The next morning, when Joe walked through the door, the atmosphere in the hall was different. There were more people there today. Sandbagging, jump rope, sparring couples... everyone was in their own world, but there was a sense of order. Everyone knew the seriousness of this place.
When Joe walked in, a few people turned their heads. It wasn't hard to recognise that he was new. He was young, thin, his face still covered in street dust. Some looked at him with disdain, others just as if they were watching the next disappointment.
Kimura was in his usual corner. When he saw Joe, he nodded his head slightly. "You're going in the ring today."
Joe paused. "Are you serious? Just yesterday..."
Kimura narrowed his eyes. "The way of learning is different here. The one who takes a punch learns fast."
Joe sighed. He nodded. "Okay."
He wrapped his hands around himself, regulated his breathing. His heart began to beat a little faster, but not from fear - from anticipation. As he entered the ring, his eyes travelled to the opposite corner. The boy standing in front of him looked a little older than his peers. He was muscular. He was obviously experienced. A few people were watching him from the other corner of the arena.
"His name is Daisuke," Kimura said from ringside. "He's been here for two years. He's arrogant, but he fights clean. He's faster than you, stronger than you. But remember, it's not just fists, it's brains."
The bell rang.
Joe approached cautiously. He put his hands up, he got his guard up. But Daisuke came at him without waiting. A hard right jab grazed Joe's shoulder. followed by a left hook straight to the jaw. He staggered back. He blacked out. He's pulled to the edge of the ring. One or two murmurs were heard from the audience.
"I guess it was over before it even started..."
But Joe didn't stay there. He took a deep breath. He straightened his posture. He raised his hands again. His eyes changed in an instant - that familiar look came back. The instinct he'd picked up on the streets, the defensive reflex, the will to survive. When Daisuke struck again, Joe dodged slightly to the side and unexpectedly landed a right hand to the body.
"Ah!" gasped Daisuke. This was the first blow.
The crowd paused for a moment. Kimura didn't move, but a vague look of satisfaction crossed his face.
Joe wasn't fast, he wasn't strong yet. but he could seize the right moment. That punch may not have won the fight, but it started something: respect.
By the end of the round, they were both covered in sweat. Joe had been beaten, yes. His face was red, his lip was busted. But he was on his feet. His eyes were straight. Daisuke looked at him and bowed his head, then got out of the ring.
Kimura came up to him, handed him the towel. "You didn't win... but you didn't run away either. Sometimes that's the biggest win of all."
Joe wiped his face. A sincere smile came to his lips.
"I'm gonna stay in the ring," he said.