[Of course he can keep it in - but then again Sylvain is the master of taking his thoughts and emotions on uncomfortable issues and pushing them down and away, pretending they don't matter, even when they very, very much do. It makes it easier to get by, as far as he's concerned, and, more importantly, it ensures no one asks uncomfortable questions.

Unfortunately, that's a little bit difficult at the moment. If he could see Byleth, or feel him in measures more than the lightest ghost of a touch, then he could take the lead, could come on strongly enough that they'd exchange the amount of chroma necessary to get him a more solid body, at least, and then let him decide what he wants to do. But that's not the case. Byleth has the distinct advantage of being able to both see and touch him where he can't reciprocate easily.

At least he can be receptive to touch. That's better than nothing.]

Don't worry, Professor. I'm not scared of you, and I'm less scared of ghosts. Do what you need to do.

[He knows he's here. Touch from nowhere isn't concerning, strange as it might be.

What is concerning is the comment that follows.]

What's there to apologize for? I can't recall being upset with you recently.

[He sounds genuine enough, at least... because, in many ways, he is. He has an idea of what Byleth is talking about, but... it had been a nonissue at the time, and it was even less of an issue now.]