There are many things in life that don't go as planned.
Like freshly made rice balls dropping on the floor and being snatched away by a dog.
Or, as there's a saying in faraway China: "When heaven wants to rain, and mother wants to remarry," and it rains—while the mother does indeed marry another man.
Or another example: Ryōta Kitazawa reaches out his hand, but the girl only asks him a question—and it has nothing to do with romance…
> "Excuse me—but how do I upgrade an EVANGELION into its perfect, evolved form?"
"What? Why ask that?" Ryōta Kitazawa paused, then chuckled.
"Because I really want to know," Rei Ayanami responded, her calm, determined gaze never wavering.
Ryōta shook his head, a wry smile hidden deep in his thoughts. Of course it was Rei—aside from piloting EVA Unit‑00, nothing else interested her. How could he possibly reveal his secret to her?
And even if he did, who would believe him? he thought with a bitter grin.
"Then what would make you tell me?" Rei asked quietly.
"Next time," Ryōta said softly, confidence radiating from his voice. "When you come to my house next time, I'll tell you—and soon, we will see each other again."
Rei's expression remained neutral, but curiosity flickered in her quiet eyes.
"Come to your house… and how are you so sure we'll meet again?" she pondered, though she said no more.
—---
Meanwhile, inside NERV Headquarters, Commander Gendo Ikari sat in his spacious office, motionless at his desk, his face devoid of emotion—as if nothing in this world could stir him.
From afar, Fuyutsuki's footsteps sounded, and he entered.
> "So, they've already met?" Gendo asked over his shoulder without turning.
"Yes," Fuyutsuki replied calmly. "Rei seems very curious about Kitazawa‑kun."
Gendo's eyes flicked with interest. "Have they discussed anything? About the... evolution."
Fuyutsuki smiled faintly. "You're curious too, aren't you, Commander? Kitazawa made Unit‑01 evolve—but that defies biological explanations. Are you doubting something?"
Gendo said nothing for a moment. Then, quietly: "Arrange for them to spend more time together."
"Understood."
—---
Later
Rei walked quietly beneath a soft drizzle, holding an umbrella. Her pale blue hair shone even on this gray day. In her hand was Ryōta's new ID card—Commander Ikari's orders said she was to deliver it personally.
She found the Kitazawa residence on a quiet street, barely disrupted by the rain. Softly, she rapped on the door.
"Please come in," a gentle voice replied.
Inside, Rei paused, gazing at the workout equipment scattered throughout the house. Is this how Kitazawa trains? she wondered.
Ryōta greeted her with a smile from the sofa. "These are just for killing time," he dismissed the display of dedication with a casual wave.
Rei steadied herself and looked him in the eyes. "So, Kitazawa‑kun… this time will you finally tell me—how to evolve an EVA?"
Ryōta smiled with calm confidence. "You can't learn it," he replied.
She straightened. "Why not?" Rei's voice held quiet resolve.
"Because you can't," he repeated, oozing certainty. No, that's not enough, she thought.
Silence stretched until Rei bowed ever so slightly. "I'm sorry for troubling you," she said, placing the ID by the door, turning to leave.
Then Ryōta spoke softly from behind her. "One moment, I'll go with you—to Headquarters."
Rei turned, curious: "Why come along if you refuse to teach me?"
His voice remained steady. "The Fifth Angel has manifested."
Rei's eyes widened. "The Fifth Angel? How do you know?"
He just smiled. "You know—I just do."
He rose, headed for the door. Outside, sirens began to blare across the city.
A voice crackled over the radio:
> "Rei Ayanami, Ryōta Kitazawa—return to Headquarters immediately. This is no drill!"
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