In the church, Shinji is introduced with the concept of love. During one of the last scene, in the motel room, Shinji tries to "reap" love from Narumi but instead falls to the ground, whereas she says she doesn't feel changed at all. During the meteor strike Shinji protects Narumi from fallout.

Two months later. The aliens have cancelled the invasion. Narumi has become a vegetable. The chief of health department (thugs) said earlier symptoms of the "virus" can activate later.

Interpretation : Shinji grabbed the concept of love without having to take it from Narumi, the choir kids or the priest, because love is a cumulative and universal thing, not a cultural and relative commodity asset (family, work, authority, property, self and other) that sets boundaries and turns people against each other. Narumi was eventually stripped from her concept of love, and without love one is just an empty shell and blablabla. Through this sacrifice she saved the earth Jesus-style.

I'm not even 100% sure the invasion didn't actually take place, what with the trench, the scorched land and the survivors' shelter. I must have missed something, because if it's all about "only love will save humankind", I think it is indeed very cheesy. And a shame, because I enjoyed the chaining of burlesque scenes where social concepts and values were toyed around with.

Any complementary and alternative hindsight would be much appreciated, since I can't reap it :/