Even though he feels so awful for her having seen it, and even though he's still very much unprepared to handle this kind of sympathy being thrown his way, as the moments tick by, Shinji can't help but relax just a bit more and more into the hug. This... isn't bad, actually. He might not have expected it, but it's nice.

As Kyoko pulls away, Shinji lets his hands carefully slide down to her arms, not quite ready to leave behind what tiny bit of reassurance the touch might provide just yet.

"Are you sure it wasn't the other way around?" Obviously, it's not like what she's said is untrue, especially when he takes into account those tears (that definitely weren't there), but it also did not strike him as a wholly selfish action, either. Again, Kyoko, you're doing just fine. "If... I'd it made you feel any better too, though, that's a good thing."