Chapter 75: Family Problems
"Eh!?" Misato let out in a short high pitch squeak then covered her mouth. He heard another movement and slowly returned his head to the door. Not stopping, he continued rotating his head left till he bore at the faux blonde. A louder cartilage pop was heard from his neck when he stopped.
"Dr. Akagi," he asked with a slow blink. "Are you feeling well?"
"…" Ritsuko said keeping quiet and feeling less irritated. He was giving her the creeps and making her feel edgy. His eyes only moved and looked at the Second Child.
"Miss Souryu?"
"…!?" she said feeling a cold chill go down her spine. Gulping down the apprehension, she fought the feeling back by trying to frown.
"S-stop being creepy idiot!" she stated crossing her arms over her chest.
"…?" Misato said seeing something move and glanced at Rana.
The twin had tensed up with a small frown on her face. Not sure if she should say anything or move, the Major looked up. He had moved to look at Rei sitting on the bench still. Both were looking at each other with stoic faces and not saying anything to each other. Both blinked at different times.
"I see," Shinji said slowly turning back to the door. "My apologies for my appearance."
'Damn him,' the Second Child feeling her fingers dig a little into her arms. 'I will never see him anything other than a psycho idiot. I just have to get use to his creepiness. Once there, I will show him I am not afraid of him…then…I will have him acknowledge me. I am still the ace pilot of the three here…I will have him see me for what I am. I'll prove to him I am the best!'
"…" Rei said looking at his back and reflecting what his changes meant.
'Though his appearance has changed and made approaching him difficult…he seems to be the same person,' she thought blinking then glanced at the female twin. Not clearly remembering where or when she saw someone with red-blue eye color, something about her existence puzzled her.
'Why did his twin come out of the Eva?…the Commander did not mentioned this in the times I have interacted with him…why would he keep it a secret?' Ayanami thought feeling an odd sensation pressing on her mind and chest.
The more that she stared at the back of the Third Child, an impulse to hold him grew. Her hands on her skirt started to shake from resisting it. At the same time, her head was starting to develop a headache from the combination of conflictions, questions, and frustration from not having answers. When Shinji heard a pause in the conversation in the room, he softly knocked on the door. He heard a small murmur inside and footsteps coming to the door. It opened a bit harshly.
"I thought I told you staff to…" Gendo said with anger, but stopped seeing who was at the door.
"…" the Third Child responded by keeping his head straight and only moving his eyes slowly up.
"…!?" the Commander said flinching from seeing the male pilot give an appearance of a glare at him.
It took him a couple of seconds to collect himself as being face to face with the black-red eye pilot. It reminded him of the carnage video from a while back. The other part that threw him off was seeing the scars on his neck, arms, and legs. Based on Dr. Akagi's report, he had more on the front and back of his torso with others around his waist area. Blinking, he saw the teen boy bow slightly.
"Greetings Commander."
"…" Gendo said moving his hand to push up his shades. He felt he regained his composure despite still feeling on edge a little.
"What are you here for?"
"I am visiting with others Commander. May we enter now or wait?"
"…" the Commander said and stared at the pilot before looking up.
He saw the other Eva pilots present as well as the Major and Dr. Akagi. His glasses nearly slid off his nose as he saw a female twin of the male pilot. Again remembering the report Ritsuko gave, he still didn't believe there was a twin. Adjusting his glasses again and putting his other hand in his pants pocket, he looked down. Seeing that the Third Child's expression and head position still remained the same, it looked like the boy was still glaring at him. The hairs on the back Gendo's neck stood up from not knowing what will happen if he took his eyes off him.
"…" he said breaking eye contact and turning to the tired looking scientist. "Did you bring the pilots here?"
"Partially sir. The First Child came separately. I escorted the Major and Second Child. The twins came from their hospital rooms," Ritsuko stated keeping her hands in her coat pockets.
"I see," the Commander stated. Turning his head to the patient in the room, she motioned him to come in. Nodding, he turned to them.
"All of you come inside," he stated turning and walking toward her.
