The underground base's command room.
Shinji had somehow gotten hold of a small knife and held it against his wrist, threatening to hurt himself.
His eyes stared straight at the elevated seat at the very top, where his father, Gendo Ikari, sat.
The moment Shinji came in and did this, he startled everyone present. The staff kept their distance, trying to soothe him and talk him down.
They did their best not to agitate him any further.
Gendo Ikari remained immovable in his seat above them all. His eyes were cold as he looked down at his son threatening him with self-harm.
"Shinji!! Don't do anything stupid! If we hadn't done that, your life would have been in danger!" Hyuga shouted from a distance, explaining Gendo Ikari's actions.
Ibuki joined in. Though she sounded a little frightened, she stood before Shinji and spoke firmly. "Shinji, listen to me. If Commander Ikari hadn't made that decision, we might all be dead!!!"
They would have been better off saying nothing. Those words sent Shinji straight into a frenzy.
His grip on the knife grew firmer. The blade began cutting into his skin, and blood dripped down.
Shinji widened his bloodshot eyes, already red from crying, and shouted, "All of you, shut up!!! I told you! Those are two different things!!!"
Then he fixed his eyes on Gendo Ikari and began to speak.
He wanted an answer and an explanation from his father, even if it was only an apology.
At least that would give him something to tell himself, Huang Zhetian, and the others.
Otherwise, he had no idea how he could face Toji and Huang Zhetian again.
"That thing wanted to kill Toji, and it even put Zhetian-kun on its kill list!! I ended up hurting them too!!"
"And it used