Over the next few days, the modifications to Unit-03 proceeded steadily.
Shinji visited almost every day, and Asuka and Rei Ayanami came by a few times as well.
This cheered Toji up considerably.
But the visitor who made him happiest-and most bashful... was Hikari Horaki.
After asking the doctor what Toji could and could not eat, Shinji made a point of telling Hikari Horaki.
So when Hikari Horaki came to visit Toji in his hospital room, she brought a lunchbox.
"Toji... I brought your lunch..."
Toji's face instantly turned bright red, and Hikari Horaki's was much the same.
Shinji and Asuka had already slipped out of the room in a flash.
They left Toji and Hikari Horaki alone in the hospital room.
Toji took the lunchbox...
After he finished eating, they changed the subject and began chatting.
At first, they were both stiff and awkward, talking about things that hardly mattered.
Later, they gradually began to speak openly.
Having survived this brush with death, Toji no longer wanted to leave any regrets.
He confessed his feelings to Hikari Horaki.
He had recognized those feelings before, but had never dared to put them into words.
Hikari Horaki's face grew even redder, but this was exactly what she had hoped for.
She confessed her feelings to Toji as well, telling him she had liked him for some time.
Outside the room, Shinji and Asuka waited on a bench in the hallway.
Before long, Hikari Horaki emerged, looking bashful.
"How did it go? Did it work out?" Asuka asked Hikari Horaki confidently.
Hikari Horaki said nothing, merely nodding.
"That's wonderful! Congratulations to you both!"
After Hikari Horaki left, Zero's spectral form appeared as well. Resting both hands behind his head, he said contentedly:
"Another couple brought together. Looks like Mirror was right-I'm a