NOVEL WEB Chapter 25: Chapter 25: A Night to Remember
The bustling atmosphere at the small, local restaurant was filled with laughter and the smell of grilled food. Alex, Ippo, Takamura,
Aoki, Kimura, and Coach Kamogawa sat around a large table piled with dishes, their spirits high after the previous night's victories.
"Man, I still can't believe you pulled off that triple jab, Alex!" Kimura exclaimed, gesturing animatedly with his chopsticks. "The crowd went nuts!"
"And that speech!" Takamura barked out a laugh, slamming his hand on the table. "Calling out the entire top 15? You've got guts, kid."
Alex smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Guts and skill, Takamura. Big difference."
"Skill, huh?" Aoki grinned, leaning forward. "Next time, try dodging my pranks instead of just punches!"
"Pranks?" Alex raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You mean the time you 'accidentally' glued my gloves to the bench? Real tactical genius there, Aoki."
The table erupted in laughter as Aoki's face turned red.
Ippo chuckled, his usual shy demeanor easing in the warm company. "It's great to celebrate together. We didn't even get to do this for New Year's."
Coach Kamogawa nodded, his expression softening. "You two did the right thing, spending time with your aunt. Family comes first."
"Speaking of family," Takamura said with a sly grin, "how's Auntie? She watching the fight last night?"
"She did," Alex replied, his voice tinged with pride. "She said she didn't even recognize me with all the trash-talking. Thought she raised a polite kid."
"That ship sailed a long time ago!" Aoki quipped, earning another round of laughter.
The night wore on with jokes, stories, and camaraderie, the group basking in their shared victories and the bond forged in the gym.
The Next Day: Headlines and StaresJanuary 17th, 1990 Alex and Ippo walked side by side toward the Kamogawa Gym, the crisp morning air filling their lungs. Despite their casual attire, the attention they garnered was anything but subtle.
"Hey, that's them!" someone whispered loudly from across the street.
"Ippo Makunouchi and Alex Makunouchi! Did you see the fight?" another said, their voice rising with excitement.
Alex smirked, nudging Ippo. "Told you. Fame suits us."
Ippo scratched the back of his head, blushing. "I don't know about that. It's a little... overwhelming."
"You'll get used to it," Alex replied, waving to a small group of kids who called out to them.
By the time they reached the gym, Coach Kamogawa was already waiting for them, a folded newspaper in hand. He slapped it onto the desk, revealing the headline in bold letters:
"THE LIGHTNING MAKUNOUCHI: ALEX MAKUNOUCHI SHAKES UP JAPAN!"
Below that, smaller text read:
"THE HUMBLE HURRICANE: MAKUNOUCHI IPPO PROVES HE'S A POWERHOUSE!"
Alex grinned, picking up the paper and scanning it. "Lightning Makunouchi, huh? Got a nice ring to it."
"You'd better live up to it," Kamogawa said with a sharp smile. "The media's all over you now. No room for slacking off."
"Ippo's got a nickname too!" Aoki said, peering over Alex's shoulder. "Humble Hurricane? Sounds like a bakery special."
Kimura burst out laughing. "Hey, I'd buy a Humble Hurricane pastry!"
"Guys, cut it out," Ippo mumbled, his face turning red.
Alex joined in the teasing. "Yeah, maybe we can start selling T-shirts. 'Humble Hurricane vs. Lightning Makunouchi!'"
The gym erupted with laughter, the lighthearted mood making the grueling training that followed almost enjoyable.
At the Convenience StoreLater that day, Alex clocked in for his part-time shift at the local convenience store. The small shop bustled with customers, but the moment Alex stepped behind the counter, a noticeable shift occurred.
"That's him!" a group of teenagers whispered, hovering near the snack aisle.
"He's even cooler in person!"
Bold as ever, one of the girls walked up to the counter with her purchase, flashing Alex a confident smile. "Excuse me... are you Alex Makunouchi?"
Alex glanced up, his smirk returning. "That's me. Need an autograph with that soda?"
The girl giggled, pulling out her phone. "Actually, can I get a picture?"
Before Alex could respond, a small line of customers formed, each holding out their phones for selfies. His co-worker, a young woman about his age, watched from the side, half-amused and half-annoyed.
"Are you gonna help me restock, or are you too busy being famous?" she called out teasingly.
Alex shrugged, flashing her a grin. "Fame waits for no man, but I'll make an exception for you."
"Charming," she said, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless.
Shinobu Iga's POVLocation: Tokugawa Boxing GymIn a dimly lit office, Shinobu Iga sat at a desk, the glow of the television illuminating his sharp features. The undefeated boxer leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees as he replayed Alex Makunouchi's post-fight speech.
"All you top 15 lightweights out there—you're all bums! I'll knock sparks out of every single one of you. Tonight, I'm the best, and tomorrow, I'll still be the best. Call me if you
Still have some balls,
Shinobu's expression was unreadable, his dark eyes fixed on the screen.
"Interesting," he murmured to himself, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest.
With a record of 10-0, six wins by knockout, Shinobu was no stranger to challengers. But Alex's audacity intrigued him. A fighter who could back up his words with such flair was rare.
As the screen faded to black, Shinobu leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Let's see if you can handle the top," he said quietly, his tone both amused and calculating
To Be Continued..