Heh. That might be a problem if you ever do anything to make me change my mind... [ It was a completely inappropriate joke given her reaction to his confession, but it only happened because there had been something inexplicably grounding in the cadet's declaration to stay with her. Even with the lingering hurt and the desire to seek a few moments of solitude at the fringes of her mind, it ultimately did nothing to weaken her desire to share more moments with him.

And now she had his promise to hold on to as well, which is enough to push her to try and smile again, however wistful it may still be. ] I'm not very experienced in expressing myself with words, but would you allow me to do that, Ace? Or was just reading it enough?

[ By no means was she going to tell him the full contents of the file right then and there, but if it was just what he'd read then it was fine by her. ]