Just then, from far off on the horizon, came a series of roaring booms!
And right after, an enormous EVA suddenly emerged in the sky, appearing before everyone's eyes.
"Th–That's…?"
At that moment, all eyes were fixed on the massive Evangelion that had appeared so suddenly in the heavens.
Another EVA? But… this one could actually fly?!
Everyone stared in disbelief. Even though the giant machine soared at a great altitude, its form eventually became clear. Especially for Misato Katsuragi—she got a good look, and what she saw left her utterly stunned.
"No way…" Misato's jaw dropped as she recognized the silhouette: "Could that be Unit-10?"
As Operations Director, Misato of course knew of Unit-10—and she had even seen it with her own eyes before. She knew very well that Unit-10 belonged to a neighboring nation across the sea—China.
So why would Unit-10 suddenly appear at the Matsushiro Test Facility? And why had NERV not detected a thing?
Misato was left dumbfounded. Maybe it was the shock, or the tension of the moment—but for now, she had no answer at all.
But answers would come soon enough.
Because Unit-10 was descending slowly now. And besides its sheer size and striking form, there was something else everyone noticed: clinging to the giant's hands were two living, breathing human figures.
Yes—two people. And the moment their faces came into view, the entire NERV headquarters recognized them instantly. Even at a distance, there was no mistaking who they were.
Kitazawa Ryota and Ryoji Kaji.
"Kitazawa-kun! Kaji!"
The instant Misato saw Ryota again, her heart finally eased. After all, the two of them had been wanted fugitives across all of Russia, hunted nationwide. If anything had happened to them during that time, they would almost certainly have been imprisoned for life.
The charges Russia had laid against them were nothing less than espionage—accused of stealing state secrets.
So at this moment, Misato's lips curled into the faintest, most genuine smile.
They were back. That was enough. To hell with everything else.
Unit-10 touched down steadily before them, leaving everyone around dumbstruck.
The godlike return of Kitazawa Ryota and Kaji, descending from the sky aboard a flying Evangelion—who could possibly keep their eyes from widening? Who wouldn't think it looked unbearably cool?
"Kitazawa-kun…"
Even Asuka couldn't help but whisper under her breath, her eyes sparkling with dazed admiration.
"Kitazawa-kun, you're finally back. You nearly worried me to death…"
Before anyone else could react, Misato leapt forward, rushing straight into Ryota's arms, holding him tightly.
"Kitazawa-kun… seeing you safe, seeing you return… it's such a relief."
"…Sorry for making you worry." Ryota nodded, and seeing that the activation test hadn't yet begun, he too felt his heart finally settle.
The only one not soothed was Asuka, standing in the rising test elevator.
She had to watch, powerless, as Misato shamelessly flung herself into the arms of the very person she liked. Any girl, witnessing such a scene, would be driven mad.
She turned her head away in anger, refusing to look at Ryota any longer.
"Baka Kitazawa Ryota! Just go to hell! Whatever happens to you from now on has nothing to do with me!" Asuka stomped her foot furiously, muttering oaths through clenched teeth.
But no one noticed her turmoil. Everyone's eyes were on Kitazawa Ryota… and on that unfamiliar EVA.
"Alright, that's enough for now. The activation test for Unit-03 is still the priority. Everyone, resume preparations—"
Just as Misato was about to resume command, Ryota's voice rang out, firm and unyielding:
"Wait! The test can't proceed right now!"
"Eh? Why not?" Misato turned to him, puzzled.
Ryota shook his head, expression deadly serious.
"This Unit-03… there's something wrong with it."
"What? How could that be?" Misato froze. "It was shipped here from NERV's American branch—and fully inspected by HQ's technical staff. How could there possibly be a problem?"
"I can't explain it clearly right now. But the activation experiment must be stopped immediately! Asuka must not be allowed into Unit-03's cockpit!" Ryota's refusal was firm, his tone resolute.
"This…" Misato faltered. For this activation test, NERV had poured in enormous effort. Over two hundred staff had been mobilized to Matsushiro alone. Could she really abort everything over just one man's warning?
"Kitazawa-kun, you know how much time and manpower NERV Headquarters has devoted to this test. I can't just call it off over a single word…" Misato's face showed her hesitation.
"I understand that. But you can trust me completely. Unit-03 is not what it seems. Have I, Kitazawa Ryota, ever spoken so recklessly before?" Ryota shook his head again, unwavering.
"…Alright." Misato thought for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I believe you. Everyone—abort the activation test! Await further orders!"
"What? What's going on?"
"Why is the activation being halted? Was there a malfunction?"
"What happened to Unit-03?"
At Misato's command, the test site erupted in commotion. Everyone had poured so much effort into the preparations, and to have it all suddenly canceled was incomprehensible.
The angriest of all was, of course, Asuka. Her elevator, which had been rising, now began to descend back toward the ground. She stomped her feet in fury.
"Baka! Kitazawa Ryota! What are you trying to pull? Do you want me to never pilot an EVA again?! If they don't find a single problem with Unit-03, I swear I'll never forgive you!"
But no matter how loud the voices around him grew, none of it made Ryota's expression waver—not even a little.
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