June 11th – Tokyo International AirportThe automatic doors slid open, and the bustling atmosphere of Tokyo International Airportwelcomed Alex Makunouchi and his team as they stepped into the arrival lobby.
The young boxing sensation had just landed back in Japan after his successful fight overseas, accompanied by Takamura, Coach Kamogawa, and Assistant Coach Yagi.
As they made their way toward baggage claim, Alex and Takamura were casually chatting—until suddenly, a swarm of people and media packed the area, creating a chaotic scene.
Coach Kamogawa's eyes widened slightly. "What the hell…?"
Yagi, looking around, immediately understood the situation. "This is going to be a problem. We need security to get out of here safely."
In the center of the crowd, Alex and Takamura found themselves surrounded by a wave of fans, cameras flashing nonstop, and reporters shouting questions.
Amidst the commotion, a fan wearing a black T-shirt with Alex's face printed on it pushed forward.
"Alex! May I take a picture with you?" he asked eagerly, holding up a bulky camera.
Alex glanced at the guy and nodded with a smile."Sure."
He turned toward the camera and posed, flashing a confident grin.
Right after the first photo, another fan—a young man in his twenties—stepped forward.
He was wearing a pair of black high-sleek Makunouchi Dynasty shoes, the very same ones Alex had designed and frequently wore in the ring.
"Alex! Can I also take a picture with you?"
Alex gestured for him to come closer. "Of course."
They took a quick photo together, and as Alex glanced down at the fan's feet, he raised an eyebrow.
"Wow… You're a real fan, huh?" He smirked. "You even got my newly released Makunouchi Dynasty shoes. And not just any color—you picked the one I always wear for boxing and aesthetics."
The fan grinned excitedly and quickly removed his shoes, holding them up toward Alex.
"Yeah! I specifically picked this color because I saw you wearing it in a magazine."
Alex chuckled. "Do you have a pen?"
The fan blinked in realization before fumbling in his pocket, pulling out a blue marker. His hands trembled slightly with excitement as he handed it over.
Alex took the blue marker and, with a sharp flourish, signed the shoes.
The fan's face lit up with pure joy.
After that, Alex took five more pictures with different fans before the airport security stepped in to escort the group out.
As they walked through the airport, flanked by security, Yagi turned to Alex.
"Alex, you're really the most famous person in Japan right now."
Coach Kamogawa, arms crossed, nodded seriously. "This is a big deal. People will look up to you as their role model—especially the kids."
Alex smiled. "I'm happy to hear that. I'll do my best to live up to it."
Takamura, who had been silent for a while, suddenly let out a loud scoff.
"Tch. Don't worry, old man. Once I become world champion, people will shift their attention to me!" He struck a dramatic pose, flexing his biceps. "I mean, I'm the perfect role model!"
Alex, Yagi, and Kamogawa stared at him in silence.
Then—
"What a bum," Alex muttered with a smirk.
Takamura immediately snapped his head toward him. "OI—!"
Before he could argue, they arrived at the taxi area. Each of them got into separate cabs,heading home after the long trip.
When Alex arrived at the Makunouchi household, he stepped through the front door—only to be greeted by a surprise.
"Congratulations!"
Standing inside, Aunt Hiroko and Ippo held up a celebratory cake, smiling brightly.
Alex paused for a moment, taking in the warm scene before his expression softened.
"Thank you."
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Hiroko, hugging her gently.
Then, turning to Ippo, he pulled his cousin into a firm embrace.
After a moment, Alex suddenly pulled away. "Wait."
He immediately opened his luggage, rummaging through it before pulling out his WBO Lightweight Championship belt.
With careful steps, he walked toward the glass cabinet in the living room.
Inside the cabinet, sitting proudly, was his Japanese Lightweight Championship belt.
Alex gently placed his WBO title beside it.
Hiroko, watching from behind, smiled warmly. "Now the other belt won't be lonely."
Alex and Ippo both chuckled.
Then, Ippo clenched his fists and turned toward his mother.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll add another belt there when I win the Japanese Featherweight Title."
Hiroko's expression softened, and she hugged Ippo tightly.
