Shinji starts a new life in Tokyo-3 by going to school. He does not make any friends at school, even though being a pilot makes him popular. He gets into a fight with Touji because his sister was hurt in the Angel battle. After the fight the next, Angel attacks and Rei shows up to tell him. While fighting, the Angel he lands near the shelters and nearly crushed Touji and Kensuke. He lets them inside his entry plug and defeats the Angel but breaks down crying afterwards. Shinji does not like piloting so he decides to runaway. After a wander around, and meeting Kensuke on the outskirts of the city, NERV finds him and takes him back. Misato then confronts him about his reasons to stay in Tokyo 3. He decides to leave for good but when Touji and Kensuke meet him at the train station and as Misato comes to get him, he decides to stay.