"'--by Jackal,' you're saying," Yanagi finished in unison. He hadn't even calculated that answer. Jackal's head jerked up from where he was discussing defense with one of the more eagle-eyed second years, and Yanagi was ready for him, too.

"'Why me?'" he quoted, right along with him. Jackal lifted his eyebrows, because Yanagi was someone he could actually expect an answer from. Yanagi waved him off.

"Marui's the one I need for this task," he decided. "Jackal playing with a first year will excite enough comment that it's likely to impact the data when he realizes how unusual it is. Marui is the sort of person that no one will really take notice if he just decides to play with someone new. But Jackal, you'll be ready when it comes time to test him in doubles."

Jackal accepted that, and went back to his conversation.