana was closer to Shinji, supporting his chin on his shoulder to look at the book together. Shinji was red but did not move her away.
I sighed scratching the back of the neck. "Maybe she just ... like him."
Rei, calm as usual, concluded, "So if this is the case, what remains is to observe more closely."
Asuka crossed his arms, but did not deny it. "Okay, but if she step off the line… I'll be the first to show it to Shinji."
I just laughs nervously as we kept spying them in silence.
In that silence of the library, the mood between Shinji and Mana seemed almost intimate, as if they were in a small world of their own. Mana opened the backpack and took a half -wrinkled notebook. Inside it were some loose papers, and among them, a map of the region. She stretched out on the table and, with her eyes shining with excitement, called Shinji to closer.
"Look, Shinji-kun, I discovered this place here ..." She pointed to a brand in a blue pen, a circle designed on a lake away from the city. "They say it's quiet, almost no one goes there."
Shinji leaned over to look, his eyes accompanying the tip of the mana's finger. "The… lake?"
"That's right!" She smiled, almost childish in the animation. "I thought ... Maybe we could go together. So we can breathe a little out of all this."
Shinji was silent for a moment, his lips shaking slightly. He was not used to such invitations, even more than a girl who seemed so determined. His face blocked. "I-This sounds ... kinda as a…"
Mana blinked, leaning her head. "A meeting?"
Shinji's heart almost stopped. He stammered, unable to respond directly. "I don't ... I don't know if it's ..."
She just laughed without showing shame. "You don't have to be nervous. If you don't want to call it, it can be just… a way out among friends."
On the other side of the shelf, I widened my eyes, almost letting it escape a sound of surprise. I looked at Asuka, who was almost out of indignation.
"See?!" she whispered, gritting her teeth. "I knew it! That brat is plotting something with Shinji!"
"Calm down, Asuka, it might just be…" I tried to play it cool, but swallowed hard when I saw Mana rest her hand on the table, close to Shinji's, almost touching. "Okay, maybe it's a date."
Rei kept her expression neutral, but her eyes fixed on the two of them. "If she's planning to take him to a secluded spot, we need to assess if there's any risk."
Asuka clenched her fists, huffing silently. "Risk? The only risk here is Shinji turning into a complete idiot and falling for her little game!"
Shinji, still blushing, took a deep breath and tried to sound more assertive. "Okay... I'll go."
Mana smiled, satisfied, and made a small victory sign with her hand. "Great! Then it's set. I'll prepare some things, and we can plan to go sometime. It'll be fun, I promise!"
She put the map away in her notebook and patted Shinji on the shoulder, as if it were already natural between them.
Behind the shelf, I sighed deeply. "This is going to be trouble…"
Asuka gritted her teeth even more, her eyes shining with a mixture of jealousy, anger, and a hint of genuine concern.
Rei just stared in silence, as if she were already processing every detail to understand Mana's intentions.
Shinji, for his part, sat staring at the table even after Mana started talking about other things, his face still hot, unsure whether he should be happy or worried about what he'd just agreed to.
At dusk...
In the apartment, the atmosphere was heavier than usual. The television was off, and the lamplight illuminated only part of the room. Impatiently, Asuka dragged a portable blackboard she'd brought from somewhere in NERV and placed it right in the middle of the room, as if she were preparing for a war meeting.
"Okay, pay attention!" she said, tapping the chalk on the board, drawing lines and circles that looked more like nervous scribbles than any coherent diagram.
I scratched the back of my neck, sitting on the couch, already sensing this was going to be a long one. Rei, quiet as ever, stood, watching. Shinji looked confused, but also embarrassed to be in the middle of the situation.
"Here!" Asuka wrote the name 'MANA' in large letters and circled it vigorously, nearly breaking the chalk. "This girl appeared out of nowhere!" She drew a line to the side and wrote "SHINJI," surrounding the name with several arrows pointing to "MANA." "And suddenly, she's stuck to Shinji, like a shadow!"
"Asuka…" Shinji tried to interrupt, but she held up her hand, telling him to shut up.
"It's not over!" She scribbled a poorly drawn map, trying to represent the lake. "And now, the most suspicious part: a 'date' arranged at a secluded lake! Who invites someone to a place like that without ulterior motives, huh?!"
I raised my hand slowly, as if I were in class. "Look… technically, it could just be an innocent outing. Not everyone has a malicious plan."
