"Stupid Shinji, why are you only talking to this impostor and ignoring me?"
Otwis lay on the ground, slapping it in displeasure.
"Because we don't really know each other yet," Shinji Ikari answered bluntly.
Still, the girl was a childhood friend who had dropped into his life, someone he had met once before. That much was true.
"It's all because you forgot me!" Asuka Soryu complained, turning to Asuka.
She snarled, "It's all because this girl stole my mother!"
"I'm piloting Unit-02 because I'm better than you!" Asuka retorted.
"No, you're not!" Asuka Soryu shouted. "You thief! You stole Mother and stupid Shinji!"
"I..."
Asuka suddenly found herself at a loss for words, but Shinji Ikari had already spoken up for her.
"That's not how it is."
Miss Soryu froze. "What are you talking about?"
"Asuka is Asuka, and Miss Soryu is Miss Soryu. I don't like Asuka because of you, Miss Soryu," Shinji Ikari said.
"Stupid Child of God!" Asuka cried. Shinji Ikari could practically see the fragile soul inside the giant sniffling already.
She really was adorable.
"Idiot! Shinji Ikari, you big idiot!"
Perhaps the truth hurt too much. Otwis began shouting in agitation.
Another second and she would have burst into tears, but Shinji Ikari interrupted her before she could.
"But we can start getting to know each other all over again, Miss Soryu."
At that, Miss Soryu couldn't help freezing. Shinji Ikari simply held out his hand.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Shinji Ikari."
"Asuka Langley Soryu."
The white giant extended a finger, and the boy took hold of it.
It had been more than ten years ago.
In the German summer, the air carried the scent of grass and a faint, cold smell from the distant testing grounds.
His mother treated Shinji Ikari like