Nozomi stirred.
Her eyelids fluttered. A sharp inhale escaped her lips as her consciousness come back.
"Ah!" She clenched her fists, teeth grinding. "Shit…"
Pain hit deep behind the eye. She groaned, her body tensing.
"Easy." Hanafusa said calmly. "The pain means the nerves are becoming active again."
"That's not reassuring!" She snapped hoarsely.
"Give it a moment. Your brain is relearning how to see."
Ying stepped closer. "Nozomi."
She swallowed, breathing through it. "Yeah… I'm here."
Seconds passed. Then she reached up, her hand hovering the eye patch.
"Can I…?"
Hanafusa nodded. "Not yet, you need to give it a week before you take it off."
Nozomi's hand froze mid-air, fingers trembling.
"A week?" Her voice came out rough. Frustrated. "You just said the nerves are waking up. Why the hell do I have to wait?"
Hanafusa answered, unbothered.
"Because your optic nerve has been dormant for years. The surgery repaired it sure, but your brain hasn't caught up yet. It needs time to re-map the connections." He paused. "Force it too soon and you'll overload it. Then migraines, distortion and maybe even temporary blindness again will happen."
She stared at him.
"Patience, is also part of the treatment." He finished calmly
Nozomi exhaled through her nose. "Patience. Right."
Her hand dropped. She flexed her fingers instead, riding out the lingering pulse behind her eye. It still hurt but it wasn't the same kind of empty pain as before. It felt… Alive.
Ying stepped closer. "You can handle a week. You've handled worse."
She shot him a sideways look. "Easy for you to say. You've been hiding behind that blindfold for years."
He shrugged lightly. "It's not hiding. It's training."
A faint laugh slipped out of her despite herself. "Of course it is."
Hanafusa watched the exchange with mild amusement before clapping his hands once.
"Post-operative instructions, no bright lights for three days. Keep the patch on. Don't touch the eye. Painkillers are on the table, take them if needed. And! Absolutely no fighting for two weeks." He announced.
Her brow lifted. "Two?"
"Minimum. Unless you'd like to come back for round two. I would be happy to dissect your eye again!"
She muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like insane doctor.
Ying gave Hanafusa a bag full of gold coins.
Hanafusa turned to Ying. "Payment's settled. Bring her back in seven days or just tell me her location so I can check the eye."
Ying nodded. "We will."
Nozomi slid off the table, wincing as her feet touched the floor. She steadied herself, then straightened.
"Let's leave before he decides to frame my retina."
Hanafusa beamed. "Only with written consent."
Ying didn't comment. He simply guided her toward the door.
Outside, the cold air hit hard. Nozomi pulled her hood up carefully, the motion tugging at the patch.
They got into the car and soon the engine started.
As the cabin disappeared behind them, she leaned her head against the window, watching snow-dusted trees blur past.
"So..." She said quietly. "A week. Then I see properly again."
"That's the deal."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, softer
"…Thanks."
Ying didn't answer immediately.
After a moment, he said. "Don't thank me yet."
She turned slightly toward him, one eye covered, the other sharp.
"You haven't seen what I'm aiming you at."
A pause.
Her lips curved faintly and looked at him challengingly.
"Try me."
Ying smiled.
"Hao!"
The car continued down the mountain.
A month has passed since then and Ying Zheng focused most of his attention on training Ippo. Though the training wasn't long, Ying decided it was time for Ippo's first real match.
The gym had become a second home to Ippo.
He showed up early every morning, working his legs and arms at Silverman's gym. At noon after class, he headed to Heavenly Sunrise to sharpen his punches and clean up his form.
Every night he left exhausted and sweat-soaked. Nevertheless he became a little prouder after it.
Training with Takamura was brutal but he trained him only when he felt like it. Sometimes three days straight. Sometimes not even a week. Leaving him to train by himself or whenever Ying is there.
Training with Ying was different, he only watches from the sidelines and only stepping in to correct footwork or breathing.
When he asked why, Ying Zheng's answer is simple. "Learn to think for yourself."
That became his motto whenever he trained.
