Ryoma watches from near the bench, studying the heavy bag as it groans beneath Okabe's chaotic assault.
Every impact sounds less like training and more like accusation. And the accusation feels heavily, as if they are all directed at him.
Ryoma understands the source of the spiral. The curse does not belong to Okabe alone. It belongs to the new version of the Nakahara Gym.
The gym used to be a cluster of overlooked fighters chasing scraps. Now the public labels them as contenders and future champions. Outsiders call them late bloomers, but everyone inside these walls knows the truth.
Ryoma is the one who shifted the gear.
He feels the weight of that realization settle across his shoulders. He has chased one singular dream: to raise this gym to the summit with him, not leaving anyone behind.
But lately, that same dream begins to divide him. It seeps into his focus and steals minutes from his own preparation.
<< You have done enough. >>
