The next day…
Just before dawn, the sky still pale and colorless, Kenta rides the electric bike with Nakahara seated behind him, their breath misting in the cold morning air.
They reach the nearest station a little before six. Kenta eases the bike to a smooth stop, and looks behind.
"Coach… I can come with you. To Kobe. If you want backup."
Nakahara steps off, tightening the strap of his bag. "No. I'm visiting the camp of your next opponent. Bringing you wouldn't feel right."
Kenta frowns. "…My next opponent? In Kobe? Who is it?"
Nakahara is already turning toward the station entrance. "Liam Kuroda."
He leaves without waiting for a reaction.
Kenta stays there for a moment, frozen, hands gripping the handlebars. Liam Kuroda, the half-Australian powerhouse, respected in the OPBF, feared in Japan.
"Liam Kuroda… Can I really beat someone like that?"
Even as he rides the electric bike to the gym, that dread feelings keep grumbling in his stomach.
