The gym buzzed with energy as Kamogawa's voice rang out across the room, commanding everyone's attention. "Listen up! We've got a special sparring session today. Kurogane, you're up. You'll be sparring with Sugawara."
My heart skipped a beat. Sparring again? And with Sugawara?
Sugawara Hiroshi was a mid-level boxer at the gym, known for his relentless in-fighting style. He wasn't the most technically refined, but his raw aggression and stamina made him a nightmare for anyone caught in close quarters. I glanced at Ippo, who gave me a small, nervous thumbs-up.
"Me?" I asked, looking back at Kamogawa.
"Yes, you," he said, crossing his arms. "You've been training hard, but training alone won't make you a boxer. It's time to see how you hold up under real pressure."
I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yes, sir."
Sugawara cracked his knuckles, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Don't worry, rookie," he said as he climbed into the ring. "I'll go easy on you. For the first round, anyway."
The gym erupted in laughter, and I felt a wave of heat rise to my face. I climbed into the ring, my palms slick with sweat as I adjusted my gloves. This wasn't just another training exercise. It was a test, and I wasn't about to fail.
"Relax," the system chimed in my mind. "You've trained for this. Trust your skills."
---
The bell rang, and Sugawara wasted no time closing the distance. His gloves flew toward me in a relentless barrage of punches, each one heavy and precise.
I ducked and weaved, my footwork carrying me out of range, but the pressure was suffocating. Every time I tried to create space, Sugawara was right there, his gloves crashing against my guard.
"Don't run, rookie!" Sugawara taunted, his grin widening as he threw another flurry of jabs and hooks.
I focused on his movements, watching for patterns. His jab was sharp and consistent, but his hooks were wide and left him open for a split second.
---
Opponent Analysis Activated: Sugawara Hiroshi
Name: Sugawara Hiroshi
Age: 20
Height: 171 cm
Weight: 63 kg
Wingspan: 170 cm
Class: In-Fighter
Rank: E
Division: Lightweight
Title: None
Fighting Style: Aggressive
Stats:
Strength: E+
Agility: E
Flexibility: F+
Awareness: F+
Potential: B
Endurance: E+
Skills:
Jab Lv. 2
Hook Lv. 2
Uppercut Lv. 1
---
The stats flashed in my mind, and I focused on the details. Sugawara's strength and endurance were higher than mine, and his aggressive style put me at a disadvantage. But his flexibility and awareness were lower than average, which meant I could outmaneuver him if I stayed light on my feet.
"Alright, Takashi," I muttered under my breath. "Find an opening and don't waste it."
---
Sugawara threw a wild hook, and I stepped in, driving a straight punch into his chest. The impact made him stumble back, his grin faltering.
"Not bad," he said, his tone more serious now.
I pressed the advantage, throwing a quick jab followed by a hook to his side. Sugawara blocked the hook, but he didn't expect the uppercut that followed. My glove connected with his chin, snapping his head back slightly.
---
Skill Activated: Uppercut Lv. 1
---
"Good!" Kamogawa shouted from the sidelines. "Stay on him, Takashi!"
Sugawara growled, his expression turning fierce as he launched another flurry of punches. This time, I couldn't dodge them all. A hook slammed into my ribs, the force driving the air from my lungs.
I stumbled back, gasping for breath, but I refused to back down.
---
Opponent Weakness Identified: Overcommits on hooks, leaving openings for counters.
---
I grinned through the pain, realizing I had an opportunity. Sugawara's hooks were powerful, but they left him vulnerable for a split second. As he threw another wild swing, I ducked under it and countered with a quick combination—two jabs to his midsection followed by a straight to his chest.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the first round. I stumbled back to my corner, my chest heaving as I gulped in air.
"Good work," Kamogawa said, handing me a water bottle. "You're starting to see the openings. Keep using your head and don't let him overwhelm you."
"Yes, sir," I said, wiping sweat from my face.
---
The second round began, and Sugawara came at me with even more aggression. His punches were faster and heavier, and I struggled to keep up. My arms ached from blocking his hooks, and my legs felt like lead as I moved around the ring.
"Don't let him control the pace!" Kamogawa barked. "Make him fight on your terms!"
I focused on my footwork, circling around Sugawara and throwing quick jabs to keep him at bay. Each punch felt sharper, more precise, as the system guided my movements.
---
Skill Upgrade: Jab Lv. 2 → Jab Lv. 3
---
With my improved jab, I was able to keep Sugawara off-balance, forcing him to adjust his approach. He became more reckless, his punches growing wilder and less accurate.
---
Opponent Weakness Updated: Becomes reckless when frustrated.
---
Sugawara growled in frustration as he missed another hook, his glove sailing past my head. I stepped in and delivered a clean uppercut to his ribs, the impact making him stumble.
"Alright, Takashi!" Ippo shouted from the sidelines, his voice filled with excitement.
I grinned, my confidence growing with every punch.
---
By the time the second round ended, Sugawara was breathing heavily, his movements slower and less coordinated. The system's analysis confirmed what I could already see.
---
Opponent Condition: Fatigued. Awareness reduced to F. Agility reduced to F+.
---
As the third round began, I pressed the attack. Sugawara tried to close the distance, but I stayed light on my feet, landing quick combinations and dodging his sluggish punches.
I focused on his midsection, driving punch after punch into his ribs. Each strike sapped more of his energy, and his guard began to drop.
This was my chance. I stepped in and threw a powerful straight punch, aiming for his solar plexus.
---
Skill Activated: Straight Lv. 2
---
The punch landed with a satisfying thud, and Sugawara crumpled to the canvas, gasping for air.
"Enough!" Kamogawa shouted, stepping into the ring. "Good work, Takashi. You've got potential."
The gym erupted in cheers and applause, but I barely heard them. My heart was pounding, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I stood over Sugawara.
As I helped him to his feet, he grinned despite the loss. "Not bad, rookie. You've got some fight in you."
"Thanks," I said, my chest swelling with pride.
---
After the sparring session, I caught Miyata watching me from the corner of the gym. His expression was unreadable, but I could tell he was evaluating me.
As I sat down beside Ippo, my body aching but my heart full, I couldn't help but reflect on how far I'd come. The system had given me an edge, but it was my determination and hard work that had carried me through the fight.
"Great job, Takashi," Ippo said, a wide smile on his face. "You're amazing!"
I smiled back at him. "Thanks, Ippo. But this is just the beginning. We've got a long way to go."
He nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Yeah. Let's keep going, together."
As I looked around the gym, watching the other boxers train, I felt a deep sense of belonging. For the first time in both my lives, I was exactly where I needed to be.