She's serious about this? Serious enough, he supposes. Serious enough that he tries to think on her questions to give honest answers but half the words she's saying have scarce context for him.

"Um...I um...gender doesn't matter." He gets that out somewhat feebly and sees an opportunity in her small sigh. "You sound like you've already met someone like that. Your friend back home, the one you're worried about being alone?"

Just...gently redirect that.