[The question totally takes him by surprise. His face turns a little red as he looks away.]
U-um, well, I... [Should he lie? No, he's an awful liar, he'd never get away with it when he's known Pilouette for as long as he has. He might as well just admit it.] I guess I... thought you were kind of cute, that's all.
[There are probably more embarrassing reasons out there, but it's still pretty darn embarrassing for Shinji to admit. If he had been himself, he never would have been able to ask someone out like that, no matter what he thought of them.]
[action]
U-um, well, I... [Should he lie? No, he's an awful liar, he'd never get away with it when he's known Pilouette for as long as he has. He might as well just admit it.] I guess I... thought you were kind of cute, that's all.
[There are probably more embarrassing reasons out there, but it's still pretty darn embarrassing for Shinji to admit. If he had been himself, he never would have been able to ask someone out like that, no matter what he thought of them.]