Stealing Spree

Although Fuyu probably felt a little embarrassed about what she did last, she hid it from her face before Akane or the others could see her. It was like she put on a mask that veiled her embarrassment.

Nonetheless, that didn't stop Eri and Futaba from being curious. And with Akane just sitting there with her meaningful smile that seemed to say 'I didn't tell them anything', it fell back on us to satisfy their curiosity.

Fuyu was prepared for it. Even when I readied myself to back her up just in case she stuttered or found it difficult to answer, the need to step up didn’t come at all.

And since there was already a considerable distance between us, I didn’t catch what she told them. However, I managed to pick up Eri and Futaba staring at me as though they learned something new about me.

They didn’t come to ask me about it though. Furthermore, Akane who was watching closely found that amusing. Most likely, she could already guess what Fuyu told them.

In any case, speculating about it was unneeded. It was probably harmless. Otherwise, the two girls would already flank me to ask if what Fuyu said was true.

A few minutes later, the tennis match proceeded as planned.

Just like yesterday, the venue was bustling as the sport generated more interest in people. It’s only second to the crowd favorite, baseball.

We were lucky to still get a seat for the girls.

Anyway, as the athletes started preparing for their matches, the officials of the match began preparing.

They announced the format of the competition.

Two doubles. Three singles match.

They’re all one-set matches except the last one which would be a three-set match.

It would be an ace matchup where the strongest of each team would battle it out to determine the winner – in case the score tied 2-2

And according to my meager knowledge of the sport, it followed the traditional rule of ‘game-set-match’.

A game was the usual play of taking points by having the ball bounce twice in their opponents’ field.

A set was just the tally of how many games were won. The first side to take six games wins the set but if both sides took five games each, that would extend until one side leads by two games.

And from what I heard, it’s quite normal for a group competition like this to play all five matches.

But I guess that was useless information as this would be my first time watching an official tennis match. Furthermore, although we were going to cheer for their club, only Fuyu was relevant to me.

Time quickly passed. The first match ended with their school’s victory, pushing them to take the lead.

It hyped up the court and the surrounding audience. However, no matter how intense the match turned out, I just couldn’t focus on that match.

Maybe I wasn’t that interested in it?

I tried to understand the rules though because I would have that practice match with Akane and Fuyu. Unfortunately, in terms of my interest in the sport itself, I could only say that playing it would be equivalent to good cardio and leg exercise.

As the second doubles match started, I pulled out my phone, checking in on Nami and the others.

They already arrived at the same venue as yesterday. She sent me a photo of them picking up seats close to the court. That way, the banners they made would be easier to see.

And with most of our classmates there, Chii and Saki took up the task of securing spots for me and the girls that I would be bringing later.

Ah. Right, Haruko and the other girls were also there.

When I checked on my lovely koala, she told me how she was feeling dizzy because of how large the crowd was. Thankfully, Haruko could calm her down.

I ended up promising her that I’d sit alongside her later…

And it’s the same with Himeko who wasn’t as good with a crowd. Maaya was there so I could also rest easy for now.

By the time I put my phone back in my pocket, the second match had already ended.

As expected, the other side won.

For the third match, as she’s the rising star of their tennis club, Fuyu stepped up to play the first singles match.

Somehow, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the air around her. Compared to her frail figure earlier, the girl seemingly switched to a battle-hardened warrior who could probably smash those tennis balls, drilling into the ground. However, even if that’s the case, she looked more graceful than any of the tennis players who played until now.

Due to that, the majority of the audience also found themselves enthralled by her. It didn’t matter whether they were cheering for the other team or not, they all seemed to stop breathing for a second to admire the girl’s beauty.

“If looks can score a point, she’ll win by a landslide.” At the side of my girls, I heard Yua, the fashion model, commenting while sighing in amazement

And soon, the others followed up, giving their evaluation of Fuyu. However, when they were done praising the girl for her appearance, they all turned their heads to me.

Yep. They also wanted to hear my opinion. And given what happened earlier, they clearly wanted to know how I viewed Akane’s best friend with my meticulous eyes.

I scratched my head and smiled before offering them my honest thoughts, “Mhm. I won’t deny that. She looked so dazzling out there. She concealed herself well by hiding behind Akane’s radiance.”

One by one, the girls burst out either laughing or giggling. They found my choice of words amusing.

“She hid behind Akane, huh? That’s a great evaluation, darling. I also didn’t notice her that much back then.” Aoi spoke next. She even switched seats with Ria to reach me.

Following that, she leaned close to my ear, “So, shall we expect her to become one of us? If I’m not wrong, she’s already attracted to you, darling.”

“That’s too early to say… I’m not that interested in her yet.”

“Heh. You say that but you’re already looking out for her. Darling, stop fooling yourself.”

This unruly girl… Am I fooling myself? No, right?

“... Knowing you, you won’t go out of your way to be that protective of someone else other than those you favored. You calmed her down earlier, no?”

Aoi continued but without waiting for my response to that, she retreated and returned to her seat. Ria facepalmed at that before also offering me some words, “Dumb-senpai, don’t take Aoi’s words too seriously. You know how she likes to get back at teasing you.”

“Mhm. I know. But Ria, you’re curious too, right?”

“... I am. I trust you though. You might be my Dumb-senpai but you’re not an idiot.”

Wait. Isn’t that incomplete? That didn’t clear up anything, no?

Anyway, I patted the girl’s head as we both brought our focus back to the court.

The third match was already about to start. And as expected, Fuyu got the first serve.

With everyone’s eyes trained on her, the girl dribbled the ball a few times before confidently tossing the ball up. Then, as she started the motion of swinging her tennis racket down, her wrist moved a little, adjusting her aim.

In a blink of an eye, along with the sound of the ball bouncing off from the strings of her racket, the ball whistled through the air as it passed over the net and hurtled down the ground with an incredible spin.

As it bounced off once again, her opponent readied herself to receive it.

However, perhaps having miscalculated the strength Fuyu used on it, her racket failed to reach the ball as it broke past behind her.

Silence immediately ensued among the spectators but the umpire who witnessed that immediately made the call.

“Service Ace! 15-0!”