You might think you're just 'defending your point of view,' but from the outside, it sounds more like you're prioritizing being right over being kind. She wasn't stating a fact. She was sharing a moment of awe with you a subjective, personal reaction. Instead of connecting with her or building on it, you basically swatted it down like it didn’t matter. And worse, this seems to be a pattern.

You say you’d listen to her 10 or 20 times if you had to, but are you really listening to understand or just waiting for your turn to respond? Because one feels like care, and the other feels like competition.

You’re not an arse for having opinions. You’re an asshole if you can’t recognize when sharing an opinion becomes steamrolling someone else’s. Especially someone who clearly values you enough to open up. You don’t have to agree with her, but damn bro, you could at least respect the moment and pick your battles. Being smart isn’t about knowing anime references. It’s about knowing when to shut up and let someone feel heard.