That was how the month goes for Ippo but today was different.
Ying notified him that he sent a proposal to the Kamogawa Gym. Nothing official, just a friendly spar between genius rookies.
One of their prospects: a tall, lean, and athletic boxer with a, cool sharp-feature, and handsome appearance.
Ichiro Miyata
The match was set at the Kamogawa gym.
A small ring at the corner of the old building. Not much crowd gathered there beyond a few Kamogawa regulars and Takamura leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
The crowd buzzed with curiosity and anticipation, eager to see what the genius rookie personally trained by Takamura was capable of.
Ippo stood in the blue corner, gloves laced tight, and mouthguard set. His heartbeat thudded so hard he was sure it can be heard by others.
He was nervously looking at the person across him.
'Is this really okay? He's the same age as me... I managed to punch the person bullying me and he flew unconscious with blood flowing his nose. What if the same happened with him?!' Ippo thought to himself.
Across from him, Miyata waited for the match to start.
Looking at Ippo with sharp eyes.
Takamura shouted from the ringside. "Don't freeze up, shrimp! He's faster but you're stronger. One right punch and he's sleeping."
Behind Ippo, Ying's voice was calm.
"Fight smart and don't hold back."
The bell rang.
Miyata moved first.
A quick probing jab to measure Ippo.
Ippo dodged it but didn't punch.
Another jab happened and another dodge happened, still nothing.
Miyata's eyes narrowed slightly. 'What is he doing?'
Stepping into the right and drove a tight shot into Ippo's ribs.
"Ugh!" Ippo winced and tightened his guard.
'I just have to keep my defense and this will be over soon. This is just a spar, not a fight.'
Miyata circled lightly. Jab. Jab. Cross.
Ippo blocked most of it, dodge a few but he stayed defensive.
"Come on! Stop dodging and fight!" Miyata shouted as he continues punching.
Murmurs rose from the Kamogawa side.
"He's just covering up…"
"Why isn't he firing back?"
"Is he playing turtle?"
Round one ended with only Miyata punching.
"Tch." Miyata scoffed before going to his corner.
Ippo returned to his corner breathing hard. He pulled out his mouthpiece.
Ying approached him. "Why didn't you punch back? You had plenty of chances to do it."
"I can't." He whispered. "He's my age. If I hit him full force..."
"So what?" Ying tilted his head.
"B-because he might get hurt bad!" Ippo blurted, his voice low but urgent. "If I punch him with everything... what if I seriously injure him? We're the same age, Ying. I don't want to—"
Ying cut him off, voice steady and unyielding. "I repeat, so what?"
Ippo blinked, caught off guard.
"If all you would do is pity your opponent, you don't belong in there."
Ippo stared at his gloves.
"Every fighter in that ring chose this. They accepted the risk, the pain, the loss, and the possibility of getting hurt. Just like you did when you stepped in."
He pressed a hand firmly on Ippo's shoulder.
"When you hold back, you're telling Miyata his courage means nothing. That his choice to fight means nothing. You're deciding for him that he can't handle your strength, you're spitting on his dignity as a fighter."
Ippo's breath caught.
"You're not being kind, you're being arrogant. You're assuming he isn't strong enough to take your best."
The gym noises faded into the background. Ippo's fists clenched harder inside the gloves.
"…I understand." He whispered.
Ying released his shoulder and stepped back. "Then go show him the respect he deserves."
Round two.
Miyata stepped forward immediately. Expecting Ippo to still be in the defensive.
A straight.
Ippo dodged to the right.
A jab.
Ippo dipped lower.
Miyata anticipated the forward movement and fired a heavy straight right.
This time, Ippo didn't hesitate. 'This is it!'
He weaved left and stepped in deep, then fired full force.
Boom!
A clean, textbook right straight.
The impact cracked through the gym.
"Urgh." The forward momentum combined with Ippo's strength made Miyata's head snap back, shock appeared in his eyes.
His balance broke just long enough for his legs to gave out.
He dropped to one knee.
Silence swallowed the room.
The ref started counting.
Miyata tried to push himself up. His arms trembling. 'Damn it, stand!'
