Chapter 547: Chen Yu's Layout
As the invisible pressure in his perception mounted day by day, Chen Yu began to methodically and extremely cautiously feed fragmented bits of information regarding the truth hidden behind NERV to Asuka.
He did not explicitly point out the existence of SEELE or the specific details of the "Human Instrumentality Project," as that would be far too shocking and difficult to believe for the current Asuka. Instead, during the breaks of their routine technical discussions or tactical analyses, he would seemingly casually insert ambiguous yet thought-provoking remarks.
He would mention that "the organization's ultimate objective might not be as simple as what is publicly claimed," comment that "the Angels' attack patterns share an inexplicable similarity with certain documented rituals," or imply that "the meaning of the EVA's existence might far exceed that of a mere weapon."
These words were like pebbles tossed into a calm lake, rippling out waves of doubt within Asuka's mind.
Asuka was far from dull. She keenly captured the hidden implications within Chen Yu's words, but restricted by the lack of direct information and her existing cognitive framework, she could not entirely piece together the complete picture. What she could understand and believe, however, was that Dr. Ryo was revealing a terrifying fact to her: NERV, the very organization she fought for, harbored a deep conspiracy behind its public goal of "protecting humanity from Angel attacks."
This realization filled her with unease and even a trace of anger from feeling betrayed, but more than that, it brought a sense of concern for the one revealing it.
Following a technical review session where only the two of them were present, Asuka did not leave immediately as she usually did, but somewhat hesitantly called out to Chen Yu.
"Doctor... those things you said before... were they about NERV?" Her red eyes carried confusion along with a trace of unnoticeable concern.
Chen Yu did not deny it, merely looking at her calmly: "You felt it too, didn't you? Beneath the surface calm, undercurrents are surging."
Asuka pursed her lips. She had indeed felt the indescribable, oppressive weight that had recently gripped Headquarters, as well as the warning undertone in Ryo's words. She didn't quite understand what the conspiracy was specifically, nor did she fully comprehend why Chen Yu was telling her these things, but there was one thing she was entirely certain of.
She raised her head, the confusion in her eyes replaced by a rare, near-stubborn resolve, her voice clear and powerful: "I don't quite understand those complicated matters... but, Doctor, if anyone tries to hurt you, I will absolutely never allow it!"
She took a small step forward, as if to reinforce the weight of her words, "I will protect you, and I won't let any harm come to you!"
Hearing these words from a young girl carried a determination that defied her age, sounding almost naive. Yet Chen Yu did not dismiss it as a thoughtless remark or a childish promise. He clearly saw the unquestionable sincerity in Asuka's eyes, alongside a protective will rooted deep within her heart, blending reliance, gratitude, and even more complex emotions.
This force, though pure, contained an energy that could not be underestimated.
He gazed at Asuka, the customary calm expression on his face softening a fraction. He reached out his hand, gently placing it on top of Asuka's head in a natural manner without a shred of frivolity, much like an older brother treating an important junior. His fingertips registered the soft texture of her hair strands.
Then, he smiled faintly. That smile was different from his usual polite or technical expressions; it carried a trace of genuine warmth and an indescribably complex nuance.
"Is that so?" His voice was gentle, bearing a solemnity that softly accepted her heavy oath, "Then I will leave my back to you."
This sentence was both an acceptance of her promise and a silent entrustment. It acted like an invisible contract, binding the connection between the two even tighter.
Asuka froze slightly from his rare affectionate gesture and completely trusting response. Immediately following, a warm current mixing the joy of validation, a sense of responsibility, and even deeper emotions flooded her heart, causing a faint blush to grace her fair cheeks. She nodded forcefully and spoke no further, but those eyes burning with a resolute flame already explained everything.
For Chen Yu, Asuka's pure oath of protection was an unexpected yet highly valuable asset. It would provide him with a relatively stable and powerful fulcrum amidst the potential chaos and betrayal of the future. And his phrase, "I will leave my back to you," was both a genuine expectation and a profound piece of layout. He was step-by-step transforming this formidable EVA pilot into a protective blade loyal only to him.
While building a deeper connection with Asuka, Chen Yu did not neglect another key individual, Shinji Ikari.
Through the hidden intelligence channel of Ryoji Kaji, he pulled and filtered some long-buried archival materials regarding Gendo Ikari and Yui Ikari's past. After organizing them, he selected a suitable opportunity to present a portion of this verified, non-core information—which was nonetheless sufficient to overturn Shinji's worldview—before the sensitive youth.
The materials contained several old photographs and research records, clearly indicating that Shinji's parents, Gendo Ikari and Yui Ikari, had been brilliantly talented students under Vice Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki. From early on, they had participated together in pioneering research regarding "EVAs" and related fields.
The records ceased at an EVA contact experiment marked as an "accident." The details of the experiment were erased, leaving behind only the cold conclusion that Yui Ikari had "vanished" during it.
Instead of providing a dogmatic conclusion, Chen Yu spoke in a guiding tone, combining the ultra-high synchronization rates between Unit-01 and Shinji that could not be explained by conventional theories, as well as the irrational protective behavior Unit-01 displayed during its berserk states, to offer a hypothesis: "Based on existing data and principles of biological affinity, there is a possibility... your mother, Ms. Yui Ikari, might not have completely 'vanished.' Her existence, highly likely in some form, has fused... with Unit-01. This might explain why Unit-01 is so uniquely special to you."
These casually dropped words landed like a thunderclap in Shinji Ikari's ears.
He had always been plagued by confusion over why he could pilot Unit-01, bewildered by the near-maternal protection the purple giant occasionally displayed, and had always felt a hollow sorrow over his mother's "departure." At this moment, Chen Yu's hypothesis provided a shocking yet—as if it had long been lurking deep within his subconscious—answer to all his confusion.
His mother had not completely disappeared; she was right inside Unit-01, always accompanying him, protecting him?
The massive impact of this information battered Shinji's fragile emotional defenses. His face instantly turned pale, his body trembled slightly, and his eyes filled with disbelief and violent shaking.