After only five days of mounting pressure from the media, growing unrest among his own staff, and several athletes beginning to stop showing up at the gym, Ishimaru finally has no choice but to relent and face the reporters waiting outside.
The arrogance is gone from his face. In its place is a carefully prepared expression of exhaustion, regret, and solemn concern, as though he has genuinely spent the past three weeks carrying the weight of Umemoto's life entirely on his shoulders.
"I want everyone to understand that I was never trying to avoid the public," Ishimaru says. "My only concern was Umemoto's condition. Thankfully, for the first time since the craniotomy, he has been able to speak with us. I am deeply grateful for that."
A reporter raises a hand. "What about his career?"
Ishimaru lowers his gaze. "Unfortunately, the doctors do not believe he will be able to return to professional boxing."
