Zusuchan: Asuka is actually impressed and touched! This is one of those times when Shinji does something she quite likes and her tough exterior cracks for a while (though thinking she's gonna die might have played a part too).
dzzthink: In contrast to the beginning where Asuka is looking down (metaphorically and physically) at Shinji, she is now looking up to him. Similarly, she also opens up to Misato in the hot springs (341). In a way, Asuka could have had some more emotional character development and softened up to her roommates in a good way if the series went a different path.
