I participated in the development of EVA

After hearing these remarks, Fumihiko Ikari felt more and more that these people had long been exposed under the noses of the top leaders.

But now that things have come to this, it's too late to regret.

At the same time, I don't have any expectations for these people. Just as Sakuragi Haruna said before, they are just a small group of people who stick together for warmth.

"I don't have a suitable candidate here, but I will keep an eye out in the future."

"Well, be more secretive."

Ikari Fumihiko nodded.

"so be it."

Sakuragi Haruna turned off the strange device, stood up and walked out of the room.

"It's getting late, let's stop here today."

"Ah."

After sending the people away, Ikari Fumihiko lay on the bed thinking about what he could do to break the impasse.

Driving EVA?

Thinking of this, he looked up at the ceiling and then shook his head. The living area is made of high-strength steel structures, and the second research and development area is even stronger. Now that EVA has been cut off from power, it can only move for about a minute. Unless it can master the power of the AT stance, it will be difficult for EVA to do anything with its brute force alone.

When I woke up the next day, I came to the Unit 0 project team.

After two months of construction, Unit 0 is now basically completed.

"It's really strange, why are you here today?"

Ikari Fumihiko ignored Ibuki Emi's words and asked.

"how much longer?"

Ibuki Emi put away the smile on her face and replaced it with a serious expression.

“It will be almost finished today.”

"So fast?"

"The last incident had a huge impact on everyone. After that, everyone dared not slack off and went all out to participate in the work, shortening the scheduled construction period by one third. However, because of this..."

Ibuki Emi paused here and wanted to report that seven people died suddenly and twelve people were hospitalized due to lack of rest.

But the words came to my lips, but I didn't say them in the end.

There is no point in saying this except to create anxiety for Fumihiko Ikari.

Ikari Fumihiko asked back in confusion.

"But what's wrong with that?"

“Several people have been hospitalized due to illness from lack of rest.”

"Is the problem serious?"

"There will be no danger to life."

"That's good."

After a moment's silence, Ibuki Emi asked why Ikari Fumihiko was here.

"How's the driver?"

Fumihiko Ikari didn't say anything, but just silently looked at Unit 00 not far away.

"..."

Ibuki Emi sighed.

"If possible, no one wants a child to bear all this, but there is nothing we can do about it."

"Yeah, we have no choice."

Ikari Fumihiko sighed with mixed feelings.

Everyone around me is very rational, except me who is too emotional.

This is just not mature enough.

wrong--

It would be more appropriate to use the word "embarrassing".

"As for the driver...I will take care of it. We can do the start-up test tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

This can't be stopped.

No matter how unwilling you are to accept it, you have no choice but to accept it.

Piloting Unit 00 is Rei Ayanami's destiny.

"The driver's identity cannot be changed, but compensation can be made in other ways."

"what?"

Ikari Fumihiko didn't quite understand.

Ibuki Emi explained on the side.

"Fighting is her destiny, but life is more than just this, and it shouldn't be so narrow-minded. Well, with your understanding ability, you should be able to understand what I mean, right?"

Ikari Fumihiko understood.

"Just to make her live a happier life?"

"Yes, stop imagining this, this is the direction you should work towards and the problem you should be thinking about in the future."

Fumihiko Ikari once again realized the gap between himself and the people around him.

Others know how to make choices on key issues, but he only thinks about how to escape.

"How to do?"

Ibuki Emi suddenly tapped Ikari Fumihiko on the forehead.

"Of course, you have to figure this out on your own."

Smiling slyly.

"How to make a girl happy? Do I need to teach you this?"

Ikari Fumihiko was a little confused.

"I don't think that of her."

"Idiot, is this all you know besides dating? Raising her as a daughter, taking care of her as a sister... Can't you be a little purer!?"

"Uh--"

Ikari Fumihiko felt helpless.

"You misled me with the way you spoke just now."

Ibuki Emi snickered.

"I just want to know if you have that kind of perversion."

Before traveling through time, Fumihiko Ikari did have some improper thoughts about Ayanami Rei, but now he no longer has such thoughts.

“This world is really terrible.”

"Isn't things getting better little by little? Instead of complaining, why not do more practical things?"

"You are more suitable for the position of team leader than me."

Ibuki Emi shook her head.

"Don't think so badly of yourself. Although you don't care about the matter and don't come here, as long as you are here, people's hearts will be stable, of course, including me. Don't disbelieve me, this is the truth... Don't think I'm talking well now, that's because you are the real decision maker, so I naturally don't have to think so much. But if I really put myself in your position to deal with this matter, I would only be more confused than you."

Ikari Fumihiko just thought that the other party said this to comfort him.

Ibuki Emi saw that Ikari Fumihiko was in misfortune, and added another sentence.

"Just like you and Ikari Yui right now."

Ikari Fumihiko thought of the previous conversation between the two.

I was just talking nonsense at the time and completely ignored the facts.

"I almost understand..."

"I see. Cheer up and pull yourself together. Don't look like you have one foot in the grave."

Ikari Fumihiko smiled bitterly.

"I think so too, but your words make sense, but they have no substantive effect."

Ibuki Emi suppressed her anger and said helplessly: "It's really pleasant to talk to you."

"Really? I think so too."

Ibuki Emi no longer wanted to talk to Ikari Fumihiko.

"Stop talking nonsense here, go and solve the driver's problem quickly and finalize the matter so that I can make follow-up arrangements."

Ikari Fumihiko simply responded.

"Oh."

After leaving the Unit-00 project team and preparing to head to the Rei Ayanami project, he was stopped by Yui Ikari.

134. You are really

There was no sign of unhappiness from last night on Ikari Yui's face.

"As for the driver, I will take over from now on."

Ikari Fumihiko shook his head.

"No need, I can handle it."

Ayanami Rei is somewhat safe in his hands, but if she falls into the hands of Ikari Yui and others, things might really turn back to the situation in the original work.

Ikari Yui said without commenting.

"You've invested too much personal emotion in this project."

"I don't see any problem with that."

"If you keep going like this, you might be sacrificed for her growth in the future."

Ikari Fumihiko replied in a firm tone.

"This kind of sacrifice is only made when there is defeat, and I will not let that happen."

Ikari Yui shook the can of coffee in her hand, feeling the amount remaining in it, and spoke again after a moment.

"Unit 00 will be almost finished today. Will there be any problem with starting it up and testing it tomorrow?"

Ikari Fumihiko was silent for a moment before he spoke.

“Inspect the system in the morning and you can run tests in the afternoon.”

"it is good."

After responding, Ikari Yui continued speaking.

"How are you going to explain the situation to her?"

"Explain the situation to her according to the script."

"She still can't understand such a complicated situation now, right?"

"You'll understand sooner or later."

"Ah."

Ikari Yui responded without comment, then spoke again.

"The start-up experiment of Unit 0 must be carried out the day after tomorrow at the latest. If it cannot be done, I will arrange for someone else to take over the project."

"Oh."