A good-sized part of her had been ready for Shinji to decline when she invited him along, and a not much smaller part had wondered if he wasn't just humoring her when he did agree. He'd always been a good sport with her, after all.

And maybe he's still humoring her even now. She can't rule it out, as she watches him look down at her hand again. He might not be pulling away, but she can't assume that means anything. Her touch eases again, almost as light as before, tensed to pull away completely at the first hint. The danger that all of this is one big overstep is abundantly clear. Maybe after this, Shinji will decide she's just way too awkward to be around anymore. It would be understandable.

But, if that's the case-- "I wanted to." She should go ahead and make it clear, right? Her voice is soft and meek, but she doesn't let herself mumble. "I wanted to at least try." Especially after she'd failed so miserably to do anything for him last time. "But if it's a bother, don't just quietly put up with it. Please."