It is a lot to take in, he has to admit. And yet it also feels prudent to say: "I don't think knowing would have changed anything, really, about how I feel. I just... have a better idea of what that is now." Of course, he knew he cared about Byleth. How could he not? After everything they'd been through together and in such a short time, after a meeting by chance that felt like an inkling of fate he for the first time ever wanted to believe in, and even now fighting to protect each other still- How could he not?

"I know it's probably inappropriate, considering our stations, but I also care for you a great deal. Not just as a friend, I think. I mean, I do consider you a friend still, it's just that-" Sothis help him, he's trying to articulate this well. Why is that when it matters most, he ends up fumbling his words so? 'Love' is something that feels a bit too serious just yet to proclaim, too, even if he does know it to be true.

He also doesn't want Byleth to worry he only feels that way because of this knowledge. "Even if I'm not that man in your memories, I hope someday that I can fill that same role on my own merit. I want to. Even before knowing all this, I... I just didn't want to let myself hope you might ever feel the same." Since the idea that Byleth wouldn't hurt more than the risking the possibility he could.