"Don't stop!"
"One more lap!"
"Final ten kilometers!"
Suburban night. Shinji in white school uniform ran along the roadside. Streetlights flickering from aging equipment illuminated dense sweat on his face. Mouth open, eyes closed expression.
Natsuki's urging voice came to his ears continuously.
Shinji was already somewhat delirious.
"Keep... running..." Shinji squeezed out these two words with remaining consciousness.
Right now he was training stamina. His original physical condition was still too poor.
Compared to Natsuki's training, Shinji's training could only be called child's play level. The key point—still tempering Shinji's will.
Near dawn, Misato Katsuragi finished the operations meeting at NERV headquarters.
Drove back to the apartment. Prepared to explain specific matters to Shinji.
"Eh? Where is he?" She returned home. Found Shinji's shoes weren't at the entrance. No one in the room either.
She froze a while. Where did this kid run off to?
Middle of the night. Did he run away from home?
"Phone... turned off."
"Oh no... did we put too much pressure on him?" Misato Katsuragi covered her forehead. Heard the phone prompt that the other party was off. Thought somewhat regretfully.
They forcibly pulled Shinji, who understood nothing, to be Unit-01's pilot. Completely ignored this child was only 14 years old this year.
Experiencing two battles requiring risking his life—developing avoidance psychology was very normal. Moreover, his father still wouldn't acknowledge him. Deepened this emotion further.
"Operations already entered preparation phase... at a time like this..." Misato Katsuragi slumped in the living room chair. Looked up at the sky. Long sigh.
A child with a strong exterior—ultimately still just a child...
Just as she contemplated how to solve this trouble—
"Ding-dong~"
The apartment doorbell rang.
"Is it Shinji!?" Misato Katsuragi instantly rose from the chair. Two steps to the entrance. Opened the door.
"Eh?"
After opening the door, she found no one at all.
Haunted?
She stuck her head out. Glanced at the apartment's outer corridor. Couldn't see a single person.
But when she looked toward downstairs, noticed a figure running toward the sun.
"Shinji?" She rubbed her eyes. Recognized that boy with mouth open, eyes closed, face full of exhaustion.
Right now Shinji had completed the training goal. Didn't need to push anymore. Fell straight onto the ground.
This instant's expression was exceptionally peaceful.
"Com...pleted..." Unconscious murmurs came from his mouth.
"Shinji!" Misato Katsuragi saw Shinji collapse. Wearing slippers, hurriedly ran downstairs.
Sprinted all the way. Ran to the downstairs clearing.
"Shinji, are you okay?"
"What happened?"
She came to Shinji's side. Looked at Shinji Ikari gasping with mouth open. Asked with concern.
She couldn't understand why Shinji was exhausted like this. What did this child do at night?
"I'm... fine." Shinji breathed heavily. Stamina rapidly recovering.
Slowly opened his eyes. Saw Misato Katsuragi's face. Felt warmth in his heart.
"Sorry for worrying you, Misato-san." He forced a smile.
"Why say such things? Quickly tell me what happened?" Misato Katsuragi knew this child was the type who didn't like troubling others. Continued asking.
"Uh... training."
"Training?"
"You trained all night!?"
"Why?"
Misato Katsuragi heard this answer. Instantly widened her eyes.
She didn't expect Shinji didn't choose to escape at all. But immediately trained after defeat. This completely exceeded her expectations.
Current Shinji's body could still see some inferiority. But cowardice... had nearly disappeared.
"To defeat Angels. To save everyone's lives." Shinji answered seriously.
Current him—already had a bit of a hot-blooded youth's appearance.
"Shinji..." Misato Katsuragi froze a while. Expression somewhat dazed. Then suddenly smiled. "Really... a remarkable youth."
"Let's go. First come home with me and rest properly."
"Only with full energy can you defeat enemies."
"Yes, Misato-san."
Pacific's other side.
A man with long hair tied behind his head, wearing a blue-gray shirt, walked in a hidden alley.
Carried a briefcase in hand. Face with some stubble showed a slight smile.
"Swap successful."
"But really dangerous... almost attracted the Angel." The man looked up at the sky with bright moon and sparse stars. Again hid in darkness.
"Let me guess—what's Commander Ikari's purpose for wanting this thing...?" He said silently internally.
Tokyo-3. 9 AM.
"Have Ayanami-san also participate in the mission!?"
"Her injuries haven't healed yet. How can such a decision be made?"
In the apartment living room, Misato Katsuragi was explaining this operation's detailed plan to Shinji. But hearing that Rei Ayanami would directly participate in action, also serve as his guard—Shinji immediately questioned.
How could an injured person go to the battlefield?
"I also think this decision isn't reasonable. But this is Commander Ikari's decision." Misato Katsuragi held a beer can. Said with some helplessness.
"Even if it's Father's decision... also... I don't accept it!" Shinji hesitated one second. Still insisted on his attitude.
If in the past, he might have silently accepted.
But now, another voice was by his ear.
"That's right, Shinji."
"Express the wish in your heart. Don't keep holding it inside." Natsuki said to Shinji.
Young warriors wanting to protect what they want to protect—can't choose compromise.
"Then what do you plan to do?" Misato Katsuragi put down the beer. Asked.
"I plan to pilot Unit-01 alone in battle. This time, absolutely won't let the Angel escape." Shinji said firmly.
Hearing this answer, Misato Katsuragi silently sighed.
Really an answer full of youthful spirit.
"Shinji, reality is completely different from youth manga. Can't defeat Angels with just hot blood." Misato Katsuragi said earnestly.
"Without Unit-00 defending for you, before the Positron Cannon completes charging, you'll be burned to ash by the Angel's attack."
"This is a battle risking lives. Absolutely can't let emotions control reason easily."
Misato Katsuragi spoke very reasonably. And reality was indeed this way.
They must combine all realistic factors to handle this mission.
But Shinji clearly wouldn't listen.
"I have my own battle method."
"I will definitely defeat the Angel. This time for sure!" Shinji clenched his fist.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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