As Shinji prepares to leave, he pauses at the crumbling doorway. The streets look dark and lonely from here. His hands curl at his side. What's waiting for him back at the apartment? There would only be more silence and darkness. Did he really want to return to that?

It seems for a moment like he would to turn around and speak--the slight tilt of the head, parting of the lips--but it's fleeting. He resolves to take the coward's way out and walks away, leaving Kaworu alone.