A few days had passed since Dino Falco's unexpected visit, leaving a rare lull in the recent chaotic routine. Stepping into the school hallway, Alex felt a strange spark of anticipation. Things had been moving so fast lately that even an ordinary school day felt like the calm before an inevitable storm.
His train of thought was cut short by a rhythmic, heavy thumping echoing from the gymnasium. Curiosity pulling him off course, Alex pushed open the double doors.
Inside, a high-schooler with a lean, athletic build was unleashing a rapid combination of punches onto a heavy bag. Sweat glistened on his forehead, his movements sharp and full of explosive energy.
"Hey, putting in extra work?" Alex called out, stepping onto the polished hardwood.
The boy stopped mid-swing and wiped his brow, turning around with a wide, bright grin. "Tatsuya Sato! Just working on my combinations. You here to get a session in?"
Alex chuckled, holding up his hands. "Not really. I don't actually know the first thing about boxing."
"No problem at all!" Tatsuya said, his enthusiasm practically radiating across the room. "I can teach you the basics right now. Come on, let's spar a round."
Alex hesitated for a second, but looking at Tatsuya's infectious energy, he just shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
Tatsuya tossed him a spare pair of wraps and gloves, guiding him through a basic guard. Alex tightened his stance, a sudden wave of nerves hit him—he had plenty of experience avoiding trouble, but stepping into a ring was entirely new territory.
The two began to circle each other. Tatsuya initiated with a swift left jab, but Alex leaned back just in time, feeling the rush of air against his cheek. Tatsuya followed up with a quick right hook, which Alex raised his forearms to block, absorbing the sting of the blow.
They traded paces for a few intense minutes. While Tatsuya clearly held the upper hand, landing a couple of light body shots, Alex managed to slip counter-punches and maintain his footing surprisingly well under pressure.
"Alright, time!" Tatsuya called out, unlacing his gloves with a broad smile. "Man, you've got sharp instincts! Great head movement and solid balance. You'd make a killer boxer."
Alex leaned against the ropes, breathing hard but feeling a genuine thrill. "Thanks. I've always thought about trying it out."
"You definitely should," Tatsuya grinned, wiping down with a towel. "I'm captain of the boxing team here, so consider this your official invitation."
"Hey, look who's putting in overtime," a familiar voice called out from the entrance.
Alex turned to see Hayato and Angelo leaning against the doorframe.
"We caught the tail end of that," Hayato said with a smirk, crossing his arms. "Not bad, boss."
"We mostly came to make sure you didn't pass out before lunch," Angelo added with a laugh.
Alex shook out his hands, feeling his stomach rumble. "Actually, I'm starving. Hey, Tatsuya—you want to grab something to eat with us?"
Tatsuya's eyes lit up. "Free food? Count me in! Where are we headed?"
"My family's place is just down the street," Angelo said, motioning toward the exit. "Best pasta in the district."
The four of them walked down the sunlit street toward the restaurant. Tatsuya spent the entire walk enthusiastically breaking down punch angles and footwork tactics. Hayato rolled his eyes at the chatter, though a faint smile gave away his amusement.
When they arrived, Angelo's father greeted them warmly, quickly ushering the boys to a cozy booth in the back and loading the table with freshly made dishes.
"Seriously, Alex, that block you pulled off today was clean," Tatsuya said between bites, bringing the spar up once more. "We're definitely running it back next week."
"Looking forward to it," Alex said with a genuine laugh.
Sitting back amidst the warmth of the restaurant, watching Hayato, Angelo, and Tatsuya joke around the table, a quiet realization settled over Alex. Unbeknownst to Tatsuya, another pillar of the Luciano family was naturally falling into place. A strong, unspoken bond was taking shape among them.
Yet, as peaceful as the moment felt, the underground never stayed quiet for long. Deep down, Alex knew this brief moment of calm wouldn't last.