My face got immediately red but promptly I asked back before he could realize what he had just said because from the casual tone he said it, he didn't know how that sounded.

Or maybe he did. But I couldn't even consider that option because I would get redder even more.

"You want a coffee or something as a payback?"

He looked between me and the door, pondering his answer.

"You got beer?" I nodded and he slipped his shoes back off.

We sat down on my back porch, the beer in our hands cooling our skin.

The house had a little back garden with a few trees, some flower beds, and a little pond with two goldfish. I didn't know how they survived because it was rare when I remembered to feed them.

It was a warm evening, the sun started setting over the horizon a few minutes ago and the sound of cicadas acted as a constant backdrop to the panorama.

"So you really want to learn how to play." Ukai suddenly broke the silence while still keeping his gaze on the garden.

"Yeah, I guess so." I muttered while looking at my can of beer that I was holding with both of my hands, enjoying the cooling sensation it gave me. It seemed embarrassing to admit that in front him since he was a coach and I thought he wouldn't take me seriously.

Another silence arose between us.

"Well!" He took a final gulp from the can and put it on the porch beside him.

I looked at him confused, what was his sudden burst of energy.

"Let's start your first lesson." He stood up and stretched a bit.

I was still sitting down, now breaking my neck to look up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"You wanted to learn to play volleyball no?...So who'd be better than an actual coach training you." He announced with a wide smile, the beer probably getting to him a bit.

Seeing my stunned expression, he crouched down to my level.

"Don't worry I'll go easy on you." He whispered with a smirk.

Which made me freeze even more.

"I'll go get the ball, you just stretch in the meantime." He straightened back up and went into the house.

Oh god, this is going to be the most embarrassing thing in my life.

I thought as I put away the cans of beer.

"Are you stretched?" He asked as he walked back outside.

Where is his shirt?!

I looked at him wide-eyed.

"I took off my shirt because it was too hot and I didn't want to sweat through it, I hope you don't mind." He chuckled innocently.

"O-of course not." I said weakly.

How am I supposed to focus and train in these conditions.

We took a place in the middle of the garden. The space wasn't sufficient to actually play but we started with the simple stuff anyway so it wasn't bothersome.

He started by explaining the stance I should take when receiving a ball and then send the ball my way a few times. It was safe to say that I was happy when my hands even touched the ball and I didn't end up swinging at nothing.

Ukai was clearly entertained by my clumsiness but he refrained from any unnecessary remarks and instead actually tried to help me.

"Okay, I'll send the ball a little higher this time so you'll try how is it receiving from the upper side." He announced and after seeing my acknowledging nod, he swung the ball towards me.

My eyes were attentively watching the ball move closer to me and I took up the stance Ukai showed me earlier.

The ball moved quicker than I expected and it seemed that it'd be above my head if I was a bit farther away so I took two steps back.

Okay one more step should do it.

My leg moved instinctively back as I watched the ball, however, instead of stepping on the hard surface of the grass, my legs seemed to sink.

Before I could react I fell into the pond, splashing the water around me and scaring the fish into the corner of the pond.

I was now laying in the pond, my hands that desperately tried to ease the fall were stretched out.

My eyes were wide and the muscles in my body were strained. I slowly tried to comprehend what had just happened.

The silence was broken by the loud laugh from Ukai, who had the pleasure of viewing this scene from the best seat.

I waited for him to stop laughing but he didn't.

I groaned and huffed as I was slowly standing up in the pond to get out. When I was finally out, I inspected my body for the bruises I attained and pulled off any plants that landed on me.

Meanwhile, Ukai came back to his senses and walked toward me to help me clean up the dirt.

"Are you okay?" He asked between chuckles.

"Yes." I groaned and pulled another plant stem from my arm.

I felt Ukai's hand pull out another leaf from my hair.

"Thank you." I grunted still annoyed at his over-the-top reaction.

"Maybe you should have taken your shirt off like I did in the beginning." He joked. Even though I was annoyed, I couldn't help but smile a little, hoping he wouldn't see though.

When I no longer saw any green remains on my body, I walked to the house.

"I'll go shower and change. You can pack up and go too."

"Huh? Really? We can still continue after you change." He called out to me, trying to make me reconsider.

"Just go home." I sighed out not looking at him and walked into the house, leaving him standing in the garden.

Ukai's face took up a sad expression as he felt bad for me. He saw that trying to persuade me wouldn't go anywhere, so he picked up the ball and empty cans and walked into the house as well.

I was already in the shower so I didn't notice him leave but when I came out I saw the two cans thrown in the trash and the ball neatly cleaned off of the dirt and put by the shoe rack.