Now that Aramaki's fight has ended, Kenta rolls his shoulders as he starts to warm up. His body answers, but sluggishly, every movement weighed down by a faint unwelcome laziness he can't quite shake.
When Aramaki finally steps back into the locker room with the rest of the team, Coach Murakami and his camp greet him with polite applause and warm nods.
"Congratulations," Murakami says, pride steady in his voice. "You've improved a lot, Aramaki."
Aramaki accepts it with a humble smile. "It's thanks to everyone at the gym. And of course you too, Coach Murakami. I wouldn't be here without all of you."
And then, a staffer peeks inside. "Kenta Moriyama, you're up in about ten minutes."
Kenta nods and returns to his shadowboxing. Noticing it, Nakahara steps toward him, sliding on the mitts as he approaches.
"Alright," he says quietly, lifting his hands. "Let's loosen you up."
