Shinji Ikari heard someone call his name and turned around.
A silver-haired, red-eyed boy was looking at him, just as he had three years ago.
Kaworu Nagisa.
Shinji looked at the boy, who had never changed, and patted the girl beside him on the head.
"I'm going to have a quick chat with this big brother."
"Aww, I want to stay with Mr. Ikari a little longer." Little Ayanami tilted her head up.
She's actually using her appearance to act like a cute little kid. Did Rei teach her that? Asuka wondered privately.
"Six, don't bother Mr. Ikari... the Child of God." Trowa stepped forward.
"It's fine. And as for what to call me, you can call me the same thing Ayanami does if you like."
Shinji Ikari and Kaworu Nagisa walked away under the girls' gazes.
Shinji looked at the boy who had once fought for him, who had repeatedly promised to make him happy, and who had now become his pope.
"Free Angel, Kaworu Nagisa," Shinji said evenly.
"So you know." Kaworu smiled, showing no sign of nervousness.
"I can sense it, and Misato and the others told me," Shinji said. "An Angel who's like a human."
"That identity is rather troublesome, so the Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Commander put this on me," Kaworu said with a smile.
He pulled open his collar, revealing something like a choker around his neck.
"This 'necklace' is connected to a coded detonator. If they decide I can't be trusted, they'll detonate it."
"That's their style. They never mess around when it comes to serious business." Shinji nodded.
"You've experienced the things that happened in this world many times, haven't you? Or would it be more accurate to say you've been reincarnated through repeated cycles with your memories intact?"
"To be precise, they're