Shinji had gotten an uncomfortably close seat to seeing one of those Kei deaths in the past, and just hearing about Kai getting a front-row viewing to yet another one is enough to turn his stomach. Getting shot, right in front of Kai's eyes... that's chilling, he knows just how awful that it. Even if he knows that it's not a permanent thing for Kei... god.

Was that really the last of it, though?

When Shinji finally finds his voice again, it's quiet and breathless, his grip tightening even further on Kai's shirt. "And then you woke up back here?" It's possible, but... he's not so sure.