His actions resulting in actually tangible, positive outcomes... wasn't a thing that happened. Believing he was some shit kid meant it didn't hurt when things fell through. It was just what was supposed to happen. These ideas were getting called into question by other people recently, and Kai...

Kai needed more time. Some patience. It was so much easier to frame things around what other people needed from him.

Like... this? Kai frowned a bit, letting that thought sink in. Ah. Wasn't this kind of what he was afraid of for himself? Though if he really let himself think about it, he was probably in the same boat. That was the true danger of friendship, wasn't it. Kai gave Shinji's back a small pat, letting his hand rest warmly there.

"Good thing y'don't have to be, then," Kai said quietly after a few moments.