"Oh..." He smiles bashfully and dips his head again. "You're welcome. I'd be a very poor scholar if I couldn't be patient. B-Besides, it's even easier when it's for someone I care about."

Looking down means that he spots the chao climbing about their feet. When one of them decides to sit on his foot, he decides to tap his toes, giving the chao a little ride, much to its delight.