As Hikari took Ritsuko's team away to build the next energy-charging device, Mirai turned to Kaworu Nagisa and Rei Ayanami, who had barely spoken.
Seeing how downcast they looked, Mirai bent down and smiled at them.
"What's wrong, kids?"
"You're Kaworu Nagisa and Rei Ayanami, right? Zero said you're both friends of his and Shinji's."
Zero knew about Kaworu Nagisa and Rei Ayanami's circumstances, too. Though one was a clone of Lilith and the other a hybrid of human and Angel, Mirai, like Zero, still looked at them without prejudice.
"You don't look very happy. Is it because of Zero?"
"Don't worry. As long as we're still here, there's still hope."
Mirai tried to lift their spirits.
"Then let me give you some good news. Zero told us about the problems with your bodies in his report."
"Hikari brought devices that can heal your bodies. Once we bring Zero back, we can restore you to normal right away."
Rei Ayanami's genetic problems were nothing difficult for the Land of Light. Many of the technological products Hikari had developed based on Ultraman Tiga's cell-conversion beam could easily handle her condition.
Kaworu Nagisa's case was even simpler. They only needed to separate the Angel components from his body, something Jack's bracelet could easily accomplish.
"Cheer up."
Hearing Mirai's voice, Kaworu Nagisa slowly raised his head.
"Why aren't you discouraged at all, even though you were defeated? Why do you still choose to fight for humanity like this?"
"Is it because of the love for humanity that Shinji's mother spoke of?"
"I never had the chance to ask Zero what that love actually was."
Kaworu Nagisa did not understand why the Ultra Brothers had shown them no sign of unease, even after their defeat.
At that question, Mirai smiled and took out his