"I'll be waiting for that moment."
Alex, watching them, smiled.
One Week After Alex's Return to Japan – Outside Kamogawa GymThe rumbling of a truck engine echoed through the street as it pulled up in front of Kamogawa Gym. A worker hopped out of the driver's seat, holding a camera, and eagerly approached Alex Makunouchi, who stood outside with his hands in his pockets.
"Alex! Can I take a picture with you before we unload?"
Alex grinned and nodded. "Of course."
The worker beamed as they snapped a quick photo together. Then, with his colleague, he turned toward the large, covered object in the back of the truck.
With careful movements, they began unloading it, the weight of it causing them to strain slightly.
As they carried it into the gym, Aoki and Kimura, who had been standing nearby, watched with curiosity.
Aoki raised an eyebrow. "What is this thing?" He pointed at the covered statue now standing inside the gym.
Kimura folded his arms. "Yeah, Alex. What kind of nonsense did you bring this time?"
Before Alex could answer, Takamura walked in, cracking his neck.
"Oi, what stupid thing did you buy now?" he said with a smirk, walking toward the covered object.
Alex smirked. "Did you all forget already?"
Ippo, Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura all looked puzzled.
"Forget what?"
Alex crossed his arms and gave them a cocky grin. "I told you before—if I won the belt, you all have to call me 'Champ' from now on, you bums."
Ippo had no reaction. He was already used to Alex's personality, given how often they bickered at home. But Aoki, Kimura, and Takamura all reacted immediately.
"I ain't saying that!" they said in unison.
Alex chuckled and shook his head. "You have no choice."
Takamura scoffed. "Who the hell said so? I have a choice." He made a mocking face, exaggerating his expression.
Alex's smirk grew wider. "Are you sure?"
Without another word, he grabbed the veil covering the statue—and yanked it off.
The moment the cloth hit the floor, everyone's eyes widened.
A towering, seven-foot statue of Alex Makunouchi now stood proudly in the middle of the gym.
The statue depicted Alex standing tall, hands on his hips, with the WBO Lightweight Championship belt around his waist. His expression was bold and confident, his smirk carved perfectly into the stone.
At the base of the statue, engraved in bold letters, it read:
"Alex Makunouchi – The New WBO Lightweight Champion of the World."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"Wow!" Ippo said in awe as he scanned the statue from top to bottom. "Alex, this looks incredible!"
Takamura gritted his teeth, a vein popping on his forehead as he tried to control himself.
"Tch… I'll endure this… for now," he muttered.
Meanwhile, Aoki and Kimura glanced at each other—then immediately folded.
"Whoa! Your statue looks amazing, Champ!"they said in perfect sync.
Takamura's eye twitched.
In the next second, he grabbed both Aoki and Kimura by their collars, lifting them up.
"You two monkeys folded that fast?!" he yelled.
Aoki and Kimura struggled in his grip and snapped back in unison:
"Monkeys?! Are you describing yourself?!"
Takamura's patience finally snapped.
BAM!
With one swift motion, he slammed both of them on the head with his fists. Two large lumpsinstantly formed on their skulls as they groaned in pain.
Alex watched the scene unfold, then smirked. "You know, looking at all three of you… I'd say you're all monkeys."
He laughed, while Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura all shot him an annoyed glare.
After the laughter died down, Alex glanced left and right.
"Hey, Ippo. Where's Coach Kamogawa?"
Ippo's expression softened slightly. "Coach mentioned visiting his old friend's grave today."
Alex fell silent for a moment.
Then, after a brief pause, he shifted the conversation.
"Aoki, have you gotten a shot at the vacant Japanese Lightweight Title yet?"
Aoki grinned proudly. "Yagi-san is already in negotiations for it."
His chest puffed up as he pointed dramatically at Kimura and Ippo. "I might be the third JBC titleholder in this gym! You two will be behind us three—the big boys."
As Aoki boasted confidently, Takamura and Alex simply stared at him blankly.
Aoki, lost in his own hype, didn't even notice that they were looking at him like he was an absolute clown.
Kimura and Ippo, on the other hand, sighed.