They're about the same age, then. Power plants aren't any sort of foliage Armin is familiar with, but he gets the gist of it. The games stopped because no one was looking after the children. Then, Mika had to grow up quickly as well. That's familiar.

Mika must have reasons for cautioning Armin about vampires, and the fact that they feed on human flesh is a good enough one on its own, but that story...well, he knows that one very well. It's hard not to feel a little spark of connection there, though he doesn't think the other man would appreciate it if he said as much.

What stands out is the way that Mika talks of vampires. Separately. Armin mulls that new information over quietly for a while. "Which was your favorite?"