It's been a surprise for him, too, the way that this is hitting him. The way a kid is managing to make it right through that distance that Kaji tries to put up between himself and the rest of the world. He is also resolutely trying to ignore any kind of revelations of how his connection with Ib is reminding him of how one Misato Katsuragi was acting around Shinji. Slowly, he's starting to understand what she was going through, but he's resisting that understanding as hard as he can.

"We'll get her back home. At least I know that much isn't a false promise." The smile fades only for a moment, and then it's back. "Apparently this means I've got some shopping to do. If you want to keep an eye on me until we leave, well, not that I can blame you." And he'll let her take that comment however she wants to. Actually, it might help sell their story if they're suddenly around each other a lot more. Yes. Kaji can work with this.