[ of course not. it's exactly what he expected. it's not a surprise in the least. and yet it still feels like boiling acid in his throat, reminds him of one of his two errands tonight - one of the two important visits he has to make before the morning.

he sighs, shaking his head and smiling once more. ]

You're a kind person, aren't you, Ai? Well, hopefully, you won't have to do any of that! I told you already, didn't I? I'm not going to be much help when it comes to combat. If anything, our best option is going to be to keep our heads low and avoid sticking our fingers in any other pies.

[ it'll be fine. he just needs her to keep her head down. he just needs the two of them to not be discovered yet.

he can take care of the rest. ]