Yui watched him go to her side and then turn back to the door. Feeling anticipation, she watched six people enter the hospital room. One by one, she felt different things. The lavender hair and the redhead teen she didn't know. Dr. Akagi brought remembrance of an older one. The blue haired female teen made her blink several times and made her feel odd. The last two entered shocked her.
"…!?" she said seeing a male and female version of the Third Child. Blinking and doing a double take between them, her face slowly became flabbergasted. Blinking and rubbing her eyes, Yui did a double take again. The female twin had an odd blue-red eye color. It made her feel like she had seen that color somewhere before, but couldn't place it. Looking at the male version, his eyes were closed.
"…" Yui said feeling her pulse slowly increasing.
Her apprehension grew from seeing the number of scars on his body. It gave her a flashback of a nightmare that she woke up from. Blinking and seeing him stay in the same position, she moved her eyes to the female twin that stayed close to him. There was a less apprehensive sensation from looking at her. Looking around, each person stood in different places throughout the room.
"Make the introductions Major," Gendo stated in a neutral tone.
"Yes sir. I am Misato Katsuragi. Major of the Operations Planning Division," the woman introduced. She felt better seeing the tension from the scientist easing a little as she turned toward her with a small smile and nodding.
"Hello Major."
"This is Dr. Ritsuko Akagi. She is the head of the Technical Branch and our Chief Scientist at NERV."
"Hello Dr. Ikari," Ritsuko said politely.
"Hello Dr. Akagi," Yui said with a smile. "I remember seeing you a long time ago when I worked with your mother."
"Likewise."
"How is Naoko lately?" the scientist asked knowing full well where she was.
"…" Ritsuko said not showing an emotion or shifting her stance. "She died in an accident."
"…" Yui said blinking and forced a shocked look. "I'm sorry…I didn't know."
"It is alright. You wouldn't have known from being absorbed in Eva-01"
"…" Yui said forcing herself to not change her expression. "…y-yes…"
"…" Gendo said clearing his throat and looked at Misato. "Continue."
"…r-right. This is Asuka Langley Souryu. She is the Second Child and pilot of Eva-02."
"Greetings doctor," Asuka said with a firm voice and confident smile.
"How do you do Pilot Souryu. Nice to meet you," Yui said with a small nod and smile.
"This is Rei Ayanami. She is the First Child and pilot of Eva-00."
"Dr. Ikari," the female pilot said blinking with a stoic face. Misato was going to offer an apologetic smile when the Commander distracted her. He was looking at something and ignoring the awkward staring between Rei and Yui. Both she and the redhead kept looking back and forth between the two seeing similarities. Yui broke the ice.
"H-Hello Pilot Ayanami."
"…" Rei said as she glanced at the Commander before looking back at the scientist. Seeing how close the two were made her hands clench in loose fists. Recognizing the emotion, she kept a stoic look on her face.
"Uh…finally, we have your…twins?"
"…" the Commander and Dr. Ikari stated. Everyone else looked back and forth between the family members. The tension between them was getting thicker and started to become uncomfortable. Gendo adjusted his glasses a little before speaking.
"…Yui…I don't remember you having twins."
"I…I didn't," she agreed softly. She was still having a hard time believing that there was a twin she didn't know about.
"…" Rana said feeling a painful sensation go through her. It made her downcast her head.
Feeling her chest ache, she reached her hand to grab the Third Child's hospital gown. The room became awkwardly silent as the rest of the group noticed the female twin's reaction. Misato and Asuka felt goosebumps on their arms. Ritsuko felt her tiredness morphing into a form of being alert. Rei kept glancing back and forth between the Ikari family members. The happy reunion she remembered seeing in the public and in videos was not there. It was replaced with something that made her feel tense and unpleasant.
"S-Shinji," Misato said after clearing her throat. Noticing that his eyes were closed, he turned his head toward her. Not seeing his black-red eyes made her feel a little calmer. Ritsuko's idea of making him wear sunglasses all the time sounded like a good suggestion.
"W-Why not introduce her?"
"…" he said and gave a small nod.
