The two officials immediately close the locker room door, shutting out the reporters before they can cause any further disturbance.
Yet, rather than easing the tension inside, the sound of the door closing only makes the atmosphere feel more suffocating.
The presence of both Shimamura and Elliot in the same room is already enough to make everyone uneasy. But the real source of the tension has little to do with them.
It is between Ryoma and Shimamura.
Ryoma still remembers the punch Shimamura landed on him. He had simply ignored it at the time, too focused on Kaede to pay it any mind.
But now, with Shimamura standing right in front of him again, there is nothing to distract him from that lingering resentment.
And to make matters worse, Shimamura seems well aware of it and deliberately tries to provoke him even further.
"What?" he scoffs, letting out a short chuckle. "Still pissed about that punch?"
