"
Yeah," you say, shaking your head as you walk into the elevator. "
Just a bit weird from the long train ride is all."
"
..."
Your father says nothing, and the elevator doors shut quietly behind you.
As the two of you descend into the bowels of the city, the elevator's walls gradually fade into transparency. Before you, the true heart of Tokyo-3 slowly reveals itself -- upside-down skyscrapers hang into the geofront, and beams of light pierce into a landscape mysteriously covered in trees, a lake, and what even seems to be a mountain off into the distance.
How the hell did they manage to build this..?
--BZZTT--
--!!!
...Again!? It's the same as back then, a sense of doom pressing down on you, like--
--your father fishes out his phone annoyedly, the holographic screen flickering briefly into view before it winks out again as he presses the unit to his ear. "
What is it?"
"
... ..... ..., ... .. ....... .... .. ... ..... ......" You can barely hear the woman speaking on the opposite end of the line. "
...... ........ ... ..... ... ..... ...... .. ...... ... ......"
"
...Alright, I'll be right there." His tone is grim as he kills the connection and turns to you.
"
Work?" You pre-empt him, not quite able to shake off the vague feeling of unease that only you seem to be feeling.
Your father nods uncomfortably at you -- an odd thing to associate with the man -- and pockets his phone. "
Yes. It seems like I will have to leave you alone for tonight, Shinji."
"
What can you do?" You shrug as you try to smile. "
Busy, important man, am I right? Can't be helped."
He inclines his head. "
I apologise. I had intended to take the evening to introduce you to the city, but..."
[
x] "
Don't worry about it. I'll survive."
[
x] "
If it bothers you that much, couldn't I just tag along..?"
[
x] Write-in.