"Shut up, cook!" Asuka retorted without even looking at me. "This is serious!"
Rei stepped forward, looking at the board with her calm expression. "There's still no evidence that Mana poses any immediate danger."
"Exactly!" Shinji took the opportunity to reinforce. "She just… wants to be my friend."
Asuka turned to me, her eyes narrowed. "Friend? Friends don't invite you to secluded places and hold your arm all the time!"
He sighed, sinking into the sofa. He'd seen this scene before, Asuka giving in to jealousy without concrete evidence. "Okay… so, what exactly do you want us to believe, Asuka? That Mana is a spy? A secret NERV saboteur?"
Asuka pointed the chalk at him like a sword. "Maybe so! After all, no one knows anything about her! She just showed up and that's it!"
Silence fell for a few seconds. The board was covered in scribbles and circles that proved nothing, but Asuka's conviction seemed unshakable.
Rei finally broke the silence: "So, what do you suggest?"
Asuka lifted her chin, as if she'd just concluded a brilliant plan. "We'll follow them both. Spy. Watch their every move. Until I get the evidence I need!"
I ran my hand over my face. "This seems more like stalking than investigation…"
Shinji blushed even deeper. "Y-you guys don't need to get involved in this…"
But Asuka had already made up her mind. For her, this was as serious a mission as piloting the EVA.
Shinji stood in the middle of the room, still staring at the chalkboard with Asuka's chaotic scribbles. The silence after the "meeting" seemed even heavier than the accusation itself.
Asuka huffed loudly, dropped the chalk, and without another word, walked into her room, slamming the door behind her.
Rei, who was standing near the entrance, looked calmly at Shinji and me. She said nothing, just adjusted the strap of her backpack on her shoulder and left silently, closing the door behind her.
The room was now just me and Shinji. The older man took a deep breath, ran a hand through his hair, and broke the mood: "Look, Shinji… don't take what Asuka said seriously. She's just… that way." He gave a slight smile, trying to ease the tension. "No one's going to interfere with your date."
Shinji looked away, a little embarrassed. "I-I don't even know if it's a real date…"
"It doesn't matter what it is," I replied, getting up from the couch and patting him on the shoulder. "If you're excited, then enjoy it. We'll figure out the rest later."
Shinji took a deep breath, looking a little relieved. So I stretched and stretched. "Well… I'm going to my room. You rest too, tomorrow will be another long day."
Shinji just nodded, and the apartment fell back into a heavy silence, interrupted only by the distant sound of light rain against the windows.
Asuka was lying on her side, her back to the door, hugging her pillow. When she heard the knock, she immediately responded in a muffled voice: "Go away, Subaru! I don't want to talk to anyone right now!"
I remained silent for a few seconds, deep in thought. But instead of obeying, she turned the doorknob and entered anyway. The door creaked, and Asuka turned abruptly, her face flushed with anger.
"I told you NOT to come in!" she shouted, pulling the blanket up to her chin.
I raised my hands in surrender, closing the door behind me. "Calm down, calm down… I didn't come to fight."
Asuka huffed, but kept her suspicious gaze. So I walked over and sat in the desk chair, right across from her. "I was thinking… you're right. Mana appeared out of nowhere, approached Shinji too quickly. It's strange."
Asuka arched her eyebrow, surprised by the admission. "So you finally figured it out?"
"More or less..." I scratched the back of my neck. "What I'm saying is: if you really want to find out the truth, we can't just keep coming up with theories. We have to act."
Asuka sat up in bed, propping herself up on her elbows. "Act? And what do you suggest?"
I took a deep breath, staring at her. "Let's go undercover. Spy on Shinji and Mana's meeting without them noticing."
The gleam in Asuka's eyes changed instantly. Previously irritated, she now looked as excited as a child about to get into mischief. She let out a mischievous smile. "Hah! I knew you were safe. Finally, a decent idea, Barusu!"
I sighed at the nickname, but didn't retort. "If we're going to do this, we'll have to think carefully about the details. Outfit, position, how to avoid being noticed…"
Asuka was already standing, rummaging through her wardrobe. "Leave it to me. I'm an expert at this!"
"…You are?" I arched my eyebrow in disbelief.
She laughed, holding up a straw hat and sunglasses she'd found at the back of the drawer. "Of course! You won't regret it."
