Isekai in Hajime no Ippo with Gaolang’s Template

It was a quiet morning at the Makunouchi household. The first rays of sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the cozy living room where Alex sat, sipping tea. The faint sound of the TV playing a nature documentary filled the air as Ippo sat awkwardly nearby, glancing at the screen but clearly lost in thought. Hiroko was already in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast.

A sudden knock at the door broke the tranquil scene.

"I'll get it," Alex said, setting his cup down.

When he opened the door, Mari Īmura stood there, flanked by a small camera crew lugging boxy equipment typical of the 1990s. Mari, dressed professionally with a clipboard in hand, offered a polite smile.

"Good morning, Alex-san," she greeted, bowing slightly. "Thank you for having us."

"Good morning, Mari-san. Come on in," Alex replied, stepping aside to let them in.

Flashback: A Week AgoThe scene shifted to Alex and Haruhiko Yagi sitting at a local café, the warm ambiance buzzing with the hum of quiet conversation and clinking cups.

"So, Alex, about your promotional interview," Yagi began, sipping his coffee. "Should I schedule it the usual way? You know—just rile things up, talk about your opponent, and get the fans hyped?"

Alex stirred his coffee thoughtfully. "No. I want to do something different this time."

Yagi raised an eyebrow. "Different? What are you thinking?"

"I want the world to see who I really am," Alex said, leaning forward slightly. "Not just as a fighter but as a person. A day in my life. Show them everything—the training, the meals, the routines, and even my downtime."

Yagi leaned back, surprised. "A full day? That's... bold. I've never heard of anything like that before."

"That's because it hasn't been done yet," Alex replied confidently. In my past life, though, this kind of thing was a common promotional tactic. The thought lingered in his mind, though he didn't share it aloud.

Yagi tapped his chin, considering. "Alright, I like it. It's fresh, and it'll definitely catch people's attention. Do you have someone in mind for the interviewer, or should I call one of our usuals?"

"Mari Īmura," Alex said immediately.

Yagi raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin creeping onto his face. "Mari Īmura, huh? Interesting choice."

"What?" Alex asked, confused.

"Oh, nothing," Yagi said, chuckling as he sipped his coffee. "I'll make the arrangements."

Alex frowned slightly but shrugged it off. Whatever Yagi's thinking, I don't have time to figure it out.

Back to the PresentMari and her crew stepped into the house, greeted by the inviting smell of freshly brewed tea and the warmth of Hiroko's hospitality. She peeked out from the kitchen, smiling kindly.

"Welcome," Hiroko said, bowing slightly. "Thank you for coming. Please, make yourselves at home. Would you like some tea or snacks?"

Mari bowed in return, smiling. "Thank you, but we're alright for now. We appreciate your hospitality."

The cameraman and assistant echoed her sentiments as they set up their equipment.

Ippo, seated on the couch, glanced nervously at the crew before giving a small, awkward wave. "H-hi," he stammered.

Alex chuckled, patting Ippo on the shoulder.

"Relax, Ippo. They're just here for the promotion. Nothing to be nervous about."

Turning to Mari, Alex introduced them. "Mari-san, this is my cousin, Ippo, and my aunt, Hiroko. Aunt Hiroko is the one who keeps this house running like clockwork."

Hiroko blushed slightly, brushing her hands on her apron. "Oh, Alex-kun, you're too kind."

After the introductions, Alex gestured toward the living room. "We'll start here. It's 5 a.m. now, and we've got a full day ahead. Ready to roll?"

Mari nodded, adjusting her clipboard. "We're ready. Let's begin."

The cameraman powered on the bulky 1990s camera, its hum filling the room. As the lens focused on Alex, the house seemed to transform from a quiet sanctuary into the stage for a story waiting to unfold.

This was no ordinary promotional interview—it was the start of something groundbreaking, a glimpse into the life of Japan's fastest-rising boxing star.The camera focused on Mari Īmura, her professional demeanor radiating as she smiled at the lens.

"Hello, everyone. This is Mari Īmura, and we're here at the Makunouchi household to see what it's like in a day of Alex Makunouchi."

The camera panned to Alex, standing with his arms crossed and a confident smile.

"Hello, everyone," Alex greeted. "I'm Alex Makunouchi. Some of you might know me as 'the boxer guy,' but today, I'm here to show you what I do in my everyday life. Let's get started with breakfast."

The shot followed Alex as he walked into the kitchen, with Mari and the cameraman trailing behind. The cozy kitchen was filled with the sound of morning activity, and the aroma of freshly cooked food lingered in the air.

"This is my aunt, Hiroko," Alex said, gesturing toward Hiroko, who was placing dishes on the table. "And this is my cousin, Ippo."

The camera zoomed in on Hiroko, who bowed politely, and then on Ippo, who gave a shy wave, visibly uncomfortable under the spotlight.

The camera turned back to Alex, now seated at the medium-sized kitchen table, which could comfortably accommodate four people on each side. "And this," he said, pointing at his plate, "is my breakfast."

The cameraman captured a close-up of Alex's plate: three sunny-side-up eggs, a medium-rare steak, a cup of oatmeal, and a small bowl of yogurt topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

Mari's voice came from off-screen. "Is this your diet meal, Alex?"

"Yeah," Alex replied. "This is my diet meal. High protein, balanced carbs, and the yogurt for probiotics."