"…Three… four…"
He faltered, dizziness overcoming him.
"…Five…"
The ref waved it off.
"Knockout! Winner, Ippo Makunouchi!"
The gym erupted.
Ippo stood frozen, fist still half-raised, chest heaving.
Takamura barked a laugh. "That's it, shrimp!"
Ying walked over.
"I… I did it!" Ippo breathed.
"Yes." Ying smiled.
Across the ring, Miyata was sitting up now, blood at the corner of his lip. His eyes were clear again.
He looked at Ippo.
Not angry but focused.
Ippo bowed deeply.
"Thank you for the fight."
Miyata wiped his mouth with the back of his glove. A faint, tired smile touched his face.
"Next time… don't make me wait a round."
"I won't."
"Though the next time we meet, I will defeat you Ippo Makunouchi."
Ying stayed in his position watching them talk.
A coach meanwhile approached Takamura, it was Genji Kamogawa.
"Hey, brat." Kamogawa's gravelly voice cut through the gym noise.
He nodded toward Ippo, still catching his breath in the corner. "How long did you train that rookie? Kid packs a hell of a punch for someone just starting."
Kamogawa's eyes flickered to Ippo. He looked raw, unrefined, but the energy radiating off him was undeniable. That punch was clean and sharp, it wasn't luck that KO'ed Miyata.
Takamura snorted, dabbing sweat from his neck with the towel. "Not long. A month, give or take. Blindfold over there's," He jerked a thumb toward Ying. "The one's who did most of the foundation work. I just beat the shit out of him."
Kamogawa followed the gesture. Ying stood near the ropes, his arms are crossed, with blindfold in covering his eyes, watching the chaos unmovingly.
Kamogawa raised a brow, approaching whilst studying Ying. "That so? You're the one they call the blindfolded monster in the Kengan circuit, huh?"
Ying gave a small nod. "Hao."
Kamogawa noted the quiet confidence he exudes, assessing him slightly, before narrowing his eyes. 'This guy...'
Kamogawa turned back to Ippo. "Kid's got power. Still raw but the potential's there. He hesitated at first but once he committed… He one shotted my rookie clean."
"Ah that. The kid is new to fighting and got scared because he might injure his opponent." Ying scoffed.
Kamogawa observed Ippo's posture facing the crowd, his chest heaving and body stiffening, eyes still determined despite the fatigue. He was proud and scared all at once; he knew that feeling well.
Kamogawa let out a low chuckle. "Good grief. But the kid has a right to worry. Power like that without proper control is dangerous, for him and everyone around him."
He walked over to Ippo, who straightened immediately, nerves plain in his posture.
"M-Mr. Kamogawa…"
Kamogawa looked him up and down. "You did well today, boy. But don't let one knockout make you cocky. Miyata's a prodigy. He'll be back stronger and next time he won't let you land that easily."
Kamogawa's eyes tracked Ippo as he bow.
"Yes, sir! I'll keep training!" Ippo's voice carried determination beneath exhaustion.
Kamogawa nodded, turning to Takamura. "Keep him sharp, brat. I don't want to see him waste that potential."
Takamura grinned, that easy arrogance Kamogawa knew was just confidence. "Don't worry, old man. I'll break him until he's unbreakable."
Kamogawa huffed, muttering something about "damn kids these days." Before walking away.
Ippo glanced at Ying. "Ying… did I do okay?"
Ying placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did more than okay. You showed him proper respect and win. That's what matters."
Ying caught the flicker of pride in Ippo's eyes, fleeting but unmistakable. That simple acknowledgement; more than the achievement, spoke volumes in his character.
Ippo smiled, tired but bright. "Thank you."
Ying turned toward the exit, leaving Kamogawa to watch both of them, thinking that a monster is about to pop up in the boxing world.
===========
AN: Sheesh kebab. I feel light. Maybe because I didn't get a writer block to this lol.
I'm trying out dialogues in the fighting so do tell if I'm overdoing it or just enough.
Leave your suggestions and Criticisms here, Even opinions matter. Have a nice day.
Word Count: 2,161