Nearly a week has passed since Kirizume walked out of Ryoma's office, yet inside Nakahara Gym, life continues as though nothing has changed.
Aramaki still arrives before most of the others, still trains with the same intensity, and still approaches every session as if his title fight against Serrano is already waiting just around the corner.
The possibility that the fight might never happen has never crossed his mind, and perhaps that is exactly why he keeps asking questions to Nakahara in the middle of his mittwork.
"Coach, what if Serrano starts giving ground on purpose? Not because he's hurt, but because he wants to pull me forward."
Nakahara lifts the mitts again. "Then stop thinking about what Serrano wants."
Aramaki's expression becomes even more dissatisfied. "That's not really an answer."
