I was lying in bed, feeling the weight of fatigue taking over my body. My muscles were sore, and my mind was spinning with everything that had happened that day. I turned my head to the side, looking at the suitcase already packed in the corner of the room. I would be leaving for Germany today.
The idea made me uneasy. Even though I had agreed to be an Eva pilot, it was still hard to believe that I was actually embarking on this journey. I didn't know anyone there, I only knew that I would be training with a certain Asuka.
"What will this girl be like…?" I muttered to myself.
I tossed and turned in bed, restless. The farewell with Rei and the others was still fresh in her mind. Rei seemed to have become strangely serious when she mentioned my decision. Was she upset?
Sighing, I brought a hand to my face. "This feels like a real farewell…"
Tomorrow, everything would change. And I knew there was no going back.
I felt my body sink into darkness, as if I were being pulled into an endless abyss. However, instead of a cold and silent void, I felt an intense presence around me. My eyes opened, and I found myself in a vast field, where the sky was a deep blue and the clouds moved slowly, as if time flowed differently there.
Before me, two imposing figures appeared. The first, a woman with long golden hair and piercing blue eyes. She wore a white and blue outfit, adorned with elegant details that resembled wings. Her expression was stern, but not hostile. Beside her, an even lazier and at the same time threatening figure. Sekhmet, the Witch of Sloth, was there, watching me with her half-closed eyes, as if she had already become bored before the conversation even began.
I felt a shiver run down my spine. I knew Sekhmet, but the other woman… I couldn't quite tell who she was, but her presence radiated an overwhelming force.
"What's going on here?" I asked, looking from one to the other.
The blonde woman crossed her arms and stared at him with a serious expression.
"We finally caught up with you. You've been getting into a lot of trouble lately, haven't you?" she said, her voice carrying a slightly reprimanding tone.
"Hah? Who are you?" I narrowed my eyes.
Sekhmet let out a lazy sigh before answering, her voice slurred as always. "Ah… It's Minerva… You should introduce yourself properly… Subaru-kun can be slow sometimes, you know…?"
"M-Minerva?" I repeated, feeling a chill at the name.
Minerva sighed, sounding impatient. "Yes, Minerva, the Witch of Wrath. And we're here because you're getting into something much bigger than you realize."
I felt a knot in my stomach. The Witch of Wrath and the Witch of Sloth, together in my dream… This couldn't be good.
"Okay… and why do you want to talk to me? I have enough problems already, you know?"
Minerva narrowed her eyes.
"Exactly because of this. Do you think you can just go ahead and do it without consequences? That you can use this new power without even understanding what it means?" She pointed a finger at me, and I felt a crushing weight fall on me.
I widened my eyes. "W-Wait… are you talking about those hands that appeared earlier?"
Sekhmet yawned, her expression unchanged. "Hmm… Now do you understand? Something inside you has awakened… and if you're not careful… ah, Subaru-kun… you'll end up destroying yourself…"
I felt my breathing quicken. What did this mean? What exactly had I awakened?
I was surprised to see Minerva start to stomp her foot hard on the ground. With each beat, the surrounding field shook, as if an earthquake were forming beneath her feet. The sky, previously calm, seemed to ripple with her fury.
"What the hell?!" I stumbled a little, trying to balance myself.
"You don't understand anything!" Minerva exclaimed, crossing her arms with a look of frustration. "It's exactly this kind of careless attitude that irritates me! You simply accept a new power without questioning where it came from or what it might cause?!"
She continued to stamp her foot, and I realized that this wasn't just a tantrum. The earth was actually shaking, responding to her emotional state. Despite being the Witch of Wrath, she didn't seem driven by destructive hatred, but rather by an intense and unstable emotion.
"Hey, hey, calm down! If you keep this up, you're going to open a hole in the ground!" I gestured desperately, but Minerva just huffed, visibly irritated.
Sekhmet, next to me, let out a long, lazy yawn. "Ah… Minerva is always like this… so intense… It makes me sleepy just watching her…"
I looked from side to side, not knowing how to react. Minerva seemed to be on the verge of exploding with frustration.
"Okay, okay! I get it! I don't know anything about this power, and it could be dangerous! So explain it to me! What should I do?!"
Minerva paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and then crossed her arms again, looking at me more seriously. "First of all, you need to understand that this is not a gift, Subaru."
I felt a chill run down my spine. Whatever this power was, it seemed to be something much bigger than I imagined.
