In light of that smile and question, Manabu flushes, holding up his hands.

"Aa, n-no way!" he laughs, shaking his head. "Not a chance, I'm not good for books or studying. If that's really what my folks were hoping, then--" Ha. "Boy, that was a letdown!"

His laugh peters out in his exhale as one hand goes back down and the other to the back of his head.

"Is...that how it works where you're from, though? Your name kind of...painting the route ahead of you?"