Yuichi's hands fly to his head the moment Sekino hits the canvas. His fingers thread through his hair, clutching tight, dragging the skin on his forehead. His jaw locks.
"Are you kidding me…? No… no, no, no…"
His eyes refuse to blink, as if closing them would make the scene real. He paces one step, then grabs the rope, shoulders shaking with frustration.
Shiki watches him quietly at first, but the moment the referee calls "TWO!" he steps closer.
"Yuichi-san… throw the towel."
Yuichi doesn't even look at him. "Shut up. Not yet."
Yuichi bends forward, one hand still on his head, staring at Sekino as if sheer willpower could lift him.
Ryoma reaches the neutral corner, and the ref finally starts the count.
"ONE!"
Sekino is down on one knee and one elbow, the other arm sprawled out, glove sliding uselessly against the canvas.
"Coach… look at him," Shiki insists. "He's not responding. Throw it in."
