>>2677008Rei did realize that rather early, like when she points out that she isn't exactly his favorite.
It's more that Rei had a conflict and a hope that he would care, and so she worked towards his loyalty. The incident where he burned himself, hurt himself to save Rei was genuine, and Rei has to reconcile that genuine emotion with the fact that she's aware that she's being used.
So when Shinji, out of no self interest Rei can discern helps her out and even cleans her room, Rei says thanks - something she'd never done before, not even to Gendo.
>>2677090No.
