Fictions Mentioned:
Episode 3
OP Song:
NEXT LEVEL · YU-KI(TRF)
Insert Song: Start
Dies irae - Animation OST: Unus Mundus
Somewhere was a very dark room. The only light that seems to be flashing by would be the ones on the automatic windows that can discretely take any shape necessary, in this case, an upside-down trapezoid, found from the front, left, and right sides of the room whose length was large to the point of potentially capable of containing several work desks and equipment, only there was none except for one office table.
There was Gendo Ikari, sitting in his office chair, his arms leaning to the table as his mouth was covered by his glove hands joined together, looking closely at his son, Shinji Ikari, who was busy reading the files that he had just been given by Gendo. From Gendo's right side was Kojo Fuyutsuki who was looking at the young man with a hint of curiosity. The same can be said of Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi, who were both at the boy's left, standing straight.
While Shinji is busy reading all of the official protocols and procedures of his new job as the pilot of EVA Unit 0-1, Gendo was busy mulling over his thoughts, a bit too concerned but didn't show it, due to noticing the very stark contrast between what he had expected of his son and the reality that was staring at him in the face. He recalled the young man only looking at him with a strange blank look in his eye while respectfully addressing him with "Father" without any trace of malice or anxiety behind it. Only a sense of professionalism and maturity was found, rare traits that young men of his age sorely lack these days.
That was strange. As Gendo recalled quite clearly since he checks up on it almost every day, the official medical reports that had been provided to him said that he was psychologically imbalanced, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
Like many men of his age, he doesn't understand the world, how it works, or his place in it. That was an advantage that Gendo could use for his plans. If Shinji were to say reach out for help, it may invariably lead to further problems that he may not understand due to lacking self-confidence and the proper context of the situation. Naturally, there is the possibility that he would succumb to sufficient pressure that would make him commit predictable mistakes for him to also make use of.
However...
His son seems perfectly normal to him.
That was weird and concerning even for Gendo.
Had the reports not been accurate after all these years?
Shinji had finished reading the official NERV book that had been provided to him, closing it. He looked at Gendo in the eye with not a hint of fear. If it weren't for the circumstances, Gendo almost felt proud of his son because he actually seemed to have developed a backbone.
"Alright, I accept the job, however, I have a few specific conditions," Shinji started the conversation in a polite manner.
"Conditions?" Gendo asked.
"Sensei once said this: "("A laborer deserves his keep.")". It wouldn't be out of place to say that I could be rewarded for my services at the very least," Shinji explained.
Most of everyone raised eyes of bewilderment and amazement. One may think to mistake the proposition of working for the sake of payment with that of avarice but they all felt the boy wasn't really interested in such things based on his personality alone and wondered just what on Earth would he need money for.
Gendo simply took it in stride. "Acceptable. A pilot would be given the necessary payment that is required. Expenses would also be covered by the budget."
"With respect, sir, hold on a minute!" Misato decided to cut off the conversation with a concerned tone, mindful of being in the presence of her superior. "If he's talking about personal expenses, I could ask for Shinji-kun to come live with me."
"Of course, I don't mind that proposition at all, Captain, as that was what I would eventually ask my father if it were possible to be so," Shinji coolly replied with an additional explanation.
"Eh?" Misato made a surprised expression.
"I see," Gendo narrowed his eyes a bit, still stone-face cold. "And why do you ask for such a request?"
"If I were to be assigned to work with NERV, it would only be natural to stick with a superior officer, in this case, Captain Katsuragi, who was assigned to pick me up even in spite of an Angel attack. She was my first contact with NERV so I thought it would be fitting as it is," Shinji explained.
"...Then...why would you even ask for payment if you were going to intend to live with me from the very start?" Misato asked, curious and confused.
"It's in my nature to not be over-dependent on the expense of others, Captain, and to practice the virtue of independence. Before coming here, I had a part-time job at least, working at my former school, either working in the cafeteria or doing other janitorial duties. An early on-the-job training if you will and I simply grew used to working to provide for my own expenses, with a little help from Father's contribution of course," Shinji explained simply.
Misato, Ritsuko, and Fuyutsuki simply blinked their eyes at the explanation.
"You...You've been working part-time? At your age?" Misato asked, concerned.
"It is irrelevant," Gendo cut through the conversation like a cold sharp sword. "The condition has been accepted and further discussions would only be wasting time. I must assume that you have other conditions in mind, son?"
