Across the hall, the door to the apartment right next to hers opened from the inside.
A tall, upright figure emerged.
The man was dressed in a simple white casual T-shirt and jeans, carrying a bag of trash.
His short black hair was neat and clean, and a perfectly gentle smile graced his exquisitely handsome face.
He paused slightly when he saw the two at the door, then his smile became more genuine.
"Ah, Miss Katsuragi, Shinji-kun."
Hansen's voice was like a warm spring breeze in April.
"Welcome back. It seems, starting today, we are neighbors."
Misato Katsuragi's hand holding the key froze in mid-air, her cheeks rapidly heating up visibly, and her heart began to pound uncontrollably.
Shinji Ikari, on the other hand, widened his eyes, staring in disbelief at the man who seemed to have stepped out of a painting.
Neigh... neighbors?
"H-H-Hansen Mr.?"
Misato Katsuragi's eyes nearly popped out, her mouth agape in an "O" shape, wide enough to fit an egg.
She looked at Hansen, then at the key in her hand, then at the apartment number next door, and her brain crashed on the spot.
The surprise came too suddenly, overwhelming her battle-hardened heart!
"You... what are you doing here?!" Misato felt her tongue tie into knots.
"United Nations special envoys need accommodation too, you know," Hansen shrugged. "I asked the logistics department to arrange a quiet place close to headquarters."
"They said a room here had just become vacant, and I didn't expect to become your neighbor."
"It seems we are quite fated."
"Fated! What a great fate!" Misato was so excited she became incoherent. She clapped her hands suddenly, as if a brilliant idea had struck her. "Right! To celebrate Shinji-kun's first victory, and to welcome our new neighbor, let's have a welcome party tonight!"
"Mr. Hansen, you must honor us with your presence!"
"Alright, my pleasure." Hansen readily agreed, then turned his gaze to the always-silent Shinji beside him, smiling gently. "And congratulations to you too, Shinji-kun, you did very well."
A simple compliment, yet it instantly brought tears to Shinji Ikari's eyes.
He lowered his head and nodded vigorously, feeling like an outsider, yet also feeling that he...
Was finally not alone anymore.
Shinji Ikari sincerely felt that being neighbors with Mr. Hansen filled him with a sense of security from the depths of his soul, almost overflowing.
Just as the three were enjoying themselves and preparing to go inside to discuss dinner — mainly Misato unilaterally deciding what to eat — the apartment building's elevator door chimed "ding" and slid open silently.
A petite figure slowly emerged from the brightly lit elevator car.
The girl's appearance seemed to soften the light in the entire hallway.
The slightly oversized hospital gown did not hide the slender and beautiful contours of the girl's figure in the slightest.
Her light blue short hair, as clear as the sky, lay smoothly against her delicate cheeks.
Her skin was so fair it was almost transparent, smooth and delicate, glowing faintly under the not-so-bright lights of the apartment corridor, like an Angel descended to earth.
Crimson pupils, like two pure rubies, were flawlessly set in her face, which was too exquisite to seem real.
Her gaze fell directly on Hansen, without any evasion or extraneous thoughts, and then she bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Supervisor."
Her voice was as flat as ever, like the temperatureless mist in a morning valley, devoid of any human emotion.
But this gesture, this gesture containing initiative and gratitude, made Misato Katsuragi's eyes nearly pop out in shock.
Rei Ayanami...
That doll who was indifferent to everything except Commander Ikari's orders, actually... voluntarily thanked someone?
However, she glanced at Hansen's handsome profile in the light and then felt relieved.
—If it's Lord Hansen, then everything makes sense...
Hansen smiled and nodded, "You're welcome, it was just a small favor."
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