012. You Really Think I'm a Bona Fide Genius Scientist?

After the meeting ended, Fuyutsuki Fumihiko and Ibuki Megumi returned to Laboratory One. He hesitated for a moment but decided to hold back.

"Are meetings usually like this?" he asked.

Having spent some time with him, Ibuki Megumi naturally knew what Fuyutsuki Fumihiko was referring to. She thought for a moment before responding, "It's still just in the discussion stage. No one would actually do that unless it's absolutely necessary... If you don't want things to escalate to that point, you should spend more time on your research."

Fuyutsuki sighed deeply, feeling downcast. 

"You really think I'm a bona fide genius scientist, huh?"

"..."

"The test subject and human genes have a high degree of similarity. In theory, there could be a special group of individuals who are compatible."

In the original series, Ikari Shinji and Asuka Langley became pilots because their mothers' souls were within their respective EVAs, while Ayanami Rei was a product of biological engineering—a clone combining EVA and human cells.

It's pretty clear that only these two methods can make someone an EVA pilot.

"Hopefully..."

After a pause, Fuyutsuki said, "Should we adjust our experimental schedule? Wait for the Longinus Alloy to be synthesized before conducting tests?"

Ibuki shook her head. Anyone in the throes of early romance wouldn't have the heart to focus on work; they'd be thinking about how to spend more time together.

"If you want to leave early to be with Kana, just say so. You don't have to find an excuse."

"No, I'm not—"

"Oh, sure you aren't."

"So, what should we do now?"

"First, let's verify whether compatibility is even a possibility."

The verification method is simple: it can be done through extensive experimentation. If a compatibility factor exists, the resistance of the EVA's consciousness would fluctuate depending on the person.

Not long after returning to the lab, Fuyutsuki received a message from Fuyutsuki Kana.

"Is the meeting over?" 

"Just ended." 

"What time do you finish work today?" 

"Working overtime to catch up." 

"Oh."

Although she didn't say much, Fuyutsuki could sense Kana's disappointment through the screen. He knew that if he didn't do something, their relationship might soon come to an end.

Ibuki Megumi, sitting nearby, commented, "Just spend an extra hour with her during dinner."

"Isn't it rude to spy on someone like that?"

"Spy? You're underestimating me. This doesn't need spying. Anyone who's been in a relationship can tell what's going on."

Given the distance between them, Ibuki certainly couldn't be peeking. 

"Dinner together?" 

"Mm, still at six?" 

"Yes."

After chatting with Kana, he sent a message to Akagi Eri. 

"Dinner, same as yesterday, for two, delivered to my dorm. Add a small gift, like a lipstick or some makeup." 

"Alright. Anything else?" 

"That's all."

Ibuki Megumi shook her head and looked away from Fuyutsuki.

This relationship wasn't going to last. Age wasn't the issue; the real problem was that both of them had demanding jobs. Days like today, where one person is free while the other isn't, would happen often. With what Ibuki knew about Fuyutsuki Kana, she wouldn't be able to put up with this for long. They'd end up breaking off their "widow-like" relationship. Unless one of them could quit their job.

But that wasn't possible in their current situation. Plus, it wasn't clear their relationship was even deep enough for such a step.

Let's not forget— 

Becoming a doctor had been Kana's dream since she was a child. How could she easily give up on something like that? A 21-year-old genius Ph.D. with such a bright future... why would someone so exceptional choose a life of dependency?

As for why she didn't intervene— 

Whether they're a good match or not is a matter between the two of them. Outsiders don't need to meddle.

He left work ten minutes early to take a longer dinner break. Receiving the prepared gift from Akagi Eri, he waited for Fuyutsuki Kana at the entrance of the medical department. Today, she seemed in a bit of a rush; she still smelled faintly of disinfectant, even with perfume. Fuyutsuki was in a similar state—he hadn't changed his clothes or taken a shower due to the rush and still had the faint fishy scent of LCL fluid on him.

The first thing they did upon arriving at his dorm wasn't to eat, but to bathe. To save time, they bathed together. Fortunately, it was a soak, not a shower. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been just a little awkward, but outright torture.

Since men and women perceive water temperature differently, what's comfortable for a man might be too cold for a woman.

After a cozy dinner, just as they were getting ready for some more intimate time, a knock came at the door.

"Who is it?" Fuyutsuki, annoyed by the interruption, called out.

From outside, Akagi Eri's voice came, "Dr. Fuyutsuki, Dr. Kana, I'm here to deliver a message from above."

"What message?"

"Don't let it affect your work."

Damn it—this is too much! It's just an extra hour during dinner! And they can't even allow that?

These superiors are more oppressive than capitalists!

Having no choice, they had to bow their heads. Fuyutsuki wrapped a towel around himself, opened the dorm door, and took the clothes from Akagi Eri. Without needing to be told, she also brought a change of clothes for Fuyutsuki Kana.

Clumsily helping her dry her hair, he changed into his clothes. Since they were together, he wanted to be serious about it. He escorted Fuyutsuki Kana back to the medical department before returning to Laboratory One.

"I thought you wouldn't come back tonight," Ibuki teased.

"I was warned."

"That's normal. Even Yui isn't allowed extra time to spend with her kid, let alone you two." After a pause, she added, "And because both of your positions are relatively high, they only gave a warning. Otherwise... it wouldn't be a warning; they'd just transfer one of you to another facility."

"No compassion at all. Even Satan would bow to these guys' authority."

"Hahaha... Didn't expect it—you actually have a sense of humor."

Fuyutsuki shook his head. "According to our schedule, the equipment will be ready for testing in two days. Can you meet the deadline?"

"The timing's a bit tight."

"Don't rush it. We don't need another Professor Ishida situation."

"That would be a blessing!"

"..."

For a moment, Fuyutsuki didn't know how to respond. He could only mutter, "Take care."

"I know, I know."

"Let's hope so—"

Currently, their work didn't have any technically challenging problems; it was mostly just tedious equipment adjustments and upgrades based on previous experiments.

They worked until 10 PM before calling it a day. As for the work schedule they'd set earlier? It had long since been scrapped in favor of the same flexible hours as the other departments.

Hours were very flexible: no days off, sleep when tired, work when awake.

Even though, on average, he was working more than ten hours a day, compared to others, Fuyutsuki still felt like he wasn't working hard enough, as if a 9-9-6 schedule was a blessing.

Right— 

It's an illusion! 

I didn't reincarnate to become a beast of burden.

Sigh! 

Who knows when order will be restored outside… 

Oh— 

With my status, even if the situation stabilizes, I can't leave. And as long as I'm in Japan, I can't escape the fate of endless overtime… Damn it! Suddenly, the future feels so bleak. Not only do I have to face the existential threats of Angels and Human Instrumentality, but I also have to endure this never-ending grind of overwork.