Seeing that hesitation from Malik, Ryoma decides to use the opportunity to do something else: study how Malik reacts to his punches.
He cuts the distance with a casual walk, then flicks out a light jab.
Dug.
He resets, pivots slightly, and sends another testing jab, this time a little faster.
Dug.
Malik simply brings his guard up for each jab, then lowers it again.
And Ryoma teases him once more.
Dug.
And again.
Dug.
He isn't thinking about scoring. He's collecting data, watching how Malik responds to each punch and how he moves after each reaction.
"Suddenly the pace has slowed right down."
"It has, hasn't it? Takeda's barely committing to anything here."
"Yeah, he looks almost as though he's not particularly interested in fighting tonight."
But Malik takes it as an insult, as if Ryoma is deliberately underestimating him with those uncommitted jabs.
