Bonus chapter
August 10th, 1992 – Kamogawa Gym
Two months had passed since Alex Makunouchi's return to Japan, and in that time, a lot had happened.
Ippo had entered a Featherweight Tournament
and faced a fighter known as "The Speed Star."The match ended in the first round, with Ippo securing an explosive victory. His next opponent was a fighter called "White Fang"—Volg Zangief.
Meanwhile, Aoki fought a buzz-cut-haired opponent and managed to secure a win in the seventh round. With this victory, his shot at the vacant Japanese Lightweight Title was now undeniable.
As for Kimura, he faced off against an opponent sporting an afro hairstyle and won via unanimous decision.
Now, the date was August 10th, 1992, and inside Kamogawa Gym, preparations for the future continued.
Inside the ring, Alex and Ippo were engaged in a sparring session.
Ippo was wearing a headguard, but Alex, as usual, was not.
"Gazelle Punch!" Ippo shouted as he threw the explosive technique.
it is a devastating leaping left hook, aiming for Alex's chin.
Alex, showing his reflexes, leaned back, dodging the punch by mere inches.
Aoki and Kimura, who were shadowboxing nearby, noticed this exchange.
Aoki called out, "Oi, Alex! Are you even allowed to spar yet?"
Kimura added, "Ippo! Why are you throwing such a dangerous punch? What if you reopen the cut above Alex's right eye?"
Hearing this, Alex and Ippo stopped.
Alex took off his gloves and pointed at his right eye. "Don't worry. It's been two months. The cut is fully healed—and luckily, there's no scarring either."
Ippo nodded and said, "I wasn't aiming for his cut. I was aiming for his chin."
Aoki and Kimura facepalmed and said in unison, "Coach won't like that excuse."
Takamura, who had been hitting the heavy bag, smirked. "I think you two should just do a light sparring session—for safety."
Alex and Ippo exchanged glances and nodded, agreeing to ease up.
At that moment, the gym doors opened, and in walked Coach Kamogawa, Coach Shinoda, and Assistant Coach Yagi.
Yagi held up a folder and announced, "I have some good news."
Coach Kamogawa crossed his arms. "Gather here."
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and formed a circle around them.
Yagi cleared his throat. "We've secured four title matches for you guys."
Takamura's eyes lit up. "Finally! I've got my world title shot!" He looked at Yagi with hopeful anticipation.
Coach Kamogawa let out a small cough, causing Takamura to pause. He clenched his fists and grumbled, but allowed Yagi to continue.
Yagi turned to Aoki first. "You've got your first title match—for the vacant Japanese Lightweight Title. Your opponent will be Rank #3, Daichi Kuroda."
Aoki dropped to his knees, fists clenched."Finally! My hard work is paying off!"
Kimura, standing beside him, pointed at himself. "What about me?"
Coach Shinoda, standing nearby, raised a hand."Just wait."
Kimura sighed but accepted it, turning his attention back to Aoki, feeling happy for his friend.
Yagi continued. "As for Alex—well, as all of you might have expected, Alex vs. Marcus is officially booked."
Alex grinned, then turned to Takamura with a smug smile.
Takamura ignored him and crossed his arms. "And me?"
Yagi checked his notes. "Your match is already booked—you'll be defending your Japanese Middleweight Title against the Number One Contender."
Coach Kamogawa then looked at Ippo. "This is it, kid. You've got your shot at the Japanese Featherweight Title—against Eiji Date."
Ippo's eyes widened, and a huge smile formed on his face.
Finally, Yagi turned to Kimura. "You've also got a title shot. You'll be fighting for the Japanese Junior Lightweight Title against the champion, Tetsura Yoshida."
Kimura grinned, clenching his fists. "This is what I've been waiting for!"
Coach Kamogawa nodded. "We've secured title fights for all of you. Now, to make sure you're ready—we'll be heading to the mountains for a special training camp."
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.
"The mountains?" Aoki repeated.
Kamogawa nodded. "I have an old friend who lives in the mountains. We'll be training there to prepare you all."
