She knew that look. All too well. She saw it every day in the mirror when she was completely alone.

"Um, yeah? I've been listening to you, haven't I?"

Most of Kaori's more recent acquaintances may have been stunned to hear her speaking in such a tender, encouraging tone but she did so now. Her expression was one of genuine sympathy.

"I'm open-minded and curious. A lot of people say that and then they're not but I'm the real thing. You can trust me."