“Ya didn’t hear a word I said, didja?” Heiji muttered, switching back to Japanese momentarily.
“Yes, Hakuba, this is my normal speaking voice.” Back to English, even though the Brit seemed slightly distracted at the moment. “Does it surprise you that much that I can speak your language? And that I insist on…what? Speaking my dialect while in Japan?“ He growled, mostly to himself, and set his chopsticks down. “Did you hear me at all? Or did all that just blow over your head? Are you surprised that I’m not as stupid as you think I am?” He was starting to get irritated again.
The irritation was noted. Hakuba frowned, brows knitting in concern and confusion. “No, I listened. Something about you doing your best? Not caring about what anyone else thinks? I don’t know. It was very much you, but, regardless…” In English, the half-brit sounded far more comfortable, natural, and confident. Not that his Japanese was bad, but there was no substitute for his native tongue.
“Hattori-san, I never thought you were stupid. Not even once. I just never knew that you had… such mastery over the English language. I’m genuinely impressed. I don’t even think Kudou-san has quite the grasp that you do, from what I have seen in interviews and reports…"
Then he laughed. "God, I just had no idea.”