Once Ryoma ends the conversation with Kirizume, he places the receiver back into its cradle and stands there for a brief moment before returning to his seat.
He sits down more heavily than usual, his expression already settled into something darker, the kind of seriousness that immediately changes the atmosphere around him.
The effect is subtle but noticeable. The momentum of the Yoyogi discussion slows as if everyone in the room instinctively understands that whatever was just said carries weight.
Papers remain open but untouched, and even the earlier confidence in the room begins to thin out as silence stretches a little longer than necessary. No one interrupts him. They wait.
It is Nakahara who finally speaks. "So? How is it?"
"Just as we expected," Ryoma says. "Aramaki versus Serrano is confirmed. Kirizume also accepted our demand for Kazuya Tojo to fight Satoru. We're just back on the original schedule. There's nothing else that needs attention right now."
