I suppose I should accept that as a good enough start.

["Not hating" was at least a step up. Sometimes you had to take what you could get.]

Merely a start, though. Makes for a better fight when there's no malice in it.

[He nods to himself, quite pleased with that observation.

And then there's a loud crash.]

I think Yo-chan just knocked down a tree.

[Not so sure what to think about that observation.]