Vol. 2 Chapter 47 – A Close Look at Asahi Hikaru’s Day (2)

“This is the dining hall. Use is generally limited to members, but it’s special permission for today.” (Mitsuki)

“Thank you. It’s quite spacious.” (Reiya)

Walking a short distance from the indoor courts, I surveyed the next place I was guided to, the dining hall.

There were about a hundred seats, large for a single tennis club’s cafeteria.

Perhaps because it was summer vacation, about half the seats were filled with junior players of high school age or younger.

“It’s the biggest club around here, you see. By the way, for those aiming to become players, use is free! Though, of course, that cost comes out of the annual membership fee.” (Mitsuki)

Holding the lunch plate I’d received in both hands, I looked for an available seat—

“Over here, over here!” (Hikaru)

I saw Hikaru, seated near the center, beckoning to us.

Weaving through the other patrons, I headed towards her.

Upon reaching the table, I sat next to Hikaru, and her mother sat opposite me.

“Alright… Good work with the morning practice.” (Reiya)

“Good work observing, too. So, what are your thoughts after watching the morning session?” (Hikaru)

“Let’s see… First off, I thought the sheer amount of exercise you do from the morning is simply amazing.” (Reiya)

Including the warm-up beforehand, she had been going almost non-stop for about four hours.

Meaning, she performs tens of times the amount of exercise I do on days I take an occasional walk and think, ‘Wow, I got a good workout today,’ almost every single day.

Thinking about it that way, I was genuinely astonished by her daily efforts.

“Hmm… Well, Himeka-san was here today, so the practice volume was especially high.” (Hikaru)

“And the fact that you’re eating lunch now with such a nonchalant expression is still amazing…” (Reiya)

Partly because she had arrived earlier, she had already finished most of her food.

If I did that much exercise, I’d definitely throw up eating this much right after.

“You think? The portions for lunch here aren’t that big, so personally, I feel like eating more.” (Hikaru)

“Don’t complain. The nutritionist put a lot of thought into preparing this for you.” (Mitsuki)

As the two bickered beside me, I picked up my chopsticks and started eating.

Today’s menu was ginger pork and Caesar salad, with miso soup and rice.

I picked up a piece of pork and popped it into my mouth.

First, the sweet and savory sauce seeped into my tongue, followed by the flavor of ginger filling my mouth.

It was lightly seasoned compared to the school cafeteria, but delicious in its own way.

Resetting my palate with white rice, I moved on to the Caesar salad.

The lettuce had a pleasant bitterness, and the rich dressing coated it well; this was also delicious.

When you can enjoy different flavors alternately, it’s hard to find a moment for your chopsticks to rest.

“Thanks for the meal!” (Hikaru)

While I was still less than halfway done, Hikaru finished her meal first.

“Isn’t that a bit fast? Did you chew your food properly?” (Mitsuki)

“Because the sooner I finish, the more I can enjoy the summer festival!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru retorted like a grade-schooler to words that sounded like they were meant for one.

“So, I’m heading to the training room first to finish today’s menu!” (Hikaru)

Carrying her empty plate, Hikaru stood up and left the dining hall.

“Sigh… She really is a handful…” (Mitsuki)

“Sorry… It feels like I invited her at a weird time…” (Reiya)

“Well, thanks to that, her motivation seems high, so don’t worry about it.” (Mitsuki)

“Haha… By the way, is it better to be somewhat mindful of her regular meals too?” (Reiya)

“Hm? Regular meals?” (Mitsuki)

Not understanding my question, she stopped eating and asked me to repeat.

“Well, when she’s at my place, we don’t really focus on balanced meals, so I was wondering if that’s okay…” (Reiya)

When Hikaru spends time in my room, her lifestyle is completely different, very haphazard.

Meals are basically eaten out or delivered, with no thought given to nutritional balance.

Sometimes she even lies sprawled on the bed eating snacks, or chugs energy drinks while gaming…

She seems to enjoy it, so I haven’t interfered, but thinking about it, it’s a zero out of ten for an athlete’s lifestyle.

