Chapter 9: Growth and Reflection
The applause died down, and the gym returned to its usual rhythm. The thud of gloves on heavy bags and the sharp whir of jump ropes filled the air as I sat slumped on the bench, still catching my breath. My body ached in ways I didn't know were possible, but the rush of victory over Sugawara kept a tired smile on my face.
"You really surprised me in there," Sugawara said, sitting next to me and nursing his ribs. He held an ice pack to his side, wincing slightly as he adjusted it. "Most rookies would've crumbled under the pressure. You've got guts, kid."
"Thanks," I said, still panting. "But you didn't make it easy. You hit like a truck."
He laughed, a deep and genuine sound that made him seem far less intimidating than he'd been in the ring. "Well, don't let this win go to your head. Next time, I'll show you what I can really do."
I smirked. "Looking forward to it."
Across the gym, I caught Ippo's eye. He gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, his face glowing with pride.
"Takashi, that was amazing!" he said, jogging over. "You were so fast and precise—I couldn't believe it!"
I shook my head. "It wasn't perfect. Sugawara had me on the ropes a few times. I just got lucky."
"Luck, huh?" Takamura's voice boomed behind me, and I felt a heavy hand clap down on my shoulder. "If that's what you call landing a clean shot to the solar plexus, maybe I should start relying on luck more often."
I turned to face him, surprised to see a glimmer of approval in his usually cocky grin. "You've got potential, kid," he said, crossing his arms. "But don't think for a second that you're hot shit now. You're still just a rookie."
"I know," I said, nodding. "There's a lot I need to work on."
Takamura's grin widened. "Good answer. Now get off your ass and start shadowboxing. Victory's no excuse to slack off."
"Yes, sir," I muttered, dragging myself to my feet.
---
As the training session wore on, I found myself glancing at Miyata, who was working the heavy bag with smooth, precise movements. His punches were clean and efficient, each one landing with pinpoint accuracy.
I hesitated before approaching him, unsure of how he'd react. But if I wanted to grow as a boxer, I couldn't afford to shy away from learning from the best.
"Hey, Miyata," I said, clearing my throat as I stood a few feet away.
He paused mid-punch, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I just wanted to say… your counterpunching is incredible. I've never seen anyone move like that before."
He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Thanks. But compliments won't get you anywhere in the ring."
I nodded, swallowing my nerves. "I know. I was wondering… if you have any advice. I'm still figuring out my style, but I want to improve."
Miyata's gaze softened slightly, and he leaned against the heavy bag. "Boxing isn't something you can master overnight. It's a grind—years of practice, refining your technique, and understanding your opponent. If you're serious about this, you need to focus on the fundamentals first. Footwork, timing, and balance. Without those, your punches mean nothing."
I nodded, absorbing his words. "Got it. Thanks, Miyata."
"Don't thank me yet," he said, turning back to the bag. "The hard part is actually putting in the work."
---
Later that evening, as I sat in the locker room wrapping up for the day, I couldn't help but replay the sparring session in my mind. The rush of adrenaline, the system's guidance, and the satisfaction of landing that final punch—it all felt surreal.
I opened my status window to check my progress.
---
Status Window
Strength: E-
Agility: E-
Flexibility: F+ → E-
Awareness: F+ → E-
Endurance: E-
Skills: Jab Lv. 3, Straight Lv. 2, Hook Lv. 1, Uppercut Lv. 1
---
The improvements were subtle, but they were there. Every punch, every dodge, every round in the ring was building me up, step by step.
As I closed the window, the system chimed in my mind.
---
Mission Available: Progress Through Observation
Goal: Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of five boxers.
Reward: +1 Awareness, Unlock [Counter Lv. 1].
---
A new mission. I grinned, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Observation was something I could do even when my body was screaming for rest.
---
Over the next few days, I dedicated myself to studying the boxers around me. During training, I focused on their movements, activating the system's Opponent Analysis to gain deeper insights.
Sugawara Hiroshi:
Strength: High-pressure fighting. Durable and relentless.
Weakness: Overcommits when frustrated.
Takamura Mamoru:
Strength: Raw power, versatility, and experience.
Weakness: None apparent. (Figures.)
Makunouchi Ippo:
Strength: Incredible potential and stamina. Developing devastating punches.
Weakness: Hesitant and lacks confidence.
Miyata Ichirou:
Strength: Counterpunching mastery. Precise, disciplined, and tactical.
Weakness: Tends to rely heavily on counters, leaving gaps when forced to initiate.
Kimura Tatsuya (introduced later):
Strength: Well-rounded. Solid techniques and strong mid-range punches.
Weakness: Lacks specialization, struggles against extremes in style.
---
As I completed the mission, the system chimed again.
---
Mission Complete: Progress Through Observation
Reward: +1 Awareness, Unlock [Counter Lv. 1].
---
The next time I stepped into the ring, I felt sharper, more focused. Every movement felt deliberate, guided not just by instinct but by a growing understanding of the art of boxing.
---
One evening after training, I sat outside the gym with Ippo, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink.
"Takashi," Ippo said, breaking the silence. "Why did you start boxing?"
The question caught me off guard. I stared at the horizon, searching for the right words. "I guess… I wanted to prove something to myself. That I could be strong, that I could fight for something."
Ippo nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I think I understand. For me, it's about… becoming someone I can be proud of. Someone my mom can be proud of."
"You're already on your way, Ippo," I said, smiling. "You've got something special, and I don't just mean your punches. You've got heart."
He looked at me, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thanks, Takashi. That means a lot."
As we sat there, the weight of the day's training fading into the background, I felt a deep sense of connection with Ippo. We were two rookies in a world that demanded strength and perseverance, but together, we were finding our place.
The road ahead was long, and the challenges would only get tougher. But for the first time in my life, I felt ready to face them head-on.