Ah...I know you do, Otegine. That's why I was a little surprised.

[ she can feel her ears burning up at their tips, and the rest of her body along with them. ]

I mean, you're a pretty honest person, so I thought if that's what you really wanted, you...would've just asked me directly, is all.

[ but it's a relief to know that she didn't miss something he was trying to put down! ]