A heart-to-heart

"You came looking for me just to give me a ring?" Kaji held the ring up to the sun, tilting his head back and squinting as he spoke softly.

"It can save your life. It's beyond anything natural. Whether you can start over with Misato and leave no regrets is up to you..." Huang Zhetian casually ate his watermelon, sounding unconcerned.

Eating watermelon in Japan, and after the Second Impact, no less. Tsk! What a luxury. Look at that juice! This melon is so sweet...

Kaji tossed the ring in his hand, then turned around with a chuckle.

"Kid... not bad. Fine, you've even brought up SEELE. How could I refuse to talk to you? But seriously, this ring can save me?" Kaji sounded doubtful.

"I had no choice. Gendo Ikari has written your actions into his script, too. Play along as much as you can, provided your life isn't in danger. If SEELE doesn't kill you, Gendo Ikari will... This melon is sweet." Huang Zhetian revealed the truth, then took another bite of watermelon, clicking his tongue appreciatively.

"Fine. I only teamed up with Gendo Ikari for now because I want the truth behind all this. It's only natural that I might turn against him at any moment. Sometimes I can't talk to you with an adult's authority. You're nothing like a child." Kaji pursed his lips.

"All right, put a drop of blood on it... Time to witness a miracle." Huang Zhetian tossed away the rind and gave Kaji a mysterious smile.

He had never seen this ring's special effects either. Would they be as dazzling as those of his sword hilt?

Kaji wasted no time. He picked up a fruit knife and lightly cut his finger.

A drop of blood slowly fell.

Ding-

An ethereal chime rang out.

The ring slowly floated into the air and turned into a droplet of liquid. Blue and red light shone across their faces.

Kaji looked astonished, while Huang Zhetian remained perfectly calm. Having already seen the sword hilt's effects, why would a ring surprise him? If it weren't for the plot, he really would have struggled to give Kaji such a precious Resurrection Ring.

Still, it really is beautiful. Much prettier than mine.

The ring flashed with brilliant light and flew toward Kaji's bleeding hand.

In an instant, it became that same unremarkable ring again, only now with a trace of rose red. It lent the ring a touch of life. Tsk! It really is beautiful up close...

"I have to say, I believe you a great deal more now. Thank you, Zhetian." Kaji bowed deeply to Huang Zhetian.

"I don't have a choice. It's all for Asuka... That girl. Sigh!" Huang Zhetian shook his head helplessly.

"Still, thank you." Kaji thanked him earnestly.

"Asuka, huh. Take good care of her... She needs care, too. She longs for someone to cherish her and acknowledge her. That tough exterior is really just a cover for the vulnerability inside." Kaji gazed at the blue sky and white clouds as he entrusted her to him.

"I came for her, and I was born for her. Asuka... I'll protect her with my life." Huang Zhetian answered solemnly.

"I won't let her suffer the slightest harm or hurt... I was ready for that when I came into this world." Huang Zhetian looked tenderly at the photo of them together at sunset in his wallet.

"I wish I could be like you, too, and love Misato wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, I can't do that right now..." Kaji took a drag on his cigarette and breathed out the desolation in his heart.

"There will be an ending eventually. Really." Huang Zhetian spoke earnestly to Kaji.

"That's such a long wait, Zhetian..."

"It doesn't matter. I don't care how long I have to wait. Just like you, still deeply in love with Misato after eight years. For now, I can't match you there..."

"Ah... what can you do? Love isn't something you can explain. It's one of the world's great mysteries. Right now, you and I are both characters in a script. Look at this world. Is there anything more important than love? This world still needs to be cherished with love..."

"The Wall of the Heart is also the A.T. Field. It creates barriers between people and gives them a sense of self. Yet they still want to understand each other deeply... Isn't that ironic?"

"We develop a sense of self, yet want to understand others. Where there's conflict, there are bonds. Nothing in this world is perfect."

"Exactly. Planning the ending and laying out my script comes at a price. Isn't that true of SEELE and Gendo Ikari, too?"

"Only people who can't find happiness would come up with a plan like that... Humans really are pathetic, pitiable, and hateful."

"Who isn't? Everyone is the same, but not everyone is alike. A world with contradictions is a real world. Only with the barriers of the Wall of the Heart can someone truly be an individual."

"Thank you, Zhetian..."

"And thank you all, too..."

Kaji and Huang Zhetian reclined in their chairs, looking at the blue sky, white clouds, utility poles, and flocks of birds.

They discussed life back and forth. At that moment, they felt utterly at ease, as though some restraint had been lifted.

"This feeling of freedom, of escaping someone else's schemes, is wonderful," Kaji said wistfully.

"Ha! Can someone with a bargaining chip compare to someone without one?" Huang Zhetian grabbed his hat and put it on, throwing his head back in laughter. His laughter was utterly free and relaxed.

He wanted to go home now and talk to that prickly little girl, trading barbs with her. This felt so much better than his previous life. Having someone he loved really did make all the difference.

Misato's home.

"Why isn't that idiot Zhetian back yet? It's almost time to make dinner... Hmph!" Dressed casually, Asuka sat cross-legged on the floor, puffing out her cheeks in displeasure.

"I'm home..." Huang Zhetian's voice reached her before he even came through the door.

"I know! I'll help you carry that! Idiot Zhetian..."

"Thank you, Asuka."

"Hmph..."

"This is nice..."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's so nice having you here."

"What nonsense are you spouting? (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)"

"I'll go cook."

"I'll tie your apron for you."

The sun slowly sank, and the light of dusk fell over them both, making the scene look so harmonious and lovely.

Misato came home just then and saw them.

She smiled as well and said,

"I'm home, too..."

Having a home really did feel different. It gave them something to look forward to.