[ Something fond stirs in his chest, watching Xiaolang's posture settle ramrod straight as it does. He's a much less disciplined teacher than what many others could be, he thinks, but Kuro does what he can to instill that discipline regardless. So it's amused, but still fond, and still a little proud. Because his student takes things seriously, no matter what they are.

Could he loosen up a little? Probably, but this isn't a situation for looseness. Everything has to be taken and considered with the same seriousness that it's being presented with.

Still, he's done worse things in this life than the past one. And it's interesting to reflect on Xiaolang's questions in his own context, turning it over and watching the way his favored pupil's fists go tight. ]

... opinions are changeable. [ Measured, contemplative, he takes a deep breath that causes his spine to straighten a little more, mirroring Xiaolang more in how he's seated. ] You can't apologize for somethin' you haven't done, or somethin' you don't remember some other version of you doin', but you can show that you're not the same. That you're not lookin' to repeat history. You're not... [ That breath comes out in a sigh, and he reaches up to scrub his fingers through the black part of his hair at the back of his head. ]

It's hard. Havin' someone look at you, and judge you based on somethin' you can't help. No matter what it is. But if they're not gonna give you the chance to prove that you're you, that you're different from whatever person you might be in that other life, it's up to you. Do you wanna challenge what their perception's become, show you're not the same as that memory... or do you wanna let go?

[ Kuro looks seriously at him. ] If it was someone you cared about, is it worth fightin' for?