"Pilot it."
Gendo Ikari's voice echoed from the control room above. Through the glass, that bearded face was visible.
Looking down at Shinji. Tone absolute.
"Father..." Shinji looked up. After so long, he finally saw his father. Didn't expect it to be like this.
But even with his father's order—he was a 14-year-old loner. Didn't know how to fight. Had zero training.
"How could I possibly do this?"
"That terrifying monster—with just my power, how could I fight it?"
"I'll die! Father!"
Different from running away before. This time—active sortie. Actively facing a monster even the military couldn't kill.
Was this a joke?
Deep down, he still hoped. Hoped his father would understand him. Even a little.
He'd expected his father's coldness. But still hoped he wouldn't be this cruel. As a son, he instinctively wanted to rely on family in moments like this.
"Doesn't matter. We'll give you remote instructions during combat." Gendo heard his son's plea. Attitude unchanged. Gaze still cold.
Those words extinguished the last flicker of hope in Shinji's heart.
He didn't understand. How could his father be this heartless?
At school, he'd envied classmates with family to rely on. Why was he always alone?
No answers. He'd started questioning himself. Maybe it was his fault. Maybe he was useless. Couldn't provide value to his father. That's why all this happened.
"It's okay, Shinji." A comforting voice came from behind. "If you don't want to, you don't have to pilot this mech."
"I've seen the courage and kindness in your heart."
"Your unfortunate experiences made you want to hide from everything. But you're actually gentle and kind."
"Right now, you have the power to save the world."
"Don't be afraid. I'm standing behind you."
After seeing Gendo Ikari in person, Natsuki understood why Shinji turned out this way.
This father was a complete bastard.
Treated his own son like a tool.
"Natsuki-san..." Caught in a dilemma, hearing those comforting words—Shinji's heart stirred.
Though they'd just met, with their hearts connected, Natsuki felt more like a father to him.
He'd never felt understood before.
This encouragement—exactly what he lacked.
His fear dissipated. Now, he was willing to board Unit-01. Save more people, like he'd saved that girl.
But just as that thought formed, Gendo spoke again.
"Who are you talking to?" Gendo noticed Shinji turning toward empty space, saying something. Confused.
And extremely dissatisfied with Shinji's performance.
He decided to push harder.
"Why did you even come here?"
"If you can't do it... then get lost!" Gendo's voice was harsh.
He'd summoned Shinji here. Now telling him to leave because of his performance.
Those words landed.
The courage Shinji had just mustered—gone. Eyes wide.
His entire resolve extinguished by his father's cold words.
He lowered his head slowly. Couldn't look at anyone.
"Isn't that... too harsh?" Misato Katsuragi felt sorry for Shinji. But Gendo was her superior. And they did need Shinji. She couldn't defy Gendo openly right now.
"Enough. Bring in Rei." Gendo looked at Shinji's bowed head. Frowned. Spoke into the control room.
He had a backup plan.
"Rei? I thought she was just injured in Unit-00's activation test?" Misato was shocked. Rei Ayanami was one of their EVA pilots. But her current condition couldn't handle piloting.
Soon, a side door opened.
Two staff members pushed in a white hospital bed. Wheels scraped against the steel walkway. On the bed—a girl with short sky-blue hair. Beautiful face like a doll.
Rei Ayanami. EVA Unit-00 pilot.
The frail girl had severe injuries. Bandages on her arm, right eye, forehead, chest. She wore a white tight-fitting suit, concealing more wounds.
As she tried to sit up, red blood seeped through the bandages. Her expression showed immense pain.
She looked nothing like a soldier ready for battle.
"Rei, you'll pilot Unit-01." Gendo stood in the control room, looking down.
"...Yes." The girl's weak response. Then, ignoring her pain, she tried to get out of bed.
BOOM!
The base shook. The Angel had entered Tokyo-3. Engaged the automated defense towers. Shockwaves reached the base below.
Rei lost balance. Fell from the bed.
Shinji reacted instantly. Caught her before anyone else moved. Placed her back on the bed.
"Oh?" Gendo saw this. A slight smile. Thought his manipulation had worked.
"Changed your mind?"
He spoke. Shinji on the steel walkway slowly raised his head.
Under black hair—sharp golden eyes. The moment their gazes met, Gendo felt an absurd sense of danger.
"Yeah. I changed my mind."
"Shinji" straightened fully. Casually dispersed the text on his bangle. Clenched his fist. Sharp gaze locked onto Gendo above.
"Shinji... what are you doing?" Misato watched Shinji walk sideways. Confused.
"His neural response... exceeds normal parameters." Ritsuko Akagi looked at Rei trying to rise again, then at Shinji striding forward. Frowned.
Shinji's movements and reaction speed just now—unexpected.
She remembered Shinji was supposed to be an ordinary boy with below-average physical ability.
"Go change into a suit. Then board Unit-01." Gendo still stood in the control room, ordering Shinji through the glass.
Then he saw Shinji wasn't heading to the pilot changing room. He walked toward the nearest upper walkway.
In Gendo's disbelieving gaze, Shinji leaped nearly ten meters. Landed steadily on the upper steel walkway.
"What are you doing?" Gendo frowned.
He hated disobedience.
Shinji didn't answer.
Gendo watched Shinji suddenly move again. His figure vanished. Reappeared—right in front of him. Only blast-proof glass between them!
"Wha—"
Before Gendo could react.
CRACK!
The blast-proof glass splintered. Countless fractures. Like a cannonball hit it. Shattered into fragments flying into the control room. Two pieces sliced Gendo's cheek.
A clenched fist stopped at his nose.
Behind it—golden eyes.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (30+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!