It's mostly boredom that has Marui here now-- when in doubt, hanging out with tennis friends was never a bad option. He isn't talking much, since Yukimura is clearly trying to focus on the best order to show Atobe exactly how much he should regret challenging them. It doesn't matter that their conversation is minimal, though; it's a comfortable silence. Marui sits against the window where he can people watch and simply be a presence for him.
The world cup was a great experience, and one he's glad he got to be a part of. Thanks to that opportunity, he was able to evolve his tennis to the next level. It's also good to be home. Their tennis courts, their club, their homes. It's good to have Yagyuu and Jackal back in regular circulation with them. It's too bad for Yagyuu that Niou took off so quickly after, though... probably too bad for Yukimura, too. No doubt he'd have wanted to put Niou into the order were he here.
Jackal's approach prompts Marui to lift his eyebrows in curiosity. It was unusual for Jackal to go to Yukimura while he was in the middle of strategizing like this. Was there an issue with one of those first years that couldn't wait? Or...
Marui says nothing as the discussion starts, but his attention has shifted from the goings-on outside to Jackal. This air... is a little heavy. The gum bubble Marui is forming comes to a stop mid-blow.
"We aren't invincible."
He's said it now. There's no missing the shadow that crosses Yukimura's face in response, either. Jackal is Marui's best friend, and he knows he would only ever speak on behalf of the team's best interests... and Yukimura knows that too. That knowledge isn't doing as much for the room's tension as it should, though.
Perhaps that contributes to Jackal's decision to puncture it like a pin on a balloon with a cut straight to the point that makes clear both his idea and the real concern prompting it. Marui's eyes widen as that realization dawns.
This isn't about needing a reserve because Hyoutei may be too strong right now, is it? It's about needing to open a slot for the next captain to fill so Hyoutei isn't too strong next year. For all the underclassmen's sakes, Jackal is going to give up his last chance to--
Neither of them had said anything to each other when Yukimura announced the match, as it hardly needed saying. Their last match together as part of Rikkaidai Jr. High should have already been played, yet here was a chance for one more. With Niou gone, the likelihood of Jackal and himself playing one of the doubles matches was even higher than usual. Especially since-- as Jackal pointed out-- Yukimura would want to ensure victory against Hyoutei. Atobe wouldn't be a pushover opponent.
Now, as quickly as the opportunity had come, it seemed to be crumbling to dust between Jackal's own fingers. Marui's own feelings about that are something he hasn't even begun to process. His first focus is what this means for Jackal. This can't have been a sacrifice he made lightly. He didn't even get to participate in the World Cup with them!
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The world cup was a great experience, and one he's glad he got to be a part of. Thanks to that opportunity, he was able to evolve his tennis to the next level. It's also good to be home. Their tennis courts, their club, their homes. It's good to have Yagyuu and Jackal back in regular circulation with them. It's too bad for Yagyuu that Niou took off so quickly after, though... probably too bad for Yukimura, too. No doubt he'd have wanted to put Niou into the order were he here.
Jackal's approach prompts Marui to lift his eyebrows in curiosity. It was unusual for Jackal to go to Yukimura while he was in the middle of strategizing like this. Was there an issue with one of those first years that couldn't wait? Or...
Marui says nothing as the discussion starts, but his attention has shifted from the goings-on outside to Jackal. This air... is a little heavy. The gum bubble Marui is forming comes to a stop mid-blow.
"We aren't invincible."
He's said it now. There's no missing the shadow that crosses Yukimura's face in response, either. Jackal is Marui's best friend, and he knows he would only ever speak on behalf of the team's best interests... and Yukimura knows that too. That knowledge isn't doing as much for the room's tension as it should, though.
Perhaps that contributes to Jackal's decision to puncture it like a pin on a balloon with a cut straight to the point that makes clear both his idea and the real concern prompting it. Marui's eyes widen as that realization dawns.
This isn't about needing a reserve because Hyoutei may be too strong right now, is it? It's about needing to open a slot for the next captain to fill so Hyoutei isn't too strong next year. For all the underclassmen's sakes, Jackal is going to give up his last chance to--
Neither of them had said anything to each other when Yukimura announced the match, as it hardly needed saying. Their last match together as part of Rikkaidai Jr. High should have already been played, yet here was a chance for one more. With Niou gone, the likelihood of Jackal and himself playing one of the doubles matches was even higher than usual. Especially since-- as Jackal pointed out-- Yukimura would want to ensure victory against Hyoutei. Atobe wouldn't be a pushover opponent.
Now, as quickly as the opportunity had come, it seemed to be crumbling to dust between Jackal's own fingers. Marui's own feelings about that are something he hasn't even begun to process. His first focus is what this means for Jackal. This can't have been a sacrifice he made lightly. He didn't even get to participate in the World Cup with them!
Jackal...