We don't know. Don't know? How can he not know what happened, why is Aerith cutting in and answering for Cloud? Cloud was there, in Nibelheim, he should know what went down - unless he's hiding it from her on purposeโฆ but Aerith is more perceptive than that, there's not a thing you can hide from her if she has her mind set on wringing it out of you.
They're similar like that.
She seems to trust Cloud, stands between the two of them to keep peace. Every second that passes fills Kunsel with an uneasy uncertainty that he doesn't know how to handle, gripping his arms tighter, hugging them against himself for a brief moment before relaxing as Aerith tries so hard to lighten the mood again - she's uncomfortable, and he hates that him trying to pry is making her so sad. He's getting the hint that this is something they should talk about alone, without Cloud there.
And it's not like Cloud looks too happy to be dealing with him, no doubt feeling pressured by the sight of a proper SOLDIER First Class, daring to even scoff at his implication that Cloud wasn't the real deal, giving Kunsel atitude even as Aerith plays peace keeper.
Until she says Kunsel's name.
He was looking at Aerith when a sudden exclamation breaks free of Cloud's lips, tone completely diferente from the sulking one used up to this point. The expression that greets him is oddlyโฆ familiar, almost surprised, like he hadn't recognized Kunsel until now. Which was fair, as the rare times they crossed paths in the past Kunsel was Second Class.
Butโฆ The way he's talking is too animated to belong to the guy that had been staring daggers at him since the start of this conversation. It's like he thinks they were friends once.
He tries to mask his confusion, helmet thankfully hiding the deepening furrow of his brows, but the silence that stretches on after Cloud speaks is telling - until Kunsel glances at Aerith. Something was up here. Something she knows.
"Rightโฆ I don't hold it against you, buddy." Kunsel speaks it as a means of placating the conversation, not wanting to immediately pull the rug from under the guy and start arguing that he doesn't know him, but it's clear from his tone an edge of uncertainty is there, his eyes lingering on Aerith before he finally meets Cloud's way too familiar gaze. "Lots of things happened while you wereโฆ gone."
When the distraction of the drink umbrela is given, he gladly takes it, uncrossing his arms and reaching behind him for his caipirinha and picking out the decorative toothpick, offering it to the two of them. "Won't catch me saying no to Aerith - she hits hard." He offers a slightly unsteady smile, playing along only because he does't have the full picture yet. Kunsel takes another sip - he needs it.