"It's okay—maybe because today is a day worth celebrating?"
Ryōji Kaji smiled broadly at Ritsuko Akagi's gaze, revealing a row of even teeth.
"Let's just say that's it," Ritsuko replied coolly, brushing hair off her shoulder.
"Alright, then," Kaji nodded and chuckled again. "But I think in a little while… they won't be smiling anymore."
"Hmm? Kaji-kun, what do you mean?"
Ritsuko's curiosity was instantly piqued as she turned to him.
"Oh, nothing… you'll see soon enough," he answered with a smile, then strolled over to the grill and casually bit into a skewer.
"You really haven't changed—still as mysterious as ever," Ritsuko murmured, shaking her head slightly. She knew Kaji enough to be intrigued by what he might know—she just didn't know what.
Meanwhile, around them, laughter and chatter continued unabated.
Ibuki Maya and Misato Katsuragi were grinning widely—everyone knew victory had come at a steep cost. They'd almost died facing the Eighth Angel.
Only Asuka was uncharacteristically sullen—head bowed low, silently eating, her usual fiery personality nowhere in sight.
She'd been deeply shaken by her setback against the Eighth Angel.
She had always been Top Gun, youngest-ever Captain, undefeated. How could she accept failure?
The more she thought about it, the harder it was to swallow her food.
---
At that moment, a skewer—smelling delicious—was gently placed before her.
She looked up to see Rei Ayanami standing quietly nearby, holding a freshly grilled skewer.
"What's this? Didn't you see I have hands? I can help myself!" Asuka snapped, turning away angrily.
"This is one I made myself. I wanted to give it to you," Rei said softly. "It's real Japanese-style yakiniku—not that Chinese-style roast from Ryota."
"Japanese… yakiniku?" Asuka eyed Rei coolly, then snatched the skewer. "Fine, I'll try it. That Chinese barbecue of Ryota's was awful anyway."
She took a big bite, grumbling about the taste—but immediately kept eating at pace, finishing it quickly.
"So? How's the flavor?" Rei asked in her usual calm tone.
"It's… not bad, I guess," Asuka grunted, lifting her chin in defiance.
At that moment, she caught Ryota's eyes meeting hers across the room.
Asuka jerked her head away, refusing to look—despite the smile filling Ryota's face.
---
Rei approached Ryota calmly:
"I already gave her the barbecue. But I don't understand—why did you say it spoke of being grilled by me, yet you actually cooked it yourself?"
Ryota shrugged, smiling softly.
"Oh, come on. You know how Asuka is."
Asuka's stubborn pride was well-known. She wouldn't admit it, even if the truth was flattering.
But Ryota wasn't about to reveal his full reasoning—
He'd orchestrated the gesture to ease the tension between Asuka and Rei.
Sometimes a small act—like a shared piece of grilled meat—might be the start of healing friction, didn't it?
---
Suddenly, Ibuki Maya returned—laden with bottles—and hurried over to Misato.
"Misato… oh! Where's my beer?" Maya blurted.
The moment beer was mentioned, Misato transformed—laid-back and a bit giggly, far removed from her usual sharp demeanor. The staff around them looked at her with varying degrees of amusement and concern.
"What's wrong? No beer? Well, then I'll just drink without it, ha!"
But Maya's face had grown pale.
"M-Misato, stop. There's trouble—big trouble."
"Trouble? What is it? People protesting? Against us?"
Maya nodded, visibly shaken.
"They're on the main streets… waving banners protesting NERV! Saying we disregard citizens' property safety and act recklessly."
Misato's smile instantly dissolved—the beer in her hand froze midway to her mouth.
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