[Huh.

It takes him a moment to respond just because he hadn't been expecting to see that smile behind Mutsu's hand. It makes him realize that this is serious and that Mutsu, for whatever reason, might be serious about all this. It also makes him realize what had been going on all day. Mutsu following him everywhere, watching him, smiling at him, bothering him... It's what he's seen other swords doing to those they found important, or even precious. He's never understood it himself because he'd never been precious to anyone before. And yet here was Mutsunokami, shy and serious for once like Doudanuki's answer really, really mattered.

And that makes his entire face start to burn. He has no idea what to do in this situation. What if he's wrong? Would Mutsu joke about this? No, probably not, but Doudanuki had no experience in this. What if he's just reading too much into that earnest and hopeful look on his comrade's face?

It's Doudanuki's turn to be flustered, and he turns away to hide the very obvious blush creeping across his cheeks. When he speaks, his voice is lacking its usual gruff anger.]

I-It wasn't so b-bad bad, I guess.

But next time, uh, don't smash your face into mine like you're trying to break it.