In this passage, the narrator feels embarrassed, causing their head to jerk up. However, the other person responds with a smile, which seems to calm or encourage them. To hide their blushing, the narrator drops their face and covers their cheeks with their hair, but they still blush more because of the smile than their own embarrassment.
The scene captures a moment of vulnerability and possibly budding affection, highlighting the narrator's shy reaction to the smile. It emphasizes how a simple gesture like a smile can impact someone's feelings, especially in tender or nervous moments.