Shinji's in no rush to do anything that would push Kai away right now, and with all the time they conceivably have at their fingertips, he can easily give him whatever space he needs to come up with his own answer to that careless little slip-up. If he doesn't feel the same, then that's about what Shinji had expected in the first place, and that's... fine. He can cross that bridge if it comes to it, but ultimately it won't be catastrophic, he thinks.

He's not sure his heart could handle thinking about what would happen if he does, it feels like far too much to hope for, even in light of Kai's own realizations. For now, he'll keep those expectations as low as he can.

But, oh? What's this? Another request?

"Ah...? Sure?"

What? Do you want to do?