Chapter 39: News on the Streets and a Busy Week Ahead

The next day, Alex, Ippo, and Hiroko made their way to the house, currently under renovation. The sound of hammers and drills echoed in the background as workers bustled about, placing beams and adjusting the foundation.

Near the front of the house stood the contractor, an elderly man with a kind demeanor, wearing a worn hat and holding a clipboard. Despite his age, he moved with a spryness that suggested years of experience in his trade.

Hiroko approached him, a soft smile on her face. "Excuse me, sir, about the adjustments we discussed earlier—are those feasible?"

The contractor adjusted his glasses and gave her a reassuring nod. "Makunouchi-san, absolutely. Lowering the kitchen counters and rearranging the storage spaces won't be an issue. We've already ordered the materials for the modifications. Everything will match your preferences."

"Thank you," Hiroko replied, her tone warm but firm. "And about the placement of the furniture—I'd like to make sure it's positioned where it'll make the most sense."

The elderly man chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll have my team double-check everything. This house is coming along well, and when it's done, it'll be a home you'll love."

A few workers carrying timber beams walked by, nodding politely as they passed. Alex and Ippo stood a few steps back, watching Hiroko as she animatedly described her vision for the new home.

"She's really into this, huh?" Alex said, smiling.

Ippo nodded. "She deserves to have a house just the way she wants it. She's worked so hard for me."

"For us," Alex corrected gently, his voice filled with gratitude. "She's been a mom to me, too."

Hiroko finished her conversation and turned to the boys with a satisfied smile. "All right, that's settled. Now, don't forget to focus on your training! Leave the rest to me and the team here."As Alex and Ippo walked briskly toward the gym, the late morning sun illuminated the bustling streets of town.

Vendors lined the sidewalks, calling out to passersby and showcasing their goods. Among them, a man stood near the curb, holding up a newspaper with bold, eye-catching headlines.

"Get your morning news here!" he shouted, waving a stack of papers in one hand.

Alex's eyes caught the glint of the black-and-white print. Curious, he motioned to Ippo. "Hold up a second."

He approached the vendor. "Mind if I take a look at that headline?"

The vendor turned, his face lighting up with recognition. His jaw slackened slightly as he realized who stood before him. "Y-You're Alex Makunouchi!"

Alex offered a sheepish smile. "Yeah, that's me. Can I borrow a paper for a second?"

The vendor was quick to hand over a copy, his excitement barely contained. "Take it, take it! You're incredible! I watched your last fight—it was amazing!"

"Thanks, man. Means a lot." Alex scanned the front page. The bold letters read:

"September 12th: Riku Tanaka vs. Hayato Shimizu Finalized!"

Underneath was a photo of the two lightweight contenders, both glaring confidently at the camera. Alex let out a low whistle. "It's official, huh?"

Handing the newspaper back, Alex added, "Let me give you something in return." He grabbed a pen from his bag and scribbled his signature across the front page of the paper. The vendor's face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, holding the paper like a prized possession.

"No problem. Keep up the good work." Alex gave him a nod, then rejoined Ippo, who had been watching with mild amusement.

"You're really popular, huh?" Ippo teased.

"Eh, comes with the territory," Alex replied with a smirk.

When they arrived at the gym, the familiar sounds of punching bags being struck and feet shuffling on mats greeted them. Coach Kamogawa was waiting for them, holding a cardboard box.

"Alex," the coach called out. "Come over here. I've got something for you."

Alex approached, and the coach handed him the box. "Nike sent these over for your photo shoot and commercial next week. Shirts, pants, shoes, coats—the works. You'll look sharp for the camera."

Alex opened the box and pulled out a sleek pair of black-and-white Nike sneakers. He raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."

Coach leaned against the ring ropes. "And don't forget, the Sony commercial is scheduled for the day after the Nike shoot. They'll expect you to promote that new console of theirs. It's going to be a busy week for you."

Alex nodded, his mind already racing with how to juggle training and his new obligations. "Got it, Coach. I'll be ready."

"Good," the coach said, crossing his arms. "Just don't let all this fancy stuff distract you. You're still a fighter first."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Alex replied, grinning.

Ippo, standing nearby, looked at the shiny new gear with wide eyes. "That's so cool, Alex. You're like a real superstar now."

Alex patted Ippo's shoulder. "We're both climbing, Ippo. Your turn's coming too."

They turned back to the gym, ready to dive into another day of training amidst the growing buzz of their careers.

To be continued…