The gym smelled like tape and coffee when Jin arrived.
Someone had brought pastries.
No one admitted who.
Aoki stared at the box like it was a trap. "This is suspicious."
Kimura picked one up immediately. "You say that every time free food appears."
Shimada clapped his hands loudly. "ANNOUNCEMENT!"
Everyone groaned.
Shimada pointed at the supporters board. A new name had been added beneath the others, written neatly but confidently.
Anthony_Cone_3234
A small arrow pointed to it with the words Power Stones scribbled beside it.
"WELCOME TO THE WALL," Shimada declared.
Aoki saluted. "ANOTHER PILLAR OF THE GYM."
Mori adjusted his glasses. "Please don't call people pillars."
Jin paused in front of the board.
New name. Same feeling.
He nodded once, then turned toward the ring.
Coach Kagawa didn't waste time.
"Pressure sparring," he said. "Three rounds."
No explanation.
Jin stepped into the ring across from Sato again. The ropes were tight, the space limited, the expectation clear.
Sato advanced immediately.
No probing. No testing.
Just forward pressure.
Jin didn't retreat.
He pivoted once, let the glove graze his guard, then stepped inside the pocket instead of away from it. His shoulder bumped Sato's chest, breaking rhythm.
The gym murmured.
"Again," Kagawa said.
Round two was harder.
Sato adjusted, cutting angles, forcing Jin toward the ropes. Jin felt the ring compress—but instead of backing up, he slid along the edge, turning pressure sideways.
He took a clean body shot.
Didn't flinch.
Round three ended with both men breathing hard, neither giving ground.
Kagawa tapped his cane once. "Enough."
That was high praise.
The mood lifted instantly afterward.
Aoki shadowboxed wildly. "I CAN DO THAT TOO."
"No," Kimura said.
"I'M PRESSURE INCARNATE."
Mari handed Jin a bottle of water. "You didn't hesitate."
"I didn't think," Jin replied.
She smiled. "That's progress."
Later, as the gym wound down, Jin sat beneath the supporters board, unlacing his shoes.
He looked at the names again.
Different people. Same support.
It didn't push him forward.
It reminded him to stay where he was.
Steady.
That night, Jin shadowboxed alone once more.
No crowd.
No board.
No noise.
Just pressure coming forward—and him meeting it head-on.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Note:
Huge thanks to Anthony_Cone_3234 for the Power Stones support! 🙏
Your encouragement really helps keep this series moving forward. And as always, thank you to everyone reading — please comment, vote, and add the story to your library if you're enjoying Hajime no Ippo: The Phantom Step!