The morning started with a word from Fang Zheng.
"Shinji, it’s almost your birthday, right?"
"Huh?"
Shinji Ikari, who was serving rice, was taken aback by Fang Zheng’s words. He lived his days almost mechanically and barely remembered the date of his own birthday, let alone who he was.
"Is... it?"
"That’s right, it’s June 6th."
Fang Zheng confirmed, making sure he hadn’t made a mistake.
"It’s the day after tomorrow, so what birthday gift do you want?"
"It’s, it’s not that appropriate..."
Originally, under Fang Zheng’s training, Shinji had started to gain a bit of manly spirit, but hearing this, he became a bit embarrassed.
"After all, it’s just my birthday..."
"What’s the matter, it’s rare for us all to live together, celebrating a birthday is a good thing."
Fang Zheng didn’t mind Shinji’s refusal. Perhaps in Japan and Europe and America, birthdays were considered personal privacy. But on the mainland, there was no such thing as privacy for birthdays. Back in elementary and middle school, when someone had a birthday in class, everyone would chip in to buy a cake and have a blast. No one cared about what birthday gift to get, it was all about smearing cake on each other’s faces and having fun.
Of course, wealthier students would have their parents book a few private rooms and invite classmates to a feast. The less affluent ones didn’t mind either, having fun and causing a ruckus in class was more joyful. At least, most of the time, it was more interesting than just a family birthday party.
There’s no such custom in Japan, and Fang Zheng isn’t a class teacher, but having a birthday party at home is also pretty nice.
Of course, it also depends on the time and date. Just like with the group of little girls in the Heavenly Dao Palace, if you were to celebrate everyone’s birthday, you’d run out of days in a year...
"Don’t be so wishy-washy. We’ve defeated so many Angels, it’s high time we have a celebration, and since your birthday is coming up, it’s convenient. Do you have friends in your class? You can invite a few to come along since it’s a party, the more the merrier, don’t you think?"
"I agree!"
Asuka, who loved bustling events, was the first to agree.
"We should have had a celebration party after defeating the Angels, but we didn’t. I suspect the Japanese don’t know how to party! What do you think, First Compatible?"
"I don’t eat meat."
Rei Ayanami stated her stance in just four words.
"How can you not eat meat? It’s because you don’t eat meat that you can’t grow!"
Since joining this big family, Asuka stood on the same side as Fang Zheng, and she never got tired of trying to tempt Rei Ayanami to eat meat.
"Fang Zheng, how about we have that roast whole lamb you mentioned this time?"
"A roast whole lamb is hard to find, but a roast suckling pig is still doable..."
Fang Zheng felt helpless, after the Second Impact, the whole world’s environment had undergone drastic changes, with summer all year round, one can imagine how many animals perished under such abnormal weather. Sheep were not popular in Japan, he could barely find any mutton, so he had to make do with a roast suckling pig.
If that doesn’t work out, a Beggar’s Chicken would be a good option too.
With the conversation having reached this point, Shinji Ikari naturally wouldn’t refuse, so the plan was settled. Who they would invite next was up to them.
Upon reaching NERV, Fang Zheng also casually invited Misato Katsuragi, but...
"I’ll pass, that child might not be too happy to see me."
Misato Katsuragi hesitated over Fang Zheng’s invitation but eventually declined. Since Shinji Ikari moved out from her place, things had been a bit awkward between them. Luckily Shinji was now under Fang Zheng’s care, so the two didn’t have many opportunities to meet. But since Shinji was the birthday person this time, her attending the party might feel a bit awkward.
However...
"You said the day after tomorrow... wait, that’s not possible, you can’t go either."
"Hmm? What’s going on?"
"Just got the news from Ritsuko, Unit 03 will be transported from America the day after tomorrow, you’ll have to go receive it."
"Unit 03?"
Upon hearing Misato Katsuragi’s words, Fang Zheng was puzzled.
"Has the pilot been determined?"
"No."
"Then why should I go?"
Fang Zheng’s duty was to manage the pilots. Without a pilot, an EVA was just a big metal framework to him, nothing to do with him.
"There was a problem over at the American branch, Unit 04 along with the North America branch got blown up, so they decided to transport Unit 03 over here in advance. Also... there’s currently no determined pilot for Unit 04, it’s temporarily Asuka’s job."
"But Asuka already has Unit-02, she can’t be in two places at once."
"Can’t help it, this is a deal from Germany, we’re just following orders."
"Oh, I see."
Fang Zheng quickly understood Misato Katsuragi’s hint.
In simple terms, Unit 03 was made in North America, originally belonging to America. But now, Germany wants Unit 03 too, they want to control two EVA units like Japan does. The problem is Germany doesn’t have extra pilots, so what do they do?
