"Mom! Mom!
I was chosen!
I'm an elite pilot who protects humanity now!
Am I the best in the world?!"
In her dream, Asuka remembered being chosen as Unit-02's pilot when she was little, running all the way to her mother in excitement to share the good news.
Beneath the twilight shrouding her dream, Asuka felt that no matter how far she ran, she could never escape. All she could do was force a smile and run back to her mother. Only there could she find something to cling to, however tenuous...
The door opened...
"They said I had to keep it a secret from everyone! But I'll tell you, Mom!"
Nothing appeared, but that was fine. She could try again!
"Lots of people will be nice to me! So I'll never be lonely again!"
She opened the door again. Still nothing. That was fine. Keep going!
"It doesn't matter if Dad isn't here. I'm not lonely at all."
Beyond the door was another door, just like this endless dream. She could never reach her destination.
"So please look at me. Look at me!
Please, Mom!"
Asuka turned the doorknob. This time, there were finally no more doors layered behind one another.
When Asuka opened the door, she saw the sight that would scar her for life.
Her mother hung dead before her, and her excited expression instantly froze.
A grotesque smile crept over that expression...
She simply no longer knew what expression could convey how she felt at that moment.
"Ah?!" Asuka jolted awake in bed. Her whole body was drenched in sweat, and so were the sheets...
Her wet hair clung uncomfortably to her skin. She left her room to take a shower, only to see that Shinji had returned.
The lifeless Shinji sat down in a chair