9 Broadcasted Fight

"Hap!"

"Wha!"

"Mmph!"

Ting-ting-ting!

"Round over!"

A resounding cheer echoed all over the underground as Yuuta reached the back seat. Just like any other day, he missed all the first fights in every category since he just got out of school. Still, he didn't mind any of it at all. After all, no one takes the first fights seriously. It was more or less like a warm-up or an appetizer for what's to come.

Yuuta managed to get a seat at the rear part of the audience's seats. Although he was a ways away from the actual rings, he could precisely hear the movements of all those fighting. Just with his ears and perception alone, he could watch the fights without actually seeing them.

"Oh, this is unusual." A man came up to Yuuta, sitting beside him. "Why are you here early? Did any of the fighters in the first round interest you?"

"No, it's just that I lost track of time so I didn't know what time is it. Also, I think school ended a bit earlier than before." Yuuta casually answered. "Enough about that, got any fights for me, Daichi-san?"

"Unfortunately, no." Daichi clicked his tongue. "The head of the underground wants to save you for the main event so they decided to hold off on your fights for now. But tomorrow, you'll get on the big stage and a lot of people are coming. It's a broadcasted fight."

"Daichi-san, I already told you that I don't fight in front of the camera right? No matter how much they offer me please reject the fight." Yuuta responded, his face turning sour.

"You've become famous, you know. Daredevil and Dark Flame Master. Only someone worthy of the title would have the audacity to use them, hehe." Daichi soft-spokenly said. "You don't want to fight in front of a camera. Didn't you just do that in a livestream in youtube. Which, by the way, had a billion live views at its peak."

"So that's what happened, huh. In any case, you still can't change my mind. I'm not fighting." Yuuta concluded as he stood up. "If that's all, then I don't have any reason to stay here. I'll be heading out."

"One million and ninety thousand yen. That's the minimum amount you'll get whether you tap out or you seize victory with your hands. If you managed to win, we'll double the price. Same rules as the underground, the only difference is, it will be broadcasted in the camera."

"No foul play?"

"No foul play."

"Then, why is the price money so big? Did the underground get a sponsor?" Yuuta continued with his questions towards Daichi-san. "Or, is my enemy a bigshot?"

"A bigshot? Oh yeah, he's a big shot all right. He's a former world champion in the world of boxing, featherweight division. He's only thirty years old but he decided to try the underground just because he's curious about it. Apparently, he's got the big guns so he's sponsoring the whole match. He's heard about you, and after seeing you in the livestream in youtube, he decided to contact me, your manager. I don't know how he got a hold of my phone number but it's not my job to ask questions. I just book the fight and you fight the fight. That's all there is to it."

"This sounds fishy. What's his name?"

"Nakamura Ryota, won the championship in '36 and '38. He's a pretty light guy and swift on his feet. His one-two's are a menace and his footwork are incomparable to other featherweight boxers. Same build as you, but I think you won't lose out in strength and speed." Daichi spat out information about the boxer before Yuuta even asked about him. This has been their ritual for the past few months and Daichi has gotten too used to it.

"So two years ago? I remember him. It's that guy with the buzzcut and blond highlights on the tip of his hair, right?" Yuuta asked. Two years ago was like a decade in the past for him because at that point in time, he still had sight.

"Yeah, that guy, except he's gotten a bit thinner." Daichi continued. "Anyways, are you in? You've been undefeated in the ring for the past few months. This could be a change of pace."

"I've seen him fight. I can win." Yuuta continued. "Just make sure I won't be recognizable in the broadcast. Also, I'll be using my alias instead of my real name, just like usual."

"You got yourself a deal. I'll wrap you up real good like a present so no one will notice you. And as for my share, you don't have to worry about it. you can keep the money." Daichi said as he waved off his hands in goodbye.

"What do you mean?"

"You'll know by tomorrow."

Ting-ting-ting!

"Round over!"

Yuuta didn't even notice it but the second fights in all category was already over. The conversation he had with Daichi-san took longer than expected. Seeing that there was nothing interesting going on, and a crowd was already forming quickly, Yuuta decided to take his leave.

A fresh passing breeze ruffled his hair as he opened the door that led to the outside of the underground. If he were a normal person, he would've squinted his eyes due to the abundance of city lights that greeted him one he got out. But since he was blind, he indifferently walked away, enjoying the coldness of the night while the night wore on.

"Yuuta, you're here!" Shiki greeted after seeing him at their usual meet-up spot. "You're pretty early today, did you get dumped by your girlfriend?"

"No, I just got bored walking." Yuuta shrugged. Finally, he could now let down his guard around his friend.

"Well, you do it everyday so you'll get bored eventually. Here, I'll carry your bag for you." Shiki offered.

"I told you, you don't have to do this every time. I can manage."

"Yeah yeah, and I told you, I only do this so you won't struggle walking around. It's hard swinging that cane with your bag slung on your shoulders, you know."

"Well, it's not as easy but I can manage."

"See? Now just keep quiet and leave your bag to me."