{ he isn't answering her questions directly, though part of that is trying to not make ayaka feel responsible for helping him decide what to do. }

There's... simply no delicate way to say this, but what I'm proposing would not be the norm and-- { his fingers tighten on his glass, eyes lowered to it until he forces himself to look towards her. } --it would require either asking you to take the burden of continuing our lineage, or perhaps I'd have to accept the scandals of finding a mistress. { the second part is an attempt to find some humour in it all.

but this time, he'll end it by being more direct. }

I'm talking about another man, Ayaka.