The next day, during a simulation test at NERV Headquarters.
Dressed in her red combat suit, Asuka sat on the Soul Seat with vacant eyes.
The test had ended, but Asuka felt that today's session hadn't gone as smoothly as before. It was as though a membrane had cut her off from her own mind.
The feeling was deeply uncomfortable...
The Entry Plug's inner walls clearly displayed everything outside, yet they offered no glimpse into Asuka's heart.
Seeing this, Akagi spoke into the microphone to reassure her. "Just do what you normally do. Don't overthink it."
Akagi's sudden words brought Asuka back to her senses, making her already restless mood even worse.
Asuka forced herself to perk up, tightening her grip on the control sticks as she protested loudly, "I am! I'm doing what I always do!"
Akagi signaled Ibuki beside her with a glance. Understanding immediately, Ibuki switched off the microphone connected to the pilot before reporting Asuka's test results.
"What's wrong with Asuka? Her performance is a little below her usual standard." Ibuki enlarged the graph for Akagi, who saw that the line on the monitor had dipped below the passing threshold.
Fortunately, this was only her first failure. It probably wouldn't be a problem.
But... today's results from all the pilots had to be compared. Whoever performed better would have their EVA repaired first.
Except for Unit-01...
Since priority went to whoever performed best, Akagi couldn't use their previous results for comparison.
Headquarters would have to spend a fortune this time. Personnel, materials, and finances were all stretched thin. The higher-ups were quite unhappy, but they had still dispatched the necessary supplies, which were now on their way to NERV Headquarters.
Until then, they would prioritize repairing the EVA belonging to the pilot in the best condition,