Chapter 133 165: A Four-Person Date.

"Have you guys heard? Unit-03 and the Fourth Child are coming to HQ."

As soon as they returned home, Asuka, who had received the news from Misato, started shouting, her tone laced with hostility toward this unidentified Fourth Child.

In her eyes, the relationship between the three of them was not to be intruded upon by a fourth person. She seemed outgoing, but in reality, she disliked dealing with strangers.

"What, are you worried?"

Rei Ayanami sat kneeling on the floor, a Pocky stick in her mouth, staring at the screen without blinking. This was her designated gaming time.

"You're not worried? I hate to admit it, but for some immature brat, that idiot actually has quite a bit of charismatic appeal."

'You can self-destruct if you want, but please don't drag me down with you.'

Rei put down the controller and spoke with a hint of helplessness: "I asked Captain Misato. The Fourth Child is male."

"Huh? Why didn't Misato say so earlier? I worried for nothing."

Asuka immediately flopped back onto the sofa. Her eyes darted around, and with a look of eager anticipation, she said, "Do you think this could stimulate that idiot a bit?"

"What kind of stimulation?"

"Are you stupid? If there's another male pilot, he'll definitely fall for my charms. You know, it's that sense of urgency!"

It took Rei a long while to understand what she was talking about. She found it somewhat amusing.

"First, do not presume your own charm; second, Ikari-kun won't fall for that; third, is there something wrong with your head, coming to consult me?"

"There's something wrong with your head!"

Asuka retorted instinctively, then suddenly realized something was off.

'Right, why am I consulting her? If the Fourth Child sweeps Rei off her feet, I'd be home free.'

She was just about to make a quip when she saw Rei stand up. Asuka quickly grabbed the hem of Rei's skirt; the meaning was as clear as day.

With Rei currently holding a "weakness" over her, she had indeed gotten a bit carried away.

"Apologize, or I'm going to find Ikari-kun. You don't want him knowing what you said, do you?"

Rei looked down from above, watching Asuka's face turn bright red as she balled her hands into fists, pulling the skirt hem down even further.

"I... I'm sorry, okay?"

It was an apology filled with the utmost grievance. Asuka's eyes were smoldering with rage as she bit her lip in shame.

'This expression... is quite interesting.'

Rei suddenly discovered a different kind of fun. It turned out the feeling of having someone's "death switch" in her hand was quite pleasant. She changed her mind instantly and decided not to tell Shinji about it.

There was no point in telling him anyway; Ikari-kun could understand it from the start. This was pure profit for her.

"You two, come and eat!"

Just as Rei was learning the art of coercion, there was a knock at the door. Misato had come to call them for dinner. On the way there, Asuka kept emphasizing, "If you dare say a word, I'll die right in front of you!" But the moment they entered the apartment, she quickly switched back to her usual expression. However, that clumsy attempt at facial control couldn't hide anything from Shinji.

"What's been going on with you two lately? You seem very strange."

Shinji placed a dish of bright red food on the table and looked over suspiciously. Asuka didn't dare meet his gaze and quickly looked away.

"Nothing, nothing! We were just discussing the Fourth Child."

"Really nothing?"

Shinji looked at Rei, who, under strict scrutiny, gave a rather professional smile.

"Just a little emotional flare-up, nothing serious, Ikari-kun. What dish is this? It has a very pungent smell."

'Clumsy subject-changing skills. But if they don't want to talk, I won't ask.'

Shinji's EQ was at a "Schrödinger" level—sometimes he was infuriatingly dense, and other times he was exceptionally empathetic.

"Chinese cuisine: Water-Boiled Beef (Shuizhu Niurou). Remember that 'Fried Rice King of the South'? I asked him to mail some authentic chili peppers from his hometown."

"It looks good, but will we die from a layer of chili that thick?"

Misato stood by the table observing. She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and her face turned red instantly.

"So spicy! Beer!"

'Shouldn't it be water?'

Shinji handed her a glass. Misato took a huge gulp, wiped her mouth, and let out her usual boisterous expression.

"Refreshing! This beef is the perfect match for beer. Why didn't I think of such a great snack for drinking before?"

"Because convenience stores don't sell it," Shinji said matter-of-factly, then patted Asuka's hand as she reached out.

