ALL NOVEL Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Building Foundations
The morning light poured through Alex's window as he stretched and prepared for a busy day. With his recent earnings, it was time to set things in motion for the future, starting with his family's home.
His first stop was the local bank. Dressed neatly, Alex stepped inside and was greeted by a polite clerk. After a bit of paperwork and formalities, he successfully opened his first bank account. As he left the bank, holding his new account details, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
"This is a start," Alex muttered to himself, pocketing the documents. "Time to take care of the big stuff."
Next, he headed to a contractor's office, a recommendation from one of his gym mates. After browsing through several portfolios and discussing ideas, Alex settled on a design that felt modern yet comfortable—a place that would feel like home for him, his aunt, and Ippo.
The contractor, an elderly man with years of experience, nodded as Alex explained his vision. "We can get started next week. It'll take a few months, but I promise you, it'll be worth it."
"Perfect," Alex replied, shaking the man's hand firmly. "Just let me know if you need anything else."
With the major errands complete, Alex returned to the gym that afternoon, opting for a light training session. The familiar scent of sweat and leather filled the air, and the rhythmic sounds of gloves hitting bags brought a sense of comfort.
As he walked in, his eyes caught sight of a new magazine pinned to the gym's bulletin board. The cover featured a photo of him mid-punch during his recent fight, the headline in bold letters: "Japan's Super Rookie: Alex Makunouchi Shakes Up the Lightweight Division!"
Curious, Alex flipped through the pages until he found the article. It detailed his rise as a fighter, his unique style, and his growing fan base. His lips curled into a smirk as he read the praise.
"Didn't expect this much attention so soon," he muttered.
Coach Kamogawa noticed him and walked over. "Enjoying the limelight, huh?"
Alex grinned. "Can't lie, it feels good. But I know there's still a long way to go."
Kamogawa pointed to the rankings list tacked beside the magazine. "Take a look. You're officially in the top ten now. Time to start thinking about your next move."
Alex scanned the list:
Japan Lightweight Rankings
Champion: Shinobu Iga (10-1-0, 6 KO)Ryota Sakamoto (14-3-2, 9 KO)Kenta Hoshino (11-2-1, 7 KO)Daichi Kuroda (12-4-0, 5 KO)Hayato Shimizu (10-3-1, 6 KO)Tetsuya Miyamoto (9-5-1, 3 KO)Hiroshi Yamamoto (8-4-2, 4 KO)Riku Tanaka (7-3-0, 6 KO)Koji Nakamura (6-4-0, 2 KO)Masato Sugihara (7-5-1, 3 KO)Alex Makunouchi (3-0-0, 3 KO)Seeing his name on the list brought a wave of pride and determination.
Kamogawa clapped him on the shoulder. "Take it one fight at a time, Alex. You've got the talent, but don't let it go to your head."
Alex nodded. "Don't worry, coach. I'm here to stay grounded. And I'm ready to work for it."
As the afternoon turned to evening, Alex finished his training, his mind focused on the future. His goals were clear: keep climbing,
keep improving, and protect the people he cared about. The path ahead was tough, but Alex Makunouchi was ready for whatever came next.Coach Kamogawa's Office
The rhythmic thuds of gloves meeting punching bags filled the gym, but in Kamogawa's office, a quieter, more intense conversation unfolded. The old coach leaned back in his chair, his brows furrowed as he reviewed a dossier spread across his desk. Yagi stood next to him, arms crossed, both men focused.
"Ippo's next opponent," Kamogawa began, tapping the paper, "is Jason Osma. They're calling him a super power-puncher. He's got three wins, all by knockout. No losses."
Yagi frowned. "Three fights, three knockouts? Sounds dangerous. Any footage on him?"
Kamogawa nodded, turning the small TV on the corner of his desk toward them. A grainy video played, showing Jason Osma
dismantling his last opponent in just under two rounds. The sound of Osma's punches echoed, even through the poor audio quality.
The man was tall and muscular, his movements swift and precise despite his size. Each punch landed with brutal efficiency, his opponents crumpling under the sheer force.
"He's not just strong," Kamogawa muttered, pausing the tape, "he's fast. That makes him even more dangerous. He's like a wrecking ball that can aim."
Yagi scratched his head. "And he's taller than Ippo, too. This will be a real test. If Ippo can't handle that power..."
Kamogawa nodded gravely. "Then he's not ready for the bigger stage. But this will be good for him. He needs to know what it feels like to face a true power-puncher. If he wants to be the best, he has to adapt."
Just as Kamogawa was about to add something, a loud crash echoed from outside the door, followed by hurried footsteps. The door creaked open slightly, and a familiar mop of brown hair peeked through.
"Aoki!" Kamogawa barked.
Aoki froze, caught red-handed. He grinned sheepishly and stepped into the room,
rubbing the back of his head. "Heh, sorry, coach. Didn't mean to eavesdrop. But, uh... did you say Ippo's fighting some kinda black version of Takamura? Big, strong, and scary?"
Yagi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Aoki, you really need to work on your manners."
Aoki shrugged. "Hey, I'm just curious! I mean, poor Ippo's gotta face this Osma guy? He's got muscles for days! You sure he won't flatten Ippo like a pancake?"
Kamogawa smirked faintly. "If Ippo trains properly, he'll be fine. He's got the heart for it. And he's got us to guide him."
"Yeah, yeah," Aoki waved off. "Still, Ippo's gotta watch out. That guy looks like he punches with bad intentions. I'd be shaking in my boots."
Yagi rolled his eyes. "You shake in your boots over a sparring session."
"Hey!" Aoki shot back, feigning offense. "Sparring's dangerous, too, you know!"
The room burst into light laughter, the tension momentarily broken.
Kamogawa leaned back, folding his arms. "Ippo doesn't know about Osma yet. I'll tell him tomorrow. For now, let's keep this between us."
Aoki gave a thumbs-up. "Got it, coach. But, uh, if you need someone to spar with Ippo, you know where to find me!"
Kamogawa and Yagi exchanged a knowing glance.
"Sure, Aoki," Kamogawa said dryly. "We'll call you first."
Aoki grinned, oblivious to the sarcasm. "Alright, then! I'm off!" He bolted out of the office, almost knocking over a chair on his way out.
As the door swung shut, Yagi shook his head. "That guy never changes."
Kamogawa chuckled. "And that's probably for the best. Now, let's start planning Ippo's training regimen. We've got to get him ready for Osma's power."
To Be Continued