Chapter 2: A New Flame Ignites
Joji Tenshi had never been one to stand out.
Not for the right reasons, anyway.
If someone from his class were asked to describe him, they might say, "Oh, that guy who always smells faintly of instant noodles," or "The zombie who sometimes shows up late and never brings his homework."
He had been content — no, not content — stuck in a cycle of gaming marathons, binge-watching anime, and half-eaten dinners.
It was easier that way.
Life didn't expect anything from him, and he didn't expect anything back.
But something was different now.
A crack had formed in the wall he'd built around himself.
Ever since he read the story of Louise Chapter — the boxer who had everything, lost everything, yet kept fighting — Joji couldn't look at himself the same way anymore.
"If Louise could still get up after that... What excuse do I have?" Joji often thought.
Louise's tragedy was raw, heavy — the kind that left a lump in your throat even days after reading it.
It wasn't just some inspirational story; it was a mirror shoved into Joji's face, showing him the wasting potential he had tried so hard to ignore.
---
At first, the changes were small.
Joji started forcing himself to finish meals.
Not out of hunger — but discipline.
He made his bed every morning even though no one would see it.
He cleaned his room until his uncle, Naru Tetsuya, asked if Joji had finally gotten a girlfriend.
And the most shocking change of all: Joji started showing up to school.
At first, his classmates didn't notice.
Then, when he began reciting during class discussions, it was like the entire room tilted.
Heads turned. Eyes squinted in disbelief.
"Was that... Joji?"
He even handed in his assignments.
Neatly written. On time.
The teachers almost looked nervous when they graded them, as if the world might end.
---
But perhaps no one paid more attention than Imaizumi Fujiwara, the class president.
Imaizumi was known for being a perfectionist, the type who had their entire week color-coded on a planner.
He was fair but blunt, and unlike most class presidents, he didn't believe in leaving anyone behind.
Joji was a puzzle to him.
Someone who had chosen to fail for so long... only to flip a switch overnight.
It wasn't just the schoolwork that caught Imaizumi's eye.
One afternoon, while making his usual patrol of the school rooftop (a place students loved to sneak off to), Imaizumi stumbled across Joji shadowboxing.
At first, it was laughable.
Joji's fists were loose, his footwork clumsy, and every punch seemed to threaten to knock himself out instead of an opponent.
But Joji's eyes...
They burned with a stubborn, reckless fire.
Imaizumi leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
He watched quietly, thinking.
"He has no form... but he has heart. Uncle Haruto might like this one."
---
The next day, Imaizumi confronted Joji during lunch.
"Oi. Tenshi," he called across the cafeteria.
Joji, halfway through stuffing his mouth with rice balls, blinked like a deer caught in headlights.
"You like boxing?"
Joji shrugged, swallowing awkwardly. "Uh... kinda? I'm just... y'know, messing around."
"You're garbage," Imaizumi said bluntly, making Joji almost choke.
"But...," Imaizumi continued, sliding into the seat across from him, "You're not hopeless."
He pulled out a flyer — a basic, slightly crumpled one — that advertised Fujiwara's Gym.
Owned by Haruto Fujiwara, Imaizumi's uncle, a former pro boxer turned coach.
"You wanna get serious? Meet me after school," Imaizumi said. "I'll take you there."
Before Joji could react, Imaizumi stood up and left, as if the conversation was already decided.
Joji stared at the flyer for a long time.
---
That afternoon, Joji found himself standing in front of Fujiwara's Gym.
The place was old but alive — the sounds of punches slamming into mitts, jump ropes whipping against the floor, and the strong, unmistakable smell of sweat and determination filled the air.
Coach Haruto was a tall, wiry man with sharp eyes that seemed to see right through you.
When Joji explained — clumsily — why he was there, Haruto simply grunted.
"You're a late bloomer, huh?"
He tossed Joji a pair of battered gloves. "Show me your jab."
---
Training wasn't easy.
It was brutal.
Joji's muscles, weak from years of inactivity, screamed in protest.
Coach Haruto didn't sugarcoat anything.
"Sloppy!"
"Plant your feet, boy!"
"Your jab's softer than my grandma's pillow!"
But day after day, Joji kept showing up.
He sweated, he cursed under his breath, he pushed through the soreness and humiliation.
He wasn't just changing his body — he was burning down the old Joji and building something new.
Coach Haruto smiled quietly to himself as he watched Joji wobble through jump rope drills.
"Yeah... this kid's got fire."
---
Imaizumi kept seeing Joji holding back himself from cursing Coach Haruto due to his brutal words. So Imaizumi gave Joji a small empty notebook and adviced Joji to write his progress there and keep him motivated while venting out his frustrations from Coach's harsh words
Joji's Weekly Diary
Week 1:
"Started training today. Almost puked after five minutes of jump rope. Haruto said I have "the endurance of a dying goldfish." It's kinda funny. I guess this is what progress feels like — gross and painful."
Week 2:
"Passed my first science quiz in two years. Imaizumi said it's 'acceptable.' Training is still hell. Rope burns on my ankles from jump rope... ouch."
Week 3:
"Haruto let me spar today. He told me to throw one punch and move. I panicked and threw like five. Got my nose bloodied by a jab. But I didn't quit. That has to count for something, right?"
Week 4:
"I actually woke up early today. Voluntarily. Old Joji would be laughing. New Joji is too busy tying his shoelaces."
Week 5:
"Passed English. Barely. Also got my first 'good job' from Haruto after hitting 200 clean punches on the heavy bag. My knuckles are bruised but my heart feels lighter."
Week 6:
"Shadowboxed at the rooftop again. This time, my form wasn't complete trash. I caught Imaizumi watching again. He nodded and left without saying anything. That felt kinda cool."
Week 7:
"Gym. School. Homework. Sleep. Repeat. I'm not great at any of them yet, but I'm moving. That's more than I could say before. Haruto says 'Consistency beats talent.' Maybe... Maybe I can be someone worth cheering for."
---
Ending Scene:
That Saturday afternoon, Joji sat by the riverside bench, his gym bag tossed lazily at his feet.
The breeze was soft, carrying the scent of clean water and spring flowers.
He leaned back, letting the late afternoon sun warm his face.
For the first time in years, Joji didn't feel... stuck.
He wasn't fighting anyone yet — not in the ring — but inside, he was battling himself every day.
And slowly, he was winning.
He closed his eyes, listening to the gentle flow of the river.
Maybe Louise would be proud, Joji thought.
Then, he heard the soft crunch of footsteps beside him.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a girl — around his age, maybe a little younger — sitting down at the opposite end of the bench.
She had short brown hair tied in a short ponytail, and a friendly smile on her face.
"Are you Joji Tenshi?" she asked, twirling a loose strand of hair between her fingers.
Joji blinked, confused.
"Yeah... why?"
The girl grins.
"I'm a fan," she said simply, giving him a little wave.
Joji's mouth opened, but no words came out.
A fan? Him?
Before he could ask, the girl extended her hand, eyes bright.
"I'm Mina Kawahara."
And just like that, Joji's world shifted again.
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[End of Chapter 2]