Stealing Spree

Chapter 2790: Training with Audience

Although a part of me wanted to walk over there and greet my women as usual, I held back this time and just let them surround Kagura-san. Meanwhile, I turned to Ichihara-san, assuring her of the mini-gym’s condition.

“Un. I trust you, Onoda-sensei.” She replied with her refined smile before turning towards her daughter, “I’ll wait here. Go and train with Ruki-sensei. I’ll be fine here.”

Koharu-chan’s eyes lit up like fireworks as she grabbed my hand without hesitation. “Yes, Mom! Let’s go, Sensei! I’m ready to punch!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle as she tugged me toward the hall, her small fist already pumping the air in excited little jabs.

She’s not at all bothered by the gazes of Akane and the others. I guess her innocence could be the reason. She just saw them as friendly older sisters who kept clinging to me.

Ichihara-san watched us go with that soft, refined smile, settling onto one of the chairs in the middle of Shio and Ryouko-san like she belonged there.

Unlike Kagura-san, who was still looking like she wanted to escape, Ichihara-san greeted them naturally.

Then, Miwa-nee instantly poured her a glass of something non-alcoholic. As for how long that would hold, I had no idea. Perhaps, when we finished the lesson, she’s already as tipsy as everyone in there.

Orimura-sensei then placed a glass in front of Kagura-san before saying, “Here. You look like you could use a drink. That shameless brat must’ve been causing you a lot of headaches, no?”

Kagura-san stared at the glass like she was seeing my annoying mug on it, then at Orimura-sensei’s unapologetic smirk.

Her lips parted, closed, parted again as she searched for a sharp comeback but came up empty.

Finally, she exhaled through her nose and picked up the glass with two fingers. I thought she’d grip it hard and break it, but I guess she still had class.

“He’s... persistent,” She muttered as she took a cautious sip. Her eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise at the taste. “And infuriatingly calm about it.”

Miwa-nee laughed, leaning forward to refill Shio’s glass. “That’s our Ruki. He’s got this way of getting under your skin without even trying. One minute you want to strangle him, the next you’re wondering why you’re not.”

Shio nodded in agreement while Ryouko-san just nodded silently, her quiet smile saying there’s more to it than just that but she’s not willing to share it yet.

Meanwhile, Aunt Akemi, who’s probably feeling a little left out, raised her glass in a little toast. “To that shameless brat who somehow makes it work.”

This... why is she making a toast for me?

Anyway, I left them to it, letting Koharu drag me away to the mini-gym.

Not long after, Azusa and Hanabi trailed behind us along with Marika and Sena.

Maybe it’s a bad idea to invite everyone home. Can I focus on teaching the girl?

Well, as Aunt Akemi said, I can somehow make this work, no?

—

“Sensei, sensei. Am I doing this right?”

Koharu-chan breathlessly and excitedly asked as her fists pumped in quick little jabs in my mitts.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, which made a few strands of her hair stick to her cheeks, but her eyes were sparkling with pure determination.

She’d been at this for nearly forty minutes straight. Starting with the set exercise, shadowboxing, footwork drills, and now punching work. She hadn’t complained once. If anything, she looked like she could go another hour. Perhaps if I prepared a heavy bag for her, she’d ask to use it.

“Almost. Elbows are a little tighter on the cross. Like this.”

I removed my mitts and slowly guided her arm through the motion, showing her that the power came from the twist of her torso, not just her shoulder.

Koharu followed my lead perfectly, her small body mirroring mine with surprising precision for someone who’d only been at this a few weeks.

When she threw the next combo once we restarted. A jab, a cross and a hook, her fist connected with the mitts with a solid thump that made me feel her weight from that force.

Koharu’s eyes went wide. “Whoa! Did you hear that, Sensei? That was loud!”

I nodded and smiled. “Mhm. That was perfect. You’re starting to get it, Koharu-chan.”

She beamed up at me, cheeks flushed from effort and pride, then immediately launched into another combo like she wanted to prove it wasn’t a fluke.

From the corner of the mini-gym, the peanut gallery watched with varying degrees of amusement.

