The morning sunlight slowly illuminated the village, brimming with the warmth of everyday life.
Everyone began another day of work. People came and went along the streets; although there weren't all that many of them, the village was still lively.
With a child strapped to her back, Hikari Horaki prepared the day's food at the restaurant counter.
Freshly awake, Black Rei wore a jacket, her eyes half closed and her hair somewhat disheveled. The sensor headband was still on her head.
Hikari Horaki heard someone open the door behind her. She glanced back and greeted her with a smile. "Good morning."
Black Rei asked with a blank, innocent expression, "What does... good morning mean?"
"It's a [spell] we say so we can keep living together today. Good morning, Miss Lookalike."
Black Rei's brows twitched, and then she nodded gently.
Sunlight streamed through the window, and Shinji Ikari, who had been sleeping beside it, opened his eyes too.
Seeing that the front door was already open, he walked outside and found Huang Zhetian still fishing beside the pond.
"Good morning, Shinji Ikari. How did you sleep? Feeling okay?"
Huang Zhetian casually tossed Shinji Ikari a bottle of mouthwash and patted the stool beside him, inviting him to sit.
After rinsing his mouth, Shinji Ikari even made do with the mouthwash to wash his face.
"Not bad, Zhetian-kun. What do I need to do today?"
Huang Zhetian heard Shinji Ikari speak of his own accord, his tone no longer as despondent as before. Although his expression remained as gloomy as ever, he was doing considerably better than in the original story.
"Hmm, there's no rush. Fish for me for a while. I'll go do a good deed and come back, then take you to meet someone."
Shinji Ikari asked, "If I haven't