Evangelion - Beyond Apocalypse - Part 2

Consequences

Shinji sat at the table, his hands tense with anticipation. He knew that seeking answers could bring both relief and more pain. Would it be worth it?

Sakura observed him and, with a hesitant but determined tone, began, "I noticed you've been staring at this picture." She handed him the photograph he had been fixated on moments before.

He took the photo and sighed, his fingers tracing the image. "Yeah, it's strange. It somehow comforts me."

Sakura sighed too, knowing she couldn't hold back any longer. She had to reveal the truth, regardless of how it might affect him. "Do you see the baby Mari is holding?" Shinji nodded. "That's... It's your son," she said in a near-whisper.

A heavy silence enveloped the room, and Shinji's hands began to tremble. The shock set in. Why had Mari never told him about the pregnancy? And where was their son now?

Anxiety surged through Shinji's mind, his grip on the photo trembling, and a headache throbbed in his temples. "Where is he?" he stammered.

Sakura hesitated, her expression turning somber. She didn't respond immediately, but eventually, she spoke. "He..." Her words were interrupted by a harsh female voice.

"He died a year later." Asuka stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her demeanor unyielding.

Shinji gazed at Asuka, his mind going blank. He turned his attention back to the photograph. "My son is dead?" Tears welled up in his eyes, and he began to cry.

Sakura glanced at the floor, saddened by the way Asuka had delivered the news.

Asuka maintained a stern gaze on Shinji but said nothing more.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier, Asuka?" Shinji looked at her, tears streaming down his face.

"Why should I have?" Asuka retorted, her tone harsh. "You weren't there during her pregnancy, you weren't there when she gave birth, you never cared for that child. You don't deserve to be called a father."

Shinji's world shattered, he just wanted to save someone, and all this happened, a surge of anger consumed him, and with a scream, he lunged at Asuka. The girl, without much effort, seized Shinji's fist and effortlessly sent him crashing to the floor.

"I warned you not to touch me," she said coldly, moving toward Shinji, who was now on the ground. But Sakura intervened, stepping between the two.

"Please! Stop!" Sakura pleaded, shielding Shinji. "He's in shock! You just told him his son is dead. How did you expect him to react? Captain Shikinami, please, just leave him alone!"

Asuka scowled at them both before finally leaving the room.

Shinji remained on the floor, his head resting on his knees, no longer having the energy to stand.

"Throughout that year, Mari waited for you," Sakura said, joining him on the floor. "She always held onto the hope that you would return, but the loss of your child broke her. Asuka became close to her, and both of them were affected deeply. Asuka blamed you, but I can't say for sure how Mari truly felt afterward. She withdrew from everyone, only engaging in trivial conversations and showing no emotion."

Shinji's voice cracked as he spoke, "She probably doesn't want anything to do with me now. She probably thinks I'm just trash."

Sakura sighed and replied, "Many things have happened, Ikari. I don't know if Mari will ever want you back in her life. I'll assist you as your medical supervisor, but I can't fix your personal life."

She stood up, brushing dirt off her pants. "I have to attend to some matters with Captain Katsuragi. If you need anything, you can use the red button on the desk. Take care," she said, before leaving the room.