[Can I...?

(does it matter?)

He is, at that moment, reminded of a sullen child. Who would have thought, right?

Yes, it does.

(...)

That is why Hikaru's response to you was delayed, LaRue: he had to check in with his passenger upstairs, and he didn't bother hiding it this time.]

I think being in close proximity with all of you and having you tell him, flat out, that you could not do what he asked reminded him of something.