[Gumshoe winces some more, much like a scolded child regardless. He didn't suspect that she could be this fierce, and he pauses before he gathers strength for an answer.]

U-um, sometimes... They sound like good ideas at the time! And I wanna do my best to help out!

...

But... I should keep on trying to follow my own path... shouldn't I. [He was starting to learn how to be more independent, before he came here.]