[There isn't any way for Natsuno to truly understand all of that, although he would be understanding and empathetic.]

You have, but you don't need to live like that anymore, right? And...for me, making friends is difficult. I want to protect my friends. I know that doesn't mean anything, because I didn't protect my other friend, and if people told me they didn't want me to, I'd understand. That doesn't change the fact that I would want to protect them.