"I'm starting to really get that idea. The languagr tutor I had back home, she said that the Japanese really have another level of dedication and towards things. Some mundane, some more practical like this."

He refers to the food, of course. "You mentioned you were half-Japanese. Where from, if I may ask?" Meaning of course to her other ethnicity. "I have a guess, but I don't want to look anymore like a fool than I do already."