NERV Headquarters.
Shinji Ikari sat on a bench in the lounge, surrounded by drink vending machines.
He was considering whether to have something carbonated before training began to maintain his acid-base balance.
Just then, a bottle of cola was offered from behind him, its icy chill immediately drawing his attention.
He turned to look behind him and found Ryoji Kaji smiling at him.
"Hey, how's our esteemed Child of God doing? Why not go on a date with me sometime?"
"If you don't want to be sent to the Stake, feel free to go arrange it."
"The esteemed Child of God really does have a terrifying amount of control over Headquarters. Never mind, then."
Ryoji Kaji waved his hands in mock alarm.
Shinji Ikari chuckled and accepted the cola. He wasn't fooled; this man's frivolity was only a facade.
"You came at just the right time. Intelligence is your specialty, isn't it? There's something I wanted to ask you."
"Our esteemed Child of God sure knows how to squeeze us little pawns, too. Go ahead and ask whatever you like."
Shinji Ikari smiled and told Ryoji Kaji directly about what had happened on the rooftop.
Although the girl who had fallen from the sky had asked him to keep it secret, he had never agreed, so he felt no guilt about telling him.
After all, hearing words like "secret infiltration" was bound to give him some cause for concern.
"A beautiful girl with glasses who fell from the sky... Mari?" Ryoji Kaji wore a knowing expression.
Especially when he heard the description "beautiful girl," an indescribably odd expression crossed the face of the easygoing man with the little ponytail.
"That's right, Mari. I think she's worth looking into." Shinji Ikari noticed the strange expression, too, and asked suspiciously, "Do you