[Shinji makes his way back to his apartment a while later, completely oblivious to what awaits him at home. He hasn't looked at the journals so he hasn't heard about his own "departure" and doesn't realize his apartment has been taken over. He just walks up to the door like he would any other day and twists the doorknob.
...but the door doesn't open. That's odd.
See, with Pen-Pen around, Shinji generally didn't lock the door when he went out. It rarely seemed necessary and it just made things easier for Pen-Pen that way. But here he was, stuck outside of his own apartment without a key. God, he hoped Pen-Pen was still inside and just... locked it himself or something. Even though Shinji has no idea why he'd do that.
[action]
...but the door doesn't open. That's odd.
See, with Pen-Pen around, Shinji generally didn't lock the door when he went out. It rarely seemed necessary and it just made things easier for Pen-Pen that way. But here he was, stuck outside of his own apartment without a key. God, he hoped Pen-Pen was still inside and just... locked it himself or something. Even though Shinji has no idea why he'd do that.
Awkwardly, he knocks on the door and calls out:]
Um... Pen-Pen?