"So God gave up his Divine Throne to save the world?" Ritsuko Akagi teased.
"Pretty great, right? Sing this Child of God's praises to your heart's content, Ritsuko dear," Shinji Ikari said. "You could add that story to the Child of God Scripture. What do you think?"
"I think we could." Ritsuko Akagi smiled. The looks they exchanged could only be described as two partners in crime conspiring together.
Seeing the two of them practically leaning against each other, Misato Katsuragi stood up and fixed Shinji Ikari with a stern look.
"Don't get too pleased with yourself. We haven't confirmed your identity yet."
She wore a military cap and a dark red, single-breasted uniform coat with a high collar, black straight-legged trousers, military boots, and a tactical belt around her waist.
Perhaps taking a cue from Gendo Ikari, she also wore sunglasses. They made her look considerably sharper and more formidable, giving her quite the air of a Commander-in-Chief.
Misato Katsuragi
"Come on. I'll verify your identity myself. One check, and I'll know whether you're Shinji Ikari."
The moment she spoke, Shinji Ikari knew this woman really was the Misato Katsuragi he remembered.
He could see the faint redness around her eyes beneath her sunglasses.
Before Misato could drag Shinji Ikari away, Ritsuko Akagi blocked her path. The genius scientist hadn't changed either.
"I don't recall identity checks being part of the Commander-in-Chief's duties. That should be the responsibility of our Technical Department."
Shinji Ikari watched as the two women suddenly squared off.
Whether Shinji Ikari was Shinji Ikari-that was the question.
But even if no one else could tell, Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi certainly could.
In fact, when Shinji Ikari stood on the giant's palm and looked down on everyone, they had known he was Shinji Ikari the