"If I had an answer to that I'm certain a lot more would make sense." Unlike Popp's defense of his master, Sephiroth apparently feels very little similarly about who raised him. It's bitter instead. "Try."

He wasn't about to not take responsibility if someone did turn up, Popp didn't strike him as the sort to get through a punishment without further tears and thus further punishment, creating a very unpleasant spiral - but if it could be avoided altogether, that was better. "Difficult as it may be it's better than being taken to task for it."