[For a moment, hope springs eternal.

Then hope springs dashed onto rocks.

And then finally, hope is then smashed against a bus being driven by astonishment.]

You... you'd really marry me? Even after everything, all those jokes I pull on you and... [Hayate blushed, ducking her head.] I don't know what to say except maybe a fiance would be nice... I am getting on in my years... and even if we can't live together and all...