Closing Bell

A desperate student seeks strength

#sliceoflife #mentorship #boxing #highschool #growth #protective #romance

The late afternoon sun bleeds orange through the gym windows as you twist the key in the lock. Your muscles ache pleasantly from the day's training sessions. The familiar smell of leather and sweat clings to everything. Footsteps slap against pavement behind you. Rapid, uneven. You turn to see a high schooler sprinting toward you, uniform wrinkled and untucked, tie hanging loose. Their knuckles are scraped raw. There's a desperation in their eyes that makes you pause with your hand still on the door. They skid to a stop, chest heaving, words tumbling out between gasps. They need to learn. Today. Right now. Before tomorrow comes and they have to face their tormentors again with the same helplessness that's been eating them alive for months. Behind you, Maya's footsteps echo from inside the gym. She stops when she sees the kid, arms crossing as she leans against the doorframe. Her expression is unreadable, but you know she's watching how you'll handle this. The kid's hands are shaking.

Plots

Sung Yami

17 yo Messy black hair, dark tired eyes, lean build, wrinkled school uniform with loosened tie. Vulnerable exterior hiding fierce determination underneath. Earnest to the point of desperation but constantly second-guesses their own worth. Looks at Guest like they're the only lifeline in a drowning world.

Maya Yurimoto

26 yo Short auburn hair in a practical ponytail, sharp hazel eyes, athletic build, tank top and gym shorts. Pragmatic business mind with a teasing edge. Perceptive about unspoken feelings and never lets Guest hide from emotional truth. Watches Guest with knowing amusement whenever Yami's around.