The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the gym’s glass windows, creating slanted beams of light across the worn wooden floor. The familiar sound of fists striking the heavy bags echoed faintly through the door, a rhythmic thud, thud, thud that made Ayame’s heart pound in her chest.

Clutching the strap of her bag, she stood outside the Kamogawa Gym, her feet frozen just beyond the doorframe. Dressed casually in faded jeans and a loose hoodie, she peeked through the narrow crack in the slightly open door. Her bright reddish-pink eyes darted around nervously, watching as the boxers moved with powerful, fluid precision.

Her hands felt clammy against the fabric of her bag. I-I should just leave… she thought, stepping back slightly.

But just as she turned to go, she heard a soft, kind voice behind her. “Um… hello?”

Her breath hitched. Slowly, she turned around to see Ippo Makunouchi standing by the door, holding a towel around his neck. His face was slightly flushed from training, beads of sweat clinging to his skin. His brown eyes were warm and surprisingly gentle, the kind of gaze that immediately put her at ease.

“You were… looking in, right?” he asked softly, giving her a small, reassuring smile. “Are you, um… interested in boxing?”

Ayame’s cheeks flushed. She opened her mouth but only a soft, uncertain sound came out. She quickly glanced down, fiddling with the strap of her bag, too nervous to speak.

Ippo, sensing her nerves, scratched the back of his head. “Ah! Sorry if I startled you,” he said quickly. He stepped back slightly, giving her space. “You—uh—want to come in? You can look around first, if you want. No pressure.”

Still flustered and unsure, Ayame hesitated. But when Ippo offered her a kind smile, she gave a small, nervous nod and took a tiny step forward. Without saying a word, she followed him inside