Walking forward slowly, Rana followed keeping her hand gripped on his hospital gown. As both got closer to the scientist's bedside, Yui got a clearer view of both of them. It only made it harder to not believe that both of them were identical twins. The bewilderment stayed the more she stared at them. Glancing at Gendo, he was staring at them as well with his glasses pushed down. He kept looking back and forth between the two. Seeing that he was equally curious and baffled, she turned back to the two.
'There is no possible way that there is another child…could it be a dummy clone of Rei…no…it looks too identical to the boy and not Yui. Is this one of SEELE's creations implanted in Eva-01?' he thought with uncertainty. The more he thought about it, the more questions developed without plausible answers to them. Shinji spoke with his eyes still closed.
"Dr. Yui Ikari, this is Rana. Rana, Dr. Yui Ikari."
"…H-Hello," Rana said with anxiety looking up nervously. She stood closer to the Third Child.
"…" Yui said feeling speechless for a couple of moments in hearing a feminine voice version of the male pilot. Blinking a couple of times, she got herself out of her stupor.
"H-Hello Rana…it is nice to meet you," the scientist said still keeping the same expression. A large headache was growing the longer she stared at them. Many questions were flooding her head on the possibilities of an unknown child.
'I…I…don't remember any…there should be only Shinji,' Yui thought.
"…" the female twin said feeling awkward from the adult woman's staring at her with odd wonder. The grip on Shinji's gown increased to battle the emotions that she was making her feel down and in pain. Trying to keep a straight face, she bit down on her inner lip.
'Man,' Misato thought feeling the hairs on her arm stand and start to itch. 'This is one painfully awkward family reunion. Maybe I should say something?'
"…S-Shinji," Yui quietly asked seeing that he had yet to open his eyes. "Is there something wrong with your eyes?"
"…" he said hearing and feeling people near him flinch and increase their intake of air. Deciding that showing was better than explaining, he slowly opened his eyes and stared at her.
"…!?" Yui said as her facial expression became horrified and started to shake.
"…" the Third Child said tilting his head a little and blinking slowly. A loud audible pop was heard from his neck as he narrowed his eyes a little from her reaction.
"Does this answer your questions Dr. Ikari?"
"…no…" the scientist said breathing faster and faster. "…no…stay away…"
"Yui?!" Gendo spoke when he saw her move immediately next to him and grabbed his arm in terror.
"NO! STAY AWAY! DON'T COME NEAR ME!" she shouted with fear in her voice and closing her eyes tight.
"…!?" Ritsuko, Misato, Asuka, Rei, and Gendo said with surprised faces from seeing what was unfolding. Looking back at the twins, their mouths parted from seeing Rana put a hand on her mouth. Tears were falling down her face as looked emotional torn. Staring at the male pilot, he moved his head back straight and looked at the floor. His expression didn't change as he just blinked.
"I see," he said quietly and gave a bow. "My apology for upsetting you. I will escort Rana back to her room. Excuse me."
"…" everyone said watching as the Third Child slowly stood straight and walked calmly toward the door. With Rana still crying in tow, both left the room and closed the door. The sound of the door hitting the frame never came as well as their footsteps afterwards. Feeling uncomfortable about what unfolded and turning back to Dr. Ikari, only Rei narrowed her eyes at her and felt her face tightened.
"Rei?" Misato asked. She saw the First Child suddenly turn around and walked to the room door without saying anything. Opening and closing the room door, she left with a look of distaste.
"Yui, what's wrong?" the Commander asked gently petting her head trying to get her to calm down.
"It's here! I am still in the Eva!" she said as tears were falling down her face in fear still.
"No, you are not Yui. You are here on the NERV base in the medical facility," he said continuing his actions. A slight feeling of enjoyment came to him that she reached out to him for help and comfort. It was another form of being together again in which he would help her recover.
"…" Ritsuko commented. Feeling her face sour a little, the hands in her coat pocket turned into murderous fists. With the lack of sleep and frustration from the overnight, her emotions felt hot and sharp.
"Misato," Asuka said walking next to her and whispering. "This is hella messed up and awkward on a different level…what…just happened?"
"…I…" the Major whispered and nervously rubbing her forearm to combat what she felt from the family reunion. "…kind of don't want to know."
