Whirr-crack!
Inside the clinic.
Toji Suzuhara checked the medication quantities and records, while Kensuke Aida inspected the village's only advanced operating table beside him.
Its four slender mechanical arms moved nimbly and precisely. Kensuke Aida operated the control console, turning back to compare frequencies as he worked.
"Shinji's changed so much these past few days. He doesn't have that defeated air he had when he first arrived. He's full of life now. I've never seen him this cheerful before. Seeing him like this puts my mind at ease. Boss really is Boss. He even managed to pull Shinji back from that."
Kensuke Aida took out a notebook and pencil and began recording the data. He sighed in admiration. "I'd planned to leave Ikari alone, give him some time entirely to himself. I never imagined spending time with Boss would change him so much."
Toji Suzuhara said, "Come to think of it, weren't you a little too cold toward Shinji before?"
Kensuke Aida said, "Ah, worrying too much isn't good for either side. I'm not Boss, anyway. Besides, with Boss around, does he really need me? And I believe Ikari can pull himself together."
Toji Suzuhara let out a long breath of relief and picked up a bottle to count its pills. "Well, thank goodness everything's moving in the right direction. Shinji's gotten used to village life and its rhythms lately. I keep seeing him with that girl who looks like Rei Ayanami. They're practically inseparable."
Kensuke Aida said, "Shinji told me her name. She's still called Ayanami."
Toji Suzuhara said, "Oh! It's easier to address her now that we have a name."
Kensuke Aida said, "Where are they now?"
Toji Suzuhara said, "Those two? They're at my place, helping my wife with the chores. Looking after a baby at home