Even though I was suspicious, I couldn't help but laugh at her excitement.
Asuka held the straw hat in one hand and the sunglasses in the other, looking it up and down like a mannequin.
"Right… if we're going to spy, we need a convincing disguise," she said, putting on her glasses and crossing her arms. "And the best way to make sure no one suspects is if we pose as… a couple."
I choked on my own saliva. "A c-couple?!"
Asuka rolled her eyes impatiently. "Yes, a couple. It's just an act, idiot! You think I'm excited about this?" Despite her tone, her cheeks were slightly flushed.
I scratched the back of my neck, looking away. "Okay… but… isn't that a bit much?"
Asuka took a step forward, fixing him with that piercing gaze that brooked no denial. "It would be too much to be discovered right away. Now, if we hold hands, laugh, and look 'in love,' no one will suspect we're spying on Shinji."
I sighed in defeat. "You really thought of everything, huh…"
It was then that she tilted her head and asked, with an expression that was a mix of curiosity and provocation, "Hey, Barusu… do you know how to kiss?"
Silence fell like a stone in the room. I blushed completely, my eyes widening. "W-what kind of question is that?!"
Asuka raised an eyebrow, amused by his reaction. "Well, if we're going to be a fake couple, we better make sure you won't freeze if something like that comes up."
I chose not to answer, closing my mouth and looking away. The way I avoided Asuka's gaze was answer enough.
She smirked, pleased to make him feel awkward. "Hmph, I get it…"
"It's nothing like that!" I tried to defend myself, but Asuka had already turned to the mirror, adjusting her sunglasses, as if the matter were over.
Deep down, however, I could feel my heart racing, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.
The next day...
As the sun barely broke through the clouds hovering over Tokyo-3, the tranquility was interrupted by the insistent ringing of Misato's phone. Shinji, still drowsy, answered. On the other end, Ritsuko's serious voice conveyed the urgency of the situation: "Shinji Ikari, we've detected strange movements near a lake, outside the urban area. Get dressed and come to NERV immediately. It could be an Angel."
Shinji flinched at the word Angel. He barely had time to respond before the call disconnected. I, already awake and finishing getting ready, noticed my friend's worried expression.
"What happened?" I asked, drying my hair with a towel.
"NERV… said they detected something at the lake. They want me to get in the Eva…" Shinji replied hesitantly.
Asuka, who was already in the kitchen, heard and appeared in the hallway with a confident look. "Typical. Of course they'd call 'Daddy's little darling' first. But if it really is an Angel, I'll go too," she said, pointing to herself with her thumb.
Rei, already dressed in her school uniform, simply stared at Shinji without emotion. "Let's meet at the base."
I felt a tightness in my chest. The lake… the memory of the conversation I'd overheard between Shinji and Mana the day before echoed in my mind. I couldn't explain why, but I sensed those two things weren't a coincidence.
A short time later, at NERV headquarters, the atmosphere was tense. Monitors showed blurred images of the lake's surface, with anomalous movements detected beneath the water. The team tried to decipher whether it was just a sensor glitch or something truly alive.
Misato, arms crossed, approached the assembled pilots. "Shinji, you'll be launched first. Your mission is reconnaissance. Don't do anything until we know for sure what we're facing."
Shinji nodded, but couldn't hide his nervousness. I stood beside him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said firmly, "Don't forget you're not alone. If you give any sign of danger, Asuka and I will be right behind you."
Shinji took a deep breath and entered his Entry Plug. As Eva-01 was prepared, I watched closely, my instinct telling me that this lake held more than just one Angel.
I remained seated on one of the metal benches in the NERV corridor, watching the hustle and bustle of technicians coming and going. The distant sound of cooling turbines filled the air, but amidst it all, I felt a strange emptiness. Asuka had gone to another department, irritated at not being called immediately, and Shinji was already in Eva-01 undergoing synchronization.
Alone, I leaned my head against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. It was then that a discreet movement caught my attention. Through the narrow window overlooking NERV's outer courtyard, I could make out a familiar silhouette: It was Mana Kirishima.
She was standing, half-hidden by the shadow of one of the buildings, clutching a small briefcase to her chest. She didn't seem nervous, just watching the movement of military trucks preparing to transport heavy equipment. Her gaze seemed to be searching for something... or someone.
I frowned. "What is she doing here?"
