It's a good thing that they can't know each others' thoughts because they could easily argue the entire duration of the trip. As far as Yaichirou is concerned, their dire situation is all the more reason to be serious; the stakes are too high to give in to childish pleasures. If you allow yourself to take it easy on the details, soon you'll be slacking off on the things that mattered and before you know it you've contributed to the inevitable obliteration of the human race. It's a lot of pressure, but they knew what they were getting into when they enlisted. If she can't take it then maybe she should've stayed at home.

As it is, she's left him a little dumbfounded. If he follows her lead and smiles like that-- well for starters he looks absolutely ridiculous, but more importantly comes off as a pushover, and that's a sure invitation for more harassment. If he refuses, all that the half-attentive cadets around them will see is him picking a fight with a sweet-looking generous young woman. He would be branded a troublemaker before they've even arrived.

After some hesitation, his mouth twitches into something that's not totally unlike a smile, though it doesn't venture out to the rest of his face.

"No," he says through gritted teeth. "I suppose it wouldn't kill me."

The embarrassment might, though.