“Hmm… Strictly speaking, maybe we should be concerned, but you know how she’s the type to act instinctively based on her feelings and senses at the moment, right?” (Mitsuki)

“Well, yes… I suppose so.” (Reiya)

She probably wouldn’t admit it herself, but I had to agree.

For example, even in games, she’s the type to charge into obviously dangerous situations just for the thrill of it.

And the fact that it usually works out somehow makes me think she’s truly blessed by heaven.

“So, the tricky part is, imposing unnecessary restrictions tends to make her performance drop…” (Mitsuki)

“I see… So, does that mean her diet can stay as it is?” (Reiya)

“Yes, that’s fine.” (Mitsuki)

“Then, about other things—” (Reiya)

After that, I asked several more questions about things she should and shouldn’t do, but…

“While she’s at your place, it’s probably best to let her be herself, relax, and not think about unnecessary things. Being strict is my role.” (Mitsuki)

The conclusion felt like it made all my various resolutions and sense of mission fizzle out.

Half the reason I came to observe today just vanished…

As I sat sipping tea in the nearly empty dining hall, thinking about this—

“Ah… But, Reiya-kun, there is one thing. Just one thing I need you to be mindful of. It’s something I find a bit difficult to say to her directly, so I have no choice but to ask you…” (Mitsuki)

Hikaru’s mother began, her tone slightly serious.

“What is it?” (Reiya)

My sense of mission, which had nearly been extinguished, began to reignite.

Something she couldn’t say to Hikaru herself, something only I could do.

Yes, that’s what I was looking for—

“Could I ask you to try and refrain from pre-match sex as much as possible?” (Mitsuki)

The sensitive word suddenly uttered by her mother froze me solid, along with the flames of my mission.

“………………Hm? Eh? W-What did you just say? Se…?” (Reiya)

The shock momentarily wiped the words from my memory.

“Oh, did you not hear me? I said, please refrain from pre-match sex. Or do young people these days call it something different? Ecchi? Getting friendly? Surely not… mating!?” (Mitsuki)

“N-No… I think that’s correct…” (Reiya)

Realizing I hadn’t misheard, I couldn’t hide my agitation.

“Right. I know this kind of talk can be awkward, but it’s important for an athlete.” (Mitsuki)

“Y-Yes… Well… I suppose so…” (Reiya)

Being lectured by a mother about sexual relations with her daughter… is this some new form of torture?

Sure, I understand it’s important, but…

Still, having class observation day during health and P.E. would be considerably better than this.

“So, I think it’s best if you could hold back starting about three or four days before. I know it must be tough since you’re young, but that’s something you, as her partner, need to manage properly, okay?” (Mitsuki)

“Y-Yes… No, but… that’s not it… Before that…” (Reiya)

Indeed, this might be an important role only I could fulfill.

But first, I needed to correct a fundamental misunderstanding.

“Not it? Well, true, there are apparently research results saying it’s better to do it… but I’m skeptical about that. Based on my N=1 experience, though.” (Mitsuki)

“No, that’s not it either… Um… The thing is… we haven’t… yet…” (Reiya)

“Eh? Ah… Could it be, you haven’t… yet…?” (Mitsuki)

Sensing her slip of the tongue, she hastily covered her mouth.

“…Yes, not yet… Ma’am.” (Reiya)

Not wanting to create any strange misunderstandings, I confessed honestly.

Our relationship hadn’t progressed that far.

“Ah… I see… Right, of course. You only just started dating, after all.” (Mitsuki)

“Um… Sorry about that…” (Reiya)

“N-No, I’m the one who should apologize. But, you know… you’ve already had sleepovers several times, so I just assumed… right? Ahaha…” (Mitsuki)

“H-Haha…” (Reiya)

We both laughed to cover up the intense awkwardness.

Still, I thought I should probably take it to heart for the future.