[Varian has never heard Rina say this much at once before. She's gotten better at talking, especially when using her board, but...she doesn't have it at all right now. She's talking to him plainly, face to face, even if she's doing so shyly, unable to quite meet his gaze the entire time. He'll at least afford her the time to say what she feels she needs to, unaware of the inner turmoil she's dealing with right now.

His eyes dart across her face, and despite the fact that her expression is nearly the same as it always is- relatively blank- he can still...see something different there.

Then, his eyes widen, just a little.]

You're...really important to me too, Rina-chan. [That still is a bit strange to say, but even so. It feels right.] I like you too. I can't really...remember what not being your friend was like, at this point...

[But it's clear he's not quite...getting what she means, here. It's too vauge. He's never been told anything like this before, so why should it mean anything more than just a "I cherish you as my friend?"

Honestly, even that is more than Varian's used to having.]