"I absolutely will not," she said, sincere and firm. "But I do very much like the idea of a mixed doubles tournament, and I would hate to deprive you or Nami-san of it. If you think Marui-san is better suited, you do know best, but if you were interested and had to bow out because of your responsibilities, well, that would make me just a little bit sad."

She glanced towards the easternmost wall, as if expecting Nami to burst through it at any moment.

"Certainly I never contemplated skipping practice! Even if we go to observe doubles at Seigaku, I have asked Nami-san about how to make that up!!"