[she gets a grin for that, too.]

Somebody has to be stubborn around here. [no there are too many people who are stubborn. it's fine. there's a pause then.] ...even now, I trust you pretty much more than most people here. So I know I can count on you.

[...there were maybe a few very early doubts when he had been unsure, but at the end of the day otome has been nothing but kind and understanding to him while letting him still be independent. weirdly the best kind of adult figure he can deal with.]