Chapter 285: Skill Test (2)

As soon as I stepped inside the ring, I instantly felt the visible pressure coming off from Coach Ayu. There's something like an imaginary zone that was formed around her that if I stepped into that zone, I feel like I will be overwhelmed by her if I don't put my guard up.

"Go Ruki!" Sena cheered below, as the only one cheering at this practice match or skill test, the other members of the gym couldn't help but smile at that. They're all adults in here and hardly any teenagers like us so most of those who know Sena treated her like a little sister.

At the door, I could see Hisa-jii, who was manning the counter earlier standing there with his eyes keenly watching what's happening in here.

With all these spectators, one would think something really serious was happening. Nevertheless, nothing's getting on my nerves.

I'm staring straight at Coach Ayu who at some point, took off her gym jacket and was now in her aquamarine-blue sports bra and boxing shorts. On her navel, a clear indication of her abdominal muscles could be seen. Even though she already retired from the pro scene, she never neglected training her body.

Like Sena, one would think she had lean arms that were devoid of any muscle but seeing those contracted muscles on her arm, I could only imagine how heavy her full-powered punch is.

"Are you scared?" Coach Ayu smirked. She slowly approached me from the blue corner without breaking our gazes. Perhaps, I was already completely analyzed by her.

Since this is a practice match, Sena climbed up to take off my shirt and put the headgear on my head. As she went back down, Sena happily hugged my shirt as she put it near her nose.

"Oh. Nice build. It seems that he's building that up on his own. Although he looked lean, those muscles are compact enough."

"Right. I never would've guessed that he's hiding a body like that. I thought we got another pretentious high school boxer. He's good enough to be cultivated as a pro."

"I heard he's not a boxer."

"Huh? Then why is he up there?"

"He's Sena's boyfriend and trainer."

I see. So this is how it is like to be put in the limelight. Even if what they're talking about isn't my negative point, it will be hard to get used to praises like that.

Since they were talking a bit loudly, Coach Ayu also heard them.

"What do you think? It's not only me who thought of that. You still have time to consider, Onoda-kun. I will look for a great trainer to shape you not only as a pro but as a champion."

"Sorry coach. I've already decided. I'd rather look after Sena and make sure she becomes a champion herself."

Of course, I already thought that there are merits in being a pro boxer and a champion. Moving up the stages until reaching the World, that's one true path to success. Imagine the companies that will keep approaching me offering their sponsorship. However, that's only as long as I keep winning and make a name for myself.

I never looked at myself as someone talented at fighting. Everything I did was for protecting myself and the girls. I'm more of a brawler than a boxer that will be tied to rules and regulations. If I met a true pro fighter then I doubt I can win as easily as before.

Well, there's that boxing anime where one of the characters is a former brawler who climbed up and became a full-fledged World Champion. But what are the odds that it will also happen to me?

In any case, I couldn't see myself walking on this career path.

"Tsk. Stubborn guy. Raise your gloves." Coach Ayu clicked her tongue before putting in her mouthpiece and making her boxing stance.

I didn't reply anymore and just followed what she said. After putting on the mouthpiece with Sena's help, I raised my gloves up to my chest and put myself in an orthodox stance.

Upon seeing that we're now both ready, one of the female gym members that are close to Coach Ayu signaled the start of the round by ringing the bell.

CLANG!

As soon as the sound of the bell entered our ears, Coach Ayu instantly traversed the distance between us in a single step.

Using her dominant hand right off the bat, she gave me a powerful right straight to my face.

Although a bit unexpected I still managed to raise my guard to my face. Receiving her right fist with my left, I immediately swivel to my right using the basic footwork I'm training in during the last seven days.

"Nice block and sidestep!" Sena shouted from below which immediately gathered some laughs from the others.

The match has just started and she's already cheering with all her might. The others who were familiar with her personality found it odd to see her cheering like a fangirl. Truly unlike their Sena who's focusing on being a pro.

Upon hearing that, a smile naturally formed from my lips. However, its effect on Coach Ayu was different. With her eyes intently focused on me, she already followed my movement and followed up with a left jab after turning her body a bit to block my path.

Using my right to deflect it, I stepped one step backward and planted my left foot there to deliver a left straight.