It was too strange. Mana shouldn't be in facilities so close to NERV without authorization. Especially at the exact moment a potential Angel had been detected. My heart raced, and the suspicion that had been with it since her first day at school intensified.
For a second, her eyes flicked toward the window where he stood. I instinctively backed away, pressing myself against the wall. When I looked back, Mana was already walking away with quick steps, disappearing between the buildings, leaving only the feeling that something wasn't right.
I took a deep breath, feeling a chill run down my spine. With each passing day, the coincidence between her presence and the Angels' attacks seemed less and less coincidental.
I thought to myself: "If Asuka were here, she'd say I'm just confirming her paranoia... But it can't be just a coincidence."
Even with my mind buzzing with suspicion, I decided not to comment yet. I simply kept that image to myself, knowing that soon I would have to confront not only the Angels... but also the answers Mana was hiding.
At dusk...
The silence of the night in Tokyo-3 was broken only by the distant sound of cars and the artificial lights reflecting off the wet streets. I walked unhurriedly, hands in my pockets, trying to organize my thoughts. The expected attack hadn't happened; Shinji had completed his mission without even activating the Eva; nothing had been detected in the lake. The feeling of emptiness and strangeness remained.
It was then that I stopped suddenly. Through the lit window of a small, corner restaurant, I recognized an unmistakable silhouette: Mana Kirishima.
She was sitting at a corner table, next to a dark-haired boy, apparently the same age. But the atmosphere wasn't anything like a date. Mana's posture was rigid, as if on alert, and the boy's expression was too serious for this to be a simple outing between classmates.
I approached the window, careful not to be seen. I took a closer look. The boy discreetly slid a manila envelope across the table, which Mana quickly hid inside her bag. They exchanged a few words, quick, direct, and her gaze was different; it lacked the soft sparkle she displayed at school, nor the sweetness she used with Shinji. It was cold, calculating.
My heart raced. This isn't a date. This is something else… but what?
Mana then stood first, giving the boy a discreet wave before leaving through the side door. The boy remained seated, fiddling with his cell phone, as if waiting for something or someone.
I moved away so as not to be noticed, hiding in the shadow of a streetlamp. My mind was racing. "Asuka was right all along… Mana is hiding something. But why get close to Shinji, of all people?"
The light rain that was beginning to fall reflected the restaurant's neon sign. I took a deep breath, determined. I couldn't just ignore it.
The next day...
The alarm hadn't even gone off yet when I felt something poke my shoulder. He opened his eyes slowly, sleepily, and found Asuka with her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Come on, sleepyhead," she said quietly but firmly. "Today's the day. Shinji is going out with Mana, and we're not going to let this pass."
I rubbed my eyes, confused for a moment, but then remembered: the meeting at the lake. I sighed, already anticipating the headache that would bring.
"So you're really going to do this…" I muttered, sitting on the bed. "Spy on them both."
Asuka raised an eyebrow and smiled victoriously. "Of course! And you're going too. No use complaining."
Before I could respond, she threw a bag at me. Inside were simple clothes, a cap, and sunglasses. A makeshift disguise.
"If we're going to follow Shinji, we need to be discreet," she said, already adjusting her glasses in the mirror. "And remember what we agreed on yesterday: we're going to look like a couple, so no one suspects."
I sighed deeply, accepting the inevitable. "This is going to go wrong…" I muttered as I pulled on my shirt and adjusted my cap.
Shortly after, ready, the two of them left the apartment in silence. The atmosphere between us wavered between the seriousness of the impromptu mission and the awkwardness of being "disguised as a couple."
We continued through the streets until they spotted Shinji, who was walking calmly a few meters ahead, clearly nervous but trying to maintain his composure. Beside him, Mana appeared with a radiant smile, greeting him as if this were just another innocent stroll.
Asuka suddenly grabbed my arm, forcing me to walk in sync with her.
"Stay natural, Barusu!" she whispered. "Remember, we're just two young couples walking down the street… nothing suspicious."
I tried to hide my embarrassment, but her flushed face gave it away. Still, she kept pace.
And so, a few meters away, they began following Shinji and Mana toward their "date."
Shinji and Mana walked side by side, laughing at little things. She pointed to a crepe stand on the street, insisting he try one, and Shinji, a little shy, accepted, eventually laughing when Mana herself got whipped cream on her nose. The atmosphere between them seemed light and natural, as if nothing could disturb that moment.
