The gym was alive with its usual chaos: the steady pounding of gloves against heavy bags, the rhythmic squeak of jump ropes on the floor, and Kamogawa's gruff voice barking orders at anyone who dared slack off. It was a symphony of effort, pain, and determination, and I was starting to love it.
I was working the mitts with Ippo when a loud crash echoed from the far corner of the gym. I turned just in time to see a mop of spiky hair fly past a punching bag, followed by a string of curses.
"Damn it, Aoki!" Takamura's booming laugh filled the room. "You're supposed to hit the bag, not fall on your ass!"
Aoki Masaru, one of Kamogawa Gym's mid-level boxers, picked himself up with a scowl. "Shut up, Takamura! The bag's slippery!"
"Sure it is," Kimura Tatsuya chimed in from his spot near the speed bags. "It's probably plotting against you too."
The two of them burst into laughter while Aoki glared at them, his face red. Despite their teasing, there was a camaraderie in their jabs that made the gym feel like a family.
"Quit messing around, all of you!" Kamogawa shouted. "If you've got energy to talk, you've got energy to train!"
The gym fell back into rhythm, but the energy remained electric. I couldn't help but feel the pull of it all, the sense that I was part of something greater than myself.
---
During a break, I sat on the bench beside Ippo, watching as Aoki and Kimura sparred in the ring. Their styles were so different that it was almost comical. Aoki's wild, unorthodox movements were a stark contrast to Kimura's measured, technical approach.
"You've got to watch out for Aoki," Ippo said, following my gaze. "His punches don't look like much, but they're sneaky. He's really good at messing with your rhythm."
I nodded, focusing on Aoki's movements. His punches were awkward, almost sloppy, but there was a method to the madness. He threw feints with his whole body, baiting Kimura into overcommitting before slipping in a jab or hook.
---
Opponent Analysis Activated: Aoki Masaru
Name: Aoki Masaru
Age: 22
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 63 kg
Wingspan: 172 cm
Class: Hybrid
Rank: D
Division: Lightweight
Title: None
Fighting Style: Unorthodox
Stats:
Strength: E
Agility: E
Flexibility: D
Awareness: E
Potential: B+
Endurance: E
Skills:
Jab Lv. 2
Hook Lv. 2
Feint Lv. 1
---
Aoki caught Kimura with a well-timed jab to the ribs, drawing a grunt of frustration. "What's the matter, Kimura? Too slow?"
Kimura scowled, countering with a sharp hook that clipped Aoki's shoulder. "Keep talking, and I'll knock that stupid grin off your face!"
"Promises, promises," Aoki said, dodging another punch with a dramatic lean.
Watching them spar was like watching a comedy act, but I couldn't deny their skill. Both of them had clearly spent years in the ring, and their movements carried a level of confidence and experience I could only hope to achieve.
---
The sparring match ended with Aoki narrowly dodging a knockout punch from Kimura, earning a round of laughter and applause from the onlookers.
As they climbed out of the ring, Takamura walked over, a wide grin on his face. "Not bad, Aoki. You almost looked like a boxer out there."
"Almost?" Aoki shot back. "I could wipe the floor with you if I wanted to."
Takamura burst out laughing. "Sure, sure. Anytime you want to embarrass yourself, let me know."
Kimura shook his head, smirking. "You two never stop, do you?"
"Of course not," Aoki said, grabbing a towel. "How else am I supposed to keep things interesting around here?"
---
As the day wore on, Kamogawa called me over. "Takashi," he said, his voice low. "You've been making good progress, but you still need to test yourself against different styles. Tomorrow, you'll spar with Aoki."
I blinked. "Aoki?"
"He'll keep you on your toes," Kamogawa said. "His style is unorthodox, and you'll need to learn how to adapt. This isn't just about throwing punches—it's about thinking on your feet."
"Yes, sir," I said, nodding.
---
The next day, the gym was abuzz with anticipation. Word of my sparring match with Aoki had spread, and several boxers gathered around the ring to watch.
"Don't let him mess with your head, rookie," Takamura said as I climbed into the ring. "Aoki's got more tricks than a street magician."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Aoki shot back, grinning as he adjusted his gloves.
The bell rang, and Aoki came at me immediately. His punches were wild and unpredictable, forcing me to stay on the defensive.
---
Opponent Weakness Identified: Overreliance on feints creates openings for counters.
---
I focused on his movements, waiting for an opportunity. Aoki threw a wide hook, and I stepped in with a straight punch to his midsection.
"Not bad, rookie," Aoki said, retreating slightly. "But you'll need more than that to beat me."
He launched into a series of feints, his body twisting and turning as he tried to throw me off balance. I kept my guard up, staying light on my feet as I watched for an opening.
When he overcommitted on a jab, I countered with a quick combination—a jab to his chest followed by a hook to his side.
The crowd around the ring cheered, and I felt a surge of confidence.
---
By the end of the third round, we were both panting, our bodies drenched in sweat. Aoki grinned, wiping his face with a towel. "You've got potential, Takashi. Keep this up, and you might actually be worth sparring with again."
"Thanks," I said, grinning back.
Kamogawa nodded approvingly. "Good work, both of you. Takashi, you're learning how to think on your feet. Keep building on that."
As I stepped out of the ring, Ippo handed me a water bottle, his face glowing with pride. "You were amazing, Takashi! I can't believe how fast you've improved."
"Thanks, Ippo," I said, taking a long drink. "But I've still got a lot to learn."
"Don't we all?" he said, smiling.
As the gym settled back into its usual rhythm, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I was growing stronger, step by step, and I wasn't alone.