Standing alone atop the school rooftop, Shinji Ikari gazed into the distance.
Third New Tokyo City... that was the name of this tenacious place.
Even though the oceans of this world had turned blood-red with pollution, the sky remained a clear blue, and a gentle breeze still drifted through the air.
Just as humanity, having lost more than half its population, continued to stubbornly survive in this harsh world.
But even the softest breeze couldn't ease the sorrow in Shinji Ikari's heart—the grief of parting from his friends.
"You don't have to face an enemy you can't possibly beat, Ikari! Do you understand? This isn't something you should take on alone!"
The captain's words at their parting still echoed in his ears.
Not long ago, Shinji had been in another world—a member of the GUTS Victory Team... and more than that, the human host of Ultraman Tiga, fighting to protect the planet.
Of course, back then, an inexperienced Shinji had moments of doubt. He had questioned everything, wondering why he had to be the one to fight. He had struggled, cursed the burden, and shut himself off from the world.
But thanks to the unwavering support and encouragement of his teammates, Shinji had managed to stand up again, time and time again. He had grown stronger.
In the end, he became someone who could say, with a proud smile:
"You can't win—something like that? I don't understand it."
He wagered everything on that final transformation into Ultraman Tiga, facing the ancient evil god known as the Lord of Darkness.
Gatanozoa—an unfathomable despair, a terror unlike anything he'd faced before. Even Ultraman Tiga had fallen to it, sinking into the deep ocean.
But even then, Shinji no longer ran, no longer collapsed into despair. Even at death's door, he clenched his fists and roared back.
With the help of his comrades, he rose again. And with fists shining with humanity's hope, he shattered Gatanozoa's body.
As the black mist that had devoured humanity's light was dispelled by his brilliance, Shinji knew... he had protected everyone, right until the very end.
With a peaceful heart, he closed his eyes, welcoming death calmly.
But unexpectedly, those eyes opened once more—
And he found himself here: a world on the verge of collapse, humanity all but extinct, oceans poisoned.
Maybe this was the world Shinji had originally belonged to. But the memories from the other side were so vivid, so unforgettable, that this world had nearly faded from his mind.
Maybe it was because, over there, he'd formed bonds with the Victory Team—ties stronger than blood. Here, he had nothing... nothing but a distant, estranged father.
"Tch. Feeling sorry for myself again. If the captain saw this, he'd chew me out..."
He muttered, eyes still on the blue sky.
"Don't worry, Captain. I'm not that 14-year-old anymore, the kid who did nothing but curl up in a corner. I won't forget what you all taught me."
Never give up on life. Humanity itself is the greatest light.
That was the spirit of Ultra, the belief they had passed on to Shinji.
With a final farewell to the past, he turned toward the future.
"Ikari-kun."
The voice came without warning. Behind Shinji stood a girl, her presence as brilliant as the sky above.
Hair a pure, shimmering blue. Skin porcelain white. Eyes like rubies—glowing, gemlike, and devoid of emotion.
She wore a dark navy school uniform, her face partially wrapped in bandages, obscuring what was surely breathtaking beauty. One arm was in a cast, strapped to her chest—yet, even in that frailty, there was an odd sense of allure.
"Ayanami... Rei, right?"
Shinji recognized her. Someone had introduced them before. Like him, she was part of NERV.
Though NERV, like the Victory Team, fought to protect humanity from monsters—or rather, angels—something about it felt... off to Shinji. The atmosphere here was nothing like what he'd known.
"Mm."
Rei gave a slight nod. Her expression remained cold, her words few.
"There's been a summon. I was sent to bring you."
"Did something happen? Is it another Angel attack?"
"No. No reports of any Angel activity. Just routine training."
"I see."
Shinji didn't protest. Though still fuzzy on the details, it seemed he was a pilot for NERV now.
That said, back with the Victory Team, he hadn't just relied on transforming into Tiga. He'd flown the Falcon-1 in battle, earned the title of ace pilot. So being told to pilot something called an "EVA" to fight Angels didn't phase him.
But once he saw the EVA—far from being a jet or tank, it was a towering humanoid robot—Shinji felt a rare twinge of unease.
He'd never even seen something like this before, let alone piloted one.
"By the way, Ikari-kun," Rei spoke again, cutting through his thoughts.
"Hm?"
That was rare. As far as Shinji remembered, this was the first time she'd initiated conversation outside of a mission.
"Three weeks ago. Do you remember the giant of light?"
Shinji's brow twitched faintly, but he smoothed over the reaction instantly, answering calmly.
"You mean the Angel? That one?"
Rei's gaze was steady. Though they were walking side by side, he could feel her watching him.
"It appeared during the Fourth Angel's attack. A giant made of light. It protected the civilians who hadn't yet evacuated from the East Sea City area, defeated the Angel, and vanished afterward..."
She paused, likely watching for any sign of a reaction.
"You were there at the time, weren't you? Didn't you see it?"
"Oh, that? I thought it was another Angel. I was too busy running for my life to notice. So that thing beat the Angel? Huh. I figured it must've been one of those massive N2 bombs that did the job."
Not just his face—his breathing, heart rate, blood pressure—everything remained calm. He had been trained in this back when he became a Victory Team operative. Even NERV's lie detectors wouldn't pick up anything unusual.
"I see. If you don't remember, it's fine."
Rei looked away. She'd bought it.
Shinji glanced down at his chest, feeling the comforting weight hidden beneath his shirt.
There, tucked in the inner pocket, was a small, ordinary-looking stone—his Spark Lens.
—End of chapter—
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