Preparations

"Oh man, Asuka! Ohhh~ ah!" Huang Zhetian grew so excited that he started losing his mind. She was a two-dimensional girl, after all. There was no need to tell anyone here what sort of guy he was.

Before, Huang Zhetian could only lust after girls on paper... but things were different now.

"Come on, snap out of it! Three to seven years in prison! Huang Zhetian, are you even human? You animal! She's fourteen-how could you even think of making a move?" Huang Zhetian began reflecting on himself, repeating inwardly, Forgive me, forgive me.

"I should get my luggage packed first." After a long think, Huang Zhetian put food first, drawing second, and some "study materials" third. Over a terabyte-not much, really. In his previous life... Hey, hey, stop right there. Go pack, go pack. (ಡωಡ)

After packing, he went to the shore... He gazed at the red seawater as the sea breeze carried the stench of blood and rot. Looking into the distance, Huang Zhetian wondered whether this world was the same as his previous one, only different in form. "Ah, forget it. Who cares? I'm still trying to figure out how to win Asuka over..." Huang Zhetian turned and headed back. After a few steps, he turned around and took one long, searching look, then left without looking back.

Back in his room, Huang Zhetian sorted through his purchases, bustling about until he had packed four cases in all. Compared with Asuka's luggage, his was already small and sparse.

Something suddenly occurred to Huang Zhetian, and he took a sword hilt out of the storeroom. It had no blade; it was simply a hilt.

The hilt looked just like that of the Thousand Blades Demon Sword, except it lacked the sword's demonic markings and was black. The system had given it to him, and anything the system produced was bound to be quality. Still, it had no apparent use at the moment, and he had no idea how to use it.

The system had only given him one hint: "Heart."

"What's that supposed to mean? I have no idea. Giving it to me is pointless. Whatever, I'll take it along anyway." Huang Zhetian stuffed the hilt into a case and went back to his room to rest.

After he left, a faint streak of red light flashed across the hilt inside the case...

Sigh... Sprawled on the bed, Huang Zhetian stared at the ceiling and wondered, Does Shinji feel this way too...

Japan, Misato's home. Shinji lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling and listening to a song on his Walkman that none of us knew. "Rei Ayanami... Dad, and Miss Misato. Why are you doing this? Forcing me?! Ah!" His final cry startled Misato in the next room.

Misato hurried over, pushed the door open, and hastily asked, "Shinji, what's wrong?" Seeing Shinji curled up on the bed with his back to her left her troubled and restless. But then she thought about how he was only fourteen, bearing the pressure adults had forced upon him. His mother had left him when he was little, and an emotional gulf separated him from Commander Ikari. He felt lonelier, more stifled, and more lost than anyone. He had no idea what he had to do to earn his father Commander Ikari's approval and praise...

Thinking of all this, Misato stepped forward and gently held Shinji in her arms. "Shinji, you've already done so much, and you've done so well..." she said softly. "Everyone sees all the effort you've put in. Maybe we adults haven't handled things right, but piloting Eva is your mission... You have to protect all the homes behind you, and humanity... I need to apologize to you here. What happened last time with the Fourth Angel-I shouldn't have..."

"Miss Misato... thank you." Shinji interrupted her. Some of the hurt and sadness in his heart eased. At least there was still someone who understood him by his side, comforting him, encouraging him, and teaching him.

But wasn't Misato lonely, just like Shinji? Misato and Shinji were kindred souls in their suffering, plagued by negative emotions. They doubted themselves and others...

"So, tomorrow's breakfast... you're making it, okay? (๑＞؂＜๑)" Misato said with a mischievous grin.

"What?! What did you come into my room for? (눈_눈) Just that? Come on..." Shinji's gratitude and warm feelings toward Misato vanished in an instant.

"Misato, what happened with that Jet Alone...?" Shinji asked.

"Someone pulled a few strings. Don't ask any more. Neither of us should look into this. All we need to know is that we stopped Jet Alone from going out of control." Misato's expression turned unusually serious.

After saying that, she walked to the door, then stopped and turned back to Shinji with a grin. "Tomorrow's..."

"I know..." (눈_눈) Shinji was a little speechless. Had she come to comfort him or to sweet-talk him into doing things for her?

"Oh, right. Tomorrow we're going to take delivery of two Evas. Bring your friends along. All right, get some sleep. Good night. (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡" With that, she closed the door.

"Two Evas... I wonder what my new teammates will be like?" Filled with anticipation and questions, Shinji switched off his Walkman and stared at the ceiling.

Wasn't it much the same for Huang Zhetian?