[Ah. There, again, another detail he seems to be missing. The mystery of it tugs at the back of his mind almost completely -- until Rise's next comment derails it entirely. Heat flashes in his face even as he tries to gather his composure enough to quell it, and her last-ditch effort to laugh it off or dismiss it does only the barest minimum to help.]

I understand, [he says, taking a moment before he speaks to steady the wobble in his voice. No one manages to fluster him quite the same way as Rise Kujikawa. It seems to be a particular talent of hers.] ...and you're right. It's different.

[Fanservice and intimacy are worlds apart -- a reminder this place manages to drive home like a sledgehammer. As much as he wishes he could assure her with something real --"it'll ve alright" or "we'll figure this out" or something-- those just sort of seem like empty placations, right now. Instead he goes with a more personal opinion.] ... it's not as bad as it seems. Being stuck feels like the worst part, a lot of the time.

[That much is true for him, at least, but then again, some people think of sex as something much bigger than he's always considered it to be. Not that he loves the implications of the resort, but this aspect isn't the biggest stumbling block, at least for him.]