"You're right, Suzuhara," Kensuke Aida said as he walked along, skimming through a data file on Asuka while adjusting his glasses. He shook his head slightly. "Still, to be our age and already a captain… and she's really impressive. She even skipped grades, including university. Just her academic and combat abilities alone are far beyond anything we can even dream of."
"Who would've thought that loudmouth girl was actually that amazing?" Toji Suzuhara slapped his forehead, visibly shocked.
"Heh, that's why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover," Ryota Kitazawa said quietly, overhearing their conversation. "The sea can't be measured by a ladle, after all."
Every successful young person has something in common: effort. And without a doubt, Asuka had worked very hard to get where she was.
"Yeah, Kitazawa-kun's right!" Kensuke and Toji both nodded in agreement.
Everyone had witnessed Asuka's combat performance firsthand. No one would dare recklessly provoke the top-tier ace from the military.
"Um… excuse me. Can you tell me how to get to the platform?"
Just then, a deep male voice spoke up beside them.
"Huh?"
Kensuke and Toji turned to look and saw a man with long hair tied back, an unshaven beard, and a warm, gentle smile standing before them.
He appeared to be asking for directions.
His eyes briefly swept across the three of them, pausing ever so slightly longer on Ryota Kitazawa, though the glance was quick and expertly subtle.
"Oh, the platform? Sure—it's that way, and then head down that corridor over there…"
Happy to play good Samaritans, Toji and Kensuke eagerly pointed out the directions.
"Thank you very much," the man said with a soft laugh. "It's been so long since I've been back in Japan. I feel like some sort of fossil from the past."
"Heh, no problem!" they both replied cheerfully.
Throughout the whole exchange, Kitazawa said nothing. He simply gazed at the man with a faint smile on his lips.
Of course—he had already recognized the man immediately.
There was no mistaking him: Ryoji Kaji.
To be more precise… Misato Katsuragi's ex.
But there was no need to point it out. This was, after all, just a chance encounter—not something worth escalating.
Still, at that very moment, Kaji's gaze met Kitazawa's—and the two locked eyes.
The stare lasted for a full five seconds.
In each other's eyes, they saw far more than words could express.
Kitazawa's gaze remained calm, unreadable—like nothing in the world could disturb his peace.
But in Kaji's eyes, there was something else—confusion, curiosity… and even a trace of surprise.
"Heh… Well, I'll be going now. Thanks again for the directions," Kaji said with a chuckle, quickly breaking eye contact and turning away.
But internally, he was rattled.
Why couldn't I read anything from that kid's eyes?
As a chief inspector, Kaji had undergone intense training in psychological observation. It was an essential skill for someone in his line of work—and one he had refined to near perfection.
Yet this time… he had failed.
He bit the inside of his cheek, clearly displeased.
Because in that brief moment, he felt as though his own thoughts had been seen through—by Ryota Kitazawa.
And that was dangerous.
In Kaji's profession, such a moment was more than unsettling. It was often a sign of mortal danger.
But this was Ryota Kitazawa—someone he'd never met before. In theory, there should be no reason for such a reaction.
Still… he had to test it one more time.
"Heh… I'm glad to be back in Japan. At least now I know I'm not the only one who's seen how ridiculous Misato looks when she sleeps," Kaji said casually, picking up his bag and turning toward the platform.
"Didn't expect Kaji-san to be so handsome," Kitazawa said, smiling faintly. "No wonder so many people are drawn to you."
"Huh? You know my name?" Kaji paused, glancing back in surprise.
He had been stationed in Europe until recently, and NERV staff identities were closely guarded. How could Kitazawa possibly know who he was?
Had Misato told him?
Kitazawa just smiled and replied cryptically,
"Some things aren't meant to be hidden. The path that links gods and souls… I imagine it must be quite a beautiful object."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Kensuke and Toji dumbfounded in his wake.
"Eh? What was Kitazawa-kun talking about just now?"
"I have no clue… Kitazawa-kun's being weird again."
Kensuke and Toji exchanged bewildered glances, totally lost.
"Kitazawa-kun, wait for us! Uh, sir—we'll be going now. Bye!"
They gave Kaji a quick nod before running after Ryota.
Kaji stood there, frozen like a puppet with its strings cut. His face had gone slightly pale.
He wasn't just a chief inspector appointed by the United Nations to oversee NERV—he also held another identity:
Spy.
And what Kitazawa had just said… touched on a secret—a world-shaking secret.
If it ever got out, it could incite global conflict—possibly triggering a complete schism in Europe.
Even Commander Ikari himself didn't know this level of classified information.
So how… how did Kitazawa know?
"Incredible. Truly incredible…" Kaji muttered with a bitter smile.
Now it all made sense. Kitazawa had deliberately thrown that cryptic remark as a warning.
After all, it had been Kaji who'd initiated the encounter—who'd tried to size him up.
And that meant… he had crossed the line.
Never touch a dragon's reverse scale.
This time, Kaji knew—he had gone too far.
He let out another bitter laugh, turned back toward the platform, and quietly walked away.
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