Stealing Spree
chapter-2052

Truthfully, I'm still not confident with my tennis basics. I mean, how long has it been since Akane gifted me the racket? It has only been two weeks at most. And all I did for practice was to swing it a few hundred times in the morning plus a little more whenever I'd get some free time before resting at night.

Even after watching Fuyu's tennis matches during the Interhigh, I only managed to pick up a few pointers from there. I must say, that match between Fuyu and Michiru-senpai was the highest level I've seen if I don't count the recorded matches or clips I've seen of pro tennis players.

Am I going to be crushed by her service aces tomorrow? Most likely...

In any case, I never considered backing out of it. I promised them, after all.

Even if it's just to encourage Akane to pick up a hobby she can enjoy apart from being my in- training housewife, I will gladly become her stepping stone.

As for Fuyu, let's just say I'm curious to see if she's still going to be flustered facing me. She's like a different person inside a tennis court, after all.

It's like Otoha with and without her shinai.

She's cool and scary with it while she's charmingly beautiful without it.

What I will be relying on tomorrow is my physical fitness.

When it comes to speed and strength, I surely outclass both Fuyu and Akane. That's my advantage as a man, I guess... And maybe my constant physical training.

As for my control... we'll see tomorrow.

Yeah. Looks like my doom won't just be because of her service aces. Faults and outs are going to be a hurdle for me. So what if I can return the ball? Can I even utilize the different styles and types of attacks? Slices, drop shots, lobs and spikes.

Alright. Let's not overthink it and just put on a positive mindset for them.

"Husband, if you want me to pick up a hobby... You have to beat me in our match."

As we joined Fuyu in the living room, our conversation easily went to that topic. It's also great since when it comes to tennis, Fuyu recovered her composure right away.

At the moment, she didn't even mind me pulling her to my side. She got a little conscious of it but considering I didn't overly touch her, she accepted this closeness. And little by little, she became like Akane. She's now leaning close to me where I can smell her wonderful fragrance.

"Akane, isn't that unfair for Onoda-kun?"

Surprisingly, Fuyu defended me. I looked at her and saw that she meant it.

Knowing that I was a complete novice in tennis, her expectation wasn't really that high no matter how much she believed in me.

Well, that's normal so I don't mind it. In fact, I kinda like being defended like this.

"Boo. Then why don't you help him win against me, Fuyu? You can do it, right? Coach him tonight." Akane pursed her lips as a sly smile momentarily appeared on her face.

No matter how I looked at this... This girl found another loophole. With this, if Fuyu accepted, it could not be considered helping me get closer to her best friend. It's just the result of my suggestion for her to take up a hobby.

"Eh? Tonight... What can we accomplish with so little time?"

Fuyu was stumped at first. She looked at the clock and tilted her head. She's not really against Akane's suggestion to help me. She's just afraid that it's not going to be helpful at all.

Without losing any steam when it came to lifting me, Akane boasted more. She even grabbed my arm and showed Fuyu why toned muscles.

"It's fine. If someone can be called a genius, only husband is qualified for it."

Fuyu blushed a little but she didn't look away.

"You and your confidence for Onoda-kun... Uhm, what do you think?"

"Well, if it's not going to trouble you, I'll listen to your coaching tonight, Yuuki-san."

Is it even possible to reject it? Besides, this will be good too. Rather than go at it blindly, listening to someone who takes the sport seriously can be enlightening.

Upon hearing my agreement, Akane instantly rejoiced before she smugly declared.

"Hehe. There, husband. I even got you a capable coach. You have to beat me. No excuses."

This silly girl... Her methods are indeed applaudable. Hina can learn a thing or two from her. Or they can work together and hatch more terrifying schemes.

"No problem. That's what I'm planning to do. I can't let you waste your potential as well. While I love the image of you being my devoted housewife, it will be more perfect if you can also have something you can be proud of."

"Eh. But it's going to be a hobby."

"Oh? Then, Yuuki-san. What do you think of Akane's potential? Can she be as good as you?"

"Without putting any bias, she can be a regular in our team! You must have heard this already but I had a match against her and Fujimura-senpai. Both of them are great. If they put in time for practice then... We can all represent our school in the next Interhigh!"

Such a high evaluation. And she even praised Yae too. These girls... Even though that match was only for exhibition since they had nothing to do back then, they clearly didn't just play willy-nilly under Fuyu's strictness.

"See. Hear that, wife?"

"Now you're teaming up against me? Hmph. Go and get Fuyu to coach you, husband. We'll see who gets the last laugh tomorrow." Akane puffed up her cheeks, acting unhappily.

She then pushed us out of the seat.

Fuyu and I looked at each other helplessly.

Well, whether it was an act or not, Akane found the perfect chance to send us away.

Before we could reply to her, she already stood up and went to the kitchen.

Shortly after, Akane's voice traveled to the living room.

"Don't just stand there, you two. I'll make the tea and also prepare some snacks. Grab this opportunity."

With that, Fuyu turned to me, waiting for my cue.

I nodded at her and then started moving to the mini gym.

Before exiting the living room, I looked back to see Akane wink at me. What a mischievous

girl.

I'll tease her a lot later.

As we entered the room, I noticed Fuyu who was still fine a second ago started tensing up.

Yeah. There's no need to guess.

This girl realized that we were now alone.

I thought for a moment and then turned around to face her.

"Should I get my racket, Yuuki-san?" I asked in an attempt to pull her out of distracting

thoughts.

She immediately flinched and stood in attention before rigidly nodding. "Y-yeah. That will be

better. I can show you some tips."

I smiled at her and walked away to get it.

I stored it here in this room since I practiced here.

When I returned to her with the racket, Fuyu was already sweating bullets.

What I did wasn't enough to cool her down.

Looking at her dazed stare that seemed to be focused on my back when I wasn't facing her

earlier, I could imagine how lost in her thoughts she was.

There's no more trace of her ice-flower personality.

It's like spring arrived for her, thawing those blocks of ice that covered her whole body.

Deciding not to disturb her, I just stood in front of her, admiring her beauty.

Will we really get some coaching done here? Hopefully.

In any case, she's going to return to normal soon. She can't be stuck here in a daze right? Otherwise, I will have to use my method to wake her up.

As much as I wanted to dote on her like I did with my girls, I didn't want to rush it again like last week. It's still much better for her to come to terms with her feelings than force her to

decide.

A minute later, Fuyu suddenly quivered as her eyes perked up. Upon meeting my gaze and then finding me already holding the racket, a sense of shame once again occupied her face.

"T-that... Why didn't you say you're back, Onoda-kun?"

"What do you mean? I didn't go anywhere. Besides... I think I also get lost admiring a certain

someone."

"Y-you! That's not what I was--"

Fuyu flipped out but then stopped halfway, realizing that making an excuse was futile when I

already caught her.

She lowered her gaze and then took a step forward.

Upon reaching the hem of my shirt, she murmured, "... Let's not get distracted, Onoda-kun. I

have to coach you, right?"

With her head this close to me, it became irresistible not to pat her.

And so, before replying to her, my hand already rested on her crown, caressing her gently,

"Mhm. You're right. Let's get started, Yuuki-sensei."

"Don't call me sensei, mou..." Fuyu cutely puffed up her cheeks.

Alright. Thankfully, I could still muster my self-restraint. Or else... I might just push her down

with how adorable she was acting here.