The remark does stand out to him, a bit of shock visible on his face, eyebrows drawn together - he's never heard Kise, of all people, a bastion of self-confidence, disparage himself like that.

He almost reaches out to him, but thinks better of it. Nigou has no such misgivings and continues to wind around him, nuzzling against Kise's legs, like he wants more attention.

"Oh, yes, I'm sure Hououji-san and Yuki-san have done a good job..."

Awkward, this is so awkward. Even the second-years of Seirin look on with some apprehension - wasn't Kise usually much more affable and clingy near Kuroko?