They absolutely would have done the same in the opposite situation. They absolutely would have insisted it was no trouble. Kai is right on the money. They can still have their worries in this situation, though!

The food is, however, a very good distraction. Yeah... yeah. Let's eat. Shinji settles in to the idea, offering a soft, "Thank you for the food," before carefully going for one of those tamagoyaki rolls. Let's just take a bite, and...

Ah. Ahhh.

There's definitely something that's so much more fulfilling about having a bite of food that's not just been lovingly crafted for his and Kyoko's benefit, but the very idea of the three of them, all of them getting the opportunity to eat together again. An extra bit of warmth works its way into his heart and any protests he may have had left about Kai working too hard quietly vanish. This, right here, this small meal with all three of them, after such stressful and uncertain days, this was worth so, so much.

He has to pause after just that one bite to process it all, but then he gives a tiny nod. Yes, this is good. The bite is chewed, and swallowed, before he speaks up softly,

"You did a good job, Kai."