[He confused for only the briefest fraction of a second.]

It's not...

[And as what he's done registers, he slows down until he's come to a complete stop. The guilty and slightly horrified look on his face is one that Natsumi should treasure for years to come. It truly is, more than anything else, a sign of how much he cares, no matter how much he might try to hide it.]

I'm not really mad Natsumi, I'm... I'm just being an ass again. I thought we were doing that thing where we argue but don't really mean it, you know? Didn't think it meant anything to you. Sorry.

[It's not the best or most eloquent apology, but it'll have to do, because she certainly won't be hearing him repeat himself any time soon. After a beat, he sucks in a deep breath and continues down the path with a renewed sense of determination.]

Well, come on. This food isn't going to eat itself.