Minerva huffed, stomping her foot once more, making the ground shake. Her gaze was filled with impatience, but I could tell there was more than just anger there, it was concern.
"So, Subaru?! What did you feel when you used those damn invisible hands?!" She asked, crossing her arms and leaning forward, staring at him closely.
I swallowed hard. I hadn't thought much about it before, but now that Minerva brought it up, I vividly remembered the horrible sensation that ran through my body.
"It was... painful." I admitted, looking away for a moment. "Not while I was using it, but afterwards. My body felt heavy, as if I had run a marathon without resting. My hands were shaking, my vision was blurry... it felt like I was draining something from myself."
Minerva clenched her fists in anger, pointing her finger at me.
"Idiot!" she complained, her voice thick with frustration. "You used a power you don't even understand, without knowing the consequences! If you're not careful, you could end up killing yourself!"
I held up my hands defensively. "Hey, hey! I had no choice back then! If I hadn't done anything, Shinji and Misato could have gotten hurt!"
Minerva sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"You're so stubborn..." she muttered. "But listen carefully, Subaru. This power isn't just a convenience you can use whenever you want. It demands something in return. If you keep pushing your body like this, you'll end up destroying yourself before you even understand how it works."
I frowned. "So what should I do?"
Minerva crossed her arms and looked at him seriously. "You need to learn to control it. And to do that, you'll have to understand where it comes from and why the hell you have this power."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. I blinked a few times, trying to understand what had happened. I could still hear Minerva's irritated voice echoing in my head, but before I could ask anything else, I was pulled back to reality.
Now, awake in my room, I looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath. Something was different. My body, which had previously felt heavy with tiredness and tension, now felt surprisingly light. As if the exhaustion I felt after using the invisible hands had simply disappeared.
I sat up in bed, running my hands over my face. The dream seemed too real, and Minerva's words still hammered in my mind. "If you keep pushing your body like this, you'll end up destroying yourself..."
"That's great, one more thing to worry about..." I muttered to myself, letting out a long sigh.
But I didn't have time to dwell on that now. Today was the day. The day I would leave for Germany.
The thought made my stomach churn. Even after everything I'd been through, facing such a long trip and the unknown still made me nervous.
I shook my head, trying to push those worries away. There was no point in getting lost in negative thoughts now. I got up and started getting ready, grabbing my things, making sure everything was ready.
"Okay... It'll just be a trip. Nothing big." I said to myself, trying to convince myself. But deep down, I knew that nothing was ever "just" a trip in my life.
I left the room, rubbing my eyes and trying to shake off any trace of sleep. My bags were already packed, piled next to the door. I still had a few hours before I had to leave, it was only morning, and his flight was at noon... but somehow, the wait made me even more anxious.
I walked to the living room, where I found Shinji and Misato. They were both busy with their own things, Misato was drinking coffee while reviewing some documents, and Shinji was leaning over the table, distracted by something I couldn't quite see.
"Good morning..." I greeted, forcing a smile.
"Good morning." They both replied, almost at the same time, without even looking at him properly.
I stood still for a moment, waiting for some comment, some question about his trip... But nothing came. Misato continued to focus on the papers, and Shinji seemed distant, lost in thought. It was as if the trip was just an unimportant detail to them.
That bothered me more than I wanted to admit. Not that I expected a grand farewell, but... a little more reaction wouldn't hurt, right?
I let out a soft sigh and walked to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water.
"They're busy... That's all..." I muttered to myself, trying to shake off the worry. But a strange feeling stuck in my chest, like something was out of place.
On the way to school, I tried not to think too much about the trip, but the anxiety was inevitable. Shinji and I met Rei, Kensuke, Toji and Hikari at the school gate, as usual.
I expected someone to ask about my departure, some word of encouragement or even a joke about going to Germany. But... nothing happened.
"Yo, Subaru!" Kensuke waved.
"Hey, man!" Toji finished, patting him on the shoulder.
"Good morning." Rei said calmly.
"Good morning!" Hikari replied, focused on something in her notebook.
And that was it.
No one asked about the trip. No one mentioned anything about my going to Germany. To them, it was as if today was just another day.
I tried to smile and act normal, but inside, something was bothering me. I knew I wasn't someone extraordinary, but did my departure really make no difference to anyone?
I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away.
"It's okay. I'm just overreacting..." I muttered to myself again, forcing a smile.
