Nikolai's expression turns serious as he watches Ryoma intently, his eyes fixed on every movement.
But this time, Ryoma does not use the sway. He simply tilts his stance enough to align his shoulder and glove with Nikolai's line of vision.
Then, when the angle is aligned, he simply slides his lead foot slightly forward and…
Dsh!
The jab snaps into Nikolai's face.
His head jerks slightly backward, and he immediately steps away.
"What the hell... I couldn't even see it."
"Just his glove... suddenly hitting my face."
Ryoma begins cutting the distance with his pendulum steps, mixing in feints with his shoulders, gloves, and upper-body level changes.
Still confused by what he has been seeing, Nikolai reacts to every feint.
And every time their geometry aligns…
Dsh!
A phantom jab lands.
"Ooh! He caught him clean!"
"And that's two in a row!"
Again, when his line of sight falls perfectly in line with Ryoma's shoulder and glove…
Dsh!
Another phantom jab.
And again.
Dsh!
