Chapter 287: Encouraged

Hisa-jii and Coach Ayu left us after that. Hisa-jii has to man the front of the gym again while Coach Ayu would be making the Training Program. If she finished it early, she would not need to send it to me anymore. I could receive it while I was there.

Due to that, Sena and I once again got the time for ourselves.

However, after a few minutes of rest where she let me use her thigh to rest my head on, opposite of what happened last week, we started her training for the day.

Despite the pout she showed me, I became the same strict trainer of hers. With her training exercises already listed, I didn't really need to watch over her.

However, to make sure that she's not making any mistakes, I watched her throughout everything.

Once she's done, she asked me for a massage before we went in to take a shower and prepare to go home.

To reward the girl for her efforts, we once again did it inside the shower room, satisfying her further.

Before going home with Sena, I went to Coach Ayu's private room in the gym to get the paper.

"You have my contact. Send it there if you feel like revising some of it."

As usual, it's mostly filled with improving endurance, stamina and resilience. I didn't comment on it and just nodded before putting the paper in my bag. I will try it first before considering the revision. She took some effort to make it after all. I couldn't just ask her to revise it on the spot.

Before going back to Sena who's waiting outside, I bowed at her.

"Thank you, Coach. For everything, if I can help you with something, please tell me."

"Now that I think of it, it's surprising for you to be this humble. You're not like this before, right?"

Even with our few instances of interacting with each other back then, she probably observed me thoroughly.

And with her not bringing up Sena's previous boyfriend, she's sensible at least.

Back then, Coach Ayu probably witnessed how Sena changed from being too into her ex-boyfriend to being too close to me. I don't know what kind of image I have in her mind but at least, she's focusing more on my 'talent' in boxing.

Perhaps she's just too tight-lipped that she didn't want to pry on other's personal issues, who knows? In any case, I am truly thankful to her.

"Un. I experienced some change during the time that I stopped coming here."

Upon hearing my answer, she stared intently at my first for a while. Perhaps trying to see if I'm lying or not.

"I see. Anyway, I will be accepting this gratitude from you. If something comes up, I will call on you. However, Onoda-kun, I hope you continue being this good to Sena. That girl… During the past few months, she's been patiently waiting for you. I don't know what happened between the two of you before that you had to quit the gym so I won't pry on that."

Ah. I quit going to the gym a few months ahead before the end of school term and graduation but I still continued seeing her in school until the day I decided to cut everyone off. It's about more than a month before the graduation.

That's why in a sense, I only cut off most of them for around two months before taking them in again. The exception is Miho who I cut off early on when she confessed to me and the others who are a year ahead of us like Mizuki, Aika and Haruko. Yae was also included. However, she's really in a different category. I planned on keeping her after all but it changed when I learned the truth.

"You can rest assured, Coach. I will continue being good to her so that she will continue to stay with me. I love her enough that I am already determined to see our relationship years and perhaps until the end of our days."

"Don't talk about the end. You're both still too young. Once you two become an adult, problems will continue to sprout. Keep holding onto each other if you're so serious about that love you have for her."

"I understand. I will certainly do that. Thank you for the advice." I bowed to her once more and this time she just waved her hand. "Well then, we're going home, Coach. Take care and may you find a guy for you soon."

As soon as I said that, I quickened my pace and instantly reached the door.

Before it fully closed, a furious roar followed behind me.

"Onoda!!"

"What did you do that she's that furious?" Sena was confused, of course.

"Nothing, I just wish her luck," I answered before taking her hand on mine and led her out of the boxing gym. On the way, we also said goodbye to Hisa-jii.

With both of our bodies a bit sore from working out every muscle in it since meeting her this afternoon, our walk to her house became a slow stroll that the stars already dotted the sky before we reached it.

I waited until she entered her house before I took out my phone and sent a message to Sena. It's a simple message that it only contains five words.

However, those five words were enough for Sena to go back outside. She ran up towards me and pulled in a tight embrace while emotionally whispering her reply to what I said.

-

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Once I arrived home, Akane once again welcomed me at the door.

Tonight, we had a satisfying dinner with Akane, Miwa-nee and Minoru. Shio only stopped by during the afternoon due to something she had to do for her job as a teacher and our class advisor.

Well, she also video called me on my walk back home after leaving the train station, asking for my encouragement. The girl was lazily lying down on her sofa with the papers she needed to do were sprawled on her table.

I'm starting to wonder if she's really the adult between the two of us. Either way, seeing that side of my Shio, I granted her request, encouraging her to be more productive.

After playing some games with Minoru, Miwa-nee brought him up to their room, it's bedtime for the boy.

Due to that, I was left with Akane.

At the moment, we're also on the sofa and working on something. Well, she's helping me with something.

It's the plan I'm drawing for what we're going to do for the cultural festival in the Literature Club.

"What about you adding a live reading with one of the club members as the speaker?" Akane suggested.

"Un. It's plausible however, most will find it boring. I wanted to make it a success. To impress that senpai."

Even if almost all of them have the bearing of an attractive girl, especially my Kana, only true enthusiasts and a few horny boys will last through a live reading.

"That Ishida-senpai? Do you also like her?"

Out of all she could pick from my words… It's that huh?

"Rather than like, I guess I somewhat admire her. I find some similarities between us. She's too devoted to the club that if not for her graduating this year, she would continue holding onto it. And like her, I'm too devoted to that goal of having you all with me in the future."

"I see. Admiration can easily lead to liking someone, you know? That's how crushes became a thing after all."

"This girl, do you think I will eventually like her? True, I find her interesting but it's only like that. For now, I guess."

I don't think of her as a possible target. Not after she immediately comes clean about her real relationship with that Kenji guy. If she continued on that then she might be just for the sake of making that guy feel more miserable but she stopped. And after knowing her better, I started admiring her, even during that encounter with that Kenji where she tried to become the mediator. She put her personal feelings behind her and acted neutrally or as the Club President.

"If it's you, I'd say yes. But enough about that, you're still busy stabilizing our new state so I won't push you to add a new target."

"Now I don't know if you're encouraging me or discouraging me to add a new one."

"No. I'm just messing with you, husband. I want to spend more time like this with you."

After saying that, her giggles instantly filled the room. She's enjoying this time. And seeing her like this also puts a smile on my lips.

"And we will. Anyway, we're going off-topic here, wife. Are you helping me or distracting me?"

"Hmm? A bit of both. Explain it all to me again."

"This girl… Listen well."

After ruffling her hair to vent some of the slight frustration from how she wanted to mess with me, I still patiently told her about my plans and this time, she's now listening intently while her eyes were locked onto my face, their glint filled with admiration.

Well, although I already said this, no matter what happens, I believe this girl will never change the way she looks at me. And I appreciate it, a lot.