"Yes, father," Shinji nodded. "Is there any chance that I can enroll in a school in Tokyo-3 since I'm going to be living there from now on?"
"It has already been chosen and provided for," Gendo grabs a black book from underneath his desk and gave it to Shinji for him to read.
Just from the first flip of the pages, Shinji noted the name of the school. "Tokyo-3 First Municipal Junior High School. I've heard of this school before when I was casually researching about Tokyo-3 before coming here...It also had an elementary branch, a senior high branch, and a university branch. It was a school that holds the rank of one of the top 10 when it comes to attending schools in Tokyo 3. It may seem average but there were top overall achievers who studied here that even make an impact on the economic and political sphere. Overall, it's a school that I would like to go to."
"Excellent," Gendo spoke with a subtle approving tone. "Any other conditions?"
"Since I'm designated as the Third Child, I would assume that there are others with similar titles such as First or Second?" Shinji asked.
"Yes," Gendo confirmed. "The Second Child is currently at the NERV branch in Germany while the First Child is out of commission until further notice."
"I heard from Captain Katsuragi that she had gotten into an accident with her EVA. Is it possible that I could be allowed to visit her in order to get to know who I could work with on the field?" Shinji asked.
Both Ritsuko and Fuyutsuki widened their eyes a bit, looking at Gendo whose face was expressionless as always. Now, Gendo Ikari had to make a limited number of choices that were now available to him. Either he allows his son to visit Rei Ayanami or postpones it entirely by coming up with an acceptable excuse.
"I would heavily discourage you to visit the First Child at this time since I believe that she needs a good amount of rest after her accident, nevertheless, I believe that the meeting between the both of you can be arranged, preferably when she recovers fully," Gendo proposed with a logical explanation masked with a benevolent concern that was both real and directed to one end.
"I understand," Shinji nodded in understanding, seeing the logic but was not ignorant of possible indications.
"Are there any other conditions?" Gendo asked.
"If someone in NERV were to ask for my help specifically whether if it was janitorial duties, cafeteria duties, technician duties, and other requested jobs, so long as it doesn't violate the official protocols established by NERV when it comes to myself specifically as the Third Child and always taking into account your authority and that of the authority of my superior officer, in this case, Captain Misato Katsuragi, can I please be allowed to help this person?" Shinji asked.
Once again, most of everyone except for Gendo, who simply maintained his cold expression, made surprised expressions.
"...You may help if it is within the bounds of prudence and discretion on your part so long as it does not cause any problems with the organization."
"Thank you, father," Shinji nodded.
"Any other conditions?" Gendo asked once again.
"If it is possible, I would like to explore Tokyo-3 on my own sometimes if I'm not required by anything necessarily important for the organization or if in terms of my school work, all in order to be mindful of my surroundings that is. I would have to assume that there are cameras throughout Tokyo-3 that are operated by NERV's local security so one can still find me without any problems whatsoever if I were able to be needed," Shinji asked.
"Acceptable. And you do not need to worry about any invasion of privacy either as that would go against official protocols," Gendo agreed to the condition. "Any other conditions?"
"That will be all for now, father," Shinji nodded. "In the meantime, what am I to do at this time?"
"Do whatever it is you think is necessary to your own personal discretion," Gendo said. "Captain Katsuragi in the meantime would act as your tour guide in the city and would be allowed to live with her."
"Of course. Well then," Shinji stood up and gave a respectful salute with the proper decorum of a military officer. "If I were to be dismissed, father."
"You are dismissed," Gendo said.
Shinji let down his right hand and begins to look at Misato with a smile. "If you were to lead the way, Captain."
"Eh? Um...Right! Let's go!"
Misato made a surprised expression as she was in awe of the young man who was simply conversing with the Supreme Commander of NERV without any hint of fear nor was he ever intimidated. In fact, she never recalled most people capable of doing that. The only one that came to mind at the moment was Major General Nathan Ironhammer of the UN, but he's a war veteran who had seen a lot of things that would give people nightmares at night so that's not surprising. Eventually, she fixed herself immediately with a professional expression proper to her rank as she would escort Shinji out of the room.
"Well, see you later, Rits," Misato made a smile at her old friend.
Ritsuko, Fuyutsuki, and Gendo simply watched them leave. A few seconds later, they were gone, leaving the three to discuss the important matter at hand which relates to one Shinji Ikari.
