After five days of recovery, Ryoma already back in the gym. Coach Nakahara told him to take a full week, but of course Ryoma never listens.
His next fight is already fixed for May 15th, less than four weeks to prepare. So today, he's back sparring with Ryohei inside that shrunken ring, each side cut shorter by two meters now, still not allowed throwing a punch.
"Don't overthink," Nakahara calls from outside the ropes. "This drill is about instinct. It's fine if you get tagged. Every punch slipping through your guard is teaching your body."
But for Ryoma, it's easier said than done.
Because no matter how sharp his mind is, he's still fighting against something he can't shake, the gap between his soul and muscle memory.
He's back in his 18-year-old self only recently. It's still his own flesh and bone, but feels like borrowing someone else's body.
