[There's no sign of him. Not at first, anyway. It's dark and cold and there's far too much city for one skinny boy to disappear into. For a long while, Shinji won't find anything of interest at all. The rich neighborhoods are more empty than the poor ones, and anyone who sees him stares openly and with distrust to see a stranger there at night. It's like Byakuya just melted away into the crowd, fading like he always seems about to do.

It's after midnight by the time something happens. Eventually, a complete stranger on the street looks startled to see Shinji, and actually calls out to him.

Hey, kid! You're okay after all, huh?]