Chapter 2068: Akane vs Fuyu (2)
Chapter 2068: Akane vs Fuyu (2)
What an intense match.
Even I who was just observing from up high could feel the intensity of it. And yet, Akane prevailed against her tennis ace best friend and took a love game against her.
When they returned to my side, I got down from the umpire's seat and pulled out a towel.
Although tiring themselves out would be advantageous for me, it's only right for me to perform my duty as their boyfriend, right?
And with that, I wiped their sweat and gave them a short pep talk.
"You two... You're both amazing. I'm sweating in my seat watching the two of you. Can I still win?"
Wait. That's not a pep talk at all.
Akane grabbed my hand holding the towel and then jumped to my side, "Silly husband. We're giving you a preview of what to expect. Do you think I don't know how athletic you are? Our stamina is not even half of yours... Our bed can attest to that."
Ending that with a seductive wink, Akane then moved my hand by herself to wipe the sweat off of her neck and upper chest.
On the other hand, Fuyu puffed her cheeks and said, "Ruki-kun, stop jesting. If you can follow our movements like that, you can also do the same when you're standing in the court. I'm still looking forward to playing with you. We won't hold back so you do your best too!"
Shortly after that, she hugged my arm, lodging me in her valley of softness. Then, when I turned her head to her, Fuyu tiptoed to drop a peck on my lips.
Before I could even react to it, she already let go and retreated a few steps. A rare impish smile peeked from her lips, "Ruki-kun, thank you for the good luck charm. Akane showed me where I was lacking. I'll show you this time that I won't lose!"
Fuyu turned around and returned to the court.
Seeing her friend scampering as though she was escaping from her reaction, Akane clicked her tongue, "Look at her go, husband. Isn't she lovely?"
"Indeed. So, won't you get a good luck charm too?"
"Of course, I will!"
And with that, Akane also stole my lips before strutting back to the court.
Looking at their refreshed smiles as though they had just received a boost, I let out a snicker before climbing back up to the umpire's seat.
With the 3rd game as the deciding match for them. I decided to change the rule a bit.
Instead of letting it become Fuyu's service game again, they will play it like a tiebreaker. They'll take turns serving.
The two acknowledged it and the first thing they did was to change court. This time, Akane stood on the left side of the court and Fuyu on the right.
As soon as I gave them the signal, the intense atmosphere within the court was renewed.
Five minutes later, the score was tied 40-all.
Having changed the rule for the deuce, the next two or three serves will decide on who wins this match.
"Akane... Won't you let me win?"
"Nope. Hehe... I have a new goal, you see."
"What is it?"
"Tiring you out and then winning against you. That way, husband can have a chance to beat you."
"Hmm? That's what I thought of doing too, Akane. To help Ruki-kun with his goal of having you pick a hobby, I'll have to drain some of your stamina here. I must admit, I got careless. I underestimated my best friend who always played well against me despite the lack of practice. I will also beat Ruki-kun. That way, I can bring you to our club."
... Alright. Their ideas are not bad. But for Akane to say that, she probably thought that Fuyu's tennis skills were really unachievable for me at the moment. She's trying to give me an advantage. And Fuyu was fully confident in beating, she was going to uphold her promise not to hold back.
How did this little tennis challenge become this intense?
Well, seeing this side of them is also a win for me. I can feel their passion. I'm glad I accepted their challenge.
"Alright, you two. I'll let you decide who will be serving first on these last three points. I love your competitive spirits but I'm sorry. I'm not planning on losing against the two of you. So, either you finish this game quickly and don't give me more advantage or you can take your time and take a loss against a newbie like me."
To quell whatever ideas running through their heads, I provoked the two of them by displaying an arrogant grin.
However, the effect that I was expecting didn't happen.
Instead, the two girls just became more enthusiastic about their goal.
The fire in their eyes burned even brighter as they did a round of rock, scissors, and paper to decide who would serve.
Akane won and with that, the game resumed.
The last three points remained fierce. Akane and Fuyu both took a point, making the last one
to be the decider.
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Was it a little cliche? Yeah. It was.
Fuyu won the first game.
Akane won the second.
The third game was a deuce.
And it remained tied, making it all hinge at a single point.
I set up those rules just to avoid a long match and yet, here we are.
"Here I go, Fuyu. You'll play with husband!"
With her signature serving posture, Akane, for the last time, aimed to end it all with her serve.
However, Fuyu was still not backing down.
"No, it will be you! Be obedient for once, Akane!"
With none of the two backing down, this last point became another rally. Furthermore, it
became longer than the ones before.
Akane relied so much on her strength and speed while Fuyu focused more on controlling the spin of the ball, making each of her attacks accurately aimed at a spot.
Two minutes later, the winner of the match was decided.
"Game and match, Fuyu."
I called in the judgment, causing the two of them to pause and slump down the pavement.
In the end, Fuyu's tennis skills won against Akane's absurd strength and speed by tiring her out with superbly controlled shots.
I somehow regretted not recording what had transpired.
That rally became a high-level match that I could only see in a professional match or a
tournament match with significant stakes.
As the sound of the bouncing tennis ball died down, the first to react was Fuyu.
However, instead of rejoicing, she hurriedly moved over to her best friend.
Akane's head was lowered as though she was wallowing in her defeat. Her shoulders heaved
up and down from the lack of breath.
That's why I also immediately jumped down from my seat to go to her, The towel and the
water bottle clutched in my hands.
Fuyu helped Akane stand up and I moved to the other side to support her. Together, we walked Akane to the bench.
However, as soon as we sat down, Akane threw herself at me, instantly burying her face in my
chest.
Fuyu smiled wryly at her friend's display not knowing whether the girl was frustrated or not. As for me, I just locked her in my embrace and comforted her with gentle caresses. Fuyu shook her head and then moved to my other side. In case Akane was really frustrated at
her loss, she probably didn't want to rub it in her face so she's letting me comfort the girl
instead.
How thoughtful.
A while later, Akane raised her head, meeting my gaze. She's biting her lips, frustration
apparent on her face.
"... Husband, I lost against Fuyu."
"Does that frustrate you?"
"A little." "Even though you already lost against her many times before?"
"This is different!"
"You're right. But it's funny."
"Eh? How so?"
"Because I thought my silly wife was so perfect that she wouldn't feel frustrated from a
tennis match." I trailed my voice there to pinch her cheeks and make her pout, "Also, I'm glad
to see you be this competitive. I want to see more." "You want to see more? Sure! I'll beat you, husband! Let's go back to the court!"
With the liveliness in her voice returning at each word she uttered Akane then stood up and
pulled me with her.
Fuyu who was watching from the side giggled at this sight before saying, "An idiot couple on display. Go on, Ruki-kun. Don't give her a chance to recuperate. Beat her and comfort her
again afterward!"
And there, with Fuyu also joining the fray, Akane and I soon reached the court.
Fuyu grabbed my tennis racket for me before she climbed up the umpire's seat. Hmm. I guess I should do what Fuyu suggested. Beat my silly wife and comfort her until she's
satisfied.