Oh... is he trying to make small talk? He's not just throwing in the towel on this whole conversation, like Kyoko had been prepared to do? Maybe this is Shinji's way of giving her another chance. Awkward as the segue is, it's awfully nice of him to keep trying.

She might not be as peppy as usual, but she does manage to fall into a normal tone. "Ah... no, I don't mind. It does kinda seem that way, doesn't it? I'm not sure, but I think about half the people I've met are from Japan too...." WAIT, hold up, has she ever confirmed that Shinji is, too? She can't remember! What if she's just been assuming this whole time! "That is to say, from my home country! Or something like it, I guess I should say."