Ryohei pauses mid-step, glancing back, seems curious by Ryoma's words. But Kenta claps him on the shoulder, inviting him to leave.
"Focus on your fight, man. Let's go."
Ryohei, still looking unsure, nods and stars to the exit. The two follow their coaches out.
But once they steps into the aisle, the sound suddenly hits them, deep, rhythmic, impossible to ignore.
Dudum.
A pause.
Dudum.
A pause again.
Then a rolling thunder of drumbeats fills the hall, followed by a chant that shakes the air itself.
"Ryo–Hei! Ryo–Hei! Ryo–Hei!"
Down the aisle, Ryohei himself stands frozen, his eyes wide. The noise swallows him whole.
Kenta leans close. "What's going on here?"
Sera glances between them. "You didn't expect this?"
Hiroshi can't help a dry laugh. "Ryohei hasn't fought in over a year. Even back when Shimamura was still here, we never had support like this. This is… this is Ryoma-level stuff."