Even so, the anxiety was still there, weighing on my chest.
The morning passed slowly, but the class seemed even longer to me. Every minute that dragged on the clock only reinforced the restlessness inside it. I tried to focus on the content, but my thoughts were elsewhere.
The time for the trip was approaching.
As much as I had accepted this mission, I couldn't help but wonder. Is it really worth it?
I looked around, seeing Shinji, Toji, Kensuke, Hikari and Rei. None of them had mentioned the trip. No question about how he felt, no "good luck", nothing. As if my departure was just an insignificant event.
I'm not special to anyone here.
That thought hit me suddenly. I always tried to get close to people, to create bonds, to be someone important in their lives. But in the end, did I make any difference? Was I just a nuisance to them? If I simply disappeared, would anyone really miss me?
The bell finally rang, announcing the end of classes. The students began to pack their things and talk among themselves. To me, everything seemed distant, as if he were watching the scene from the outside.
I stood up, grabbed my backpack and left the classroom alone.
The walk back home was silent. Normally, I would have Shinji by his side or maybe Toji and Kensuke making some silly joke. But that day, I walked alone through the streets, feeling the weight of loneliness growing on my chest.
When I arrived at the apartment, I found the place empty. Misato was probably still at NERV, and Shinji... well, I didn't know where Shinji was.
Without saying anything, I went to the corner of the room, where my bags had been packed since morning. I picked them up and stood there for a moment, staring at them.
Should I really go?
The doubt came again, even stronger. I didn't want to admit it, but part of me wanted someone to stop me, someone to say: "Stay. We need you here." Or "Good luck on the trip!" Anything!
But no one said anything.
Sighing, I picked up my bags and left the apartment.
My destination was NERV. There, a special ship was waiting for me. A three-month trip to Germany, to train alongside a girl I didn't even know.
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. "Let's get this over with..."
And with that, I moved on. Alone.
I walked through the streets towards NERV, where the ship was already waiting for me. My steps were slow, almost dragging, and I didn't say a word. The silence around me seemed to amplify the feeling of emptiness inside me.
As I approached the base, I could see the agents already positioned next to the ship. They seemed to be waiting just to finish their preparations. I took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to take the last few steps.
It was then that I heard the sound of an engine approaching quickly.
I stopped and, with an expression of confusion, turned around.
I was amazed to see Misato's car arriving and, even more so, to notice how many people were inside it. It was almost a miracle that everyone had managed to squeeze in there. The door opened, and one by one, everyone got out, Shinji, Toji, Kensuke, Hikari, Rei, Pen-Pen and even little Sakura, Toji's younger sister.
Misato crossed her arms and smiled defiantly. "Do you think you're going to leave without saying goodbye to us?"
I blinked a few times, trying to take in the scene. All day, no one had mentioned the trip, and I was really starting to think that my departure didn't make that much of a difference to them. But there they all were, gathered together, as if they were saying that I was important.
Toji put his hand on my shoulder and laughed. "Did you really think we were going to let you leave just like that?"
Kensuke adjusted his glasses. "I wouldn't miss the chance to see a future Eva pilot leaving in one of those awesome ships. It's almost like something out of a movie!"
Hikari gave Kensuke a gentle push and looked back at me with a gentle smile. "We came to wish you good luck. It's not every day that a friend of ours travels to Germany."
I felt a tightness in my chest, a mix of happiness and excitement. I looked at Rei, who was holding her Beako plushie and staring at me with that calm look she always had.
"Good luck, Subaru-kun."
It was at that moment that I realized. I wasn't alone. They cared.
I felt something small cling to my leg. When I looked down, I saw Sakura Suzuhara tightening her arms around my waist, her little face buried in my shirt.
"Thank you for saving me…" her voice was sweet, almost trembling.
My heart sank. I hesitated for a moment before returning the hug, placing one of my hands gently on the girl's head and ruffling her hair a little. "You don't need to thank me for this, Sakura."
She looked at me with a shy smile before letting go of the hug and returning to Toji's side. I sighed deeply, trying to maintain my composure, but it was then that Shinji approached, holding something out to me.
"Here." Shinji placed a small MP3 player in the palm of his hand.
"What is this? An MP3 player?" I asked, examining the silver device.
"Some music I like. I thought it might help you calm down during the trip." Shinji scratched the back of his neck, looking a little embarrassed. "It can be kind of lonely traveling so far away... so maybe listening to some music will make you feel better."
