Two days later, Tachibana Boxing Gym.
An assistant coach hurries inside, nearly tripping over a jumprope left on the floor. He waves an envelope above his head as if holding a prize.
"Coach Yoshizawa! Letter from JBC!"
In the ring, Yoshizawa is running mitt drills with his champion, Shinichi Yanagimoto. The sharp rhythm of punches fills the gym, until the assistant's voice cuts through.
"Coach… finally, a letter from JBC."
Shinichi lowers his gloves, breathing steady, while Yoshizawa pulls off the mitts and steps toward the ropes.
He looks curious. Since Shinichi claimed the title nearly two months ago, no official challenges have come in. This is the first envelope he's received. He takes it from the assistant, his expression tightening with expectation.
Around them, several fighters pause their shadowboxing or rope-skipping, ears tuning toward the ring. A JBC letter always means something.
