I don't pity you either. I'm a cop back home, Junpei. I'll have to see worse than what I've seen to feel that -- though I doubt you'll believe I have anything to say at this point, [ Kim says, managing to sound relatively impassive about the whole ordeal. In a way, he is; kids like Junpei are familiar to him, and he knows he'll get nowhere trying to bulldoze his walls down. He has no interest in doing so, and Junpei has no interest in receiving kindness. If he can help, he will, but he won't interfere where he's unwanted unless he thinks it's absolutely necessary.

He's not lying either. He feels bad for the kid. Of course he does. But he saves his pity for lost causes, not young people who ostensibly have their whole life in front of them to get their shit together, to carve out a space where they're not being constantly trampled upon, whether it's by their guardians or their peers. He looks out at the city in front of them with a small sigh. ]

But I agree with you. Masking it is wise.

[ Anything else, and people will just take advantage of him. Kim would know. ]