[ mai definitely knows what it's like to be the underdog just as he does. she's always felt beneath other people and has constantly had to fight to make her way to the top just to have it stripped away from herself. joey and mai are more similar than they think, really. so she's quick to reassure him because honestly, he has made something of himself from what he's telling her.

as he talks himself up, instead, mai isn't able to help but smile at it. it's better to see him feeling confident than beat down. ]

There you go, don't sweat the small stuff, as they say.

[ she shrugs lightly as she uses the idiom. ]

We've been put through the wringer, you and I. If anyone has the guts and the strength to become something special here, then, it's you.

[ alright. that's more than enough being nice. mai is more often sassy and aloof, so, it might be time to return to that in order to maintain her own defensive walls being on alert. she watches as he retrieves a map from his bag and moves slightly closer to the young man to peer over his shoulder at it. ]

Travel time, huh? Without a swanky car, at that. Talk about a drag... Well, you know this place better than I do but keep in mind that a beautiful lady such as myself definitely needs somewhere as equally stunning to lay my pretty head. Hm?