[Her sympathy surprises Duster, but it manifests as briefly raised eyebrows.]

Having someone you can talk to helps, I guess. You've definitely had it worse than him, but magic users in his world are taught to never trust anyone, especially other magi. ...He really thought that everyone here was capable of betraying their friends.

[He sits up and scoots closer to Haruka. It's getting chillier.]

I'm still surprised he's so much nicer. Not that he's still kind of arrogant, but he's a completely different person when we hang out.