Rei spotted the twins walking down the hallway then they turned the corner. Following them, she hoped to catch up with them before they disappeared. Rounding the corner, they were down the hallway halfway. Continuing forward, she could hear Rana's sniffling echoing. Seeing Shinji stop, Rana bumped into him though didn't say anything. Slowing down, Ayanami continued toward them. He started turning around and stopped seeing the First Child standing a few feet away.
"Greetings Miss Ayanami," he said stoically with a small bow. "How are you?"
"Hello Ikari…I am adequate…how are you?"
"I am adjusting," he said blinking. Rana wiped her eyes and turned around. Looking at the the blue-haired teen, there was a resemblance to someone.
"…?" the First Child said seeing the female twin stand behind him and hugged his left arm.
"Miss Rana?" Shinji said only moving his eyes to the left corner of his eyes.
"W-What…" she said sniffling again. "What relationship does she have with…that woman?"
'Relationship?' Rei thought blinking in confusion. For what she could remember, it was the first timing meeting Dr. Ikari in person. There was no recollection of knowing or meeting her before.
"…" the Third Child said looking back at the First Child and tilted his head. "Relationship?"
"Why do they look similar?" Rana asked not moving from her spot and staring hard at her. "Is she that woman's child too?"
"…?!" Ayanami said blinking in surprise. Instead of contemplating on the possibility, she felt a strong reaction toward the statement. The thought of being a part of Dr. Ikari made her feel sour.
"I am not Dr. Ikari's child," she said frowning a little.
"…" Rana said feeling a little less tense about the First Child; however, she didn't let go of him. "Who…who is the man in dark clothes?"
"Commander Gendo Ikari."
"…so…" the twin said calming down. "…that means he is our…father?"
"Biologically, yes," Shinji responded stoically. However, he felt weird about the topic they were going into. Though normally one would be rejoice in the reunion of family, he didn't feel that.
"How come you don't call him that Shinji?"
"…?" the Third Child said blinking a couple of times before answering. "He has not asked or ordered me to address him as such."
"…?" Rei said blinking in confusion. "Would it not be appropriate to call him your father as you are his son?"
"…" Shinji said processing the statement.
Based on the memories he saw of the past, a thought of becoming emotionally charged came about. However, he felt nothing. The aspect of their biologically relationship held no meaning, value, or purpose. Strangely, his mental processing seemed to be acute from only hearing himself think. Instead of waiting for an answer, he was able to process one himself that coincide with his current mindset.
"Based on the work environment and code of conduct that the Commander follows, he has refrained from any informal communication. He has kept a professional mindset and continues to address me as my occupational title. Unless stated otherwise, I will follow his code of conduct and address him of his rank," he said without emotion.
"…" Ayanami said processing his statement. Understanding it, she tried recalling interactions between the Commander and Third Child. Comparing them to her interactions with both, something made her feel off.
"…" Rana said nodding her head a little. "Seems rather strict…when was the last time he addressed you as a family member?"
'…?' the First Child thought blinking and looking at him. '…I don't recall them addressing each other as such…other than their NERV titles…the Commander has always addressed me by my name.'
"…" Shinji said sifting through the memories of the past. Finding the answer, he slowly blinked and stared back at Rei.
"I do not recall."
"…" Ayanami responded starting to feel anxiety and uncomfortable.
"…!" Rana said with a worried face. "W-What about your name? Surely he has called you by that."
"…I do not…" the Third Child replied and looked at the floor.
Flashbacks and memories flew by his vision; however, there was none of them with the Commander or even Yui. Despite how his twin was feeling, he felt void of emotion. The aspect that he felt nothing again almost seemed comforting. It was not giving him stress or causing him to worry. He wondered if the dark clone had a contribution to him feeling this way.
"…recall him addressing me by name either."
"…" Rei commented feeling her chest tightening and feeling the urge to comfort him.
She couldn't from seeing a look of sadness on Rana's face. Remember her expression from Dr. Ikari rejecting the male pilot, she started wondering if the Commander has been doing the same thing. Remembering the documentations of where Shinji grew up, Gendo never visited nor mentioned the uncle addressing the Third Child as a family member. Thinking about it, there was no mention of scars acquired in the history documents either. The aspect that the entire life history of those papers were fabricated made her feel more tense. It started painting a dark picture of the family relationships of the Ikaris.
