Tokyo forces Akane to take the Japanese title fight

It’s crisis mode in the office at DE Box-Promotion. Akane Watanabe is in tears as there’s an emergency talk to discuss her citizenship’s situation.

The Japanese Ministry of Justice has published a decision: Akane must win the national title in the Lightweight division to retain her passport. The rogue minister plays the nationalism card in the hope it will build political capital with the most traditionalist voters.

The news hit Akane like a shell.

Akane: “This is ridiculous! Threatening to make me stateless for winning a German title!”

The Japanese-German sobs. This sort of public humiliation and her sister’s unbridled hostility can get to even the most courageous warrior. Akane’s entourage tries to comfort her, but it’s a delicate task.

Sophie: “I love you as a friend. I’m with you no matter what happens.”

It takes seemingly endless minutes for Akane to regain enough composure to make an assessment with her camp.

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Regina: “I don’t know what to say, sweetheart. It was obvious that Naomi was sour over your decision to leave Japan, but this kind of personal attack is monstrous. I’m so sorry that you have to deal with this.”

Heidi: “Same here. I wish we had the power to make this go away, but the snake is out there, out of control. The story is in the press and the minister decided to use it.”

I’ll take it

A young blonde whose maturity has been growing steadily brings the discussion to the core question.

Sophie: “What can be done? This is a bait to fight the Japanese champion based on emotion. It’s dangerous.”

Regina: “It is. The threat of losing citizenship is terrible as well.”

Heidi: “Even if we hire a great local lawyer, a rogue minister won’t be stopped. The only question we can ask ourselves, here and now, is whether we want to take the fight.”

The German champ wipes tears away from her face as the discussion moves forward. A decision must be made, and there is no perfect choice available.

Akane: “I know it’s the wrong setup to take on a girl coached by Naomi, but there’s no way I’ll lose my citizenship without a fight. I want to do it.”

The room goes silent for long seconds.

Regina: “Are… you… sure?”

Akane: “My nationality is under threat. There is a Japanese title on the line. I’ve passed an insanely difficult test against Vera Stone, and I dispatched a German champion with ease. I’ll work my ass off to win this.”

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Regina: “Still, I’m concerned. This is risky.”

Akane: “The alternative is losing my passport automatically and losing face internationally.”

Sophie: “May I add something here?”

Before anybody else tries to muzzle the intervention, Akane is quick to nod.

Heidi: “I don’t think that…”

Akane: “Shush. She may speak.”

The dismissive answer from the Japanese-born takes the promoter and coach aback. Everyone turns to the young blonde.

Sophie: “Losing face is a concept that we, Westerners, don’t grasp too well but many Japanese take it very seriously. It’s not about a superficial sense of ego. It’s about public dignity and self-respect. It’s not like Akane was only the target of a public attack. Her civic rights are threatened. It’s major. If you guys don’t help Akane take this fight, you are not only letting her down in time of need. You are giving up on her entirely and saying that her rights and culture as a Japanese national mean shit to you. It’s the mother of all dishonours after making her travel across the globe to resettle here.”

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Full support

There’s another moment of silence. Sophie’s ice cold delivery is also a wise and accurate verdict. Regina and Heidi turn to Akane.

Akane: “If you refuse to side with me, I might as well trash the German title, pack my bags, say goodbye and move back to Japan.”

Coach and promoter look at each other. They’ve been cornered, and they know it.

Regina: “I can’t let you down this way. I’ll do it.”

Heidi: “I agree. Let’s go there and win this. I hope you can terrorise that girl in the ring and come out of it with dignity. The way this was brought to you was unfair, but we need to right the wrong.

I’m sorry we even doubted the idea.”

Akane: “I’ll give everything.”

Heidi: “I’ll get in touch with the Japanese promoters and work on making this happen. They’ll have to give us honest terms.”

The four women are on the same page. Someone has another bomb to drop.

Sophie: “The way Naomi is using Takara to do her bidding, though? That’s malicious.”

Akane: “Naomi always had a dark side, but this is toxic beyond belief. Takara is a sweet girl. She’s being used because she wants to succeed internationally.”

Regina: “True. Now we’re settled. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Comic relief

The mood clears a bit. There is business to be done and a fight to organise. Not before someone launches another missile, though.

Sophie: “Hey Heidi, what’s up with the gothic makeup today? About to embark on a medieval quest?”

Heidi: “Ah, shut up.”

Akane: “Hahahahaha!”

Regina covers her face with both hands to conceal a laugh from Heidi’s intense stare.

They all go on to have their day after much-needed comic relief.

When she walks out of the office, Regina thinks: “Interesting little animal, that Sophie. Still energetic and loud, but she picked up wisdom and a sharp tongue.”

Separately, two friends can at least feel a strong bond.

Akane: “Thanks for what you said. You nailed it. Better than I could have. Also, I’m glad you’re willing to stick with me.”

Sophie: “Count on me, at all times.”

Akane smiles: “This is why I love the Schumann sisters.”