The pause drags on. The crowd fills the space with impatient murmurs, claps, a low rolling noise that grows thicker with every passing second.
Okabe stands in the neutral corner, sweat and blood slipping down his chin. His chest still heaves, but the moment that belonged to him is already slipping out of reach.
Higuchi stays upright across the ring, bent slightly at the waist, forearms resting on his thighs as he breathes through it.
The ringside physician says nothing at first, just watches. He crouches in front of Higuchi, asks a question that doesn't carry to the crowd. Higuchi nods once, then again.
Across the ring, Ryoma's eyes narrow as he watches the exchange.
<< He knows it wasn't low blow. He's just going along with it. >>
Finally, the physician steps back and gives a short nod.
Higuchi straightens. Almost immediately, he begins to bounce in place, light and loose. He shakes out his arms, rolls his shoulders once, the stiffness gone as if it never belonged to him.
