Next day. Morning.
"Run, Shinji!"
Natsuki's voice rang in his ears.
"Got it!"
Hearing this, Shinji bit down. Quickened his running pace.
After battle after battle with Angels, half of Tokyo-3's citizens had already left. Only a small portion of people with unknown whereabouts remained.
The modern city's streets were exceptionally empty. Previously bustling storefronts now all closed. The entire street had only Shinji alone.
Wearing a white shirt soaked with sweat, running on the road. Training stamina.
Future enemies probably wouldn't appear one at a time anymore. Facing upcoming high-intensity combat, he must possess sufficiently strong physique and sufficiently firm will.
"Wait... that person..."
Running to an intersection, Shinji suddenly noticed a boy wearing a white shirt like him standing at the intersection's center.
Silver-gray hair. Red eyes similar to Rei's. Handsome features. Slender build looking somewhat thin. But posture very upright. Gave off a mysterious aura.
Seeing this person for the first time, for some reason, Shinji felt somewhat familiar.
As if he'd seen him somewhere. But a boy with such distinctive hair color—if he'd seen him, should've left a deep impression.
Very strange...
"Um..."
Shinji continued running toward the intersection. Prepared to greet him.
But the figure disappeared the instant he blinked.
Like a hallucination.
"Gone... am I too tired and hallucinating?"
Shinji stopped. Wiped sweat from his forehead. Looked around the intersection's various streets. Said puzzled.
"Relax. Even if you're exhausted, you won't hallucinate."
Natsuki's cross-legged figure floated beside him. Arms crossed.
Then looked toward a certain direction.
Rubbed his chin.
"Playing mysterious tricks in front of me. Seems he really doesn't know ginger gets spicier with age."
"Shinji, chase!"
Natsuki pointed him in the direction. Shinji immediately nodded. Looked toward an apartment building's rooftop.
Ultra Old Man granted him vision.
Shinji strode toward that apartment building. Climbing from the external stairs step by step was obviously too slow. So he stepped on an abandoned truck by the street. Leaped directly upward.
"TAP."
Landed on a white air conditioner unit. Then smoothly grabbed the balcony railing. Continued flipping upward.
Movements continuous and fluid. Climbed the thirty-story building to the roof in no time.
Arrived at the spacious rooftop.
Here were still several drying racks. White sheets hung on them. Some scattered on the ground.
"There!"
Shinji's feet touched the rooftop floor. Immediately spotted that gray-haired figure.
"Hey!"
"Damn... still trying to run!"
Just as Shinji was about to call out, saw the gray-haired boy flash him a mysterious smile. Standing at the rooftop edge, leaped toward the next building. Jumped to another apartment's rooftop.
Movements graceful. As if toying with him. Playing cat and mouse.
Jump after jump. Running farther and farther between rooftops.
"Shinji, accelerate!"
"Can't let him look down on you!"
Seeing his leisurely manner, Natsuki raised an eyebrow. Immediately directed Shinji to continue pursuit.
Ultra Old Man granted him speed.
"Right!"
Shinji watched the figure running farther between rooftops. Slightly crouched. Made a starting posture.
Legs gradually exerted force.
"BOOM!"
A shallow crater appeared on the spot. Shinji's figure shot out like a bullet. Wind pressure from high-speed movement directly blew away sheets left on the rooftop.
City scenery rapidly swept past before his eyes. Shinji caught up to the gray-haired boy at extreme speed.
The other jumped between rooftops one by one. Shinji's was no different from linear flight.
"Got you!"
On a shopping mall's rooftop, Shinji grabbed the gray-haired boy's shirt corner.
Slowly lifted his head. Saw the mysterious smile on his face.
"Caught."
"As expected, you're amazing."
The gray-haired boy smiled and praised Shinji.
Hearing this, Shinji released his shirt corner. Somewhat surprised.
This person seemed quite easygoing.
"Thanks."
Shinji smiled and nodded. Then extended his hand.
"Don't know why, but I always feel like I've seen you somewhere."
"I'm Shinji Ikari. You?"
Facing Shinji's enthusiasm, the gray-haired boy seemed somewhat unaccustomed. But still smiled and shook hands.
"Kaworu Nagisa."
"Like you, also an EVA pilot."
"Can I call you Shinji?"
Whether appearance or voice, after contact with Kaworu, one could feel a spring breeze sensation. This was a gentle person.
"Of course."
Shinji nodded. Expression showed no awkwardness. Just happiness at making a new friend.
"EVA pilot... you're the one from the American branch? Unit-03's pilot?"
Then he reacted to the identity before him.
Earlier at headquarters' office level, they'd discussed matters about this boy.
Kaworu smiled and nodded.
Just about to say something. Suddenly hard-stunned in place by Shinji's next words.
"Then... you're the Seventeenth Angel, Tabris?"
Shinji asked tentatively.
Possessing human form, part of Adam's soul—artificial Angel, Tabris.
"Eh?"
Kaworu froze. Expression somewhat surprised.
This identity—he originally wanted to hide from him.
But didn't expect to be directly exposed.
His expression quickly recovered from surprise.
"Correct."
"Just as you guessed."
"You... really have changed a lot, Shinji."
Kaworu spoke mysteriously.
He seemed to grasp more unknown matters.
"Did this gentleman tell you?"
He looked up. Looked at Natsuki sitting cross-legged on Shinji's head. Lips still wearing a smile. Asked.
Natsuki: "..."
Hiss!
This guy can actually see me.
He silently floated aside. Straightened his floral shirt collar. Forced a serious expression.
Said: "Sort of. But we have special channels for obtaining information."
Kaworu looked at Natsuki. Quickly realized the being before him—on life's hierarchy, nothing in the entire universe could compare.
Then he glanced at Tokyo-3, where some buildings were still rebuilding. Blue seawater. Misato just waking up in an apartment. Sleeping Asuka. In another apartment, Gendo and Yui nestled together...
"This world is truly unexpected."
He said.
Finally placed his gaze on Shinji Ikari. Looked at this boy whose heart had already become burning hot.
"But... it's a good thing."
Kaworu smiled happily.
Hearing his ambiguous words—
Natsuki gradually frowned.
This guy's behavior... why does it seem a bit like a Traveler?
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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