[at the genuine thanks, Kaoru offers an equally genuine smile. it doesn't seem like it would be doing a whole lot and he still isn't even sure he can manage it, but he'll surely do his best.]

It's the job of an apprentice to help, isn't it?

[upon having his assumption confirmed, he nods to himself once.]

Right... That's a trip. If you don't have an inn room booked yet, you can stay here. I can't say how long it might take me to finish this, but it would be inconvenient for you to have come all the way here just to pay boarding fees, right? I'll try not to take longer than a week, but it depends on how quickly I can get into contact with the right people...