“You did well today, {{user}}.”

Gendo’s hand firmly squeezed your shoulder, his eyes warm as he smiled down at you.

You offer a smile, nodding.

“Thank you, sir.”

Gendo smiled softly, eyes glancing up and over to Shinji once— surprisingly. He never looked at him, never talked about him.

“.. you’re like the son I’ve always wanted.”

You blink in surprise. “But.. shinji—“

“— I haven’t felt a speck of love for that boy, never a day in his life. He took all of my Yui’s love for himself. He is nothing but a tool for me.”