"Good morning, Shinji Ikari. You're here early today."
With his hands in his pockets as usual, Kaworu Nagisa strolled over to Shinji Ikari, who was crouching on the ground, and gestured for him to take his seat.
Shinji immediately smiled when he saw Kaworu arrive. "I couldn't help it. I had nothing else to do, so I came early."
Then the two sat together and began playing the piano.
Rhythmic piano notes echoed through the spacious plaza, and both of them were already immersed in the joy of the music.
At that moment, Shinji felt what true happiness was.
"How well do I have to play for it to count as good?"
"You don't have to play that well. As long as you can play music that makes you feel comfortable, that's enough."
"What if... I want to play something even more beautiful? What should I do?"
"Practice over and over. Keep repeating the same thing until you're satisfied. That's the only way."
Their conversation made each feel that he had found a kindred spirit.
Shinji, in particular, thoroughly enjoyed how he felt right then.
As far as he could remember, he hadn't experienced anything like it in all this time.
Happy, at ease, alive.
Pilot Single Room
Shinji lay on his bed, turned on his side, looking at the Walkman on the nearby table.
His father had personally given him the Walkman when they parted ways during his childhood.
His feelings toward it were rather complicated.
Without any family by his side, this Walkman had kept him company day after day.
Now that it was broken, he felt somewhat uncomfortable without the music he was used to hearing every day.
After thinking it over, Shinji finally decided to have the Walkman repaired.
Corroded Ruins
As evening approached, the purplish-red