Stealing Spree

Chapter 2071: The Result

After a satisfying short break with the two girls, the three of us returned to our respective positions with our faces still dyed in pink. It was especially apparent on Fuyu who I even had to help to get back up her seat.

She’s not used to the kisses yet but whenever it happened, she seemed to be always taken in by that moment. It’s like she’s getting drowned in it, the same way when she’s too focused on tennis. It was more than pronounced this time when she almost pushed Akane out of my lap to take her place.

Akane slid down voluntarily by then and I helped her up as we continued to savor that moment.

But when she realized what she had just done, the girl acted like she wanted to find a hole to hide her face in.

It took her a while to get her head out of the gutter. Akane playfully teased her too so… that’s the result.

The short break took a few minutes longer than we intended.

“Are you sure you’re going to be fine, Fuyu?” I asked the girl again to which she answered with a meek nod.

I couldn’t help but climb up to feel her cheek. It’s still burning hot.

However, Fuyu seemed determined not to delay anymore.

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She forced a smile and confidently declared that there was nothing to worry about.

At that, I could only climb down and listen to her.

Upon confirming that she would still be able to hand out the correct judgment on our match, Akane and I went into our positions.

Naturally, my worrywart trait wasn’t satisfied yet as I checked on Fuyu a few more times.

I ended up being glared at by her, berating me for not preparing yet.

A defeated chuckle escaped my mouth as I shelved my concerns.

Yeah. I should believe in her, right? She’s now my girl. It won’t be too late to check on her again later.

“Game 3. Scores are tied 1-1. Akane to serve first.”

As she announced the start, I put my focus back on Akane who was already checking the bounce of the ball as she eyed my service box.

Having lost the 2nd game, she’s now going to come at me with her skills on full display.

Not that she’s holding back earlier, she simply couldn’t afford to lose any more in order to achieve her goal.

Too bad, only in this instance will I resolve myself not to be merciful against her.

Swoosh!

With sufficient speed and spin on her serve, I watched as the tennis curved in the opposite direction when it bounced off my service box.

That was impressive, to say the least as not everyone would risk adding a risky spin like that on a serve. Akane was now fully using the fact that this was my first match after only learning the basics and swinging my racket a little over a thousand times.

Since my foot already pivoted in my expected direction, I had to twist my body to catch the ball.

Akane grinned at how I flung it up high in the air giving her the chance to perform a smash. I quickly fixed my crossed legs and ran up to block and volley.

I was successful despite the full strength Akane put up. However, she remained a step ahead of me.

As soon as he finished the motion of smashing the ball down, Akane put the arm holding her tennis racket behind her. She fully anticipated where the ball would shoot past next to her shoulder.

With the body of the racket peeking out perfectly, the volley shot back to my court, earning her the first score.

“15-0, Akane leads.”

Fuyu didn’t waste a moment to call that judgment. Akane cutely stuck her tongue out at me before walking back to the baseline.

I smilingly shook my head as I went to pick up the ball and moved back to prepare my serve. Fuyu looked at me with eyes full of encouragement before raising her arm, signaling for me to start serving.

Understanding the absurdity of Akane’s skill that she’s now fully showcasing, I couldn’t help but feel more enthused to win and make her take up something like tennis as a hobby.

I know that she’s going to shine more than anyone else once she puts her mind to it. If she had not focused too much on me, that girl would have maintained the top ranking in school, even higher than what Hifumi could achieve.

Alas, most, if not all, of her energy was devoted to being noticed by me or what else she could do for me.

“15-all, Akane to serve.”

My serve immediately turned to a score after I craftily set her up to send the ball back to where

I wanted to. With that, she was a step too late to block it.

“30-15, Akane leads.”

Unfortunately, Akane got the lead again when she also showed her skill in controlling where my return would land.

“40-15, Akane match point.”

As I used the same strategy, Akane expertly broke it by persevering against my limitless stamina.

She pushed her speed a step further to always reach the balls I returned to her side. And her effort was rewarded when my sweat unknowingly loosened my grip on my racket.

Right. For the first time since the start of our match, I could finally say that the heat of this

battle got to me.

Incredible. My wife is too great.

Somehow, I can see that winning this game is already out of my grasp. Even if I miraculously manage to take the next two points, Akane will just win the tiebreaker.

Should I throw in the towel? No… I’ll struggle until I’m thoroughly convinced that Akane’s choice isn’t that bad at all.

“Game and match. Akane wins!”

After a two-minute long rally that started with my fully-powered serve, I dropped the ball in the end when she carefully exhibited a sidespin, causing the ball to curve outside, bypassing my racket, and then landing just a few steps behind me.

If that’s not convincing, I don’t know what is.

I exhaustedly straightened my back as I looked at the rejoicing girl on the other side of the court. Ah. No, she’s already on her way to me.

Fuyu was also clapping her hand from where she was sitting, congratulating her best friend.

Seeing Akane’s figure jump over the net and then continuing to charge at me, I gently put my tennis racket down to receive her.

“I won, husband!” Akane joyfully exclaimed in between bated breaths.

I tightly wrapped my arms around her, affectionately combing her ponytailed hair and

caressing her back.

“Yes, you did. It was totally convincing.”

“Ehehe… Sorry for not listening to you, husband.”

“It was selfish of me to try and push you to pick up a hobby so… we’re even.” I shook my head,

telling her my thoughts about it.

But Akane shook her head as well, strongly rebuking my claim, “No. It’s not selfish. You’re only thinking of my well-being. That concern came from your affection for me.”

This girl… Is she also not going to let me win this?

Fuyu was staring at us from a distance, most likely being considerate after this partly

emotional win and loss.

While carrying my silly wife, we walked back to the bench and sat down there.

I lost fairly so… I have nothing else to say.

But what about my match with Fuyu?

Of course, it’s still going to happen! The stakes might’ve changed because of this loss but a

promise is a promise. I don’t have any intention of breaking it.