[ out of the corner of his eye, nisaka watches the ofher carefully, looking thoughtful, though he doesn't really say anything. instead, he will shrug when a question is directed at him, idly leaning back against the cool elevator wall. ]

My mom did that kind of stuff for us back home, [ he explains quietly. ] She never really had time to teach me or my brother.

[ there is a pause, though, as it suddenly occurs to him that that may not be the most reassuring thing to say. ]

...I can be a good student, though.