Narumi didn't hear most of what his corner said.
He sat on the stool, elbows on his knees, chest dragging air into lungs that refused to cooperate. His vision pulsed at the edges, the ring lights blurring slightly every time he blinked. Sweat soaked his hair, ran down his neck, pooled at his collarbone.
"Last round," someone said. "You have to—"
Narumi pushed himself up before they finished.
Across the ring, Jin stood quietly.
Mori stepped back as Coach Kagawa approached, cane tapping softly against the canvas.
"You don't need to prove anything," Kagawa said. "End it clean."
Jin met his gaze and nodded once.
"I will."
The bell rang.
Narumi moved forward.
Slowly at first.
Then faster.
He threw a jab that lacked snap, followed by a right that came half a beat late. Jin slipped both without effort, feet sliding into position as naturally as breathing.
Narumi pressed anyway.
This was the only way he knew.
He swung again, a hook meant to force Jin to stay in front of him.
Jin stepped.
The Phantom Step carried him diagonally through the narrow gap Narumi couldn't close anymore. Narumi turned hard, trying to keep him in sight—but his feet didn't respond fast enough.
Jin struck.
A sharp jab snapped Narumi's head back.
A right followed, landing clean on the cheek.
Narumi staggered, catching himself on instinct alone.
The crowd rose as one.
Narumi growled and surged again, desperation bleeding into every movement. He threw wide now, chasing Jin's outline instead of his center. Punches cut air. Gloves met nothing.
Jin stayed close enough to punish, far enough to stay safe.
Every time Narumi overcommitted, Jin answered.
Short left to the body.
Compact right upstairs.
Step through.
Reset.
Narumi's breathing turned ragged. His guard lifted slower. His shoulders sagged between swings.
Why won't he stay?
Narumi lunged again, throwing a heavy right with everything he had left.
Jin slipped inside it.
The Phantom Step carried him past Narumi's shoulder, his feet crossing for the briefest instant before settling perfectly beneath him.
Jin turned.
And fired.
The combination was tight.
Efficient.
A left to the body that folded Narumi slightly.
A right straight that snapped his head back.
A short left hook that landed flush.
Narumi's legs gave.
He didn't fall all at once.
He sank.
One knee touched the canvas.
The referee stepped in immediately, beginning the count.
"One!"
Narumi pushed up instinctively, legs trembling.
"Two!"
He rose unsteadily, gloves lifting—but his eyes were unfocused now, breath tearing through his chest.
The referee looked at him closely.
Narumi tried to nod.
Tried.
The referee waved his arms.
The fight was over.
The arena erupted.
Sound crashed over the ring in a wave so loud it felt physical. Jin stepped back instinctively as the referee signaled the stoppage, hands already guiding Narumi toward the ropes.
Jin didn't raise his arms.
He watched.
Narumi leaned heavily against the ropes, chest heaving, eyes slowly regaining clarity as reality settled in. When he finally looked up, Jin was standing a few steps away, gloves lowered.
Narumi laughed softly under his breath.
"…Damn," he said hoarsely.
Jin bowed his head slightly.
Narumi straightened with effort and returned it.
The crowd roared louder.
Coach Kagawa stepped into the ring, placing a hand briefly on Jin's shoulder.
"Good," he said simply.
Jin exhaled.
The tension drained all at once, leaving behind exhaustion and relief in equal measure. His ribs throbbed now that adrenaline loosened its grip, but his legs held firm.
The referee lifted Jin's arm.
The crowd chanted his name.
Not wildly.
Respectfully.
Narumi was helped toward his corner, but he turned once more before leaving the ring.
"You're hard to catch," he said with a tired smile.
Jin nodded. "You don't stop coming forward."
Narumi chuckled. "Guess we both learned something."
They parted.
As Jin climbed down from the ring, the noise faded into something distant, muffled beneath the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Coach Kagawa walked beside him, cane tapping softly.
"That step," the coach said. "You didn't force it."
Jin looked down at his hands, still wrapped, still shaking faintly.
"I trusted it."
Kagawa smiled.
That was enough.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Note:
This fight arc has been a long one — thank you to everyone who stuck with it.
If you enjoyed Hajime no Ippo: The Phantom Step, please comment, vote, and add it to your library. Your support genuinely keeps this story going.
Next chapter: After the Bell — slice of life, recovery, and gym comedy 🥊📘