Back to the previous night.
Shinji returned to his room, shut the door, and took out his cello, setting it on the floor.
He pulled out the disc Huang Zhetian had given him and stared at it, unsure how he felt.
Huang Zhetian had told him it could simulate every movement a deceased loved one had made in life, right down to their tone of voice.
"Okay, I'll use it. I only get one chance anyway. Besides, I can't remember what Mom looked like anymore." After thinking it over, Shinji decided to use it. He picked up the cello and placed it on the disc.
Shinji sat cross-legged on the floor, his eyes fixed on the disc.
Before long, the disc began spinning steadily.
It spun faster and faster, light flashing around its edges. Finally, a phantom figure projected from its center.
Shinji shielded his eyes with his hand. The light was far too dazzling.
When the light faded, Shinji saw a figure who looked very much like Rei Ayanami.
Then he heard a voice.
"Shinji, have you been well?" The voice was gentle and full of life.
"M-Mom?" Shinji grew excited, gazing at the figure before him in delighted surprise.
She looked so much like the blurry figure he saw in his dreams, but he could never quite remember her.
But... why can't I see Mom's face? What's going on?
This cello was something his mother had left behind, and Teacher Fuyutsuki had asked him to learn to play it.
"Yes, Shinji. You've changed a lot, but the kindness in your heart is still there." Shinji thought he saw the figure smiling. He knew he had so many questions, but he only had five minutes...
Shinji tried to open his mouth and speak, but no words would come out.