Irony, it's the last moment that Kaji remembers speaking to Shinji, as well. He was still trapped within the Evangelion Unit when Kaji awoke in a different world. He could have never known how it turned out for Shinji, or if he had been lost forever. Another piece of guilt he tried to tell himself he isn't feeling.

Kaji puts out a hand, placatingly, he can tell that Shinji is just as shocked as he is. "It's-" A dry laugh. "That is a very complicated question. Eight years, give or take. The short answer. Except it wasn't quite here, and I was in a stasis for some of that."

But Kaji's whole face gentles, he takes another more appraising look at the kid in front of him. How much longer was he stuck with Ikari without Kaji there? "It is- good to see you." As soon as the words come out of his mouth, he remembers that Shinji is unlikely to believe him. But he'll say it anyway.