Fighting Spirit - Mashiba vs. Kimura

This is what it will be.

In the upcoming Champion Carnival,

our gym's Junior Lightweight boxer, Kimura Tatsuya...

will be fighting in his first Japan Title match.

Th-this is it.

Because Kimura-san and Kumi-san's brother will be facing off...

back then...

I'm sorry.

I don't think I can I see you anymore.

Wh-why?

How come?

Well, goodbye.

Kumi-san...

N-no...

but there was nothing I could do.

I just have to...

Good luck, Kimura-san.

Don't force yourself.

You were getting along fine with her...

sorry for ruining it.

I'll beat the hell out of that brother,

and oust him from his throne!

Th-that's the spirit.

Kimura Tatsuya

Mashiba Ryo

I knew I would find you if I waited here.

I need a favor.

Please help me.

Why the sudden request?

I've got a match scheduled.

No matter what, I want to win.

But... right now, there's nothing I can do.

What do you want from me?

I'm not the sort who trains others.

Besides, you have no weak points, and come across as a high-level boxer.

But,

I know for sure...

I can't win against him.

Him?

The Japan Junior Lightweight Class Champion...

Mashiba Ryo.

For the Champion Carnival,

the 1st and 2nd ranked boxers bailed.

So the baton was passed down to me, the 3rd ranked boxer.

In my 5th year as a boxer,

this chance has finally come.

If I let this pass,

I might never have another chance like this.

I want to win this!

Miyata.

Your technique and speed are superior to Mashiba's.

If I can spar evenly against you, I'll be in perfect form!

I don't know...

I don't think I can meet your expectations.

And like I said,

I'm not the sort who trains others.

I...

I've never stuck to any single thing for long.

My record isn't impressive, but...

I've been putting in my best.

I love boxing.

That's why...

I want to be confident in not losing to anyone in it.

I want proof that I've tried my best in what I love.

You mean, the belt?

That's right.

Sorry for wasting your time.

I'm heading back.

Kimura-san.

I have an OPBF Title match next year.

And the Champion is an out-boxer.

His fighting style is similar to yours.

If you spar with me, it would be helpful.

If you'd like...

please visit my gym tomorrow.

Trying to act cool?

Alright!

Do you think Miyata-kun accepted his request?

No matter who trains him, the outcome will be the same.

Kimura-san is very proficient.

We won't know for sure until he actually tries.

W-well, for him to face Mashiba...

is somewhat unfortunate, I guess.

Unfortunate?

Is the unfortunate one really Kimura?

Mashiba-san and my Senpai are fighting each other.

And, I'm in love with his sister.

Torn between two opposing sides, I...

I am so unfortunate!

So, that's what you think, right?!

But...

there's another who's more nervous than you.

Aoki-san??

Aoki and Kimura joined at the same time.

In a sense, they're each others' best rivals.

And his rival is facing his first title match.

Being left behind isn't what's bothering him.

Actually, it's the exact opposite.

He's frustrated at his inability; to help...

even though he wants to.

Damn it...

Now that you're sparring with Ichiro,

be on your guard.

Got it.

Every single movement of his will help me.

And when I can overcome those moves...

Mashiba's Flicker will no longer be a threat.

Now then, let's get started,

on neutralizing the Flicker.

The Flicker...

like this?

Fast...

Mine is slightly different, but...

I can use the Flicker.

Good!

Use it, then.

Once I get used to them, a Flicker neutralizer can be found.

It's impossible.

Despite its power,

the Flicker is just a jab.

It's almost impossible to stop all the jabs.

Actually...

even if you evade them all, you can't defeat Mashiba.

Wh-what do you mean?

You have a critical weak point.

What?

For a start, let's make you aware of it.

My weakness?

He's fast.

But we're both out-boxers.

I can predict his moves somewhat.

I can hit him.

I can do it!

Nice movement.

He's ranked 3rd yet his potential exceeds that.

However...

Weren't you a little hard on him for the first day?

I wanted him to experience it.

E-experience it?

Are you okay?

If you come at me with full force,

I can't tell what's going on.

That's the point.

You're so well rounded that

I don't see any flaws.

On the other hand...

you don't display any strengths either.

In addition, you don't have a finishing blow.

Without one, your opponent won't hesitate to close in on you.

There's nothing to fear.

Mashiba probably thinks the same of you.

Damn it.

When he attacked so aggressively,

it became so damn hard.

I knew about it...

my own weakness.

He didn't hold back.

You don't seem to have any worries.

There must be something...

Some kind of strategy to defeat Mashiba.

Welcome!

Yo.

You look like you're getting trashed.

Well, yeah.

I need to start dieting soon, so I'm stuffing myself for now.

Are a Stamina Ramen and a Gyoza enough?

Your treat.

Thanks.

As usual, it was good.

Of course.

Hey, umm...

it's nothing...

What, feeling blue?

Hell no!

I was gonna say that I've become stronger!

If we spar now, you'll be dead in one minute.

I'll just return the favor!

See ya.

Yeah.

Thank you very much.

What was that about?

I borrowed some recent videos on Mashiba-san from Iimura-san.

I want to help Kimura-san in some way.

All right.

Leave their delivery to me.

Thank you.

You're pretty thoughtful.

Actually...

I spent the whole night coming up with advice for Kimura.

You did?

For the Mashiba match?

I can be thoughtful too.

If that's the case, I'll pass it on.

Yeah, sure.

Watch out for...

Mashiba's long reach.

Well, see you later.

Thanks.

Now then...

Yo, long time no see.