"How many times have I told you? Wash your hands before eating."

"I know, I know! Why are you so grumpy?"

A short while later, the four were gathered around the table. Under the warm light of the dining room, they shared stories of their day.

Misato gossiped as usual, talking about how the marriage rate among NERV employees had hit a new high. Asuka talked about school matters. Rei remained quiet—not because her "version" had been reset, but because every time she tried to speak, someone next to her stared her down ferociously, so she simply stayed silent.

As for Shinji, burying his head in food was the Astartes way.

The table was filled with dishes: besides the Water-Boiled Beef, there was Crab Roe Tofu and Garlic Sautéed Broccoli. Misato's home menu was gradually sliding toward Chinese cuisine, which everyone found strange.

"No, why have you been so obsessed with Chinese food lately, making it every day?"

"Do you have a problem with it? Or do you think it doesn't taste good?"

"It tastes fine, but it's just weird. You shouldn't have had any connection to Chinese food, so why the sudden interest?"

Shinji put down his chopsticks, unable to give a clear answer. Since the New Year Festival, he had been fascinated by this cuisine. It wasn't just the deliciousness; it was a sense of familiarity.

'It shouldn't be possible. Dishes like this were long gone in the era of 40K. Where would this familiarity come from?'

He didn't understand why, but he didn't dwell on it. It tasted good, and that was enough.

"Misato, what's the deal with the Fourth Child? Ritsuko doesn't have any data on him either."

"I don't know. He was probably assigned directly from above," Misato said vaguely. She didn't like talking about work during dinner.

"Another person with connections?" Asuka perked up, but went silent as soon as Shinji glanced at her.

'If "connected" people were all this powerful, there would be no need to care about their origins.'

Interesting. Could it be the Angel of Free Will? Is SEELE that stupid? To play their ace card so easily?

There was very little data on the Free Will Angel. According to Saionji, even Gendo Ikari didn't have the clearance to know. Only the five elders of the Human Instrumentality Committee could access "Him." At least for now, the Committee wouldn't reveal it to other members.

'Doesn't matter. I was just looking for a chance to deepen my understanding of these xenos.'

Through Leliel, Shinji had gained a deeper understanding of the Angels. Theoretically, humans were also Apostles of Lilith. The blue-haired girl sitting across from him eating her food even possessed the status of a goddess.

I heard the Free Will Angel is very special. What kind of thoughts does he have while communicating with humans?

It had nothing to do with curiosity, and even less to do with some "redemption" arc. Shinji intended to kill their creator; the Angels served as a useful reference.

"Shinji, are you very concerned about the Fourth Child?"

Misato saw his doubt and thought he was worried about SEELE sending someone to infiltrate. "Should I find a way to make sure he can't come to Tokyo-3?"

"No need. If he wants to come, let him. We'll meet eventually."

Shinji spoke ambiguously and didn't take the matter too much to heart. Seeing Misato hesitating, he simply asked, "If you have something to say, say it. Don't beat around the bush."

"It's like this. Since there was some extra funding recently, the Logistics Department gave it out as benefits. There are movie tickets and vouchers for high-end restaurants. I see you're tired from cooking every day; how about we go out to eat on the day off?"

She spoke openly, as if it were a trivial matter, but she saw the two girls next to her prick up their ears. She pulled out two tickets.

"After that trip to the Negative Universe, you should rest. Why don't you come with me to see..."

Misato's voice trailed off. She clearly felt the murderous intent in the air. Reluctantly, she pulled out two more. "How about we all go together? We haven't had a group activity yet."

"Great! Misato, I knew you wouldn't forget me." Asuka happily pounced on her.

'Who wants to go with you? You clearly wanted to sneak off and only offered this as an emergency measure under my gaze.'

Rei's lips moved slightly, but she didn't jump out to cause trouble this time. She knew Misato's excuse played right into her hands.

'Group activity? Oh, it actually is.'

Shinji thought for a moment and realized the four of them indeed hadn't gone out as a group. The School Festival didn't really count.

"Fine. Is this the legendary 'date' then?"

"D-d-date? How could this be a date? It's a corporate team-building exercise!"

"Alright Asuka, what are you being shy for?"

Misato propped up her chin, her eyes burning with an adult's charm.

"That's right. This is a date. A date belonging to the four of us."

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