[He doesn't immediately answer, so much as just latch straight onto Ginko's body as soon as that option is made possible. His vines gently twist around the two of them shortly after, though not close enough to cut Ginko with their thorns. He sniffles.]

Sh-She said it didn't matter because...because the important thing was that you grew up strong. And...and I think that's true. Because you have people here for you right now, okay?

[In a way, he's talking himself through it as much as he's talking to Ginko.]