[Aether's no stranger to the way this world tends to blend friendships and relationships into something deeper. He would have preferred something like this not happen immediately upon seeing her again, but it's not like he can say it's unexpected. Still, Ayaka is new to this world, and he didn't want to see her get swept up into something that might make her uncomfortable.]

[Still, he can't very well sit back and let her talk down about herself!]

Whether you've kissed someone or not doesn't have anything to do with being good company. I like spending time with you -- and there's plenty of better places we could go that don't come with a bizarre entry requirement. Besides, that's something you should save for someone special--

And not someone with a crossdressing fetish like me.