The closing ceremony commences. Cameras roam lazily, announcers read from the safe, and the hall fills with that polite low-volume applause reserved for award banquets and public funerals.
Fighters line up for photos, faces stretched into the weary civility of men pretending to enjoy someone else's victory.
When the envelope opens for Most Valuable Fighter, the presenter's grin locks into place, the practiced brightness of someone paid to sound thrilled.
"And this year's All-Japan Rookie King Most Valuable Fighter is... Kobayashi Ayano!"
Ayano steps forward before the last syllable lands. Gloves off, towel slung over one shoulder, he moves like a man who assumes the spotlight was built for him.
He takes the trophy without waiting for the cue. Then, before the presenter can even inhale for the next line, Ayano already snatches the microphone.
