Affection

When Huang Zhetian woke up, it was already two thirty in the morning.

That timing seemed a little off... Oh well, no need to sweat the small stuff. (ಡωಡ)

Huang Zhetian spotted a figure in a school uniform on the bed beside his.

Was that Asuka?

Huang Zhetian tried to sit up, but his exhaustion made him let out a hiss.

That was enough to wake Asuka.

"Idiot Zhetian! You're awake? Damn it! Back then... back then! How dare you snap at me?!" Asuka climbed out of bed and came over, immediately launching into a fierce interrogation.

"Hey, I'm a patient right now. Normally, I'm pretty amazing. I'm just not feeling great today." Huang Zhetian smoothed his hair. Huh? Since when did I have a middle part?

Seeing the worry in Asuka's eyes, Huang Zhetian grew a little more serious.

"Ahem, I barely made it back alive. Could I have a hug?" Huang Zhetian asked her cautiously, a little nervous, stealing glances at her reaction.

Asuka froze at his words. After thinking it over, she finally agreed.

He had been very brave today.

Much better than that Shinji guy.

"Fine! Since you successfully protected me today, I'll grant your request! Remember, just one hug~" Asuka was as haughty as ever, her tone carrying the air of a handout: I'm rewarding you. It doesn't mean anything else.

Huang Zhetian gently hugged Asuka and sat with her on the bed, gazing out at the night.

Asuka's body was soft, but her will and fighting spirit were anything but. They were resolute.

The two children began chatting.

Before long, Huang Zhetian spoke, half hinting and half spelling it out. "Soryu, in China, we have an old saying: nobody's perfect. It means nobody in this world is born perfect. That goes for all of us. You've already done very well. Don't blame yourself for what happened today."

Huang Zhetian wanted Asuka to escape the shadows deep within her heart.

"But seeing both you and Shinji get hurt made me feel like I still wasn't strong enough. And if I'm not strong enough, it means I haven't worked hard enough." Asuka brushed aside the hair on her forehead, her voice serious.

Still no luck. Well, how long had we even known each other?

"You and I each bear half the responsibility for Shinji getting hurt. Don't blame yourself. Defeating the Angel will be our revenge for him. He won't have suffered those injuries for nothing!" Huang Zhetian gazed at the forest outside, his voice low.

Turning back to her, he said gently, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to play the hero either. Honestly, I'm terrified of dying..."

Asuka's tone softened considerably from its usual sharpness. "All right, we'll just defeat the Angel together when the time comes. I'm heading out. Misato's still waiting for us. See you then~" With that, she got up and left.

"Those were my heartfelt words to the EVA fans from my previous life. You shouldn't have to bear the tragedy of this script." Huang Zhetian gazed sadly at the sky as he spoke, then his eyes suddenly hardened with resolve!

NERV Headquarters Base-Command Center

"Shinji Ikari is gravely injured and still unconscious," Fuyutsuki said gravely.

"It doesn't matter. Events are following the script. Although only two of the four Eva units have been used so far, that is enough. Huang Zhetian is awake now. We'll send him and Asuka out next. Leave command of the operation to Misato..." Gendo Ikari spoke expressionlessly, his hands clasped beneath his chin.

"Following the script again? I'm afraid your script may clash with that of those old men at SEELE... When that happens, there's no telling whose ending we'll get." Fuyutsuki hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.

"There's no need to rush. The only place SEELE hasn't infiltrated is China... I'll stake my wager on that. Huang Zhetian is very useful. When the time comes, it will all be settled, and I'll see Yui..." A trace of tenderness entered Gendo Ikari's eyes as he finished.

Yui, wait for me...

Out on the balcony, Asuka gazed at the night sky. Remembering what Huang Zhetian had said at the NERV Headquarters Base, her expression grew serious.

"Idiot. Trying to play the hero!" Yet as Asuka spoke, something stirred in her heart. This pilot of the Special Unit was a little different.

Aside from Kaji, who had given her a sense of security and stability, Huang Zhetian was the first person her age in all these years to make her feel something different.

It was like a sheltered harbor, safe and comforting, where she didn't have to fear harm from anything outside.

"Huang Zhetian, you really are an idiot..." Asuka smiled faintly and looked toward the NERV Headquarters Base.

The following evening, at Misato's home

"The military can only buy us six days. We have a plan: the two Eva units must achieve matching movement synchronization rates and destroy both cores simultaneously," Misato told Asuka and Huang Zhetian solemnly.

"Shinji's condition has stabilized, but he's still unconscious. Time won't wait for us. You and Asuka will go into battle together! There's only one chance. You have to defeat the Angel within the time set by this song's rhythm." Misato took out a cassette tape and waved it at them.

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

Both of them tensed and answered solemnly.

"Good. I'll leave the rest to you!" Misato told them gently. "Give it your best!"

After Misato left, Huang Zhetian's staring made Asuka flustered.

Putting on a brave front, Asuka snapped, "What are you looking at? Keep staring and I'll punch you!"

"I bet you couldn't bring yourself to do it. Even if I let you, you wouldn't. After all, I've only just recovered." Huang Zhetian stroked Asuka's head. Her hair was soft and fragrant. It seemed she had just washed it...

"Hmph! Since you saved me, I'll let it slide." Asuka turned away with a snort.

"Get to bed early! We have practice tomorrow." Huang Zhetian gently smoothed Asuka's hair as he spoke.

"All right! That's enough. Don't push your luck!" Asuka resisted, refusing to let him play with her hair. Asuka was still Asuka; she wouldn't let anyone get too touchy.

Was it an illusion?

Or...

"All right, all right, go to sleep." Asuka hurried back to her room and quickly shut the door.

"This is nice..." Looking at Asuka, Huang Zhetian couldn't help imagining their life together in the future.

It seemed his relationship with Asuka had progressed to fondness, but it hadn't reached that stage yet.

(Getting ahead of yourself, aren't you? I don't have the ability to write that far yet. Are you trying to work me to death?! Author's thoughts...)

The night grew deep and quiet.

Huang Zhetian lay in bed, unable to sleep no matter how hard he tried.

Shinji's condition had already gone beyond what he could handle. He needed to report the situation to China. He couldn't get what he needed on his own. Could his doing this also be part of Gendo Ikari's script?

Click! A door opened.

Huang Zhetian immediately shut his eyes and pretended to sleep. A little while later, he heard the toilet flush.

He cracked his eyes open and saw Asuka...