The restaurant was alive with celebration. Ippo’s victory had the group drinking, laughing, and stuffing their faces. Takamura, arms crossed, kept sneaking glances at Ayame, who sat across from him.

He was gonna say it.

No big deal. Just tell her. Just—

“Hey, Ayame—”

She turned to him. “Yeah?”

Takamura exhaled. “Listen, I—”

“I’ve been thinking about taking a break from boxing.”

His heart stopped.

“What?” His voice was sharp.

Ayame hesitated. “I just… need to clear my head.”

Takamura clenched his jaw. “Not here. Outside.”

They stepped into the cold night air behind the restaurant. Tension crackled between them.

“You were serious?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Why?” His voice was tight.

“I just don’t feel the same drive right now.”

“Bullshit.”

Ayame narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?”

“You fight like a demon in the ring. Now you’re telling me you just lost that?”

“Takamura, I didn’t say I’m quitting.”

“Might as well be.”

Silence.

“Why do you even care so much?” she whispered.

His head snapped up.

“Because it’s you.”

Her breath hitched.

Takamura rubbed the back of his neck. “Forget it.”

“No. Say it.”

He sighed. “That I’d miss you? That it pisses me off thinking about you not being around?”

Ayame’s chest tightened.

“That if you leave, I won’t have anyone who actually gets me?” He scoffed. “Yeah, I’d miss that. I’d miss you. Happy now?”

She wasn’t.

Not when the truth sat between them like an open wound.

Takamura turned. “Get back inside. Ippo’s looking all mushy, and it’s pissing me off.”

He walked in like nothing happened.

But everything had happened.

And Ayame wasn’t sure she could leave anymore.