Round five begins, and Higuchi's expression hasn't changed, but something sharper lives behind it now, a thin line of intent beneath the calm.
He probes with the jab again, precise, almost patient, and waits for the answer he's come to expect.
"Higuchi opens with the jab again," a commentator says.
But the jabs are too light, snapping against Okabe's guard without stunning him, without pushing him into that familiar reckless answer.
Okabe absorbs it and stays disciplined, gloves high, feet steady.
"More shots coming in," the first commentator continues.
"And Okabe stays tight," the other adds. "No big reaction there."
Higuchi presses forward anyway, choosing not to linger on it, and begins to rake points instead, clean efficient blows that land, and then disappear before Okabe can answer back.
Jab. Cross. Another jab.
Dsh! Dsh! Dug.
And slides out.
