[He does have to think about that, though it's not exactly because he's at a complete loss for an answer; he's just trying to work out how he wants to word it. So for a moment he's very still, one hand curled in front of his mouth while he considers, because that...hm.]

...I think so, Kuwata-kun. I don't have as much to compare it to as some others might, because I didn't know you very well before - but I think so.

What I've seen hasn't been for the worse, either; it's...different, but not necessarily bad.