I clutched the MP3 player in my hand. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out. My eyes started to sting, I blinked quickly to keep the tears from falling.
I never expected a goodbye like this. I didn't think anyone would miss me. But there they were... My friends, my family in this world, showing that they cared.
Misato crossed her arms and smiled.
"Are you going to just stand there or say something, Subaru?"
I swallowed hard, still holding the MP3 tightly. When I finally looked up, my eyes were filled with tears. "Thank you..." But for the first time in a long time, I smiled genuinely.
"T-Thank you..." My voice came out a little choked. "I... I really didn't expect that."
Rei, holding her plushie tightly, bowed her head slightly.
"You're important to us."
Those words were enough to make a tear escape my eyes. I quickly ran my arm over my face, trying to wipe it away before anyone saw.
"Hey, no need to cry, Subaru!" Kensuke joked.
"Shut up, I'm not crying!" I snapped, trying to hide it.
But everyone knew the truth. And no one would judge me for it.
One by one, each friend began handing me something. Hikari handed me a small package of homemade cookies, saying I might need something to eat on the way. Kensuke gave me a keychain of a military fighter, saying it was a gift "for a future Eva pilot." Toji, trying to look tough, just punched him in the shoulder and said, "Don't forget we'll still play together when you get back!"
Finally, Rei approached silently, holding something in her hands. When I realized what it was, my heart skipped a beat.
"Rei-tan… this is…"
It was Beako, the plushie I had gotten for her at the mall. Rei held the plushie against her chest, as if she was still reluctant to give it to me. But she held Beako out to me anyway.
I took the doll carefully, looking at Rei with a confused expression.
"But… you like her so much. Are you sure?"
Rei nodded slightly.
"Beako will protect you." Her voice was soft but firm. "But I want you to give it back when you get back."
I clutched the Beako plushie to my chest. Something inside me warmed. I looked at Rei, feeling a lump in my throat. "That means you believe I'll come back, right?"
Rei didn't say anything for a few seconds. But then, she nodded, as if the answer was obvious.
"Yes."
My heart sank. I wanted to say something… I wanted to promise that I would come back, that everything would be okay. But at that moment, words seemed meaningless.
So, instead of speaking, I just smiled. A sincere smile, full of gratitude.
"Thank you, Rei. I'll take good care of her." I held Beatrice tightly, feeling the symbolic weight of that gift. Now, more than ever, I knew I needed to go back. And when I did, I would have something very special to return. I took a deep breath, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. I didn't want my last image in front of them to be someone crying. I forced a smile, looking at each of them, trying to engrave their faces in their minds. "Okay, guys... I'm going!"
I gave everyone a final wave. Sakura was still holding on to Toji's shirt, as if she wanted to run to me again, but she held herself back. Hikari smiled gently, Kensuke and Toji crossed their arms trying to look carefree, but I knew they were rooting for me. Pen-Pen just looked at me sadly, since he'll have to eat Misato's terrible food. Shinji gave a small nod, and Misato, wearing sunglasses, simply gave a thumbs up.
And finally, Subaru looked at Rei. She was there, holding her hands in front of her body, her red eyes fixed on me. Even without words, I understood.
With Beako securely in my arms, I turned and started walking towards the ship. Each step seemed to weigh more than the last. But I kept going.
When I reached the ship's ramp, one of the NERV agents was waiting for me. Before entering, I stopped for a moment and took one last look back. Everyone was still there, watching me leave.
I took a deep breath and whispered to myself:
"I'll be back."
Then, with a firm step, I entered the ship.
As I was arranging my luggage in one of the compartments when I heard a relaxed male voice behind me:
"So, are you the famous Subaru Natsuki? The unknown boy?"
I turned around, finding the comment strange. Before me was a tall man, with slightly disheveled dark hair and a relaxed smile. He wore a suit uniform, but he didn't seem as stiff as the other agents.
"And you are…?" I asked, crossing my arms.
The man gave a small laugh before answering:
"Kaji Ryoji. But you can just call me Kaji. I'll be one of the pilots of this ship, so I think we'll spend some time together."
I blinked a few times, studying Kaji. Something about him seemed a little… dangerous? Not in the threatening sense, but in the sense of someone who doesn't exactly follow all the rules. "Right… and what did you mean by 'unknown boy'?"
Kaji tilted his head, as if considering something, then smiled again. "Oh, nothing much. It's just that from what I heard, you just showed up and now you're already heading to Germany to train with the Second Child. Kind of mysterious, don't you think?"
