Kai let him slip away easily enough, his own hands settling there at Shinji's sides. Don't go too far now, it was easier for Kai to follow along with him right there. He needed every little extra bit of help he could get.

"Frustrating, huh." Kai repeated it quietly, turning it over. "That there were no options? Or..." He paused, frowning slightly as he searched Shinji's expression. "That it hurt anyway?"