[ It's been years and it's still hard to get used to, steeling himself for the physical contact that doesn't come down hard and sharp, but rather warm and firm. Just like the first time Ayano had reached out and patted his head, getting hugged like this, years later, is still wildly embarrassing, even with nobody else around to see. ]

I remember, I remember! That's because Nee-chan's attention would always wander, otherwise!

[ Really, dragging them along to play superheroes and all that... Tentatively, he reaches out to poke the blanket laid across the table, setting his face as it is just in case whatever's under it starts to move or something like that. ]

What a place to invite somebody to a private conversation, right in the middle of the room...