Think about it long enough and you're sure to get the answer, Kai. Shinji isn't about to let him just flounder on it for too long, though, not when the interests of being upfront with each other are on full display here.

"It's not... something I think you would actually do," he picks his words very carefully, and keeps himself tucked away against the other boy's shoulder. "But I suddenly kept having this... worry, that if I didn't make it clear that it was okay, you might..." he hesitates again, very aware of how bad this will probably sound. It's his own insecurities at play, rather than any distrust for Kai, but, still, "Think you have to go somewhere else for it."