Outside the door, Rei Ayanami was not holding an umbrella.
Her light blue short hair was completely soaked by the rain, clinging tightly to her cheeks.
The thin white dress she wore was also drenched, becoming semi-transparent and clinging closely to her skin, outlining the slender yet beautiful curves of the girl's body.
Rainwater dripped from Rei Ayanami's hair and chin, pooling into a small puddle on the floor.
Even though her broken genes had long been repaired, she was still shivering from the cold at this moment, her lips pale and bloodless.
Seeing Hansen open the door, Rei Ayanami slowly raised her head.
In those usually calm, unrippled red eyes, it seemed as though a flame was burning at this moment.
It was the courage of a last-ditch effort, also an eruption after being suppressed for a long time.
"Teacher..."
Rei Ayanami extended a cold, pale little hand, tightly grasping the corner of Hansen's warm, dry clothing, her knuckles turning white from the force.
She looked up, her eyes carrying a heartbreaking mix of pleading and stubbornness.
"I also want... to become warm."
"Is that okay? Teacher."
Hansen looked at the girl before him, who was like a kitten drenched in the rain, and remained silent for two seconds.
Then, he smiled helplessly, turned sideways, and made way at the doorway.
His large hand gently covered Rei Ayanami's wet head, the warmth surging from his palm instantly dispelling the chill around her.
"Come in."
"Change your clothes first. Catching a cold would be troublesome."
As the door slowly closed, it also shut the stormy wind and rain outside the world.
With a soft click, the heavy security door closed completely, thoroughly isolating the clamor of the stormy wind and rain from the outside world.
The warm yellow light from the entryway spilled down, enveloping the girl's somewhat disheveled figure.
Rei Ayanami stood there, a small puddle quickly forming at her feet.
Her light blue short hair was completely soaked by the rain, clinging messily to her pale-as-paper cheeks and slender neck.
Water droplets slid from the ends of her hair, tracing over her delicate collarbone before finally disappearing into her collar.
The thin white dress had long lost its function of covering, turning into a semi-transparent gauze after being soaked by the rain, clinging tightly to the girl's skin, which was like fine mutton-fat jade.
Although only fourteen years old, as a Clone of Yui Ikari, Rei Ayanami's body proportions were perfect.
Her slender yet flexible waist was faintly visible, outlined by the wet clothing.
The girl's youthful but lovely figure shivered in the sudden cold wind and rain, exuding a fragile and pure quality that evoked pity.
The hem of her skirt clung wetly to her thighs, outlining the straight, slender lines of her legs, with a faint pink hue at her knees.
Further down were a pair of bare feet, pale from the cold, her toes curling unconsciously due to nervousness and chill, gripping the floor.
"Change your clothes first. Catching a cold would be troublesome," Hansen's voice was soft, yet carried a warmth that could dispel the cold.
He took a brand-new towel from the cabinet and, as if caring for a stray cat, gently draped it over her, covering the alluring curves and spring scenery.
Hansen walked into the guest room and soon came out with a set of pink pajamas printed with cute cat patterns.
"These are Mari Makinami's pajamas. They might be a bit big for your size, but make do with them."
Rei Ayanami took them, instinctively gripping the clothing in her hand. "Yes, Teacher."
Not long after, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.
When Rei Ayanami walked out again, her whole person seemed like a steamed lobster, with a steaming red flush.
Mari Makinami's pajamas were indeed one size too big for her.
The wide neckline slipped slightly to one side with her movements, revealing a large expanse of snow-white shoulder and a half-concealed collarbone.
The sleeves were so long they covered the back of her hands, only revealing a few pink fingertips.
This boyfriend-shirt-like visual effect instead added a touch of laziness and cuteness to her originally cool temperament, creating a full contrast-moe.
Rei Ayanami walked up to Hansen, her ruby-like eyes staring directly at him.
Gone was the usual emptiness and nothingness. Now, those eyes reflected Hansen's figure and also a light called longing.
"Teacher," she called softly, her voice cool yet soft, "I don't want... to be a tool anymore."
"I also want to embrace your warmth, like Asuka does."
Rei Ayanami reached out and grabbed Hansen's wrist. This was the first time she had actively touched another person.
Her fingers were cold, but her palm was burning hot.
As a Clone with preset memories, Rei Ayanami's soul was inherently incomplete.
And now, Hansen had become her anchor point.
Hansen clasped that soft, boneless little hand in return and gently pulled her closer.
"Since you've made your choice, then as you wish."
*Bzzz—!*
A strange fluctuation rippled through the air.
There was no complex ritual, just the blooming light of [Imaginary Divine Power].
The transcendent psychic power that governed reality, illusion, and the mind possessed the authority to rewrite the essence of life itself.
Golden radiance surged from Hansen's palm, flowing along their connected hands like a warm river, slowly pouring into Rei Ayanami's body.
"Mmm..."
Rei Ayanami let out an extremely suppressed soft moan.
The sensation was too wondrous.
It was like a long-dry riverbed finally receiving the nourishment of spring water, or like a painting missing its final piece finally becoming complete.
Rei Ayanami's body began to undergo a visible transformation.
Her skin became more crystal clear, as if glowing, with even the faint blue-green blood vessels beneath it exuding a sense of newborn vitality.
Deep within her body, some suppressed emotional floodgate was completely burst open.
Joy, shyness, attachment, peace of mind...
Countless emotions she had never experienced before surged like a tide, impacting her originally blank heart.
These were human emotions.
"Teacher..."
Rei Ayanami felt her vision blur.
Something hot rolled from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks.
She lifted her hand in some alarm to wipe them away, but only wiped away more.
"This is... tears?" she murmured, looking at the glistening droplets on her fingertips. "But I don't feel sad. My heart... here..."
Pressing her hand against her fiercely beating heart, the corners of her mouth slowly lifted, blooming into a breathtakingly beautiful smile that could make heaven and earth lose their color.
"Here, it's so warm."
Is this... crying from joy?
The next second, following the most instinctive desire of her body, Rei Ayanami took a step forward and threw herself into that broad, warm embrace.
She tightly wrapped her arms around Hansen's waist, pressed her cheek against his chest, and listened to the powerful heartbeat, as if it were the most beautiful music in the world.
This was a real sensation.
Not the cold cultivation tank, not the illusory data stream, but a warmth that truly belonged to her.
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