[He'll accept that assurance as it is, smiling gratefully in turn - and it's not as if he doesn't notice the kindness in still allowing Souji to do some small part of the chore. He finds, to his surprise, that the gesture doesn't sting as much as it once would, as if every kindness offered to him only underlined how little he could do in turn. Gratitude feels a lot better.]

I'd very much like that. It's not that I have to stay confined here as such- [Not completely, anyway. Though he'll probably get fussed at.] -but... well, I can't be relied on to do a proper job like this. And honestly, I don't really look my best either.

[There's a hint of humor there. Loss of his good looks has never really smarted all that much, because he's never truly based his own usefulness on them. They were just a thing that he knew some people appreciated, but not a very important factor as such.]

But it feels rather nice to be back. At home, I was going to be pretty lonely rather soon... and I've had a nice welcome so far - Kouhai. [At least he'll play along with that.]