[Thinking on it, they've all been working so hard individually, it's impossible not to see it. Karasuno's strength lies in the individual spirits of its players, at this point, and their individual ways of growing stronger on their own. It's a pretty stark contrast to Nekoma, who operate as one body, no matter how you slice it.]

It wouldn't be any good if we were still too weak to even fathom a win, either. [He's definitely not foolish enough to think Nekoma won't be there, to think that Kuroo would allow them to fall behind. He may be a cat, but even lazy cats work hard when they do work. He, like Tsukki, could never discount that side of his opponents - even if the other side of it made him want to shove his face in his hands and sigh.

The compliment catches him off-guard, though, and he can feel his cheeks heating up considerably.]

I-- well, that is- [What he did... but it's kind of true, in a way. Not because he was perfect, nor because he did everything by himself, but because it was a reminder of how far they could come. Alone, together, overall. But still. A tiny smile does creep onto his face.] Tsukki really... said that? I mean, I guess it's true if they think it, but the others definitely didn't slouch, either.

[Pulling the ladle up to taste his broth, he considers for a moment.] I was just... really glad to get to play like that. With them. [I'm not sure he has a "not humble" option, tbh.]