beta
The kid needs some sympathy and less hate. He’s cautious because he doesn’t know what the MC wants from him. Sure the mc is helping him in kindness and pity, but the kid doesn’t know that and it’s probably making him nervous.
The best comparison would be helping a cornered animal. Most aren’t gonna immediately trust you, even if you’re helping it and giving it everything it needs. It takes time to build trust. And right now there’s no trust between the MC and kid.
Please take the time while reading to comprehend the story and not just look at it surface level.