Although I'm clearly aiming at the side of her face, Coach Ayu tilted her head to her left resulting in my fist brushing past her, only grazing the right side of her headgear.

With my punch missing its target, I instantly pulled back my arm and took another step back to distance myself from Coach Ayu.

She was about to deliver another right but upon seeing the distance, she stopped and just fixed her stance before smirking towards me.

"Excellent opening! How can he react to Ayu's movements? He even counterattacked!"

Someone energetic commented below the ring.

It's just an opening so most of them were just waiting for what will happen.

Although that exchange between us felt like an eternity. Only 10 seconds passed from the 3 minutes of the 1st round.

Coach Ayu is fast and her punch is heavy. I could instantly feel some numbness from my left arm that I used to block her opening punch.

For now, I decided to keep being on the defensive to wait for a chance to counter.

Once she stabilized her footwork, Coach Ayu chased after me.

With Coach Ayu continuously rushing forward to deliver a terrifying blow and me blocking or dodging everything she threw, seconds passed without us landing a clean hit against each other.

At this moment, the crowd started to whistle as if what they're watching was entertaining enough.

How is that entertaining though? From the more than 10 punches she threw, I couldn't find a hole to throw my counter. I could only circle the ring using the lousy footwork I had.

Coach Ayu noticed that so she's not giving me any chance to truly stabilize my feet to take a stand against her and start a brawl.

One minute.

Two minutes.

When we entered the last one minute of the 1st round, Coach Ayu changed her strategy.

She stood in the middle of the ring and stretched her right arm towards me.

Using a taunting gesture, Coach Ayu wanted me to take the offensive this time and she would be the one defending.

"Ruki! Coach Ayu is a defensive boxer! Don't fall for it!" Sena shouted her advice informing me of Coach Ayu's specialty.

Well, I already knew about that. Most of what's listed in Sena's training program was for improving her defense. Since she's her trainer, it's natural that she carried some of her habits in making it.

Either way, those were effective so I never changed it and just improvised on some after observing and watching Sena's recorded matches during the middle school competition.

"I haven't asked but what's the condition for this match, Coach Ayu? Do I only need to last for two rounds against you?"

"No. Beat me to prove that you're worth vouching for. I'm injured, Onoda-kun. Think of a way to utilize that information."

Although it's hard to talk with the mouthpiece in our mouths, our words were still conveyed properly.

There's that option alright but if I focus on that won't I become the public enemy number one of everyone here?

"Stop deliberating! Come!" Coach Ayu shouted as she taunted again.

Haa… Since she's asking for it, then let's try.

After stabilizing my stance, I started to move towards the middle. Her reach isn't that long but her defensive stance truly has no holes. So what I have to do is to create one.

Using my footwork, I started to circle around her and Coach Ayu followed me by barely turning her body every time I moved.

10 seconds later, although my sweat was already dripping from my body, I noticed that Coach Ayu slowed down on turning her body.

She's barely moving but the way she was crouching there was putting stress on both of her knees. With her left knee that couldn't be put in too much stress limiting her real prowess, I moved into her left and threw a faint.

Because her mind was preoccupied with her knee at that moment, Coach Ayu lifted her guard opening up her side.

Using that as an opening, I threw a punch on her left waist.

BAM!

With the clear sound of a glove hitting something, Coach Ayu's attractive face contorted in pain and her guard crooked, opening up her head for a breach.

Since my eyes were also focused on her, I lifted my left arm and aimed a jab straight in between that hole in her defense.

However, upon seeing me following up with a left, Coach Ayu stepped forward and opened her arms to hold onto me.

She went in for a clutch!

"… I hate it that I taunted you to use that information." With her voice still coated with the pain she was feeling from her side, Coach Ayu whispered while she's clinging tightly to me and her chin anchored on my shoulder.

Although this was not actually the right time, I couldn't help but feel the softness of her body and that front pressed against my naked chest.

There's no pad in her sports bra. Because of that, with all my experiences, I could clearly imagine her shape in my head. It might not be in the bigger department but it's already enough for my hand if ever I get the chance to hold it.

Because of that, I forgot to reply to her before the acting referee shouted 'Break!', separating the two of us.

What am I thinking? Is this because Sena and I had our sexy time in the hotel before coming here?

No. This is my normal reaction. I'm a pervert after all.