Chapter 2053: A Huge Step Forward

"You don't have to focus completely on the techniques of returning the ball, Onoda-kun. What you have to watch out for at first is to gauge the spin of the ball accurately. Even if only briefly, it can allow you to accurately control where you want the ball to land on the other side of the court. However, that, in itself, is already an advanced skill for a tennis player."

Though flustered at first, Fuyu's speed of recovery was really impressive. As long as it concerned tennis, she'd become like Sumire when it came to preaching about Asahi.

I couldn't help but imagine her wearing thick-rimmed glasses while donning an outfit consisting of a sleeveless but frilly loose-fit blouse, a pencil skirt with a long slit at the side showing her thighs, and a pair of black stockings.

Yeah. That's quite an image of a strict teacher who would pull out a whip to discipline her student.

Alright. I should stop my head from wandering and listen closely to this girl.

"I understand. Can you show it to me? I get applying a spin on the ball but to do it in a high- pace game will probably be challenging."

"Indeed. It's challenging! But once you get used to it, you can consider yourself having graduated as a newbie when it comes to tennis. Here. Let me demonstrate."

Fuyu joyfully grinned. Coaching me and seeing I'm not getting confused is really fueling her enthusiasm.

This goes to show how much she loves the sport. I should educate myself more about it. Even superficial knowledge can get her riled up, after all.

And seeing her having fun like this is also something I yearned to see.

As I watched her pull a racket and a tennis ball from her sports bag that Akane brought over from the living room, I walked towards her and stood by her side to get a clear view of how she was going to do it.

Upon noticing me, the girl momentarily got flustered again. She inhaled deeply to recover from it.

Seeing that, I couldn't help but reach for her hair hanging at the side of her face and tuck it back behind her ear.

Realizing what I did, her earlobe seemingly heated up as it gradually turned pink. A moment later, she pouted at me.

"Onoda-kun, don't do that. It tickles."

"My bad. My hand moved on its own."

Fuyu was naturally not convinced by that. She narrowed her eyes, trying to gauge my poker face.

A few seconds later, she shook her head.

"Psh. You're lying. You always take every chance you get to fawn on me."

"Is that how it appears to you?"

"What do you think? You're becoming more mischievous as days pass. I said I'll scold you after I processed all of what happened but..." Fuyu trailed her voice there. Most likely, she's holding back her true thoughts from leaking completely.

Unfortunately for her, I saw that as an opportunity to press forward.

"But what?"

"Ugh. Forget it. Let's get back on topic! I'll demonstrate. You watch! You asked for this. We'll be playing against each other tomorrow so... I want you to do your best."

Fuyu curled her lips and rolled her eyes at me before taking a step forward. She widened the distance between us. But well, chasing after her was easy so I didn't mind and let it go.

"Alright. I promise. I won't distract you anymore."

"Great! If you do well... I..."

This girl... Just when I was already prepared to stop teasing her, she went and acted like this.

Looking at her hesitation and the way her face once again took on the crimson color, it's clearly something that involves both of us. Or specifically, our closeness.

"Hmm?" I tilted my head at her.

Fuyu mustered her courage before muttering silently

"... I'll hug you."

Almost instantly, the girl turned her face to the front without even trying to see my reaction to it.

She's losing her composure again. As her voice echoed within my ear, replaying what she just said, my lips stretched into a grin.

"That's some great source of motivation for me."

"Sheesh. Get serious, Onoda-kun. I'll only demonstrate each type of spin once. Try to do it yourself after me."

"Yes, Yuuki-sensei."

"Mou... I don't care anymore. Here I go! Don't blink and miss it!"

Looking at her becoming agitated, it's really made me relish how great a feeling it is to tease my girls. Their reactions are to die for.

In any case, I still set that thought aside to watch carefully.

She said she's only going to show it once. I better get serious about winning against both of them tomorrow.

I know. My chances will probably only increase by a few percent but if it will show that I don't treat the match with them lightly, I better not slack off.

And with this, Fuyu started her demonstration.

It took her at least five minutes before she finished. Despite saying she'd only going to show it once, the girl wasn't heartless and repeated it a few more times until she saw me getting

enlightened.

How sweet of her.

Akane also popped in halfway to check on our progress. But she didn't stay too long. She said

she was going to prepare the bathtub too. She's planning to take one with Fuyu.

As for me, I guess I'll dip in their bathwater later. Mhm. What a pervert.

"Here. It's your turn, Onoda-kun."

After picking up the ball that rolled back to her after hitting the wall, Fuyu returned to my

side. She handed me the ball and then whispered encouragement.

"I know you can do it, Onoda-kun. I saw it in your eyes. You're really trying to learn."

"Mhm. I hope so. It'll be a waste if I fail to get that hug."

"Shameless..." Despite her words, Fuyu heartily giggled.

Ah. No doubt. This girl already captured my heart...

Ten minutes and hundreds of tries later, I turned around with a proud grin plastered on my face.

The ball was still rolling back after hitting the wall but I couldn't help but rejoice right away.

I finally succeeded. My hands were quivering slightly from gripping the racket handle and my sweat continued to line down my face. But still, I finished the task of executing the different

spins on the ball.

Topspin.

Backspin.

Sidespin.

Slice.

Granted that I only accomplished it while remaining stationary but with Fuyu's gentle yet effective instructions, I feel like I can also do those albeit rarely when we play tomorrow. "Congratulations, Onoda-kun. You really did it!"

Fuyu was generous. She didn't put me down even though I took a lot of tries. And judging from the joyful look on her face, she's really happy about that accomplishment. "As long as you remember how each spin affects the ball, your errors will be minimized. Naturally, you also have to watch out for how your opponents will apply those spins."

"Mhm. I want to say go easy on me tomorrow but... It won't be fun, right? Don't hold back

against me."

"I won't. I promise... So, Onoda-kun... Do your best too."

"You bet. It's for Akane's sake. On top of that, I don't want to be rude to the sport you love. I appreciate this a lot, Yuuki-san."

"Hehe, thank you... But Onoda-kun, we're not done yet." For a change, Fuyu put on a playful

smile.

This girl... Alright. Have I not teased her enough?

"Sure. Teach me more, sensei."

"Mou... There you go again. Onoda-kun, don't you want my promise?" She cutely puffed up her cheeks again but at the next moment, her voice lowered as she murmured that last part.

Slowly but surely, the girl's arms spread open as though inviting me for a hug.

"I do," I answered.

At the next moment, my feet swiftly moved, closing the gap between us. Before committing to it, our gazes locked at each other. The girl was fidgeting a little as though she was feeling uneasy but at the same time, there was a hint of anticipation in her

eyes.

"Be gentle, Onoda-kun." She sweetly whispered.

I responded with a nod and took the last step, entering the range of her arms.

At the same time as Fuyu enclosed me in her embrace, my arms also locked her in. One of my

hands pressed on her back and the other on her head, gently caressing her.

"... This feels weird, Onoda-kun. I can't calm down..."

"It's fine. You'll get used to this in the future."

"What do you mean in the future? Bad..."

"Well, I already confessed to you. Unless you turn me down, I will always try to get close to

you like this."

"W-what confession? That doesn't count! Besides..."

Sensing that she was about to bring up Akane again, I cut her off right away.

"Alright. Let's forget about it for now. Isn't this my reward?"

"Okay... Only this once." Fuyu looked up at me. Her eyes trembled furiously. A second later,

she lowered her gaze and then tightened her embrace until her head had no choice but to rest

against my chest.

I continued caressing her hair and back, holding her affectionately.

We're not done yet but this is already a huge step forward.