[ Ai doesn't let her expression so much as twitch, even if seeing Illya's stumble makes something catch in her chest. She'd guessed there might be something like this just for the fact that Illya had been here alone to begin with, but her hesitation and the worried look on her face just confirms it. ... At least she's just nervous and not afraid, though. Nervous is probably fine. Nervous she can work with. ]

That's fine! It's just so somebody can sign some of the official stuff for you until you're old enough to do it yourself. Sort of like a permission slip for a field trip, or something like that. [ She keeps her tone bright and breezy, like this isn't even a topic notable enough to linger on – too much focus will probably make her withdraw even more. ] Especially since – if you do decide to start fighting on the other side – we might have to start talking about money for you and that's something your guardians would have to check over.

[ It's then that her tone softens a little bit, as does her smile. ]

And if you ever do decide that you want to tell your parents, then we'll help you with that as well. But it'll be up to you when and if it happens.