Nakahara can only offer an awkward smile. As usual, once the conversation drifts too far into English, all he can do is wait and hope someone explains it to him afterward.
Ryoma, meanwhile, has already gone quiet. His eyes remain on Elliot and Sergei, but his thoughts are elsewhere, rapidly assembling one hypothetical after another.
"I know what it's like to get cheated," Elliot says. "When I fought Shimamura Suzuki, I'm convinced they tried to do the same thing."
He gives Ryoma's shoulder a firm pat before offering a faint smile. Without waiting for Ryoma's response, he then turns toward the door, raising a hand without looking back.
"Good luck, Ryoma. I'll be rooting for you."
Sergei inclines his head respectfully toward Nakahara before following after his fighter. "We'll finish this conversation another time. Preferably after you've become a world champion."
As the door slides shut behind them, the awkward smile lingering on Nakahara's face finally disappears.