Simple, put a seal on Unit-02, then have the Unit-02 pilot operate Unit 03 instead.
Since Unit-02 belongs to Germany, other parties can’t touch it without Germany’s consent. And since Asuka is German herself, if she pilots Unit 03, in practice, Unit 03 will be integrated into the German camp.
That way, Germany can acquire North America’s EVA without spending a dime... it’s a classic example of getting something for nothing.
The only hassle is the bureaucratic paperwork involved in this maneuver.
But for Fang Zheng...
"You’re telling me this because you want me to persuade Asuka, right?"
"Exactly."
Misato Katsuragi chuckled at Fang Zheng in front of her.
"This is your job, leave it to you."
"Sigh..."
Fang Zheng sighed helplessly in response to Misato Katsuragi’s answer.
What a hassle!
Knowing Asuka, upon hearing this news, she’d definitely... not happily accept!
"Why should I seal my Unit-02!"
And as expected, during dinner that night, Asuka exploded upon hearing the news from Fang Zheng.
"Why not let idiot Shinji and First Compatible go!?"
"Telling me is useless, the decision’s already made..."
Fang Zheng was prepared for Asuka’s outburst, so the moment Asuka opened her mouth, he quickly grabbed chopsticks and stuffed a piece of meat into Asuka’s mouth, preventing her from further complaints. Asuka chewed the meat fiercely, as if she wanted to chew it to bones.
"You grown-ups are so disgusting!"
Rei Ayanami continued to eat quietly in response to Asuka’s complaint, while Shinji Ikari looked uncertainly at one and then the other.
"Uh, Mr. Fang Zheng, in that case..."
"I’ll go to Matsushiro with Asuka for Unit 03’s activation test, if all goes well, we should be back by evening. You guys continue preparing, we’ll be back in time for the party."
Although very unwilling, on account that Fang Zheng was willing to accompany her, Asuka didn’t say much more. So, on the morning of the third day, the two of them drove straight to Matsushiro.
"Unit 03 is really ugly as hell!"
Looking at the pitch-black Unit 03 nailed to a cross, Asuka couldn’t help but complain, glancing at her own plugsuit and blushing slightly.
"And this plugsuit... it’s ugly enough..."
"Maybe the designer is a pervert."
Fang Zheng assessed Asuka’s plugsuit and shook his head.
"Well then..."
"Hold on, I’ll come with you."
"Huh?"
Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Asuka was momentarily stunned but didn’t protest, she turned and entered the elevator. Soon the door closed and it started to ascend slowly.
"... Honestly, I never thought that I’d live together with others."
Gazing at the ascending scenery outside, Asuka suddenly spoke up.
"Really?"
"That’s right, isn’t it exhausting to constantly match other people’s emotions? Even though I hate these occasions, if I drop my guard, adults will just criticize, ’why is this kid so disobedient’ or something like that... But why should I be obedient anyway!"
At this point, Asuka clenched her fist.
"I’ve already decided, even if I’m alone, I can live on! Seeing others being happy just makes me feel uneasy, so as long as I can pilot an EVA, I’m satisfied. Anyway, no one really pays any attention to me unless I achieve the highest combat scores; otherwise, they won’t even glance my way. Since that’s the case, other people are irrelevant to me."
Fang Zheng remained silent and just quietly observed Asuka.
"But recently... I feel like being with others isn’t so bad, whether it’s you, dumb Shinji, or the First Compatible... Doesn’t it feel a bit strange?"
"It’s not strange at all."
Fang Zheng reached out and patted Asuka’s head.
"Because I used to be just like you."
"Huh? Really?"
Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Asuka widened her eyes in surprise, staring at Fang Zheng.
"That’s right, I wasn’t piloting an EVA, but my relationship with my family was similar. To my mother, I was just a tool, a means to deal with my father. I only had value if I defeated him according to her plan. So when she realized I had lost my value, she decisively abandoned me."
"And then?"
Listening to this, Asuka couldn’t help but stare at Fang Zheng.
"Initially, I hated the world too. To me, this world was rotten beyond repair, but eventually, children can’t choose their parents. Frankly, there are many kids in the world born into tragedy, and I’m not the only one unloved. What’s important is... Children may not be able to choose their parents, but they can choose their future."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.
"So after that, I found my own way of life and... yeah, after experiencing many things, I found my own safe haven."
At this point, Fang Zheng smiled and patted Asuka’s head again.
"I believe one day you’ll find it too. You’re still young, but you’ll continue to grow and seek your own happiness... yeah, I can guarantee it because Asuka, you’re a gentle child."
"Uh..."
Hearing this, Asuka’s face immediately turned red, and she looked away.
"Beep-doo."
