[He looks over at her when she squeezes his hand, and smiles sheepishly.]

I don't know how good of a student I can be, but I...should probably try to learn, huh?

[The hand not holding hers brushes his hair back away from his face.]

Back in the village, it's not really uncommon, not knowing how to read or write. But here, well, almost everyone does. I guess I've just... had too much pride to ask.