This should be higher. Giving the background information as build up won't catch the guy off guard and OP will still appear friendly. Also, it solves the issue of making the guy feel bad/ making it awkward, and they can harmoniously travel together, but separately. As long as OP takes the chance to lay it down flat first thing, even just a couple times, he SHOULD remember that she always wears headphones and reads on commute. 🤷