[ he shakes his head a little as he sets the kettle back down and lifts the spoon to stir the soup. ] I just-- my parents were.. busy. [ 'busy' is one way of putting it. ] And our house was old. And.. because I have.. these powers, spirits and the like could sense me. So we had a lot of them around, and they taught me how to do things. [ which.. isn't the point. ah-- ] I mean, the point is that-- You know, they're really important to me, and I'm really overprotective of all of them sometimes, and-- I was really prepared not to like you, but I-- I do. So I'm really glad. And you always have a home here with us, and so do the others if they show up.

[ in all this time, he hasn't turned around to look at souji, too embarrassed by his own admission, ears red beneath the fall of his hair.

it only gets worse as souji says that. he whirls in embarrassed shock, pale eyes going wide. ] Souji-san, that-- [ HE'S NOT YOUR MASTER??? OKAY??? ugh, he brandishes the spoon at him, whole face a little red. ] I know I boss you around some, but calling me that..