[There's a corresponding ripple of satisfaction in his wavelength.]

Thanks. I've been trying to practice with shorter weapons. [And then immediately he kind of grimaces, hoping Shinji, who is quite a bit shorter than him, understood what he meant.] Short as in blade length, I mean, not like it has anything to do with you being shorter than me.... S-Sugata is a knife, too.

[He'll just focus on keeping his practice routine smooth instead of speaking for a few moments. He tries another set of moves, attacking lightly with the sword first and then following with Shinji for what would be the "real damage" if the dummy were in fact a Kishin egg.]