Chapter 95 127: Ritsuko Akagi’s Discovery.

"Rei... has grown up."

Looking at the girl in the center of the spotlight, Ritsuko Akagi felt her coat pocket; for some reason, she had an urge to light a cigarette.

What perfect emotional expression. This had already surpassed the inherent instincts a doll should possess. One could even hear a longing for freedom and love within her voice. This artificial human had completely spiraled out of control, having shattered all her shackles.

How could a Rei Ayanami who possessed such freedom still be used as a sacrificial offering? Was that man really going to stand by and watch his plan lose control entirely?

As a scientist and a strategist, Ritsuko didn't understand. Her logic told her that the second Rei had to be scrapped so that everything could start from zero. They were already at the Tenth Angel; the second stage of the scenario was not far off.

Yet, as the human Ritsuko Akagi, she was happy. She was, after all, Rei Ayanami's "private doctor" and had watched her grow step by step to reach this point. The combination of objective conditions and subjective will had finally birthed such a young woman.

"She finally realized that she is a human being, not a doll manipulated by humans—not a tool existing for the sake of some goal."

Shinji stepped out from the shadows and quietly sat beside her. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the look of horror on Ritsuko Akagi's face.

'How much do you know?'

Ritsuko desperately wanted to ask that, but for some reason, she didn't dare poke through that thin layer of paper. Her mouth hung open stiffly as she forced herself to remain calm.

"What are you trying to say, Shinji-kun?"

Shinji didn't explain what he knew, nor did he touch upon the Human Instrumentality Project. He merely looked at the stage.

"I want to say that all of this is the result of my influence. You and he should not take any unnecessary actions. If you go against my will, I will kill you."

Crisp, direct, simple. He had no intention of beating around the bush.

"Are you threatening me?"

Ritsuko frowned and looked left and right, but she didn't see Misato Katsuragi.

"Yes. I have threatened him as well, so you needn't waste brain cells guessing too much. The only reason Gendo Ikari sits by and does nothing is because he is afraid of death."

Still just as direct. Ritsuko Akagi almost laughed.

A Pilot threatening the Commander-in-Chief of NERV? What kind of chuunibyou speech was this? His emotional intelligence was far too low; even if he wanted to threaten her, there should have been some preamble.

But when she looked at the boy's profile, she found she couldn't laugh at all. He remained hidden in the darkness, staring expressionlessly at the stage. There was no malice, no forced intimidation. He was simply stating a reality—a result.

'Could it be true?'

Ritsuko remembered that whenever Gendo Ikari mentioned the boy, there was always a trace of wariness. Yet she didn't understand how it was done. One word from Gendo could send the boy packing back home.

'Did SEELE give him some kind of special authority?'

"Shinji-kun, I understand Rei's attraction, but she and you are fundamentally different. I don't know how much you know, but do not let pity and desire affect your judgment, and do not listen to the rumors of others."

"She pilots the EVA alongside me to fight the xenos; how is she different? Do not let your imagination run wild; no one can sway my will."

"But Rei... she really isn't a normal human."

"As long as our goals are aligned, origins do not matter. I have seen plenty of monsters and freaks."

Shinji didn't even turn his head. He had indeed seen plenty. From a purely technical standpoint, those people of the Death Korps of Krieg were far more "artificial" than Rei Ayanami.

"It seems you know more than I imagined."

Ritsuko exhaled, not dwelling on how the boy found out. Her expression showed a slight hesitation.

"Because of that, you should understand Rei's mission. I know your goal, so you cannot let your feelings for one person affect the destiny of all humanity."

'The destiny of all humanity? Turning into orange juice?'

Shinji turned his head. His cold gaze made Ritsuko's skin crawl.

He knew exactly what she was doing; this woman was testing him to see if he knew about the Human Instrumentality Project. To be able to make such a deduction in the midst of horror showed she was a talent.

"She cannot shoulder that destiny, and the current her does not wish to. As a free human being, her future should be decided by herself."

"Then who will shoulder it?"

"My will."

That simple reply silenced Ritsuko on the spot. This brilliant woman was completely lost; she felt as though the boy were an ancient leviathan hiding in the shadows. No one knew how much he knew or where he learned it from, but her intuition told her that if she made one wrong move, this beast would tear her to pieces in one bite.

The curtain opened, and the Principal took the stage for a closing speech. The audience, having no desire to hear long-winded administrative talk, began to leave while savoring the beautiful singing they had just heard.

However, in the back of the auditorium, Ritsuko Akagi and Shinji sat upright, appearing very respectful toward the Principal.

Shinji didn't care; he had chosen this time to issue his warning because he was certain Ritsuko was powerless to resist.

Question Gendo Ikari? No problem. Letting that man lose face once more would only help the growth of the Psychic Seed.

Report to SEELE? Not only did she have a closet full of her own secrets, but she had no way to transmit the message. And even if she did face SEELE, one of the council members was already his puppet.

Ritsuko sat there in pins and needles, unable to fathom how this boy could drop such world-shaking secrets and remain so calm. Under the invisible influence of the Psychic Seed, her AT Field (Heart's Wall) suffered an unheralded erosion and began to melt. She fell into the same predicament as Gendo Ikari.

She thought a lot but was unable to make a decision. Or rather, every decision she made would ultimately align with Shinji's goals.

"Are we going to keep listening, Dr. Akagi?"

Just as sweat began to form on Ritsuko's back, Shinji spoke, making her face go taut.

"It's about time... I, I should go back and prepare research materials for tomorrow."

Ritsuko stood up stiffly. Her mind was a mess. She didn't know if she should offer a guarantee like "I won't say anything," but when her hand was gripped, she shuddered. His hand was like a hydraulic clamp; it held her so tightly she couldn't pull away.

"Is... is there something else, Shinji-kun?"

"I happen to have something I need your help with."

Shinji hadn't come to find her on a whim. This was planned; he deliberately moved when her heart's wall was under the impact of Rei Ayanami.

'Where did Misato go? Where are the security personnel?'

Ritsuko looked around, but fortunately, Shinji had no intention of killing her.

"Come with me to a certain place."

"Classified information is in the MAGI database. It's useless for you to go to the lab."

Sweat dripped from Ritsuko's forehead. She finally realized a serious problem. Everyone had their eyes fixed on SEELE, ignoring the threat standing right beside them.

"No."

Shinji shook his head. He had already seen all the classified materials in her lab. "I am taking you to see a secret. You will help me analyze it when we get there."

"What secret?"

Shinji looked back. Two agents from the Security Department had already walked over. Their numb faces showed no concern for Ritsuko's gaze; they looked more like wardens.

The youth stood up. He didn't need Ritsuko Akagi's answer. He led the way, hands in his pockets, and turned slightly.

"Let's go. It's time to hear the testimony of Vice Commander Fuyutsuki."

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