Chapter 497: What is your relationship with them?

“I understand. About the plans for tomorrow… can you look at this, coach?”

Contrary to what flashed my mind, I didn’t make a reaction to what she said. Instead, I moved onto the next part of why I was here.

I also expected that some of those who were observing us would join the program after all. I aimed for that to happen so it’s not that surprising.

After saying that, we moved to her table where I presented the exercises that the enrollees would do tomorrow. It’s just a revision of what she sent to me last week.

That’s why letting her agree to it after explaining the purpose of those I modified, we’re done with our little meeting.

When it comes to anything related to boxing, Coach Ayu was actually similar to Ishida-senpai. Her focus would be on it and not anywhere else.

However, I was different. My mind often wandered to other things. And being in this close proximity with her, I began noticing the slight changes in her person.

Last week, I teased her about my wish for her to get a man for herself before I leave this room and it resulted in her raging from behind me.

Today, her concern over Sena was somewhat over the top. Or not over Sena. But about my relationship with her. The way she’s keeping an eye out for her was quite different than before.

Well, I could attribute it to how she saw Akane and the other girls too close to me when we arrived. It’s probably just her looking out for her protégé.

“Everything’s great. With the style of teaching you showed today, it will definitely go well.”

With her approval, the lesson for tomorrow was already set in stone.

Afterward, I spent a few more minutes just talking to Coach Ayu. With the two of us alone in this room, Coach Ayu actually brought up what I did last time. But to her annoyance, I acted forgetfully and played innocent as if I didn’t say those words at all.

In the end, the former Olympic-level boxer could only give up on taking revenge from my snide remark back then. She would just annoy herself if she continued.

“Well then, Coach. I will be going.”

And around five minutes later, our talk ended and I prepared to go out.

However, her voice stopped me again with a question. “Wait, Onoda-kun. What is your relationship with those girls?”

“Huh? Didn’t they already answer it?” I answered without actually answering her question. Earlier Sena was the one who answered who they were and I didn’t say anything.

When Sena and I went ahead, she probably also asked them about it to confirm.

However, just looking at her eyes and the seriousness in her voice, she’s not convinced with only hearing their answers that denied any involvement with me.

“They did. But I want to hear your own answer.”

As expected…

This woman... If this continues, I will be checkmated.

Like I always do, I will never deny my relationship with my girls. I can downplay it by not answering directly but with this situation, will this woman even accept it?

She’s someone who already deduced part of my personality. She’s aware that I’m usually frank and honest.

So with me trying to dodge her question, it will just raise her suspicion.

If that’s the case, then I have no choice, right?

Turning my body to face her once more, I delivered my answer. “If I tell you that they’re all my girlfriends, will Coach Ayu believe me?”

“That… That’s impossible. Even for you.”

“Un. If that’s how the coach sees it then…” I trailed my voice and shrugged.

As expected, answering with the truth and asking if they would believe it, most of those on the normal side of society would instantly deny it. Saving me the trouble of trying to skirt away from suspicion.

“Coach Ayu should really get herself a man. Those guys are wasting their chance to have a pretty girlfriend like you.”

It’s truly a waste of opportunity for them. But I guess the reason why she cannot find a man is also because of herself. She’s not actually looking for one. Or she’s not going out enough to look for one. She’s probably the type who will just wait for the right man to arrive in her life.

“There you go again! I’m not looking for one anymore!”

See that? Either way, I see her as an older sister just like how Sena treats her. A teasable older sister.

“Is that so? Then why is Coach Ayu too interested in my relationship?”

“It’s not about you, idiot. It’s about Sena.”

“If it’s about her then Coach Ayu can rest assured that I’m taking care of her. You noticed it earlier. How close we were.”

Upon mentioning that, Coach Ayu instantly reddened, perhaps remembering our state when we reappeared from the changing room earlier.

“… You. Alright. Go now or I will not be able to restrict myself from punching you.” She went silent for more than a minute before managing to utter a response.

And without answering her back, I only smiled playfully as I excused myself out of the room.

-

-

When I returned to the changing room where Sena and the other girls were waiting, they’re all curious about the evaluation Hisa-jii and Coach Ayu gave me.

And upon hearing that they both praised me, all of them showed joyful expressions for me. They’re more elated than the actual person who got praised.

Naturally, I also told them how Coach Ayu asked me about my relationship with them and how I answered that.

Even if they didn’t tell me, I could easily guess that they didn’t like the fact that they could deny their involvement with me anytime. However, they also understood the reason why they had to do it. The most important thing, for now, was that, no matter how the others would see it, they’re all my girlfriends.

To not be found out by Coach Ayu, as soon as we finished changing back to our clothes before the training program started, we all left the gym.

Naturally, Sena and I openly showed our relationship while Akane and the other girls followed us.

Tomorrow, they would come again for another lesson and following that, they would also come with us to our house.

Although all of them were now active in that chat group, it would be the first time that my girls from both schools would meet in person. Hopefully, everything goes well.

“Sena, it’s our turn now. You already had your time.”

As soon as we left the vicinity of the Boxing Gym, Elizabeth and Miho each took a side and hugged my arms, taking Sena’s place who was already extremely satisfied.

For our next plan for today, it should be going home but because of what happened earlier wherein we were followed by those mobs, I opted to walk them home one by one, starting with Sena since her house was the nearest to the Boxing Gym and it’s only a walking distance.

However, we separated with Akane and Yae at the train station.

The two girls opted to wait for me at home to give the chance for Miho and the others.

Naturally, I made sure that everything’s in order before I send them off to the train that’s going in the direction of our house.

Following that, Miho, Elizabeth, Yukari, Yua and Aika rode the train that’s going in the opposite direction with me.

“I still can’t get over the concert! You too, right?”

“Yeah… Asahi’s voice is truly heavenly.”

Unfortunately, we ended up getting caught up with the wave of concert-goers going home after it. That kind of conversation instantly filled our ears. Almost everyone was talking about Asahi’s concert.