The Kagawa Gym was already loud when Jin stepped inside.
That alone told him something was wrong.
A heavy thud echoed across the floor, followed immediately by a very familiar scream.
"WHY DOES EVERYTHING IN THIS GYM WANT TO KILL ME?!"
Jin stopped at the entrance. "…Morning?"
Aoki was sprawled face-down on the mat, one leg tangled in a jump rope, the other twitching like it had given up on life. Kimura stood over him, arms crossed.
"You tripped," Kimura said flatly. "Again."
"It attacked first!"
Coach Kagawa's cane struck the floor once.
Silence fell instantly.
"Warm up properly," the coach said. "Or leave."
Aoki popped up into a perfect bow. "Yes, sir! I value my life!"
He immediately started jogging in place and nearly ran into Jin.
"Careful," Jin said, stepping aside.
Aoki squinted at him. "Whoa… you look like a champion today."
Kimura frowned. "Don't say that."
Aoki gasped. "Oh no. Is that a death flag?"
Jin sighed. "Please don't."
Training began without ceremony.
No sparring. No crowd. Just work.
Coach Kagawa clapped once. "Footwork drills. Five rounds. Light pace."
Aoki groaned. "That's cruel and unusual punishment."
Jin stepped into the ring, rolling his shoulders slowly. His body still carried the memory of the fight—tightness in his ribs, stiffness in his legs—but it felt stable now. Not fragile. Not dangerous.
He started moving.
Small steps. Clean pivots. Calm breathing.
No Phantom Step.
Shimada watched closely from the corner. "You're slower."
"On purpose," Jin replied.
Shimada nodded. "Good. Speed without balance gets you killed."
Aoki tried copying Jin's footwork again.
He slid left.
Pivoted right.
Then spun directly into Kimura.
"OI."
"That was part of the plan!"
Kimura shoved him back. "Your plan is terrible."
The gym door opened again.
Mari Takamura walked in, notebook under her arm, eyes already scanning the room like she was cataloging chaos.
Her gaze landed on Jin almost immediately.
"…You're moving better today," she said.
Jin glanced over, surprised. "You can tell?"
"I've been watching you box for years," she replied. "Try harder to be mysterious."
Aoki leaned over. "Mari, tell him to spar me. I'm ready."
She looked at Aoki, then at the bruise on his forehead. "You look one bad idea away from the hospital."
Kimura nodded. "She gets it."
Mari handed Jin a bottle of water. "Hydrate. You still look like you're hiding pain."
Jin took it. "…Thanks."
Aoki squinted. "Why does he get special treatment?"
"Because he doesn't trip over ropes," Mari said.
"That's discrimination."
Mitt work came next.
Coach Kagawa held the pads himself.
Jin stepped in, posture straight, eyes focused.
"Simple combinations," the coach said. "No tricks."
"Yes, sir."
Jab. Cross. Hook.
Clean. Controlled.
The sound echoed sharply through the gym.
Aoki watched from the side, eyes wide. "Man… he really does look different."
Kimura nodded slowly. "Yeah. Less flashy. More scary."
Aoki crossed his arms. "I give it three chapters before someone challenges him."
Shimada sighed. "Stop talking like you're aware you're in a story."
Aoki grinned. "We totally are."
Training wrapped up faster than Jin expected.
Sweat soaked through his shirt. His arms trembled faintly as he unwrapped his hands, but it wasn't exhaustion—it was restraint.
He sat against the wall, towel draped over his head, listening to the gym return to its normal noise. Arguing. Laughing. Complaining about protein powder.
Mari sat down beside him without asking.
"So," she said, "bored yet?"
Jin lowered the towel. "Not even close."
She smiled. "Good. Because things are about to get noisy again."
He looked around the gym—the scuffed floor, the battered bags, the people who made it feel alive.
Training had resumed.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But steadily.
And this time, Jin felt ready for whatever came next.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Note:
Thanks for the honest feedback, everyone — this chapter picks the pace back up while keeping the slice-of-life spirit alive.
If you enjoyed it, please comment, vote, and add the story to your library. Your support truly keeps this series going!