[Well, that's shady. He takes it in, but there's a point where she seems distressed, and Shouto does seem ticked off. Their network chats were telling enough. This girl's a DJ. "Civilian". Even Shouto, who's left battlefields colored in guts, isn't immune as he looks. Though, it's true he's poor at giving comfort, too. There's still an instant where taking a hand does occasionally cross his thoughts. Here, now, he doesn't move; but Rinku may catch the twitch before his fingers curl, mime it. He's walked past corpses; followed a man he's pledged complete, unwavering loyalty to.

That's Bushido. And yet... and still—]

Don't. [Putting it softly, dipping his eyes because his Lich isn't make-up-] Don't... get used to something like that...

[He says, but there's the horrible, realization that he's growing numb, too; that he's much worse.]

There's more to combat than blood on your hands. But that sympathy's still your strength—you don't forget, you don't hurt others just to hurt; you understand what it's taking away-

[And more than that,]

I don't "know" you; we've barely just met; but listening to you before, I doubt you've "half-assed" anything once, [to borrow a phrase from someone he knows-], so you'd probably give it your all if you're asked. You did your best with what you've been given... I'd think...

[He thinks of the man who gifts him sweets; mint-green stars which glow in the dark; his gifted sword immersed in blood. How sensei feels-]

You're a kid, but you still fight. So, I definitely know that look on your face. "If I don't get stronger, they'll leave me behind. Everyone's growing except for me"- But friends don't leave each other behind; and there's definitely nothing to prove here, either. Friends get stronger, side-by-side, so... Even if we're not really friends-

[He knows it's awkward, and still:]

Why don't you... train with me sometime?

[Less fear; more preparation.]

We could ask sensei for help.