Staring at the hospital room ceiling, Shinji felt like crying but had no tears left.
"How many times have I been here now?"
"I really want to get out..."
Asuka gave his chest a gentle pat.
"Ow... that hurts..." A stab of pain shot through Shinji.
Asuka rolled her eyes. "You want to leave before your injuries have even healed?"
"Stay put and behave..."
Zero's phantom floated out as well. "Exactly, Shinji. You should wait until your injuries have healed before heading out..."
"When that idiot Zero told me you transformed right after waking up in the ICU, I was honestly shocked..." Asuka chided him.
Shinji gently stroked Asuka's cheek. "Once I knew everyone was doing everything they could for the operation, I just couldn't stand by and watch..."
"So I'm sorry I made you worry..."
"Who was worried about an idiot like you...?"
Despite her prickly words, Asuka didn't pull away from Shinji's hand. Instead, she held it.
"You did amazing this time, Asuka..." After learning that Asuka had worked with Limings to destroy Gomess's heat-dissipation organs, Shinji knew he ought to give her plenty of praise.
Asuka lifted her nose proudly. "Of course. My aim isn't just for show."
"Of course, I also have Rei-chan to thank for getting Unit-02 restarted in an emergency."
After returning this time, Asuka had started calling Rei Ayanami by the nickname Rei-chan, leaving Rei rather overwhelmed.
"This was everyone's achievement. Without everyone's efforts, and Senior Limings's, I couldn't have defeated Gomess with Zero..."
"Don't mention that beast. It left you and Zero in this state..."
Listening to them, however, Zero didn't seem particularly happy.
He gazed out the window.
"This might sound a little preachy..."
"But if humanity can't recognize its own mistakes, this Gomess will certainly not be the last..."
He