READ NOVEL FREE Chapter 67: Chapter 67: A Night to Remember
The Kamogawa Gym team gathered at a private restaurant, the mood jubilant as they celebrated Alex Makunouchi's triumph and his new status as the Japan Lightweight Champion. Laughter, clinking glasses, and boisterous cheers filled the air.
Aoki and Kimura were the first to go overboard, their cheeks flushed as they slurred their words, each trying to outdo the other in ridiculous toasts. "To Alex!" Aoki hollered, barely holding his glass steady. "The future legend of boxing!"
Kimura clinked his glass against Aoki's. "And to me, for putting up with you fools!" he added, bursting into laughter.
Ippo, still shaken earlier by Miyata's loss, had been unusually quiet. But after a few drinks—egged on by Takamura and Alex—he loosened up. Now, even Ippo was red-faced, joining in the festivities.
"Here's to Alex!" Ippo shouted, a little too loudly, raising his glass high. "You deserve it, cousin!"
Across the room, Takamura and Alex had taken control of the karaoke machine, their drunken antics drawing everyone's attention. Alex grabbed the mic with a swagger, scrolling through the songs until he landed on How I Could Just Kill a Man by Cypress Hill.
"This one's for you, Takamura!" Alex slurred with a grin, starting the rap with surprising confidence.
"Here is somethin' you can't understand!
(How I could just kill a man!)"
The beat pulsed through the room as Alex's voice, though slightly off-key, delivered the lyrics with enthusiasm.
Takamura, who understood only fragments of the English lyrics, bobbed his head aggressively to the beat. "Yeah! Whatever you're saying, it sounds badass!" he shouted, throwing an arm around Alex's shoulder.
The rest of the team roared with laughter as Alex and Takamura swayed to the music, creating a scene that no one would forget anytime soon. Even Coach Kamogawa and Yagi, their usual stoicism long gone, clinked glasses and cheered along, visibly enjoying the rare moment of unbridled celebration.
As the night wore on, exhaustion began to settle in. The team decided to call it a night. Alex and Ippo, too drunk to drive, hailed a taxi to get home, leaving their cars parked at the restaurant with plans to retrieve them the next day.
When they arrived home, the lights were dim, and Hiroko Makunouchi was already asleep, her quiet presence a reminder of the support and love that had helped them get this far.
Alex and Ippo stumbled inside, careful not to make too much noise. "What a night," Alex mumbled, dropping onto the futon with a content sigh.
"Yeah…" Ippo murmured, his eyes heavy with sleep. "You're the champ now, Alex…"
Alex grinned, his voice trailing off as sleep overtook him. "And tomorrow… we'll do it all again…
The house fell silent, the weight of their achievements and the bonds they shared filling the space with warmth as they drifted into a well-deserved rest. "
While Alex and Ippo lay in a deep sleep, their hangovers keeping them oblivious to the world outside, Japan was alive with celebration. The victory of Alex Makunouchi, the youngest Japan Lightweight Champion at just 18 years old, had sent ripples of excitement across the country.
In the streets, clusters of young men gathered, reenacting Alex's signature moves and cheering as if they were in the arena themselves. His win wasn't just a boxing triumph; it was a moment of pride for the youth of Japan, who saw in Alex someone who represented their dreams and aspirations.
Restaurants across the country had found creative ways to join in the celebration. One local eatery near the Kamogawa Gym put up a sign that read:
"FREE MEALS TODAY! Celebrate Alex Makunouchi's Victory!"
Inside, customers filled the tables, their conversations all about Alex. "Did you see how he dodged that punch in round two? Incredible!" one young man exclaimed, mimicking Alex's evasive maneuvers with dramatic flair.
Another chimed in, "And that knockout in round two? He's unstoppable!"
Elsewhere, Alex's fans were showing their devotion in their own ways. Groups of young people crafted handmade banners with his image, hanging them proudly from their homes or displaying them in storefronts. One particularly striking banner depicted Alex mid-flicker jab, his face intense, with the words:
"OUR CHAMPION: ALEX THE GREAT!"
The streets bustled with newspaper vendors holding up the day's headline in bold print:
"ALEX MAKUNOUCHI: JAPAN'S NEW LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION!
At 18, the youngest champion with an undefeated record: 5-0-0 (5 KOs)"
The front page featured a triumphant photo of Alex in the ring, his arm raised high with the Japan Lightweight Belt glinting in the light. His infectious smile, tinged with the sweat and blood of battle, spoke volumes of the grit and glory of his journey.
The paper sold out quickly, with vendors shouting, "Get your copy now! Witness history!" Families, friends, and strangers alike shared the news with pride.
On TV, morning talk shows and sports programs replayed highlights of Alex's fight, analyzing his movements and praising his skill. "Makunouchi's composure, precision, and power are unmatched," one
commentator said. "At only 18 years old, he's reshaping the lightweight division."
Across the country, Alex's name was on everyone's lips. His victory wasn't just a personal achievement; it was a national event, sparking hope, excitement, and pride among the people.
Back at the Makunouchi household, however, the champ and his cousin remained blissfully unaware of the frenzy. Alex snored softly, his arm draped over his eyes, while Ippo mumbled something incoherent in his sleep.
For now, they rested, unaware of the waves they had created in the hearts of millions. But when they woke, they would step into a world forever changed by Alex's victory—a world where his name was synonymous with greatness.
To be continued…