Shinji lay in the field looking up at the bright stars. Tears fell down his face as he thought of Kaworu. Kaworu’s soft hands, his red eyes, his face… and his smile. He was always smiling, as if he had no cares or troubles in the world. Smiling as if he could die at that very instant and would still remain happy. Shinji’s face hurt from the tears gushing out of his eyes. Why wouldn’t they stop? Why couldn’t Shinji take things as they came, just like Kaworu? The sad thing was that Shinji didn’t have anyone to help him through the tears. His father had abandoned him; Asuka remained with her hate for him; and his friends wouldn’t understand something so delicate as the love that Shinji had.

With tears rolling under his eyes, Shinji fell asleep in the middle of the tall green grass among the crickets and fireflies, and among peace. Here he could sleep comfortably. His dreams were of nothing; mere blackness. Soon, Kaworu appeared within the black fog.

“Kaworu!” Shinji screamed at the top of his lungs. Kaworu stared upwards, not hearing Shinji’s cries. Even as Shinji screamed louder, no noise could penetrate Kaworu’s stare.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Kaworu said peacefully. Shinji stared, confused. “The blackness… the silence. It’s like a work of art.” Kaworu explained, “It’s almost like heaven.”

“Kaworu… I miss you so badly,” Shinji whispered, “Why won’t you come back? Why did you force me to kill you?” Shinji questioned.

“I didn’t force you to do anything. I believe it was your own will that told you to terminate me,” Kaworu spoke, “and I am glad you did. Now I can be one with my surroundings… just as you are this very minute.”

“What are you talking about? You are dead; you no longer exist! How can I exist the same way you do?” Shinji asked, but soon interrupted his own speech in a contemplation, “Are you saying that I am the same as you because I am – “

“No,” Kaworu interrupted, “You merely have been offered a leaving point.” Kaworu disappeared into the blackness, leaving Shinji dazed and confused, but Shinji was soon startled by Kaworu’s voice behind him. “You’ve been offered a chance to become one with all that surrounds you, just as I have.” Kaworu moved towards Shinji, sitting down in front of him and looking him in the eyes. “So I’d be dead… is that what you’re trying to say?” Shinji cried. His fear of death had overcome him, although he didn’t know a thing about it. “I hate how people think of death in such a negative way. It is not a stopping point of your soul… it is merely a freedom that you gain when your life’s journey is completed.”

Shinji stared at the ground in which he sat on; confused and completely unanswered. “I just don’t understand it, Kaworu. Why are you happy here? What does this place have to offer you that the earth didn’t?” Shinji questioned, “Wasn’t the love we had enough? Why did you have to make the decision to come here?” Kaworu’s look became more serious. “This was not a decision. It was destiny, just as you were destined to have this dream; this turning point. So which road shall you travel, Shinji? The road which most travel, back to your old life with all of it’s hassles, or will you take the road less traveled? The road to eternity, and freedom.”

Shinji looked again to the floor, not knowing what to say. It was all being thrown upon him so fast. Kaworu’s hand swept across Shinji’s face, leading their eyes to meet directly. Shinji stared into Kaworu’s red eyes and his pale face showed color. “I will take the road less traveled, Kaworu. I will stay here for eternity, in happiness, and in freedom.” Shinji stood as the black turned to a white, glowing light.

“So what now?” Shinji asked, “What will become of the others?” Kaworu stared upward and answered calmly, “The same that has become of us.” Shinji stood beside Kaworu, staring towards the bright light that gazed upon them, and cried one last tear.