I think the official anime subs translate it as . . . I think it's "proxy." Which I do not entirely agree with, but well whatever. (I think I'll give the series another re-watch, as well. IT'S NOT EVEN PACKED!)

Your head canon is scary accurate, then. iirc, he grumbles constantly while trying to get a stain out of a sheet, but the narration notes that his expression looks like he's enjoying himself (though it's possible that even he doesn't realize that). X D I think it's in the next part up to translate, actually. AND SO IS ZEFFY OMG.

I suspect that Raquel's . . . atypical perspective is infectious. That's the only explanation I can think up, anyway.