"Ah, a Kamen Rider embodying humanity, fighting fate in a downpour..." Zero's projection rested his head on his hand and watched the torrential rain outside, musing as he recalled the plot of Kuuga.
Asuka's injuries had healed a few days earlier, and Misato had brought her home. Shinji had brought Asuka packed lunches every day during her stay, so she looked much healthier by the time she left the hospital.
"Sorry, Shinji. It's pouring outside, so we're taking shelter at your place." Kensuke and Toji had been caught in a sudden downpour that day. Since they happened to be near Shinji's home, they had come over to get out of the rain.
Shinji had just given them towels, and they picked them up to dry their hair.
"Where's Miss Misato?" Kensuke asked.
"Still asleep. She's been staying up pretty late lately because of work," Shinji answered as he poured them two cups of hot water.
Recently, Misato and NERV had been searching everywhere for a man named Hayato Noda, but just like before, they had found nothing. It was as though he had vanished off the face of the earth.
Hayato had mysteriously disappeared from the site where Shamshel's fragments were being collected. According to those who had been there, he had suddenly walked off somewhere while no one was paying attention, then disappeared completely. His colleagues and employer had both tried to contact him, but there had been no word at all.
Hayato Noda had always kept to himself, and his colleagues had rarely paid much attention to him.
Even when they did speak, it was only simple, everyday conversation, so they knew little about his circumstances.
Apparently, his entire family had died in the Second Impact, leaving him as the sole survivor.
He had few social connections, either.