Klavier had been so terried of Kristoph's response to this for a number of reasons, main of which being that it would reveal how Kristoph really felt about certain things including the younger brother. But again, he was caught off guard by the unexpected.

All apprehension swiftly dropped and Klavier whipped his head to look at his brother in both surprise and slight anger. He did not just refer to himself in that manner. He wasn't pulling this I'm-Just-A-Bad-Person thing out again. They were not discussing this... with someone other than just the two of them, at that.

When Albedo opened his mouth, Klavier turned his attention and irritation toward him. The man who looked like he might just shatter apart only a minute ago was gone. He was stern and resolved, something verging between defensive and angry beneath the surface. "He is not my shadow. Don't jump to stupid conclusions."