Hearing this, everyone nodded seriously, understanding the importance of this camp.
Once the meeting was over, Coach Kamogawa, Coach Shinoda, and Assistant Coach Yagi left for the office to finalize the preparations.
Takamura stretched and cracked his knuckles. "Well, since we all got title shots, we should celebrate!"
Aoki grinned. "Yeah! Even though you didn't get the world title shot you were hoping for, this is still big news!"
Kimura nodded in agreement. "Let's celebrate!"
Just as they were about to leave, Alex spoke up.
"Go ahead without me, Ippo. I won't be joining you."
The room went silent.
Everyone turned to Alex, who smirked.
"I have a girlfriend, remember? I'll be spending time with her."
There was a brief pause—then Aoki, Kimura, and Takamura all grinned knowingly.
"Ooooooh~" they teased in unison.
Alex rolled his eyes as they laughed.
Ippo simply nodded in understanding. "Alright, see you later then, Alex."
Later that day
The night was calm at the Makunouchi household. After a long day, Alex had just returned home from a date with Mari. He had taken her to a nice restaurant, spent the evening enjoying their time together, and even met her parents for the first time. Now, he lay on the couch, his arms resting behind his head as he stared at the television.
Across from him, Aunt Hiroko was also watching the TV. She glanced at Alex with a teasing smile.
"Did you have fun on your date with Mari?" she asked, her tone playful.
Alex sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know... I think I messed it all up when I introduced myself to her parents. I got kind of nervous."
Hiroko chuckled. "I raised you two boys to be courageous and kind," she said warmly.
Alex let out a short laugh. "I don't know about the 'kind' part. Ippo is kind, but me?"
Hiroko gave him a gentle but firm look. "You don't have to downplay yourself like that, Alex. I know you're a kind and loving person. I raised you personally, remember? In the ring, you might be different, but outside of it, I'm proud of the way you've helped so many people in need."
For a moment, Alex didn't say anything. He just smiled softly, choosing not to argue.
Just then, the front door creaked open. Both Alex and Hiroko turned their heads to see Ippo stumbling in, swaying left and right, clearly drunk. He tried to walk up the stairs but failed miserably, his foot missing the step as he nearly fell over.
"Ippo, are you okay?" Hiroko asked, quickly moving to help him.
"I'm okay, Mom," Ippo slurred, though his wobbly stance said otherwise.
Alex sighed and walked over, catching Ippo before he could collapse. Together, he and Hiroko guided Ippo to the sofa and gently sat him down. Ippo looked up at Alex with a goofy, happy grin.
"Alex, I have some good news to share!" he announced loudly, his words slightly jumbled.
Hiroko sighed and shook her head. "You boys talk. I'm going to sleep." She turned to Alex before heading upstairs. "Just give him a blanket. He can sleep here on the sofa."
"Got it, Auntie," Alex said, watching as she disappeared into her room.
Ippo, still mumbling to himself, wiggled his hands as if trying to gesture something.
"I met... I met..."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Sleep for now. Tell me later when you're sober."
Ippo shook his head stubbornly. "No, I can tell you now!" He waved his hands dramatically before making a funny, exaggeratedly serious face. "I'm serious!"
Alex chuckled. "And how am I supposed to believe that when you look like that?"
Ippo puffed out his cheeks in frustration. "I met Kumi today! She's working as a nurse now!"
Alex's expression softened. "That's good news for you, then."
Ippo nodded enthusiastically. "I thought me, Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura were just celebrating... I didn't know it was a blind date! We played bowling and stuff, then we drank, and... and... I said a lot of things to Kumi..."
By now, Alex was only half-listening, his eyes half-closed from exhaustion. "Tell me everything tomorrow when you're sober."
Ippo mumbled something in response, already dozing off.
Alex sighed, got up, and went upstairs to grab a blanket. He returned, draped it over Ippo, and made sure he was comfortable.
After that, Alex walked outside, locking the front gate. He scanned the area briefly to ensure no one was lurking around before locking the main door as well. With everything secure, he exhaled deeply and headed to his room, ready to call it a night.