"Doctor," Gendo looked at Ritsuko who became intimidated (and interiorly found that attractive). "I am going to need an update on my son's psychological profile. What we have been given has clearly been inaccurate. I would also need to form an official investigation into the life of my son in order to find out the differences for myself."
"Of course, Commander," Ritsuko nodded.
"I must say, Ikari," Fuyutsuki made an amused smirk, hinting at the feeling of being proud of the young man. "Your son almost reminded me of you in a sense since your conversations began. He was never afraid nor was he intimidated, rather he simply asked questions and showed a keen understanding of the situation without making a fuzz. Not just anyone can do what that young man did, especially at his age."
"And that...is what worries me, Fuyutsuki," Gendo simply said, not showing any expression.
Insert Song: End
Insert Song: Start
Lilia ~from Ys~ - 01 you are the only on
It was one bright afternoon sunset.
From there, Shinji Ikari, standing on a balustrade, would hear the sound of an alarm ringing from the distance. A few moments later, he would see the various infrastructures rising from the open hatches of the launch ports and they were now slowly rising up on the ground, some of them were forming skyscrapers as far as the eyes can see. What had replaced the clear open landscape was the presence of an entire city that had been designed to lift and lower the buildings when needed in case an Angel attack was to commence.
Misato Katsuragi would look at Shinji, noticing his simple smile of reminiscence as if recalling something from long ago, with both of his hands in his pockets. The winds were blowing in their direction which waved his hair and his clothing, swerving smoothly.
She was rather intrigued by it if only because the young man wasn't reacting like any other his age who would probably be excited at seeing the buildings rise for the first time. Then again, he may have seen it from all of those news broadcasts on national television. But still, there was a difference between seeing it on television and seeing it face to face.
"Hey?" Misato asked with a smile. Shinji was looking at her. "What do you think of the city that just rose up?"
"It's wonderful, Misato-san," Shinji smiled before looking back at the city. "I've already seen this before on tv a few times but seeing it in person feels different in a way."
"Well, I'm glad you like it," Misato smiled as she puts her arms crossed, admiring the view of the city. "This city is considered to be part of the New 7 Wonders of the World for most people, a place where about thirteen million people live. But this is also a fortress that is designed to protect against the Angels. This is New Tokyo-3. This is our city. And..." she looked at Shinji with a smile. "It will eventually become a city that you would protect as the pilot of Eva Unit-01."
Shinji's smile took a more sober tone before he spoke with a solemn expression "...Sensei once said this: "("Walking the Path of Heaven, the Man who will Rule Everything.")"." He said this as he raised his right index finger into the air. As if by a miracle, the sun's rays were now shining toward him and illuminating him. Misato was rather awed at the spectacle as if the concept of coincidence appeared to bow before the young man.
"If I'm going to fight in order to protect the people of this city and of all humanity, then I would do so, for it is the path that I must tread as it is my fate and my desire to protect those who could not protect themselves, and I do not say this as one of overconfidence in one's ability, but as the simple factor that I must overcome...so that I can forge my own path as I follow in the footsteps of the Man who walked the Path of Heaven," Shinji said.
"The Man who walked the Path of Heaven?" Misato said softly.
"My sensei..." Shinji said solemnly. "Tendou...("Path of Heaven.")...Souji...("Ruler of All"). Since then, as his disciple, I have taken his name out of respect for the man who had raised me and taught me everything that I knew, calling myself by a different name..."
"Wait...A different name...?" Misato widened her eyes a bit.
And at that very moment, he spoke his true name to her which he had kept hidden like a buried treasure until it was time to reveal it in a more fitting manner. And as he spoke the name, he remembered the face of his sensei and the determined resolve that he had. His sensei, the man who had once fought against the Worms, a hostile extraterrestrial race that wanted to dominate his Earth, and also fought against certain conspiracies with their own agenda.
Now...
Shinji is about to walk the same path as his sensei once did. He will protect his Earth from the threat of the Angels, another extraterrestrial race, and would fight against the conspiracies that thrive in his world. He wasn't ignorant. He knew just what he was now getting himself into the moment he intended to join NERV from the very start. He had been planning for this very day and had trained for it for several years.
And the time has come to declare his true name that would be etched unto the heavens, signaling that all is truly right with the world.
His resolve is set. He will fight for his world.
For he is...
"My name is...Tendou...("Path of Heaven")...Shinji...("Faithful Son of the True Ruler")."
And Misato Katsuragi would remember it well.
Insert Song: End
ED Song:
「Miraculous Warrior Evangelion」AMV [ENG SUB]
