The next morning, Narisawa Boxing Gym is alive again, ropes slapping, bags thudding, sneakers squeaking against the mat.
Inside the ring, Elliot Graves moves with calm precision. His rhythm is quiet but sharp, his step measured, each punch snapping like a whip.
The first spar doesn't last long. His opponent, an unranked fighter, takes two rounds before the coach waves it off, too much gap in class.
The second spar? It ends even faster, barely one round before the towel flies.
Elliot pulls his gloves off, expression calm, not gloating. To him, this is nothing more than rhythm work, warming up
By the corner, Shoji, the newly crowned Super Lightweight Champion, watches with mild interest. He's not threatened, just warming up himself, rolling his shoulders loose, shadowboxing quietly.
