[The most disgraceful part? He entirely means it, even if it had been more rambled out of habit. Not just working as business associates, but making new friends (who aren't boisterous grownass men playing scalies). Kojuro has a load of flaws, but lying or misrepresenting his feelings aren't part of that list.

And anyway. Fatima's hat-salute looks plenty proper to him, even rather fancy and full of mystique. He's definitely not bothered by it.]

Now that we have our business dealt with, and my pond's stock has been taken care of, would it suit you if I could escort you and Josie to your next stop at this festival? I fear that, if I push my luck at this stall, I might very well lose my scooping privileges; you would both do me a favour in this. [That, and it keeps them all from just kind of standing there awkwardly. If she wants to go her own way, then he'll let it drop and toddle off to find a firework-viewing spot, but why not at least offer, right?]