Stealing Spree

As soon as they finished with the exercises, I had them sit down to listen to me for a while as I explained the concept of the next lesson.

Naturally, to keep it in line with the name of the program, the next lesson after giving them the set of exercises that they needed to follow to improve their stamina and to keep their bodies in an active state, I began with the important skills when taking up boxing.

With their ears perked up, ready to listen to me, I carefully listed the important things to remember about boxing.

Namely stance, footwork and punches.

After explaining their importance one by one, I did some kind of a quiz for all of my students to gather engagement in the lesson. Asking them which was the most important among the three and why did they think that it was the most important.

I could ask them one by one but that would just take up most of our time so I picked randomly rather than get them to raise their hands.

Following that, we then moved on to the demonstration.

Since there were three idiots and the request of those guys from the changing room earlier, I asked Coach Ayu to help me again.

But truthfully, since Miyako, Eimi and Chii followed me here today, I also wanted to show off to them.

“Do you really have to show that off again? Why didn’t you inform me about it?” Coach Ayu couldn’t help but raise a question as I followed her to the side of the gym where the boxing gloves were placed.

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Demonstrating another right straight wasn’t part of the lesson I presented to her yesterday so she didn’t prepare a glove beside her and I also didn’t bandage my hand.

Due to that, I had to excuse myself and called Sena who’s already finished with her set of exercises to continue the lesson for me.

She actually presented to help me wear the gloves. However, Coach Ayu stopped her and just told her to take my place for a while.

Whether there’s another meaning to that or not, I had no idea. I followed her with only the thought of wearing the gloves in mind.

“I apologize, Coach. You see...” I narrated what happened in the changing room.

And upon hearing that, Coach Ayu facepalmed and silently muttered, ‘Those muscleheads...’

“Honestly, given that what you measured yesterday was lower than you expected, I don’t think I can produce the same effect.”

“What I measured was close to my estimate. You’re probably just out of gas after being mentally tired from the lesson you conducted.”

As we reached the corner where the gloves and bandages for hands were stored, it was already hard to see what’s happening at the location of my lesson. I had them sit down and there were the pieces of equipment bordering the square area designated for the lesson.

“Sit down.” Coach Ayu pointed at the long bench after picking a red pair of gloves and a roll of bandage.

Following her words, we sat down side by side before stretching my arm towards her.

Using the roll of bandage, she grabbed my hand and began to cover my knuckle with it.

“This should be the last of your showing off, Onoda-kun. You’re distracting the lesson. But given how popular you are to them even if it’s just the 2nd lesson, I can make a leeway once or twice if it’s truly needed.” Coach Ayu opened the conversation once more while her eyes were extremely focused on my fist.

She’s using both of her hands so I could clearly feel the calluses on her dotting her palms and fingers. That just showed the dedication she’s continuing to put into boxing even after getting the injury.

But looking at her closely like this, she’s also just a woman with her own passion that no one could replace.

If there’s ‘baseball idiot’ as a term for someone who would be too crazy about baseball, then there’s this woman who couldn’t give up on her passion for boxing even if she was already robbed of the chance to stand on the ring once more.

Even those two rounds she sparred against me to test my skill were already pushing herself near her limit. Moreover, I even exploited that weakness of hers to arrive at that final result.

That’s why I was not only grateful to her, but I also admired her. At the expense of her injury being forced open again, she presented me with a chance to show my talent or what I could do in this field.

However, with these past meetings of ours, I was continuously teasing her whenever I got the chance... I guess I should stop doing that, huh?

Uh... To think I could realize this at this moment... that’s kind of out of nowhere.

Or not.

It was probably the influence of everything that happened ever since arriving here earlier. From how I noticed that I was already on her radar even before I approached Sena last year, Sena teasing and joking about Coach Ayu liking me, and the constant intense glare she’s showering me.

For the duration that I was here, she’s among everything that was running inside my mind.

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind. And sorry for the trouble, Coach.”

“You better be.” Coach Ayu scoffed before producing a smirk on her lips.

After a few minutes, she finished bandaging both of my fists and began fitting the gloves before tying them carefully.

And all this time, her concentration was all focused on that.

“Onoda-kun. Whatever Sena said earlier, forget about it. That’s just her trying to tease me.”

On our way back to my lesson area, Coach Ayu silently whispered next to me.

Upon hearing that, I somehow reflexively answered without thinking. “I understand. But I can’t help it when you’re intensely looking at me, coach.”

Only after the last word left my mouth did I notice that... I teased her again.

And this was after vowing to stop doing that earlier...

I’m truly hopeless.

I expected Coach Ayu to just brush my words away. However, I was met with her silence.

When I turned my head slightly, Coach Ayu’s reddened ears were the first thing I noticed. That’s because of how she also turned her head to the side.

Perhaps to hide whatever face she was wearing at the moment.

And just like this, we returned to my lesson area with an awkward silence filling the distance between us.

When Sena saw us returning, she first looked at me before switching her gaze towards her beloved coach and sister.

“Ruki, what did you do to Coach Ayu?” With a playful smile on her lips, Sena immediately asked in a whisper as soon as I reached her.

“I also have no idea. Or rather, I have no idea that her reaction will be like that. On our way back, I asked her a question.” I answered truthfully.

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And upon hearing that, Sena’s playful smile grew wider as she tapped my shoulder. “Is that so? Mhm... Alright. The floor is yours again.”

Soon afterward, Sena moved away and sat down next to Coach Ayu who still couldn’t look straight at me.

Knowing Sena’s character, it’s easy to guess that she would try to get Coach Ayu’s side of the story. And I could rely on her to calm her down...

Although silence reigned while we’re walking back, I felt the boiling tension and awkwardness from Coach Ayu.

Let’s just hope it won't be carried over when I report to them in that room later.