"…why…" Rana said hugging him from behind. Tears were falling down her face again as she placed her head down on his shoulder. The burning and painful sensations of rejection hit her strongly.
"…why don't they want us?" she said gripping him tightly.
"…" Shinji said blinking and continuing to stare at the ground. Not sure how to react from how he was currently feeling, he looked up to see Ayanami looking stressed and worried. Her hands gripped her skirt as if she was unsure of what to do.
"Forgive me Miss Rana…I do not have an answer to that question."
'…I…' Ayanami thought feeling a series of emotions and conflictions within herself. '…I…don't like this…feeling…'
'I can't relate…I have not been abandoned by the Commander,' she thought feeling frustrated from not able to give a comforting answer or response. The sight of the female twin doing what she wanted to do made her feel agitated and guilty at the same time.
"…" Rei spoke opening her mouth, but couldn't find words to say anything. The male pilot's stoic staring with black-red eyes made it harder to speak.
"Is something the matter Miss Ayanami?" he asked seeing her look more stressed.
"…I'm…I'm sorry," Ayanami said quietly.
"About what?"
"…" the First Child opened her mouth and didn't know what to say. Nothing she thought of seemed adequate or the right thing to say. Unable to answer and feeling frustrated, she looked at the ground gripping her skirt more.
"…I…I don't know."
"…?" he said feeling Rana's grip becoming less and less. Glancing behind him, her eyes were closed with tears still around her eyes. Overcome with tiredness, emotional stress, and still recovering the last Angel battle, she passed out. Turning toward the First Child, he bowed.
"Forgive me Miss Ayanami. It appears Miss Rana has passed out. I will escort her to her room," he said standing up straight and holding onto his twin.
"…" Rei said pushing her inner turmoil aside and composed herself. "May I be of assistance since you are still recovering as well Ikari?"
"…" he said blinking then nodded his head. "Yes please. Thank you Miss Ayanami."
Back in the other hospital room, Yui had finally calmed down to where she stopped murderously holding Gendo and panicking. Ritsuko aided in helping the Commander get Dr. Ikari to relax and focus on reality. Despite taking a small enjoyment of seeing the family reunion end awkwardly and bad, she felt a small amount of sympathy toward the twins. Backing away, Yui was lying down on the bed with her eyes closed.
"I'm…I'm sorry," she said quietly.
"It is alright Yui. Just get some rest. I will be back in a bit," Gendo said. Looking at the other occupants and gesturing to the door, they left the room.
"Doctor, explain how the Third Child changed?" the Commander asked in a low tone.
"Other than the possibility of being affected by the Angel when he and the Eva were absorbed, MAGI gave various probabilities of what could have happened."
"Any indicating that the Third Child is an Angel?"
"No sir. The 33% figure from the first time analyzing him still stands. Everything else about him is the same…minus his brain activity normalizing and his irises and sclera changing pigmentation."
"…" he said putting a hand in his pocket and frowning. "How improbable is that female version of the pilot existing?"
"MAGI stated very low to improbable."
"How identical are they?"
"On a genetic level, they are twins minus the different chromosome for their gender."
"…" Gendo said sighing quietly and adjusting his glasses. "What of Unit-01?"
"No physical damage. Internals are functioning and stable."
"Can it operate still?"
"I will have to test that when the Third Child is fit enough to pilot the Eva."
"Very well. Continue with the schedule. I will want reports of Eva-01 when the pilot is fit to test the unit."
"Yes Commander."
"Major."
"Yes sir?"
"Continue with the training and synch test scheduling for the Eva pilots. Get the Third Child up to speed when he is fit for duty."
"What should we do with his twin?"
"…" Gendo said blinking but not moving. "If possible, see if she can be used as a backup pilot. Once both are discharged, find an apartment nearby to monitor them. The Third Child is not allowed to live alone in his current dwelling. Is that clear Major?"
"Yes sir," Misato stated holding back the anger that festered.
