Alone

July 1, 2016 — raining.

Nothing happened today. No Angel. No battle. No alarm.

I sat on the apartment balcony and watched the rain fall over Tokyo-3. The city's protective barriers glowed faintly through the downpour.

Misato stayed late at NERV. Shinji went off to be with Rei. Lately those two have been getting closer — like there's something between them I'm not part of.

I'm alone.

I think about what Mother said — her last words to me were "you're a good girl." But I know she wasn't talking to me. She was talking to that doll.

I'm the pilot of Unit-02. I'm the best. I'm indispensable.

But if no one's watching... if no one needs me... then what am I?

The rain kept falling. I didn't go back inside. Let it soak me. It's not like anyone would notice.

...

That's it. Don't pity me, got it? This is just... a pilot's notes. Nothing more.

I just wish, more than anything, that someone would just hold me.