Shinji Ikari, who had just stood up, stumbled from the enthusiastic pat of the purple-haired older sister, looking blankly at the vibrant woman in front of him, his mind still not processing.
"The Angel... was annihilated?"
"Of course!" Misato Katsuragi looked proud, confidently puffing out her curvaceous, full chest. "Shinji-kun, you are our great hero!"
Seeing the boy's still bewildered expression, Misato changed the subject, leaning in mysteriously.
"The original plan was for you to live alone in a single apartment, ostensibly for easy management and monitoring. How utterly cold-blooded!"
She pouted, then proudly lifted her chin. "But! At the crucial moment, supervisor Hansen spoke up for you!"
"Hansen... Mr.?" Shinji's eyes brightened.
"Exactly!"
...
...
In the dimly lit highest command conference room, the atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed to solidify.
Around the giant hexagonal conference table sat several core high-ranking officials of NERV.
Ritsuko Akagi had just finished her post-battle report, which was almost entirely filled with "unanalysable," and everyone fell into silence.
"Regarding the placement of the Third Child," an official read from a script, following protocol, "according to custom, he will be arranged to move into a single special apartment, with 24-hour monitoring implemented..."
"I object."
A gentle yet undeniable voice broke the silence.
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on that man — the United Nations special supervisor, Hansen.
He leaned elegantly against the back of his chair, fingers interlaced on the table, a faint smile on his face, as if discussing the weather.
"Gentlemen, a fourteen-year-old boy has just returned from a life-and-death battlefield, having experienced fear and pain that none of us can imagine." His gaze swept over everyone present, calm and profound, making it hard to meet his eyes. "And then, we are to confine him like a criminal in a cold cage? With all due respect, this is not cultivating a hero; this is creating a mental patient."
"We cannot let our hero lose heart." Hansen's voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in everyone's ears. "To maintain his good mental state and better prepare him for the next battle, I believe he needs a guardian, a place where he can feel the warmth of 'home'."
His gaze, subtly, fell upon Misato Katsuragi's file.
"Lieutenant Colonel Katsuragi," Ritsuko Akagi immediately understood something. "Your lifestyle..."
"I think Lieutenant Colonel Katsuragi is very suitable." Hansen interrupted her directly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She is responsible, has had initial contact with the pilot, and is mature enough to take good care of an adolescent boy."
At the head of the table, Gendo Ikari remained silent, but did not object.
Hansen's reasons were impeccable, and his authority sufficient. Moreover, Misato Katsuragi, whom he recommended, was also a NERV employee.
There was even less reason to refuse.
"Then it is decided."
Hansen's departing back drew a conclusion to the matter.
...
...
"...So!"
Misato Katsuragi clapped her hands excitedly, pulling Shinji's thoughts back to reality.
"From now on, you'll live with me! I, your gentle, considerate, beautiful, and generous big sister, will personally take care of you! How about it? Excited?!"
She winked playfully at Shinji.
Shinji Ikari was completely stunned, his face flushed crimson, his mouth opening and closing, but not a single word came out.
Live... with this woman... live together?
Seeing the boy's dazed expression, Misato simply assumed he was shy. Without further ado, she handled his discharge procedures and then pulled him into her battered blue sports car.
The car drove on the regenerating city roads, with busy construction machinery and crowds of people outside the window.
Soon, they arrived at a seemingly modern apartment building.
"Ta-da! We're here! From today on, this is your new home!" Misato said casually, rummaging through her bag for keys. "Don't mind the ordinary exterior, it's very cozy inside! Ah... it might be a bit messy, don't mind it..."
As the two walked down the corridor, Misato was still making excuses for her potentially uncleaned apartment.
Just as she finally fumbled out her key and was about to insert it into her front door lock—
"Click."
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