Kise wanders over to Akashi while Aomine and Momoi fuss over Kuroko. His former captain doesn't seem surprised by Kuroko's annoucement, and Kise suddenly recalls the other Akashi proclaiming that Kuroko's misdirection would loose its affect the more he used it.

The normal Akashi must have known too, from the sad but unsurprised look on his face. Kise wonders how Akashi's brain works, and how it got like this. It couldn't have just been because of Teikou's push for absolute victory. It obviously didn't help, but...

Just more things he can't help his friends with. Like Aomine's obvious depression. They're all a little damaged from Teikou putting them on such a pedestal.

Akashi asks if he's okay, and Kise pretty repeats what he told Kuroko; that he's more worried for Kuroko's well being than his own about the article. He spends most of the rest of the party with Akashi, making sure Hayato behaves himself, occasionally bantering with Aomine, and whining when Kuroko teases him.

All in all, it's a good night.

When it comes time to go home, he sends the twins to get their coats and turns to Kuroko. "Tell me if anything happens, okay?" he asked. "If they cause more problems than you're expecting."