Stealing Spree

Like I had guessed once Sena rejoined me to conduct the lesson, everything ended smoothly.

Although I let the five volunteers try throwing jabs and apply what they learned, that was the extent of it. For the other students, I had them maintain a stance and develop their basic footwork.

As for the repetition of the right straight demonstration yesterday, I intentionally put it at the end of the lesson.

That way, the time allocated for the lesson was properly managed.

And when that time came, the whole gym crowded around as they watched my demonstration. Those who were somewhat obsessed with their punching strength had their eyes peeled. They even took out notepads to jot down whatever they would see.

Surprisingly... Although it’s not as strong as yesterday, it was still too close to it.

Amidst the ringing of chains was a pin drop silence that lasted for more than five seconds before those loudmouths, especially the three idiots, screamed until their throat hurt.

Because I repeated it and it was still close to yesterday, saying that it was still a fluke became impossible.

Those guys from the changing room earlier couldn’t help but rush forward to check on the heavy bag as well as my arm as if they’re trying to find out what’s the secret behind the force I could exert. Too bad though, I also didn’t know the reason, even if it’s my own body. All I did was deliver that punch like everyone knowledgeable in boxing or just throwing punches.

In any case, if at first, they only knew me as Sena’s trainer and boyfriend, after that demonstration, I earned my own reputation among the members of the gym that they’re even offering me to spar with them. Be it a man or a woman.

They’re quite open with that as long as there’s not a huge difference in physique and weight.

Apart from that, my students who watched it for the second time were still so amazed at me that they began asking me if I would conduct lessons during weekdays. Even some of the vocal mothers asked that.

Unfortunately, even if it was Hisa-jii or Coach Ayu who would try to persuade me, I wouldn’t set aside the weekdays. Besides this was only a part-time job in name. I didn’t even have the true qualification to become an instructor.

There’s some kind of test for that at the Boxing Association to be verified and get an instructor license issued by them.

And that’s something Hisa-jii and Coach Ayu possessed.

Furthermore, even if they wanted me to get that license, the test only happens once a year.

So, there’s that.

After finishing and dismissing the class, my girls followed Sena to the changing room while I followed Coach Ayu to her office.

This time, Hisa-jii didn’t appear. He only nodded contentedly at me when we passed by him.

“Like yesterday. It’s a perfect lesson. Even Hisa-jii was speechless that he won’t bother correcting you now.”

Once inside, although it’s not that apparent, Coach Ayu’s tone was kind of flat as if she didn’t want to deal with me any longer.

She went ahead to one of the purposes why I would be here. Evaluating my lesson.

“Thank you. Truthfully, I will not claim it perfect with my effort alone. Coach and Sena helped me a lot.”

“Stop being humble, Onoda-kun.”

“If that’s how you see it then I will not argue anymore.”

“Un... Here’s your share then. There are 40 students and there’s additional pay for you inside it. Two of the mothers bought a membership. Because of you, they’re now eager to come back and train in this gym. Thanks to you, they will also be my client during weekdays.”

Coach Ayu handed me an envelope that was thicker than yesterday.

It’s filled with 1000-yen bills after all.

“That’s great. Coach will not look too bored now.”

“Huh? Who says I’m bored?” Coach Ayu questioned in reflex.

I clearly saw how she seemed surprised that I pointed that out.

Although my focus was on Sena, being near us most of the time whenever I was here, it’s unavoidable for her to be under my observation.

My observation skill was working automatically after all.

“Your expression. Ever since I returned here for Sena, there were times where I saw it on your face, Coach. Not just boredom. Aren’t you feeling lonely as well?”

“... Stop looking at any other woman aside from Sena.”

It took her a few seconds of silence but in the end, she brushed away what I said and focused on the fact that I was looking at her.

“I know. Just that... It’s inevitable when you’re always in my line of sight. In a way, Coach is also my older sister. The same way Sena treats you.”

At this point, Coach Ayu sat back down on her chair and lowered her head, not daring to meet my gaze again.