The camera panned to Ippo's plate: two pieces of grilled salmon, a cup of rice, and two pancakes drizzled with honey.

Mari pointed. "And Ippo's meal? Is this part of the same plan?"

Alex chuckled. "No, Ippo's not on a strict diet right now because he doesn't have a scheduled fight yet. But we do share the same nutritionist. The nutritionist designs the meals, but my aunt Hiroko is the one who actually cooks them."

The camera turned to Hiroko, who smiled warmly as she wiped her hands on a dish towel.

Breakfast passed in a series of candid shots, with the family enjoying their meal amidst light chatter. Once they finished, the scene shifted to the driveway, where Alex's Nissan SUV was parked.

Alex opened the driver's door, gesturing for Mari and the cameraman to follow. "Alright, now we're heading to the grocery store to stock up on food and other essentials."

The cameraman climbed into the backseat, capturing the cozy but modern interior of the vehicle. Ippo sat quietly in the backseat as well.

As Alex navigated through the streets, Mari glanced at him from the front seat. "While we're here, Alex, can you properly introduce yourself to the audience?"

Alex glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what should the people know about you?" Mari clarified.

Alex smirked. "Alright, then. Let's start at the beginning."The camera panned back to Alex as he navigated through the quiet streets of Tokyo. The city was just starting to wake up, with the golden hue of dawn painting the skyline.

Mari Īmura sat in the front passenger seat, a small notebook resting on her lap. Ippo was seated in the back with the cameraman, who carefully positioned the camera to capture the scene from behind Alex's shoulder.

Mari glanced at Alex, her curiosity evident. "So, Alex, is this live?"

Alex chuckled softly, keeping his eyes on the road. "Is this live?"

Mari shook her head, amused. "No, but everything you say will be included."

Alex nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. He glanced briefly at the road ahead, then at the rearview mirror before addressing the camera directly.

"To the people watching this," Alex began, his tone low and introspective. "Some of you might wonder where my parents are or think about where they might be."

He paused, his voice softening as he continued. "The truth is… they passed away when I was young."

The air in the car seemed to still as Alex spoke. The camera captured his profile—strong, yet shadowed by a tinge of sadness.

"I'm half Japanese," he went on, "and a quarter Irish and a quarter Romanian. My mom was half Romanian, half Irish, and my dad was fully Japanese."

Mari, who had been listening intently, glanced at Alex, her expression softening. "That explains your incredible physique," she said with a small smile.

Alex glanced at her briefly, caught off guard. He saw the faintest blush on Mari's cheeks before she quickly looked away, pretending to check her notes. Alex smirked slightly but returned his focus to the road.

"Anyway," Alex continued, his tone becoming serious again, "like I said, my parents passed away in an accident when I was young. After that, Aunt Hiroko took me in. She treated me as her own child, and Ippo and I grew up together."

The camera panned to Ippo in the back seat. He nodded quietly, his expression a mix of solemnity and gratitude.

"Growing up," Alex said, his voice steady but carrying weight, "Aunt Hiroko worked so hard at the fishing port to make sure we had food on the table and clothes to wear. She sacrificed so much for us."

Alex's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. "To the people who see me ranting at press conferences or trash-talking my opponents in the ring… maybe you think I'm just a clown or some arrogant jerk."

His gaze shifted to the rearview mirror, where Ippo's reflection met his own. Alex's tone hardened slightly as he added, "The truth is, I don't give a damn if people think badly of me. I'm not here to make them happy. I'm here to provide for my family, to repay the kindness that was shown to me when I had no one."

The car went silent for a moment, the weight of Alex's words sinking in. Even the cameraman, hidden behind the lens, seemed to feel the gravity of the moment.

Mari looked at Alex, her expression unreadable but tinged with admiration. Her professional demeanor faltered slightly, and for a split second, her gaze lingered on him in a way that hinted at something more. She quickly masked it, straightening in her seat.

"What if," Mari asked softly, "the future you could see this moment? What would you say to yourself?"

Alex's lips twitched into a faint smile. He exhaled deeply, the sound resonating in the quiet car.

"I've lost my mind in this game," Alex began, his voice carrying a blend of melancholy and defiance. "Like Vincent van Gogh. He dedicated his life to his art and lost his mind in the process. That's what happened to me."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as if he were speaking directly to the future version of himself. "But you know what? Fuck it. When that green belt is around my waist, when Aunt Hiroko has a big mansion, when my future girlfriend has a different car for every day of the week, and when my future kids' kids have anything they could ever want…"

He smiled—a smile filled with determination, defiance, and a touch of madness. "Then it will pay, Then Im happy I lost my mind. I'll die a crazy old man."

Alex's words hung in the air, electrifying the atmosphere in the car. He suddenly let out a loud, unapologetic laugh, the kind that seemed to echo with both joy and defiance.

The camera remained focused on him, capturing the raw emotion in his expression.

Mari, however, didn't laugh. She simply stared at Alex, her usual professional demeanor slipping away entirely. There was something in her eyes now—admiration, intrigue, and perhaps a tinge of something more.

In the back seat, Ippo sat frozen, his jaw slightly ajar. Even the cameraman, usually detached and focused on his craft, seemed to be caught off guard.

A wave of goosebumps seemed to ripple through everyone in the car, the weight of Alex's words leaving them speechless.

The camera lingered on Alex as he drove, his expression calm and unbothered, as if the heavy monologue he had just delivered was the most natural thing in the world.

To be continued...