Japan, the city that preceded New Tokyo-3 (Hakone, southwestern Nara Prefecture. Note: this place exists in the real world).
Large, downy snowflakes drifted from the sky, fluttering down into the world and lending the city a pure, enchanting beauty.
The snow fell thick and fast, covering rooftops, streets, landscaped verges, and buildings in white.
Wearing a thick down jacket and a red scarf around his neck, Shinji walked toward the train station, one step at a time.
Deep footprints marked the thick snow behind him wherever he walked.
The cold wind struck Shinji's face, making it hard for him to keep his eyes open.
It was cold. It hurt. He felt miserable.
But he did not want to turn back, had never turned back, and could not turn back.
Because when Zhetian-kun had said goodbye, he had told him, "Stop sinking into that inner world of the past that leaves you miserable and exhausted. Everything inside it will shatter someday. Rather than waiting for handouts, go searching for yourself. Don't go back into hiding. Keep moving forward..."
"Goodbye, Shinji Ikari."
Shinji soon reached the train station and sat on a bench in the waiting area.
His phone rang in his pocket. He took out the palm-sized smartphone, ready to answer, and checked the caller.
It was one of the relatives he was staying with.
Shinji removed his glove, swiped to answer, and held the phone to his ear.
"Shinji, have you reached the train station?"
Shinji raised his head and looked at the snowflakes in the sky.
"Yes, I just got here."
"I'm uneasy about you going alone. I'm a little worried about you."
Shinji reached beyond the waiting area's roof, trying to catch a frozen snowflake in front of him.
"I'll be fine on my own. Don't worry."
"Remember