“I must have said a lot... If I offended Coach in any way earlier and this time, I apologize.”

I was the one talking to her earlier after all. If I ignored the reason why she fell silent then... I might be likened to that coward.

Given how she fell silent instead of brushing it away earlier as well as how she even tried to remind me not to believe Sena’s teasing words earlier, it’s most likely partly true.

That Coach is interested in me but because of Sena, she also didn’t want to express it.

Well, just the way she’s watching over my every movement these past two days was an obvious clue. Even if she put Sena’s name in front, it’s easy to reveal it as her excuse to hide her true aim.

However, I hadn’t noticed that at all or rather, I was the one treating that as nothing.

Because for me, I truly look up to her as an older sister who’s always there to guide Sena. And I for some matters.

I was teasing her because of how amused I was at her reactions. Even if all of her reactions were almost the same, seeing the confident and strong older sister getting flustered was a fine treat.

When I returned here, I mentioned not seeing her as a target last year. However, now that what’s limiting me to like her was gone, I was carefully trying not to entertain that idea.

Even now, I could say that’s still the case. And that’s because I knew for myself that once I recognized and accepted that I also like her... I would get her for myself given how greedy I was.

At the moment, I could still restrict myself but with Coach Ayu acting like this... I couldn’t just turn around and leave... Unless she asked me to.

“What are you apologizing for? Go back to Sena now. We’re done here.”

... And there we have it.

Perhaps noticing that I still hadn’t turned around and left the room even if she fell silent, Coach Ayu directed me to the door without raising her head.

“You know what I’m apologizing for, Coach. In any case, I’ll listen to Coach’s words. Thank you and see you next week. I’ll be sending a draft of my lesson for next week this Tuesday. I will ask Coach to look at it for me.”

After saying that, I turned around and left her room without halting my steps.

Is this fine? Perhaps. I was probably assuming all the things that run in my head anyway. I still had that habit of overthinking.

Moreover, I still had a lot on my plate to even entertain the idea. In a way, we still had a good relationship, whether it was as Sena’s trainer, one of my bosses here and a great sister I looked up to.

Like earlier, I changed to my previous clothes in the changing room dedicated to men.

Once I entered, the three idiots were still there discussing amongst themselves. As to their topic? I had no idea. I just knew that it’s not about my girls or how they wanted to appeal to the women in the class.

“You three. You’re not from the nearby high school, aren’t you?” I asked, butting into their conversation.

Upon hearing that, the three seemed as if they saw a ghost as they exclaimed in chorus. “Onoda-sensei!”

My question had its validity. If they’re from the same high school as my girls, there’s no way none of my girls here were unknown to them.

“Y-yes!” With the two acting cowardly behind him, the leader who’s the most healthy among them answered while stuttering. “We’re actually only passing by. We’re from the high school outside this city.”

“I see. Try to relax, alright? Do I look like I will bite you? You’re my students. I’ll turn the three of you into great boxers.” I put on a smile as I tapped their shoulders with the intent of encouraging them.

I had to shape them into boxing idiots rather than just ordinary idiots after all.

“Uh, thanks?”

“That’s too low of an enthusiasm you showed there. Anyway, let me give you some advice. If you want a girl to like you, don’t act like idiots. Or perverts for that matter. That’s how you appeared earlier, have you noticed?”

With widened eyes, the three looked and questioned each other to confirm if that’s the case.

And as a result, the three drooped their heads low.

“Alright, you don’t have to be that down. Come back next week. I’ll give you more advice. But take note, I want you to focus on my lessons and not on the girls. Can you promise that?”

“If... If we can get more advice from you... then we promise!” With their eyes full of enthusiasm, the three eagerly nodded their heads like broken toys.

I still hated other guys buzzing around my girls but those three... they could be turned into boxing idiots. Coach Ayu would surely be delighted if they ended up buying a membership.

After I finished changing, I met up with Sena and the other girls outside the gym. The sun had just begun to set on the horizon.