"What?!" Rei's voice finally broke, her eyes wide in disbelief.
The Fifth Angel was truly here.
She looked at Ryōta Kitazawa with utter astonishment.
He... how could he know everything in advance?
There was something enigmatic about him—like he was wrapped in mist, impossible to pin down.
Ryōta didn't explain. He couldn't reveal that his War God System had warned him of the Fifth Angel's arrival half an hour earlier.
Seeing Rei's shock, he didn't linger. He took her hand and darted toward NERV Headquarters.
Her mind was blank as he pulled her along.
She had no idea how he knew the Angel was coming, but she realized one undeniable truth—his hand was warm.
---
Within NERV, staff readied for battle. Misato Katsuragi waited in the command room. When Ryōta appeared, resolute, pulling in Rei's limp hand, Misato's eyes flickered with surprise and admiration.
"This guy... he really can pull Rei along, huh?" she murmured with a small smile.
---
"Ryōta-kun..." Rei's voice caught as he neared the entry to the cockpit.
"What is it?" Ryōta asked, looking down at her with that confident, calm smile.
Rei hesitated but spoke:
> "Ryōta-kun…could you tell me… who you really are?"
Her eyes reflected confusion—and something deeper. There was mystery surrounded Ryōta.
Perhaps he was just a more gifted EVA pilot than she? Her voice steady, she sought clarity.
Ryōta smiled gently.
> "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you should watch out for Commander Ikari—he's not a good man. You must understand: your life is more than just EVA."
Rei's lips Fluttered:
> "Commander Ikari has always treated me kindly...And I am Rei Ayanami. Piloting EVA—that seems like my purpose, my entire existence."
Her voice strengthened.
> "So I want you to teach me."
Ryōta shook his head lightly.
> "No. To me, you need more than piloting EVA—you need a whole new life."
Rei blinked. "What color is life?" she thought, as her gaze softened.
Ryōta's lips curved.
> "From today on, you don't have to fight anymore. I'll guard your smile."
The giant EVA Unit-01 roared to life. Heavily it lifted, light gleaming off its purple armor, the great halo gleaming above its head—like a divine crown.
Across the chasm, in the sky, the Fifth Angel—Angel Shamshel—emerged.
A deafening roar shook the valley.
> "Let's fight!"
Inside Unit‑01, Ryōta's voice dropped low. A massive particle blade appeared in its hand. Aerial currents whined as it sliced through the air, aiming straight at the Angel.
---
Meanwhile, deep underground in the shelter, a group of schoolboys listened to radio updates.
Most hid in fear—but Tōji Suzuhara squatted on the floor, his expression unreadable. That guy... he's fighting right now?
He clenched his jaw. The memory of Ryōta—a man who could kill—haunted him.
Next to him, Kensuke Aida nudged him gently and asked,
> "Suzuhara, what are you thinking?"
Tōji shook his head, forcing calm.
> "Nothing."
Kensuke pressed:
> "Come on, don't you want to go see? Kitazawa is fighting right now. Don't you want to see what the intruder looks like?"
Tōji hesitated, uneasy. Fear and curiosity warred within him: What if Ryōta defeats the Angel? Or worse, fails?
Kensuke smirked and turned to the teacher:
> "Class rep! Kensuke and I need to use the restroom!"
Hokari Hikari snapped at them immediately:
> "Now? The timing is terrible—but go, quick!"
They grinned, nudged Tōji, and slipped away from the shelter.
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