Stepping on the soft grass after walking on concrete does give a comfortable feeling to my legs. I noticed Yasurouka walking in front of me but didn’t approach her. She seemed to be busy talking with Kizhashi and barging in on their conversation wouldn’t be a great idea.

Everyone seemed pretty excited for this class and I could see a bunch of students gathered around our PE teacher. His short black hair was trimmed on the sides and he was in his usual outfit. A t-shirt and track pants since it was easier to move in them, according to him.

He was an average built dude, and I could see that the muscles in his arm got some definition. Well it made sense since he used to be a volleyball instructor prior to coming to our school.

“Good Morning, Yamashiro Sensei” Some students greeted him and he nodded to them.

“So, everyone is here right?” He asked as he glanced over all of us. Some students replied to his question but most of the others were busy chatting among themselves.

“Ok, I’m marking all of you present. If I get into trouble for discrepancies in attendance, I’ll legit give those who were absent a zero in PE this term.” He chuckled.

We knew he was joking, and he wouldn’t do anything like that. He was by far the most chill teacher around us. Some teachers say that we should consider them as our friends but then get mad if we really try to treat them as our friend. But Yamashiro sensei was really our friend despite being in his mid thirties.

Sensei said it was free for all, so I was sitting comfortably in the shade with some other people who didn’t like playing much so they were resting. The tennis court was right in front of me and I could see Tomose talking with Yasurouka.

Knowing Kana and Kizhashi, I knew they wouldn’t dare talk to each other even if they were the last person on earth.

Tomose picked up a tennis racquet and walked over to one side of the court while Yasurouka headed to the other side. They were going to play a match. Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to watch their game.

“I won’t be going easy on you.” Tomose said and by the confidence in her voice, it felt like she was quite good at it.

“Let’s play, then.” Yasurouka said while swinging the tennis racquet in her hands. I thought she wasn’t good at playing games since she seemed more of a bookworm to me.

“Ehhh… this is going to be interesting, unlike that pathetic play by someone.” Kana said in a mocking tone and that comment was directed at Kizhashi.

“Huh!? What did you say? Please don’t think I’m the same as you.” Kizhashi shot back.

“Huh!?”

“Huh!?”

I could hear the irritation in their voices. And the tension between them could have easily overpowered any shonen villain and protagonist dynamic.

I noticed Kana walking over to Tomose, and just as she was about to serve, Kana held her hand and took the racquet from her.

“Ehh… ehhhh?” Tomose tilted her head in confusion as she looked at Kana. I could tell where this was going.

She pointed the racquet at Kizhashi and it clearly was a gesture for a duel between them. Kizhashi stomped her way to Yasurouka and took the racquet from her. I could tell them Tomose and Yasurouka weren’t really happy about this development.

“Hmph, I will show you who is superior among us.” She said as she pulled the sleeves of her t-shirt up her forearm.

“We’ll see about that.” Kana said while bouncing the ball in her and staring at Kizhashi. Kizhashi rolled her eyes and got into position.

Kana threw the ball in the air with her left hand and smashed it with the racquet in her right arm. The ball made its way over the net to the other side only to be sent back again by Kizhashi.

Kana’s serve was pretty straight, generally players try to keep the ball away from their opponents. Yasurouka was standing on the side of the court so I decided to join her. I stood up and patted my back to dust off the f

dirt.

“Ah, I couldn’t see you play. What a shame.” I said.

“Ok, at least don’t make it so obvious.” She rolled her eyes. I gave an awkward chuckle.

“I can’t believe them. It was my turn to play today.” She pouted as she crossed her arms.

“Well, looking at their rivalry, I doubt if they would’ve.”

“True.” She nodded in disappointment. I again focused on the game. Both of them had exchanged quite some hits and it looked like it was time for one of them to score.

Kizhashi hit the ball to the far right side of the court as Kana was on the left side and Kana made a dash to save the point and unfortunately she couldn’t make it. Kizhashi’s face was lit up with a smug as she looked at Kana and smiled.

“Oya Oya Oya, was I going too hard on you?” Kizhashi said with her left hands on her hips.

“Screw you, you just got lucky.” Kana yelled from that side of the court.

“Hoooo, what? You’re saying that I’m better than you? Oh… thank you.” She flipped her hair and gave an evil smile.

Yasurouka was laughing beside me.

“She has always been like this.” She said, taking a deep breath.

“Get ready!” Kana said and served again. This time Kizhashi raised her racquet in a manner which suggested that she was going for a spike, but hit the ball lightly enough that it barely got to the other side of the net.

Noticing this change in pace, Kana rushed to the front of the court and there was a smile on her face. She placed her hand in such a way that I could tell she was about to hit the ball to the opposite side from where Kizhashi was standing.

Kizhashi predicted her move and rushed to the other side but at the last moment, she rotated her palm and lightly tapped the ball with the backside of her racquet. The ball bounced off the racquet and fell a few inches far from the net.

Kizhashi was surprised at this move. To be honest it surprised me too. Albeit the game was going really fast paced this last move was indeed unexpected. With that Kizhashi and Kana were both at a draw as the bell rang for the next period.

“Don’t get full of yourself because you got one over me.” Kizhashi said.

“I wasn’t even playing seriously.”

“Oh yeah!?”

“Ughhh, we will settle this in the next PE.” Kana said while pointing towards Kizhashi with her index finger.

“Yeah! Whatever.” She rolled her eyes.

“That means I can’t play in the next PE class too.” Yasurouka said in a low voice. I legit got the urge to laugh but controlled myself. This is hilarious.

“Well… it is what it is.” I patted her shoulder and headed towards our class. This game was indeed interesting. That means, Kizhashi is quite athletic too.

Like boyfriend, like girlfriend.