I felt a shiver run down my spine. I didn't like that kind of observation. "I just… found a way to fit in."
"Your eyes…" Kaji looked at me seriously, then patted my shoulder in a friendly way. "Forget it… Relax, it's going to be a long trip, so take the opportunity to rest. You'll need it."
With that, Kaji headed to the cabin, leaving me there, still thinking about his words.
My head was still full of thoughts, but he took the opportunity to clear up a few doubts. "Hey, Kaji. What's this Asuka looks like? I mean, I'm going to train with her, but no one has given me many details."
Kaji paused for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully before answering. "Hm... How should I put this...? Asuka is a child prodigy. Very talented, very determined, and... a little difficult to deal with."
I raised an eyebrow. "Difficult to deal with? What does that mean exactly?"
Kaji laughed lightly, crossing his arms. "Let's just say she has a strong personality. She likes to be the best at everything and doesn't take well when anyone tries to compete with her. But she's a good girl."
I sighed. "So she's stuck up?"
"Hey, I didn't say that." Kaji smirked. "But you'll find out for yourself."
I was already starting to imagine what it would be like to deal with someone like that. I didn't really like arrogant people, but maybe I could handle her the right way.
Then, a question popped into my head. I don't know how to speak German! "Oh, and there's one more thing... How is this communication thing going to work?"
Kaji blinked, confused.
"Huh? Communication?"
"What's wrong?"
Kaji looked at me with a half smile and shook his head. "Subaru... You know you're speaking Japanese now, right?"
"Huh, of course I do."
"Then what would be the problem with communication?"
"What? I said I don't know how to speak Germ—"
I stopped in the middle of my sentence, blinking a few times.
Kaji just stared at me, holding back a laugh.
"Dude... Are you okay?"
I felt my face heat up. "Er... Sorry, I'm nervous about this trip and I said it wrong. I meant German! I don't know how to speak German!"
Kaji burst out laughing. "Ahhh, I see. Well, relax. There are a lot of Japanese speakers at NERV in Germany, including Asuka herself. You won't have any trouble with that."
I sighed in relief. "That's good... Because learning a new language all of a sudden would be complicated."
Kaji smiled and patted my shoulder again.
"It'll be okay, newbie. Now, you better get settled. It's going to be a long trip."
I took a deep breath and nodded. I was still nervous, but at least now I knew a little more about what to expect.
A few hours later...
After a long 13-hour journey, the ship finally landed at the NERV base near the province of Oldenburg, Germany. It was nighttime, and the sky was dotted with stars, with a bright moon reflecting off the metal and glass buildings that made up the local NERV center.
I stepped off the ship next to Kaji, yawning and stretching my arms, but my eyes, as soon as they took in the surroundings, widened in amazement.
"Wow…"
The structure of NERV Germany looked like something out of a science fiction movie: tall metal towers with mobile solar panels rotating silently, drones hovering in the open areas, searchlights adjusting automatically as they approached, and even futuristic-designed vehicles cruising along elevated walkways.
On one of the complex's side walls was a sort of vertical garden with bioluminescent plants that glowed softly in the dark. Up ahead, a huge sculpture of an Evangelion in a ready pose guarded the entrance to the base—it was Unit 02.
I looked at everything in silence, my jaw almost dropped.
"This is... like... What the hell is this?!"
Kaji gave a short laugh, with his hands in his pockets. "Welcome to NERV Europe. The technology here is a little more daring."
I continued to admire the details, the floor beneath my feet that lit up as I walked, the automatic doors that opened with a light puff of air, and the calm, feminine voice that came out of the speakers welcoming me in several languages, including Japanese.
"This is insane..."
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Kaji said, as he guided him through the entrance. "Tomorrow you'll see the training academy, the simulations, and of course... your new training partner."
I swallowed hard.
"Asuka, right?"
"Exactly."
I looked one last time at the starry sky of Oldenburg and muttered to myself: "Okay, Germany... send whatever you have. I won't back down."
But inside, I still felt that butterflies in my stomach. The kind that only appear when something big is about to happen.
As soon as I got off the ship, I felt the cold wind of the German night blow against my face. I was still amazed by the infrastructure of NERV Europe, but I didn't have much time to appreciate the details. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I realized I wasn't alone.
