The moment

Kenji moved from Osaka to Chicago three months ago, and he shares an apartment with Olivia. He's skipped their Sunday basketball game three weeks in a row. When he apologizes again, Olivia decides to ask what's really going on. Listen for how Kenji starts with "I'm fine" and how Olivia gets past it without pushing.

The conversation

KenjiOlivia
  1. Kenji
  2. Olivia
  3. Kenji
  4. Olivia
  5. Kenji
  6. Olivia
  7. Kenji
  8. Olivia
  9. Kenji
  10. Olivia
  11. Kenji
  12. Olivia
  13. Kenji

Words to know

feel like doing something; have the energy for it

the friends who feel like home to you

put a feeling into words for someone

when a low mood goes away, it lifts

your kindness matters to me

Check yourself

1Why does Kenji first say "I'm fine, honestly"?
2What is the real reason Kenji has been down?
3What does Olivia suggest if the feeling lasts?

Practice · 4 min

Round one: repeat every line in the gap. Round two: mute Olivia and say her lines. Keep your voice low and slow on "I'm glad you told me," because that line is the turning point. Round three: mute Kenji and try his "you're not wrong" with a small pause before it, the way people sound when they decide to be honest.

  1. KenjiHey, sorry I missed basketball again. I wasn't really up for it.
  2. OliviaThat's three weeks in a row now. Is everything OK with you?
  3. KenjiI'm fine, honestly. Work's been busy, and I've been tired.
  4. OliviaOK. It's only that you've seemed kind of down since you moved here.
  5. KenjiYeah... you're not wrong. I think I miss home more than I expected.
  6. OliviaThat makes sense. Three months isn't long, and Osaka is really far away.
  7. KenjiEveryone here is nice, but I don't have my people yet, you know?
  8. OliviaI'm glad you told me. Do you want to talk about it some more?
  9. KenjiMaybe later. Honestly, I think I needed to say it out loud first.
  10. OliviaFair enough. How about basketball this Sunday, and then ramen after?
  11. KenjiActually, that sounds good. I haven't had decent ramen since I got here.
  12. OliviaAnd if the feeling doesn't lift in a few weeks, maybe see a doctor too?
  13. KenjiYeah, that's a good idea. Thanks for noticing, Olivia. It means a lot.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.