Isekai in Hajime no Ippo with Gaolang’s Template

The morning sun bathed the Makunouchi household in a warm glow as Alex answered a call from Coach Kamogawa.

"Alex," Kamogawa's voice sounded regretful, "I have some bad news."

Alex sat on the couch, his voice calm. "What is it, Coach?"

"There's already a backup fighter for the WBC Championship fight. I couldn't get you in."

Alex leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "It's okay, Coach. No use worrying about something we can't change."

"Good to hear you're taking it well," Kamogawa said. "Now, about your next step—I've scheduled you to defend your title in two months against the number two-ranked Ryota Sakamoto. He's 14-3-2 with 9 KOs. Tough opponent."

Alex nodded, even though Kamogawa couldn't see him. "Thank you, Coach. I'll be ready."

After hanging up, Alex stood and stretched. He opened his wardrobe, pulling out a crisp white shirt, slightly oversized, which he tucked neatly into a pair of baggy pants. A simple leather belt cinched the outfit together. He added a leather watch for a touch of class. Grabbing his keys from the drawer, he headed to the garage, where his Porsche 911 gleamed under the lights.

Today was special. He was taking Mari Īmura on their first date.

One Week EarlierThe day after Alex's victory, the gym was bustling with activity as fans and gym members came by to congratulate him. Among them was Mari Īmura, a familiar face who approached Alex with a warm smile.

"Congratulations on your win, Alex-kun," she said, her voice sincere.

Alex looked at her, his gaze steady and unreadable. As she continued speaking, he interrupted her suddenly.

"Mari-san, will you go on a date with me?"

Mari blinked, stunned. "What?"

He repeated, his tone unflinching, "Will you go on a date with me?"

Her cheeks flushed pink, and she hesitated before nodding, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes."

Present DayAlex pulled up to Mari's house in his Porsche, the engine purring softly. Mari was waiting outside, her black sheath dress accentuating her graceful figure. She carried herself with elegance, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.

Alex stepped out of the car, walking around to open the passenger door for her.

"You look beautiful," he said with a smile.

Mari's cheeks flushed slightly. "Thank you," she replied, stepping into the car.

As Alex drove through the city streets, the two exchanged light conversation, their words punctuated by occasional laughter. Tokyo's skyline gleamed in the evening light, adding to the romantic atmosphere.

They arrived at Ginkuma Saryo, a high-end restaurant known for its refined ambiance and exceptional cuisine. As Alex and Mari walked in, the restaurant's patrons recognized him instantly. While many of them wanted to cheer or congratulate him, they held back, nodding respectfully when they saw Mari by his side.

The couple was seated at a private table with a view of the city. The soft glow of candlelight reflected in their glasses as they perused the menu.

"So, Alex-kun," Mari began, "how does it feel to be a champion now?"

Alex chuckled. "Honestly, it feels amazing. But it's also a reminder—there's always someone stronger out there. I can't afford to get complacent."

Mari smiled. "That's very mature of you."

They shared a meal of delicately prepared sashimi, wagyu beef, and a selection of seasonal dishes. The conversation flowed easily, touching on everything from boxing to their personal lives.

"You know," Mari said, her tone playful, "I never imagined the quiet, stoic Alex-kun would be the type to ask someone out so directly."

Alex grinned, leaning back slightly. "Sometimes, you just have to take a risk."

After dinner, Alex drove them to a nearby park known for its breathtaking cherry blossoms. The trees were in full bloom, their petals illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights and the moon above.

As they strolled through the park, the air was filled with the delicate scent of the blossoms. Alex glanced at Mari's hand, her fingers slender and delicate. Summoning his courage, he gently reached out and took her hand in his.

Mari glanced at him, surprised at first, but then her expression softened. She clasped his hand in return, their fingers intertwining naturally.

They walked in silence for a while, the world around them fading as they enjoyed each other's presence.

"You know," Mari said softly, breaking the silence, "this is the first time I've felt so at ease on a date."

Alex turned to her, his expression warm. "I'm glad to hear that. I wasn't sure if I was doing this right."

She laughed lightly. "You're doing just fine."

As they continued their walk, the cherry blossoms drifted down around them like soft pink snow, marking the beginning of something special.

The evening was still young when Alex and Mari got back into the Porsche. The soft hum of the engine accompanied the rhythmic sound of the tires on the road as Alex drove them to a secluded mountain-top viewpoint. The location was serene, far from the bustling city below, and offered an unparalleled view of the night sky.

Once they arrived, Alex opened the trunk and pulled out a neatly folded towel he had prepared earlier. He laid it carefully on the soft grass, smoothing out the creases.

"Here," Alex said, gesturing for Mari to sit.

She smiled warmly, her black sheath dress glimmering faintly under the moonlight, and took her seat on the towel. Alex sat beside her, close enough for their shoulders to brush. The cool mountain air was refreshing, and the stars above seemed to twinkle just for them.

As they sat in comfortable silence, Mari glanced at their intertwined hands resting between them. Alex's strong, calloused hand enveloped hers gently, a contrast she found oddly reassuring.

"The stars are incredible out here," Mari said, her voice soft and almost reverent.

"They are," Alex replied, his gaze shifting from the stars to her. After a pause, he added in a low voice, "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"

Mari turned to look at him, her eyes locking with his. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but neither of them noticed.

"Yes," she said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It is."

Encouraged by her response, Alex raised his free hand and gently placed it behind Mari's neck. Leaning in, he paused for just a heartbeat, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. She didn't.

Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss, a moment that felt both timeless and fleeting. When they pulled apart, Mari's cheeks were flushed, and Alex gave her a small, lopsided smile.

For the next hour, they sat side by side,

gazing at the stars and exchanging quiet conversation. They talked about their dreams, their childhoods, and even a little about boxing. Mari shared stories about her family, while Alex opened up about his journey as a boxer and his aspirations for the future.

Eventually, the cool night air signaled it was time to leave. Alex stood first, offering his hand to help Mari up. Once they were back in the car, the drive was filled with a comfortable silence, the kind that spoke of mutual understanding and connection.

When they arrived at Mari's house, Alex got out to open the passenger door for her. She stepped out gracefully, turning to face him.

"I had fun tonight," she said, her smile radiant under the soft glow of the porch light. "This was the best date I've ever had."

Alex felt his chest warm at her words. "Me too. Maybe we can do this again sometime? If you're free."

Mari nodded, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Yes, I'd like that."

As she turned to head inside, Alex watched her go, unable to suppress the grin that spread across his face. He waited until the door closed before getting back into his car.

 By the time Alex returned home, the house was quiet. Ippo's mother, Hiroko, was already asleep, and Ippo was also sound asleep in his room, likely still recovering from the long day they'd had.

Alex headed to his room, kicking off his shoes and lying down on his bed. His mind replayed the night's events, from Mari's radiant smile to the soft touch of her hand in his.

As he drifted off to sleep, a satisfied smile lingered on his face. This wasn't just a step forward in his personal life—it felt like a moment that marked the beginning of something truly meaningful. 

To be continued…