[ That's not a question he was expecting, but his mind associates the idea of that drink with someplace specific and the connotations don't sound great in his head right now. ]

It's a kind of milk tea, that's made with sugar and little edible pearls added that sit at the bottom of the drink. Usually done with tapioca balls but it's not limited to it. Very popular drink served in cafes.

[ A pause. He doesn't want to ask, but... ]

Why did you ask? Seems a little out of the blue, if you ask me.