Chapter 1942
Reunion with Shinji Asuka
Chapter 1942 Reunion with Shinji Asuka
With the lingering whistling sound of breaking through the atmosphere, He Ming and the shuttle carried by the Banshee Gundam slowly landed on the runway, stirring up two spirals of dust.
"The colonel is back!"
Shinji Ikari, dressed in a loose long shirt and sweatpants, raised his hand to his forehead, watching the shuttle slowly moving towards them.
"Don't cry in front of the colonel then!"
Asuka, now dressed in a classic apricot-yellow spaghetti strap dress, sneered as she adjusted her hair clips.
"How could that be? I'm not a child! Asuka. Don't underestimate me!"
Shinji Ikari immediately protested.
Asuka chuckled and glanced sideways at Shinji Ikari.
"Who was it that secretly hid in the bathroom and wiped away tears on the first night of training?"
"I don't!"
Shinji Ikari's expression immediately changed upon hearing this.
"I was just washing my face!! Not wiping away tears!"
"haha, really?"
Asuka hummed softly and slightly raised her chin.
"But I heard someone sobbing."
"How could that be! I clearly turned the tap on full blast..."
As the words were about to come out, Shinji Ikari's expression changed drastically, and his face turned bright red.
Asuka smiled smugly after her little scheme succeeded, but before she could make fun of Shinji Ikari, a large hand pressed down on her head.
"What are you talking about, Shinji? There was no need to pick me up on such a hot day! Let's go somewhere cooler!"
"Colonel!"
"Colonel!"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Asuka exclaimed in surprise and turned to throw herself into He Ming's arms, startling him.
"Has this girl become so enthusiastic after not seeing her for a while?"
He Ming blinked, raised his hand and patted Asuka's shoulder, then gently pushed her away and laughed.
"It seems you've been working really hard lately! I can hardly breathe from your hugs."
Asuka blushed instantly and said shyly.
"That's an exaggeration! Colonel, are you making fun of me?"
"Haha! No, that's not it. This is a compliment, Asuka!"
After laughing, He Ming waved to Shinji Ikari, signaling him to come over, while also observing the changes in Shinji Ikari over this period of time.
It is said that boys grow very tall during puberty.
After some time apart, and having received training in the Invincible East style, Shinji Ikari had grown taller and stronger.
The timidity in his eyes seemed to have faded considerably, and a hint of confidence could even be seen in them.
"Hmm, very good! Shinji. Is the training tough?"
He Ming patted Shinji Ikari on the shoulder with a sigh and asked softly.
"It's tough, but not tough. I understand, it's for my own good! Colonel, I'm very grateful that you arranged for me to undergo this training. Now, I'm confident I can pilot Unit-01 and defeat all enemies!"
"Good! Very good!" Seeing that He Ming and Shinji Ikari were chatting, Asuka frowned, immediately reached out and grabbed He Ming's arm, saying repeatedly.
"Colonel, let's not stand in the sun here. Let's get back to the car! Master Lian has prepared a welcome dinner for you."
As they spoke, Asuka gave Shinji Ikari a look that said, "If you don't cooperate, just wait until we get back and deal with you," leaving Shinji with no choice but to cooperate.
He Ming naturally noticed the two's subtle movements, but he didn't point it out. He simply instructed the accompanying logistics team to cooperate with the personnel sent by Lian to handle the transfer of the Banshee Gundam. Then he and the two returned to the car and headed back to the western core area of the steel city.
Throughout the journey, Asuka chattered incessantly, from her first training with Ren to her journey to the northern front, and her first encounter with the enemy using the techniques of the Invincible East style. She always managed to find plenty of topics to talk about.
The chattering and chattering sound left Shinji Ikari, who was sitting next to him, completely bewildered.
Is this still the same Asuka who's always targeting him and finding fault with him?!
Why does she sound like a little girl who keeps talking when she's talking about someone she admires?
Moreover, Shinji Ikari was also one of the participants in most of the things Asuka mentioned.
How come he didn't realize there were so many topics to discuss in these matters back then?
Shinji Ikari, increasingly confused, almost wondered if he had been sleepwalking recently. How could it be so different from what he knew?
Suddenly, Shinji felt a cold gaze and instinctively looked up, only to see Asuka's warning look, telling him not to say anything.
"Okay! I'll remain silent."
Shinji Ikari understood, but remained silent.
To avoid suffering after Heming's departure, Shinji Ikari silently chose to protect himself.
"Alright! Asuka. Have you noticed anything while piloting Unit-02 lately?"
He Ming reached out and gently patted Asuka's head, signaling her to rest for a while, before asking her a question.
"Unit Two? Any discoveries?"
Asuka blinked, as if she had remembered something.
"But why did the colonel ask that?"
"Hmm, Lian probably won't just teach you physical skills, she'll probably teach you mental training too, right?"
"Yes, Colonel. Master Lian taught us how to regulate our breathing and meditate. But what does this have to do with piloting the EVA?"
Shinji Ikari asked, puzzled.
"Perhaps the answer lies within you, Shinji. You'll have to find it yourself once you board Unit-01."
After saying this solemnly, He Ming looked at Asuka.
"As for Asuka, according to you, you've been boarding Unit 2 quite frequently lately. Have you noticed anything about it?"
"Feel?"
Asuka's gaze shifted a few times, and after secretly glancing at Shinji Ikari, she seemed somewhat reluctant.
Clearly, Asuka didn't want Shinji Ikari to know certain things.
"Think it through carefully and then tell me again!"
Upon hearing He Ming say this, Asuka quickly nodded in agreement.
Judging from Asuka's hesitant expression, as if she wanted to say something but didn't want Shinji Ikari to know, it seems that Heming's guess was indeed correct.
Or perhaps, from the very beginning, when Asuka and Shinji were trained under Ren, He Ming had already anticipated this.
But I wonder how far Asuka has progressed?
Is it possible to sense the presence of someone?
Or have they already been able to initiate some conversations?
Thinking back to when she returned this time, Asuka clearly showed a very enthusiastic attitude, which may have gone beyond just being straightforward and charming.
Perhaps the reason that caused these changes in Asuka lies within Unit 2 as envisioned by Heming.
(End of this chapter)