The events of this chapter took place after Chapter 70 and before Chapter 71.
Yui Ikari had arranged for Rei Ayanami to move to a residential district with a better environment. At least it was less run-down than her previous home.
Now, when she went out and happened to run into her neighbors, she would greet them in a quiet voice. She was trying to take that first step.
Her breakfast was simple: two slices of toast.
She had yet to learn how to cook, and she had a small appetite. She also had to take quite a bit of medicine to keep her body functioning.
After gathering up her trash, she carried the bag downstairs and threw it away, then waited where she was.
With a roar of the engine, Misato pulled up in front of her in a flashy silver-and-red sports car with a pair of orange headlights.
"Please get in, miss." Before Misato could speak, a polite mechanical voice rang out.
Yes, this car was Jean-nine.
Misato could even take her hands off the wheel while driving Jean-nine, since he drove himself.
Shinji and Asuka sat together in the back. Rei Ayanami opened the door and took the front passenger seat.
"Make sure you buckle up." As the voice finished speaking, a seat belt automatically slid out from the seat, and Rei Ayanami fastened it.
"Nai, can you play music?" A question suddenly occurred to Misato.
"Uh... Miss Misato, I do have a music playback function, but you haven't downloaded anything," Jean-nine explained.
"That's true, but Jean-nine can sing, you know. Jean-nine, want to show them what you can do?" (A voice actor joke.)
"Huh? Nai can sing too?" Misato sounded surprised.
"All right. Since Zero suggested it, I'll sing everyone a song."
Jean-nine's gentle mechanical voice