[Ban didn't bother to correct Alice. In hindsight, telling her that he could read expressions wouldn't have worked out all that well--nor would it do him any good to let her know how important body-language and one's poker face was.

It would be easier to sneak that knife off of her, eventually, if she knew less and less about how perceptive he actually was.]

Guess that's why I don't hate you all that much~. You aren't an easy mark like everybody else.

[To boot, he knew what sort of can of worms he was about to open. The kids had resumed playing, a few reaching for the remainder of the cookies once their energy needed another kick.]

Sweet words and a few good deeds won't win you over, huh~? Must be why you're friends with that guy.

[Who else could he have been talking about other than--]

Looked and smelled like a killer, but you still like him like it ain't a problem~.