Hayuki: "Wait… what do you mean… I can't follow you."
Doctor: "Well, my boy, the concussion you suffered is a grade two traumatic brain injury. It's certainly not the worst possible, and that's a good thing, but the CT scan showed some micro-bleeds in the brain that, fortunately, have already been reabsorbed. However… this means that your meninges have been under enormous stress. In simple terms, if you were to take another hit like that—or worse—in the same spot, even months or years from now, the risk of an irreversible or fatal injury would be extremely high."
Hayuki: "But wait a second… all I have to do is train my head, right? Right?
You can train the head, can't you? The neck, resistance… I can get stronger, right? That's all it takes, isn't it?"
Doctor: "It's not a matter of strength, nor of constantly training your head—it's biology. Brain tissue doesn't get tougher with training. You can work out for days, weeks, months, years… but it will never go back to the way it was before. Once it's injured, it stays more vulnerable. On top of that, you've got two cracked ribs and a fracture to your nasal septum. But for those, there's no problem—we can operate on your nose without issues, and your ribs will heal on their own over time. Unfortunately, your head… it will never fully heal. At least, for now, finding a permanent cure is impossible."
Hayuki: "You're joking, right…?"
Doctor: "And I'm not just talking about long-term risks. Even a 'medium' blow during training could cause loss of consciousness, seizures… or worse. You might not wake up again. For this reason, as a sports doctor, I must absolutely advise you never to return to competitive kickboxing. You wouldn't even pass the medical clearance for an amateur match."
Hayuki: "Hahahaha, no, I don't believe you… this can't be true, hahaha. You're just messing with me, right? Hahaha."
Hayuki: "Listen, boy—"
Hayuki: "Hahaha… So now that you've told me this, I should just accept the fact that I can't do kickboxing anymore?"
Hayuki: "Tell me, Doctor, do you have any idea how much I've busted my ass, how many sacrifices I've made, how much time I've spent training to become a good fighter? And now I'm supposed to just accept this and move on like nothing happened?"
Doctor: "I'm truly sorry, son… I understand you're frustrated right now, but the risk is too high. Sure, maybe nothing will happen—but one well-placed shot to that area, and you're done… Trust me, I'm saying this for your own good, not to hurt you. You're seriously risking your life. I'm sorry, but this is reality…"
Hayuki: "So… basically, you're telling me it's over for me… huh… hahaha… hahahahaha."
Doctor: "If it's any consolation, you can still train at a light level—just technique, no full contact. You could coach other athletes, teach… but fighting, Hayuki, is far too dangerous. It would be nothing short of a planned suicide."
Hayuki: "Great… fantastic, actually… thank you… thank you, Doctor… thanks to you I finally understand… I finally understand how I've completely wasted my life… hahaha…"
Doctor: "Son—"
Hayuki: "But you want to know something, Doctor? I don't give a damn about your shitty advice…"
Doctor: "Hayuki—"
Hayuki: "I'm not going to accept it. I can't just quit kickboxing like it's nothing. That would be like saying I wasted five years of my life—five years straight into the trash. So you know what I say? Screw the blow to the head… screw the risk of dying… and screw you too, Doctor."
Doctor: "Listen—"
Hayuki: "This is all… all because of that bastard Antonio. He's the one who put me in this situation. But oh, he'll pay for it, he'll pay dearly. The moment I can face him again, I'll give him a beating he won't forget. I'll break every bone in his body… I swear I'll tear him to pieces, and then we'll see who ends up in the hospital… hahaha."
Coach Steve: "Hayuki, calm down for a second. It's not the doctor's fault this happened… it's your fault for being overconfident and letting Antonio beat you. Now you need to accept the consequences quietly. CLEAR?"
Hayuki: "FUCK THAT, I'LL NEVER ACCEPT THIS. I DON'T GIVE A DAMN IF I DIE OR NOT, I HAVE TO KEEP DOING KICKBOXING, I HAVE TO WIN THAT SHITTY TITLE, EVEN IF IT KILLS ME. I HAVE TO GET REVENGE ON THAT BASTARD ANTONIO."
Coach Steve: "Hayuki, I'm sorry, but that's not how the world works."
Hayuki: "I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS… OR WHAT YOU SAY, COACH. I'LL DO WHAT I WANT. I DECIDE WHEN I QUIT, CLEAR? NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT TO DO."
Doctor: "But son—"
Hayuki storms out, slamming the clinic door.
Coach Steve: "Thank you for your time, Doctor, and I truly apologize for my student's behavior."
Doctor: "Don't worry, I understand the boy's frustration. It can't be easy… but if you could do me a favor—try to make him listen to reason."
Coach Steve: "Of course… don't worry… he'll get what he deserves…"
Meanwhile, Hayuki and Coach Steve walk through the night after leaving the hospital.
Hayuki: "Who the hell does that quack think he is?"
Hayuki: "No one tells me what to do—no one. I decide for myself. I decide when it's time to quit. No second-rate doctor is going to tell me what to do. No one."
Coach Steve: "Mh. Listen, Hayuki—"
Hayuki: "I bet they messed up the diagnosis anyway. Did you see that hospital? It's probably just some kind of headache or something. A bit of bed rest and I'll be good as new."
Coach Steve: "Mh, Hayuki, could you listen to me for a second—"
Hayuki: "Damn Antonio, it's all his fault I'm in this mess. But once I'm back, I swear I'll use his teeth to clean the ring's mat, hahahaha."
Coach Steve: "Mh, Hayuki, listen… I have something important to tell you—"
Hayuki: "I'm right, aren't I, Coach? As soon as I'm fully recovered, we'll train even harder than before, with more intensity and determination, so I can finally kick that arrogant Antonio's ass and win the title, right?"
Coach Steve: "Mh, Hayuki, please, just listen to me for a second—"
Hayuki: "Coach, what's wrong with you? You've been answering with nothing but 'mh' this whole time. What, cat got your tongue? Hahaha."
Hayuki: "Or maybe I get it—you were so fed up with that doctor that you've got a headache too. Can't blame you, though—nobody could stand that guy's whining. He just kept talking without ever shutting up, hahaha…"
Coach Steve: "HAYUKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!"
Hayuki: "Yes, Coach… sorry… I mean… excuse me."
Coach Steve: "Hayuki…"
Hayuki: "Yes, Coach, what is it?"
Coach Steve: "Shut that damn sewer you call a mouth… you useless nothing."
Hayuki: "Uh… wh-what?"
Coach Steve: "I'm sick and tired of your crap… shut your damn mouth… you talk too much. Just shut up, you pathetic loser."
Hayuki: "But Coach… w-what are you saying?"