"Now that I have been eating without this more and more, it... is beginning to feel strange," he explained, talking so casually as if he knew every bit of him, at first. Clear realized this and dove straight into detail, trying to make some better sense to the man who knew so little about him. "I wear this mask all the time because I used to believe my face was strange, Ike-san. I... still do fear that it is, but..."

He curled his hands nervously into the napkin on his lap. "More people have been telling me that it is not. Therefore, I have been wanting to show my face more often. It is still very difficult, but... you have been kind to me through the entire evening, Ike-san, and while I still am not sure if it is good to take this mask off in public..."

He paused, still very indecisive.

"I... want to take it off. Is this okay? Will- Will you promise not to be scared...?" It was a large demand, but he'd been so considerate up until now that he hoped it wasn't as extensive as he believed.