In all fairness, if the arm had been around her waist Kyoko would have surely been a bit more hesitant. But handholding was a little more subtle, and Shinji deserved that special attention, so everything was right and good here!

Kyoko nodded, already starting to feel a little more upbeat about this whole situation, even with all the lingering questions. "And it didn't sound at all like we're expected to save the whole world this time, right?" Way less pressure, thank you Gildenhirst. "So we can focus on our own goals wholeheartedly, without worrying!"

Goal number one, breakfast, was already looking pretty achievable as the telltale scents of fresh bread and coffee wafted through the morning air.