[Shinji's hesitation says enough: he doesn't know how long. He hardly knows anything except that everything is going to pieces and it's affecting him as much as it's affecting anyone else.
That dome covered the whole city, after all. You don't get a pass because you're a kid.]
...I promise I'll come home soon. Don't worry about me.
[There's a stone in his pocket that makes him think of his family every time he touches it, but really, the only difference is that he's willing to say that out loud.]
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She bites her lip on the words, trying again to calm herself.]
Well. I can't blame you for wanting to help.
[Yes she can. She just won't because you're still young.]
I'm assuming even if I were to try, I couldn't catch up with you, so... how long will you be gone?
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That dome covered the whole city, after all. You don't get a pass because you're a kid.]
...I promise I'll come home soon. Don't worry about me.
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I'm going to be worried no matter what.
[It's a gentle punishment, but one regardless. She's not angry, Shinji... just disappointed.]
... But I'll do what I can about your parents, okay?
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O-okay. You better take care too. ...Love you.
[There's a stone in his pocket that makes him think of his family every time he touches it, but really, the only difference is that he's willing to say that out loud.]
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Love you too.
Please check in with me once a while.
[She'll... leave it at that, for now.]
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[Things will be fine and Sakura definitely won't freak out at his group or anything.]