"Some pretty tasty rice balls. You should give yourself more credit!" Everything about his demeanor actually screamed that he had a hard time taking compliments. That definitely wasn't an attitude she was unfamiliar with. Aerith would even go so far as to claim that she was an expert at handling people who got awkward with compliments.

"I'm glad you ended up coming." A part of her had wondered if he'd be the type to just leave something he made and then run outside. He had been attempting to get away but she'd like to think he wasn't trying to completely leave. Maybe he was just trying to go out to blend in with others who'd come to avoid attention about his dish!