Ahh, there he goes, proving Shinji's point with the vote of confidence, the reassurance that it was a goal worth chasing. He certainly never leaves Shinji wanting for any kind of feedback, like there's enough to him worth salvaging and repairing and sending forward. What else can he do, if not take it to heart?

"Thank you," he says gently, lifting one hand to rest on top of Kai's, echoing that squeeze with one of his own. Thank you, for tonight, for believing in him, "For everything. I really am lucky that we got to meet here."