In front of me, a girl with long, reddish hair stared at me with an imposing posture. Her hands firmly positioned on her waist, her gaze sharp as a blade and a tight red uniform that emphasized her presence. I felt like she was sizing me up and down, as if she was judging every detail of me in a matter of seconds.
"So you're that Subaru Natsuki?" The girl asked, her voice carrying a slightly arrogant but also curious tone.
I blinked a few times as I looked up. I didn't know exactly what I expected from Asuka, but I certainly didn't think my first contact would be so intense. I tried not to look impressed. "Ah... yes, that's me. And you must be..."
"Asuka Langley Soryu." She interrupted, crossing her arms. "Pilot of Evangelion Unit 02."
I noticed the evident pride in her voice. I could tell that this girl wasn't the type to let others underestimate her. "You seem to know who I am, huh?"
Asuka snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Please, it's not like I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival. I was just told that a 'certain Subaru Natsuki' was going to show up. An unknown pilot. So I came to see if you're worth wasting my time with."
I raised an eyebrow. "Pilot? Wait, who told you I'm a pilot?"
"What?!" Asuka's eyes widened in surprise. "You came all the way here and you don't even know what you're going to do?"
I scratched my head, embarrassed. "Of course I know... they kind of threw me into this situation and told me I'd figure it out later." I said as I remembered how lazy Misato was.
Asuka's expression turned into a mix of frustration and disbelief. "This has got to be a joke..."
I sighed, crossing my arms.
"I'm starting to realize I'm more famous than I thought. Everyone's heard of me, except me."
Kaji, who was watching the interaction from afar, just smiled and patted my shoulder. "Get used to it, kid. Your reputation precedes you."
I laughed nervously, while Asuka continued to look at him with a mix of suspicion and irritation. Little did he know that this was only the first of many intense interactions with Unit-02's famous pilot.
As soon as Asuka's eyes landed on Kaji, her expression changed completely. The critical and disdainful look she had been giving me was replaced by a genuine glow of happiness. Her hardened expression softened in an instant, and before anyone could react, she ran towards Kaji.
"Kaji!" Her voice carried an emotion I hadn't expected to hear before.
She practically threw herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. Kaji, always relaxed, received the gesture with a light smile, returning the hug with one arm while using the other hand to gently stroke Asuka's hair.
"Long time no see, huh?" He said, his tone calm and relaxed.
Asuka raised her face to look directly at him, her eyes shining with a mixture of joy and expectation.
"How long are you going to be here?" She asked, clearly excited.
I was watching the scene from the side, I realized that this was a completely different side of Asuka. The girl who seconds ago seemed fierce and proud now looked more like a normal teenager, eager for the presence of someone important to her.
Kaji let out a light sigh before answering. "Not for long, unfortunately. I just came to accompany Subaru and take care of some things. Then I need to go back."
Asuka's expression changed immediately. Her excitement was replaced by palpable disappointment. She pursed her lips, clenching her fists slightly.
"Hmpf... it's always like this," she muttered, looking away. "You show up, but you never really stay."
Kaji smirked and ruffled her hair a little, which made Asuka puff out her cheeks in irritation. "You know how it is, Asuka. Work is work. But I promise we'll see each other again."
She crossed her arms and turned her face away, as if to hide the fact that she was sad. "Whatever..."
I, who had been following the conversation as a spectator, couldn't help but notice how different Asuka seemed when it came to Kaji. I had no idea what exactly their relationship was, but from the way she looked, it seemed like Kaji was one of the few people she truly showed affection for without any barriers. He was probably her caretaker.
Still, I couldn't help but feel a slight discomfort. I knew what it was like to wait for someone's attention and never receive it completely. I had been through it before, and as much as Asuka tried to hide it, I knew she was feeling a similar weight at that moment.
Kaji, always calm, just smiled and gave her one last light pat on the shoulder. "Come on, don't make that face. How about showing me what you learned while I was away?"
The implicit challenge made Asuka raise her eyebrows and finally look back at him, her pride seeming to rekindle.
"Hah! If that's what you want, then get ready to see how amazing I've become!"
And so, even with a certain weight on her chest, Asuka straightened her posture and regained her energy, determined to prove to Kaji that she was no longer the same girl she used to be.
Kaji smiled slightly and pointed his thumb at me, who was still a little lost in the middle of the conversation.
"Ah, Asuka, before I forget… Can you take Subaru to his quarters? He'll be staying here for a while."