Just at this moment, the elevator reached its destination, and the doors slowly opened. Asuka, appearing to have collected her emotions, hopped out of the elevator.
"After hearing you say that, I feel a lot better. See you later, Fang Zheng."
"Yeah... huh?"
Watching Asuka waving at him, Fang Zheng originally intended to nod, but suddenly a sense of vigilance flashed through his mind. The next moment, Fang Zheng quickly reached out and grabbed Asuka’s arm as she was preparing to enter the Insertion Plug.
"Wait."
"What’s wrong?"
This sudden reaction from Fang Zheng startled Asuka, and she looked at Fang Zheng with a reddened face, asking in a low voice. Fang Zheng furrowed his brow, gazing at the pitch-black interior of the Insertion Plug.
"Something doesn’t feel right."
"Doesn’t... feel right?"
"Yeah... let me think... could it be...?"
As he muttered to himself, Fang Zheng suddenly had an epiphany. It was at this point he remembered!
If Fang Zheng’s memory was correct, there truly was an Angel Envoy that did infect an EVA in the series!
Frankly, Fang Zheng didn’t initially think of this because in the series, that Angel Envoy’s appearance was much later. More crucially, Fang Zheng remembered that at the time, it was supposed to be Shinji Ikari’s friend, Touji Suzuhara, piloting that EVA!
Therefore, when Misato Katsuragi discussed this experiment, Fang Zheng didn’t immediately think of it. Although he had watched the series before, being in this world changed things. Take Rei Ayanami’s rampage in the experiment for example; in the anime, any viewer can pinpoint which episode it happens, and hardcore fans could even tell you down to the exact minute.
But reality isn’t that simple. Considering the EVA synchronization experiments, in reality Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami have done hundreds of them! As for which exact synchronization experiment caused the rampage, who can say?
If Misato Katsuragi had directly informed Fang Zheng that Touji Suzuhara was chosen as the pilot, Fang Zheng would have immediately recalled, but because this time it was Asuka that was chosen, the deviation from Fang Zheng’s memory of the storyline caused him not to react initially. It wasn’t until reaching the Insertion Plug that Fang Zheng suddenly grasped that feeling.
"Fang Zheng?"
"Don’t enter the Insertion Plug yet, Asuka."
Fang Zheng pulled Asuka behind him, then quickly connected to Misato Katsuragi at the back.
"First Lieutenant Katsuragi."
"What’s the matter, Third Lieutenant?"
"I demand to cancel the adaptive test."
"Huh?"
Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Misato Katsuragi was taken aback.
"Why?"
"It doesn’t feel right."
"Feels?"
"Didn’t Unit-04 explode in North America’s Second Branch previously? Can you be certain that Unit 03 doesn’t have similar issues?"
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Misato Katsuragi was speechless for a moment. However, Ritsuko Akagi interjected.
"That’s why we’re conducting the test."
"I suggest performing a dry run first. I have a duty to protect the pilot’s life, and under the current circumstances, I won’t allow Asuka to enter the Insertion Plug unless it’s confirmed that the EVA has no safety concerns."
Although Fang Zheng’s rank was lower than Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi, this area was under his jurisdiction, leaving the others no choice.
"Understood."
Ritsuko Akagi seemed to be persuaded by Fang Zheng. She pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"I’ll arrange a dry run test immediately. You guys just standby nearby."
"Fang Zheng?"
"Let’s leave here for now."
Fang Zheng didn’t say much but led Asuka away from the EVA immediately. As they took the elevator back to the surface, Ritsuko Akagi issued orders from the temporary command center.
"Commence dry run, conduct initial diagnostics on EVA Unit 03."
"Yes."
Upon receiving the order, the staff quickly typed on their keyboards, and soon, the unpiloted Insertion Plug rotated and entered the body of EVA Unit 03.
"Conducting tests on all neuron contact segments."
"Insertion Plug sensors have no anomalies, measurement error is within permissible limits."
"Good."
Upon hearing the report, Ritsuko Akagi sighed in relief.
"Then..."
"Beep-doo!!"
However, before Ritsuko Akagi could issue her next command, a row of red warnings abruptly appeared on the monitor!
"Insertion depth, reaching 100!"
"What’s going on?"
Seeing this, both Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi were shocked.
Clearly, there was no one inside the Insertion Plug!
"Abort experiment!"
Having been somewhat worried since Fang Zheng’s warning, Misato Katsuragi was now sweating with anxiety as she quickly issued commands.
"Sever connection!"
"Impossible, high energy reaction detected within the unit!"
"How can it be? Could it be...!"
Witnessing this, everyone’s expressions shifted dramatically.
The next moment, the previously restrained Unit 03 opened its mouth and let out a roar.
Subsequently, a dazzling blue light erupted instantaneously, engulfing everything.

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