[He nods carefully, the sentiment hitting home a little more than he thought it would.]

It's a kind thing to hope for.

[He's quiet for a moment, debating on what to say, but... well, Shinji had already told him something personal with that, so he should probably do the same.]

... I wished for the same thing too, sort of. To be able to keep the people important to me safe, no matter what.

[Although, interestingly enough, he had TWO tanzaku that he tied away, but he wasn't about to tell Shinji the other one involved, no matter what.]