A few meters behind, Asuka and I were trying to maintain our "cover." The redhead, to avoid attracting attention, had intertwined her hand with mine. At first, it was just to appear like a normal couple, but as time went on, we both became too uncomfortable to let go.
"Hey… isn't this a little… over the top?" I muttered, my face already flushed.
"Shut up and act casual!" Asuka whispered back, not looking at me. But her ears were red, revealing that she was nervous too.
As Shinji and Mana approached the lake, laughing and commenting on the carp swimming in the water, Asuka and I stayed back, trying to hide it. However, the longer we held hands, the harder it became for both of us to ignore the strange sensation it caused.
"You… your hand is sweating." Asuka complained, turning her face forward.
"Yours too!" I retorted, trying to sound indignant but failing miserably.
Mana threw a pebble into the water, smiling when Shinji did the same. They seemed to be in their own world. Asuka and I, in our attempt to keep a discreet eye, ended up experiencing a scene that felt more like a secret rendezvous. I squeezed Asuka's hand a little tighter without realizing it, as she strained to hear what Shinji and Mana were saying. They were sitting near the edge of the lake, and the moon's reflection on the water made the scene even calmer, almost romantic.
"I… I like how gentle you are with me…" Mana said quietly, looking down as if embarrassed.
Shinji hesitated, scratching the back of his neck, but replied shyly, "I like you too… when you're around, I feel… lighter."
Those few words were enough to make me doubt. I knew Shinji well enough to know those weren't words spoken lightly. At the same time, something about Mana still bothered him. Her smile seemed genuine, but there was a strangeness that was hard to explain, as if something was hidden behind every gesture.
I looked away, feeling the weight of a choice I didn't want to make. "If I tell her my suspicions, I might end up destroying something that might be real... but if I do nothing, and she really is hiding something... Shinji will end up hurt."
Asuka sensed my hesitation, but said nothing. My eyes remained fixed on the couple in front, but my expression was serious.
I took a deep breath, thinking to myself, "Is it right to interfere? Or am I just making excuses because I didn't trust her from the start?"
Meanwhile, Shinji and Mana laughed softly, as if the world around them had ceased to exist.
I felt my body freeze the instant Asuka leaned closer to me. We were hidden behind some trees, but in that moment, it felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.
The warmth of her hand was still clung to his, and when she said it, her voice was low, almost a whisper, but firm: "You're going to have to choose, Subaru."
I widened my eyes in confusion, glancing at her. Asuka's face was so close, he could smell her shampoo mixed with the soft scent of the night.
"Choose… what?" I asked, trying to remain calm, but his voice was shaky.
Asuka didn't answer right away. She stared at me with those intense blue eyes, which seemed to want to pierce through any barrier of hesitation. I couldn't tell if she was talking about the mission, her suspicions about Mana… or something in between.
"You understand…" she said, looking away for a moment, as if irritated with herself for having said so much. "In the end, you can't just sit on the fence."
The silence that followed was heavy. On the other side, Shinji and Mana laughed softly, oblivious to the weight of the exchange between Asuka and me.
I felt my heart beat faster. "Choose... between believing Shinji and Mana... or following Asuka's intuition? Or did she mean something else? Something... about the two of us?"
I took a deep breath, looking away, because I didn't have an immediate answer.
Asuka, sensing his hesitation, snorted softly and returned to watching Shinji and Mana, but the tension between her and me remained alive, burning in the air.
My heart nearly stopped when, suddenly, Asuka leaned in and closed the distance between them. Before i could react, her lips touched my in a quick but firm kiss, charged with something he couldn't decipher, perhaps impulse, perhaps a challenge, perhaps a request she didn't have the courage to put into words.
i remained motionless for a few seconds, my eyes wide, my blood racing. The distant sound of Shinji and Mana's laughter seemed to have faded. In that moment, there was only the heat of her mouth and the weight of choice hanging in the air.
When Asuka pulled away, she was flushed, but she stood straight and proud, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Do you understand now what I meant by choosing?" she asked, her tone teetering between teasing and vulnerable.
I instinctively raised my hand to my lips, still in disbelief. I wanted to say something, but no words seemed enough.
Meanwhile, Asuka turned her eyes back to Shinji and Mana, as if nothing had happened, but I could see the slight tremor in her fingers.
"I have to choose..."
End of Chapter 19