Two weeks had passed since the Fourth Angel, the Water Angel, was defeated.
Tokyo-3 displayed astonishing efficiency in reconstruction; the destroyed districts visibly returned to their original state, as if that apocalyptic battle had only been a nightmare.
But for some people at NERV Headquarters, the aftermath of another "storm" was just beginning to manifest.
Inside the Central Operations Command Room, Misato Katsuragi hummed an off-key pop tune, her fingers gliding lightly over the tactical tablet as she reviewed routine reports.
Today, she wore a fitted wine-red shirt, two buttons undone at the collar, perfectly revealing her delicate collarbone beneath the cross pendant and a hint of suggestive pale skin.
Her entire being was like a peach plumped with sweet spring water, radiating a lazy yet bright glow from the inside out.
The sense of satisfaction and femininity derived from being thoroughly nourished was practically overflowing.
"Misato, you've been..."
Ritsuko Akagi walked over, carrying two cups of coffee, placing one on Misato's desk.
She pushed up the glasses on her nose; her golden hair shone with an intellectual luster under the lights, and her eyes, which always held a scrutinizing look, were now openly surveying her friend.
"Your complexion looks great."
"Not only has your stress been well released, but your endocrine levels are stable, and your skin hydration is even 7.3% higher than in last month's physical report."
Ritsuko took a sip of coffee, her tone blending flatness with a hint of teasing: "It looks like... hmm, you've had plenty of rest and nourishment."
"Cough, cough!" Misato choked on her coffee, and two unnatural blushes instantly flared on her cheeks.
She awkwardly wiped her mouth, her gaze darting around.
"D-did I? There haven't been many missions lately, so of course I've been relaxed," she insisted.
"Is that so?" Ritsuko leaned against her desk, crossed her arms, her gaze behind her lenses sharp as a scalpel. "I think it looks more like a physiological stress response following the effective release of long-term psychological tension. Usually accompanied by high-quality deep sleep, and regular and harmonious..."
"Stop! Stop! Doctor Akagi!" Misato quickly cut her off, her pretty face so red it looked ready to bleed. "Don't analyze my private life with your professional jargon!"
"I'm just curious," Ritsuko curved her lips into a knowing smile, "what kind of panacea could make our Operations Director forget all about stress."
"Could it be that new... neighbor?"
"J-just a neighbor!" Misato's face grew even redder. She subconsciously avoided Ritsuko's gaze. "We just... occasionally drink and chat together..."
The more she spoke, the guiltier she felt; her voice grew softer and her conviction weaker.
Scenes from those romantic nights involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
That man always listened to all her complaints and fears in the gentlest way, especially when she was most exhausted and vulnerable.
He never spoke much, but his presence alone was like a solid harbor, allowing her to drop all pretense and guard.
They would talk about everything from the Angels to SEELE, from work to their respective pasts.
Then, catalyzed by alcohol and the intimate atmosphere, everything became natural.
That man's strong arms, his scorching chest, and the tenderness and dominance that could swallow all her rationality... Thinking of this, Misato's body went weak, and her breathing quickened.
Ritsuko looked at her friend's attempts to cover up the obvious and did not press further.
She simply picked up her coffee cup and gazed thoughtfully out the window at the newly reconstructed city.
Hansen... that flawless, yet mysterious man, like a shroud of mist... Meanwhile, a different scene was unfolding on the sports field of Tokyo-3 First Middle School.
"Over here! Pass the ball!"
"Senior! Look at me!"
The afternoon sun was warm and gentle, but the training area for the Girls' Basketball Club was surrounded by girls from other classes, their chattering voices nearly lifting the roof.
Their focus was naturally the temporary coach, dressed in white sportswear, standing tall and instructing on the court.
"Engage your core, keep your wrist soft, like this..."
Hansen held the ball with one hand, standing casually outside the three-point line, and flicked his wrist lightly.
The basketball traced a perfect parabola in the air, resulting in a clean "swoosh" as it went through the net without touching the rim.
Thunderous applause and screams instantly erupted around him.
"Teacher is so handsome!"
"Teacher, you don't have a girlfriend, right? How about considering me!"
"Teacher, Teacher..."
Hansen seemed oblivious to the clamor around him, merely smiling and patting the shoulder of the blushing female player in front of him, encouraging her: "Practice more, you have great talent."
Since the last brawl incident, Hansen's physical education class had become the most popular course in the entire school.
He conducted group teaching based on each student's interests and strengths—basketball, soccer, kendo, even fighting... he always found the simplest and clearest way to let students quickly grasp the tricks and find the joy in sports.
His impeccable handsome appearance, coupled with his gentle and friendly personality and unfathomable strength, earned him the admiration of over ninety percent of the school's girls, and the worship and respect of the remaining ten percent of the boys, all within two weeks.
Shinji Ikari and Suzuhara Toji were also on the sidelines.
After getting bruised and swollen that day, the two became friends after fighting, and together with the military otaku, Kensuke Aida, the three boys quickly became inseparable.
"Damn it, Teacher Hansen's popularity is too exaggerated," Suzuhara Toji gulped down some water, his tone mixed with envy and jealousy.
"No choice, who told Teacher to be both handsome and strong?" Kensuke Aida adjusted his glasses, looking matter-of-fact. "If I had half of the Teacher's ability, I would have signed up to compete for an EVA Pilot position already."
Shinji Ikari did not speak, merely watching Hansen, who was surrounded by girls in the distance.
His gaze was no longer marked by the initial self-abasement and avoidance, but carried a sense of composure and... aspiration.
The special training over the past two weeks went far beyond physical conditioning on the sports field.
Every day after school, Hansen would take him and Rei Ayanami to a nearby park for special training.
From the all-encompassing, flowing breathing technique to learning how to perceive his body and control his emotions.
Shinji Ikari could clearly feel himself growing stronger at an unimaginable speed.
If he fought his two-week-old self, he could take on ten of him!
Hansen: How could he not be strong? Allow me to introduce you to the "Water Breathing, Zero Form: Flowing Rock Smashing Fist"!
Bang:???
At the same time, Shinji Ikari gradually understood that running away wouldn't solve any problems.
If he wanted to protect something, if he wanted to stop losing, he had to make himself stronger!
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