Niceness avoids awkward moments. Kindness walks straight into them when someone needs it.

Pleasantness is usually about keeping a situation comfortable, including comfortable for you. Kindness sometimes requires an awkward conversation, an unwelcome truth, or staying in a room you would rather walk out of. The two look identical until a moment arrives that costs something, and then they separate sharply. One protects the mood, the other protects the person.

Think of someone whose situation you have been carefully not mentioning. Mention it, gently and directly. Awkwardness lasts a few minutes; being reached lasts considerably longer.