✿ —— The girl’s smile made her own wider, warmth filling her chest as she realized that she had contributed to the stranger’s happiness. Eyes flickered to glance at the dripping scarf and the puddle that was forming underneath. Indeed, it would be best if it was placed on the coat rack. "Sure.”

“Arigatou!” she replied, pleased by the compliment. She supposed it wasn’t really something to be proud of; after all, she hadn’t even decided on that name for herself. That had been her parents’ doing, so technically, they were the ones who deserved points for naming skills if someone thought her name was nice. But regardless, it was nice.

It wasn’t everyday that you met someone whose native language wasn’t Japanese. Well, in this country, at least. “Ah, really, Ninny-san?” It was all right to call her that, wasn’t it? After all, she didn’t give a last name. “Hai! You said it right. What’s your native language?” Optics surveyed the other girl’s visage, her clothing, searching for clues about her history and birth country.

Akari rarely raided the cupboard for tea; she was more of a coffee girl, so she was unaware of what types were available and had to check before answering. Some of her co-workers preferred tea, though, so she was aware that they had some. “We only have sencha.” Way to be stereotypically Japanese. And in front of somebody who didn’t have the same native language, too.