The warmth of that hand, of that face, that sentiment, the ethereal little threads reaching out from their rings and making it clear that they've gotten the right people, it's almost enough to crack through that shell around Shinji. He had been preparing to face the idea that he might not even be able to sink into this comfort ever again, and he needs a moment to grasp Kai's shoulder, to really anchor himself in this moment. Ah... thank goodness.

It's not enough to get him to relax, not yet. There's something very important still missing here. His own name wasn't the only one being shouted out so desperately just now.

"Where is Kyoko?"