That morning, Misato took a phone call and frowned.
After getting dressed, she told Shinji and Asuka, "I've got a lot of work today, so I won't be coming home tonight. Don't save breakfast for me tomorrow, either."
With that, Misato hurried out the door.
Watching Misato drive away, Asuka pulled out her suitcase and happily told Shinji, "Let's go."
That was right-the favor Shinji had asked of his mother was to let him spend a day out with Asuka. After some debate, they had naturally settled on somewhere Zero knew very well: Shencheng in Dragon Country.
The night before, Zero had used a little of his power to give Shinji a basic grasp of Chinese, then stopped by a bank to exchange some money for Renminbi.
The two found an empty spot with no surveillance cameras.
Thanks to his Ultra Scan, Zero already knew the locations of every camera near Misato's home like the back of his hand.
In a flash, Shinji transformed into Zero, then carefully began growing to giant size.
Zero used Ultra Invisibility so no one else could see him.
Zero crouched in front of Asuka, and she looked up at him.
"You look a little cooler than you do at human size."
Zero said confidently, "I've always been handsome. Size has nothing to do with it."
With that, Zero extended his palm in front of Asuka.
Startled by the enormous blue palm before her, Asuka climbed aboard and touched Zero's fingers.
"So this is how you're taking me along. Awesome!"
Zero carefully stood up, used psychokinesis to form a barrier around his hand, then took off with Asuka cradled in his palm.
"Wow!" Asuka lay on Zero's hand and peered down.
The city below was so tiny she could barely see it.
"This is way