"Good. You are all dismissed," he said turning around and walking away. Watching him leave, Misato frowned at his back. When he entered into one of the elevators down the hallway into the NERV base, she let out a frustrated grunt.
"That bastard," she said out loud wanting to break something.
"…" Ritsuko said and rubbed her face. "I'm going home. I will see you two later."
"Okay. Shinji isn't going to leave again like last time right?"
"He won't," Dr. Akagi said stretching.
"How did you get the Third to not leave?" Asuka asked still digesting how dysfunctional the Ikari family currently was.
"You can ask him. I'm going now. See you later," she said walking away tiredly. Both women watched her go out of sight.
"Well," Misato said feeling calmed down. "Let's go find where Rei went to."
"…" Asuka said and just followed the Major going down the hallway.
After helping Shinji move Rana, both he and Rei got the twin back to her hospital room. Laying her on her bed, the First Child watched as he pulled the bed sheets up to her neck. Though there was still a pained look on the female twin's face, her body was slowly relaxing more. Looking at him, he backed up a little and started walking toward the door. Following him, both quietly left the hospital room. Once outside and closing the door silently, he turned toward the First Child.
"Thank you again for helping Miss Ayanami. I appreciate it," he said bowing toward her.
"…" Rei replied feeling good from being needed and appreciated. "...you're welcome..."
"Is there something else I can help you with?" he asked with a stoic face.
"What will you do now?"
"I am under orders from Dr. Akagi to not leave the facility of this level unless stated otherwise. She gave me permission to roam around the hallways if I wish to."
"I see," the female pilot stated and stepped closer to be in front of him. Despite the change in his appearance, he still radiated the same persona and demeanor. The aspect that he was awake and talking again made her feel better.
"Ikari?" she asked looking at his chest and neck region. An urge came to her from being this close to him.
"Yes Miss Ayanami?" he asked not feeling his body react that she was standing in front of him. He saw her arms slowly move up and reach out toward him.
"…may…may I-"
"There you two are!" Misato stated from down the hallway.
"…" Rei said with a deadpan face and swiftly put her arms at her side. Mimicking her, he took a small step back as she did at the same time. When both the Major and Second Child got closer, they saw him bow a little toward them.
"Greetings again Miss Misato and Miss Souryu."
"Your family has issues Third."
"…" he said with a stoic stare at her and just blinked. "That so?"
"Hey! Don't look at me like I am stupid!" the redhead said with an irritated voice. She saw Misato smirk at her which she frowned back.
"By the way, what were you two talking about?" the Major asked.
"Ikari was stating that he is restricted from leaving the medical facility by Dr. Akagi's orders," Ayanami stated stoically.
"The doc said you stated you wouldn't. You are going to keep your word?" Asuka said with hands on her hips.
"Yes Miss Souryu. I have no appointment to meet or reason to go against her orders," he said when the group heard someone talking in the room next to them. As if he knew what would happen, he gave them a small bow.
"Excuse me madams," he said as they heard rapid feet from inside. The voice sounded louder and was talking faster. Watching him turn toward the door and opening it, Rana rushed into him in a wild panic. Both hit the ground as the female twin laid on top of him.
"PLEASEDON'TLEAVEME! PLEASEDON'TLEAVEME! PLEASEDON'TLEAVEME!" she shouted terrified. Gripping him hard, Rana buried her face into his chest. Recoiling from the surprise, the three were about to react when Shinji held up his hand.
"…!?" the three said watching him slowly sit up. Rana changed her position quickly to sit in his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his back, she held on for dear life. The three saw her shaking all over and hyperventilating. Shinji slowly got up to stand on his two feet and held a stoic face.
"My apologies for startling you madams. Please excuse me as I tend to Rana's relapse. Until we meet again, good day," he said with a small head nod.
Turning toward the open door, he walked slowly into Rana's room. His arms slowly moved to cradled her to prevent her from slipping or falling off. The three saw that the female twin's head was buried into his right shoulder. As the door started closing, the twin's head moved up a little. Piercing and icy blue-red eyes stare back at them with a mixture of fear and malice. It made them all feel goosebumps flare on their arms when the hospital room door closed silently.