Shinji was doing a really effective job of making sure Kai was the one who died though. Everything he had been saying was blow after blow. He was amazing for caring? Getting to know him was easy? Caring about him this much? What even were these concepts.

"I'm surprised you haven't been disappointed yet," Kai said with a soft puff. That hadn't entirely been what he'd meant to say, but that was truthful. He gave a little shake of his head, rubbing his cheek on Shinji's hair with the motion.

"But, y'know... s'nice hearing it's been easy enough. I know I don't volunteer much." Answering questions was different!