"Yeah, that makes sense", Shinji agreed. He suspected even he would consider this place and situation an improvement over what Midvalley had just described.
As Midvalley asked him his opinion of the place, Shinji shrugged. He had been attempting not to dwell on the matter a great deal. "Worse?" He replied, a slight questioning tone to his voice. "I mean, like at least before... I mean, before the Programme, I guess even during the Programme to some extent, there were like... my friends. Although I suppose it would have been more true before the Programme. During it, it was slightly different. It might have been friends, but circumstances kinda meant that trust didn't play out quite how people probably though it would do before being in that situation". He paused slightly, fidgeting a little as he thought about the question and his answer. "Man, how idealistic did that sound. 'I had my friends so it was fine?' Wasn't quite like that, but whatever. There were a lot of problems, but really. It depends when you're talking about. Japan was fucked, yes, but if we're talking about my life generally before here, then yeah, this place is worse. If we're talking about what I immediately came from, then this place is better".