When things calmed down a bit, Sena's parents had me sit down in front of them to be interrogated, they asked the usual questions and I answered them without faltering. Moreover, with Sena sticking to my side, they couldn't grill me too much or their daughter would pout at them.
Her mother was the first to crack a smile.
"Okay, if she's happy with you, then we're happy too. But remember, we're expecting grandkids before marriage!" She joked, but there was a hint of seriousness in her tone.
"Honey, what are you saying?!" Sena's father reacted almost comically, causing both mother and daughter to laugh.
"Dad, don't you want to carry your grandchild while watching my match?"
This girl. What kind of picture was she trying to paint here?
"That's not... bad. But that will be dangerous for you! How can you be on top form if you went back to the ring after giving birth!"
And now, even her father was taking her words at face value. What should I say in this situation?
Of course, I'll be supporting my girl in trolling her father.
"Don't worry, Uncle. I'll help her get back into shape before letting her climb into the ring." I said with a straight face, earning me a playful nudge by Sena.
And sure enough, her father once again flew into a rage. Good thing her mother was quick to calm him down. Otherwise, we'd have another round of Sena's father raising his voice as he questioned my motives.
Eventually, the time for me to leave came.
Against the invitation to stay for dinner, I gently declined, citing another commitment I had to attend to. Which was... Ayu.
In any case, Sena also didn't want to keep any longer. We've accomplished what she wanted. She escorted me back to the door before whispering in my ear, "Ruki, you better be ready. They will invite you again next time. And by then... I'll convince them to let you stay the night in my room."
"You're going to give them a heart attack, you know? But I'll look forward to that. I'll also have to ask them to bring you home with me, after all."
"Right! Akane and the others always get the privilege of sleeping next to you! I'd fulfill my role as your future wife too!" Sena declared with a smirk as her cheeks gradually dyed red.
"Don't shout that out, they'll hear you. But well, we also have to tell them about the others, right? Maybe I'll let your father beat me up to accept the situation."
"Pfft. No need, Ruki. We'll find a way for it. Now... kiss me before you go." Sena leaned in, her lips already puckered, expecting me to comply without question.
And so, I did, giving her a soft, lingering kiss on the lips that melted her overly enthusiastic energy as she jumped back into my arms, prolonging it and conveying our affection for each other through it.
A while later, my feet brought me back to the boxing gym. The lights were already partially turned off, signifying that the gym was already closed.
Upon entering, I quickly noticed Hisa-jii mopping the floor. There were still a few members finishing their late-night training but the atmosphere was significantly more relaxed than the day's earlier bustle.
After greeting the old man and the other members who recognized me, I walked through another hallway leading to Ayu's office.
Knocking twice, I opened the door to see the woman busily doing something on her desk.
As soon as she noticed my presence, she looked up.
"Why are you back here?"
"Why else? I said I'll return for you. Anyway, here, I brought something for us to eat. It's chicken wings. I saw the store had just opened recently and I thought you could use a break." I said as I held out the takeout bag.
Ayu narrowed her eyes at me then shifted to the bag and the smell wafting from it, "What about drinks?"
"Here. Should I have gotten you alcohol?" I grinned, placing the bag on her desk. She raised an eyebrow at me.
"As if you can buy one on your own." She rolled her eyes before pulling a chair next to her.
I sat down on it without hesitation, taking the full view of her desk. She seemed to be working on scheduling the training cards. She probably got a few more new members who signed up and picked her as their instructor from those mothers in my basic program.
"Thanks to you, I have more work. You're so good at converting them to be members," Ayu said with a playful sigh as she pushed her paperwork aside to make room for our dinner. She looked at me, a smirk playing on her lips, "But, I'm not complaining. I love this. And I love to see you keep thriving. Although I also wish to see you up in the ring, claiming titles for yourself."
Ayu's words were filled with a sense of longing since she couldn't step up into the ring anymore because of her injury despite her passion, she hoped to see me fulfill my potential. But I already declined because I thought it wasn't for me.
Being a part-time instructor was enough for me. Plus, it's just not ideal juggling boxing matches on top of everything that I do.
But I knew how much it meant to Ayu, so I always gave her that hope. Through Sena.
"You make it sound so easy, Ayu. But in any case, Sena would get it for us."
"Still, it's different if it's you." Read complete version only at novèlfire.net
I flicked her nose, before wiping the sauce smeared at the side of her mouth with my thumb, "Should I enter an amateur tournament one time?"
"If you do, I'll be your biggest cheerleader, coach and manager all in one!" She exclaimed. She's enthusiastic, alright.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, making me chuckle. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Ayu. I'm just saying it might be a good experience. Let's focus on Sena first."
Ayu pouted but didn't argue anymore.
Instead, we dug into the chicken wings, the juicy meat and crispy skin a delightful contrast to the quiet night. The gym's familiar sounds. The occasional thwack of gloves on bags, distant chatter, and the steady rhythm of the ceiling fan became our background melody while we talked about our day.
I then helped her organize those training card schedules while munching on the chicken wings. The spicy sauce was just right, leaving a pleasant tingle on the tip of my tongue. The drink I bought was a big bottle that we could share. I filled her cup and watched as she took a sip, her eyes closing briefly as she savored it.
Once we're done with the chicken wings and drinks, Ayu delved back into work. I turned into her assistant since she also valued my opinion when it came to training setups. Because of that, her work finished smoothly and she didn't need to stay late.
I walked her home afterward and stayed a bit in her apartment just to leave my scent behind on her bedsheet.