( He rights her on her way, helps her to her balance and her footing — it is, after all, expected. And though he never achieved personal polish at a finishing school, though he lacks for the skill to recite pretty poems and make a spectacle of himself with a sword — he can prevail to summon the base charms of a young man, faced with a beautiful woman: )

Your comrade, Sumeragi Subaru, is putting in the work. You thank him. ( And carefully after, half-muttered, as if he nearly speaks to himself: ) I'm an honest man, always was, an honest man, deal's a deal, is right a deal. An honest man —

( But he catches himself, as if he finally remembers he is in company, and the girl still waits at his pleasure. Tension leaves his body in a rushed haze. )

We can always do with more passengers. What we need are fewer ghosts.