All this time, it was an endless exchange of balls.
At some point, I had already adapted to the feeling of the racquet in my hands and my ball control was now smoother meaning that I was now interchanging between fast passes and normal ones.
Seeing her play happily like this, it just…
Made me feel happy too.
That genuine smile.
It was my first time seeing it plastered on her face.
It was just very different from the teasing ones she always sent to me.
I could feel it striking a chord deep within me.
It was a smile from the bottom of her heart which made me want to protect it.
I wanted to cherish her.
I wanted to keep seeing her smiling like that.
I want to keep seeing that light in her eyes.
It has to shine until it's the brightest.
It was as if she was unrestricted from anything.
From catching all my balls, to the amount of sweat which was evident on her whole body through sheer hard work and still continuing to pursue even further, her ponytail swaying to the dance she was making on the other side of the court, I'm just starting to realize how hardworking this girl is.
The effort she puts must be tremendous, compared to me who always downgrades himself.
Luckily enough, I have already realized this sooner.
I want to be like that too.
In short, I want to be like her.
To put frightening effort in something I admire.
I don't have to be talented in something in order to do it.
I just need to keep working hard on it.
I guess that's where my mindset was negatively flawed.
All her movements were perfectly calculated and maneuvered in such a unpredictable way, her skirt fluttering in the air dancing to the tune of her body, exuding the cheerfulness of her character and it was affecting me too.
I was glued to this sight of her.
Its admirable.
I admire her.
And I want to support her all I can.
Seeing her true self bare without any form of hinderance, she is truly a spectacular girl.
If only she kept smiling like this all this time.
If at all possible, I want to keep seeing her like that.
And I'll make sure of it.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You're amazing, you know that?"
"Smooth talker. Wow, you are a natural at this."
"You really think so?"
"Now you are no longer at beginner level. I'd say you are now at intermediate at worst."
"As I said before, it's because I have a great instructor."
"My father was a great instructor but I didn't become proficient early enough like you did."
"That's because you did it for some dumb ice cream and you were still young at the time."
"Now I'm wondering if I even shared this info with the right person."
"Obviously you didn't, ice cream girl."
"Don't call me that."
"Hehe. Ice cream girl."
"One more time and I'll send this ball straight into face and if you decide to block, I'll send it down there."
"I'm just messing with you. Besides, because of you, I think I'm starting to like tennis."
"You sure?"
"What reason do I have to lie about this?"
"I don't know. Maybe as a way to comfort me with sweet words."
"If I did that, it would be a dreamy poem."
"I object. I bet it would be a nightmare."
"See. That's the reason why I never use sweet words with you and only tell you the honest truth."
Then she turned bright crimson again.
What?
"Thanks. I really appreciate it."
"You are NOT welcome."
"Haha~. But still, I really appreciate it coming from you. It means so much to me."
What the hell does that mean?
What exactly is that message trying to imply?
You know what, let me throw these words in my recycle bin.
More time passed as we were continuously sending the ball back and forth until she finally decided to end it with a fast pass.
I never even noticed that the ball shot through between my legs until I heard it bouncing against the wall, and coming back bouncing again.
"That's enough passes. Time to teach you the serve."
How dare she underestimate me like that?
"Was it really necessary to flex like that?"
"Flex what?"
She just keeps on doubling the things I'll pay her back with.
"Forget it."
"Hehe~."
"As for the serve…"
"I think it's time we head home." I interjected her.
Then she checked the time on her watch and, "You are right. It has gotten really late. I never noticed."
"Because you are dumb."
"And as my partner you are dumber."
"You wish."
After that, we began to pick the balls which had scattered everywhere like ants…
Oops!
Not ants as such.
After helping her to recollect the balls, putting them their bag and returning it to the equipment room, it was high time we head home.
"Are you going to walk home wearing something like that?"
"Never. I'm going to change back into my school unform." Then I saw her pulling out her school uniform from her bag which was neatly folded.
That's better.
I turned around intending to go out and give her some privacy.
"You want to see me change?"
My pulse accelerated again.
"Stop teasing me. You don't ever want to cross paths with me when I'm aroused." Still continuing on with my route.
"Oh hoh. Now I'm curious. What will you do?"
"You don't deserve to know."
Then she sped behind me and hugged me from behind.
"Now what will you do?"
"Nothing."
"Oh."
She started caressing her soft fingers from my chest in a playful manner descending downwards to my stomach which sent bolts of electricity down my spine until I caught her before she went any further.
"Just change already."
"I'm curious to know what you will do."
Why does she never change?
You know what?
To hell with ethics with her.
I released one hand which was holding her and moved it in an arc backwards and I slapped her ass hard.
The sound even reverberated through the whole room even more that the last time.
"Ahh~. Why did you slap my butt?"
"Just finish already." And I exited the room.
Outside the room, I could hear the rustling of the fabric against her skin as she changed back into her school uniform and finally exited.
This time, she had usual look without the ponytail on.
Usual look?
Something is not right.
My eyes were then drawn to her chest as her cleavage was exposed for all to see. That smooth white forbidden porcelain skin which was between her chest, I was tempted to just cope a feel right this instant.
'What a beautiful color.'
"What are you staring at, pervert?" She was beaming once again.
"Have some shame, will you? I promise you one day I'm seriously going to attack you if you continue messing with me like this."
"So why are you still staring?"
"Because I love them. Did you expect me to react any differently? Now please wear properly before I lose control of myself."
"What? I didn't hear that properly?"
Then I simply walked away.
"Wait up."
She immediately buttoned up her shirt as she caught up to me until she took the lead.
Why does she always love to be in my line of sight?
Following closely behind her, there was something which was just bugging me.
I felt the need to actually do it.
"Sayumi?"
"Hmm?"
"If you don't mind…"
"No need to act formal with me."
"That's the last thought that even crosses my mind. Are you developing an overinflated ego by any chance?"
"Fine. What is it?"
"I want to join the tennis club."
She halted and turned around to face me until she was directly right in front of me blocking my path.
"You can't be serious."
"I am serious."
"No way."
"Yes way."
"You really mean it?"
"I really do." I didn't waste any time as I kept on giving her replies immediately without any hesitation.
There it was again, her brilliant smile.
I want to be the one to make her happy.
Even just a little bit.
She may be annoying but...
That's who she is.
And I am starting to appreciate it.
I'll dilute her loneliness until she forgets how it feels.
She leaned onto me, stretched her toes until she was on par with me as she stood on her tiptoes and then gave me a kiss me on the cheek.
I was caught off-guard by the unexpected kiss that I didn't know what to do.
I could still feel the part where she made contact with me and I was burning up.
"You'll make me fall for you know that." My hand was over where she just kissed me prior.
"Welcome to the club, Saku~. You just made my day, thanks."