"Nines...?" Rita repeats, as if trying out the unfamiliar name. "Like a nickname?"

Rita was never really one to use those, except when it came to Estelle... only as a special exception. But 9S is important enough that she should be willing to make exceptions for him, too. Besides, when she first heard his name, she thought it sounded weirdly impersonal, herself. It might take some getting used to, after thinking of him as '9S' for all this time, but...

"I guess you have a point. I'll keep it in mind."