Unfortunately, Shinji's backpedaling only made her frown harder. She had asked one little question and suddenly the doofus feared for his life. It wasn't like she was going to bite him! Well, she might now; his cowering only fueled her irrational need to bully him.

"Same here," Asuka sighed, wiping away snow from her pants and the aggression she felt. A scaredy-Shinji was not going to give her reliable information. "I was hoping one of us got a better deal, but oh well..." Shrugging lightly, she watched the young boy with a calm expression. "It's almost strange not being in each other's business all the time. What would Misato think?" Asuka scoffed for both of them. "Nothing for days and then you get--well, you know.

"So, how are you, Shinji?"

Yeah, it was a low blow, but there was care in there. Just below the manipulation.