It wouldn't be the first time someone was simply being polite to her and wasn't actually invested in how she felt. Akutagawa doesn't know her much at all - she doesn't expect him to care. Even so, he's polite and that's what matters.

The flush on his sickly pale cheeks catches her eye as she takes another sip of her own drink, scooting closer to him on the bench, deliberately allowing their knees to touch.

"So, how've you been?"