[There's at least some effort there, a little bit of actual understanding that maybe people could feel about him the way he feels about Hien- that the things that defined them, made them stand out, made them capable of fulfilling their role were actually cool. He seems to be listening.]

[Until the last bit, where he starts to sulk again, turning his face away.]

... No, he agreed. Only Ortho cares about me... and I shouldn't talk about anything when we get back. He wanted us to forget from the first moment.