“ if i had… only come sooner, then m—maybe… ”
Decisive Battle | Accepting
❝ IT’S…IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT. There’s not a lot anyone can do from outside, anyway. ❞ Outside, as in, outside of here. Of NERV. They’re in NERV’s hospital wing. Someone must have granted her clearance. Misato. Probably Misato.
He’s not allowed to fully explain the Angels, but the existence of the EVAs to fight an external threat is public knowledge. He can assure her that this is normal, though. Slipping away is normal. Waking in a hospital bed is normal. Being bedridden beneath an unwelcoming, unfamiliar white ceiling is normal, normal, normal. Par for the course.
❝ Everyone says that there’s no one else that can do this, anyway, ❞ Shinji explains. His voice is weary, his eyelids heavy. Apparently the force of the final blow had him out for three days. ❝ Otherwise, it’ll just be pushed onto Ayanami, and Misato-san and the others will be short one person and people will be hurt…so I have to fight. As…as long as you’re not hurt, it’s okay. ❞
But I just want to rest. I don’t want to see these horrible things anymore. I just want him to know I’m trying.
❝ I m…might fall asleep again…s…sorry, Duck. ❞