[barred from participating, Suguru finds himself at the sidelines, watching the merry crowd hurl snowballs at each other whilst screaming and squealing like children. he's still getting used to being back in the castle, being around so many bodies all the time. they tell him it's normal after being away all these years and he supposes they're right. they also tell him it's a good thing he's going to be around more permanently, that it's not healthy even for them to spend too much time alone, acting as if it had been Suguru's own personal choice to go on mission after mission.

but. he listens with that little kitsune smile on his face, nods and nods. it's only polite. after all, they're all aware of what's owed and to whom.

someone yells something and Suguru ducks away from a snowball only for it to hit the person behind him.]

Oh.

[again a little smile that usually comes before an apology.]

Why didn't you duck?

[no, no, he doesn't think you're stupid. he just has tone issues. focus on the smile. it's friendly enough. probably...]