[Honestly, Levi's first response already gets under Hijikata's skin, regardless of the unexpected direction change that follows. Why is he so upset about the shit that happened in Levi's world? Usually he'd react to sob stories from other series places with the rough equivalent of "That's rough, but you've got to pony up for this ride now". What is it about the titan stuff that gets him so indignant and uncompromising? Is it the senselessness of it all? Those people's death served no narrative purpose other than making things as bleak as possible!! As a supporting character it's fucking hard to stomach!

But then Levi continues, and Hijikata lets out an angry little snort. Could he lie about knowing Jean? Sure. But what would that accomplish, really? Besides he simply doesn't feel like it. He'll tell this little bastard the truth.]

Yeah. I've know him for a good while - since the last world that called us in.

[He almost tells Levi that they saved the whole goddamn multiverse there, but he cans that idea immediately, given that he'd either get a deadpan "Sure you did" or even less than that. Anyway, he wants to get back to the other topic!]

Tell me more about that "nuance" I'm missing in your city getting overrun by titans.