[ Thoma's smart enough to catch the implications and to keep his reaction to a bare minimum; it's times like these that Yae Miko seems truly otherworldly, when she's able to so easily dissect human lives into whimsical passings - and on some level, rightfully so. ]

Is this the experience you've found to be most common when dealing with us, my lady? [ his tone is nothing but sincere curiosity, ] That positive reinforcement cannot cover the entire distance of improvement?

[ it sounds harsh, but it also sounds like a very Inazuman way of thinking. the more he thinks about it, the more he realizes that it also applies to his own life here, and how he's been forced to grow.

but it also makes him wonder what Yae Miko truly thinks about his master. ]

Hm... I believe you're right. Even if we never consider it in such stark terms, that is the underlying expectation we all have when we're in such a position.

[ something to consider later. for now, the pup squirms in his arms and reminds Thoma - ]

I don't mean to take any more of your time than I should, Lady Miko. Thank you, again, for your gracious understanding. [ with a deep bow, ] I will take your words to heart.