[OH NO now Kaoru's laughing... But it's a gentle sort of laugh, and even though there's a clear ring of amusement, the expression present is also vaguely apologetic.

Only vaguely, though.]

Ah, please forgive me... With a reaction like that, I couldn't help myself. [It's 90% because Kaoru is going stircrazy after like 5 back to back months of keeping up with constant politeness...]

You're only a few years older than I am, so you're right. That is fairly young.