...personally, gramps would be nicer, but he knows he can't say that in front of Taiki.

"Uh--sure, yeah." But yeah, asking the guy, he'll do that. With that small distraction aside- "Anyway, he told me you can form something called a...shirei? A bond," is maybe the better word to use, "with creatures. And they protect you when you need it. Since kirin can't get involved in a battle."

He's going somewhere with this obviously, but waits to say any more.