Asuka's expression changed instantly. Her face, which had previously displayed a mix of joy and nostalgia for Kaji's presence, twisted into an expression of pure irritation.
"What?!" She practically shouted, her eyes widening in indignation. "Are you saying that this boy is going to stay here?"
I, who had been just watching, widened my eyes at her exaggerated reaction. "Wait a minute… Is that "boy" me?"
Asuka turned to me, crossing her arms and frowning. "Of course it's you! Don't tell me you're going to be in the same wing as me!"
Kaji gave a short, relaxed laugh, as if he had already expected this reaction from her. "Not exactly. But he'll have his own space, but you'll be in the same section, so it's best that he knows where everything is. Besides, I don't see any problem with you two hanging out together for a bit."
Asuka snorted and looked away. "No problem? Are you kidding? I already have to deal with a bunch of incompetent idiots, now there's another one?"
I blinked a few times, in disbelief that I was already being labeled an "incompetent idiot" before I could even say anything relevant. "Hey, hey, what's your problem?! I just got here, I haven't had time to do anything wrong yet!"
"Yet!" Asuka snapped, pointing at me with an accusing look. "Just looking at you, I can tell you're going to be a nuisance!"
Kaji laughed, shaking his head. "Well, Asuka, no matter what you think, he's going to stay here. So, show him the ropes and be a good girl."
Asuka opened her mouth to protest, but realized there was no point in arguing. She sighed dramatically and glared at Subaru.
"Alright, Kaji! We're going to get along SOOOOO well. Right, Subaru-kun?" Asuka said, feigning honesty with a hint of anger.
"Of course, Asuka-chan!"
She clenched her fists and took a step forward, as if she wanted to hit him right then and there. But Kaji was right in front of her, she couldn't let him down.
Kaji put a hand on her shoulder and laughed. "See, I said you two would get along very well.
Asuka and I looked at Kaji at the same time, unbelievers, and then exchanged look of distrust again.
"No way!" Both said in unison.
Kaji let out a light sigh, as if used to this kind of situation. "Okay, right, you both ... Try to behave, okay?"
Asuka and I looked at each other again, then we looked at Kaji and nodded in silence, both forcing exaggerated and completely false smiles.
"Of course!" They said at the same time, their voices overflowing with false innocence.
Kaji arched an eyebrow, but decided not to insist. He already knew that as soon as he left there, they would probably both continue to change barbs.
"Right. I'm going. If you take care, don't do it inappropriate!"
Asuka tried to disguise Kaji's comment, but Subaru noticed a brief moment when his expression hesitated. "Eca ..." However, as soon as Kaji turned her back and walked away, she raised her chin again with an air of superiority and looked at me with irritation.
"What are you looking at?"
I lifted my hands, as if defending itself. "Nothing, nothing! Just wondering when you will stop being so moody."
She snorted and turned her back on him. "Tsc. Do so much. Before I take you to your room, I'll change my clothes."
I blinked a few times. "Okay, and…?"
"And will you keep looking, you pervert?!" She hit her foot, as if it were the most evident thing in the world. "I hope you don't get close to my bedroom door."
I crossed my arms. "And why would I enter your room exactly?"
"Because you have a pervert face!"
"WHAT?!"
Before I could protest more, Asuka simply entered the room and knocked the door of a random room tightly, leaving me alone in the hall. I sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and murmuring to myself.
"Big thing… as if I were going to want to spy a girl who treats me that way…"
I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms, waiting for Asuka to finish. The first day in Germany was already looking very long. Crossing his arms as he loosened a long breath. The night sky of Germany was different from what I was used to in Japan. The air looked cooler, and the city's lights were not so intense, allowing the stars to shine more clearly. I raised my head and watched the vast dotted black cloak of sparkling stars.
For a few minutes, I stayed there, just admiring the tranquility of the sky, lost in thoughts. It was then that something caught my attention. Among the stars, I recognized a specific set, a constellation I had seen before. My eyes fixed on a bright star, an intense and blue light point.
"Sirius…"
I muttered more to myself, but at that moment I didn't realize that I was no longer alone.
"What?"
Asuka's voice took me by surprise. I turned my head and saw her standing there, looking at me with an expression of astonishment. She had already changed clothes, now wearing something more casual, but it seemed more surprised by what I had just said than worried about anything else.
"Did you say… Sirius?"
I blinked a few times, confused by her reaction.
