Isekai in Hajime no Ippo with Gaolang’s Template

Shohei Matsuda's POVThe sting of defeat was fresh as Shohei Matsuda sat quietly in the locker room, his team packing up around him. His body ached from the punishment he had endured, but what gnawed at him more was the thought of his loss to Alex Makunouchi.

He clenched his fists, replaying the fight in his mind. I gave it everything. I fought for my family, for my pride. But... I wasn't enough.

Yet, as he looked at the envelope his manager handed him, a small smile broke through the cloud of disappointment. "Shohei Matsuda – 80,000 USD (¥9,600,000)," it read.

He let out a small, disbelieving laugh. "I've been fighting for years, and I've never seen money like this," he murmured. His mind drifted to his wife and two young children. They're going to be so happy...

The bittersweet reality set in. Losing sucked, but this opportunity had changed everything. Fighting Alex Makunouchi, the so-called "Super Rookie," had brought him a payday that most boxers in Japan could only dream of.

For a moment, he allowed himself to be proud. I'll use this to give my family a better life. This isn't the end for me. This is just the beginning of a new chapter.

Alex Makunouchi's POVThe celebration at the Kamogawa Gym was lively, filled with the sound of laughter and clinking bottles of sports drinks. Alex leaned against the ropes, catching his breath after a light shadowboxing session, when Ippo approached him.

"You really impressed everyone last night," Ippo said, handing Alex a towel.

"Thanks, but I still have a long way to go," Alex replied, wiping the sweat from his face.

Nearby, Aoki tried to balance a jump rope on his forehead, much to the amusement of Kimura and Takamura, who egged him on.

"Hey, Alex!" Takamura called out, grinning. "Two fights, two KOs, and now you're the talk of Japan. You better not let it get to your head!"

Alex smirked. "Don't worry, Takamura. I'll still have time to knock you out during sparring if I need a reality check."

The room erupted in laughter, even the usually stern Genji Kamogawa cracking a small smile.

"Focus, Alex," Kamogawa said, his tone firm but kind. "The road gets steeper from here. Celebrate tonight, but don't forget the bigger picture."

"Yes, coach," Alex replied sincerely.

As the gym buzzed with camaraderie, Ippo joined Alex in some light mitt work, eager to keep improving alongside his cousin.

Later that night, Alex returned home, greeted by the warm sight of his aunt Hiroko setting the table.

"Welcome back, Alex!" she said, her face lighting up.

Ippo followed behind Alex, still buzzing from the gym's energy. "Dinner smells amazing, Aunt Hiroko!"

As they sat down to eat, Alex took a moment to appreciate the cozy atmosphere. "Aunt Hiroko," he began, setting his chopsticks down.

"Yes, Alex?" she asked, sensing the seriousness in his tone.

"I've been thinking... I want to renovate the house. Make it more comfortable for you, for us. You've worked so hard all your life, and it's time you got to enjoy it."

Hiroko's eyes widened, and Ippo looked equally surprised. "Alex, that's... such a kind gesture," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"You've done so much for us," Alex continued. "Now it's my turn to take care of you. I'm going to use some of my earnings to make this house the way you've always dreamed of."

Hiroko wiped away a tear, her heart swelling with pride. "Thank you, Alex. You're such a good boy. Both of you are."

Ippo smiled, his eyes reflecting admiration for his cousin. "We'll help however we can," he said.

The night ended with laughter and warmth, the Makunouchi household feeling more like home than ever before.After the celebration at the gym and at home, Alex decided it was time to focus solely on his boxing career. The next morning, he made his way to the convenience store where he'd worked part-time for the past year.

The familiar chime of the store's automatic doors greeted him as he walked inside. His coworker, Nanako Itagaki, stood at the counter, her ponytail swaying slightly as she greeted him with a cheerful smile.

"Good morning, Alex-kun!" she said brightly, adjusting her uniform. "You're here early. Not like you to start this shift without grabbing an energy drink first."

Alex chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "Morning, Nanako-chan. Actually, I came to talk to the manager."

Her smile faltered slightly. "Oh? Something wrong?"

Alex hesitated, then took a breath. "No, nothing like that. I've decided to resign."

Nanako froze for a moment, processing his words. She managed a small laugh, but it sounded forced. "Resign? You're kidding, right?"

Alex shook his head. "I've been getting more serious about boxing. With three professional fights under my belt, I need to give it my all if I want to make it to the top. It's been tough balancing training and work."

Nanako's hands fidgeted on the counter, but her expression remained composed. "I see. That's... great for you, Alex-kun. You've been working so hard. It makes sense."

The store manager appeared from the backroom. Alex turned to him and explained his decision. After a brief exchange, the resignation was finalized, and Alex handed over his uniform.

When the manager left, Alex turned back to Nanako. She was still behind the counter, her usual spark dimmed.

"You're really going to leave, huh?" she said softly, her voice almost drowned out by the low hum of the store's air conditioning.Alex nodded, his tone reassuring. "Yeah, but it's not like I'm disappearing. You've probably already seen me on TV a couple of times, right? Just means you'll be seeing me even more now."

Nanako's lips curled into a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, I've seen you. You're like a celebrity now. Guess this was bound to happen."Alex chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"Celebrity, huh? Feels weird hearing that, especially when I'm just a guy who loves boxing. But yeah, I've got to focus on my training now. I need every ounce of time and energy if I want to go further."

Nanako nodded, her expression softening, though a flicker of something unspoken lingered in her eyes. "Well, I hope you achieve everything you're aiming for, Alex. You've always been... determined."

He smiled warmly. "Thanks, Nanako. That means a lot. And hey, you're tough too. You'll do great here. Don't let those jerks in the back give you a hard time, alright?"

She laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I won't. I know how to handle them."

Alex extended a hand. "Take care, Nanako. I mean it. And who knows? Maybe someday I'll stop by as a customer."

She hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand, her grip firmer than he expected. "Take care, Alex. And don't forget the people who supported you from the start."

His smile grew wider. "Never."

With that, Alex turned and walked out of the store, the bell above the door jingling as it closed behind him. Nanako watched him go, her chest tightening slightly. She shook her head, willing herself to focus on her work.

As Alex stepped onto the busy street, he took a deep breath and smiled to himself. One chapter of his life had just closed, but the next one—his rise in the boxing world—was just beginning.

To be continued…