The second round begins with Ryoma calmly leaving his corner, his expression still detached. Before he gets far, however, he notices something unusual.
He stops near the center of the ring, his guard held high as before. And somehow, Nikolai stops as well, adopts the same posture, holding his guard in exactly the same way.
"Here we go! Round two is underway, and after that incredible opening round, both fighters are…" The commentator suddenly falls silent, blinking. "Wait…"
Another commentator sounds equally confused. "Hold on. Are you kidding me?"
Ryoma lowers his guard slightly, his expression remaining flat, though his brow twitches once with irritation.
Nikolai lowers his guard as well, but unlike Ryoma, a mischievous grin spreads across his face as he clearly enjoys the prank.
Just to make sure, Ryoma twitches his right shoulder, then gives a half-hearted jab without fully extending his left hand. And Nikolai does the same, his lips curl even wider.
