An hour after leaving the gym, Ryoma sits at the back table of Shimizu Soba with Kenji Matsuda and two unfamiliar faces.
Shimizu-san sets down a pitcher of cold tea and three extra glasses, then lingers near the counter, attentive but silent.
Kenji is the first to speak. "You said you needed help," he says evenly. "Is there a problem?"
Ryoma rests his forearms on the table and looks at him without hurry. "In our previous events, the first-day traction was always strong," he says. "I believed that was thanks to you organizing our troops. You moved quickly. You bought in blocks."
He lets the words settle before outlining the current issue weighing heavily on the gym's preparations for August.
"It has been two days," he continues. "Sales are still low. I am not demanding anything. I simply want to know if there is something I should address."
His tone remains calm, but the implication is clear. A king does not accuse his generals. He asks whether the battlefield has changed.
