With the announcements concluded, the conference shifts into its final ritual. Fighters, management, representatives from Aqualis Labs, NSN Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Fuji Television gather across the stage while photographers begin issuing the sort of synchronized instructions that somehow sound identical in every country.
"Smile…"
"Look here."
"One more, please."
"Now the other camera."
The resulting photograph captures exactly what Ronin wants the public to see. Nobody appears intimidated by the scale of the occasion. Not by Tokyo Dome, not by four championship bouts, and certainly not by a world title main event.
Every face carries the same confidence, except one. Ryohei manages to smile just enough for the cameras, though he looks suspiciously like a man politely attending someone else's birthday party.
The moment the flashbulbs stop firing, he slips away and rushes toward his brand-new sports car.
"Ah, Ryohei Yamada!"
"Yamada-san, wait!"
"Yamada! Just one question!"
