Chapter 96 128: Today, Asuka Suffers Yet Another Defeat.

Night fell, the bonfire was lit, and young boys and girls danced gracefully around the flames. From time to time, lines like "I like you" or "You're a good person" could be heard.

Some were joyful while others were sorrowful; successful couples held hands, while the "good guys" who failed found corners to weep in. There were even people claiming to be from the FFF Inquisition causing trouble everywhere, taking over the duties of the Disciplinary Committee.

If Shinji had stayed, he wouldn't have felt shy or envious. Instead, he would have watched this scene with a gratified gaze. In the eyes of a century-old veteran, this was an expression of positive human emotion—something worth encouraging.

"Rei, aren't you going to dance?"

Ibuki knew she had asked a pointless question. She tapped her forehead and said, "The only bad thing about Shinji-kun is that he doesn't understand a girl's heart at all. He's not even as good as Toji; at least Toji knows to dance with the Class Rep. Er, don't glare at me like that."

Rei Ayanami gave her a sharp look, as if she wouldn't allow anyone to speak ill of Shinji. She sat on the steps, hugging her knees and staring blankly into space.

Without Shinji, it was as if an invisible barrier had appeared before her; this lively party had absolutely nothing to do with her.

"It's fine. I'll wait for him to come back."

"Tsk, how about we help you look for him together? Maybe he's out patrolling the campus."

"No need. Aren't you going to confess to Kensuke Aida? Go on, hurry up."

The girl's face flushed red. She looked at the bespectacled boy in the distance holding a camera, constantly taking group photos for others, and her fingers fidgeted nervously.

"Better not. I'm not that strong; if I get a 'good person card,' I'll cry."

"If you never try, you'll never have a result. It's okay. If you get rejected, I'll lend you my shoulder."

Ibuki turned around instantly. Seeing that the girl on the steps was as cold and aloof as ever yet suddenly agreeing with the Class Rep's words, she finally realized:

Rei Ayanami was indeed different from before.

"Okay, I'm going."

Ibuki ran off, turning back after a few steps. "Rei, you're so cool today!"

'Me? Cool?'

Rei froze for a moment. Previously, she would never have said such caring words. She watched her friend run to Kensuke Aida's side, blushing as she pulled him away. Just watching them made a smile involuntarily appear on her face. She finally understood what a "girl's heart" felt like.

'Seeing others happy makes me happy too. It's nice.'

She turned her head and looked toward a pillar nearby. A bunch of orange-red long hair peeking out from the edge had already betrayed its owner.

"Stop monitoring me from there. Ikari-kun probably won't be coming back tonight. You don't have to worry about me 'striking while the iron is hot' either."

"Who said I was monitoring you! I'm clearly monitoring everyone!"

The long hair twitched, and Asuka suddenly stepped out, looking left and right. "Hahaha! I told you it was a waste of effort. That blockhead won't understand at all."

"Are you gloating?"

"No, I just thought of something funny and couldn't help it."

Asuka was very happy, finally avenging a grudge from a long time ago. "You can cry if you're sad, you know. I'll lend you my shoulder."

Rei gave her a flat look, not bothering to bicker with her like a child. This person's mouth was truly hard—so hard it reminded her of a story Shinji had told.

He said that at the edge of the universe, there was a mouth that would also say, "All is according to plan."

This cold reaction made Asuka feel a bit bored. Actually, she had gone to find Shinji right after taking off her makeup, but couldn't find him. She had been nervous to death at the time, immediately finding a good spot to stake out. After searching for a long time, she finally confirmed that Rei was alone.

'Phew, so he's not here. Honestly, leaving without even saying goodbye—no grace at all.'

Muttering under her breath, she walked over, held down her skirt, and sat next to Rei. Then she looked at her legs compared to Rei's; the black stockings and white stockings created a sharp contrast.

"Eh, my legs are longer than yours, and the shape is better. Hmph, I win again."

Rei had long since gotten used to this Germanic "Winning Science." She rested her chin on her knees. "Have you thought about how to stop me?"

"Simple. I'll just cover your mouth so you can't speak."

Asuka swayed her head with an air of ease.

'Is this nursery-school level sabotage?'

"Then have you ever thought about beating me to it?"

"Why would I rush? I have no interest in that guy!"

Asuka increased her volume, then suddenly whispered softly, "Besides, I don't want to be forced by you to jump off the school building."

Rei watched the girl hug her knees. Her face was flushed red in the reflection of the fire, and her fiery red dress outlined a perfect figure. She realized that except for her mouth, everything about this person was soft.

"What if I don't bind you with a vow?"

"That won't work either."

Asuka gazed at a "good person" being mocked by friends in the distance, saying vacantly, "This battle must not be lost. If I fail, I don't know what will happen. Normal people have no idea what that idiot is thinking; it leaves me with no confidence at all."

'The scent of fear. So you, who always charges forward, are actually afraid of this. That's why you use aggression to cover your hesitation. Truly, the more you care about something, the more you fear it.'

A bit more light appeared in Rei's eyes, but soon, she saw Asuka lunging at her, flailing her arms.

"Forget it! I didn't say anything just now! What confession? It's just a game of house for little kids; I have zero interest."

Rei didn't resist, letting Asuka knead her face. That cold, calm gaze made Asuka's hands freeze.

"Why don't you resist? Bullying you like this is no fun."

"I don't consider this level of behavior to be bullying."

Rei raised her hand and caught the palms on her cheeks. Asuka flinched instantly, instinctively wanting to pull away, but found she couldn't move an inch.

"You, me, and Ikari-kun... I don't know how to handle this complicated relationship, but I am not lost. Asuka, do you know why?"

"W-Why?"

"Because I know that everything must be built on the premise of survival. The conflict between you and me is nothing. I won't blame Ikari-kun either, because I know he will never escape from anything."

Her red eyes blinked gently, her emotions exceptionally stable—a hundred times more stable than Asuka's conflict and hesitation.

"Just like at this very moment, he is exhausting his mind for our happiness. Therefore, I will only wait for him, and I will never let myself be a burden to him."

Following that calm voice, the orange-red bangs fell, and only a pair of trembling blue eyes could be seen through the strands of hair.

In this moment, Asuka actually felt a sense of self-shame. Her thinking was not on the same level as Rei's at all. The latter was indeed waiting, yet without a shred of negative emotion.

She understood all of Shinji's actions and would only silently support and quietly wait.

'Instead, I'm the one acting like a brat?'

Asuka blinked and buried her head. Amidst the bonfire, her heart felt stifled.

'Fine. Today is yet another defeat.'

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