On the flatscreen, Hamakawa sits in his corner with swollen face as his team tries to keep him together for another round. Even from the locker room, everyone can see that the fight has already changed.
For a brief moment, nobody sees Hamakawa anymore. The image on the screen shifts in their minds, replaced by Ryohei sitting in that same corner, battered and exhausted.
"Remember the bet we made," Kurogane adds. "Think about what happens if Ryohei loses to him. By tarnishing Ronin's image, Umemoto would lure Ryoma to fight him."
Nakahara's face tightens. "What are you talking about? Umemoto is a Super Lightweight."
"Moving down to Lightweight is not a problem for him," Kurogane says. "If he becomes interim champion tonight, and Ryoma become WBO champion… Umemoto won't waste time waiting for Ryohei to recover."
He glances back at Ryoma. "He'll give up that title and come straight after you."