Hanabi was sprawled on one of the mats, chin propped in her hands like she was watching her favorite drama. Every time Koharu landed a good hit, she’d let out this exaggerated ‘Ooooh!’ that made the kid giggle mid-punch.

Azusa, with her usual haughty look on her face, tracked Koharu’s form with quiet approval. She’d even corrected the kid’s footwork once when I was busy taping her hands.

She’s not an expert but she surely had a knack for absorbing knowledge even though she had seen it only once.

I guess that’s another side of her that made her a queen in her class. She’s not just this egotistic girl who’d never bow down to anyone. She had the skills to back it up.

Marika sat gracefully on a bench, golden hair still perfect despite the gym’s humidity, watching with that soft, elegant smile like she was at a recital.

Sena was standing not far from us. After all, she’s the one aiming for the professional scene in boxing, and she’s a girl. Her assistance was invaluable, especially when Koharu started getting tired and her form began to slip.

Sena would step in quietly, adjusting the girl’s stance, demonstrating the proper twist of the hips or the snap of a jab until Koharu’s punches sharpened again.

Koharu looked up to her like a big sister, eyes wide and admiring every time Sena corrected her. “Sena-nee, like this?” She’d ask, mimicking the motion with earnest focus.

Sena would nod, that rare soft smile tugging at her lips. “Good. Keep your guard up. Don’t drop it after the cross.”

Once the girl finished consulting, Sena would look at me with a smug expression as if saying, ‘How is it? I can also coach someone.’.

Well, she could certainly do that but she would still choose to focus on her training until she steps into that professional ring and knocks out her opponent.

A few more minutes passed like this. When we finished, it was at the same time as Akane and Nao slipped into the mini-gym to inform us that dinner had been served.

Koharu sprang up and threw her arms around my waist in a quick, sweaty hug.

“Thank you, Sensei! I’m gonna knock Jun-nii out next time for sure!”

I laughed, ruffling her damp hair. “One step at a time. But you’re definitely on your way. But make sure he cannot fight back, alright?”

“Yes! I’ll hit him in the nose!”

Azusa rolled her eyes at that, saying I was teaching the girl something bad, but little did she know that was Koharu’s motivation all along.

Hanabi was having a good laugh again. The soreness must have lessened already.

After sending Koharu to the bathroom for a quick wash with Marika and Sena, I started to sort out the mini-gym with Azusa helping me out.

Or rather, she took the opportunity to be alone here with me since Hanabi followed Akane and Nao out.

"Senpai, you don’t have to, you know?"

"Hmph. You’re already tired. At least accept some help."

"Well, getting a kiss from you can probably recharge me better than any energy drink.”

The towel in her hand paused against the equipment she was wiping down. Then, her clear blue eyes snapped to mine, narrowing into a glare. But as always, the flush creeping up her neck gave her away completely.

“Shameless junior,” She clicked her tongue as though she didn’t have any ulterior motive for staying behind, “You think you can just say stuff like that and I’ll–”

I cut her off by closing in behind her and wrapping my arms around her. “Hmm? I can say stuff like that, senpai. After all, you’ll let me get this close to you every time.”

“Ugh... I’m not letting you, shameless junior. You just... cannot be stopped.”

“Am I? Then... why not give me my kiss quickly? That way, I can leave you alone again.” I whispered against her ear, letting my breath tickle her.

Azusa’s grip tightened on the towel like she was debating whether to hit me with it or drop it entirely.

“Shameless junior. You think one kiss will shut you up?”

Look at her still not being honest.

“Mhm. Try me and find out, senpai.” I said as I tightened my hold on her.

With that, she huffed and turned in my arms just enough to glare up at me through those long lashes.

Her clear blue eyes were stormy, defiant, but the way her lips parted told me she was already losing the fight.

“Tch. Always getting your way like this. No wonder it’s so difficult to win against you.”

“Is that an admission of defeat?”

“Of course not! Come on, get your kiss... hurry.”

As much as she tried to hide the anticipation in her voice, the girl’s body was too honest.

She closed her eyes as I cupped her chin gently, tilting her face up and kissing her passionately.