Oh, but he did notice. His eyebrows climbed at the solid imitation of a pain response. "Interesting." And that was all there seemed to be to say on the matter.

"Taka... ah. Yes, we're good friends. Their judgements are perhaps not always at their best, though, so perhaps don't take it to heart."

No, see, that one was a joke, because he's putting himself down too, it's only half terrible.