Chapter 2074: Won't go down without a fight (2)

"40-40. Deuce!"

A moment after the ball I managed to return to Fuyu's court roll just before the net, Akane's exhilarated voice rang out, announcing the current score.

On the other side, I saw Fuyu's astonished expression as the tennis racket in her hand trembled slightly. The ball that she was expecting to bounce high enough for her to receive actually lost its momentum causing it to fail to reach the height.

"... Ruki-kun. I'll take back my words. You should be the one called a prodigy, not that guy in our club. How did you do that?"

"If I say I got lucky... will you believe me?"

That's really something I accomplished in luck. I kept in mind all the advice she threw my way and then, it just so happened that I thought I could apply that spin in a split-second decision.

I think it was called a drop shot.

I even felt my chest constrict slightly, thinking it wouldn't get past the net.

But here... I succeeded.

"That's no luck! You applied your knowledge!" Fuyu shouted in exasperation.

Given that I also scored twice before that drop shot, her fervent emotion was more pronounced this time.

If my service game was broken easily because of my simple serves, this time, I played along with her own serves.

Naturally, I was still lacking but whenever I could stabilize the rally and create an opportunity for myself to try and score, Fuyu showed great surprise at my creativity.

I scratched my cheek and humbly smiled without saying anything more.

Akane, whose eyes were already brilliantly shining in excitement, chuckled, "Hehe... That's husband for you."

"Fuyu, did you know? He's also a total newbie in boxing and kendo back then. But for his goal to steal those girls, he picked those sports up and excelled enough to be noticed by them! If you ask those girls, you'll hear them praising his talents."

"I-is that true?" Fuyu turned to me for confirmation.

At this point, she's becoming more fascinated by the idea of bringing me to her world of tennis, and together, we're going to aim for the professional scene.

"Nah. Don't listen to Akane. She's blowing it out of proportion. However, I won't deny it. I picked those up to get close to them." I outright denied Akane's exaggeration.

However, Fuyu was already convinced.

"... I believe her. Ruki-kun. Show me more of your talent!"

"Well, I want to win so... I have no choice but to be more creative. It's all thanks to you though. Your golden advice is responsible for my creativity."

"Geez. A few words of advice can't turn someone into a genius. It's different from someone who achieves things through hard work. Ruki-kun... you have an outstanding athletic attribute. You'll most likely excel in anything."

Ah... There's no way I can change her mind now. But I'm not gonna lie, she's quite convincing. Still, I kept my foot on the ground preventing it from getting into my head. I don't care too much about what I can achieve in these sports. All I want is to enjoy the same thing as them.

Kendo with Otoha.

Boxing with Sena.

And now, tennis with Fuyu.

It's the same with the other girls... The business empire that Mizuki was trying to build with the two of us at the core was also the same. In the end, even if I could help her with that, I'd let her take all the glory for it.

Anyway, the game resumed soon enough. With the deuce at hand, there are only three serves left. As long as I score twice, I would win this game. On the same note, Fuyu only needed two more points to finish this match.

Can I really win against her?

For the next five minutes, sweat started dripping down our faces and soaking our clothes as the rally lasted longer and longer.

During the first serve in this deuce. Fuyu pulled out all the stops to try and earn her third service ace against me.

Thankfully, I reached it before it hit the wall. A minute-long rally then ensued.

As for the result... of course, it's her point.

On the second serve, I managed to clutch a point by holding onto the rally even when I twisted my ankle. I scored when I volleyed her lob shot, baiting me to smash it.

When that happened, the fighting spirit within her eyes returned and burned ever-so- brightly. I could feel the rise in tension that the pain from twisting my foot was already pushed down from my head.

I could endure that pain anyway and it's not so serious.

And now, we're down to the last serve.

"This is the moment of truth... Husband, Fuyu... Go for it!"

Akane, who was also infected by the fervor in our eyes, cheered for both of us.

Seconds later, Fuyu tossed the ball up high and started her final serve.

Swoosh!

Before the ball passed by the net, my feet already brought me to where it would land.

More sweat accumulated from my grip but I made sure not to let it get too loose.

And when the moment arrived, my grip tightened as I returned the ball back to her. "Good!" Fuyu enthusiastically shouted as I watched her victorious grin upon seeing the ball homing into her position.

With that... my expression automatically softened knowing what was about to come...

The fiery ball flew past me and then landed right before the baseline before continuing to

bounce out.

There's nothing to complain about.

It's a convincing loss.

"Game and match. Fuyu wins!"

Along with her loud clapping, Akane declared the winner before immediately jumping down from the umpire's seat to run towards me.

Perhaps expecting me to be down for losing against the two of them, she jumped in my arms

to comfort me.

Likewise, Fuyu forgot everything else. She even put down her racket before running to my

side of the court.

Watching her do that, I just opened my arms to receive her. With their heads sharing the space provided by my chest, I held the two of them tightly as I let them attempt to comfort me even though I didn't really need it.

Of course, because they could cry because of this, I already started patting their heads and caressing them affectionately.

As I raised their heads by lifting their chin, I put on a pleasant smile to calm their emotions

down.

"What are you two doing? I lost fair and square. I won't be a sore loser for that. The two of you didn't hold back against me, right? Then, that's more than enough."

Upon saying that, I gently wiped the corner of their eyes, removing the small tear that started

forming there.

"It was fun. Next time, I will win against the two of you."

"Eh... You cheeky husband."

"Is that going to be your goal now, Ruki-kun?"

"Not really, I just thought it's fun playing like this with the two of you. It's relaxing."

"Me too!"

"It's not relaxing at all! You almost break my service game! If that happens, I'll be ashamed!"

I laughed and pinched Fuyu's cheeks, deforming her serious expression. Yeah. The fire of competition was still burning in her eyes.

A moment later, the two girls also laughed with me as they continued to cling to me.

When a rare passerby saw us like this, he was confused and envious at the same time.

After our emotions calmed down a little, we started preparing to return to the house. With the two girls not wanting to let go of my arm, we became an early-morning attraction to our

neighborhood.