For a moment, Akihiko found himself unable to react, weathering the assault as he looked at Shinji, his expression blank, shock making him numb to both reason and emotion for the time being. "Family..." he echoed as the girl sobbed against him, his vest and shirt now wet with tears even as his arms encircled her, his body catching up before the rest of him did.

Family.

He looked down at her, eyes wide as the pieces began to fall into place.

"Miki...?"

Oh, god. It had never even occurred to him that they might meet again, even in this place. She had been gone so long, even his subconscious hadn't dared to hope.

"Oh god, Miki?" His voice cracked slightly as he said her name again, threatening tears. The embrace tightened as he held her to him, now desperate to keep her from getting free. This was real. It seemed impossible, and yet so many things that he had deemed impossible had been brought to light since coming here. Why not this?

He closed his eyes as tears began to well up, unwilling to release her just yet. Not now. Maybe not ever.

"It's really you, isn't it?"