Content Warning: Vomit


It was a chilly February evening. The boxers were all inside at the arena, either prepping for matches or just hanging out and discussing their weekend plans. "अरे रिकी, क्या आपने वह नया बॉब चार्ली गाना सुना है जो कल रात आया था?" Great Tiger asked Piston Hondo. (Hey Riki, have you heard that new Bob Charlie song that came out last night?)

"レゲエはあまり好きではありません." (I don't really like reggae.) Piston Hondo tried to focus on his meditation. He wanted to be completely at peace when he stepped into the ring.

But then, he heard something that instantly told him that today was not going to be peaceful at all.

"りき!" (Riki!)

Please say that wasn't.

The door to the lounge then swung upon.

It was.

"あなたを見つけました!" (I found you!) A college-age girl came bounding into the room. "私はあなたの試合を直接見に来ました!また、おばあちゃんが今夜の夕食の調理を手伝ってくれると聞きましたか?彼女は私たちにそれを決してさせません!" (I came to see your match in person! Also, did you hear that Grandma's gonna let me help her cook dinner tonight? She never lets us do that!)

Piston Hondo sighed and looked up at everyone else in the room, who were all staring at him. "姉のなつみです." (This is my sister, Natsumi.)

"いつから始めますか? そして、あなたの傷跡はもう色あせていますか?" (When do you start? And have your scars faded yet?) Natsumi was still bouncing up and down.

"Scars?" Katrina cocked her head at Piston Hondo.

Piston Hondo glared at Natsumi before answering. "私は数年前に胸部手術を受けました." (I had chest surgery several years ago.) Looking at the clock, he got up and left the lounge; the match would be starting soon.


"In this corner, we have an ichiban ready to deliver a TKO from Tokyo, Piston Hondo! And in this corner, we've got the big daddy from the far off world of Dreamland, Mr. Sandman! Fight!"

The fight began, and as it progressed, Piston Hondo was starting to wonder if he had finally met his match. Mr. Sandman was far stronger than he had anticipated. Still, he persisted. He prepared himself to enter a Hondo Rush. But just as he was about to throw the last punch in the rush, Mr. Sandman dodged and countered with three very strong punches; Dreamland Express. Piston Hondo went down. Mr. Sandman hit hard. Still, he couldn't give in just yet. He got back up, but found himself off balance. What was going on?

Mr. Sandman noticed that Piston Hondo was stumbling a bit. He waited for him to fully drop his guard, then gave him his most powerful Wink Punch. Again, Piston Hondo fell.

Piston Hondo could hear Pierce's countdown, but he didn't care. He was in terrible pain.

"Ten! Knockout!"

Piston Hondo still didn't get up. Both Pierce and Mr. Sandman went to his side and eased him upright. Mr. Sandman hoisted his arm over his shoulder to walk him to the locker room. Piston Hondo simply didn't know what to think. He had never lost before. He had never been hit so hard before. Was he weaker than he thought he was?

"リキ! あなたは大丈夫?! あなたが負けたなんて信じられない! あなたは決して負けません!" (Riki! Are you okay?! I can't believe you lost! You never lose!) Natsumi rushed him as soon as she saw him.

Piston Hondo was terribly overwhelmed. This entire situation was much too stressful to handle. He hiccuped, and within seconds, Mr. Sandman had him leaned over a trash bin while he vomited. When he was done, Mr. Sandman brought him to the lounge to lie down, while Natsumi trailed behind them.

"ああ、神様, どうした?!メディックが必要ですか?病気ですか?" (OMG, what happened?! Do you need the medic? Are you sick?) Natsumi was going a mile a minute, asking all sorts of rapidfire questions.

"放っておいて、なつみ!" (Leave me alone, Natsumi!) Piston Hondo snapped. He just wanted some quiet for a little bit. Natsumi went silent, and was shooed out of the room. Piston Hondo leaned back and groaned.


An hour had passed. Dinner would be soon, and Natsumi promised she would help Grandma cook. She got up from the bench she was sitting on and peeked inside the lounge. The lights had been dimmed, but she could still see her brother inside. Joe was knelt down next to him, saying soft things to him and having him drink some water. "C'est ça va, mon gars, tu es sur beaucoup de stress maintenant." (It's okay, buddy, you're under a lot of stress right now.)

When Piston Hondo saw Natsumi from the door, he hauled himself up and went to her. Natsumi hugged her brother. "ごめんなさい." (I'm sorry.)

Piston Hondo quietly hugged his sister back. The two went home with each other for dinner.

"リキ! なつみ!" (Riki! Natsumi!) Grandma Miyoko rushed to the door when they came inside. "ああ、リキ、私はすべてを見ました. ごめんなさい." (Oh, Riki, I saw everything. I'm so sorry.) She ushered her grandchildren to the dinner table, where she set down bowls of Piston Hondo's favourite miso soup for each of them; evidently made when she witnessed the defeat. The three of them ate quietly, and when they were finished, Grandma took the dishes while Natsumi brought Piston Hondo to bed.

"あなたは今どのように感じていますか?" She asked. (How are you feeling now?)

"頭が痛い," mumbled Piston Hondo. (My head hurts.)

"私はそんなに乱暴になってはいけませんでした," said Natsumi softly. (I shouldn't have been so rowdy.)

"それは常にあなたの最悪の欠陥でした." Piston Hondo leaned back. (It's always been your worst flaw.)

"まあ、それはあなたが完璧だという意味ではありません." Natsumi pouted and crossed her arms. "あなたはいつもとても真剣です." (Well, it's not like you're perfect. You're always so serious.)

They both stayed silent for a moment, until Natsumi's face softened. "まだ吐きそうな気がしますか?" (Do you still feel like you're gonna throw up?)

Piston Hondo shook his head. "ちょうどその瞬間のストレスだったと思います." (I think it was just the stress of the moment.)

Natsumi leaned in and hugged her big brother. "私はあなたを愛しています、兄." (I love you, big brother.)

"気をつけろ; あなたは打撲傷を押しています." (Careful; you're pressing on the bruises.) Natsumi fixed her elbows and put her head down. Piston Hondo put a hand on his sister's back. Both drifted into a gentle slumber, and when Grandma came to check on them, she didn't dare disturb them.