"Come on, let's go welcome that fellow..." Fuyutsuki stood up and called Gendo Ikari to his feet.
"Who is he, Professor?"
"You went to Kyoto University too. You should remember him."
"An eccentric who studied marine biology. Remember?"
Looking bewildered, Gendo Ikari said, "How many years has it been...? I don't remember him..."
"Daisuke Serizawa. Ring a bell?" Fuyutsuki gave his name.
Gendo Ikari said, "That does sound familiar, but what's he here for?"
Fuyutsuki frowned. "It has to be about Gomess. That fellow might have spent the decade or so he was missing researching it..."
Gendo Ikari and Fuyutsuki took the elevator to the reception area.
The first thing they saw was an unkempt old geezer.
He was a complete mess, clutching a large roll of documents, his suit in tatters...
"You're finally here, Fuyutsuki!" Professor Serizawa casually held out his hand to Fuyutsuki.
He completely ignored Gendo Ikari beside him.
Serizawa clasped Fuyutsuki's hand. "You've even become Deputy Commander! You really are the most successful one of our bunch..."
Fuyutsuki frowned. "Where have you been all these years? Back then, I thought you'd died in the Second Impact..."
"God knows how I survived that. If you want to hear about it, we can find somewhere to chat."
"Ahem. Those questions can wait until you've explained why you're here. This isn't a place for idle chatter," Gendo Ikari said sternly.
Professor Serizawa gave Gendo Ikari a disgruntled look, then asked Fuyutsuki, "Who's this fellow?"
"One of your subordinates, right? What terrible manners."
Gendo Ikari felt a surge of anger rushing to his head...
Fuyutsuki hurried to smooth things over. "This is Gendo Ikari. He's the Commander of NERV now, and my superior. Watch what you say." Hearing that, Professor Serizawa looked Gendo Ikari up and down.
"Oh, this young