"Yes ... that one, Oh." I pointed to the bright star in the sky. "It's Sirius, the brightest star of the larger dog constellation."
Asuka crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow, still looking skeptical. "And how does an idiot like you know that?"
"Hey!" I protested, but soon sighed. "I always enjoyed looking at the stars. When I was a child, my father taught me some constellations. He always said that if I lost myself in the dark, he should look at the stars to find his way."
Asuka was silent for a moment, analyzing me with a curious look, it made her perplexed.
"HMPH… Well, at least you know something useful." She looked away, pretending disinterest, but I realized that she also looked discreetly to the sky, trying to find Sirius between the stars.
I smile lightly. "Do you like astronomy too?"
Asuka hesitated before answering, but for a short moment I saw a flash of nostalgia in his eyes. "My father talked about it sometimes. But it's been a long time… but it doesn't matter anymore."
She said nothing more and just turned, walking down the hall. "Come on, Baka. You still have to see your room."
I launched one last look at the star before following Asuka. Maybe that night in Germany it wasn't that bad.
The way to the room was relatively silent, with Asuka walking ahead in firm and impatient steps, and with me right behind, carrying a backpack and trying not to stumble on anything. Nerve's building in Germany was as organized as Japan's, but it still seemed new to me, the corridors were cold, the gray walls, and that air that something was always about to happen.
"This is your room." Asuka said, stopping in front of a metal door. She pressed a button and the door slid aside with a soft hiss.
I walked in slowly, observing the small room that would now be her temporary home. There was a simple bed, a desk, an empty bookshelf, and a window overlooking part of the base. I dropped my backpack on the bed and began to organize her things.
Asuka, as if she had nothing better to do, also came in and took a quick look around the room, until her eyes fell on something I was carefully taking out of my backpack.
"What is this?" she asked, frowning. "Is this... a doll? Please don't tell me you're one of those Otakus..."
I looked at the object in my hands. It was Beako, the plush doll that Rei had given me. Even there, on another continent, the little bow on her head and the embroidered eyes gave a feeling of comfort that I simply couldn't explain.
"It's... it's Beatrice." I answered, holding the doll with a little embarrassment.
Asuka crossed her arms, already with the sarcastic tone ready. "A doll? Really? A strange boy like you carrying this around? That just makes everything even stranger."
I let out a light sigh and sat on the bed with the doll in my lap.
"It doesn't matter, she's quite special, she was given to me by someone I really like..." I said, with a weak but genuine smile. "And... she promised me that Beatrice-sama would protect me, even far away."
Asuka blinked a few times, seeming surprised by the answer. The sarcasm disappeared a little from her face. She looked away, clearly bothered by the emotional charge of my speech.
"Hmph... how cheesy." But her voice didn't have as much strength anymore. "Just don't leave that doll lying around... or they'll think you're a pervert."
She turned and headed for the door.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow the real thing starts," she said, before leaving.
I held Beako. I looked at the doll and smiled. "Thanks, Rei... even from a distance, you're still taking care of me."
Before leaving, Asuka casually leaned against the doorframe, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and boredom.
"Hey..." I said, breaking the silence. "You know, you speak Japanese well... A little fancy, but easy to understand."
Asuka raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Of course I know!" she replied, snorting. "I'm not a fish out of water here in Germany..."
Subaru half-smiled, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah... maybe I am."
Asuka crossed her arms.
"Anyway, don't think you can fool me. I speak Japanese, German, English, French... and I'm studying Russian too. If you try to hide anything, I'll know."
I was impressed. "Wow... you can say all that?"
"Hmph. Of course. I'm a genius, after all. Do you think just anyone can be a NERV pilot in Germany?"
I couldn't tell if she was bragging or just telling the truth. With Asuka, it seemed like both things went together.
She turned to leave, but stopped for a second and looked over her shoulder. Her blue eyes glinted slightly in the hallway light.
"Anyway... Guten Abend, fremder Junge." Asuka said in German.
I blinked, surprised at the way she said it. It wasn't hostile. It even sounded... friendly? In its own way, of course.
"Good evening, Asuka!" I replied with a slight nod.
She hesitated for a second, as if she were going to say something else, but then she just gave a small, almost imperceptible smile and walked away, disappearing down the hallway.
I stared at the door for a while, until the loneliness of the room settled in again. I lay down, pulling Beako close to my chest as I stared at the ceiling.
"It looks like this trip is going to be more interesting than I imagined..."
End of chapter 9